DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO LEAVE FOR LONDON .................................... 1
PROPERTY OWNERS TOLD ABOUT TAX RETURNS .......................... 1
ONE MORE DAY FOR FISHERMEN'S CLAIMS ............................. 2
PRIZES FOR STUDENT CONTEST WINNERS .............................. 3
OUTSTANDING STUDENT CRAFTSMEN GET AWARDS ........................ 3
PUBLIC PIER TO BE EXTENDED ...................................
LARGEST COLUMBARIUM PLANNED ..................................
AMENITY PLOT SPREADS MEI FA MESSAGE ............................. 5
WHEELCHAIR DANCE TO SUPPORT YOUTH YEAR .......................... 5
CAS HOLDING MINI-SOCCER TOURNEY ................................. 6
GRAHAM STREET TO BE OPENED ...................................... 6
TUEN MUN ROAD CLOSURE ........................................... 6
RESTRICTED ZONE ................................................. 7
WATER CUTS IN TWO AREAS ......................................... 7
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985 1
GOVERNOR TO LEAVE FOR LONDON * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON TOMORROW (SUNDAY) NIGHT ON FLIGHT CX 201, ETD 10.50 PM.
WHILE IN LONDON, SIR EDWARD WILL ATTEND A DINNER TO BE GIVEN BY THE PRIME MINISTER FOR MR ZHAO ZI YANG, PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. I
HE WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL ON MR RICHARD LUCE, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.
------- 0 - -
PROPERTY OWNERS TOLD ABOUT TAX RETURNS
PROPERTY OWNERS WHO RECEIVED PROPERTY TAX RETURNS WERE REMINDED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO SEND IN THE PROPERTY TAX RETURN FOR 1984-85 TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT BY JUNE 15.
k SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THOSE WHO DID NOT SUBMIT THEIR RETURNS WOULD BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
HE ADVISED PROPERTY OWNERS TO READ THE EXPLANATORY NOTE ENCLOSED WITH THE RETURN CAREFULLY, BEFORE FILLING IN THE FORMS.
+ANYONE WHO HAS DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING THE FORM CAN EITHER TELEPHONE THE ASSESSOR OR CALL AT THE PROPERTY TAX SECTION, 30/F., WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG FOR INFORMATION.*
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE CHARGEABLE TO PROPERTY TAX THAT WHEN THERE WAS A CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP, WHETHER BY SALE OR TRANSFER, THE VENDOR OR TRANSFEROR MUST NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE TRANSACTION.
+OWNERS WHO HAVE OCCUPIED PREMISES SOLELY FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE CHARGE TO PROPERTY TAX SHOULD ALSO INFORM US IN WRITING IF THEY CEASE TO OCCUPY THESE PREMISES EXCLUSIVELY FOR SUCH PURPOSES,+ HE ADDED.
0 -------
/2............
I
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
2
l
ONE MORE DAY FOR FISHERMEN’S CLAIMS * * * * *
ONE MORE DAY WILL BE GIVEN FOR FISHERMEN TO REGISTER CLAIMS FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE IN CONNECTION WITH A PROPOSED RECLAMATION PROJECT AT TSANG TSUI IN TUEN MUN.,
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE D I'STR I CT OFFICE SA ID TODAY THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF CLAIMANTS, REGISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 5), STARTING AT 10 AM, AT TSANG TSUI.
ONLY. .THOSE FISHERMEN WHO HAD TURNED UP ON MAY 21 AND 24 WITH THEIR BOATS AND WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN A NUMBERED SLIP OF PAPER WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER.
MANY OF THE CLAIMANTS WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR REGISTRATION FORMS WERE FOUND TO BE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CLAIMS, HE SAID.
THE CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY AREs
* THE BOAT MUST BE BASED IN THE AREA FROM BLACK POINT TO TAI SHU I HANG.
* IT MUST NOT BE MORE THAN 50 FEET IN LENGTH.
* IT MUST HAVE BEEN FISHING IN THE AFFECTED AREA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NUMBER OF BOATS ACTUALLY FISHING IN THE AREA WAS KNOWN TO BE VERY SMALL.
+BUT THE NUMBER OF BOATS TURNING UP ON THE FIRST TWO DAYS CF REGISTRATION WAS SEVERAL TIMES LARGER.
+THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE PAYABLE WILL BE SMALL, AND FISHERMEN WHO HAVE NO VALID CLAIM ARE URGED NOT TO WASTE THEIR TIME BY COMING TO REGISTER ON JUNE 5,+ HE SAID.
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
PRIZES FOR STUDENT CONTEST WINNERS * * * *
SOME 150 STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT AT A CEREMONY ON TUESDAY (JUNE 4) FOR THEIR EFFORT IN THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION.
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ON VARIOUS BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. MORE THAN 1 000 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED. .
THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT MARINA ROOM CF THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR CF SCHOOLS), DR KONG YUN-FUN, AND THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY’S HEAD OF SCHOOL AFFAIRS, MR ZEE KWOK-KUNG, WILL ALSO BE OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION.'
-------0---------
OUTSTANDING STUDENT CRAFTSMEN GET AWARDS MO
NINE STUDENTS RECEIVED PRIZES TODAY
(SATURDAY) FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A CRAFT SKILLS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC).
THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL EVENT IS TO ENHANCE AND PUBLICISE THE CRAFT SKILLS OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS, A SPOKESMAN OF THE COUNCIL SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR MORRIS MORGAN, SAID THAT ACQUISITION OF CRAFT SKILLS WAS IMPORTANT TO MODERN SOCIETY.
♦ IT IS INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES WOULD BE SO RICH IF IT WERE NOT FOR CRAFT SKILLS IN THE BRANCHES OF ENGINEERING WHICH MAKE UP THIS COMPETITION,* HE ADDED.
THE COMPETITION, HELD BETWEEN MARCH AND MAY, INVOLVED MORE THAN 100 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME DAY RELEASE STUDENTS AT CRAFT LEVEL FROM ALL FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
PARTICIPANTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO SHOW THEIR BEST IN BASIC MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SKILLS, BENCH-FITTING SKILLS, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND WINDING SKILLS AND VARIOUS ELECTRONIC PROJECTS.
/MR MORGAN .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
4 -
MR MORGAN THANKED THE CHEN HSONG MACHINERY COMPANY LIMITED FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND GENEROUS DONATION OF PRIZES.
TWENTY-FIVE STUDENTS OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WERE ALSO PRESENTED WITH THE CHEN HSONG SCHOLARSHIP.
------0-------
A 1 I
PUBLIC PIER TO BE EXTENDED
* * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR WORK ON EXTENDING THE YUNG SHUE WAN PUBLIC PIER FOR PASSENGER FERRIES.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A COVERED WAITING AREA, TICKET OFFICES AND THE WIDENING OF THE EXISTING CATWALK.
THE PIER EXTENSION WILL BE ONLY FOR FERRY SERVICES, WHILE THE WIDENED CATWALK AND THE EXISTING PUBLIC PIER WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO OTHER USERS.
. WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND TO BE COMPLETED IN ■ 18 MONTHS.
0
LARGEST COLUMBARIUM PLANNED
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD THE LARGEST COLUMBARIUM TO ACCOMMODATE 36 698 NICHES.
THE EIGHT-STOREY COLUMBARIUM WILL BE BUILT ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM AT WONG TAI SIN.
THERE WILL BE THREE JOSS PANS ON EACH FLOOR AND THEY WILL BE CONNECTED TO A VERTICAL FLUE TO COLLECT ASHES AT THE GROUND FLOOR. ALL OF THESE JOSS PANS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED EXHAUST SYSTEM.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE INCENSE-BURNERS AND WOODEN BENCHES.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THIS PROJECT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
------0-------
/5........
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
5
AMENITY PLOT SPREADS MEI FA MESSAGE H H *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY BUILT A SMALL AMENITY PLOT WITH FOUR CHINESE CHARACTERS ’MEI FA HONG KONG’ AT 9-1/2 MILESTONE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN TO SPREAD THE ’BEAUTIFY-THE-ENVIRONMENT’ MESSAGE.
OCCUPYING 300 SQUARE METRES, THE ROADSIDE AMENITY PLOT CONSISTS OF ABOUT 20 000 GROUND COVERS AND SHRUBS.
TO ADD MORE COLOUR TO THE SURROUNDINGS, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE RSD WILL PLANT SOME 100 000 TREES, SHRUBS, FLOWERS. CLIMBERS AND GROUND COVERS IN TUSEN WAN DURING THE CURRENT PLANTING SEASON.
-------o - - - -
WHEELCHAIR DANCE TO SUPPORT YOUTH YEAR
* * *
SOME 300 PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON PERFORMED WESTERN FOLK DANCES IN WHEELCHAIRS AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE POKFULAM PHAB CENTRE.
THE WHEELCHAIR DANCE PERFORMANCE AND DANCE-IN SESSION WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE DIVISION CF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG REHAB AID IN SUPPORT OF THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
THE EVENT WAS DECLARED OPEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, PRS ANSON CHAN, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, W DICKEN YUNG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING, MRS CHAN SAID THAT THE PERFORMANCE CF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN OUTSTANDING.
+ IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ASSIST VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN PROVIDING THE DISABLED WITH SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICE,* SHE SAID.
+THE AIM IS TO REHABILITATE THE DISABLED, HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY AND TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES,* SHE ADDED.
-------o
/6........
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
6
CAS HOLDING MINI-SOCCER TOURNEY
* * * *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL BE HOLDING AN INTER-UNIT MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT THIS MONTH.
OVER 15 CAS UNITS WILL COMPETE IN THE KNOCK-OUT TOURNAMENT, WHICH WILL BE HELD ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS FROM TOMORROW (JUNE 2).
CAS TACTICAL FORCE COMMANDER, MR LEE HOK-SEE, WILL KICK OFF THE TOURNAMENT AT KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK MINI SOCCER PITCH AT EASTERN STREET, HONG KONG AT 9 AM.
THE FINALS WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME VENUE ON JUNE 23.
STARTING AT 10 AM. ’
-----o------
GRAHAM STREET TO BE OPENED
* * * *
GRAHAM STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND STAUNTON STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY OPENED TO TRAFFIC FOR TWO WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 4) TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK AT SHELLEY STREET.
- - - - 0 --------
TUEN MUN ROAD CLOSURE
* M * *
THE YUEN LONG BOUND SECTION OF ROAD Pl BETWEEN ROAD D8 AND ROAD D9 ROUNDABOUT IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 12.45 AM AND 5.30 AM FROM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (JUNE 4 - 7) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, GENERAL TRAFFIC AND KMB ROUTES 68 AND 68M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD D8, TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, ROAD D2N, ROAD D9 AND ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD SAN HUI SECTION.
- - - - 0 ----------
/?........
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1985
7
RESTRICTED ZONE * * *
THE NORTHBOUND SECTION OF LA SALLE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH BOUNDARY STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 53 METRES NORTH OF THE JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY STARTING TUESDAY (JUNE 4).
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR GOODS AND PASSENGERS.
WATER CUTS IN TWO AREAS
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT AND POK FU LAM WILL BE TURNED OFF ON TUESDAY (JUNE 4) FOR MAINS WORKS AND LEAKAGE TESTS. SUPPLY WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY MORN ING.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IN CENTRAL IS BOUNDED BY 5-29C WYNDHAM STREET, 10-54 WELLINGTON STREET, 13-41 D’AGUILAR STREET, WO ON LANE, WING WAH LANE, LAN KWAI FONG AND WAI TAK LANE.
WATER SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES IN POK FU LAM ARE BOUNDED BY BISNEY ROAD, CONSORT RISE AND CROWN TERRACE. TAPS WILL BE OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
0 -------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
1
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BUSINESSES ARE WELCOME HERE, GOVERNOR TELLS INC .......... 1
PROTECTIONISM DOUBLY UNFAIR TO HONG KONG, FS SAYS ........ 2
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR U.K................................... 5
ROAD ACCIDENTS ON DECLINE ................................ 5
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT SUMMER DISEASES ...................... 7
FIRST QUARTER EXPORT STATISTICS RELEASED ................. 8
ONE MAN WHO’S NOT COMPLAINING ............................ 13
WARNING AGAINST BREaCH OF TENANCY CONDITIONS ............. 16
DEPUTY LABOUR CHIEF TO ATTEND ILO TALKS .................. 17
URBAN COUNCIL SALVAGES JO PALM TREES ..................... 17
EVENING COURSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER .................... 19
HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES OFFERED ........................... 21
IMMEDIATE PROMOTIONS FOR 153 ............................. 21
+CLEAN DOG+ DRIVE BEGINS ................................. 22
NEW RESCUE CATAMARANS ON TRIAL ........................... 23
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH ............ 2J
SALT WATER CUT ........................................... 2l*
SHEUNG SHUI WATER WORKS ..................................
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 1
BUSINESSES ARE WELCOME HERE, GOVERNOR TELLS IMC X * X *
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES WERE WELCOME TO HONG KONG, WHERE THEY WOULD FIND THE FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS FAMILIAR TO THEM, AND THE OPEN AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT STIMULATING AND PROFITABLE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TONIGHT.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESIDENT’S DINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY CONFERENCE BEING HELD HERE, SIR EDWARD TOLD SOME 200 FINANCIAL LEADERS THAT THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, WHICH IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXTERNALLY-ORIENTED ECONOMIES, WAS CLOSELY LINKED WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY IN GENERAL, AND IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IN PARTICULAR.
+WE VALUE OUR WORLDWIDE FINANCIAL AND TRADING LINKS. THEY ARE VITAL TO OUR PROSPERITY AND WE SHALL DO ALL WE CAN TO FOSTER THEM.
+HONG KONG IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST OPEN ECONOMIES. WE DO NOT SHRINK FROM FAIR COMPETITION,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE SAID THAT HE HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN SCHEDULED TO SPEAK AT TOMORROW’S FORMAL OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE, BUT HAD TO LEAVE FOR LONDON TONIGHT IN CONNECTION WITH THE VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF THE PREMIER OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, M? ZHAO ZIYANG. BUT HE HAD NOT WANTED TO MISS THE CHANCE TO EXTEND A PERSONAL AND WARM WELCOME TO THE DISTINGUISHED GATHERING CF MEMBERS OF THE WORLD BANKING, MONETARY AND FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
THEIR SELECTION OF HONG KONG AS THE VENUE FOR THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE WAS BOTH WELL TIMED AND WELL PLACED, SIR EDWARD SAID.
♦WELL TIMED BECAUSE THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE CF HONG KONG WAS RATIFIED IN PEKING ONLY LAST MONDAY. THAT AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT HONG KONG SHALL RETAIN THE STATUS OF AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, AND THAT ITS MONETARY AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS SHALL BE MAINTAINED FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.
♦THE FACT THAT THERE IS SPECIFIC REFERENCE IN THE AGREEMENT TO THESE MATTERS IS TESTIMONY TO THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
+WELL PLACED BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHOSEN AS YOUR VENUE THE WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
+THERE ARE WELL OVER 300 BANKS REPRESENTED HERE IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. FEW OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST BANKS DO NOT HAVE A PRESENCE IN HONG KONG.
+HONG KONG IS NOT ONLY AN INTERNATIONAL BANKING CENTRE* IT IS ALSO A MAJOR CENTRE FOR FUND MANAGEMENT, AND BOASTS A RANGE CF SOPHISTICATED FINANCIAL SERVICES,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
/IN RECENT .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
2
IN RECENT YEARS THE ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION HAD BECOME THE GROWTH AREA OF THE WORLD. A NEW FACTOR IN THAT GROWTH WAS CHINA s MODERNISATION POLICY WHICH WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRIBUTE TO ITS OWN FUTURE GROWTH.
♦HONG KONG,* THE GOVERNOR SAID, *IS AN OBVIOUS GATEWAY TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
+l AM SURE THAT DURING THE COURSE OF THIS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE OUR POTENTIAL AS A BASE FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH THE WORLD’S MOST POPULOUS NATION.+
SIR EDWARD SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE CONFERENCE WOULD ALSO BE EXAMINING DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL F INANC I AL AND CAP ITAL MARKETS AND SAID THAT THESE WERE ALSO MATTERS OF GREAT INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG.
THE CONFERENCE WOULD ENABLE THE LOCAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY TD KEEP ABREAST OF CURRENT THINKING.
+WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROFIT FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ON MY RETURN OF THE RESULTS OF YOUR DELIBERATIONS,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
-----o------
PROTECTIONISM DOUBLY UNFAIR TO HONG KONG, FS SAYS ******
AN EXTENSION OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES WOULD BE HIGHLY DAMAGING TO WORLD TRADE, AND DOUBLY UNFAIR TO HONG KONG, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE TOLD SOME 200 OF THE WORLD’S TOP FINANCIAL LEADERS TONIGHT.
SPEAKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY CONFERENCE PRESIDENT’S DINNER BEING HELD HERE, SIR JOHN SAID HONG KONG IMPOSED NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE IMPORT OF OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPORTS. AND HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR, HE SAID, WAS EQUALLY OPEN TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
♦THERE CAN BE NO POSSIBLE JUSTIFICATION FOR PROTECTIONIST (“EASURES DIRECTED AGAINST HONG KONG,+ SIR JOHN SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE SUM OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS AND EXPORTS NOW REPRESENTED +N0 LESS THAN 179 PER CENT OF GDP,+ SIR JOHN SAID:
+WE ARE THUS EXPOSED TO EXTERNAL EVENTS OVER WHICH WE HAVE USUALLY NO CONTROL. FOR INSTANCE THE GROWING MENACE OF PROTECTIONISM IS A VERY PRESENT THREAT.*
/FROM THIS .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
FROM THIS EXPOSED POSITION SPRANG HONG KONG’S DETERM I NAT I Oi\ TO BE PRUDENT AND CONSERVATIVE IN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS, AND IN PARTICULAR TO REJECT BORROWING AS THE WAY OUT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE PROBLEMS.
+BORROWING IS EASY, PAYING BACK MIGHT NOT BE. HONG KONG NEEDS BALANCED BUDGETS,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO BANKING ISSUES, HE SAID THAT AN OVERSEAS BANK SEEKING A FULL LICENCE IN HONG KONG HAD INTER ALIA TO SHOW MINIMUM TOTAL ASSETS NET OF CONTRA ITEMS OF US$12 BILLION.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 140 BANKS IN THE WORLD WHICH MET THIS QUALIFICATION, SIR JOHN SAID OVER HALF OF THEM WERE ALREADY IN HONG KONG, WHILE A NUMBER OF OTHER BANKS WITHOUT A BANKING LICENCE OPERATED HERE THROUGH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
HONG KONG HAD ALTOGETHER 141 LICENSED BANKS, 33 LICENSED AND 306 REGISTERED DTCS. THERE WERE, IN ADDITION, 117 BANK REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES.
OF THE TOP 50 BANKS IN THE WORLD, 44, OR VIRTUALLY NINE OUT CF TEN, OPERATED IN HONG KONG.
+THEIR PRESENCE HAS PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN MAKING THE TERRITORY AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE — WE BELIEVE THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD,* SIR JOHN SAID.
THE DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO THE MINIMUM WAS JUST ONE INCENTIVE WHICH HAD LED SO MANY INTERNATIONAL BANKS TO ESTABLISH THEIR PRESENCE HERE.
+IN FINANCIAL MATTERS WE SEEK ONLY TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE BASIS FOR MACRO MONETARY POLICY AND THAT SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES AND AN APPROPRIATE MEASURE OF PROTECTION FOR DEPOSITORS AND INVESTORS PREVAIL. IT MAY SOUND MODERATE” BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANT. AND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO IS SENSIuLc WE LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES,* HE SAID.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, HE SAID, ON-GOING CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S APPROACH TO PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION AND TO BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING LEGISLATION COULD BE TAKEN GENTLY.
WITH NO CENTRAL BANK AND NO INTENTION OF SETTING ONE UP, THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM HAD TO BE TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S APPROACH AND LEGISLATION WERE CONSISTENT WITH PRESENT-DAY REALITIES AND FUTURE OVERALL POLICY OBJECTIVES.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS wELL SERVED BY THE STATUTORY HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, WHOSE EXPERIENCED AND REPRESENTaTIV.. COMMITTEE wAS WELL AWARE OF THE VIRTUES OF SELF REGULATION.
/+THE rfORLD ...........
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
4
+THE WORLD IS NOT STATIC AND ONLY FOOLS COULD EXPECT FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES TO REMAIN SO,* SIR JOHN SAID.
HE PROMISED THAT ANY CHANGE TO HONG KONG’S SUPERVISORY APPROACH, WHETHER OR NOT LEGISLATION WAS INVOLVED, WOULD BE MADE ONLY AFTER FULL CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY.
+THERE WILL BE NO SURPRISES. NOTHING IS MORE UPSETTING THAN SUDDEN CHOPS AND CHANGES,+ HE SAID.
QUOTING THE WORDS OF THE U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, MR GEORGE SCHULTZ, SIR JOHN SAID THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT WAS +A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR HONG KONG’S ENDURING FUTURE AND PROGRESS.+ MR SCHULTZ HAD ALSO SAID THAT BUSINESS COMMUNITIES +WILL SEE IN THIS AGREEMENT GOOD REASON FOR SUSTAINED CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE CF HONG KONG AS AN ATTRACTIVE AND THRIVING COMMERCIAL SECTOR*.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, SIR JOHN TOLD THE CONFERENCE THAT HONG KONG’S SOLE NATURAL RESOURCE WAS + THE ONE DEEP WATER HARBOUR IN THE SOUTH OF CHINA*.
HONG KONG WAS SELF SUFFICIENT IN NOTHING -- NOT EVEN WATER, BUT IT HAD THRIVED TO BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST COMMERCIAL CENTRES, WITH AN ESTIMATED PER CAPITA GDP OF ABOUT US$6 700.
+AND WE EXPECT IT TO GO ON INCREASING FASTER THAN ELSEWHERE.* HE ADDED.
MANUFACTURING HAD TO REMAIN THE FOUNDATION OF THE ECONOMY. WITH A MULTITUDE OF SMALL ENTERPRISES, HONG KONG WAS FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO CHANGE.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE FINANCIAL AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAD, IN PARTICULAR, ALSO GREATLY INCREASED. IT WAS STILL GROWING AND BECOMING INCREASINGLY EXPORT ORIENTED.
THE PRESENCE IN TOUGH COMPETITION OF THE MANY BANKS AND INSTITUTIONS AND HONG KONG’S EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS AND FREEDOM UNDER THE LAW HAD BEEN OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.
+WE IN HONG KONG ARE PROUD AS W'E CONSIDER OUR SUCCESS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT DUE ENTIRELY TO OUR OWN EFFORTS. THE BENEFITS MUST NEVER BE IGNORED OF OUR CLOSE TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, TO WHICH HONG KONG IS AN OBVIOUS GATEWAY,* SIR JOHN SAID.
IN OUTLYING SOME OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC STATISTICS, SIR JOHN ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS SUCCESSFULLY LINKED TO THE U.S. DOLLAR IN OCTOBER 1983, IT HAD BEEN ONE OF THE STRONGEST CURRENCIES IN THE .vORLD.
-----o------
/5........
SUNDA , JUNE 2, 1985
5
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR U.K * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR LONDON THIS (SUNDAY)
EVENING
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
SIR EDWARD WILL ATTEND A DINNER TO BE GIVEN BY THE PRIME MINISTER FOR MR ZHAO ZIYANG, PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
HE WILL ALSO CALL ON MR RICHARD LUCE, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.
- - 0 - -
ROAD ACCIDENTS ON DECLINE *****
THERE WAS AN ENCOURAGING REDUCTION IN ROAD ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES IN 1984 - A 10.2 PER CENT DROP IN ACCIDENTS AND AN 8.5 PER CENT DROP IN CASUALTIES COMPARED WITH 1983 FIGURES.
THESE STATISTICS ARE CONTAINED IN THE 1985 EDITION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY PAPER, JUST ISSUED BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL.
THE PAPER NOTES THAT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DROP IN CASUALTIES WAS FOR PEDESTRIANS - SOME 11.8 PER CENT.
♦ HOWEVER, PEDESTRIANS STILL ACCOUNTED FOR 61.2 PER CENT OF THOSE KILLED AND 34.8 PER CENT OF THOSE INJURED AND THEY REMAIN THE ROAD-USER GROUP MOST AT RISK IN HONG KONG.
♦ FOR THIS REASON, THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ITS EFFORTS ON SEEKING IMPROVEMENT TO PEDESTRIAN ROAD FACILITIES AND ON RAISING THE LEVEL OF ROAD SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO DAILY WALK OUR STREETS.+
THE PAPER POINTS OUT THAT THE NEW TRAFFIC LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN AUGUST 1984 CONCENTRATED UPON STRENGTHENING EXISTING REGULATIONS CONTROLLING THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES, THE USE OF VEHICLES, DRIVING BEHAVIOUR, CYCLING BEHAVIOUR AND PEDESTRIAN BEHAVIOUR.
♦ IN ADDITION, NEW REGULATIONS WERE INCLUDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF FEWER BUT CLEARER ROAD SIGNS AND ESTABLISHED A DRIVING— CFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM UNDER WHICH A DRIVER CAN BE DISQUALIFIED WHEN HE ACCUMULATES A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF POINTS FOR SPECIFIED OFFENCEo OVER A SET PERIOD (ALL THE OFFENCES ARE SAFETY RELATED).+
/THE PAPER
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 6
THE PAPER STRESSES THAT THE COUNCIL WELCOMES THESE MEASURES A?JD HOPES THAT THIS SAFETY-ORIENTED POLICY WILL CONTINUE AND THAT LEGISLATION WILL EVENTUALLY REQUIRE THE WEARING OF SEAT BELTS IN ALL VEHICLES.
THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN CASUALTIES OF THE PRIVATE CAR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND DRIVER AFTER OCTOBER 1983, WHEN THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS CAME INTO EFFECT, IT SAYS.
+A COMPARISON OF CASUALTIES FOR 12 MONTHS BEFORE AND AFTER THE
LAW IMPLEMENTATION SHOWED THAT THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DECREASED FROM 3 800 TO 2 800, I.E. A DROP OF 26 PER CENT.+
THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WAS SET UP IN 1983 TO REPLACE THE
STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY, CHANGING FROM BEING MAINLY A CO-ORDINATOR OF EXECUTIVE ACTION INTO A BODY WHICH ALSO DEVELOPS PROPOSALS TO PREVENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND PROVIDES ADVICE ON POLICIES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
APART FROM CO-ORDINATING THE WORK OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE COUNCIL BELIEVES THAT IT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN ROAD SAFETY WORK.
♦THIS IS DONE THROUGH INVOLVING LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THE ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS WHICH THE COUNCIL APPROVES AND MONITORS EACH YEAR, AND BY SEEKING THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, IN PARTICULAR THEIR TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEES, ON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PROBLEMS,+ THE PAPER SAYS.
THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL ALSO PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON ENCOURAGING TEACHERS AND PARENTS TO CARRY OUT ROAD SAFETY INSTRUCTION.
+THIS ENCOURAGEMENT INCLUDES PROVIDING ROAD SAFETY LITERATURE AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL AND THE TRAINING AND EQUIPPING OF MORE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, + THE PAPER STATES.
IN KEEPING WITH ITS FIRMLY HELD VIEW THAT DRIVER TRAINING STANDARDS NEED TO BE IMPROVED, THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL LOOKS FORWARD TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFF-ROAD TRAINING FACILITY IN SHA TIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND WELCOMES THE INCLUSION OF TRAINING FOR MOTORCYCLISTS AND ARTICULATED VEHICLE DRIVERS.
THE COUNCIL IS ANXIOUS THAT FURTHER OFF-ROAD SCHOOLS BE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/THE COUNCIL ........
SUb )AY, uUNii 2, 1985
- 7 -
THE COUNCIL IS CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLlCt, OPERATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AND HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION 5 TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, INFORMATION SERVICES AND ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS3 BRITISH FORCES, HONG KONG- THE HONG KONG ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS, AS WELL AS OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRAFFIC WING OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY PAPER IS TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR, IDENTIFY AREAS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION AND CO-ORDINATE STRATEGY PROPOSALS AND ESTABLISH A CHECKLIST OF CURRENT AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT SUMMER DISEASES * * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) TOLD PEOPLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CHOLERA AND OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES, SUCH AS TYPHOID AND DYSENTERY, DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VIRAL HEPATITIS AND FOOD POISONING WERE ALSO COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WARM WEATHER.,
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS THIS YEAR, FOUR PEOPLE HAD DIED FOR VIRAL HEPATITIS AND STATISTICS COMPILED BY THE DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VIRAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES HAD INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
+FOR INSTANCE, 159 CASES OF VIRAL HEPATITIS WERE REPORTED IN APRIL, COMPARED WITH 101 CASES IN JANUARY, 73 IN FEBRUARY AND 106 IN MARCH,+ HE SAID.
♦THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO REPORT OF CHOLERA CASES IN HONG KONG SINCE DECEMBER 1984, THE PUBLIC SHOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE DISEASE WHICH IS ENDEMIC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEANWHILE, ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE NOTIFIABLE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES HAD REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL OVER THE PAST YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTINUING WITH ITS HEALTH EDUCATION AND IMMUNISATION PROGRAMMES.
HOWEVER, THE MOST RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PREVENTION WAS TO OBSERVE PERSONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/AS MOST .......
t.iVAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 8
AS MOST GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES WERE TRANSMITTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED FOOD AND DRINK, THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE SPECIALLY CAREFUL IN THEIR EATING HABITS.
ALL TYPES OF FOOD SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY COOKED AND SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNCOVERED IF NOT TAKEN IMMEDIATELY.
WATER DIRECTLY FROM THE MAINS WAS PURE AND SAFE FOR DRINKING, BUT WATER FROM TANKS MIGHT BE CONTAMINATED AND SHOULD BE BOILED BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
+WATER FROM STREAMS AND WELLS IS ALSO NOT SUITABLE FOR DR INK ING,+ HE ADDED.
-----0 ---------
FIRST QUARTER EXPORT STATISTICS RELEASED * * * * *
IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER CF 1985, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS WERE WEARING APPAREL, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, TEXTILES, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND METAL PRODUCTS.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 84 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
INDUSTRIES RECORDING THE LARGEST INCREASES IN ABSOLUTE VALUE OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 WERE NON-ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY (+s?6oo MILLION), WEARING APPAREL (+$279 MILLION), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (+$112 MILLION), PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$97 MILLION), TOBACCO (+$57 MILLION), AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (+$45 MILLION).
IN RELATIVE TERMS, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASES OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 WERE NON-ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY (+205 PER CENT), BEVERAGE (+83 PER CENT), MINING AND QUARRYING (+83 PER CENT), TOBACCO (+43 PER CENT), WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS (+12 PER CENT), AND CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+11 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (-$372 MILLION OR -7 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (-$230 MILLION OR -3 PER CENT), FOOD (-$15 MILLION OR -5 PER CENT), AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (-$14 MILLION OR -12 PER CENT). SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE DECREASE WAS ALSO OBSERVED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (-18 PER CENT).
/THE ABOVE ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 9 -
THE ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1985. THIS SERIES IS DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.l.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
WHEN INTERPRETING THE RE-CLASSIFIED FIGURES, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE OVERALL VALUE OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM REQUIRING SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IS WHOLLY ALLOCATED TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH IT IS FINALLY PRODUCED, ALTHOUGH THE INDUSTRY IS NOT REALLY THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE VALUE.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE VALUE OF THE ITEM IS ACTUALLY PRODUCED BY ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE SOME MAY BE SECONDARY PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIES UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES.
FURTHER DETAILS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS FOR MERCHANDISE RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE SEEN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE, WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION CF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT TEL. NO. 3-7224504).
A TABLE ON THESE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, MARCH 1985+.
/VALUE OF..........
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
10 -
VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR MERCHANDISE, RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 AND OF 1985
(HKi’OOO)
INDUSTRIAL
ORIGIN MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS
OF THE
COMMODITIES ----------------------------------------------------------
EXPORTED 1ST QTR. 1984 1ST QTR. 1985 VALUE CHANGE % CHANG
AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND FISHING
AGR(CULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION 4 103 2 420 -1 683 -41
FORESTRY AND LOGGING 7 -7 -100
OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING 69 756 65 273 -4 483 -6
MINING AND QUARRYING 709 1 295 586 83
MANUFACTURING
FOOD 278 439 263 898 -14 541 -5
BEVERAGES 19 406 35 573 16 167 33
TOBACCO 132 529 189 979 57 450 43
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 5 067 284 4 694 868 -372 416 -7
/WEARING .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
11
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR
AND KNITWEAR 6 813 333 7 092 398 279 065 4
LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS 107 763 108 438 675 1
FOOTWEAR 103 571 115 174 11 603 11
WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES 161 640 180 431 18 791 12
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING
AND PUBLISHING 434 487 479 666 45 179 13
CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 287 097 319 598 32 501 11
PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL 185 185 —
RUBBER PRODUCTS 52 436 51 137 -1 299 -2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 1 915 566 2 027 463 111 897 6
NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 121 879 197 708 -14 171 -12
BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED
METAL PRODUCTS 1 323 062 1 340 929 17 867 1
/MACHINERY, ........
SUNDAY, -^NE 2, 1985
12
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 324 534 990 810 666 276
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 7 081 239 6 851 281 -229 958
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 34 652 28 552 -6 100
PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT 2 139 837 2 236 351 96 514
OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1 531 878 1 678 697 146 819
ELECTRICITY 93 478 100 894 7 416
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
(E.G. DEVELOPED PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES AND FILM, ANTIQUES, AND WORKS OF ART) 16 784 12 767 -4 017
235
-3
-18
5
13
8
TOTAL 28 115 469 28 975 784 860 315
INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES OF A COLUMN MAY NOT ADD UP EXACTLY TO THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING.
-----o------
/13........
SU.—AY, JUNE 2, 1385
13
ONE MAN wHO’S NOT COMPLAINING * * * *
IMAGINE BEING THE MAN THAT EVERYONE COMPLAINS TO ABOUT NOISE, POLLUTION, ROAD WORKS, TRAFFIC, ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND JJST ABOUT ALL THE LARGE AND PETTY ANNOYANCES THAT ARE PART AND PARCEL OF LIVING IN HONG KONG.
NOT THE KIND OF JOB ANYONE IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD VOLUNTEER FOR RIGHT?
+WRONG.+ SAYS MIKE BYRNE, COMPLAINTS OFFICER WITH THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH WHO DID VOLUNTEER FOR THE JOB AND WHO IS LEAVING IT RELUCTANTLY THIS WEEK AFTER FOUR SATISFYING YEARS.
FOR A MAN WHO IS LIKELY TO BE CALLED UP AT ANY HOUR OF THE DAY AND NIGHT (AND OFTEN IS) BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH COMPLAINTS (WHICH ARE FREQUENTLY OUTSIDE MIKE’S AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY), THIS AMIABLE AUSTRALIAN SEEMS REMARKABLY CHEERFUL.
SINCE HE TOOK OVER THE JOB, MIKE HAS LOGGED MORE THAN 7 □□□ COMPLAINTS THAT HE HAS HANDLED. BUT HE EXPLAINS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE THAT HE HAS DEALT WITH BUT JUST HAS NOT RECORDED.
THE COMPLAINTS COME FROM ALL DIRECTIONS - FROM DIRECT PHONE CALLS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS, LETTERS TO THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, CALLS TO RADIO PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES, LETTERS ID NEWSPAPERS AND COMPLAINTS FROM NEWSPAPERS THEMSELVES.
EVERYONE OF THEM GETS AN ANSWER, MOST OF THEM WITHIN HOURS OR DAYS. BUT EVEN IF IT TAKES MONTHS, AS IT HAS IN SOME CASES, MIKE NEVER GIVES UP ON A COMPLAINT AND ALWAYS COMES UP WITH AN ANSWER EVEN IF, AS IS OFTEN THE CASE, THE SUBJECT OF THE COMPLAINT IS NOT THE DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY OF THE SIX DEPARTMENTS THAT MAKE UP THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.
BUT AS MIKE EXPLAINED: +IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE SEEN TO BE RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC OPINION. IT’S GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.+
WHICH WAS ONE REASON WHY MIKE APPLIED FOR THE JOB WHEN IT WAS ADVERTISED FOUR YEARS AGO.
+THAT AND PROMOTION,+ SAID MIKE JOKINGLY.
+1 GOT FASTER PROMOTION THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE PROFESSIONAL GRADE I KNOW.+
DEALING WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS EACH DAY, FROM THE FRIVOLOUS TO THE SERIOUS TO, ON ODD OCCASIONS, THE DOWNRIGHT MALICIOUS, MIGHT SEEM A HARD WAY TO EARN THAT PROMOTION, BUT MIKE LOOKS BACK ON HIS FOUR YEARS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SATISFACTION.
/+THE JOB .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
14
+THE JOB APPEALED TO ME FROM THE BEGINNING,* HE SAID. + IT IS INTERESTING TO KNOW WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING, AND I HAVE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EVERYBODY’S JOB TO HANDLE ALL THE QUERIES FROM THE PUBLIC.*
+BESIDES, LISTENING TO COMPLAINTS IS NOT AS TEDIOUS AS SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK. YOU GET AN AWFUL LOT OF SATISFACTION WHEN YOU CAN PUT SOMETHING RIGHT, WHICH WE OFTEN CAN.*
MIKE’S TENACITY IN FINDING ANSWERS TO COMPLAINTS, EVEN AFTER MANY MONTHS, HAS WON HIM MANY FRIENDS AMONG THE PUBLIC.
+BUT THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHO WON’T TALK TO ME,* HE ADMITS.
+BUT THEY ARE VERY MUCH THE EXCEPTION. MOSTLY I GET NOTHING BUT CO-OPERATION FROM THE OFFICIALS INVOLVED WHO ARE VERY RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC.*
IT WAS THROUGH THAT NEED TO BE RESPONSIVE THAT THE POST WAS CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND FROM THE FIRST THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A CAPABLE MAN IN THE JOB.
MIKE WAS NOT THE ONLY MAN FOUR YEARS AGO +MAD+ ENOUGH TO TAKf ON THE JOB. A SHORT LIST OF 10 APPLICANTS WAS DRAWN UP AND TH IS WAS NARROWED DOWN TO FOUR AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS.
MIKE RECALLS; +THE FOUR OF US WERE GIVEN A FICTITIOUS COMPLAINT FROM THE PUBLIC. WE HAD TO FOLLOW IT UP, DEAL WITH IT AND THEN GIVE AN ANSWER OVER A MOCK UP RADIO PROGRAMME.*
SINCE THEN THE COMPLAINTS MIKE HAS HANDLED HAVE BEEN ANY THING BUT FICTITIOUS. THEY HAVE RANGED FROM REASONABLE REQUESTS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT NOISE POLLUTION OR TRAFFIC CROSSINGS TO PEOPLE RAVING AT MIKE DOWN THE TELEPHONE. ALL OF THEM ARE GREETED WITH MIKE’S AIR OF CHEERFUL EFFICIENCY.
+1 TAKE VERY LITTLE NOTICE OF THE RANTERS AND RAVERS,* SAID MIKE. +THERE ARE SO FEW OF THEM AND I’M ONLY THE CHAP DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINT. I DIDN’T CAUSE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.*
+AFTER ALL, IF YOU HAVE AN ARGUMENT WITH AN AIRLINE IT’S NO USE GOING AND PUNCHING THE STEWARDESS ON THE NOSE, IS IT?*
BUT RANTERS AND RAVERS ASIDE, MIKE HAS HAD HIS HANDS FULL DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS ON ALL MANNER OF SUBJECTS. NOISE FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES IS A FAVOURITE TOPIC. ANOTHER IS ROAD EXCAVATIONS.
MIKE SAID: +WE HAVE MORE THAN 2 000 ROAD OPENINGS A MONTH FOR VARIOUS REASONS AND YOU USUALLY GET SOMEONE RINGING UP ASKING WHY THE ROAD IS BEING DUG UP.*
/OTHER COMPLAINTS
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
OTHER COMPLAINTS MIGHT DEAL WITH SEWAGE LEAKS, DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE ROAD CROSSINGS, THICK BUSHES BY A PATH WHERE SOMEONE FEARS ROBBERS MAY LURK, OR ANY OF A THOUSAND AND ONE ANNOYANCES THAT MAY CROP UP.
EVEN THE ONES THAT DO NOT COME WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS, MIKE DEALS WITH AND FINDS AN ANSWER TO, EVEN IF THAT ANSWER MAY NOT ALWAYS BE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COMPLAINANT.
THAT IS WHY MIKE, ON ANY MORNING CAN BE SEEN MONITORING BOTH ENGLISH LANGUAGE RADIO PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES, GOING THROUGH THE PAPERS FOR COMPLAINTS, ANSWERING THE PHONE AND AT THE SAME TIME READING TRANSLATIONS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CHINESE RADIO PROGRAMMES AND FROM CHINESE NEWSPAPERS.
MIKE, WHO HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS, SAID HE GAVE UP HIS PRIVATE PRACTICE AS A SURVEYOR IN KALGOORLIE, WEST AUSTRALIA, AND CAME TO HONG KONG BECAUSE HE WANTED +TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT+. CERTAINLY THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT AND VERY DEMANDING.
AFTER A MONTH’S LEAVE MIKE WILL TAKE UP A NEW JOB AS TECHNICAL SECRETARY WITH LANDS AND WORKS.
MIKE IS OBVIOUSLY A GOOD LISTENER BECAUSE BEING ABLE TO LISTEN IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE COMPLAINTS OFFICER’S JOB. AT LEAST THAT IS THE OPINION OF ENGINEER
ANDREW CHEE SUNG TONG, AND HE SHOULD KNOW BECAUSE HE IS TAKING OVER FROM MIKE AS COMPLAINTS OFFICER.
A HONG KONG-BORN ENGINEER, WHO HAS SPENT MUCH OF HIS CAREER IN BRITAIN AND CANADA, ANDREW HAS OFTEN ACTED AS STAND-IN WHEN MIKE HAS BEEN ON LEAVE.
+THE JOB CALLS FOR A GREAT DEAL OF RESILIENCE,* SAID ANDREW. + YOU HAVE TO REALISE THAT BY THE TIME MOST PEOPLE RING UP TO COMPLAIN THEY ARE OFTEN QUITE UPSET AND YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN SYMPATHETICALLY. IF YOU CAN’T, IT’S HOPELESS.*
HONG KONG KEEPS ON GROWING AND GROWTH MEANS GROWING PAINS. SO IT IS CERTAIN THE COMPLAINTS WILL KEEP COMING IN. IT IS JUST AS CERTAIN THEY WILL BE HEARD SYMPATHETICALLY AND DEALT WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
-------0---------
/16.......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 16'
WARNING AGAINST BREACH OF TENANCY CONDITIONS
******
•THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY WARNED AGAINST BREACH OF TENANCY CONDITIONS BY ESTATE SHOP-SHOPSTALL TENANTS.
THE WARNING CAME AFTER A SHOP OPERATOR IN CHOI HUNG ESTATE HAD BEEN GIVEN ONE MONTH TO RECTIFY TENANCY IRREGULARITIES OR HIS TENANCY WOULD BE TERMINATED.
+IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OPERATORS STICK TO THEIR TENANCY CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE MANAGEMENT AND TO ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL,+ SAID A HOUSING SPOKESMAN.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID PUTTING UP UNAUTHORISED EXTENSIONS IN THE SHOP FRONT WOULD NOT ONLY CREATE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS BUT ALSO CAUSE OBSTRUCTION.
+IT WOULD ALSO BE A BREACH OF TENANCY CONDITIONS FOR THE TENANT TO DEPART FROM THE TRADE ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR THE SHOP.*
IN THE CASE OF THE CHOI HUNG ESTATE SHOP TENANT, HE WAS SERVED WITH A NOTICE-TO-QUIT AFTER REPEATEDLY IGNORING WARNINGS AGAINST PERSISTENT TENANCY IRREGULARITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TENANT WAS FOUND TO HAVE RUN HIS SHOP AS A SUPERMARKET ALTHOUGH THE PREMISES WAS DESIGNATED AND TENDERED FOR RICE TRADE ONLY.
+HE HAD ALSO PUT UP UNAUTHORISED EXTENSIONS AND MADE ALTERATIONS TO INTERNAL STRUCTURES.
+THESE HAD GIVEN RISE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SHOP TENANTS OF THE SAME TRADE IN THE ESTATE.*
IN HEARING AN APPEAL BY THE TENANT AGAINST TERMINATION OF TENANCY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S APPEALS COMMITTEE HAS EXPRESSED ITS FULL SUPPORT FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S ACTION.
THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT SUCH BREACHES SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED, GIVEN THE ADVERSE EFFECT ON OTHER SHOP TENANTS OF THE SAME TRADE AND THE FACT THAT TENANCY CONDITIONS ON TRADE SHOULD APPLY AS A SAFEGUARD TO OTHER SHOP TENANTS.
HOWEVER, IT DECIDED TO GIVE THE TENANT ANOTHER CHANCE TO PUT THINGS RIGHT TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DEPARTMENT. FAILURE TO DO SO WOULD ENTAIL ENFORCEMENT OF THE NOTICE-TO-QUIT.
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
17-
DEPUTY LABOUR CHIEF TO ATTEND ILO TALKS
******
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN WILL BE ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONFERENC WHICH OPENS ON FRIDAY (JUNE 7) IN GENEVA, AS AN ADVISER TO THE UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION.
THE AGENDA OF THIS YEAR’S ILO CONFERENCE WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REPORTS ON THE APPLICATION OF CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND DISCUSSIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES AND SAFETY IN THE USE OF ASBESTOS.
MR CHEN wILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE COMMONWEALTH EMPLOYMENT MINISTERS MEETING WHICH IS BEING HELD IN GENEVA ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (JUNE 5 AND 6).
THE MEETING WILL CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A COMMONWEALTH INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME AND A WORKING GROUP REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
MR CHEN WILL FLY TO LONDON AFTER THE ILO CONFERENCE.
, WHILE IN LONDON, HE WILL VISIT THE U.K. HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE AND THE ADVISORY CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION SERVICE AND MEET WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT.
MR CHEN WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JUNE 21.
-------o----------
URBAN COUNCIL SALVAGES 30 PALM TREES
* * *
THIRTY FULLY-GROWN PALM TREES HAVE BEEN SAVED FROM THE BULLDOZERS AS A RESULT OF THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND A NATURE-LOVING PROPERTY DEVELOPER.
THE 30 PALM TREES, EACH ABOUT 10 METRES TALL, HAVE BEEN STANDING IN BARKER ROAD ON THE PEAK FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, ADDING BEAUTY TO THE SERENE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND GIVING SHADES TO THOUSANDS OF PASSERS-BY OVER THE YEARS.
HOWEVER, THE FAST PACE OF DEVELOPMENT HAS FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH THE 30 PALM TREES WHICH HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR A HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL PROJECT.
/+OUR CITY .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 18 . -
+OUR CITY WOULD HAVE LOST THE 30 BEAUTIFUL PALM TREES IF THE URBAN COUNCIL HAD NOT MADE AN EFFORT TO HELP SALVAGE THEM,* SAID MR C.A. WONG, AMENITIES OFFICER (HORTICULTURE) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
+FORTUNATELY, THE OWNER AND THE DEVELOPER OF THE SITE ARE AS APPRECIATIVE AS THE URBAN COUNCIL OF THE HIGH ORNAMENTAL VALUE OF THESE PALM TREES, AND SO WE JOINED FORCES TO SALVAGE THEM DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES AND RISKS IN MOVING TREES OF THIS SIZE.*
THE TRANSPLANTING OF THE PALM TREES IS TAKING PLACE IN TWO STAGES. THE FIRST STAGE WAS COMPLETED EARLY THIS MONTH WHEN 10 PALM TREES WERE REMOVED BY A MECHANICAL DIGGER FROM THE SITE AND TRANSPLANTED TO THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL APPROACH’S AMENITY AREA.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE DEVELOPER AND THE CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED MANPOWER AND MACHINERY IN THE TRANSPLANTING OPERATION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE TRANSPLANTING EXERCISE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF MANAGER (LEISURE SERVICES) FOR HONG KONG, MR ROGER POLLARD, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S TREE SECTIONS WERE ALWAYS ON THE GUARD AGAINST ANY INDISCRIMINATE CHOPPING DOWN OF TREES IN PUBLIC PLACES.
+TREES ARE ONLY CUT DOWN IF THEY OBSTRUCT THE CONSTRUCTION OF ESSENTIAL PUBLIC WORKS, OR SLOPE STABILISATION, AND WHERE NO ALTERNATIVES COULD BE FOUND,* HE SAID.
+HOWEVER, EVEN IF THE TREES HAVE TO BE REMOVED, OUR TREE SECTIONS WILL TRY EVERY MEANS TO SALVAGE THEM IF THEY ARE WORTH PRESERVING.
+THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL TREES OF HIGH ORNAMENTAL VALUE CAN BE SALVAGED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO TAKE A RISK IN ANY TRANSPLANTING OPERATION. IF THE RISK IS REASONABLE AND IF A TREE HAS A 50 PER CENT CHANCE OF SURVIVAL, WE WILL NORMALLY GO AHEAD WITH THE SALVAGE OPERATION,* SAID MR POLLARD.
HE SAID TREES WITH FIBROUS ROOTS CAN BE TRANSPLANTED EASILY BECAUSE THEY CAN TOLERATE CONSIDERABLE ROOT DAMAGE. HOWEVER, TAP-ROOTED TREES, THE ROOTS OF WHICH GO VERY DEEPLY DOWN INTO THE SOIL, ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TRANSPLANT. SIMILARLY, TREES WHICH HAVE BEEN GROWING ON A STEEP SLOPE FOR A LONG TIME RARELY ADAPT TO CHANGE.
/+IN GENERAL, ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 19 -
+ IN GENERAL, HONG KONG’S PROPERTY OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS ARE uUlTE CO-OPERATIVE IN HELPING PRESERVE TREES,+ MR POLLARD ADDED. +IN MOST CASES, TREES ARE FELLED TO MAKE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE CONTRACTORS OR DEVELOPERS FAIL TO REALISE THE NEED FOR RETAINING OR TRANSPLANTING THEM. ONCE THEY ARE TOLD ABOUT THE VALUE OF TREES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSPLANTING THEM, THEY ARE OFTEN WILLING TO CO-OPERATE IN RESCUE OPERATIONS OR TO MODIFY THEIR PLANS SOMEWHAT.
+SAVING TREES IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PLANTING NEW ONES FOR IT TAKES MANY YEARS FOR A YOUNG TREE TO REACH MATURITY. HOWEVER, OUR TREE SECTIONS IMPLEMENT A VERY VIGOROUS TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME EVERY YEAR AS A FORM OF LONG-TERM INSURANCE. ALSO, WHEN APPROVAL IS GIVEN FOR THE FELLING OF TREES, IT WILL NORMALLY BE ON CONDITION OF GENEROUS COMPENSATORY PLANTING TO FOLLOW,+ SAID MR POLLARD.
BETWEEN 1979 AND 1984, AN AVERAGE OF 2 665 TREES WERE FELLED EVERY YEAR ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON, WHILE AN AVERAGE OF 19 888 YOUNG TREES WERE PLANTED. THIS MEANT THAT MORE THAN SEVEN TREES WERE PLANTED FOR EACH ONE LOST.
MR POLLARD ENVISAGED THAT SOME 20 000 TO 25 000 TREES WOULD BE PLANTED IN THE URBAN AREAS ANNUALLY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
GIVEN THE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE IN THE URBAN AREAS, HE aDDED, THE TARGET WAS DESIRABLE AND REALISTIC AND SHOULD DO MUCH TO SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF GREENERY IN THE CITY AREA.
-----0------
EVENING COURSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER ******
EVENING COURSES WILL AGAIN BE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS WISHING TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES.
THE COURSES, ORGANISED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ARE TEACHERS’ COURSE, ENGLISH COURSE, SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE, GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS, ADULT EDUCATION COURSE (GENERAL BACKGROUND) AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSE (PRACTICAL BACKGROUND).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, THE TEACHERS’ COURSE IS TO PROVIDE IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF CURRICULAR SUBJECTS. CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE AWARDED ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF EACH COURSE.
/THE ENGLISH
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
20 -
THE ENGLISH COURSE OFFERS TUITION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE FROM PRIMARY 4 TO GCE ’0’ LEVEL. FORM 5 STUDENTS MAY SIT FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION AND STUDENTS OF GCE ’0’ LEVEL CLASSES MAY TAKE THE GCE ’0’ LEVEL EXAMINATION.
THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE, WHICH PROVIDES SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IS DIVIDED INTO THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE SECTIONS. THE COURSE TAKES SIX YEARS TO COMPLETE AND LEADS TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS IS A FIVE-YEAR COURSE LEADING TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION. APPLICANTS FOR THIS COURSE MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER.
THE ADULT EDUCATION COURSE (GENERAL BACKGROUND) PROVIDES PRIMARY GENERAL EDUCATION FOR ADULTS OF 18 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE. IT IS ORGANISED AT THREE LEVELS — UPPER, MIDDLE AND LOWER. EACH LEVEL IS FOR AN YEAR.
THE ADULT EDUCATION COURSE (PRACTICAL BACKGROUND) IS DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES — SEWING AND KNITTING, WOMAN HOUSECRAFT (CHINESE AND WESTERN COOKERY) AND WOODWORK.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT ASIAN HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE JUNE 21 FOR THE ENGLISH COURSE AND JUNE 28 FOR OTHER COURSES.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN JULY FOR ENGLISH COURSE, SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE AND GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS.
ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSES SHOULD BE MADE AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-295708 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----0------
/21
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
21
HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES OFFERED
* * * *
THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES, RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL AGAIN START IN SEPTEMBER.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION WILL BE INVITED BETWEEN JULY 19 AND AUGUST 9 AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION AT ASIAN HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES OFFERS A GENERAL ARTS DIPLOMA COURSE AND A NUMBER OF SHORT COURSES AT POST-SECONDARY LEVEL UNDER A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM..
STUDENTS WHO REGISTER FOR THE DIPLOMA COURSE MUST HAVE AT LEAST SIX SUBJECTS, INCLUDING ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
+THEY ARE REQUIRED TO STUDY 12 BASIC SUBJECTS AND 18 ELECTIVE SUBJECTS WITHIN FIVE YEARS IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE AWARD CF A DIPLOMA,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, -t
. FOR SHORT COURSES, APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE ATTAINED SECONDARY LEVEL EDUCATION.
+THOSE WHO REGISTER FOR THE SHORT COURSES MAY TAKE WHATEVER SUBJECT THEY LIKE AND WILL BE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSE CAN BE MADE AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-295708.
-----o------
IMMEDIATE PROMOTIONS FOR 153 K * * *
ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY-THREE ELATED OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE TOLD LAST (SATURDAY) NIGHT THAT THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN IMMEDIATE PROMOTIONS.
TWENTY-NINE OF THEM WERE PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL OFFICERS FROM OFFICERS RANK, WHILE THE OTHERS WERE PROMOTED FROM ASSISTANT OFFICERS II TO ASSISTANT OFFICERS I.
THEY WERE GIVEN THE GOOD NEWS BY THE COMMISSIONER, MR THOMAS GARNER, AT AN ANNUAL STAFF CHINESE DINNER HELD BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION. SOME 1 500 MEMBERS OF THE STAFF AND THEIR SPOUSES WERE PRESENT.
/IN ADDITION,
bUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 22 -
Ik ADDITION, 23 STAFF WERE AWARDED THE COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES BY MR GARNER FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO DUTY AND wORK PERFORMANCE.
MR GARNER ALSO PRESENTED APPOINTMENT CERTIFICATES TO THE NEwLY ELECTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
A CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR FRANCIS WONG, PRESENTED RETIREMENT SOUVENIRS, ON BEHALF OF ALL THE STAFF, TO MR GARNER AND HIS WIFE, AND WISHED THEM MANY YEARS OF HAPPY RETIREMENT.
DURING THE DINNER, TROPHIES WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS OF THE BEST CONTINGENT AT THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE BEST STALL AND BEST PRODUCT AT THE LAST AUTUMN FAIR.
♦CLEAN DOG* DRIVE BEGINS
* K X
INCONSIDERATE DOG-OWNERS WILL BE THE TARGET OF AN URBAN COUNCIL CLEANSING DRIVE WHICH BEGINS TOMORROW (MONDAY).
URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOREMEN WILL PATROL THE STREETS IN URBAN DISTRICTS AND DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION LEAFLETS TO PEOPLE WALKING THEIR DOGS.
THE LEAFLET POINTS OUT THAT THE LAW HOLDS DOG-OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PETS’ HABITS AND THEY ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF THEIR DOGS INDISCRIMINATELY DIRTY PAVEMENTS, STREETS OR COMMON PARTS OF BUILDINGS.
SUMMONSES WILL BE ISSUED TO DOG-OWNERS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LAW, UNLESS THEY CLEAN UP THE MESS IMMEDIATELY.
THE LEAFLET ADVISES PEOPLE WHO TAKE THEIR DOGS OUT, TO CARRY NEWSPAPERS WITH THEM.
THE DRIVE ENDS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 8).
/25
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
- 25 -
NEw rescue catamarans on trial * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS PUT TWO NEwL Y-DESIGNED CATAMARANS INTO TRIAL SERVICE FOR RESCUE DUTIES AT THE OLD CAFETERIA BEACH AND THE KADOORIE BEACH IN TUEN MUN.
THE TWO CATAMARANS, JOINTLY DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE RSD, ARE MADE OF FIBRE GLASS, INSTEAD OF ALUMINIUM.
THE RSD HAS AT PRESENT 28 ALUMINIUM CATAMARANS FOR PATROL AND RESCUE DUTIES AT GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIBRE GLASS CATAMARANS ARE PART OF THE RSD’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE RESCUE AND FIRST AID FACILITIES AT NEW TERRITORIES BEACHES, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
IF THE NEW CATAMARANS PROVED SATISFACTORY, THE RSD WOULD CONSIDER PHASING OUT ALL ALUMINIUM CATAMARANS IN THE COMING YEARS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEw CATAMARANS COST ABOUT $20 000 EACH AND CAN BE TAKEN APART FOR STORAGE AND REASSEMBLED WITHIN MINUTES.
' ALSO, THE NEW MODELS REQUIRE ONLY TWO OR THREE LIFEGUARDS TO LAUNCH, AS COMPARED WITH THE ALUMINIUM MODELS WHICH REQUIRE AT LEAST SIX.
AND BECAUSE THEY ARE BUILT OF A LIGHTER MATERIAL, THE NEW CATAMARANS ARE EASIER TO MANOEUVRE.
-----0------
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH * * * * *
MORE THAN 100 ITEMS OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S COLOURED BOAT COMPETITION IN REPULSE BAY, MR CHAN CALLED ON LOCAL YOUTHS TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES AIMED AT PROVIDING THEM WITH HEALTHY PASTIMES DURING THE LONG SUMMER VACATION.
/+THE JOCKEY
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1985
24
+ THE JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED <>147 OOO THIS YEAR FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES, AND APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN TO 164 APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL BODIES FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS,+ HE SAID.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR’S THEME OF +PARTICI PAT I ON, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE + , THE ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD WILL INCLUDE SEMINARS, TRAINING CLASSES, VISITS, CLEANING OF BEACHES, CAMPING AND PICNICS.
THE COLOURED BOAT COMPETITION IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND SAN MIGUEL AND IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT RECREATION, AMENITIES AND SPORTS OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB.
------0---------
SALT WATER CUT
* * * *
, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 5) FOR WATER MAIN wORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE LAM TIN ESTATE, SAU MAU PING ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE AND PREMISES ALONG HONG LEE ROAD, HONG NING ROAD AND KUNG LOK ROAD.
_ - - - o - -
SHEUNG SHU I WATER WORKS
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG SHU I WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 5) FOR WATER MAIN
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD JeHe? PAK L0NG TSUEN TO L0K MA CHAU, INCLUDING TSUNG PAK TSUEN, YIN KONG TSUEN, KAM TSIN TSUIxN, HANG TAU TSUEN, KWU TSUEN. HO SHEUNG HEUNG TSUEN, CHAU TAU TSUEN, LOK MA CHAU
FROM LONG TUNG AND PAK SHEK AU.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTENSION SEEN AS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE............................. 1
+H0NG KONG OFFERS GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES^ ................. 1
WARNING ON ILLEGAL BILL POSTING ................................. 3
KWUN TONG POISED FOR NEW EXPANSION .............................. 4
RENT REVISION FOR UNITS IN FACTORY ESTATES ...................... 5
MARKET COMPLEX FOR QUARRY BAY ................................... 6
SPECIAL STAMPS FOR DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL ......................... 6
BLOOD DONORS RESPOND WELL ....................................... 7
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN NORTH POINT ...................... 7
SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICE FOR 1984 ....................................... 8
INTELPOST SERVICE EXTENDED TO GREECE............................ 9
WORK STARTS ON FANLING MAINS LAYING............................. 10
CENTRAL WATER CUT .............................................. 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURES .......................................... 10
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
1 -
EXTENSION SEEN AS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE * * * *
THE OPENING OF A MAJOR INVESTMENT COMPLEX TODAY (MONDAY) DEMONSTRATED CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AS A CENTRE FOR MULTINATIONAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE EXTENSION TO THE CIBA-GEIGY BUILDING AT KWAI CHUNG, MR HO STRESSED THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES TO CARRY ON MANUFACTURING AND TRADING.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD THE COMPANY HAD EXPANDED ITS OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG.
+THE NEW FACILITIES WILL ASSIST CIBA-GEIGY TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR SERVICES IN THIS REGION.+
CIBA-GEIGY SUPPLIES CHEMICALS, DYESTUFFS, PHARMACEUTICALS, PLASTICS AND ADDITIVES FOR USE IN THE TEXTILES, PLASTICS, ELECTRONICS AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
IT HAS ESTABLISHED SOPHISTICATED TECHNICAL SERVICE FACILITIES AND LABORATORIES IN THE TERRITORY AND HAS TRAINED ITS'STAFF TO APPLY THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES.
+OUR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA HAVE INCREASED MORE THAN SIX-FOLD IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND THE SUITABILITY OF HONG KONG AS A LOCATION FOR THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF ANY MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANY IS UNDISPUTED,+ SAID MR HO.
+HONG KONG IN PARTICULAR HAS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN TRADING WITH CHINA AND OUR EFFICIENT TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE OFFER UNIQUE ADVANTAGES TO OVERSEAS FIRMS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH BUSINESS CONTACTS OR EXPAND THEIR EXISTING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES WITH THAT ENORMOUS POTENTIAL MARKET,+ HE ADDED.
- - - - 0 ----
+HONG KONG OFFERS GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES* * * * *
A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN THE CENTRE OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC, IS TAKING PLACE AND IT IS TIME THAT MORE PEOPLE IN EUROPE WOKE UP TO THIS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR YAXLEY MADE THESE REMARKS WHEN HE ADDRESSED A SEMINAR HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION IN LONDON DURING HIS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION MISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
/NOTING THAT........
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
2
NOTING THAT THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN, MORE THAN ANY OTHER INDUSTRIALISED NATIONS, HAD RECOGNISED THE INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE PACIFIC REGION, THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT WESTERN EUROPE INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM SADLY PLAYED A VERY SMALL PART IN THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE REGION.
+MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, CHINA WITH A QUARTER OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION AND THE BIGGEST AND POTENTIALLY THE MOST POWERFUL ECONOMY WITHIN THE REGION - HAS BEGUN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING TO THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ARENA. HONG KONG, CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE REGION AND ON THE DOORSTEP OF CHINA, IS WELL PLACED TO PLAY A UNIQUE ROLE IN CHINA’S MODERN I SAT I ON.+
+AS CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMME PROGRESSES, THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE COMPANIES IN HONG KONG WITH THE ABILITY TO OFFER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES.
+MANY OVERSEAS COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY SEIZED SUCH OPPORTUNITIES AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY BRITISH COMPANIES, GIVEN THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG, SHOULD NOT USE HONG KONG MORE THAN HITHERTO AS THEIR BASE FOR PARTICIPATION IN CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES,+ HE STRESSED.
MR YAXLEY SAID THAT THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG, wHFCH PROVIDED FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE ESSENTIALS FOR HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS AFTER JULY 1, 1997, HAD CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT OF CONFIDENCE AND OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG.
■•-PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IS ON THE RISE THUS PERMITTING PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND CAPABILITIES TO BE EXPANDED AND UPDATED TO MEET THE EVER-INCREASING DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS.
+INTEREST IN HONG KONG BY OVERSEAS INVESTORS IN MANUFACTURING REMAINED HIGH,+ MR YAXLEY SAID.
■•■BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1983 AND THE END OF APRIL THIS YEAR, 54 NEW COMPANIES, MANY FROM NORTH AMERICA AND THE GREATER NUMBER IN ELECTRONICS, BEGAN MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG.
+A FURTHER 17 HAVE TAKEN A DECISION TO SET UP BUT HAD NOT YET ACTUALLY BEGUN PRODUCTION AND AN ADDITIONAL 26 HAVE INDICATED TO US THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO DECIDE TO COME TO HONG KONG.
+THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES WE HAVE RECEIVED HAS NOTICEABLY INCREASED IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
+THEREFORE HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN IN THE FUTURE A PLACE OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW ENTERPRISE AND INITlAT IVES,+ W YAXLEY SAID.
- - 0 -----------
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
WARNING ON ILLEGAL BILL POSTING
M * *
MORE THAN 135 200 UNSIGHTLY BILLS AND POSTERS WERE REMOVED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S POSTER-REMOVAL TEAMS IN THE URBAN AREA DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL, 55 223 WERE REMOVED BY THE TEAMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND 80 040 IN KOWLOON.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 111 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST OFFENDERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ANY INDISCRIMINATE DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS, INCLUDING ADVERTISEMENTS PAINTED ON WALLS OR FENCES ON CROWN OR PRIVATE LAND WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF THE LAND, CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE.
UPON CONVICTION, AN OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2 000.
+IN THE CASE OF AN UNAUTHORISED DISPLAY OF A BILL OR POSTER, THE PERSON PUTTING IT UP, THE EMPLOYER OR THOSE WHO BENEFlt FROM THE ADVERTISEMENTS WOULD BE PROSECUTED,* HE WARNED.
+EVEN WHEN AUTHORISED, THE POSTERS OR MATERIAL SHOULD ALSO BE KEPT IN A CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION OTHERWISE THE AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED TO REMOVE THEM AND RECOVER THE COST OF REMOVAL FROM THE OFFENDER.*
THE DEPARTMENT HAS FIVE POSTER-REMOVAL TEAMS ON THE ISLAND AND SIX IN KOWLOON, AND THEIR PRIMARY FUNCTION IS TO PATROL THE STREETS AND REMOVE UNAUTHORISED OR UNSIGHTLY BILLS OR POSTERS, AND KEEP EVIDENCE FOR PROSECUTION ACTION.
+MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO LODGE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUCH BILLS OR POSTERS SHOULD DIAL THE LITTER HOTLI NE AT 5-95555,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----o-----
/4........
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
4
KWUN TONG POISED FOR NEW EXPANSION
* * * *
KWUN TONG IS POISED FOR A SECOND INDUSTRY-LED EXPANSION. KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, HE CITED THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AS AN IMPORTANT IMPETUS FOR THE EXPANSION.
+THE TUNNEL, LINKING CHA KWO LING AND QUARRY BAY, WILL NOT ONLY BRING ABOUT FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, BUT WILL ALSO MEAN THAT KWUN TONG WILL NO LONGER CONSTITUTE THE PERIPHERY OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT,* MR MAK SAID.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY AS A NEW TOWN WITH AN INITIAL TARGET POPULATION OF 175 OOO WOULD ALSO FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF KWUN TONG’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, HE ADDED.
+GIVEN THESE IMPORTANT CHANGES AND THE CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF LAND AVAILABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN KOWLOON BAY AND CHA KWO LING, KWUN TONG IS WELL POISED FOR A SECOND INDUSTRY-LED EXPANSION,* HE SAID.
MR MAK ALSO OUTLINED THE PROBLEMS KWUN TONG HAD INHERITED FROM THE PAST AND HOW THEY WERE BEING TACKLED.
ON TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, HE SAID THE REPORT OF THE EAST KOWLOON TRAFFIC STUDY HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED AND ITS MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD AIM TO SOLVE THE CONGESTION IN THE TOWN CENTRE AND INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THE REPORT WOULD ALSO COVER PROVISIONS TO COPE WITH LOADING AND UNLOADING FACILITIES AND ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ARISING FROM THE INITIAL PHASES OF THE JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENT.
MR MAK ALSO SAID THAT THE LACK OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES INCLUDING SPORT GROUNDS, CULTURAL CENTRE AND HOSPITAL BEDS WAS BEING SOLVED, AND THAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT WITH THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
HE SAID THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, WITH MORE DIRECT REPRESENTATION FROM THE PEOPLE, WOULD CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER THE DISTRICT AND TO PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED COMMUNITY INPUT THROUGH VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS.
GIVEN THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PIPELINE, AND THE DEDICATION OF THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ITSELF, MR MAK SAID KWUN TONG WOULD BECOME +A MORE PROPEROUS AND BUSIER COMMUNITY, A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYBODY, WHETHER HE BE AN INDUSTRIALIST, BUSINESSMAN, WORKER OR RESIDENT*.
-----o------
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
- 5 ’ -
RENT REVISION FOR UNITS IN FACTORY ESTATES * * * *
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS COMPLETED A BIENNIAL RENT REVIEW FOR UNITS IN 10 FACTORY ESTATES. THE RENTS FOR THESE UNITS WILL BE INCREASED AS FROM AUGUST.
A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY INCREASES WOULD AMOUNT TO LESS THAN «100 PER UNIT A MONTH FOR THE GREAT MAJORITY, OR 90 PER CENT,"OF THE TENANTS INVOLVED.
HE SAID THE TENANTS HAD BEEN ENJOYING RENTS WHICH WERE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN MARKET LEVELS AND THE REVISION WOULD BRING THE RENTS TO A MORE REALISTIC LEVEL.
♦EVEN AFTER REVISION, THE RENTS CHARGED WILL STILL BE BELOW THEIR FULL MARKET VALUE.
*ThERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE OF 20 PER CENT IN RATES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTIES IN 1984-85, AND THIS WAS ABSORBED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. ANOTHER 20 PER CENT INCREASE AGAIN BECAME PAYABLE BY THE AUTHORITY FROM APRIL THIS YEAR.
+ IN REVIEWING THE RENTS, THE AUTHORITY TOOK THE RATES INCREASES INTO ACCOUNT.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RENT REVISION WOULD FACTORY UNITS LET IN 4 086 TENANCIES.
INVOLVE 9 201
THESE UNITS ARE MAINLY 24 SQUARE METRES IN SIZE AND ARE IN THE PRE-1975 FACTORY ESTATES OF CHEUNG SHA WAN, CHAI WAN, JORDAN VALLEY, SAN PO KONG, KWUN TONG, KWAI CHUNG, TAI WO HAU AND YUEN LONG, AS WELL AS IN KOWLOON BAY AND SHEK KIP MEI FACTORY ESTATES.
HE SAID FACTORY ESTATE RENTS VARIED ACCORDING TO THE DESIGNED FLOOR-LOADING CAPACITIES OF THE UNITS.
+REVISED RENTS WILL RANGE FROM $8 TO $18.58 A SQUARE METRE IN THE EIGHT PRE-1975 FACTORY ESTATES.
+IN KOWLOON BAY ESTATE WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1975, NEW RENTS WILL BE FROM $14.58 TO $28.25 A SQUARE METRE. THESE WILL VARY BETWEEN $27.50 AND $46.63 A SQUARE METRE IN SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1977 AS THE FIRST FACTORY BLOCK PROVIDED WITH CARGO LIFTS.*
-----o-----
/6........
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
- 6 ‘ -
MARKET COMPLEX FOR QUARRY BAY H K #
AN EIGHT-STOREY COMPLEX, WHICH WILL PROVIDE MARKET AND LEISURE FACILITIES, WILL BE BUILT ON TOP OF A PUMPING STATION AT QUARRY BAY STREET.
BESIDE THE PUMPING STATION, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 1983 A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, LOADING AND UNLOADING BAYS AND LIFT’SERVICES ARE TO BE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
FACILITIES ON THE UPPER FLOORS INCLUDE A MARKET, FIVE COOKED FOOD STALLS, OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, A LIBRARY, A STUDY ROOM, GAMES ROOMS, SQUASH COURTS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WORK ON WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS ARE ALSO BEING CALLED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY MARKET ON A 2 OOO-METRE SITE AT HUNG SHU I KIU MAIN STREET.
WORK ON THE PROJECT INCLUDES HARD PAVING AND LINE MARKING FOR 54 MARKET STALLS AND 180 MINI STALLS AND PERIMETER FENCING. THE CONTRACTOR WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO BUILD A REFUSE CHAMBER AND TO PROVIDE CONTAINER OFFICES AND STORE ROOMS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY OR AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR OR EARLY NEXT YEAR.
-----0------
SPECIAL STAMPS FOR DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
* X *
FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS, DEPICTING THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, WILL BE ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE ON JUNE 19.
THE STAMPS, IN DENOMINATIONS OF 40 CENTS, $1, $1.30 AND $5, WILL SHOW A DRAGON BOAT IN ACTION WHEN LINKED TOGETHER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID.
A SOUVENIR SHEET CONTAINING THE SET OF STAMPS IN A SE-TENANT STRIP WILL ALSO BE ISSUED AT A PRICE OF $7.70, HE ADDED.
THE STAMPS AND SOUVENIR SHEETS WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FROM JUNE 5 TO JUNE 18.
/OFFICIAL FIRST-DAY .......
MOND# , JUNS 3, 1985
OFFICIAL FIRST-DAY COVERS WILL ALSO BE ON SALE ON JUNE 5, AT 50 CENTS EACH, WHILE ADVANCE ORDERS FOR THE SERVICING OF THE COVERS ILL BE ACCEPTED AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM JUNE 5 TO JUNE 13.
THE STAMPS AND SOUVENIR SHEETS, PRINTED ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER, wAS DESIGNED BY LOCAL DESIGNER, MR ROBERT W. HOOKHAM.
BLOOD DONORS RESPOND WELL *****
A HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD COLLECTION TEAM CALLED AT BEACONSFIELD HOUSE TODAY (MONDAY) AND STAFF OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WELL TO THE WORTHY CAUSE.
DONORS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS SECTIONS - SOME DONATING FOR THE FIRST TIME - KEPT RED CROSS NURSES BUSY INSIDE THE FIFTH FLOOR PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR PETER MOSS, WAS AMONG THE 32 DONORS WHO GAVE BLOOD.
- - 0 -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN NORTH POINT
*****
ABOUT 100 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS INCORPORATIONS IN THE NORTH POINT AREA WILL TAKE PART IN A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING.
ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT INTRODUCING THE WORKS OF THE NEWLY-FORMED EASTERN DISTRICT BUI LDI NG MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM, AND TO HELP RESIDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
MEMBERS FROM THE TEAM WILL GIVE SPECIAL TALKS ON THE ■MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM* AND, ^IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF CLEANLINESS IN BUILDINGS.*
FORMED LAST MONTH, THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM WAS SECONDED FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND STATIONED IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. ITS MEMBERS COMPRISE A HOUSING MANAGER, AN ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER AND TWO HOUSING ASSISTANTS.
THE TEAM HAD BEEN CARRYING OUT SITE INSPECTIONS ON PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, AND ADVISING RESIDENTS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
8
SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICE FOR 1984 *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING AN ANNUAL SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 1984.
THE SURVEY COVERS THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
* STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING FACILITIES FOR HIRE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC}
* POSTAL, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, RADIO AND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGE DELIVERY AND MESSAGE EXCHANGE SERVICES;
* ALL FINANCE (EXCEPT BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES; LOAN, MORTGAGE AND DISCOUNT COMPANIES; DEALERS/BROKERS AND EXCHANGES IN STOCKS AND SHARES, COMMODITY FUTURES, GOLD BULLION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE; PAWNSHOPS; MONEY CHANGERS; AND OTHER FINANCIAL UNDERTAK I NGS ;
. * INSURERS, RE-INSURERS, AGENTS AND BROKERS OF ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE AND RELATED INSURANCE SERVICES;
* ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ADVERTISING, DATA PROCESSING, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY RENTAL, LEGAL, NEWS AGENCY, SECRETARIAL AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT TO ABOUT 2 400 ESTABLISHMENTS OUT OF A TOTAL OF ABOUT 10 000 ESTABLISHMENTS FALLING UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE SURVEY.
DATA TO BE COLLECTED INCLUDE THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR COSTS, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS TURNOVER AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
SUCH ECONOMIC DATA WILL PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTORS CONCERNED AND ARE NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE SECTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
THE SURVEY RESULTS WILL ALSO BE USED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE FORMULATION OF DECISIONS AND POLICIES.
RESPONSE TO THE SURVEY IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT. A CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER AUTHORISING THE CONDUCT OF THIS SURVEY WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO.12 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
/selected establishments........
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1985
SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES BY JULY 31, 1985.
OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WHO CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD WHILE ON DUTY, WILL VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES IF REQUIRED.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS STRESSES THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS W ILL. BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE
RELEASED.
INTELPOST SERVICE EXTENDED TO GREECE
*****
THE INTELPOST (INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONIC POST) NETWORK FROM HONG KONG WILL BE EXTENDED TO GREECE FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
INTELPOST ITEMS POSTED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 6 PM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY THE ADDRESSEE AT THE INTELPOST CENTRES OR DELIVERED TO THE ADDRESSEE THE SAME DAY IN ATHENS AND PIRAEUS, HE SAID.
+ITEMS POSTED BEFORE 4 PM TO THESSALONIKI, PATRA AND HERAKLION KRETA WILL ALSO BE DELIVERED THE SAME DAY.+ HE ADDED.
CHARGES FOR THE SERVICE TO GREECE WILL BE: FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET OF PAPER $65i FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE SAME ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME $30.
THOSE WISHING TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD HAND IN THEIR DOCUMENTS AT EITHER THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HENNESSY ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET POST OFF ICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR THE TSIM SHA TSUI, GRANVILLE ROAD, INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, KOWLOON CENTRAL, KWUN TONG AND MONGKOK POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON.
THOSE HAVING FACSIMILE MACHINES IN THEIR OFFICE CAN, BY ARRANGEMENT, TRANSMIT THEIR ITEMS DIRECT TO JHE POST OFFICE INTELPOST TERMINAL IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE FOR RETRANSMISSION OVERSEAS.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST REPRESENTATIVE ON TELEPHONE 5-2671148.
/10........
MONDAY, JUNE.' 3, 1985
10 -
WORK STARTS ON FANLING MAINS LAYING * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $3.7 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 4 303 METRES OF FRESH WATER MAINS IN SHA TAU KOK ROAD AND PING CHE ROAD IN FANLING.
THE /.ATER MAINS, RANGING IN DIAMETER FROM 153 MILLIMETRES TO 833 MILLIMETRES, FORM PART OF A PROJECT TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM BETWEEN LUEN WO MARKET AND SHA TAU KOK.
WORK ON THE PROJECT HAS STARTED AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
CENTRAL WATER CUT * * *
FRESH /.ATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 6) TO 6 AM THE FOLLQWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
AFFECTED PREMISES INCLUDE THOSE AT HOUSE NOS. 13-93 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, NOS. 19-195 AND 54-78 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, NOS._ 67-85 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, CONNAUGHT PLACE, NOS. 2A-31A POTTINGtR STREET, NOS. 2-16 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, NOS. 3-29 MAN YEE LANE, NOS. 2-19 JUBILEE STREET, NOS. 1-52 GILMAN STREET AND NOS. 2-33
.-.ING WO STREET.
--------0 ---------
WATER STORAGE FIGURES * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 55 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 322.098 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 421.914 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 72 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0 ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JUNE 4. 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG CRIME RATE COMPARATIVELY LOW .................. 1
AU-YEUNG TO SUCCEED LADD ................................ 5
GOVERNMENT GEARED TO MEET TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVANCES.... 6
URBAN COUNCIL TO CONSULT GOVERNOR ON MUSEUM.............. 9
APPOINTMENTS TO BE CONFIRMED ............................ 9
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PLAY VITAL SCHOOL ROLE............... 10
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR YOUTHS LAUNCHED ........... 11
PLASTICS INDUSTRY MANPOWER DATA TO BE UPDATED ........... 12
BOARD MEMBERS SCRUTINISE UC PROJECTS .................... 12
OPEN MEETINGS FOR LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE............. 14
ACTIVITY APPROACH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON DISPLAY ......... 14
INDOOR GAMES HALLS BEING BUILT .......................... 15
OPTOMETRIC PRACTICE SURVEY TO BE LAUNCHED ............... 15
TWO RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES PLANNED ................ 16
TENNIS COURT FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS .................... 17
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHA TIN, KWAI CHUNG.................. 17
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FANLING............................... 18
ROADS OPEN IN CHAI WAN .................................. 18
OFFICE REMOVAL .......................................... 18
MEET THE MEDIA
18
TUESDAY, JUNE 4,
1985
1
HONG KONG CRIME RATE COMPARATIVELY LOW * * * *
HONG KONG HAS A LOW CRIME RATE COMPARED WITH MANY OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
THIS WAS REVEALED IN THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S FOURTH SIX-MONTHLY REPORT, COVERING THE PERIOD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1984 AND APRIL THIS YEAR. THE REPORT HAS JUST BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY):
+HONG KONG IS A CROWDED, DYNAMIC AND RELATIVELY WEALTHY SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO ITS IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURS. THESE AND OTHER FACTORS ATTRACT CRIME WHICH BECAUSE OF THE CROWDED HIGH-RISE ENVIRONMENT IS OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT TO DETECT SUCCESSFULLY AND TO PREVENT.
♦THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER REMAIN A VERY HIGH PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
♦WHILE NOBODY WOULD DENY THAT CRIME LEVELS ARE TOO HIGH THEY SHOULD NOT BE SENSATIONALISED OR EXAGGERATED- AS FAR . AS BIG CITIES ARE CONCERNED, HONG KONG IS A RELATIVELY
SAFE PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE.+
IT WAS ALSO NOTED IN THE NO. 4 REPORT THAT THE LEVEL OF OVERALL REPORTED CRIME WAS 2.9 PER CENT LESS IN 1984 THAN IN 1983, THE FIRST TIME THAT A DECREASE IN ANNUAL CRIME STATISTICS HAD BEEN RECORDED SINCE 1977.
OF PARTICULAR NOTE WAS THE DECREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME, PARTICULARLY ROBBERIES, AND IN THEFTS FROM VEHICLES AND THEFTS OF VEHICLES. BUT THERE WAS AN APPRECIABLE INCREASE IN BURGLARIES, ROUGHLY A QUARTER OF WHICH WERE IN RESPECT OF FLATS LEFT UNLOCKED. THE FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN PLANNED FOR 1985/86 WILL CONCENTRATE IN PART ON PROTECTION AGAINST BURGLARIES.
APART FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MEMBERSHIP OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DR HO KAM-FAI, NR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MRS SOPHIA HO AND MR PETER C. WONG TOGETHER WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE SECRETARIES FOR SECURITY, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, HEALTH AND WELFARE, AND EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEETS REGULARLY. MUCH WORK IS ALSO DONE THROUGH ITS SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS.
THE MAIN SUBJECTS COVERED BY THE COMMITTEE’S FOURTH REPORT INCLUDE:
, -HIKE 4, 1985
USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME
THE WORKING GROUP ON THE USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME CONSIDERED FURTHER DRAFTS OF A BILL TO BAN THE POSSESSION OF A +PRESCRIBED CLASS OF IMITATION FIREARMS+ (HIGH QUALITY IMITATIONS OF GENUINE FIREARMS) WHICH CRIMINALS ARE STILL USING IN APPRECIABLE QUANTITIES.
THE WORKING GROUP ALSO CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL FOR TIGHTER CONTROLS OVER THE AVAILABILITY OF CARTRIDGES DESIGNED FOR USE IN INDUSTRIAL FIXING TOOLS, AND A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LICENSING FOR THE POSSESSION OF CROSSBOWS.
IN RESPECT OF FIXING TOOL CARTRIDGES, THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERED THAT THE VOLUME OF ACTIVITY INVOLVED COULD MAKE TIGHTER CONTROLS DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT. IT WILL CONSIDER ANY FURTHER PROPOSALS FOR CONTROLLING ITS USE.
FOR THE CROSSBOW, THE WORKING GROUP CONCLUDED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MISUSE TO SUPPORT CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATION AT THE PRESENT TIME.
ROBBERIES IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
' AS THE POOR STANDARD OF WATCHMEN DOES LITTLE TO DISCOURAGE CRIME IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, THE WORKING GROUP ON ROBBERIES IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS CONSIDERED AMENDMENTS TO THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A BASIC TRAINING COURSE FOR WATCHMEN.
IT IS HOPED AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF WATCHMEN WILL BE INTRODUCED DURING THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE WORKING GROUP FELT THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD INSIST ON HIGHER STANDARDS AND PAY BETTER WAGES.
AS THE GOVERNMENT IS A MAJOR EMPLOYER OF WATCHMEN (SOME 3 OOO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT), ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS EMPLOYING WATCHMEN SHOULD BE ADVISED TO DRAW UP CONTRACTS CAREFULLY SO AS TO ENSURE THAT CONTRACTORS EMPLOY WATCHMEN OF A SUITABLE STANDARD AND ENFORCE THE CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACTS. THE LOWEST TENDERS FOR SUCH CONTRACTS SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED IF IT IS CLEAR FROM THE LEVEL OF THE TENDER THAT THE WATCHMEN ARE TO BE PAID UNREASONABLY LOW WAGES.
VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE
THE WORKING GROUP ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO EASE THE PROBLEM OF NUISANCE CAUSED BY VICE-ESTABLISHMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS BY A SCHEME INVOLVING THE USE OF CLOSURE ORDERS.
/THE CITY .......
■J'ESL.1, JUNE 4, 1985
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD CONSULTED THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES WHICH ALL SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED SCHEME. THE CNTA IS NOW REFINING THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AND CONSIDERING HOW TO ADMINISTER THE PROPOSED SCHEME.
IN THE COURSE OF DISCUSSING THIS SCHEME, THE IDEA OF SETTING UP +RED-LIGHT+ DISTRICTS WAS ALSO DEBATED. THE VIEWS FOR AND AGAINST THIS IDEA WAS CONSIDERED ANDCONCLUDED IMPRACTICAL.
SECURITY OF GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY
SHOPS, BANKS AND GOLD WORKSHOPS
THE GOLDSMITH ASSOCIATIONS ARE WORKING WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON SECURITY OF GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY SHOPS TO ENCOURAGE SHOPS WITH INADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES TO UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS.
A PILOT SCHEME WAS CARRIED OUT WHEREBY TWENTY SHOPS WERE SELECTED AND VISITED IN OCTOBER 1984 AND GIVEN ADVICE ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY OF THEIR PREMISES. THE WORKING GROUP RE-VISITED THESE SHOPS IN MARCH 1985 AND FOUND THAT ONLY THREE OUT OF THE 78 SUGGESTED SECURITY MEASURES HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
'THE WORKING GROUP CONCLUDED THAT THIS SCHEME WAS NOT EFFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE ABANDONED. BUT A CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WAS OF SOME VALUE AND THE WORKING GROUP WOULD CONTINUE TO HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THEM IN ORDER TO KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON SHOPS TO INTRODUCE ADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES THROUGH THE ASSOCIATIONS.
IT HAS BEEN DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE LEGISLATION ON THE REGISTRATION OF GOLD TRANSACTIONS IN SHOPS AS TO DO SO WOULD HAVE NO REAL EFFECT.
STANDING COMMITTEE ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR OF STUDENTS. ITS WORK INCLUDED THE REFERRAL CF CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEM FOR REMEDIAL TREATMENT, THE ORGANISATION OF SEMINARS FOR SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS TO COMBAT TRIAD INFLUENCES OR GANG ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS AND CURRICULA FOR THE PROMOTION OF MORAL EDUCATION.
FUTURE ACTION WILL INCLUDE THE 1984/85 SURVEY OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR, STUDY OF THE REPORT ON REMEDIAL TEACHING, IMPLEMENTATION CF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS SCHEME AS FUNDS PERMIT AND SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR.
/aOBKING GBOUP .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH
THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH HAS STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS THIS YEAR - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE YOUTH. IT HAS IDENTIFIED THE MANY EXISTING LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS AND OTHER YOUNG PERSONS REQUIRING CARE AND PROTECTION. IT HAS SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIVIDUAL AREAS, IN PARTICULAR -
(A) THE COMPILING OF STATISTICS TO HELP TO ASSESS HOW EFFECTIVE EACH ARRANGEMENT I Si
J
(B) PROCEDURES FOR ADMITTING GIRLS INTO HOMES?
(C) EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PERSONS ON REMAND? AND
(D) RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE AGE CRITERIA GOVERNING ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO YOUNG OFFENDER PROGRAMMES.
THE WORKING GROUP IS FURTHER ASSESSING WHETHER (AND IF SO HOW) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE^ENHANCED AND BETTER CO-ORDINATED, IN PARTICULAR BY ADAPTING THE CONCEPTS OF THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
WORKING GROUP ON GANGS
THE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME IS A LONG AND HARD ONE, AND NO FAST RESULTS ARE EXPECTED. THE WORKING GROUP ON GANGS DISCUSSED WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ACTIVITIES UNDER THEIR CONTROL WHERE GANGS MAY BE OPERATING WITH A VIEW TO MAKING LIFE FOR THE GANGS MORE DIFFICULT BY TIGHTENING THE CONTROLS AND CHANGING THE PROCEDURES.
COMMERCIAL CRIME
AS A RESULT OF ENACTMENT OF THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984 TO ENABLE GATHERING OF EVIDENCE FROM PERSONS RESIDING OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND TO PERMIT ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH EVIDENCE IN COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES IN HONG KONG COURTS, THE COMMERCIAL CRIME UNIT HAS BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROSECUTIONS, WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE FOUNDERED.
AMONG OTHER ISSUES, THE STANDING LIAISON COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL CRIME IS ALSO CONSIDERING COMPUTER CRIME? FREEZING OF PROCEEDS OF CRIME? RELAXATION OF SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE? JURISDICTION TO PROSECUTE CRIME WHERE ANY MATERIAL ELEMENT IS COMMITTED IN HONG KONG? INERTIA SELLING; AND THE PENALTY FOR CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD.
/RESEARCH .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 4. 1985
RESEARCH
THE RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE STUDIED THE INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME OF RECENT IMMIGRANTS AND YOUTH OFFENDERS. IT ALSO PROPOSED SETTING UP A STANDARDISED LAW AND ORDER STATISTICS SYSTEM TO PROVIDE COMPATIBLE STATISTICS FOR THE USE OF ALL BRANCHES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
DURING THE PERIOD, MEMBERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CONTINUED TO RECEIVE REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 19 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES AND TO VISIT THE DFCCS ON A ROSTER BASIS.
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES MET REGULARLY TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE STATE OF CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THEIR DISTRICTS, THEREBY ASSISTING THE POLICE AND CO-ORDINATING DISTRICT EFFORTS TO COMBAT AND TO PREVENT CRIME. A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS WERE DISCUSSED INCLUDING RE-ORGANISATION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNIT (NPU) SCHEME, CONTROL OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS AND CONTROL OF OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS.
+DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN PROMOTING THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND IN ENCOURAGING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT DISTRICT LEVEL,+ SAID SIR PHILIP.
- - 0
AU-YEUNG TO SUCCEED LADD * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR VICTOR LADD WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR. MR LADD HAS BEEN COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1979 AND WILL ON RETIREMENT HAVE COMPLETED 28 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
MR LADD'S SUCCESSOR AS COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WILL BE MR ANTHONY AU-YEUNG FU, WHO IS CURRENTLY DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CF INLAND REVENUE.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THE ACTING APPOINTMENT OF MR OSMAN GHAFUR AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, IN SUCCESSION TO MR AU-YEUNG. MR GHAFUR IS CURRENTLY AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS t
/MR VICTOR
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, >9^5
6 -
hfc VICTOR ALFRED LADD, CBE, JP
AGED 57. MR LADD JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1957 AS AN ASSESSOR IN THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT. HE FIRST BECAME ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN FEBRUARY 1971, AND WAS FURTHER PROMOTED TO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CF INLAND REVENUE IN JANUARY 1975 AND TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN SEPTEMBER 1979. MR LADD HAS SERVED IN THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND WILL HAVE COMPLETED 28 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON HIS RETIREMENT IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
NR ANTHONY AU-YEUNG FU, JP
AGED 50. MR AU-YEUNG 1965 AS AN ASSESSOR IN THE
JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, AND HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST 19 YEARS. HE WAS PROMOTED
SERVING IN THAT DEPARTMENT . ......
TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN OCTOBER 1976 AND TO HIS PRESENT SUBSTANTIVE RANK OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN SEPTEMBER 1979. MR AU-YEUNG HAS ACTED AS COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE ON MANY PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
NR OSMAN GHAFUR, JP
. AGED 48. MR GHAFUR JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JPftii iqrk AS A CLERK. HE LATER JOINED THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT in 'XBC,oJ9^is S^sistant HE m o1 "Issessor
PREVIOUS OCCASIONS ACTED AS DEPUTV^COHmTsS^OHER^OF °ENVE|||JE.
-----o------
GOVERNMENT GEARED TO MEET TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVANCES ******
GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE POLICIES ADOPTED TO ADMINISTER RADIO-COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND MANY CHANGES ARE ABOUT TO BE IMPLEMENTED, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR H.G. ARDLEY, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE RAPID INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR SUCH SERVICES, COUPLED WITH RAPID ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY, HAD NECESSITATED A REVIEW OF THE POLICIES SO AS TO ENSURE THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT WHICH WAS VITAL TO THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
/+A MOST .......
TJSSL. ., JUNE 4, 19&5
+A MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THAT ALL FORMS OF RADIO SYSTEMS OR SERVICES NECESSITATE THE USE OF THE RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM WHICH IS A LIMITED RESOURCE AND HAS TO BE REGARDED AS A FORM OF PUBLIC ASSET.
♦ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS A NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO PRECLUDE THE INEFFICIENT USE OR MISUSE OF THIS SCARE NATURAL RESOURCE,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF PENINSULA, MR ARDLEY SAID THAT FROM THE USAGE POINT OF VIEW, THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN THE PAST DECADE.
WHILE THE NUMBER OF TELEPHONES HAD INCREASED FROM ABOUT A MILLION IN 1974 TO ABOUT TWO MILLION NOW, THE AMOUNT OF RADIO-COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS HAD INCREASED MANY FOLD IN THE SAME PERIOD* LICENSED PRIVATE MOBILE RADIO STATIONS HAD INCREASED FROM ABOUT 6 OOO IN 1974 TO OVER 35 000 TODAY AND RADIO PAGERS FROM 7 000 TO OVER 210 000 (AN INCREASE OF OVER 3 000 PER CENT).
♦AMONG OTHER CHANGES, WE INTEND TO AUTHORISE A VARIETY OF PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO MEET THE VARIOUS COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF HONG KONG. ONE SUCH SERVICE IS A ONE-WAY DATA MESSAGE SERVICE,+ MR ARDLEY SAID.
THIS WAS A TYPE OF SERVICE SIMILAR TO THE RADIO PAGING SERVICE. SUBSCRIBERS TO IT WOULD CARRY A RECEIVER WHICH WAS SIMILAR BUT SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN ORDINARY PAGERS AND COULD STORE AND DISPLAY SEQUENTIALLY A MESSAGE OF ABOUT AN A4 SIZE PAGE OF TEXT.
THE TEXT COULD EVEN BE PRINTED OUT WHEN ATTACHED TO A PRINTER BUT THAT WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE PORTABLE.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OBVIOUS USES OF THE SERVICE SUCH AS THE DESPATCH AND DISPLAY OF UP-TO-THE-MINUTE FINANCIAL INFORMATION, PERSONAL MESSAGES AND COMPANY INTERNAL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS.
♦ANOTHER NEW SERVICE WILL BE A COMMUNITY REPEATER SERVICE. THIS WILL SERVE THOSE BUSINESS USERS WHO WANT TO MAKE USE OF TWO-WAY RADIO SYSTEMS.
♦THE PROVIDER OF THE SERVICE WILL INSTALL COMMUNITY REPEATERS AT VANTAGE POINTS TO PROVIDE GOOD COVERAGE IN MOST IF NOT THE ENTIRE TERRITORY AND OFFER RADIO 'CONNECTIONS’ TO HIS SUBSCRIBERS.+
MR ARDLEY SAID THAT A GAZETTE NOTICE WOULD BE PUBLISHED SOON TO INVITE APPLICATIONS FROM PARTIES INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING THESE TWO SERVICES.
/TUBNING TO .......
TU3SDZ JUNE 4, 1985
8 -
TURNING TO THE POtTAL SIDE OF HIS DEPARTMENT, MR ARDLEY SAID THE PRESENT SORTING SYSTEM IN HONG KONG OPERATED ON A WHOLLY MANUAL BASIS ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SOME MECHANISED AIDS IN THE FORM OF CONVEY^S TO TRANSPORT BULK MAIL BETWEEN SOME PROCESSING POINTS.
+OUR VOLUME OF M«JIL INCREASES AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT A YEAR AND, ACCORDINGLY, OUR STAFFING AND ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SORTING CONTINUALLY INCREASE,+ HE SAID.
IN 1974-75, STAFF COSTS REPRESENTED 35 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE AND THIS FIGURE HAD RISEN TO TODAY’S 44 PER CENT.
♦THUS THE COST-PROPORTION CONTINUES TO GROW IN RELATION TO OTHER FORMS OF EXPENDITURE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO WHILE A WHOLLY MANUAL SORTING SYSTEM IS RETAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT,* HE ADDED.
MR ARDLEY WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT IF A MANUAL SORTING SYSTEM WAS RETAINED, THE STANDARD OF LETTER MAIL SERVICE PRESENTLY ENJOYED IN HONG KONG MIGHT DECLINE.
HE REVEALED THAT THE POST OFFICE HAD COMMISSIONED THE BRITISH POSTAL CONSULTANCY SERVICE LAST YEAR TO ADVISE ON THE NE^D, VIABILITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRODUCING ELECTRONIC LETTER SORTING IN HONG KONG.
A LETTER MECHANISATION SYSTEM USING OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION (OCR) FACILITIES HAS BEEN PROPOSED. THE EQUIPMENT 'WOULD READ ADDRESSES TYPED OR MACHINE PRINTED IN ROMAN TYPE, WHICH REPRESENTED ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LETTER MAIL TRAFF IC.
+UNDER THIS SYSTEM, LETTERS WOULD BE FED INTO THE OCR EQUIPMENT WHICH WOULD ELECTRONICALLY READ THE LAST FOUR LINES OF THE ADDRESS. A CODE OF THAT ADDRESS WOULD THEN BE PRINTED ON THE ENVELOPE IN LUMINESCENT INK SO THAT ALL SUBSEQUENT SORTING PROCESSES COULD BE DONE AUTOMATICALLY,* MR ARDLEY SAID.
LETTERS REJECTED BY THE OCR SORTING EQUIPMENT BECAUSE THE ADDRESS WAS UNREADABLE WOULD BE DIVERTED TO CODING DESKS WHERE OPERATORS WOULD READ THE ADDRESSES AND TYPE THE RELEVANT ADDRESS CODE ON THE ENVELOPES.
MR ARDLEY SAID THAT IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BE ABOUT $100 MILLION AND THAT SAVINGS COULD BE EXPECTED OF $14 MILLION IN 1987-88, RISING TO $20 MILLION IN 1993-94.
+WE ARE ABOUT TO SEEK FINANCIAL APPROVAL FOR THIS PROJECT AND, IF APPROVAL IS GRANTED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION DATE WOULD BE 1987,+ HE ADDED.
/9........
TUESDAY, JUNc 4, 1985
URBAN COUNCIL TO CONSULT GOVERNOR ON MUSEUM
* * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY AGREED THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE CONSULTED ON THE COUNCIL’S PROPOSALS CONCERNING A MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
+IT IS HOPED THAT A MEETING CAN BE ARRANGED SOON AFTER SIR EDWARD YOUDE RETURNS FROM HIS PRESENT VISIT TO LONDON, + SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
AT TODAY’S MEETING OF THE COUNCIL’S STANDING COMMITTEE, MEMBERS AGREED UNANIMOUSLY THAT SUCH A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE THE COUNCIL’S NEXT STEP.
THE SPOKESMAN REPRESENTED BY ITS
ADDED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
APPOINTMENTS TO * * *
BE CONFIRMED *
A BILL SEEKING TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF AN URBAN COUNCILLOR AND FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE THIS FRIDAY AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ALL THREE READINGS NEXT WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12).
THEY ARE URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR MARVIN CHEUNG KIN-TUNG- DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER FOR KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl, MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN-MEMBER FOR SAI KUNG, MR JOSEPH KONG HON-HING, AND MEMBERS FOR SHA TIN, MR LEE KWONG AND MR JUSTE IN C. WONG.
AT THE TIME THE FIVE MEMBERS WERE APPOINTED, ALTHOUGH THEY V£RE ELIGIBLE TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS, THEY WERE NOT SO REGISTERED UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE. TO BE REGISTERED IS A REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT UNDER THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE AND DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE.
THE PUBLIC BODIES (CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTED MEMBERS) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1985 TO BE PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY SEEKS TO CONFIRM THEIR APPOINTMENT UNTIL JANUARY 1986, TO ENABLE THESE FIVE PERSONS TO CONTINUE TO ACT AS MEMBERS OF THE BODIES TO WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THEM. BY JANUARY 1986 THEY WILL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REGISTER AND THUS BE LISTED IN THE FINAL ELECTORAL ROLL.
-----0------
/10 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
10 -
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PLAY VITAL SCHOOL ROLE *****
TWO GROUPS OF STUDENTS WHO SCORED TOP MARKS IN THE 1985 COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION WERE AWARDED CASH PRIZES AT A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE TWO FIRST PRIZES WENT TO STUDENTS OF C.C.C. ROTARY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND CARITAS ST. FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL REPRESENTING GROUP A AND GROUP B IN THE CONTEST.
THE WINNERS ARE AMONG 150 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED THEIR AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT FOR THEIR HIGH STANDARD OF WORK IN THE COMPETITION, WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY AT THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL, THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), DR KONG YUN-FUN, SAID THE COMPETITION WHICH WAS THE THIRD IN THE SERIES AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF SECONDARY STUDENTS IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.
♦THIS COMPETITION ALSO EMPHASISES AND ENCOURAGES A MORE LIVELY APPROACH IN THE TEACHING OF COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS,+ HE SAID.
+THE PROJECT METHOD REQUIRES STUDENTS TO INVESTIGATE AND SOLVE PROBLEMS AND THE PROCESS CAN CREATE INTEREST, CLARIFY CONTENT AND SPEED UP LEARNING.+
+AS A RESULT, IT CAN UPGRADE STUDENTS TO NEW LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING AND SKILL AND CAN PROVIDE A LABORATORY WHERE PERFORMANCE CAN BE EVALUATED,+ HE SAID.
RECALLING THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION IN WHICH IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SCHOOLS INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE PRACTICAL OR TECHNICAL SUBJECT IN FORM 4 AND 5 CURRICULUM, DR KONG SAID COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS WERE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT PART.
THE AIM OF INCLUDING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS AT FORM 4 AND 5 LEVELS WAS TO ALLOW SOME STUDENTS AN EARLY OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW A COURSE WHICH WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY PREPARE THEM FOR WORK, HE ADDED.
+THROUGH THE INCLUSION OF THESE SUBJECTS, STUDENTS CONTINUE THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION AND AT THE SAME TIME RECEIVE SOME SORT OF A GENERAL PREPARATION FOR LIFE AS WELL AS SPECIFIC TRAINING FOR COMMERCE.+
+IT ALSO PROVIDES THEM WITH SOME UNDERSTANDING OF THE HONG KUNG COMMERCIAL WORLD AND THUS HELP THEM TO BECOME MORE USEFUL MEMBERS CF COMMUNITY,* HE CONTINUED.
/+IN ADDITION, .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
11
+IN ADDITION. MANY STUDENTS WHO PREFER TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES, FEEL THE NEED TO FOLLOW A HEAVIER BIAS ON COMMERCIAL FIELD IN THE SIXTH FORMS LEADING TO THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AS THEY BEGIN TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT DEGREES AND THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IN ACCOUNTING, BANKING, INSURANCE, MARKETING AND BUSINESS STUDIES,+ HE CONCLUDED.
WINNING PROJECTS IN THE COMPETITION WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE COLLEGE HALL OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE BETWEEN JULY 1 AND 6.
------0-------
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR YOUTHS LAUNCHED
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, OFFERING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS AND ADVANCE IN VARIOUS SPORTS, HAS BEEN LAUNCHED.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN MAPPED OUT ON A LONG-TERM BASIS BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE DIVISION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME LEADING UP TO MARCH 1986.
' A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BRANCH SAID THAT ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENT'S PROMOTIONAL EFFORT IN SPORTS HAD IDENTIFIED SOME PROMISING ATHLETES IN THE PAST BUT THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH REPRESENTATIVES AT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS LEFT MUCH TO BE DESIRED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE MAIN REASON WAS THAT SO FAR ONLY A FEW SPORTS HAD COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND WERE NOT MAPPED OUT ON A LONG-TERM BASIS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A SYSTEM HAS TO BE ESTABLISHED TO CHANNEL THE TALENTED AT THE GRASS-ROOTS LEVEL THROUGH THE HIERARCHY OF A +SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PYRAMID+.
BASICALLY, THE +PYRAMID+ COMPRISES INTRODUCTORY TRAINING, BEGINNERS TRAINING, ELEMENTARY TRAINING, INTERMEDIATE TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO IDENTIFYING PROMISING ATHLETES.
AND THE TALENTED AND BETTER SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN WITH PROVEN POTENTIAL AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL WILL BE REFERRED TO THE NATIONAL SQUAD FOR ADVANCED TRAINING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ADVANCED LEVEL OF TRAINING WOULD ALSO SERVE AS THE NURTURING GROUND FOR BUDDING YOUNG SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN WHO WOULD ONE DAY BECOME MEMBERS OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE NATIONAL SQUAD, HE ADDED.
THE TRAINING PROGRAMME SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR YOUTHS ALL OVER THE TERRITORY WILL INCLUDE POPULAR SPORTS SUCH AS FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SWIMMING, DIVING, CANOEING, ROWING, SAILING, ORIENTEERING, TENNIS, BADMINTON AND OTHERS.
------o-------
/12 ....
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
- 12 -
PLASTICS INDUSTRY MANPOWER DATA TO BE UPDATED * * * *
THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE CONDUCTING A MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY FROM JUNE 14 TO 26.
ORGANISATIONS SELECTED AT RANDOM WILL RECEIVE QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS ASKING THEM TO SUPPLY MANPOWER INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, VACANCIES AND INFORMATION RELATED TO MANPOWER TRAINING.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MR DENNIS TING, URGED EMPLOYERS TO COOPERATE AND PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION BECAUSE THE SURVEY IS NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT IN FORMULATING MEANINGFUL TRAINING PLANS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
TOY MANUFACTURING, WHICH IS STILL THE LARGEST SECTOR OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, CREATED A SALES RECORD IN 1984 WITH EXPORTS REACHING HKS11.5 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1983.
MR TING STRESSED THAT ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SKILLED MANPOWER IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SUSTAIN THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY AND FOR IT TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD MARKET.
HE ASSURED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.
SURVEY INTERVIEWERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS TO ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES. ENQUIRIES COULD ALSO BE MADE AT THE MANPOWER STATISTICS SECTION AT 5-454002 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----o------
BOARD MEMBERS SCRUTINISE UC PROJECTS
KXX
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TODAY SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE VARIOUS CAPITAL AND MINOR WORKS PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
IN ALL, THERE ARE 33 CAPITAL WORKS AND 51 MINOR WORKS PROJECTS IN THE COUNCIL’S PLANNING PIPELINE FOR THE DISTRICT, OF WHICH SOME 55 PER CENT ARE RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES.
/THE MULTI-MILLION .......
ru£_ Y, JUNE 4, 1985
THE MULTI-MILLION PROGRAMME, INCLUDING FOUR UNDER CONSTRUCTION, COVERS A VERY WIDE FIELD INCLUDING THE TERRITORY’S FIRST BOATING PARK AT WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD, A CYCLING PARK, A SPORTS CENTRE, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, AN OPEN-AIR AMPHI-THEATRE, PARKS, SQUASH COURTS, BASKETBALL COURTS, MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, REST GARDENS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, BEACH BUILDINGS, A PICNIC AREA, MARKET COMPLEXES, A COOKED-FOOD CENTRE, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND TOILET FACILITIES.
THE PROPOSED REFUSE COLLECTION POINT (RCP) AT ABERDEEN EMERGED AS THE FOCAL POINT OF DISCUSSION. SEVERAL MEMBERS HOPED THAT ANOTHER SITE WOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR THE PROJECT BECAUSE THE PROPOSED SITE, WHICH IS NEAR A PRIMARY SCHOOL, MIGHT CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE PROBLEMS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN.
URBAN COUNCILLOR MR WALTER SULKE, WHO IS AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE BOARD, STRESSED THAT RCPS WITH MODERN DESIGN WOULD CAUSE THE LEAST HYGIENE PROBLEM.
THE STAFF OFFICER (PLANNING) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR Y.L. NG WHO PRESENTED THE URBAN COUNCIL’S WORKS PROGRAMME TO THE BOARD, POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED RCP, WOULD BEAUTIFY THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENT AND WOULD NOT BE VISIBLE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DECORATED WITH GREENERY. HE EMPHASISED, HOWEVER, THAT BOARD MEMBERS’ SUGGESTIONS FOR A MORE SUITABLE SITE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
OTHER PROJECTS DISCUSSED AT LENGTH BY BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDED A SOCCER PITCH AND TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AT THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT, THE COOKED-FOOD CENTRE, THE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AT NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, AND THE WELFARE ROAD PARK.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR JASPER LAM, SAID BEFORE THE MEETING THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CONSULTATION PROGRAMME WOULD HELP STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS. HE WELCOMED THE MOVE TO INCLUDE THE MINOR WORKS PROJECTS IN THE CONSULTATION PROGRAMME WHICH HE SAID WOULD PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THE COUNCIL’S WORKS PROJECTS FOR VARIOUS DISTR ICTS.
♦I HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD IN FUTURE INCLUDE THOSE PROJECTS WHICH ARE PLANNED BEYOND THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IN THE CONSULTATION PROGRAMME TO ENABLE BOARD MEMBERS TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS AT THE VERY INITIAL STAGE,+ HE ADDED.
THE SOUTHERN DB WAS THE SIXTH BOARD CONSULTED THIS YEAR BY THE URBAN COUNCIL ON ITS FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME. THE OTHER FIVE ARE THE CENTRAL/WESTERN, KWUN TONG, WONG TAI SIN, WAN CHAI AND YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARDS.
--------0 ---------
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
- 14 ■ -
OPEN MEETINGS FOR LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE UK
FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE HELD IN PUBLIC.
THIS WAS AGREED AT TODAY’S MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY MR JOSEPH CHAN, WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 25.
COMMENTING ON THE DECISION TO OPEN UP THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S DELIBERATIONS, A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID: +THIS IS PART OF THE COUNCIL’S EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS OF PUTTING THE PUBLIC MORE FULLY IN THE PICTURE CONCERNING THE COUNCIL’S DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES.
+ALREADY THE MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE COUNCIL IS HELD UNDER A NEW FORMAT WHEREBY MUCH OF THE BUSINESS FORMERLY DISCUSSED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE IS NOW DEBATED AND DECIDED UPON IN PUBLIC.*
- - 0----------
ACTIVITY APPROACH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON DISPLAY
X X X X X X
A DISPLAY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES SUITABLE FOR USE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ADOPTING THE ACTIVITY APPROACH WILL BE HELD AT NINE REGIONAL CENTRES BETWEEN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND JUNE 7 (FRIDAY).
THE 1985 ACTIVITY APPROACH EXHIBITION, PREPARED BY 133 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM TOMORROW AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT PROVIDING SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS WITH INFORMATION AND MATERIALS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH AND PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE APPROACH BY THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THE PARENTS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
NOT ONLY WILL INFORMATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS BE ON DISPLAY AT THE CENTRES BUT ALSO SOURCE MATERIAL AND SELECTED WORK BY STUDENTS.
/IN ADDITION.........
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
- 15 -
IN ADDITION, THE ACTIVITY APPROACH CLASSES IN SESSION AT THE CENTRES a ILL BE OPEN TO VISITORS AND VAR IOUS ASPECTS OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH INCLUDING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, GROUP TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBSERVED.
THE NINE CENTRES ARE THE ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL ON HONG KONG |SLAND= TUNG KUN DISTRICT SOCIETY FONG SHU CHUEN SCHOOL. FUK ctdcft cnVFRNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, SHENG HUNG HUI KEI TAK
KEI HU PR.K.RJ SCgOLU catholicSprimary school'inAyuen long and the nt women and’ Juvenile SeLfaSe ASSOCIATION LEUNG SING TAK PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TAI PO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
--------o --------
INDOOR GAMES HALLS BEING BUILT * * * *
WORK HAS STARTED ON TWO INDOOR GAMES HALLS AT WAN CHAI AND MONG KOK FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACTS BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE WAN CHAI INDOOR GAMES HALL AT HARBOUR ROAD, COSTING $19.9 MILLION, WILL BE A THREE-STOREY BUILDING COMPRISING EIGHT GLASS-BACKED SQUASH COURTS, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS WHICH CAN ALSO BE USED FOR BADMINTON AND VOLLEYBALL, A NUMBER OF GAMES ROOMS, OFFICES, CONFERENCE ROOMS, CHANGING ROOMS AND STOREROOMS.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE MONG KOK INDOOR GAMES HALL, LOCATED AT BOUNDARY STREET, WILL HAVE A BASKETBALL-CUM-BADMINTON COURT, FOUR SQUASH COURTS WITH VIEWING GALLERY, CHANGING ROOMS AND A RECEPTION AREA AND LOBBY.
WORK ON THE $4 MILLION PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN 10 MONTHS.
-----o-------
OPTOMETRIC PRACTICE SURVEY TO BE LAUNCHED
* * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH A FORMAL SURVEY ON OPTOMETRICAL PRACTICES IN HONG KONG ON JUNE 6.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY IS TO ASSESS THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE LOCAL OPTOMETRY PROFESSION, ITS PATTERN OF PRACTICE AND THE TYPES OF PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN THE FIELD.
/IT $fLL .......
9 .
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
- 16 -
IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO ASCERTAIN A NUMBER OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTOMETRICAL PRACTITIONERS.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE SENDING OUT EXPLANATORY LETTERS AND QUESTIONNAIRES TO ALL OPTICAL SHOPS AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE TERR ITORY.
+AS THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE USED TO GAIN A DEEPER INSIGHT INTO THE LATEST SITUATION OF THE TRADE, OPTICAL SHOPS AND PRACTITIONERS ARE THEREFORE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE BY COMPLETING THE FORMS ACCURATELY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT SOME 500 OPTICAL SHOPS EMPLOYING ABOUT 1 600 PERSONNEL WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE SURVE_Y.
-----o------
TWO RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES PLANNED
* X X X X
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY PLANS TO BUILD ANOTHER TWO RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, PROBABLY ON LANTAO ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU.
TWO POSSIBLE SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECTS ON THE ISLANDS.
DURING A TOUR OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT ON PUBLIC HOUSING ON OUTLYING ISLANDS, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FRED PANG, HAS INSPECTED THE TWO SITES AT MUI WO ON LANTAO ISLAND AND ON CHEUNG CHAU.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S SECOND RURAL ESTATE, THE NEWLY-COMPLETED CHEUNG KWAI ESTATE, WHICH IS FAST BECOMING A LANDMARK ON CHEUNG CHAU.
DESIGNED TO FIT IN WELL WITH THE LANDSCAPE OF THE ISLAND, CHEUNG Kwai ESTATE PROVIDES 472 MODERN FLATS IN 18 LOW-RISE BLOCKS OF TWO TO FOUR STOREYS HIGH.
THE FIRST RURAL ESTATE, LUNG TIN, WAS COMPLETED IN 1980 AT TAI 0 ON LANTAO ISLAND, HOUSING 1 300 PEOPLE IN 184 FLATS.
ACCOMPANIED ON THE TOUR BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS), MR HAIDER BARMA, MR PANG ALSO VISITED THE MUI WO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA ON LANTAO, THE FIRST THA FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS.
THE S3.6 MILLION THA PROVIDES SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION IN 12 BLOCKS OF FULL-CLADDED DUPLEX-TYPE UNITS FOR III FAMILIES INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE ON ThE ISLAND.
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
- 17 -
TENNIS COURT FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS ******
THE FIRST PHASE OF A $600 000 PROJECT TO PROVIDE MORE TENNIS COURT FACILITIES FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE SAI CHING STREET PROVISIONAL TENNIS COURT, WITH THREE ■ji.iRTS COSTING $300 000, WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN f THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR TAI KUEN.
THE ENTIRE PROJECT, FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL ALSO INCLUDE A CENTRE COURT FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION, TWO PRACTICE ROUNDS AND A SITTING-OUT AREA.
THE SAI CHING STREET TENNIS COURT IS UNDER THE MANAGEMENT HE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH ALSO TAKES CARE OF COURT BOOKINGS.
0----------
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHA TIN, KWAI CHUNG * * * *
A NUMBER OF ROADS IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 24-HOUR FESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 7).
THESE ARE:
* THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN SHING CHUEN ROAD AND JUNCTION J7.
* THE SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD.
* THE SECTION OF SHING CHUEN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY :
* TUNG CHI STREET BETWEEN LEI MUK ROAD AND SHEK YAM ROAD.
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHEK YAM ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG CHI STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES tO THE SOUTH.
: • •S */
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS ND GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
------o--------
/18 .....
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985
- 18 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FANLING * * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OPENING OF FANLING BY-PASS:
* A NEW SHEUNG SHU I ROUNDABOUT WILL BE OPEN TO REPLACE THE EXISTING MINI-ROUNDABOUT.
X TWO SLIP ROADS LINKING THE NEW SHEUNG SHU I ROUNDABOUT WILL ALSO BE READY FOR EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC.
X THE ZEBRA CROSSING NEAR CHOI YUEN ESTATE WILL BE CANCELLED AND REPLACED BY A BRIDGE WITH PEDESTRIAN FOOTPATH.
* BUS STOPS AT TAI PO ROAD NEAR CHOI YUEN ESTATE WILL BE CANCELLED. PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE BUS STOP AT PO SHEK WU ROAD.
-----0------
ROADS OPEN IN CHAI WAN * X * *
THE NEW ROADS LINKING WING TAI INTERCHANGE WITH CHAI WAN TAI ROAD WILL OPEN TO TRAFFIC FROM 7), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED
KUAD KUUNDABOUT AND WING 10.30 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE TODAY (TUESDAY).
------0-------
OFFICE REMOVAL
* * X
THE GROUP WORK UNIT IN THE NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE CF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED TO THE LOK WAH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE IS STILL 3-7500047.
-----o-----
MEET THE MEDIA X * X
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES.
GRAHAM OSBORNE, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (JUNE 6) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ....... 1
'ARRANGEMENT TO ASSIST CONTINUITY OF EXPERIENCE' ............ 2
IMPORTANCE OF HALF-WAY HOUSES STRESSED ....................... 2
PRIMARY ONE PLACES TO BE ANNOUNCED ........................... 4
HOLIDAY REMINDER.............................................. 6
THREE MORE HOS BLOCKS OFFERED FOR SALE ....................... 6
HAWKER CONTROL KEEPS KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE CLEAN ............ 7
NEW STAND FOR MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND .......................... 7
EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR FOR SHAM SHUI PO SCHOOLS ................. 8
TSUEN WAN TO HOLD TREE PLANTING DAY .......................... 8
THEN MUN ROAD SECTION TO CLOSE ............................... 9
ROAD OPENING POSTPONED ....................................... 9
TRAFFIC REROUTING ............................................ 9
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1935
1
APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD REAPPOINTED SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MR M.G.R. SANDBERG, MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR Q.W. LEE, MR CHEN SHOU-LUM AND MISS MARIA TAM AS UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THEIR PRESENT APPOINTMENTS ON 31 AUGUST 1985. MR OSWALD CHEUNG’S APPOINTMENT DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 31 AUGUST 1986. SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MISS DUNN AND MISS TAM HAVE BEEN APPOINTED FOR A FURTHER 3 YEARS UNTIL 1988: MR S.L. CHEN AND MR LEE QUO-WEI UNTIL 31 AUGUST 1987, AND NR SANDBERG UNTIL 31 AUGUST 1986.
SIR ROGER LOBO AND MR LI FOOK-WO WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE EXPIRY OF THEIR PRESENT APPOINTMENTS ON 31 AUGUST 1985. SIR ROGER LOBO WILL ALSO BE RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE END OF ITS PRESENT SESSION.
IT WAS ANNOUNCED AT THE SAME TIME THAT ALL EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS FROM THE EXPIRY OF THEIR EXISTING APPOINTMENTS ON 31 AUGUST 1985 TO 29 OCTOBER 1985, THE DAY BEFORE THE CONVENING OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 30 OCTOBER 1985.
IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THERE WILL BE 22 SEATS FOR APPOINTED MEMBERS. THE FOLLOWING HAVE ACCEPTED REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE NEW COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS UP TO 31 AUGUST 1988: MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR S.L. CHEN, MR PETER C. WONG, DR HO KAM-FAI, MR ALLEN LEE, MR K.C. CHAN. MR J.J. SWAINE, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MRS SELINA cflOW, MISS MARIA TAM, DR HENRIETTA IP, MR CHAN YING-LUN, MRS RITA FAN, MRS PAULINE NG, MR PETER POON, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, AND MR KIM CHAM. MISS LYDIA DUNN HAS ACCEPTED THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR TO BE THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOST OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE RETIRING BUT SOME MAY DECIDE INDIVIDUALLY TO STAND FOR ELECTION AND THE GOVERNOR WILL WISH TO MAKE FURTHER APPOINTMENTS TO THE REMAINING APPOINTED SEATS FOLLOWING THE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.
IN MAKING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE GOVERNOR PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION WHICH THE MEMBERS REAPPOINTED AND THOSE RETIRING HAVE MADE TO THE GOOD GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG DURING THEIR MEMBERSHIP OF THE TWO COUNCILS. HE BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG HAD EVERY REASON TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THE SELFLESS AND CONSCIENTIOUS CONTRIBUTION WHICH THEY HAD MADE TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO ITS BEST INTERESTS.
-----0-----
WEDNESDAY, vUNE 5, 1985
2
’ARRANGEMENT TO ASSIST CONTINUITY OF EXPERIENCE’ X X X X X X
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS QUESTIONS CONCERNING APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
+THE DIFFERENT LENGTHS OF APPOINTMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ARE SIMPLY TO ARRANGE THAT ANY FUTURE CHANGES OR REAPPOINTMENTS IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL DO NOT OCCUR ALL IN THE SAME YEAR. THIS ARRANGEMENT ASSISTS CONTINUITY OF EXPERIENCE IN THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL.
+AS TO WHICH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE DEFINITELY RETIRING AND WHICH WILL BE SEEKING ELECTION, IT IS A MATTER FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING HAVE INDICATED A DEFINITE INTENTION TO RETIRE: SIR ROGER LOBO, DR HARRY FANG, MR ALEX WU, MR WONG LAM AND MR W.C.L. BROWN.
+MR STEPHEN CHEONG HAS INDICATED AN INTENTION TO STAND FOR ELECTION IN THE INDUSTRIAL CONSTITUENCY, AND MR KEITH LAM HAS INDICATED AN INTENTION TO STAND FOR ELECTION IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
' +AS REGARDS WHO WILL FILL THE SEATS IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LEFT VACANT BY SIR ROGER LOBO’S AND MR F.W. LI’S RETIREMENT, A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE IN DUE COURSE.+
------- o -----
IMPORTANCE OF HALF-WAY HOUSES STRESSED
XX XX
HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR THE EX-MENTALLY ILL ARE A MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE REHABILITATION PROCESS FOR SUFFERERS FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1985 ZONTA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, MR CHAMBERS SAID WHEN PATIENTS WERE DISCHARGED FROM MENTAL HOSPITALS, IT WAS MOST DESIRABLE THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELPED TO RE-INTEGRATE GRADUALLY INTO THE COMMUNITY, RATHER THAN TO BE SENT STRAIGHT BACK TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEIR PROBLEMS DEVELOPED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
+IN A HALF-WAY HOUSE THERE ARE STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO HELP WITH PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE, AND TO RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN IMPENDING RELAPSE,* HE SAID.
/+ONE CAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1985
+ONE CAN HAVE SOME SYMPATHY WITH THE RELUCTANCE OF PEOPLE LIVING IN OUR CROWDED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO HAVING A HALF-WAY HOUSE SITED CLOSE TO WHERE THEY LIVE OR WHERE THEIR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL,+ HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THERE HAD BEEN TRAGIC INCIDENTS INVOLVING DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS, BUT +NONE OF THESE HAVE INVOLVED RESIDENTS IN A HALF-WAY HOUSE*.
+SO FAR AS I AM AWARE NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE EVER ARISEN FROM ANY OF THESE CENTRES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS,* HE SAID.
+IN ORDER TO CONVINCE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHTNESS OF THE HALF-WAY HOUSE POLICY THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN URGED TO CARRY OUT A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, ABLY SUPPORTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICERS AND A NUMBER OF WELFARE AGENCIES WHICH ARE ACTIVE IN REHABILITATION WORK, HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD IN RECENT MONTHS TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS,* HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS STRESSED THAT IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ACCEPT THAT HANDICAPPED PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE SHUNNED AND REJECTED FROM SOCIETY.
' +THEY ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE JUST LIKE THE REST OF US, WHO HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SUFFER FROM DISABILITIES WHICH COULD HAVE AFFECTED ANY OF US HAD THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN DIFFERENT, AND WHO NEED OUR SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT,* HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY* IN 1977, THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY EXPANSION OF SERVICES FOR THE HANDICAPPED.
BUT, HE SAID, IT WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR GOVERNMENT AND WELFARE AGENCIES TO EXPAND REHABILITATION SERVICES; IN ORDER TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED FULLY INTO THE COMMUNITY, IT WAS NECESSARY TO OVERCOME THE PREJUDICE AGAINST THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM SUCH DISABILITIES.
TURNING TO THE 1985 ZONTA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, THE THEME OF WHICH WAS +HOPE FOR THE HANDICAPPED*, MR CHAMBERS SAID THIS YEAR’S AWARD WAS VERY TIMELY IN THAT +IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF FAMILIES WITH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND SHOWS HOW WOMEN WHO SEEM TO BE FACED WITH ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS CAN, THROUGH DEVOTION AND PERSEVERANCE, DO A GREAT DEAL TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN TO OVERCOME THEIR DISABILITIES AND TO LIVE AS NORMAL A LIFE AS POSSIBLE*.
/MR CHAMBERS, ........
WEDNESDAY, jUNE 5, 1985
MR CHAMBERS, WHO WAS THE PRINCIPAL JUDGE OF THE AWARD, SAID THERE WERE 26 NOMINATIONS AND THE PANEL OF JUDGES HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TASK DECIDING BETWEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF DESERVING CASES.
IN EACH CASE, HE SAID, THE PANEL HAD TO CONSIDER THE FAMILY BACKGROUND, THE MEDICAL CONDITION OF THE HANDICAPPED CHILD OR CHILDREN, THE MOTHER’S BACKGROUND AND PERSONALITY, THE FAMILY’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICE TO OTHERS.
AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF CAREFUL CONSIDERATION THE PANEL CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO CHOOSE A SINGLE WINNER AND, AS A RESULT, THREE CANDIDATES WERE SELECTED AS JOINT WINNERS.
THE THREE WOULD DIVIDE A CASH PRIZE OF $30 000 EQUALLY AMONG THEM. IN ADDITION, FIVE OTHER SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WOULD EACH RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND A CHEQUE FOR $500.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED BY LADY YOUDE, PATRON OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG.
-------o----------
PRIMARY ONE PLACES TO BE ANNOUNCED * * * *
THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES FOR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR UNDER THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION SYSTEM, WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY (JUNE 8).
OUT OF 33 180 CHILDREN TAKING PART IN THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION, 22 411 CHILDREN OR 67.5 PER CENT, WILL BE ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS OF THEIR PARENTS’ FIRST THREE CHOICES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PARENTS CONCERNED ARE REQUESTED TO GO BACK TO THE DISTRIBUTION-COLLECTION CENTRE IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 8) OR SUNDAY (JUNE 9) BETWEEN 9 AM TO 4 PM TO COLLECT AN ALLOCATION SLIP.
THE SLIP WILL CONTAIN THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN ALLOCATED, TOGETHER WITH THE DATES FOR REGISTRATION.
PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR CHILD TO THE SCHOOL TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORMALITIES ON JUNE 12 OR 13.
/FOR A.M.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, l-,<35
5 -
FOR A.M. SCHOOLS, THE REGISTRATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO NOON, AND FOR P.M. SCHOOLS, IT WILL BE FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.
FOR WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS, THE REGISTRATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM.
PARENTS WHO FOR PERSONAL REASONS CANNOT REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN WITH THE SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED MUST CONTACT THE SCHOOLS DIRECT OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT BEFORE HAND FOR ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PARENTS WHO FAILED TO DO SO WOULD BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED.
THE ALLOCATION SLIP SHOULD BE SURRENDERED TO THE SCHOOL DURING REGISTRATION AND PARENTS MUST NOTE THAT ALL PLACES ALLOCATED ARE FINAL AND NO RE-ALLOCATION IS POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER, IF PARENTS HAVE DIFFICULTIES SUCH AS HAVING MOVED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT AND THE ALLOCATED SCHOOL IS TOO FAR AWAY FROM THEIR NEW HOME, THEY CAN GO TO THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT AT 269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, SECOND FLOOR, WAN CHAI, TO SEEK ASSISTANCE.
+THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG SUPPORTING DOCUMENTARY PROOF INCLUDING RENT RECEIPTS, RATES DEMAND NOTES, WATER BILLS OR ELECTRICITY BILLS BEARING THE NAME OF THE CHILD’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+ IF THEIR REQUESTS ARE JUSTIFIED, THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT WILL TRY TO FIND PLACES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT A SCHOOL HEARER TO THEIR NEW HOME,* HE SAID.
PARENTS WHO FIND IT NECESSARY TO CHANGE SCHOOL AFTER REGISTRATION ARE ADVISED TO GET ASSURANCE OF ACCEPTANCE FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL BEFORE THEY TOOK BACK THE ALLOCATION SLIP FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL AS RETRIEVAL OF THE SLIP WOULD MEAN THE CANCELLATION OF THE PLACE.
PARENTS WHO HAVE SECURED A DISCRETIONARY PLACE AND HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED WITH A SCHOOL EARLIER LAST YEAR NEED NOT REPEAT REGISTRATION FORMALITIES.
ANY PARENT WISHING TO MAKE FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY CONTACT THE UNIT AT 5-724383 DURING OFFICE HOURS ON OR AFTER SATURDAY (JUNE 8).
------o-------
/6........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1985
6
HOLIDAY REMINDER
XXX
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THE GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY AND THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WILL FALL ON JUNE 15 AND JUNE 17 THIS YEAR, AND NOT ON JUNE 8 AND 10.
THESE CHANGES WERE ANNOUNCED LAST NOVEMBER AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE IN JANUARY. A REMINDER WAS ISSUED EARLY LAST MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT JULY 29, A MONDAY, IS AN ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY THIS YEAR. THIS IS BECAUSE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND GOOD FRIDAY, BOTH GENERAL HOLIDAYS, FELL ON THE SAME DAY ON APRIL 5.
-------o - -
THREE MORE HOS BLOCKS OFFERED FOR SALE
X X X X X
TUP HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS DECIDED TO RELEASE FROM TOMORROW ^THURSDAY) THE LAST THREE BLOCKS WITH 900 FLATS AT GREENWOOD TERRACE^FOR SALE TOGETHER WITH THE 4 120 FLATS BEING SOLD UNDER PHASE VI IB OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
+THF DECISION WAS MADE ON ACCOUNT OF THE ENCOURAGING RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT SALES OF THE 1 200 FLATS ON THE FIRST FOUR BLOCKS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR PART IC I PAT IONvSCHEME PROJECT IN CHAI WAN,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY.
+MORE THAN 29 300 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR THE 4 120 FLATS IN FOUR PSPS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LATEST SALES EXERCISE - THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE PHASE IVA IN JUNE 1982.
+ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE FLATS HAVE SO FAR BEEN SNAPPED UP BY ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.
+IT IS EXPECTED THAT BY THE TIME ALL THE REMAINING FLATS ARE SOLD THERE WILL STILL BE SOME 9 000 APPLICANTS WHO WILL NOT HAVE THE CHANCE TO BUY A FLAT, OF WHOM MANY HAVE ALREADY SHOWN INTEREST IN BUYING THE FLATS AT GREENWOOD TERRACE.+
FLATS ON THE LAST THREE BLOCKS IN THE ESTATE, BLOCKS 1 TO 3 ARE PRICED FROM $229 000 FOR A 57.6-SQUARE-METRE UNIT WITH TWO BEDROOMS TO $406 900 FOR A 81.3-SQUARE-METRE UNIT WITH THREE BEDROOMS AND AN ADDITIONAL BATHROOM ATTACHED TO THE MASTER BEDROOM.
+DETAILS OF FLATS, INCLUDING A PRICE LIST, WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN 01 MAN COMMERCIAL CENTRE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- 0 -
WEDNESDA , JUNE 5, 1985
7'
HAWKER CONTROL KEEPS KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE CLEAN *****
THE CURRENT HAWKER CONTROL OPERATION AT KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO KEEP ITS LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN GOOD SHAPE AND CANNOT THEREFORE BE RELAXED.
THIS WAS STATED IN A LETTER BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN REPLY TO A GROUP OF HAWKERS FROM THE ESTATE FOLLOWING THEIR REPRESENTATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY ACTION TO CURB UNAUTHORISED HAWKING IN THE ESTATE BEGAN AS EARLY AS IN MARCH 1983 ON A REGULAR BASIS.
♦ THE CURRENT OPERATION IS ONLY A CONTINUATION OF THAT LONG-ESTABLISHED HAWKER CONTROL EXERCISE TO ENSURE THAT THE ESTATE REMAINS CLEAN AND TIDY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE TENANTS.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ESTATE WAS WELL SERVED BY MARKETS.
♦THERE ARE AT PRESENT SOME VACANT SHOP-STALLS AND THE HAWKERS MAY WISH TO TAKE PART WHEN THEY COME UP FOR INSTANT TENDERS SHORTLY.+
THE ESTATE IS NOW FREE OF NUISANCE AND ROAD OBSTRUCTION FROM HAWKING ACTIVITIES WHICH HAD BEEN A SUBJECT OF COMPLAINTS BY TENANTS AND SHOP OPERATORS IN THE PAST.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S HAWKER/ROAD CONTROL SCHEME IS ALSO BEING SUCCESSFULLY ENFORCED ON 93 OTHER ESTATES.
-------0---------
NEW STAND FOR MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND * * * *
PROVISION OF $2.7
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE
MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SPECTATOR STAND AT MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND IN MONG KOK.
THE OLD STAND, WHICH WAS STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE, HAS ALREADY BEEN DEMOLISHED AND TEMPORARILY REPLACED BY SOME PORTABLE STANDS.
A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID THE PLAYGROUND WAS A POPULAR VENUE FOR MINI-SOCCER MATCHES AND DISTRICT FUNCTIONS AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE NEW STAND WILL PROVIDE SEATING FOR ABOUT 1 OOO SPECTATORS. ANCILLARY FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED UNDERNEATH THE STAND. THESE INCLUDE TOILETS, CHANGING ROOMS, OFFICES, FIRST-AID ROOM, READ ING/CONFERENCE ROOM AND STOREROOMS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS’ TIME AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
------o-------
/8
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1935
8
EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR FOR SHAM SHU I PO SCHOOLS
*****
ABOUT 200 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON COUNSELLING FOR STUDENTS.
THE SEMINAR IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF INTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE SHAM SHUI PO SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE WHICH HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 99 SCHOOLS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR FAN KAM-PING, SAID THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION AMONG LOCAL SCHOOLS AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATIONALISTS TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS AND EXPERTISE.
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL DISCUSS A VARIETY OF TOPICS INCLUDING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, STUDENT COUNSELLING, MORAL TRAINING, STUDY PROBLEMS AND THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON THE SELECTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS OF THE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE SUMMARISED IN A REPORT TO BE DISTRIBUTED AS A TEACHING GUIDE TO SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
-----0 ------
TSUEN WAN TO HOLD TREE PLANTING DAY * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH ITS ANNUAL PLANTING PROGRAMME WITH A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ON FRIDAY (JUNE 7).
THE TREE PLANTING DAY, AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS CF THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAUTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE JUNCTION OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND ROUTE TWISK.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO TSE-PING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE TREE PLANTING CEREMONY, THE FIRST OF A SERIES TO BE HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, SOME 100 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB WILL TAKE PART IN THE TREE PLANTING EXERCISE.
-------o---------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1935
9
TUEN MUN ROAD SECTION TO CLOSE K * * K
THE KOWLOON-BOUND ROUNDABOUT AND SIU LAM
SECTION OF TUEN MUN ROAD, BETWEEN ROAD D9 __ --- INTERCHANGE, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
JoN§?ruc5t??NA™°k.SATU'!I,AY AND sunday (june 8 AND ”
HA.n I5AFFIC HEADING FOR tsuen wan will be diverted to use ANnDi-E?N S^TLaa£EAK R0ADa THE SL,P R0AD AT S,U LAM INTERCHANGE AINU lUtlN PI UN KUAD.
KMB ROUTE 59S WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
-----o------
ROAD OPENING POSTPONED * * *
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND OUTSTANDING ROAD WORK, THE . OPENING OF NEW ROADS LINKING WING TAI INTERCHANGE WITH CHAI WAN ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND WING TAI ROAD SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY (JUNE 7) MORNING, WILL BE POSTPONED FOR ONE WEEK TO 10.30 AM ON JUNE 14.
-----0------
TRAFFIC REROUTING
* * *
THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT AND THE SOUTHWEST LOOP ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 8) TO 7 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 10) TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL HAVE TO DIVERT VIA THE SLIP ROAD AT WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT TO THE WO HOP SHEK CONNECTION AND JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
--------o --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS'S STATEMENT ON 0.T.3.................................... 1
COMPANIES SUSPENDED ....................................... 1
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ATTACK PROTECTIONISM...............
PRICE, VOLUME CHANGES IN MARCH EXTERNAL TRADE.............. 4
HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES REVISED.......................... 10
DI STRICT-LEVEL CRIME FIGHT ESSENTIAL - ANNING............ 11
HELP ELIMINATE MOSQUITO NUISANCE, PUBLIC URGED............ 12
ESTATE PREMISES FOR DB OFFICES CONSIDERED ................ 13
RADIO AND TV TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH .................... 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR TAXI LICENCES ........................ 15
SUPERVISOR COMMENDED FOR ANTI-LITTER RECORD .............. 15
HOLIDAY REMINDER.......................................... 16
+MUSIC WHILE YOU W0RK+ STARTS ON SATURDAY................. 16
E.R.P. LEAFLET PRODUCED.................................
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ...................... 17
DISABLED SPORTS TEAMS TO BE FETED ......................
PUBLISHERS SHOW APPRECIATION ............................. 18
NEW CLEAN HK CAMP AI® .................................... 1?
POK FU LAM, CENTRAL TRAFFIC CHANGES....................... 19
HOLIDAY MAIL ...........................................
- . JNE 6, 1935
FS’S STATEMENT ON O.T.B. * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TONIGHTS
+THE DIRECTORS OF OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED THIS AFTERNOON ADVISED THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING THAT THE BANK WAS INSOLVENT AND THEREFORE UNABLE TO CARRY ON BUSINESS. AFTER CONSULTING ME THE COMMISSIONER IMMEDIATELY TOOK STEPS TO EXERCISE HIS POWERS OF CONTROL UNDER S.13(l) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND HAS DIRECTED THE BANK AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DESIST FROM UNDERTAKING ANY BUSINESS WHATSOEVER IN ITS BRANCHES AND OFFICES IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE OVERSEAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AS A RESULT THE BANK AND ITS BRANCHES WILL NOT BE OPEN FOR BANKING BUSINESS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) OR ON SATURDAY.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL BE MEETING TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN ORDER TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE BANK AND THE STEPS THAT WILL BE TAKEN TO PROTECT DEPOSITORS, PARTICULARLY SMALL DEPOSITORS. A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE TOMORROW EVENING.
THIS DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWED AN INTENSIVE AUDIT OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK’S BOOKS BY TEAMS OF EXAMINERS FROM THE BANKING COMMISSION DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS. AT THE COMMISSIONER’S REQUEST THE BOARD HAS BEEN ADVISED SINCE LAST MONDAY BY A MERCHANT BANKER. THERE HAVE BEEN PROLONGED CONSULTATIONS WITH EXECUTIVES AND DIRECTORS OF THE BANK.+
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT HE BELIEVES THAT THE BANK S PROBLEMS GO BEYOND IMPRUDENT MANAGEMENT OR MISFORTUNE AND THAT THERF ARE SERIOUS MATTERS WHICH WARRANT INVESTIGATION BY THE COMMERCIAL CRIMES BUREAU. THAT INVESTIGATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN.
THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO ITS POLICY OF SAFEGUARDING THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HK DOLLAR AND THE STABILITY AND REPUTATION OF THE BANKING SYSTEM.
-----o------
COMPANIES SUSPENDED * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS TODAY (THURSDAY) SUSPENDED THE REGISTRATION OF
B FINANCE LTD AND EXPRESS FINANCE AND INVESTMENT LIMITED AS DEPOST-TAKI NG COMPANIES, ON THE GROUND THAT THE BUSINESS CF THE COMPANIES IS BEING CARRIED ON IN A MANNER DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THEIR DEPOSITORS.
--------o ---------
THURSt-. t, JUNE 6, 1935
2
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ATTACK PROTECTIONISM *****
THE JENKINS BILL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO CUTS OF WELL OVER 50 PER CENT IN THE EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL TO THE UNITED STATES BY SOME SUPPLIERS, IS IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION OF U.S. COMMITMENTS UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA), BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND OTHER DECLARATIONS.
THIS WAS SAID BY MR MOHAMMED BAJWA OF PAKISTAN, WHO MADE A STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WHICH EXPORT TEXTILES AND CLOTHING. AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) IN GENEVA YESTERDAY (JUNE 5).
THERE ARE 28 MEMBERS IN THE GROUP WHICH BACKS A PROGRAMME OF COOPERATION AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING. HONG KONG, A MEMBER OF THE GROUP, SUPPORTED THE STATEMENT IN THE GATT MEETING.
THE STATEMENT STRONGLY ATTACKED PROTECTIONIST TRADE TENDENCIES BEING DISPLAYED BY SOME DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
+THE MOUNTING PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES CAN BEST BE EXEMPLIFIED IN THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IN THE U.S. CONGRESS, THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1985, BETTER KNOWN AS THE JENKINS BILL.
♦THIS BILL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE CONGRESS ON MARCH 19, SEEKS TO ROLLBACK TRADE SUBSTANTIALLY FROM DEVELOPING SUPPLIERS. IF ENACTED, OVERALL TEXTILE AND APPAREL IMPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1985 WOULD BE CUT 20 TO 30 PER CENT FROM THE 1984 LEVEL, AND FOR SOME INDIVIDUAL SUPPLIERS, REDUCTIONS WOULD BE WELL OVER 50 PER CENT.
+YOU CAN SEE THAT WHILE SOME OF US ARE ROMANTICALLY SINGING THE PRAISES OF A NEW ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, OTHERS ARE BUSY SHARPENING THE GUILLOTINE TO ACHIEVE NEW TRADE RESTRICTIONS.
+WE HAVE SEEN THE USE OF SUCH PRESSURE TACTICS ON THE EVE CF MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS ENOUGH TIMES BEFORE. WE NOTE THAT THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION IS ALREADY ON RECORD AS OPPOSING THE BILL. WE ARE NEVERTHELESS DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS BILL HAS BEEN INITIATED AND PUSHED DESPITE ITS BEING IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION WITH U.S. COMMITMENTS UNDER THE MFA, THE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND THE MINISTERIAL DECLARATION,* SAID THE STATEMENT.
NEW TRADE RESTRICTIONS AND RECOURSE TO TRADE MEASURES OUTSIDE THE MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED BY GATT GAVE RISE TO SERIOUS EROSION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING ITSELF.
/MINIST£RS OF........
. o, 1985
MINISTERS OF GATT MEMBER NATIONS HAD COMMITTED THEMSELVES IN 1982 TO LIBERALISING TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING - SECTORS CF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. + YET IT IS PRECISELY THOSE SECTORS WHICH HAVE WITNESSED, AS FEW OTHER SECTORS, A MILTIPLICATION OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES AND INTENSIFICATION CF THOSE ALREADY IN PLACE,+ SAID THE STATEMENT.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY (TSB) HAD FOUND THAT MANY CALLS ON DEVELOPING COUNTRY EXPORTERS BY THE UNITED STATES WERE UNJUSTIFIED AND SHOULD BE RESCINDED, THE CALLS HAVE CONTINUED.
DESPITE PROTESTS THE FINAL U.S. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS RELATING TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN RULES FOR TEXTILES AND CLOTHINGS HAD BEEN ENACTED WITH LITTLE CHANGE FROM THEIR ORIGINAL FORM - EVEN THOUGH THE TSB HAD RULED THAT THEY UPSET THE BALANCE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER A BILATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE U.S. AND A DEVELOPING EXPORTER.
+ANOTHER SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE U.S. COUNTERVAILING DUTY INVESTIGATIONS ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING IMPORTS FROM 13 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THEIR SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MFA AND THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REITERATED AT MEETINGS HELD LAST YEAR AT THE GATT, BOTH AT THE COUNCIL AND THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE.
♦THE DISCRIMINATORY IMPACT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS CAN BE GAUGED BY THE FACT THAT BETWEEN OCTOBER 1984 AND MARCH 1985, IMPORTS FROM MFA DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DECLINED BY FOUR PER CENT, WHEREAS IMPORTS FROM NON-RESTRAI NED ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNTRIES, EXCLUDING JAPAN AND TURKEY, INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT,* SAID THE STATEMENT.
SUPPORTING THE STATEMENT THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID OF THE JENKINS BILL: +THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE USE CF SUCH BILLS AS A MEANS OF EXTRACTING CONCESSIONS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, PERHAPS INCLUDING COMMITMENTS RELATING TO WHAT SHOULD SUCCEED THE MFA AFTER IT EXPIRES IN JULY NEXT YEAR, CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED.
♦UNLESS SUCCESSFULLY RESISTED, SUCH PRESSURES MAY RESULT IN NEW PROTECTIONIST MEASURES WHICH COULD NOT ONLY FURTHER IMPAIR THE EXISTING TRADING SYSTEM BUT MIGHT ALSO NULLIFY ANY FUTURE ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE THE CREDIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MULTILATERAL DISCIPLINES AND TO STRENGTHEN THE LIBERAL TRADING SYSTEM.+
--------0 -
/4........
THUR DAY, JUNE 6, 1935
- 4 -
PRICE, VOLUME CHANGES IN MARCH EXTERNAL TRADE * * * * *
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1985 WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED BY ONE PER CENT WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 36 PER CENT, GIVING A 13 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IMPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY FOUR PER CENT AND SIX PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL.
COMPARING MARCH 1985 WITH MARCH 1984, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS DECREASED BY TWO PER CENT. WITHIN TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 22 PER CENT WHILE THAT “ --- IMPORTS INCREASED BY 12 PER
CF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 30 PER CENT. CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY THREE PER CENT AND FIVE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH 1985 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT.
PRICES OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASED BY TWO PER CENT AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX)
ROSE BY SEVEN PER CENT.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1985 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1984, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, GIVING A 17 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 12 PER CENT. PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 10 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND SEVEN PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
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 OF VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR MARCH AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER CF 1985 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/AS SHOW .....
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
AS SHOWN IN TABLE 1, THE EXPORT PRICES OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN MARCH 1985 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, RANGING FROM ONE PER CENT FOR RADIOS OF ALL KINDS TO 13 PER CENT FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES. DECREASES IN EXPORT PRICES WERE REGISTERED FOR COMMODITY GROUPS SUCH AS METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-20 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-10 PER CENT), FOOTWEAR (-9 PER CENT), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-4 PER CENT) AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-3 PER CENT).
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN MARCH 1985 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-47 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-45 PER CENT). RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-39 PER CENT), CLOTHING (-38 PER CENT), AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-36 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+2 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MARCH AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1985 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS SHOWN IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF NEARLY ALL THE END-USE CATEGORIES DECREASED IN MARCH 1985 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, RANGING FROM -2 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO -6 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS. HOWEVER, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS REMAINED THE SAME AS IN MARCH 1984.
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS DECLINED IN VOLUME TERMS IN MARCH 1985 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING SWINES MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; TEA AND COFFEE; SUGAR ; VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS AS WELL AS CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS, OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MANY CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AS WELL AS TOBACCO MANUFACTURES. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CLOTHING AND WATCHES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOME OF THE RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES ROSE IN MARCH 1985 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, AMONG WHICH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR 5 BASE METALS, EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL; WATCH AND CLOCK MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS; CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, ETC., EXCEPT GLASS AS WELL AS PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS.
/H0'.VEV2R, THE...........
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1965
6
HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF COTTON YARN AND THREAD;
MAN-MADE FIBRES: RAW COTTON; WOVEN COTTON FABRICS; LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS; WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK AS WELL AS YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN MARCH 1985.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ALL THE COMMODITIES INCREASED OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE MORE NOTABLE ONES BEING OFFICE MACHINES, TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MARCH AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1985 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS SHOWN IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL THE END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN MARCH 1985 WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1984, RANGING FROM FOUR PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 95 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME CF FUELS REMAINED THE SAME AS IN MARCH 1984.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE MARCH 1985 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS+, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON JUNE 10 AT HK$2 PER COPY.
TABLE li CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMOD1TY GROUP COMPARING MARCH 1985 WITH MARCH 1984
EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT VOLUME
CLOTHING - 32% +10% - 38%
TEXTILE FABRICS - 29% INSIGNIFICANT - 29%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD - 42% + 8% - 47%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES - 28% +13% - 36%
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS - 39% + 1% - 39%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - 15% - 4% - 12%
/FOOTJEkR .......
THURSDAY, JUNS 6, 1985
- 7 —
FOOTWEAR - 31% - 9% - 24%
METAL - 28% + 7% - 33%
MANUFACTURES
METAL ORES AND SCRAP - 18% -20% + 2%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS - 11% -10% - 1%
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS - 41% + 8% - 45%
AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL - 12% - 3% - 9%
APPLIANCES
ALL COMMODITIES - 20% + 3% - 22%
COMPARING 1ST QUARTER 1985 WITH 1ST QUARTER 1984
COMMODITY EXPORT EXPORT EXPORT
GROUP VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
CLOTHING + 3% + 12% - 8%
TEXTILE FABRICS - 15% + 3% - 17%
TEXTILE YARN AND - 37% + 7% - 41%
THREAD
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND + 2% + 14% - 10%
RELATED ARTICLES
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS - 14% + 1% - 15%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - 12% - 4% - 8%
FOOTWEAR + 1% - 4% + 5%
METAL - 1% + 8% - 8%
MANUFACTURES
METAL ORES AND SCRAP + 13% -23% + 46%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS + 3% - 8% + 12%
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS - 14% +13% - 24%
AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL + 9% - 3% + 12%
APPLIANCES
ALL COMMODITIES + 3% + 4% - 1%
/TABLE 2: .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 19^5
8 -
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MARCH 1985 WITH MARCH 1984
END-USE CATEGORY IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS - 7% - 6% INSIGNIFICANT
CONSUMER GOODS + 24% INSIGNIFICANT + 24%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES - 1% - 2% 1 NS 1 GN IFICANT
FUELS - 11% - 3% - 8%
CAPITAL GOODS + 42% - 4% + 47%
ALL COMMODITIES + 10% - 2% + 12%
COMPARING 1ST QUARTER 1985 WITH 1ST QUARTER 1984
END-USE CATEGORY IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS — 6% - 4% - 2%
CONSUMER GOODS + 26% + 2% + 25%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES - 1% INSIGNIFICANT - 1%
FUELS - 5% - 4% - 2%
CAPITAL GOODS + 39% - 2% + 42%
ALL COMMODITIES + 11% INSIGNIFICANT + 11%
/TABLE 3:
THURSDAY, JUIJ3 6, 1985
- 9 -
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MARCH 1985 WITH MARCH 1984
END-USE CATEGORY RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 5% + 1% + 4%
CONSUMER GOODS + 32% + 3% + 28%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 23% + 6% + 16%
FUELS + 3% + 3% INSIGNIFICANT
CAPITAL GOODS +108% ♦ 7% + 95%
ALL COMMODITIES + 36% + 5% + 30%
COMPARING 1ST QUARTER 1985 WITH 1ST QUARTER 1934
END-USE CATEGORY RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 6% + 2% + 4%
CONSUMER GOODS + 44% + 5% + 37%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 30% + 7% + 21%
FUELS - 33% + 5% - 36%
CAPITAL GOODS +110% + 8% + 94%
ALL COMMODITIES 44% - - - - 0 - - + 6% + 36%
/1O .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
10
HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES REVISED
* * * * M
CHARGES AT ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WILL BE INCREASED FROM JULY 1, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DAILY RATE IN THE GENERAL WARD OF ALL HOSPITALS WILL BE INCREASED FROM $15 TO $18.
PATIENTS REQUIRING SPECIAL ASIAN DIET AND EUROPEAN DIET WILL HAVE TO PAY THE NEW CHARGES OF $36 AND $54 PER DAY. EXISTING CHARGES FOR THESE DIETS ARE $30 AND $45 RESPECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE DAILY MAINTENANCE CHARGE FOR A GENERAL WARD BED IS BASED ON THE COST CF MEALS FOR EACH PATIENT.
+THE DAILY CHARGE COVERS THE COST OF FOOD, DRUGS, SURGERY, LABORATORY TESTS, X-RAY AND SPECIAL TREATMENT,* HE SAID.
THIS MEANS THAT EACH PATIENT IN THE GENERAL WARD WILL STILL BE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS THE AVERAGE BED-DAY COST IN MAJOR HOSPITALS IS IN THE REGION OF $600 TO $700.
+ IN THE CASE OF GENUINE HARDSHIP, HOSPITAL FEES CAN BE WAIVED ALTOGETHER,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, DAILY CHARGES FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS WILL ALSO BE REVISED FROM $600 TO $750 AND FROM $400 TO $500 RESPECTIVELY.
FOR THE SPECIAL CLASS WARD IN TSAN YUK HOSPITAL THE NEW CHARGE WILL BE $335.
PATIENTS STAYING IN FIRST CLASS AND SECOND CLASS WARDS OF THE TWO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS - CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL - WILL BE CHARGED $240 AND $160 EACH DAY. THE EXISTING FEES ARE $195 AND $130 RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE GENERAL WARD, PATIENTS IN THE FIRST CLASS, SECOND CLASS AND SPECIAL WARDS WILL, IN ADDITION TO THE DAILY CHARGE, HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS, OPERATIONS, TREATMENT OR SPECIAL LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS.
FOR OUTPATIENT SERVICES, CONSULTATION FEES WILL BE RAISED FROM $7 TO $9 IN THE GENERAL CLINICS AND FROM $10 TO $12 IN THE SPECIALIST CLINICS.
THE FEES FOR INJECTIONS AND DRESSINGS WILL ALSO GO UP FROM $2 TO $3 IN LINE WITH THE INCREASE IN CHARGES OF THE GENERAL OUTPATIENT CLINICS.
BUT CHARGES AT FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS AND METHADONE CLINICS WILL REMAIN AT $1.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PREVIOUS FEE INCREASE IN 1984 APPEARED TO HAVE CAUSED NO SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIP TO THE PUBLIC NOR DID IT DETER PEOPLE FROM SEEKING MEDICAL CARE.
/11 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
11 -
DISTRICT-LEVEL CRIME FIGHT ESSENTIAL - ANN I NG *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY PLACES A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE ON THE LIAISON AND CO-OPERATION WITH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES ESPECIALLY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OF THE EXPERIENCE AND INITIATIVE OF DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
DURING A MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR ANNING SAID EVERY SUBMISSION BY DFCCS ARE ALL CAREFULLY LOOKED AT, TREATED WITH RESPECT AND THOROUGHLY CONSIDERED BY THE CENTRAL FCC.
THE VISIT BY MR ANNING TO A DFCC WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
MR ANNING, IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE MEETING, SAID IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT FCCS TO KEEP IN TOUCH NOT ONLY BY CORRESPONDENCE BUT BY PERSONAL MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF THE TWO COMMITTEES.
"MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL VISIT DFCCS ON A ROSTccn BASIS SO THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE AND OBSERVE THE WORK OF THE DFCCS." HE ADDED.
MR ANNING ALSO TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE PRESENT PREVENT CRIME CAMPAIGN WITH THE THEME OF "POLICE AND THE PEOPLE FIGHTING CRIME TOGETHER" WILL BE EXTENDED FROM ONE TO TWO YEARS.
"THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SAME CRIME PREVENTION THEME AND INCLUDE A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME WHICH IS AIMED AT MAKING PEOPLE MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER t IN PREVENTING CRIME BY FORMING SMALL GROUPS WITHIN THEIR BUILDINGS, HE SAID.
"THE OVERALL CAMPAIGN WILL CENTRE ON RESIDENTIAL HIGH RISK AND BUSINESS PREMISES SECURITY AS WELL AS VEHICLE SECURITY," l*R ANNING ADDED.
AS A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ANNING EXPRESSED HIS THANKS TO THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN THE DISTRICT.
IN CLOSING, MR ANNING SAID HE LOOKS FORWARD TO A CONTINUING GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT FCCS, LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, AND THE POLICE FORCE.
-----0-----------
/12 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
- 12 -
HELP ELIMINATE MOSQUITO NUISANCE, PUBLIC URGED ******
WITH THE APPROACH OF WARM AND HUMID MONTHS, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED THE PUBLIC OF THE NEED TO ELIMINATE MOSQUITO BREEDING PLACES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH AN ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN WAS SUCCESSFULLY HELD THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE PUBLIC MUST BE ON THE ALERT AT ALL TIMES NOT TO GIVE MOSQUITOES ANY CHANCE TO BREED.
PEST CONTROL STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO INSPECT BUILDING SITES, COMMON PARTS OF BUILDINGS, REFUSE BLACK SPOTS, HILLSIDES, STREAMS AND SEEPAGES TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BREEDING GROUNDS.
THEY WILL ALSO TAKE SAMPLES OF WATER FOR TESTS, SPRAY LARVICIDAL OIL AND INSECTICIDES, CLEAN UP REFUSE AND JUNK, AND ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON WAYS TO PREVENT THE NUISANCE.
DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, DISTRICT PEST CONTROL STAFF CARRIED OUT MORE THAN 165 800 INSPECTIONS OF SUCH PLACES. AS A RESULT, SOME 3 100 POTENTIAL BREEDING PLACES WERE FOUND AND DEALT WITH.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 131 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST OFFENDERS RESULTING IN TOTAL FINES OF MORE THAN $141 000.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN WATER AND THE BEST WAY TO STOP THEM FROM GROWING IS TO DENY THEM THE CHANCE.
♦EMPTY TINS, JARS AND BOTTLES SHOULD BE DISCARDED AND ALL EMPTY RECEPTACLES SHOULD BE STORED IN INVERTED POSITION TO PREVENT ANY ACCUMULATION OF WATER,+ HE SUGGESTED.
♦WATER STORAGE TANKS AND WELLS SHOULD BE COVERED AND CHOKED DRAINS AND ALL DRAIN INLETS SHOULD ALSO BE CLEARED OF REFUSE.+
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ALLOW STAGNANT WATER TO LIE ABOUT THUS PROVIDING BREEDING GROUNDS FOR MOSQUITOES.
OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000, THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
-----0------
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
- 13 -
ESTATE PREMISES FOR DB OFFICES CONSIDERED * * * *
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL GIVE EVERY ASSISTANCE TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO LOCATE SITE AS OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THIS WAS DECIDED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TODAY WHEN IT CONSIDERED THE LETTING OF ESTATE PREMISES TO DB MEMBERS AS OFFICES.
♦THE COMMITTEE, WHILE APPRECIATING DB MEMBERS’ SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, CONSIDERS THAT IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE SUBSIDY IN THIS RESPECT. THEREFORE, FULL MARKET RENT WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE OFFICES,* SAID A HOUSING SPOKESMAN.
+ THE LETTING OF THE PREMISES WILL BE OFFERED TO DB MEMBERS DURING THE TENURE OF OFFICE.*
DURING THE DISCUSSION, MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SUGGESTED THAT DB MEMBERS SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER MAKING USE OF OTHER AVAILABLE FACILITIES, SUCH AS COMMUNITY CENTRES, TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE THEIR SERVICES.
--------o ----------
RADIO AND TV TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH *****
ON-GOING EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH WILL BE STEPPED UP THIS MONTH (JUNE) THROUGH A NEW ROUND OF RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.
THE PROGRAMMES FORM PART OF THE 1985/86 REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WHICH FOCUSES ON MENTAL DISABILITIES.
+THE SUPPORT OF THE MASS MEDIA IS ESSENTIAL IN PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND IN CORRECTING CERTAIN COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT EX-MENTAL PATIENTS AND HALF-WAY HOUSES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN REHABILITATION (COMPERE) SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
+WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT BOTH HKTVB AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ARE WILLING TO HELP SPREAD THIS VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMMES.*
/THE RADIO .......
THURSDAY, JUKS 6, 1985
- 14 -
THE RADIO PROGRAMME ON HALF-WAY HOUSES CONSISTS OF SIX EPISODES WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST ON RTHK’S RADIO I AT 12.40 PM EVERY SATURDAY.
THE FIRST EPISODE, SCHEDULED FOR THIS SATURDAY (JUNE 8), WILL TELL THE HISTORY AND CONCEPT OF HALF-WAY HOUSE. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THE SCHEME IN THE REMAINING FIVE WEEKS.
DURING THE PROGRAMME MEDICAL EXPERTS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, RESIDENTS OF HOUSING ESTATES AS WELL AS INMATES OF HALF-WAY HOUSES THEMSELVES WILL SHARE PROFESSIONAL VIEWS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH THE AUDIENCE.
THIS IS THE SECOND SERIES OF RADIO PROGRAMMES PRODUCED ON THE SUBJECT OF MENTAL HEALTH. THE FIRST SERIES WAS LAUNCHED EARLY THIS YEAR, DURING WHICH EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WERE ENCOURAGED TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS BY WRITING IN TO THE PROGRAMME. IN VIEW OF THE GOOD RESPONSE, IT WAS DECIDED TO DO A FOLLOW-UP SERIES.
THE TELEVISION PROGRAMME IS A DAILY SPECIAL DEVOTED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND WILL BE SCREENED ON TVB JADE’S +GOOD MORNING HONG KONG+ PROGRAMME BETWEEN JUNE 17-22.
PROMINENT PERSONALITIES IN THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE WILL BE INVITED TO SPEAK ON MENTAL HEALTH AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE HOW TO COPE WITH STRESS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND FACTS ABOUT hENTAL ILLNESS, AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION.
+WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MEDIA, WE HOPE THE PUBLIC WILL GRADUALLY DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS NENTAL HEALTH AND EX-MENTAL PATIENTS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER PUBLICITY-EDUCATION PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INCLUDE SEMINARS, TALKS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND EXHIBITIONS AT DISTRICT LEVELS. IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF FACT SHEETS AND A SIMPLE GUIDE ON MENTAL HEALTH ARE BEING PREPARED FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC.
_ _ _ . 0 --------------
Th DAY, JUNE 6, 1985
- 15 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TAXI LICENCES * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR 100 URBAN TAXI LICENCES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TENDER FORMS FOR THE NEW LICENCES WILL BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLE SECTION AT ROOMS 906-909, HUTCHISON HOUSE, 10 HARCOURT ROAD, CENTRAL, OR FROM THE SECTION’S KOWLOON OFFICES ON THE NINTH FLOOR, PARKIN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
TENDERERS MUST DEPOSIT $25 000 WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR EACH URBAN TAXI LICENCE THEY SEEK. ONE TENDER FORM MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR ANY NUMBER OF TAXI LICENCES NOT EXCEEDING 100.
A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS WHICH OFFER THE SAME UNIT PREMIUM.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH ORIGINAL DEPOSIT RECEIPTS, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON JUNE 21.
0---------
SUPERVISOR COMMENDED FOR ANTI-LITTER RECORD ******
A CLEANSING SUPERVISOR OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS COMMENDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR TAKING ACTION AGAINST LITTERBUGS.
MR LI KWONG-KAN, A FOREMAN ATTACHED TO THE RSD’S TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, RECEIVED HIS COMMENDATION AT A BRIEF CEREMONY HELD AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS TODAY.
HE WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY RECORD IN BRINGING 225 LITTER OFFENDERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO COURT BETWEEN LAST NOVEMBER AND APRIL THIS YEAR. THIS REPRESENTED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL CASES RECORDED BY A SINGLE OFFICER OF THE RSD DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
MR HAMMOND PRAISED MR LI FOR HIS DILIGENCE IN CARRYING OUT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST PEOPLE WHO DISCARDED REFUSE INDISCRIMINATELY.
MR LI HAD RECEIVED SIMILAR COMMENDATIONS ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS FOR HIS ANTI-LITTER ACTION.
MR HAMMOND URGED ALL STAFF TO KEEP VIGILANCE AGAINST LITTERBUGS SO THAT +OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT WILL NOT BE SPOILT BY THE SELFISH ACTIONS OF SOME THOUGHTLESS I ND IVIDUALS.+
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
- 16 -
HOLIDAY REMINDER
* * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED AGAIN THAT THIS SATURDAY (JUNE 8) AND THE COMING MONDAY (JUNE 10) ARE NOT GENERAL HOLIDAYS AS GAZETTED IN JANUARY 1984.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR THE GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WILL NOT FALL ON THESE TWO DAYS BUT ON JUNE 15 AND 17.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY THIS YEAR ON JULY 29, A MONDAY, SINCE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND GOOD FRIDAY, BOTH GENERAL HOLIDAYS, FELL ON THE SAME DAY.
--------o ----------
+MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK+ STARTS ON SATURDAY
*****
THE +MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK+ RADIO PROGRAMME, WHICH HAS BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AMONG WORKERS, WILL ENTER ITS THIRD YEAR THIS WEEK WITH A LIVE BROADCAST FROM THE KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND.
THE LIVE BROADCAST, THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF 15 ONE-HOUR EPISODES, WILL BE AIRED ON RTHK RADIO 1 BETWEEN 3 PM AND 4 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 8), FEATURING POPULAR SINGERS KEN CHOI AND LEE LAI-YUI.
THE REMAINING 14 EPISODES, WILL BE BROADCAST EVERY SATURDAY AT THE SAME TIME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WHICH CO-ORGANISED THE PROGRAMME WITH RTHK, SAID THE SERIES WILL COMPRISE THREE LIVE BROADCASTS AT INDUSTRIAL AREAS TO BRING ENTERTAINMENT AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MESSAGES TO WORKERS AT THEIR PLACE OF WORK.
FACTORY AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SAFETY QUIZ. AFTER SIX ROUNDS OF KEEN COMPETITION, THE THREE TEAMS WITH THE HIGHEST SCORES WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS.
PARTICIPATING WORKERS WILL ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO CHAT WITH THE GUEST SINGERS AND REQUEST SONGS.
LOCAL SINGERS AND CELEBRITIES HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO INTERVIEW WORKERS IN FACTORIES AND AT CONSTRUCTION SITES TO INTRODUCE LISTENERS TO POINTS OF INTEREST IN CERTAIN TRADES AND THE SAFETY RULES INVOLVED.
/THE PHOGHAM.IE.........
T: .;SL<. , JUNE 6, 1985
- 17 -
TUP PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A SEGMENT ON SAFETY MESSAGES, A SAFETY QUIZ AND A SAFETY SLOGAN CONTEST FOR LISTENERS.
ACTCD ccptpmrfR 14 THE LAST DAY OF THE ONE-HOUR SERIES, THE CONDENSED TO 20 MINUTES AND AIRED FOR ANOTHER
PROGRAMME WILL BE 14 WEEKS AT 10 AM
IT WILL THEN ELIZABETH STADIUM
ON SATURDAY.
CULMINATE IN A GALA NIGHT TO BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ON DECEMBER 27.
-------o ---------
E.R.P. LEAFLET PRODUCED * * *
TUP TRANSPORT BRANCH HAS PRODUCED A LEAFLET WHICH SUMMARISES THE +RESULTS BRIEF/CONSULTATION DOCUMENT* ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING PILOT SCHEME.
THE LEAFLET CONTAINS SEVERAL ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO MOTOR I STS EXTRACTED FROM THE DOCUMENT WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED BY DISTRICT BOARDS.
COPIES OF THE LEAFLET ARE OBTAINABLE FROM TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES STARTING TODAY (THURSDAY).
--------0----------
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL X X X *
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORK AT QUEEN VICTORIA STREET NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 9).
THE ARRANGEMENTS AREi
M CLEARWAY HOURS WILL BE CHANGED AT SECTIONS OF QUEEN VICTORIA STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL. RESTRICTION HOURS AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE ROAD SECTION WILL NOW BE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY, AND THOSE AT THE REST OF THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY. CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE WILL BE FOR 24 HOURS DAILY. NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIODS.
/* IMPLEMENTATION HOURS
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
* IMPLEMENTATION HOURS OF THE BUS-ONLY LANE AT CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND, EAST OF HARBOUR VIEW STREET, WILL BE CHANGED TO 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY. NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF THE TRAFFIC LANE DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIODS.
* CMB ROUTES 20, 22 AND 720 WILL TERMINATE IN QUEEN VICTORIA STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL. BUSES ON ROUTES 20 AND 22 BOUND FOR CENTRAL WILL OPERATE VIA HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, QUEENSWAY, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET.
DISABLED SPORTS TEAMS TO BE FETED * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WILL HOST A RECEPTION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON FOR MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED ICE SKATING TEAM AND THE HONG KONG JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR SPORTS TEAM.
THE ICE SKATING TEAM REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL WINTER SPECIAL OLYMPICS HELD IN THE UNITED STATES IN MARCH AND WON FIVE MEDALS INCLUDING ONE GOLD.
THE JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR SPORTS TEAM TOOK PART IN THE THIRD AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR GAMES LAST MONTH AND RETURNED WITH 19 MEDALS - SEVEN GOLD, EIGHT SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE.
- 0 -
PUBLISHERS SHOW APPRECIATION * * * *
IN APPRECIATION OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS AGAINST THE PIRACY OF TEXTBOOKS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THREE PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATIONS WILL PRESENT A PLAQUE AND TWO BANNERS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE FUNCTION ROOM OF THE CUSTOMS’ RUMSEY STREET OFFICE, NINTH FLOOR, RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, AT 3 PM.
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1985
- 19 -
NEW CLEAN HK CAMPAIGN
* * * *
A NEW KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, PR WALTER M. SULKE, AND URBAN COUNCIL MEMBER MRS MARGARET LI AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON JUNE 10 (MONDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
THE TWO COUNCILLORS WILL BE UNVEILLING NEW THEMES AND SLOGANS TO BE USED IN THE YEAR 1985/86.
--------o----------
POK FU LAM, CENTRAL TRAFFIC CHANGES *****
THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY LANE AT POK FU LAM ROAD NORTHBOUND, FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES NORTH OF BISNEY ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF MOUNT DAVIS ROAD, WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO FACILITATE CABLE WORK ON THE OPPOSITE CARRIAGEWAY.
MEANWHILE, ALBANY ROAD IN CENTRAL WILL BE REROUTED ONE WAY FOR DOWNHILL TRAFFIC ONLY FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 9). UPHILL TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA UPPER ALBERT ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE.
THE MEASURE, TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK, WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
-----o------
HOLIDAY MAIL * * *
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY (JUNE 15), THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, BUT NO MAIL DELIVERY ON MONDAY (JUNE 17), WHICH IS ALSO A HOLIDAY, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIRTY-EIGHT POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON. TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY.
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.
DETAILS ABOUT POSTAL SERVICES ON SATURDAY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT TEL. 5-231071-2.
--------o ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
TAKEOVER OF OTB IS SAFEST COURSE OF ACTION, FS SAYS....... 1
BILL PROVIDES FOR SHARE TRANSFER TO GOVERNMENT ........... 3
'ACTION ON BANK TAKEN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY' ............. 5
DECISION TO TAKE OVER OTB THE RIGHT MOVE.................. 10
UNOFFICIALS GIVE SUPPORT — WITH RESERVATIONS.............. 11
SPECIAL LEGCO SITTING .................................... 14
FS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE.................................. 15
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW.................................. 15
FCO OFFICIAL COMING ON VISIT ................................ 15
BILL CLARIFIES RIGHT TO ORDER MARINE REHEARINGS.............. 16
MOVE TO BOOST HK'S ARBITRATION STATUS........................ 16
PROTECTIONISM THREATENS LIBERALISATION ...................... 17
CUSTOMS DETERMINED TO WIPE OUT COUNTERFEITING ............... 18
BUSY PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THIS YEAR.................... 19
TUEN MIN - A NEW TOWN TO BE PROUD OF ........................ 20
PAYMENT FROM TAVA FUND FOR VICTIMS...........................
FINAL WEEK OF DB VIEWS ON ERP ............................... 22
HANDICAPPED TEAMS PRAISED FOR SPORT'S VICTORIES ............. 23
UC BEACHES TAKE ON A CLEANER LOOK ........................... 24
700 000 NEW PLANTS FOR NOH-URBAN AREAS ...................... 25
TSUHJ WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED ....................... 26
FIREMEN COMMENDED FOR SAVING GIRL ........................... 26
NEW ROAD PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN ............................... 27
fanning pool to close for carnival .......................... 27
PROHIBITED ZONE IN SHEK WU HUI .............................. 27
F/. IDa , JUNE 7, 1985
1 -
TAKEOVER OF OTB IS SAFEST COURSE OF ACTION, FS SAYS * * * *
THE SAFEST COURSE OF ACTION WHICH COULD BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO TAKE OVER THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED, GIVING COMPLETE PROTECTION FOR ALL DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL 1985, AT A SPECIAL SITTING OF THE COUNCIL, SIR JOHN SAIDi
+WHAT THIS MEANS TO THE PUBLIC AND TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHO HAVE DEPOSITS WITH THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED IS IN EFFECT THAT THEIR MONEY IS NOW HELD BY A BANK WHOLLY OWNED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, SIMILAR TO THE HANG LUNG BANK.+
STATING THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR FURTHER ANXIETY, SIR JOHN ADDED: +IF THIS COUNCIL ACCEPT THIS BILL, THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK WILL RE-OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MONDAY UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP,*
SIR JOHN SAID THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S FIRM VIEW THAT THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS WITH BANKS LICENSED IN HONG KONG, THE INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND ITS INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION HAD TO BE SAFEGUARDED.
IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE YET TO QUANTIFY WHAT THE COSTS WOULD BE TO THE EXCHANGE FUND, FROM WHICH EXPENSES WOULD BE MET. THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK WAS SOMEWHAT LARGER THAN THE HANG LUNG BANK, BUT BY TAKING EARLY DECISIVE ACTION THE EVENTUAL COSTS TO PUBLIC MONEY WOULD BE MINIMISED, SIR JOHN SAID.
THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK, HE SAID, HAD AGREED TO PROVIDE SENIOR FULL TIME MANAGEMENT AND AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE CHAIRMAN WOULD BE THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AND ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS WOULD BE APPOINTED. BUT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, CALL UPON THE SERVICES OF THOSE WHO WERE CURRENTLY DIRECTORS OF THE HANG LUNG BANK BECAUSE THERE WERE USEFUL EXPERIENCES TO BE DRAWN UPON. THE FUTURE STRUCTURE OF THE BANK WOULD REQUIRE A FULL STUDY.
IN HIS SPEECH, HE SAID THAT THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK HAD NOTIFIED THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AT 4.30 PM ON THURSDAY, JUNE 6, THAT IT WAS INSOLVENT.
♦AFTER CONSULTATION WITH ME, THE COMMISSIONER EXERCISED HIS POWERS OF CONTROL UNDER SECTION 13 (1) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND HAS DIRECTED THE BANK AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DESIST FROM UNDERTAKING ANY BUSINESS WHATSOEVER IN ITS BRANCH OFFICES IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE OVERSEAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
+IN EFFECT THE BANK’S OPERATIONS WERE FROZEN. SO WAS TRADING IN THE BANK’S SHARES ON VARIOUS STOCK EXCHANGES.
/THIS DEVELOPNaiT
?K2 -.v, JUNE 1, 1985
2
THIS DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWED AN INTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE BANK’S BOOKS BY FOUR TEAMS OF EXAMINERS FROM THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND AN URGENT STUDY BY A MERCHANT BANKER. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN PROLONGED CONSULTATIONS WITH EXECUTIVES AND DIRECTORS OF THE BANK.
+THE RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATIONS INDICATED THAT THE BANK’S PROBLEM WENT BEYOND IMPRUDENT MANAGEMENT OR MISFORTUNE AND THAT THE EXTENT OF PROVISIONS WHICH OUGHT PRUDENTLY TO BE MADE IN RESPECT OF EXISTING BAD AND DOUBTFUL LOANS WAS SUCH THAT THE CAPITAL OF THE BANK WAS MORE THAN WHOLLY LOST,+ SIR JOHN SAID.
_ _ ^ALTHOUGH BANKING SUPERVISION CAN ALWAYS RF IMPPnvFD iidam
PROBLEMS OF OVERSEAS TRUST BANK APPEAR TO HAVE ARISEN FrSm’ CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND NOT FROM LACK OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION BY
THE BANKING COMMISSION.+
SIR JOHN SAID THAT THE BILL IS MODELLED ON THE HANG LUNG BANK ACQUISITION ORDINANCE. IT PROVIDES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SUBSEQUENT CARRYING ON OF ITS BUSINESS.
HE SPECIFICALLY DREW COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ATTENTION TO CLAUSE 8 CF THE BILL WHICH ENABLES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, TO GUARANTEE THE DEBTS OF THE BANK.
+0BLI6ATI0NS UNDER THE GUARANTEE ARE CHARGED ON THE EXCHANGE FUND. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH A GUARANTEE THE NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTORS COULD NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE BANK, AS TO DO SO WOULD RESULT IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS BECAUSE THE BANK IS INSOLVENT.
+PROVISION IS PROPERLY MADE IN THE BILL FOR POSSIBLE COMPENSATION. I SHALL BE VERY SURPRISED IF ANY IS DUE,+ SIR JOHN SAID.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT HE KNEW THAT THE STAFF OF THE BANK WOULD RESPOND ACCORDINGLY AND GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE NEW MANAGEMENT.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO MANY OF HIS COLLEAGUES WHO HAD WORKED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT SO THAT THIS MATTER COULD BE HANDLED EXPEDITIOUSLY.
HE THEN MOVED THAT THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION BE TAKEN.
--------0----------
FR Y, JUNE 7, 1985
BILL PROVIDES FOR
SHARE TRANSFER TO GOVERNMENT * * * * *
THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL 1985 IF PASSED WOULD BE TO ENABLE SHARES IN THE BANK TO BE TRANSFERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW FROM PREVIOUS SHARE-HOLDERS TO THE GOVERNMENT, OR MORE STRICTLY, TO THE COLONIAL TREASURER INCORPORATED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING BRIEFLY ON THE BILL, FOLLOWING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE’S SPEECH, MR THOMAS SAID, THE SECOND EFFECT WAS TO ENABLE THE BANK ON MONDAY TO CONTINUE TO TRADE AND TO OVERCOME ITS PRESENT DIFFICULTY OF DECLARED INSOLVENCY, BY REASON OF THE GUARANTEES WHICH UNDER SECTION 8 THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS EMPOWERED TO GIVE — CHARGED ON AND ISSUED OUT OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
+SO THE NATURE OF THE LEGISLATION IS FOUNDED ALMOST ENTIRELY EXCEPT THE SECTION 8, UPON THAT MODEL WHICH WAS BEFORE THIS COUNCIL SOME 20 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE HANG LUNG BANK WAS IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TAKEN OVER, SO TO SPEAK, BY THE GOVERNMENT.
+THAT MODEL HAS BEEN FOUND SATISFACTORY BECAUSE NO EXPERIENCE OF THE BOARD OF THE HANG LUNG BANK POINTS TO THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE METHOD THAT WAS THEN CHOSEN AND TONIGHT WOULD BE REPEATED IF THIS BILL IS PASSED,+ HE SAID.
DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE MAIN SECTION OF THE BILL, MR THOMAS SAID SECTION 3 IS THE KEY TO THE TRANSFER OF ALL THE SHARES IN THE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY +FROM WHOMSOEVER PRESENTLY HAVING THEM TO THE COLONIAL TREASURER INCORPORATED AND WITH IT ALL THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND ADVANTAGES AND ALL LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM HOLDING OF THOSE SHARES.*
AND SUBSECTION 3 PROVIDED FOR THE TRANSFER TO BE REGISTERED SO THAT THE COLONIAL TREASURER SHOULD BE THE REGISTERED OWNER
CF THOSE SHARES, HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT SECTION
4 WAS A CONVENIENT SECTION TO INCLUDE
IT MEANT THAT THE
BECAUSE
.........................- BANK WOULD CONTINUE TO OCCUPY ANY PREMISES WHICH IT DID NOT OWN AT PRESENT. AND IN THAT WAY, THERE WOULD BE NO INTERRUPTION IN THE BUSINESS OR THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BANK BY REASON OF THE FACT THAT THE SHAREHOLDING HAD ENTIRELY
CHANGED.
♦IT WOULD NOT, FOR EXAMPLE, BE OPEN TO ANY PREVIOUS DIRECTOR OR ANY PREVIOUS SHAREHOLDER TO DENY THE BANK THE USE OF PREMISES AFTER THE PASSING OF THIS BILL. THAT USE WOULD CONTINUE ON THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS ENJOYED PREVIOUSLY,* HE SAID.
+THEN UNDER SECTION 5, THERE IS A DETERMINATION OF ANY RIGHT TO ACQUIRE SHARES, SO IF ANYONE OF ITS PRESENT CLIENTS HAD SOME RIGHT TO PURCHASE ANY SHARES IN THE COMPANY, THAT RIGHT WOULD DETERMINE, AND SO WOULD ANY RIGHT TO NOMINATE DIRECTORS OR EXERCISE CONTROL.
/+TH3I U1JDER.......
Jp
JUN? 7, 1985
- 4 -
♦THEN UNDER SECTION 6, ONE PROVISION WHICH CAN BE EXERCISED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ANY UNCOMMERCIAL DISPOSAL OF ASSETS BY THE BANK IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, ANY DISPOSAL NOT MADE IN GOOD FAITH AND IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF THE BUSINESS, COULD BE DISREGARDED AND A CLAIM COULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST THE DIRECTORS,
MANAGERS AND OFFICERS OF THE BANK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH DISPOSAL, AND SIMILARLY UNDER SUBSECTION (3), ANY BURDENSOME TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO BY THE COMPANY OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS
SIMILARLY COULD BE SET ASIDE.
+SO THEN UNDER SECTION 7, DIRECTORS ARE TO BE APPOINTED. THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS UNDER SUBSECTION (2) BECOMES THE CHAIRMAN AS SOON AS THIS BILL IS PASSED AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS THE POWER TO APPOINT OTHER PERSONS TO ACT AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
UNDER SECTION 8, MR THOMAS SAID, WAS THE PROVISION FOR THE GUARANTEE — A CRUCIAL PROVISION TO ENABLE THE BANK TO CONTINUE IN BUSINESS ON MONDAY MORNING.
UNDER SECTION 9, THERE WAS PROVISION FOR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION. +WHETHER OR NOT THOSE WILL PROVE TO BE VALUABLE CLAIMS IS QUITE A DIFFERENT THING. BUT IT WOULD BE IN MY SUBMISSION QUITE WRONG FOR THIS GOVERNMENT TO BE CONFISCATING ANY ASSETS WITHOUT ANY RIGHT TO CLAIM COMPENSATION, IF INDEED THOSE ASSETS HAVE A VALUE. AND THE METHOD IN WHICH THE COMPENSATION WILL BE ASSESSED WILL BE PROVIDED IN REGULATIONS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HAS POWER TO MAKE TO GOVERN THE METHOD OF ASSESSING COMPENSATION, THE BASIS ON WHICH COMPENSATION SHOULD BE CALCULATED AND THE LIKE.
+SO SECTION 10 GIVES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE COMPANY, SO HE WOULD, AS IT WERE THE SHAREHOLDER, BE IN A POSITION TO DIRECT THE MANNER IN WHICH THE BANK CARRIES ON ITS BUSINESS.
+SIMILARLY, UNDER SECTION 11, THE GOVERNOR HAS A POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY SO THAT IT CAN BE CERTAIN THAT THEY EXERCISE THEIR POWERS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
+AND LASTLY, UNDER SECTION 12, BECAUSE THE BILL ITSELF DOES THINGS WHICH ARE IN PARTICULAR RESPECT INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE OR THE BANKING ORDINANCE OR THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE, OR INDEED THE MEMORANDUM OR ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY, IT IS PROVIDED THAT THE PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE OVER-RIDE THOSE.
+S0 IT IS THIS ORDINANCE WHICH HAS THE EFFECT OF TRANSFERRING THOSE SHARES, INSTALLING THE DIRECTORS AND ENSURING THAT THIS CORPORATION IS PROPERLY CONSTITUTED TO CARRY ON BUSINESS COME MONDAY MORN I NG,+ HE SAID.
-----0------
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
5
’ACTION ON BANK TAKEN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY’
* * * *
THE COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED WAS ONE THAT HAD BEEN REACHED +WITH A VERY GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY AFTER VERY CONSIDERABLE HEART-SEARCH I NG,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY.
IN HIS SUMMING UP, GIVEN IMPROMPTU, ON THE DEBATE ON THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL 1985, SIR JOHN SAIDx ♦WHETHER WE ARE RIGHT OR NOT, I DO NOT KNOW. NO ONE IN THIS CHAMBER KNOWS. BUT I DO KNOW THAT FOR MY PART, I WOULD NOT HAVE ACCEPTED THE RISK FOR HONG KONG OF TAKING ANOTHER COURSE.*
SIR JOHN ALSO SAID: +AS THIS COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD WITH A GREATER DEGREE OF POLITICALISATION, IT’S AMONG THE LESS EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO HEAR SENIOR GOVERNMENT SERVANTS SPEAKING WHOLLY IMPROMPTU WITHOUT NOTES OR NOT MANY NOTES AND CERTAINLY WITHOUT PREPARED SPEECHES. I SHALL DO MY BEST. FIRST CF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MEMBERS FOR THEIR GENERAL UNDERSTANDING. I MUST SAY I APPROACHED THIS BILL WITH TOTAL DISTASTE. I ADVOCATE ITS ADOPTION PURELY BECAUSE ALL OTHER bEASURES SEEM WORSE. I CAN’T SEE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULDN’T SEEM WORSE.
♦NEVERTHELESS WHAT IS NOT QUANTIFIABLE IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO HK’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE AND ON THE PERCEIVED INTEGRITY OF THE LOCAL INTERBANK MARKET IF WE DO NOT TAKE SUCH ACTIONS. CONFIDENCE IN THE HK DOLLAR IS ALSO AT STAKE. AND I NEED NOT TELL YOU HOW HARDLY WON THAT CONFIDENCE IS. THE WORST SCENARIO POSSIBLE COULD INCLUDE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE INTERBANK MARKET WITH A VERY SERIOUS KNOCK-ON EFFECT ON LOCAL BANKS.
+1 AM GRATEFUL FOR DR FANG’S COMMENTS. I AM EXTREMELY SORRY THAT WE HAVE TO ACT IN SUCH A HASTY MANNER. BUT I AM SURE THAT HE AND THE OTHER MEMBERS KNOW WHY. HE SEEKS ASSURANCES AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO GIVE THEM.
+MR CHEN HAS SPOKEN PERSUASIVELY OF THE SYSTEM IN HK BASED ON FREE ENTERPRISE, BASED ON PEOPLE LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES, BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT BAIL OUT LAME DUCKS. I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH HIM. I MUST HOWEVER COMMENT THAT TO SOME EXTENT THAT AND AS I HAVE SAID IT IS AN UNQUANTIFIABLE EXTENT. BANKS ARE NOT LIKE OTHER BUSINESSES. MR CHEN AND I WOULD LIKE TO TREAT THEM AS THEY WERE, AS IF THEY WERE OTHER BUSINESS. NOTHING COULD HAVE GIVEN ME GREATER PLEASURE THAT TO SEE THIS WRETCHED BANK EE PUT INTO INSOLVENCY. BUT I AM PERSUADED THAT THE RISKS ON THE BEHALF OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR WORLD FINANCIAL CENTRE ARE SIMPLY NOT WORTH TAKING. THEY ARE TRULY UNQUANT IF I ABLE RISKS.
/+MISS DUNN .......
FRIDAY, JUNB 7, 1985
+MISS DUNN HAS SPOKEN MOST KINDLY, I AM GRATEFUL TO HER COMMENTS ON THE SPEED WHICH WE HAVE APPROACHED THIS BILL. IT WAS THE SPEED WHICH I MUST SAY WHICH I FOUND MOST DISTASTEFUL. WE HAVEN’T REALLY HAD TIME TO THINK THINGS UP PROPERLY. WE CERTAINLY HAVEN’T HAD TIME TO THINK WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO WITH THE BANK WHEN WE OWN IT. I THINK PEOPLE KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN HONG KONG TODAY, WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING AND THE WORRIES OF LITTLE MEN. I ENTIRELY SHARE HER VIEWS ON THE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT JUSTICE TAKES DUE EFFECT ON ALL CRIMINALS. I CERTAINLY SHALL REMIND MY COLLEAGUE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE VIRTUES OF A CRIMINAL ACTION IN THE COURT. IT DID SEEM APPROPRIATE THAT WE SHOULD MAKE A TOKEN PROVISION FOR SHAREHOLDER CLAMING COMPENSATION. IT IS NOT OUR FASHION IN HONG KONG NOW AND IT WILL BE NOT IN THE FUTURE, TO SEQUESTER PEOPLE’S PROPERTIES OR PROPERTY OR MONEY WITHOUT ALLOWING THEM A CHANCE TO CLAIM.
+NOW I SAY YET AGAIN THAT, IF INDEED THERE IS ANY CLAIM THAT IS FAIRLY PUT, I FOR ONE, WILL BE EXTREMELY SURPRISED. TO ME, NOT THE LEAST SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF THIS WHOLE BUSINESS AND PERHAPS SOME WOULD SAY ABOUT THE ONLY SATISFACTORY OUTCOME IS THAT SHAREHOLDERS THEMSELVES ARE NOT BEING BAILED OUT. AND INDEED HAVE LOST AT LEAST $1.6 BILLION. WHAT WE ARE IS THE GOOD NAME OF HONG KONG AND THE TRUST OF IN OUR BANKING SYSTEM HERE. THERE IS OF COURSE
THEY WOULD PROTECTING DEPOSITORS ABSOLUTELY
NO COMMITMENT TO FURTHER BAILS OUT.
+MISS DUNN IS QUITE RIGHT TO WARN OTHER BANKS IN HONG KONG THAT THIS BILL OFFERS NO COMFORT FOR THEM FOR THE FUTURE. SELF-RELIANCE IS A PRINCIPLE OF HONG KONG’S LIFE. BANKS WHO LEND TO BANKERS IN PARTICULAR MUST BE PRUDENT AND CAUTIOUS, ADDRESSING THE RISKS AS THEY ARE SEEKING AND EARNING THEIR REWARDS. THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WILL NOT HESITATE TO EXAMINE HIS POWERS TO CONTROL BANKS WHICH CANNOT MANAGE THEIR AFFAIRS PRUDENTLY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW.
+1 AM NOT SURPRISED AT MR LEE’S COMMENTS WHICH I THOUGHT IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WERE EXTREMELY CHARITABLE. HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE IS OF MAXIMUM IMPORTANCE TO US. I AM PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO HIS COMMENTS, WHICH AGAIN I THOUGHT WERE ENTIRELY DESERVED ON THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN BANKING SUPERVISION. I SHALL BE LEAVING THIS CHAMBER TO FACE THE PRESS AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THIS IS AN AREA WHICH WILL BE VIGOROUSLY PURSUED. BUT I MUST AGAIN REPEAT, THAT IT IS ONE THING TO SUPERVISE THE ACTIONS OF BANK MANAGERS ACTING IMPRUDENTLY OR INCAUTIOUSLY. IT IS QUITE ANOTHER MATTER TO SEEK TO CATCH WHAT OCCUR TO US TO HAVE BEEN MAJOR ACTS OF CRIMINALITY. OF COURSE THIS IS AN AREA IL WHICH THE BANKING COMMISSIONER WILL SEEK TO STRENGTHEN HIS STAFF. BUT I THINK ONE MUST ACCEPT THAT IT WOULD BE MOST UNWISE, MOST FOOLISH FOR ME TO SAY IT, THAT WE WILL CATCH ALL CRIMINALS IN THE FUTURE. WE SHALL CERTAINLY DO OUR BEST.
/+MR STSPHSK ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
+MR STEPHEN CHEONG COMMENTED SENSIBLY AND WISELY AGAIN ON THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS, PARTICULARLY IN OUR FINANCIAL AREAS. HONG KONG IS PART OF THE HONG KONG-NEW YORK-LONDON-ZURICH AXIS. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAD IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE IS TO SEEK TO BE CLEARER IN OUR OWN MIND WHAT OUR DUTY IS TO INTERNATIONAL BANKING AS A WHOLE. HONG KONG IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL BANKING COMMUNITY AND WE CANNOT SEEK TO GO OFF ON A COURSE OF SELF-INTEREST ON OUR OWN, WITHOUT CONSIDERING AT THE SAME TIME WHAT OUR OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES ARE. I ENTIRELY SHARE HIS VIEW AGAIN OF THE NEED TO DEVELOP BETTER SUPERVISION. I ENTIRELY AGREE WITH HIS MESSAGE WHICH HE AND OTHERS HAVE MADE QUITE CLEAR TO-NIGHT THAT WE SHOULD MAKE IT PERFECTLY PLAIN TO OTHER BANKS IN HONG KONG WHO MAY RUN INTO TROUBLE THAT IF THEY SEEK TO BE BAILED OUT WITH GOVERNMENT -- THAT IS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG’S FUNDS THEY HAD BETTER HAVE ANOTHER THOUGHT.
+1 WOULD LIKE TO THINK THIS IS THE LAST CASE OF THIS SORT THAT WILL ARISE. I SHARE HIS VIEWS ON THE NEED TO DETECT SUCH PROBLEMS EARLIER. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A COURSE OF EXCELLENCE. WE WILL ACCEPT THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE BANKING COMMISSIONER WHEN HE WAS ONLY INFORMED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THIS BANK THAT IT WAS INSOLVENT AT 4.30 PM LAST NIGHT.
+1 TAKE MR CHEONG’S POINT ABOUT SELF REGULATIONS, I TAKE HIS POINT ABOUT SQUABBLES IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY. HE WILL AGREE THAT WE MUST AS I HAVE PROMISED SEVERAL TIMES GO FORWARD TOWARDS NEW LEGISLATION AS A PROCESS OF CONSULTATION.
+WE MUST CONSULT, WE HAVE CONSULTED. WE HAD A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ONLY ON WEDNESDAY THIS WEEK. BUT I SAY TO YOU AND I SAY TO THE BANKS IN HONG KONG THAT CONSULTATION HAS TO COME TO AN END SOME TIME.
+WE HAVE CONSULTED AND WE ARE SHORTLY GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE OUR MINDS UP AND THEN INTRODUCE A BILL TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND HOPE THAT THEY WILL AGREE THAT WE MAY INTRODUCE IT INTO THIS COUNCIL.
+HAVE NO DOUBT THAT I AND THE BANKING COMMISSIONER ARE SET ON GETTING TO GRIPS WITH THIS QUESTION OF BETTER BANKING SUPERVISION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
+BUT THERE ARE 141 BANKS, 33 LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, ABOUT 330 REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND 114 BANK REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES. I THINK IT IS A FAIR POINT TO SAY THAT THE SQUABBLING THAT GOES ON IS NOT ON THE WHOLE LIKELY TO END UP IN SWEET REASON.
+THIS IS WHY I SAY AFTER THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION HAS STOPPED THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE ACTION, AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO NOTE THE FEELINGS IN THIS COUNCIL AND TO SENSE THAT I WON’T HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY IN SECURING YOUR AGREEMENT.
/+I6HS CHOW...........
FRjjjAY, JUNS 7, 1985
8 -
+MRS CHOW COMMENTS IT IS ONLY 20 MONTHS SINCE THE HANG LUNG BILL, I AGREE. OF COURSE THE HANG LUNG BANK BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. WE HAD A DEPLORABLE SITUATION WITH REGARD TO THE HONG KONG DOLLAR. THE PRESENCE OF POLITICAL LACK OF CONFIDENCE WAS PERFECTLY OBVIOUS. AND AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO OPTION. I AGREE THAT AT THIS TIME WE DID HAVE OPTIONS AND I THINK ONLY FOOLISH PEOPLE WOULD BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN EASY TO ADOPT THE COURSE WE HAVE. THERE ARE OTHER ARGUMENTS WHICH WERE VERY PERSUASIVE INDEED. I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER: I THINK WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS CHOOSE THE LESS BAD COURSE. I CERTAINLY DON’T THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD COURSE. I AM SORRY THAT WE CANNOT QUANTIFY WITH A GREAT DEAL OF EXACTNESS THE COST TO THE EXCHANGE FUND. BUT IF WE HAD ALLOWED THIS BANK TO GO INTO LIQUIDATION IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED VERY ROUGHLY THAT CREDITORS MIGHT HAVE RECOVERED ONLY ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THEIR CLAIMS. IT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED THAT ALL SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST.
+0N THAT BASIS, SIR, I ESTIMATE THAT THE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE EXCHANGE FUND THAT MAY BE NEEDED TO HELP THIS BANK IS SOMETHING LIKE $2 BILLION. GIVEN GOOD MANAGEMENT, THE FINAL FIGURE MAY BE LESS. I NEED HARDLY REPEAT THAT IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION ANY MORE THAT IT WAS THE INTENTION WITH THE HANG LUNG BANK TO HANG ON TO DISTRESSED BANKS. I SHALL PERSONALLY BE DELIGHTED TO SEE THE BACK OF THEM AND I AM SURE THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WHO SERVE ON THE BOARD AND WILL CERTAINLY SHORTLY SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THIS BANK WILL ALSO BE DELIGHTED TO SEE US GET OUT. THE ONLY POINT IS THIS REPRESENTS AGAIN THE MONEY OF THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG AND IT IS ONLY INTELLIGENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE DO SELL THE BANK WE GET OUR TIMING RIGHT SO THAT WE CAN SECURE AS MUCH COMPENSATION AS WE CAN.
MRS FAN AGAIN REFERRED TO THE HANG LUNG CASE. WE THOUGHT AT THE TIME IT WAS A ONE OFF, WE WERE WRONG. SHE ASKED AGAIN TO PROMISE THERE WILL BE NO SIMILAR BILLS, OF COURSE I CANNOT. BUT WHAT I CAN SAY, AND I ECHO ONLY THE WORDS OF MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES: IF ANY BANK THINKS IN FUTURE IT GETS INTO TROUBLE IT’S GOING TO GET AN EASY PASSAGE EITHER FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OR THIS COUNCIL, IT IS SERIOUSLY MISJUDGING NOT ONLY THE MOOD OF THIS CHAMBER BUT WOULD GUESS THE MOOD OF THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
MR CHAM, PERFECTLY CORRECTLY, POINTED TO THE SQUEEZE THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN HONG KONG. I MUST CONFESS FRANKLY THAT THIS TO ME IS ALL PERSUASIVE. IF WE HADN’T TAKEN THIS COURSE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK FOR A LOT OF OUR SMALLER BANKS.
/now this .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
9
NOW THIS QUESTION OF INSOLVENCY, COMPENSATION FUNDS AND DEPOSIT INSURANCE, IS NOT QUITE SO EASY AS IT SOUNDS. I THINK MR CHAM *HO’S EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THIS AREA, KNOWS THAT WHILE THERE MAY BE SQUABBLES AMONG ALL THE BANKS IN HONG KONG, THERE IS NO SQUABBLE SO BITTER OR DEEP-SEATED AS THAT BETWEEN THOSE WHO WANT DEPOSIT INSURANCE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT. THERE TENDS TO BE AN ARGUMENT, OF COURSE, BETWEEN THE BIG AND THE POWERFUL AND THE SMALL AND NOT SO POWERFUL, BECAUSE SUCH INSURANCE WOULD NORMALLY NOT BE PAID TO THE SMALL BUT BE PAID TO THE BIG. AND THE BIG, WITH SOME REASON, THINK THAT A SYSTEM CF INSURANCE OF THIS NATURE MIGHT PERSUADE THE SMALLER BANKS TO BE EVEN LESS PRUDENT THAN THEY ARE NOW, TO BE PERHAPS, A LITTLE UNWISE AND OFFERING TOO HIGH DEPOSIT RATES, TO TAKE RISKS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT DEPOSITS WERE INSURED.
NOW, I AM NOT FOR A MINUTE ACCEPTING THAT ARGUMENT.
ALL I AM SAYING IS THAT THERE ARE TWO ARGUMENTS. AND I THINK YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING IS SET, WITH THE GOVERNMENT, ON IMPROVING THE WHOLE SUPERVISORY LEGISLATION. ONE OF THE AREAS IN WHICH HE IS LOOKING IS THIS QUESTION OF DEPOSIT INSURANCE AND I DON’T THINK IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE FOR ME TO PROCEED ANY FURTHER IN THESE COMMENTS BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T FINISHED EXAMINING THE ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES. BUT THAT THERE ARE ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES, I’M AFRAID WE MUST ACCEPT.
MR CARL TONG AS AN EXPERIENCED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT ASKS A SERIES OF VERY DIFFICULT QUESTIONS. HE WILL NOT EXPECT ME TO ANSWER THEM. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I AM PERHAPS MORE DISTRESSED THAN HE IS. I AGREE IN AN IDEAL WORLD WE WOULD HAVE SPOTTED THIS TROUBLE EARLIER. I AGREE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TELL-TALE SIGNS, BUT IF I MAY REMIND HIM OF WHAT I SAID IN MY SPEECH, WE’RE NOT TALKING SO MUCH, IN FACT WE’RE NOT TALKING AT ALL, ABOUT MANAGEMENT INADEQUACY: WE’RE TALKING HERE ABOUT A MANAGEMENT THAT SEEMED TO US DELIBERATELY TO SET OUT ON A SERIES OF ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY DISGRACEFUL CRIMINAL ACTIONS.
I DON’T SEE HOW YOU CAN CATCH THEM WHEN THEY’RE BEING DONE-"YOU CATCH THEM AFTERWARDS. THERE MUST BE A DEGREE OF TRUST, GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT, BY THE COMMUNITY IN SENIOR OFFICERS OF BANKS, AND IF YOU’RE A VERY SENIOR OFFICER OF A VERY BIG BANK AND YOU’VE GOT THERE DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOU’VE SHOWN CRIMINAL TENDENCIES, I’M AFRAID IT IS VERY POSSIBLE TO LEAVE HONG KONG AND DEPART FOR OTHER PLACES WHERE THERE ARE NO EXTRADITION TREATIES WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS A FACT OF LIFE. I DON’T THINK IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. AS FAR AS WE KNOW, IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY TWICE IN HONG KONG, AND I CANNOT POSSIBLY GUARANTEE IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN.
/NOW, SIR ........
?RU)^, JUNE 7, 1985
10 -
NOW SIR I’M CONCLUDING MY SPEECH, GIVEN IMPROMPTU! IF I’VE LEFT OUT ANY POINTS I’M SORRY. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, IN SUMMING !jp THAT THIS COURSE OF ACTION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THIS CHAMBER ITSELF, IS ONE THAT WE’VE R^CHED WITH A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY AFTER VERY CONSIDERABLE HEART-SEARCHING AND A VERY REAL BALANCING OF THE RISKS. WHETHER WE ARE RIGHT OR NOT, I DO NOT KNOW. NO ONE IN THIS CHAMBER KNOWS. BUT I DO KNOW THAT, FOR MY PART, I WOULD NOT HAVE ACCEPTED THE RISKS FOR HONG KONG OF TAKING ANOTHER COURSE.+
THE BILL THEN WENT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING AND WAS PASSED INTO LAW.
- 0 - -
DECISION TO TAKE OVER OTB THE RIGHT MOVE
* * * *
THE DECISION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED WAS THE RIGHT ONE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING DURING WHICH THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL 1985 WAS PASSED, SIR PHILIP SAID IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION TO TAKE.
+BUT THE COURSE HAS BEEN ADOPTED, I AM SURE IT IS THE RIGHT ONE IN THE INTEREST OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, AND HAVING REGARD TO THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE,+ HE SAID.
+REMEMBER THE OTB IS AN INTERNATIONAL BANK. IT HAS 43 BRANCHES IN HONG KONG BUT FIVE OR SIX BRANCHES OVERSEAS. SO WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION BEYOND HONG KONG’S BOUNDARIES.*
ASKED WHETHER REFORMS WERE IN HAND TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT REFORMS WERE IN HAND ALL THE TIME.
+WE LIVE IN A DYNAMIC WORLD. THE BANKING ORDINANCE HAS BEEN AMENDED MANY, MANY TIMES SINCE 1964.
+CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE AND NEW REQUIREMENTS EMERGE, SO WE WILL RESPOND WITH AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW. THIS IS THE PROCESS,* HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP ADDED THAT A GOOD SYSTEM OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION WOULD ENSURE THAT THE BANKING INDUSTRY WAS OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOUND BANKING PRINCIPLES.
/+WE HAVE.......
JUNE 7, 1985
+WE HAVE A GOOD SYSTEM OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION IN PLACE, BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP PEOPLE BEHAVING IN A CRIMINAL WAY,+ HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER HE HAD ANY ADVICE TO DEPOSITORS IN HIS SECOND LAST DAY AS CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP SAID THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS A VERY SOUND CURRENCY.
+IT IS A SOUND CURRENCY WITH WHICH TO PLACE ONE’S SAVINGS,+ HE SAID.
--------0 ----------
UNOFFICIALS GIVE SUPPORT -- WITH RESERVATIONS
******
NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) GAVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL 1985 — BUT SEVERAL HAD RESERVATIONS.
DR THE HON HARRY FANG SAID THE BILL HAD COME TO MEMBERS AT VERY SHORT NOTICE, AND NATURALLY MOST WERE NOT HAPPY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN FORCED TO TAKE THIS ACTION.
+MY COLLEAGUES WILL BE EXPRESSING THEIR RESERVATIONS AND SEEKING CERTAIN ASSURANCES BEFORE WE CAN SUPPORT THE BILL,+ HE SAID. ’
THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID IF WE WERE TO DEFEND THE PRINCIPLE CF FREE ENTERPRISE WHICH HAD LONG BEEN THE MAJOR DRIVING FORCE THAT MADE HONG KONG TICK, THEN MEMBERS MUST NECESSARILY HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS IN THE PROPOSED GOVERNMENT RESCUE ACTION.
+IN OTHER WORDS, JUST AS THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT INTERVENE, LET ALONE RESCUE, ANY COMPANY WHICH GETS INTO TROUBLE, IT IS ARGUABLE THAT THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO USE PUBLIC FUNDS TO RESCUE ONE PARTICULAR BANK,* HE SAID.
INDEED, HAD THE BANK BECOME INSOLVENT AS A RESULT OF MISMANAGEMENT, HE WOULD HAVE HAD NO HESITATION IN URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO LET THE BANK, LIKE ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG, FACE THE NATURAL COMMERCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF BANKRUPTCY OR LIQUIDATION.
HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM OF OVERSEAS TRUST BANK WAS DUE TO CRIMINAL ACTS ON THE PART OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF THE BANK AND MR CHEN SUPPORTED THE BILL IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS AND IN ENSURING MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO HONG KONG’S BANKING BUSINESS.
THE HON LYDIA DUNN COMMENDED GOVERNMENT’S SWIFT ACTION TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS AND HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDING.
/she said.......
UD.- JUNE 7, 1985
- 12 -
SHE SAID SHE HOPED JUSTICE WOULD BE BROUGHT TO BEAR ON THE CRIMINALS CONCERNED AND SHE PARTICULARLY HOPED THAT THE BANK’S SHAREHOLDERS WOULD NOT BE GIVEN ANY COMPENSATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S TAKEOVER OF THE BANK.
ACKNOWLEDING THAT THE COURSE OF ACTION WHICH THE BILL PROPOSED WAS NECESSARY, MISS DUNN SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOT BE SEEN TO HAVE ANY IMPLICIT COMMITMENT TO BAIL OUT ANY BANK AT THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC MONEY.
+THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY WILL BE WELL ADVISED TO EXERCISE PRUDENCE AND DISCRETION IN THEIR BUSINESS DEALINGS AND I WOULD LIKE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT WILL NOT LIGHTLY COME TO THE RESCUE OF OTHER BANKS WHICH GET INTO TROUBLE,+ SHE SAID.
THE HON ALLEN LEE SAID IF THERE WERE ANY DOUBTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS TO OUR CREDIBILITY IN FINANCIAL CIRCLES WE MUST PUT THEM TO BED. WE MUST ALSO STRENGTHEN OUR BANKING SUPERVISION AND ESTABLISH A SYSTEM THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC CONFIDENTLY FELT PROTECTED IT.
+ IT IS THE INTEREST OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT I AM THINKING ABOUT IN SUPPORTING THIS BILL,* HE SAID.
STATINGTHAT HE CAME VERY CLOSE TO OPPOSING THE BILL, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID THE BALANCE WAS ONLY TIPPED BY THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL IMAGE AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE.
+GIVEN THE INTERTWINED TRANSCONTINENTAL RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS NOWADAYS BETWEEN HONG KONG, NEW YORK, LONDON AND ZURICH,* HE SAID, +ANY SIGNS OF POSSIBLE COLLAPSE AND HONG KONG’S IMAGE WILL BE IRREVOCABLY DAMAGED AND THIS WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG LONG-TERM INTERESTS.*
MR CHEONG SPOKE OF SQUABBLES IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY AND SAID HE HOPED THESE WOULD NOW CEASE. +WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THE INDUSTRY WILL NOW REGULATE ITSELF A LOT BETTER THAN HAS BEEN SHOWN IN THE PAST,* HE TOLD THE. COUNCIL.
THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW SAID SHE COULD NOT AGREE WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR FURTHER ANXIETY. *FOR IT WAS ONLY 20 MONTHS AGO WHEN WE WERE ASKED IN THIS VERY CHAMBER TO PASS THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL AND HERE WE ARE FACED WITH A SIMILAR DECISION ALTHOUGH THE CAUSES MAY BE DIFFERENT.*
WHAT SEEMED TO HER TO BE THE MAIN CAUSE OF ANXIETY THIS TIME WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT STATED THAT IT COULD NOT QUANTIFY WHAT THE COSTS WOULD BE TO THE EXCHANGE FUND FROM WHICH EXPENSES WOULD BE MET.
/+DJ OTHER........
FJT ■" JUNE 7, 1985
- 13 -
♦ IN OTHER WORDS, WE DO NOT KNOW AT THIS POINT TO WHAT EXTENT WE ARE COMMITTING PUBLIC FUNDS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THIS ACQUISITION,* SHE DECLARED.
RECALLING THE HANG LUNG BANK ACQUISITION, MRS CHOW ASKED WHAT HAD THE GOVERNMENT DONE TO PREVENT THIS RECURRENCE, WHAT WOULD THE GOVERNMENT DO TO PREVENT ANOTHER OR OTHER RECURRENCES IN THE FUTURE?
SUPPORTING THE BILL +RELUCTANTLY+, MRS CHOW SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST GIVE ITS ASSURANCE AND FIRM COMMITMENT THAT IT WOULD DO ITS UTMOST TO PREVENT FURTHER RECURRENCE OF TODAY’S SCENARIO.
THE HON RITA FAN ALSO RECALLED THE ACQUISITION OF THE HANG LUNG BANK 20 MONTHS AGO AND SAID ONE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT A LESSON HAD BEEN LEARNT AND APPROPRIATE STEPS TAKEN TO PREVENT SIMILAR RECURRENCE IN FUTURE.
♦REGRETTABLY, THIS IS NOT TO BE,* SHE SAID. ♦TODAY, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN FACED WITH THE DILEMMA OF CHOOSING THE LESSER OF THE EV ILS.♦
SHE SAID SHE COULD NOT ENVISAGE LENDING HER SUPPORT TO ANOTHEk ACQUISITION OF THIS NATURE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE SUCH A MOVE COULD EASILY TURN INTO AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT BY THE TAXPAYER.
THE HON KIM CHAM DESCRIBED THE ACQUISITION AS A +NEEDED MEASURE*.
REFERRING TO RECENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE BANKING SUPERVISION, CHAM PRAISED THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR ROBERT FELL, AND SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT OF HIS ABILITY TO BRING ABOUT SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
HE QUESTIONED WHY THE EXCHANGE FUND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BEAR SUCH MISHAPS ALONE AND SAID HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT INDUSTRY, TOGETHER WITH THE BANKING COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, SHOULD BE ASKED TO EXAMINE THE VIABILITY OF OTHER METHODS SUCH AS DEPOSIT INSURANCE SCHEMES TO RESTORE DEPOSITORS’ CONFIDENCE AND TO SHARE THE FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF SUCH GRAVE CONSEQUENCES.
THE HON CARL TONG SAID HE SUPPORTED THE BILL BECAUSE HE BELIEVED IT IMPERATIVE THAT PROMPT ACTION BE TAKEN TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF ALL DEPOSITORS.
HE ASKED, HOWEVER, HOW IT WAS THAT AFTER CLOSE TO TWO MONTHS OF EXAMINATIONS BY OUR BANK EXAMINERS ACTION WAS APPARENTLY ONLY TAKEN AT THE 11TH HOUR WHEN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BANK WROTE TO ADVISE THE AUTHORITIES OF THE BANK’S INSOLVENCY?
/H3FERJSIBG TO ........
FRIH , JUNE 7, 1985
- 14 -
REFERRING TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE HANG LUNG BANK AND NOW THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK, MR TONG SAID WE COULD NOT POSSIBLY BAIL OUT ALL LAME DUCK BANKS AS THEY WENT LAME AND SURELY THE SYSTEM CF SAFEGUARDS MUST BE CHANGED.
HE ALSO ASKED: +WERE THERE ANY OTHER EARLY WARNING SIGNALS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BUT WHICH WERE NOT MADE7+ WHAT WERE THE TELL-TALE SIGNS, IF ANY, REVEALED IN THE BANK’S FINANCIAL -----------------------DATE?
STATEMENTS PUBLISHED TO
+IN SPITE OF THESE QUESTIONS THE PROPOSED ACTION MUST BE RIGHT FOR THE REASONS I HAVE GIVEN,+ HE SAID. +HOWEVER, THE COSTS WILL HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR LATER.+
--------0 ----------
SPECIAL LEGCO SITTING * * *
ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AN OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) BILL 1985 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ALL THREE READINGS AT A SPECIAL SITTING THIS EVENING AT 6 O’CLOCK.
AFTER CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE INSOLVENCY OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDED AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SUBSEQUENT CARRYING ON OF ITS BUSINESS.
ITS PROVISIONS ARE MODELLED ON THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) ORDINANCE AND ENABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO GUARANTEE THE DEBTS OF THE BANK, CHARGING ALL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE TO THE EXCHANGE FUND.
IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSES THE BILL, THE BANK WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY MORNING IN THE OWNERSHIP OF THE GOVERNMENT. ALL DEPOSITS WILL BE SAFEGUARDED.
--------0 ---------
FRI DAY, JUNE 7, 1985
15
FS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE K K K
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 7 PM TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE Gl S PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG FROM LONDON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
HE WILL BE ARRIVING ON FLIGHT CX2OO, ETA 9.05 AM.
FCO OFFICIAL COMING ON VISIT * * *
THE PERMANENT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, SIR ANTONY ACLAND, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.
SIR ANTONY IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE ON FLIGHT BA 3 AT ABOUT 4.25 PM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ARRIVAL, HE WILL BOARD A HELICOPTER AT THE AIRPORT FOR FANLING LODGE WHERE HE WILL JOIN THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE FOR THE WEEKEND.
HIS PROGRAMME FOR SUNDAY INCLUDES A HELICOPTER FAMILIARISATION TOUR AND A BOAT TRIP.
ON MONDAY (JUNE 10) MORNING, SIR ANTONY WILL GET A SERIES OF BRIEFINGS BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ON THE LATEST SITUATION IN HONG KONG. HE WILL ALSO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION, AND HAVE LUNCH WITH UMELCO.
IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR ANTONY WILL GO TO THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TO ATTEND A TEA RECEPTION GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD. HE WILL THEN JOIN A MEETING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD IN THE SAME BUILDING.
SIR ANTONY WILL THEN PROCEED ON A TOUR OF LEI CHENG UK ESTATE AND MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.
ON TUESDAY (JUNE 11) MORNING, SIR ANTONY WILL ATTEND A NEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. HE WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR SHANGHAI ON BOARD FLIGHT CX 300 AT ABOUT 4 PM IN THE AFTERNOON.
- 0 -
/16 ..
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
16
BILL CLARIFIES RIGHT TO ORDER MARINE REHEARINGS * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL TO MAKE CLEAR THAT A MARINE COURT CAN BE REOPENED TO INVESTIGATE CASES INVOLVING CASUALTIES AT SEA.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE, A MARINE COURT MAY BE APPOINTED IN EITHER OF TWO CIRCUMSTANCES! TO INVESTIGATE CASUALTIES AFFECTING SHIPS, OR INQUIRE INTO CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCY OR MISCONDUCT OF THE MASTER OR SHIP OFFICERS.
A REHEARING HOWEVER, MAY ONLY BE HELD WHEN THERE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CONDUCT OF A HOLDER OF CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY.
IN MOST CASES WHERE THE MARINE COURT WAS APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE CASUALTIES, THE QUESTION OF COMPETENCY OF THE MASTER AND OFFICERS WOULD BECOME RELEVANT.
+HOWEVER, EVEN WHERE A CASE IS EXCLUSIVELY CONCERNED WITH MATTERS WHICH DO NOT RELATE TO THE QUESTION OF COMPETENCY, IT SEEMS LOGICAL THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO ORDER A REHEARING IF THERE IS NEW AND IMPORTANT EVIDENCE,* THE SPOKESMAN
SAID.
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12). ITS SECOND READING DEBATE IS EXPECTED TO BE RESUMED ON JUNE 26.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
0 --------
MOVE TO BOOST HK’S ARBITRATION STATUS
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING NEW LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING LAW WHICH DEALS WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS FOR THE PAYMENT OF MONEY IN COURTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSALS, CONTAINED IN THE FOREIGN JUDGMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, WILL ASSIST HONG KONG'S DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ARBITRATION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, A PARTY WHO HAS ACCEPTED ARBITRATION AS A MEANS OF SETTLING DISPUTES COULD ASK FOR ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGMENT OBTAINED ELSEWHERE, IN BREACH OF THE RELEVANT ARBITRATION CLAUSE.
/it could .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 7> 1985
- 17 -
IT COULD ALSO BE INFERRED, IF THE DEFENDING PARTY APPEARS BEFORE A FOREIGN TRIBUNAL MERELY TO POINT TO THE ARBITRATION CLAUSE, THAT HE HAS VOLUNTARILY SUBMITTED TO ITS JURISDICTION. FURTHERMORE, A PARTY WHO HAS OBTAINED A FOREIGN JUDGMENT CAN START PROCEEDINGS AFRESH ON THE SAME ISSUES IN HONG KONG.
THESE UNSATISFACTORY ASPECTS OF THE LAW WILL BE RECTIFIED BY THE BILL, WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12). ITS SECOND READING DEBATE IS EXPECTED TO BE RESUMED ON JUNE 26.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
-----o------
PROTECTIONISM THREATENS LIBERALISATION * * *
HONG KONG SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM BY FURTHER LIBERALISATION, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, M? HAMISH MACLEOD, TOLD A GATT COUNCIL MEETING IN GENEVA YESTERDAY.
BUT HE WARNED THAT NEW PROTECTIONIST MEASURES COULD UNDERMINE NEGOTIATIONS.
SAYING THAT THESE WERE EARLY DAYS TO TAKE ANY DEFINITIVE OR DETAILED VIEWS ON THE LAUNCHING OF SUCH TALKS, MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING TO HAVE THE SUBJECT FORMALLY ON THE AGENDA SO THAT VARIOUS IDEAS COULD BE AIRED.
+1 DO NOT THINK ANY OF US HERE WOULD DISAGREE WITH THE BROAD AIM OF STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM BY FURTHER LIBERALISATION, IT ALSO SEEMS TO US ENTIRELY REASONABLE TO STRESS THAT ANY MOVES IN THIS DIRECTION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME AN EXCUSE FOR SWEEPING THE RESULTS OF THE 1982 GATT MINISTERIAL MEETING AS I DE.+
AMONG THE RESULTS OF THAT MEETING WERE PROPOSALS FOR THE LIBERALISATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE TRADE, FOR THE PROVISION OF SAFEGUARDS AND FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES.
HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD SAID, FULLY SUPPORTED THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AFTER A WORKSHOP IN MEXICO CITY IN APRIL THIS YEAR ATTENDED BY DEVELOPING EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
/+IN THAT........
J?RID...x, JUNS 7, 1985
- 18 -
+IN THAT COMMUNIQUE, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORKSHOP REAFFIRMED THEIR STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE OBJECTIVE OF FULL APPLICATION OF THE NORMAL RULES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM. THEY REGARDED A CATEGORICAL AND UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO APPLY SUCH RULES AND PRINCIPLES AS CONSTITUTING THE FIRST STEP FOR MEANINGFUL WORK ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING IN THE FUTURE.* HE SAID.
+ACTIONS MUST BE DIRECTED TO A SIGNIFICANT AND SUBSTANTIAL LIBERALISATION. PARTICIPANTS ALSO REITERATED THEIR DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE MANNER IN THE DISCUSSIONS OF THE GATT WORKING PARTY ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE MINISTERIAL DECLARATION OF 1982.+
-----0------
CUSTOMS DETERMINED TO WIPE OUT COUNTERFEITING * * * *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IS DETERMINED TO ENFORCE THE LAW ON INTELLECTUAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND TO ROOT OUT THE UNSCRUPULOUS FEW ENGAGED IN COMMITTING COPYRIGHT AND COUNTERFEITING OFFENCES.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THREE PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATIONS - THE BOOK DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE BRITISH PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS AND THE ANGLO-CHINESE TEXTBOOK PUBLISHERS ORGANISATION LTD - PRESENTED A PLAQUE AND TWO BANNERS TO THE COMMISSIONER IN RECOGNITION OF CUSTOMS EFFORTS TO ERADICATE PIRACY OF LITERARY WORKS IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR GREWAL SAID: +BY THE EARLY 1980’S PIRACY OF LITERARY WORKS HAD BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL INTERDICTION OF 12 ILLEGAL PRINTING CENTRES AND THE SEIZURE OF INFRINGING BOOKS VALUED AT $1.8 MILLION.
+HOWEVER, IN MID-1984, A NEW TREND BECAME APPARENT WHEREBY INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IN LITERARY WORKS WAS AGAIN TAKING PLACE ON A FAIRLY LARGE SCALE, THIS TIME THE CULPRITS BEING PHOTOCOPYING ESTABLISHMENTS.*
IN RESPONSE TO THE SITUATION, AN OPERATION WAS LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AGAINST THESE ESTABLISHMENTS. AS A RESULT, 27 ESTABLISHMENTS OFFERING PHOTOCOPYING SERVICES WERE RAIDED, MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF INFRINGING BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT WERE SEIZED AND 61 PERSONS WERE ARRESTED.
/in order........
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
IN ORDER TO WIPE OUT THIS ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, ANOTHER LARGE-SCALE OPERATION WAS MOUNTED LAST MONTH. FORTY-TWO SHOPS WERE RAIDED ON THIS OCCASION, 17 ARRESTS WERE MADE AND INFRINGED BOOI AND EQUIPMENT VALUED AT $135 OOO SEIZED.
MR GREWAL SAID: +HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE FUTURE HAS YET TO BE SEEN BUT I CAN ASSURE THAT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTM WILL CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE LAW TO THE BEST OF ITS ABILITY.+
- 0 - -
BUSY PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THIS YEAR * * * * *
WORK WILL START THIS FINANCIAL YEAR ON $4 900 MILLION WORTH CF NEW PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
THE FIGURE WAS GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, NR NICKY CHAN, AT THE 13TH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE CF BUILDING THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
MR CHAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONTINUING TO PRESS AHEAD WITH ITS AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC WORKS AND ITS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS WHICH ALREADY EXTENDED BEYOND 1997.
THE APPROVED BUDGET FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR SHOWED A TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON NEW PROJECTS, AND THOSE ALREADY UNDER-WAY, OF ABOUT $5 900 MILLION (EXCLUDING LAND COSTS).
HE SAID THAT EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING WORKS ALONE WILL AMOUNT TO $1 700 MILLION.
MAJOR PROJECTS WHICH ARE IN HAND OR CAN BE EXPECTED TO START SOON INCLUDE:
* MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ;
* NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDINGS FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES;
* A NEW DISTRICT COURT AND CENTRAL MAGISTRACY (TO BE LOCATED IN WAN CHAI) AS WELL AS NEW MAGISTRACIES AT SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN; AND
* MAJOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES/BUILDINGS AT CONNAUGHT ROAD, HARBOUR BUILDING, QUEENSWAY AND ON THE WANCHAI RECLAMATION.
/HE added
FRIDAY; JUNE 7, 1985
20 -
HE ADDED THAT FUNDS PROVIDED IN THE ESTIMATES ALSO INCLUDED MORE THAN $120 MILLION FOR NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND $73 MILLION FOR NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS - MAINLY FOR THE GROWING POPULATIONS OF THt NEW TOWNS.
MORE THAN $300 MILLION HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR NEW GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, CLINICS AND MEDICAL TEACHING FACILITIES WITH LARGE-SCALE EXPENDITURE ENVISAGED ON THE NEW TUEN MUN REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND ON EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
MR CHAN SAID: +ANOTHER SUM OF MORE THAN $350 MILLION IS BUDGETED FOR NEW CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY ITEMS. THIS INCLUDES EXPENDITURE ON MAJOR CULTURAL FACILITIES IN TSIM SHA TSUI, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN AND ON LARGE PARKS, OPEN AIR AMENITIES AND FACILITIES FOR ACTIVE SPORTS IN THE NEW TOWNS OF TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN.+
PREDICTING GOOD TIMES AHEAD FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY MR CHAN SAID: +WITH THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT NOW RATIFIED AND IN FORCE, THE WAY AHEAD FOR HONG KONG IS NOW CLEAR. WITH A RENEWED FEELING OF CONFIDENCE NOW SWEEPING THROUGH THE TERRITORY: LAND SALES AND PRICES SHARPLY UP J CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS HAS RISEN FURTHER IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1984.
+THE VALUE, AT $1 672 MILLION, WAS THE HIGHEST QUARTERLY FIGURE RECORDED. WHEN COMPARING THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1984 WITH 1983, CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ROSE ALMOST 18 PER CENT.
+THE CLOSER LINKS WITH CHINA WHICH WILL BE FORGED IN THE NEAR FUTURE SHOULD RESULT IN EVEN GREATER JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR NEMBERS,+ MR CHAN TOLD THE INSTITUTE.
--------0-----------
TUEN MUN - A NEW TOWN TO BE PROUD OF )
*****
TUEN MUN IS PROGRESSING TOWARDS AN IDEAL SELF-CONTAINED NEW TOWN, OFFERING ITS INHABITANTS A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT THAN IS POSSIBLE IN THE OLD AND CROWDED URBAN AREAS, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LION’S CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST, HE SAID THAT WITH A LARGE POPULATION PROMPTED BY LARGE-SCALE MIGRATION FROM THE URBAN AREAS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN HAD ITS SHARE OF TEETHING PROBLEMS.
+LOCAL GROUPS, FORMED MAINLY BY NEW RESIDENTS, HAVE NOT BEEN RETICENT IN POINTING OUT DEFICIENCIES IN PLANNING OR IN THE PROVISION CF SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS OF TRANSPORT, EDUCATION AND NEDICAL SERVICES,+ MR FUNG SAID.
/♦THROUGH THE........
FRIDAY, JUNE 7> 1985
- 21 -
+THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE BUS COMPANY, THE SITUATION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS MUCH BETTER NOW THAN A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE BUILT LATER THIS YEAR, WILL ALSO PROVIDE A FAST AND POLLUTION-FREE INTERNAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM LINKING YUEN LONG.
+THE ROAD SYSTEM, CHARACTERISED BY FLYOVERS AND PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES, LOOKS VERY GENEROUS BY HONG KONG STANDARDS, AND WILL SURELY PROVIDE EXCELLENT LINKS FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE MOTORISTS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME,+ HE ADDED.
TURNING TO MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, MR FUNG NOTED THAT TUEN MUN WILL HAVE A 1 6OO-BED, FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED REGIONAL HOSPITAL, COMPLETE WITH THE LATEST EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES IN THREE YEARS’ TIME.
+A CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC IS BEING BUILT, AND, AT PRESENT, THERE ARE TWO PUBLIC CLINICS PROVIDING BASIC HEALTH CARE,+ HE CONTINUED.
MR FUNG SAID THAT WITH A FAST-GROWING AND YOUNG POPULATION, THERE WILL INEVITABLY BE PROBLEMS IN PROVIDING ENOUGH SCHOOL PLACES.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE MID-7OS THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED 22 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, 13 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THREE PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS CATERING FOR ABOUT 60 000 CHILDREN. A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
+JOBS IN TUEN MUN ARE PROVIDED MOSTLY BY INDUSTRIES, AND HAVE ABOUT 3 000 FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS, PRODUCING A WIDE RANGE OF GOODS.
+IN 1980, ABOUT 26 PER CENT OF THE NEW TOWN WORKFORCE WAS EMPLOYED LOCALLY, AND BY 1984 THIS HAD INCREASED TO OVER 40 PER CENT,+ MR FUNG SAID.
TURNING TO RECREATION, HE SAID: +THIS YEAR, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE TUEN MUN TOWN PARK WILL BE OPENED, AND CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE A SECOND MAJOR RECREATION AREA AT BUTTERFLY BEACH, A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, TWO INDOOR GAMES HALLS AND A LARGE AUDITOR I UM.
♦THE NEW TOWN CENTRE, COMPRISING MAJOR CIVIC FACILITIES AS WELL AS A PRESTIGIOUS COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, WHICH INCLUDES SOUTHEAST ASIA’S LARGEST DEPARTMENT STORE, WILL PROVIDE A NEW FOCUS TO THE NEW TOWN,+ HE SAID.
- - 0
/22
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
22
PAYMENT FROM TAVA FUND FOR VICTIMS * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS AUTHORISED INITIAL PAYMENT AMOUNTING TO $14 5OO FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND FOR NINE OF 35 PEOPLE INJURED IN TWO SEPARATE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED ON MAY 31 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TWO MINI-BUSES AND A LORRY WERE INVOLVED IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR TSI NG LUNG TAU. A DOUBLE-DECKER BUS WAS INVOLVED IN THE SECOND ACCIDENT ON TAI PO ROAD NEAR TAI PO NEW TOWN.
THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION HAS CONTACTED ALL THE VICTIMS. OF THE REMAINING 26 INJURED, 17 ARE HAVING THEIR CASES PROCESSED WHILE SIX HAVE DECLINED ASSISTANCE AND THREE DID NOT QUALIFY.
-----o------
FINAL WEEK OF DB X *
VIEWS ON ERP *
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET ON MONDAY (JUNE 10) WILL HEAD THE LAST BATCH OF SIX DISTRICT BOARDS TO COMMENT ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM NEXT WEEK.
FIVE OTHER DBS IN SHAM SHUI PO, EASTERN, ISLANDS, TUEN MUN AND SAI KUNG WILL ALSO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS TO THE TRANSPORT BRANCH DURING THIS LAST ROUND OF CONSULTATION WHICH BEGAN LATE LAST MONTH.
AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 AND THE EXTENSION OF THE TAXI BOUNDARY TO THE SHA TIN KCR STATION AND KAU TO.
--------0 ----------
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
- 23 -
HANDICAPPED TEAMS PRAISED FOR SPORTS VICTORIES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES TODAY (FRIDAY) CONGRATULATED MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED ICE SKATING TEAM AND THE JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR SPORTS TEAM ON THEIR +REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS* IN OVERSEAS EVENTS.
ADDRESSING THE TEAMS AT A RECEPTION AT' THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, HARBOUR CENTRE, MR BARNES SAID HE WAS PROUD TO HAVE THEM AS REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG.
THEIR SUCCESSES WERE THE RESULT OF LONG, HARD TRAINING TO BUILD UP STRENGTH AND STAMINA, AND TO IMPROVE SKILLS, HE SAID.
. ' I •
+1 KNOW THAT THE ICE-SKATING TEAM TRAINED VERY HARD FOR THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL WINTER SPECIAL OLYMPICS IN WHICH SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPETITORS FROM MANY COUNTRIES TOOK PART.
+FOR THE SMALL HONG KONG TEAM TO RETURN WITH FIVE MEDALS IS A JUST REWARD FOR THEIR EFFORTS,* HE SAID.
• I
SIX MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED ATHLETES COMPETED IN SPEED SKATING AND FIGURE SKATING IN THE GAMES IN UTAH, THE UNITED STATES, IN MARCH AND GAINED ONE GOLD, TWO SILVER AND TWO BRONZE MEDALS. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HONG KONG HAD SENT A TEAM TO THE GAMES.
FIFTY U.S. STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, GERMANY, ITALY, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND YUGOSLAVIA TOOK PART.
TURNING TO THE JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR TEAM, MR BARNES SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THEIR PERFORMANCE BECAUSE EVERY MEMBER HAD MANAGED TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL, THOUGH THEY WERE COMPETING AGAINST WELL-BUILT AND STRONG AUSTRALIAN COUNTERPARTS.
THE TEAM HAD TAKEN PART IN THE THIRD AUSTRALIA NATIONAL JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR GAMES IN MELBOURNE LAST MONTH AND RETURNED WITH 19 MEDALS - SEVEN GOLD, EIGHT SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE.
•.V-
MR BARNES ALSO COMMENDED THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY-HANDICAPPED AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS.
•; -a.; ' .
Am.-
--------0-----------
/24........
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
UC BEACHES TAKE ON A CLEANER LOOK * * * *
A TOTAL OF 26 LITTERBUGS WERE CAUGHT RED-HANDED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANTI-LITTER PATROLS AT URBAN COUNCIL BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND LAST WEEKEND WHEN A DRIVE FOR CLEANER BEACHES GOT UNDER WAY.
THE USD LAUNCHED A BLITZ ON LITTERERS AND NOISE-MAKERS LAST SATURDAY (JUNE 1) FOLLOWING AN ORGY OF LITTER LEFT BY CROWDS FLOCKING TO THE BEACHES DURING LAST MONTH’S EXCEPTIONALLY HOT AND DRY WEATHER.
A USD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY: +ALREADY THE STEPPED-UP LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ANT I—LITTER PATROLS HAS BEGUN TO TAKE EFFECT AND OUR BEACHES, REPULSE BAY IN PARTICULAR, HAVE TAKEN ON A MUCH CLEANER LOOK AGAIN. PART CF THE CREDIT MUST OF COURSE GO TO OUR CLEANSING STAFF WHO WORK SO HARD TO KEEP OUR BEACHES CLEAN.
-i-OF THE 26 SUMMONSES ISSUED LAST WEEKEND, 20 WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST LITTERERS AT REPULSE BAY.+
THE CURRENT DRIVE IS SPEARHEADED NOT ONLY AGAINST LITTERERS, BUT ALSO AT NOISE-MAKERS. SO FAR THIS YEAR, ONLY ONE NOISE-MAKER HAS BEEN PROSECUTED COMPARED WITH THREE LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANTI-LITTER AND ANTI-NOISE PATROLS wILL BE STRENGTHENED DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SWIMMING SEASON TO ENSURE THE BEACHES ARE CLEAN AND RELATIVELY QUIET.
+AS AN ADDITIONAL MEASURE TO KEEP OUR BEACHES CLEAN, AN AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS’ SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM NEXT MONTH TO THE END OF AUGUST,+ HE SAID.
+ABOUT 80 POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME. THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR TEAMS, EACH OF WHICH WILL BE HEADED BY A SENIOR FOREMAN AND A FOREMAN.
+THE TEAMS WILL BE STATIONED AT REPULSE BAY, DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK 0 AND STANLEY MAIN BEACHES.
+THE AUXILIARY WARDENS WILL TAKE ON AN ADVISORY AND DEMONSTRATING ROLE BY PERSUADING THE PUBLIC NOT TO LITTER.
+FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, THE AUXILIARY WARDENS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE TO BEACHGOERS AND WE EXPECT THE SCHEME TO BE SUCCESSFUL AGAIN THIS YEAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 -
/2S........
FRIDAY. JUNE 7, 1985
- 25 -
700 000 NEW PLANTS FOR NON-URBAN AREAS
*****
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL PLANT SOME 700 000 TREES, SHRUBS, CLIMBERS, GROUND COVERS AND SEASONAL FLOWERS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS DURING THE CURRENT PLANTING SEASON.
THIS IS 100 000 MORE THAN THE NUMBER PLANTED LAST YEAR IN VARIOUS PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, AMENITY PLOTS, SITTING-OUT AREAS AND ROADSIDE HEDGES MANAGED BY THE RSD.
TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR’S PLANTING PROGRAMME, THE RSD HELD A TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT TODAY (FRIDAY). SIMILAR CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD IN THE OTHER EIGHT NON-URBAN DISTRICTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE TSUEN WAN TREE PLANTING DAY, AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAUTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH PLANTS AND VEGETATION, WAS HELD AT AN OPEN SPACE AT THE JUNCTION CF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND ROUTE TWISK.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, PR HO TSE-PING, SAID THE PLANTING OF TREES NOT ONLY COULD BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO MINIMISE NOISE AND DUST NUISANCE.
+WHEN PLANTED ON SLOPES, TREES COULD MINIMISE THE CHANCES CF LANDSLIP AS THEY CAN REGULATE THE WATER CONTENT IN THE SUBSOIL,* MR HO SAID.
HE ADDED THAT TREE PLANTING WAS OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE TO A NEW TOWN LIKE TSUEN WAN WHERE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS CONVERTED THE NEW TOWN INTO A +CONCRETE JUNGLE*.
TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, MR HO SAID, ALL CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE RSD WILL CONTINUE TO ADD MORE PLANTS AND VEGETATION TO CREATE A GREENER ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEW TOWN.
MR HO LATER PLANTED A YOUNG TREE TO MARK THE EVENT. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, PR CHOW HAU-CHEN, AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER, PR WONG SIU-FAI, AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, PR WILLIAM KWONG.
ALSO TAKING PART WERE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB WHO PLANTED 100 TREES OF VARIOUS SPECIES, INCLUDING MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON, GREVILLEA ROBUSTA, LIQUIDAMBAR FORMOSANA AND TERMINALIA CATAPPA.
FRIDA , JUNE 7, 1985
26 -
TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * * * *
A 3.2-HECTARE SITE TO THE SOUTH OF TSUEN WAN ADVENTIST HOSPITAL HAS BEEN REZONED FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT -FOR RESIDENTIAL USE, OPEN SPACE AND A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FROM ’OPEN SPACE’ AND ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’ TO ’OTHER SPECIFIED USES’ (ANNOTATED ’COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA’).
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD> THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE} AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TSUEN WAN), SECOND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BEFORE JUNE 27.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN IS ON SALE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION CF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
--------0 ---------
FIREMEN COMMENDED FOR SAVING GIRL
* * * *
SIX OFFICERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN FIRE STATION WERE COMMENDED TODAY BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND, f*R M. KINGDOM, FOR THEIR EFFORTS WHICH RESULTED IN THE RESCUE OF A GIRL FROM A FIRE LAST YEAR.
THE SIX OFFICERS, WEARING BREATHING APPARATUS, HAD GONE INTO THE BURNING FLAT IN PO KONG LANE, TSZ WAN SHAN, KOWLOON, IN MAY LAST YEAR TO LOOK FOR PERSONS WHO MIGHT BE TRAPPED AND FOUND THE UNCONSCIOUS GIRL.
THE SIX ARE SENIOR STATION OFFICER CHAN TAT-WAH, STATION OFFICER NG YUNG-SHING, SENIOR FIREMAN LIU KUN-MING AND FIREMEN CHO SHU-HING, MA SHEK-SHU AND LI SHIU-FU.
-----o------
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1985
- 27 -
NEW ROAD PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN
* * * M
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A 2OO-METRE ROAD IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS TO NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY TO CONNECT WITH TSING WUN ROAD. THIS WILL BE AN EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING ROAD TO THE WEST OF TUEN MUN KAU HUI.
ANCILLARY WORKS INCLUDING FOOTWAYS AND STREET FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
AS PART OF THE PROJECT A SECTION OF TIN HAU ROAD WILL HAVE TO BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AMUSEMENT PARK.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 6.
--------0----------
FANLING POOL TO CLOSE FOR CARNIVAL
* * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL WILL BE CLOSED FOR TWO SESSIONS NEXT SATURDAY (JUNE 15) FROM NOON TO 6 PM.
THE CLOSURE IS TO MAKE WAY FOR A WATER CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AS PART OF THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.
THE MORNING SESSIONS, 7 AM TO 9.15 AM AND 9.30 AM TO 11.45 AM, AND THE EVENING SESSION, 6.45 PM TO 9 PM, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
-----0--------
PROHIBITED ZONE IN SHEK WU HUI * *
THE SECTION OF SAN FUNG AVENUE BETWEEN LUNG SUM AVENUE AND THE KCR RAILWAY TRACK WILL BE DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 10). NO MOTOR VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THIS AREA.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR FULLY INFORMED OF OTB ........................... 1
NE>7 OTB DIRECTORS MEET .................................. 2
HK MISSION'S UK VISIT A SUCCESS .......................... 3
47 ARRESTED IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRACKDOV® ............... 3
TOO JAPANESE SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED ........................ 4
FOOTBRIDGE PLANNED FOR MA CHAI RANG ...................... 6
MORE ROADS PLANNED FOR TUES MUI;' ........................ 7
MODERN COMPLEX FOR QUARRY BAY ............................ 7
SECOND YIN NGAI SOCIETY FORMED IN SHAM SHUI PO ........... 9
FREE TRAINING FOR CAREERS TEACHERS ...................... 10
EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT ................................. 1°
COOKED FOOD CENTRE FOR CHAI WAN ......................... 11
CHEAPER BURIAL i/HEN COLUMBARIUM IS COMPLETED ........... 11
SPORTS VENUES CLOSE FOR MAINTENANCE...................... 12
FIRING PRACTICE.......................................... 13
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KOWLOON ............................. 13
CENTRAL WATER CUT
13
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
1 -
GOVERNOR FULLY INFORMED OF OTB * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS MOVED VERY QUICKLY TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION ARISING FROM THE INSOLVENCY OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON, SIR EDWARD SAID HE HAD BEEN KEPT VERY FULLY INFORMED ON NEASURES TAKEN ON THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK IN THE PAST FEW DAYS.
+l SHALL BE GETTING AN UP-TO-DATE REPORT ON THAT AS SOON AS I GET BACK TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE,+ HE SAID.
RECOUNTING HIS TRIP TO LONDON, SIR EDWARD SAID HE HAD BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND THE TALKS BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTER AND MR ZHAO ZIYANG, THE PREMIER OF PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, AND ALSO THE TALKS BETWEEN SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND FOREIGN MINISTER MR WU XUEQIAN.
+l THINK YOU MIGHT DESCRIBE THEM AS A REVIEW OF PROGRESS. THE KEY FEATURE WAS ONCE AGAIN THAT BOTH SIDES REITERATED VERY FIRMLY THEIR DETERMINATION TO CARRY OUT THE JOINT DECLARATION FULLY,+ HE SAID.
+WHILE I WAS THERE, I WAS ALSO ABLE TO HAVE A TALK WITH bP LUCE, WITH SIR S.Y. CHUNG AND SIR ROGER LOBO ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES PROBLEM, AND ON THE DAY FOLLOWING I WAS AT A LUNCH WITH MR LUCE AND MR HARTLING, THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES FROM GENEVA, AT WHICH ONCE AGAIN WE WERE ABLE TO GET OVER THE GREAT IMPORTANCE WHICH WE ATTACH TO SOME MEASURES WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.+
ASKED WHAT MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, HE SAID THAT WAS THE QUESTION THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS NOW CONSIDERING BECAUSE THEY HAD TO REPLY TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT.
+0F COURSE, ALL THE DISCUSSIONS WHICH SIR S.Y. HAS TOLD YOU ABOUT, AND THE DISCUSSION WITH MR HARTLING WILL BE VERY VALUABLE TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN THAT REGARD. BUT IT IS NOw FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE ON THEIR REPLY TO PARLIAMENT,* HE ADDED.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, THE GOVERNOR SAID: + l HAVE BEEN ALSO KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON THAT, AND AS YOU KNOW, IT IS NOW BEING ARRANGED THAT THE BILL WILL GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT THERE WILL BE TWO WEEKS BETWEEN THE RESUMPTION OF THE SECOND READING AND THE CONCLUSION, SO THAT THERE SHALL BE A FULL OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.*
/IN RSPLY........
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
2
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER HE HAD MADE ANY REPRESENTATION ABOUT UMELCO BEING ABLE TO SIT ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HE SAID: +NO, I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT DISCUSSION, BUT I THINK IT HAS BEEN MADE CLEAR BY BRITISH MINISTERS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THAT THE GROUP IS BASICALLY OF COURSE AN OFFICIAL GROUP.+
SIR EDWARD WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND DR HARRY FANG, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
--------o----------
NEW OTB DIRECTORS MEET * * *
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK ARE HOLDING THEIR FIRST MEETING THIS MORNING TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF THE BANK’S BUSINESS.
THE MEETING TOOK PLACE AT THE OFFICES OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH AND IS BEING RESUMED AT THE BANK’S WAN CHAI HEADQUARTERS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR BANKING HAS APPROVED THE REOPENING CF THE BANK. ALL ITS BRANCHES AND SUBSIDIARY OFFICES WILL OPEN FOR NORMAL BUSINESS ON MONDAY.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS. THE OTHER DIRECTORS ARE MR D.F.L. TURNER (MANAGING DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN) WHO WAS BUT NO LONGER THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HANG LUNG BANK AFTER IT WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE GOVERNMENT; THE HON PETER POON WING-CHEUNG, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, MR W. TURNBULL, AND MR J.F. MATHEWS, CROWN SOLICITOR.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
3
HK MISSION’S UK VISIT A SUCCESS * * *
THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIALIST MISSION TO BRITAIN THIS WEEK ENDED ITS VISIT ON A SUCCESSFUL NOTE.
OF INDUSTRY FUNG LTD. FROM SEVEN
THE DELEGATION WAS LED JOINTLY BY THE DIRECTOR NR JOHN YAXLEY, AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LI AND DR VICTOR FUNG, AND INCLUDED SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES HONG KONG COMPANIES DRAWN MAINLY FROM THE ELECTRONICS AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES.
A SERIES OF SEMINARS AND A RECEPTION WERE HELD IN LONDON, BRISTOL AND BIRMINGHAM AND THESE WERE ATTENDED BY 300 GUESTS FROM BRITISH INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
THESE EVENTS PROVIDED A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO MEET THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN BRITAIN.
IN ADDITION, A FURTHER 50 PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS WERE ARRANGED FOR INDIVIDUAL HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS IN ALL THREE CITIES.
THE HONG KONG COMPANIES FOUND THE MISSION MOST USEFUL AND A NUMBER OF INTERESTING PROPOSALS EMERGED FROM THE DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, LICENCE AND SUB-CONTRACT MANUFACTURING.
MR YAXLEY SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT IN TIME SOME OF THESE WOULD DEVELOP INTO JOINT VENTURE ARRANGEMENTS.
IN ADDRESSING THE SEMINARS AND THROUGHOUT THE VISIT, NR YAXLEY DREW THE ATTENTION OF BRITISH BUSINESSMEN TO THE STRATEGIC LOCATION OF HONG KONG IN THE FAR EAST, THE BUOYANT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND THE RETURN OF CONFIDENCE SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
--------0 ---------
47 ARRESTED IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRACKDOWN ******
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HIDING IN HONG KONG AGAIN FELT THE HEAT THIS WEEK AS THE POLICE, LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS STEPPED UP OPERATIONS TO FERRET THEM OUT.
THE BLITZ RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 47 SUSPECTED UNDERGROUND CITIZENS.
THEY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
/A G0V3BN137T........
SaTUHW, JUNE 8, 1985
- 4 -
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDER.
+OUR POLICY ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS VERY CLEAR. WHENEVER AND WHEREVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE FOUND IN HONG KONG, THEY WILL BE SENT BACK.
+OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG,+ HE STRESSED.
DURING THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OPERATION, POLICE INCREASED THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPECT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THESE CHECKS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 37 SUSPECTED UNDERGROUND CITIZENS. ANOTHER FIVE PERSONS WERE CHARGED FOR FAILING TO CARRY PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, WHILE 82 OTHERS WERE SUMMONSED FOR THE SAME OFFENCE. A FURTHER 35 PERSONS WERE WARNED BY THE POLICE IN RESPECT OF THE OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1 OOO.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 6 821 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF 14 858 EMPLOYEES WERE CHECKED AND 10 PERSONS IN 10 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY. THEY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER 32 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE KEEPING EITHER NO RECORD OR IMPROPER RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50 000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
--------0----------
TWO JAPANESE SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED * * *
TWO JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MONBUSHO) SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED TO HONG KONG STUDENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES IN SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES AND NATURAL SCIENCE IN JAPAN.
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MONBUSHO) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME, 1986 AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE OVERSEAS STUDIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
/COMPLETED FORMS .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
- 5 -
COMPLETED FORMS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAME OFFICE AT ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE JULY 26 THIS YEAR.
APPLICANTS MUST BE OVER 17 AND UNDER 22 YEARS OF AGE ON APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR (1986). THIS MEANS THE APPLICANTS MUST BE BORN EETWEEN APRIL 2, 1964 AND APRIL 1, 1969.
AN APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OR CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS, OR HAVE PASSED IN TWO RELEVANT SUBJECTS AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL AND IN THREE RELEVANT SUBJECTS AT THE ORDINARY LEVEL OR IN THREE RELEVANT SUBJECTS AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL AND IN ONE RELEVANT SUBJECT AT THE ORDINARY LEVEL IN A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM? OR POSSESS HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS.
APPLICANTS NEED NOT HAVE ANY PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF JAPANESE, BUT THEY MUST BE WILLING TO RECEIVE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN THE MEDIUM OF JAPANESE.
THE AWARDS WHICH COVER TUITION, ACCOMMODATION LIVING EXPENSES AND RETURN PASSAGE ARE NORMALLY TENABLE FOR FIVE YEARS
FROM APRIL 1986 TO MARCH 1991.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ENROLLED AT THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL ATTACHED TO THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES AND WILL BE GIVEN A ONE-YEAR COURSE ON THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND SUCH OTHER SUBJECTS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE BACHELOR’S (GAKUSHI) DEGREE COURSE.
A GRANTEE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE PRESCRIBED COURSE AT THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL WILL GO ON TO A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IF HE PASSES THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY.
THE JAPANESE MONBUSHO, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY CONCERNED AND THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL, WILL DECIDE ON THE UNIVERSITY TO WHICH A GRANTEE SHOULD APPLY FOR ADMISSION.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THESE SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE COURSES OF STUDY AVAILABLE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 198'
- 6 -
FOOTBRIDGE PLANNED FOR MA CHAI HANG * * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS MA CHAI HANG ROAD AND PARTIALLY CLOSE WONG TAI SIN ROAD AS PART OF THE CENTRAL ACCESS FOR MA CHAI HANG AND CHUK YUEN.
THE FOOTBRIDGE, TO BE BUILT NEAR FUNG MO INTERCHANGE, WILL CONNECT A PROPOSED RAMP ON THE FOOTWAY EAST OF LUNG CHEUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL TO THE EXISTING STEPS AND FOOTPATH ALONG THE SLOPE NORTH OF MA CHAI HANG ROAD.
ON COMPLETION, THE FOOTBRIDGE WILL PROVIDE A SAFE-GRADE SEPARATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING BETWEEN CHUK YUEN, MA CHAI HANG AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FUNG MO STREET.
AS PART OF THE PROJECT, THE JUNCTION BETWEEN WONG TAI SIN ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AND DEVELOPED INTO AN AMENITY AREA.
THE CLOSURE WILL CUT DIRECT ACCESS BETWEEN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND WONG TAI SIN ROAD WHICH IS CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL TRAFFIC HAZARD.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL HOWEVER BE PROVIDED BETWEEN THESE TWO ROADS VIA A PROPOSED MINI-ROUNDABOUT ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE FUNG MO INTERCHANGE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND AND FOURTH FLOORS, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
OBJECTIONS TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, BEFORE AUGUST 6.
-----o------
SATURDAY, JUNE
- 7 -
MORE ROADS PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN * * * *
ANOTHER TWO MAJOR ROADWORKS ARE PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN.
THE FIRST PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL-CARRIAGEWAY, AN INTERCHANGE, A COMBINED CYCLE TRACK AND FOOTB* AND A SUBWAY TO THE NORTH OF TAI HING ESTATE.
IT WILL PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN LINK TO LEUNG TIN ESTATE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND NEW DEV 1 IN THE AREA.
THE SECOND PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE ROAD AND FOOTPATH NEAR TSUN WEN ROAD AND WILL PROVIDE ACCESS ' THE PROPOSED SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC TO THE NORTHWEST OF TUEN MUN SAN HUI.
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LA■ ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND TUEN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERR I TOR IES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, MUST BE SUBM IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 6.
-----o------
MODERN COMPLEX FOR QUARRY BAY * * *
CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-PURPOSE COMPLEX TO HOUSE ON-STREET HAWKERS AND TO SOLVE THE SHORTAGE OF SUITABLE SITES FOR RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1987.
SITE FORMATION WORKS AND PILING FOR THE SEVEN-STOREY URBAN COUNCIL QUARRY BAY COMPLEX HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE.
/upon completion, .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL PROV IDE MARKET, RECREATtONAL AND LIBRARY FACILITIES ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. IT WILL ALSO ACCOMMODATE THE HAWKERS NOW TRADING IN THE HAWKER PERMITTED PLACE IN THE VICINITY THUS CONTRIBUTING TO A CLEANER AND NEATER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA.
THE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST $47.3 MILLION, OCCUPIES A 3 784-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF QUARRY BAY STREET AND MOUNT PARKER ROAD.
IN PLANNING THE COMPLEX, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED THERE WITH PARTICULAR REGARD TO THE VIABILITY OF THE MARKET.
THE GROUND FLOOR WILL HOUSE A LOAD ING/UNLOADI NG BAY, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND A PUMPING STATION.
THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS WILL ACCOMMODATE 21 MARKET STALLS, 132 MINI STALLS, FIVE COOKED FOOD STALLS AND TWO NEWSPAPER KIOSKS. FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF SHOPPERS, THE TWO FLOORS WILL BE SERVED BY ESCALATORS.
THE UPPER FLOORS WILL INCORPORATE A STANDARD SIZE INDOOR GAMES HALL, RECREATIONAL ROOMS, TWO SQUASH COURTS, A JUNIOR LIBRARY, AN ADULT LIBRARY AND THE USD EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
TO ENHANCE THE VIABILITY OF THE MARKET, A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED TO LINK UP THE MARKET ENTRANCE FROM MOUNT PARKER ROAD.
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CURRENT CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME NOW INCLUDES 24 MARKET COMPLEX PROJECTS WHICH ARE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN THE VARIOUS PLANNING STAGES.
THOSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE IN WESTERN, LOCKHART ROAD, PC ON ROAD, NGAU CHI WAN, KOWLOON CITY, FA YUEN STREET AND SHU I WO STREET.
THEY ARE DUE FOR COMPLETION BETWEEN 1986 AND 1988.
-----0------
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
- 9 -
SECOND YIN NGA I SOCIETY FORMED IN SHAM SHU I PO
* M * *
THE SO UK YIN NGA I SOCIETY, THE SECOND WOMEN’S COMMUNITY ORGANISATION IN SHAM SHU I PO, HAS BEEN FORMED TO PROMOTE THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL WOMEN IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
WOMEN LIVING OR WORKING IN THE SO UK AREA CAN JOIN THE SOCIETY FOR A $10 ENTRANCE FEE AND AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION OF $10, AND CAN PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON, THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, SAID THE SO UK SOCIETY WAS THE 24TH TO BE FORMED SINCE THE YIN NGA I MOVEMENT WAS LAUNCHED IN 1981.
HE NOTED THAT THE FORMATION OF THIS SOCIETY HAD MADE UP FOR THE ABSENCE OF A WOMEN’S ORGANISATION IN SHAM SHU I PO WEST AND THAT TOGETHER WITH THE PAK TIN YIN SOCIETY IN SHAM SHU I PO EAST, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ATTAIN A MORE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTR ICT.
TURNING TO ITS OBJECTIVES, MR TSE SAIDs +THROUGH VARIOUS ORGANISED ACTIVITIES, WOMEN IN THE DISTRICT COULD LEARN THE ADVANTAGES OF FELLOWSHIP AND MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND STRENGTHEN THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE.
♦ IT ALSO PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSEWIVES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AS WELL AS TO TAKE PART IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
+THE SOCIETY’S RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO HELP FOSTER NEIGHBOURLINESS AND IMPROVE RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIVING IN THE PURSUANCE OF A SOUND COMMUNITY,* MR TSE ADDED.
THE SO UK YIN NGA I SOCIETY HAS AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MADE UP OF 16 MEMBERS, WITH FIVE WORKING GROUPS COVERING SECRETARIAL, FINANCE, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL, ART AND RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE AFFAIRS.
ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE SOCIETY, MRS YU LEUNG OI-CHUN, PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO ORGANISE VARIOUS TYPES OF INTEREST CLASSES, OUTINGS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS, SEMINARS, VISITS TO CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICES WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
- 0-----------
SATURDAY, JUNE C, 1985
10
FREE TRAINING FOR CAREERS TEACHERS * * *
A TRAINING COURSE FOR CAREERS TEACHERS WILL BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER AND SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND.
THE COURSE, RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE EDUCATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS.
CLASSES WHICH ARE FREE, WILL BE HELD EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM LATE SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR TO NEXT JUNE.
THE COURSE, THE THIRD TO BE HELD, WILL INCLUDE BASIC THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES RELEVANT TO CAREERS GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING. IT IS AIMED AT HELPING PARTICIPANTS ACQUIRE BASIC SKILLS IN CAREERS SERVICE AND TO KINDLE THEIR INTEREST AND AWARENESS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAREERS EDUCATION.
IN THE LAST TWO COURSE, MORE THAN 60 TEACHERS ATTENDED.
- 0 -
EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT * * * *
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS, MAY RECEIVE THE MONEY EARLIER IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON JUNE 15, 16 AND 17 -- WHICH ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THEY MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON JUNE 12, 13 AND 14 OR AFTER, AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES OR TREASURY SUB-OFF ICES.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
11
COOKED FOOD CENTRE FOR CHAI WAN * * *
A TrtO-STOREY COOKED FOOD CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT ON A 250-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT KUT SHING STREET IN CHAI WAN.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE 11 COOKED FOOD STALLS, TOILETS, A STOREROOM AND AN OFFICE.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
-----0------
CHEAPER BURIAL WHEN COLUMBARIUM IS COMPLETED * * * *
CHEAPER BURIAL SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN THE CHING CHUNG COLUMBARIUM IS COMPLETED IN MAY NEXT YEAR, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE CHING CHUNG COLUMBARIUM, DR HAYES SAID THAT APART FROM IMPROVING THE EXISTING COLUMBARIUM, THE $13 MILLION PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 10 000 NEW NICHES TO FAMILIES IN NEED OF CHEAP BURIAL SERVICES.
+ANY PROCEEDS THAT MAY ARISE FROM THESE NICHES WOULD BE USED TO FINANCE EXISTING AND FUTURE COMMUNITY PROJECTS RUN BY THE CHING CHUNG KOON.+ HE SAID.
+THIS PROJECT WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE IMAGE AND REPUTATION OF THE KOON, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LEADING CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS IN WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES,* DR HAYES SAID.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE KOON OF PROVIDING WELFARE FACILITIES TO RESIDENTS OF TUEN MUN, SUCH AS FREE MEDICAL CLINICS, HOMES FOR THz AGED, KINDERGARTENS, SCHOOLS AND A CARE-AND-ATTENTI ON HOME.
-----0------
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1935
- 12 -
SPORTS VENUES CLOSE FOR MAINTENANCE * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT EIGHT SPORTS VENUES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM ONE TO FOUR MONTHS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND RE-TURFING CF SOCCER PITCHES AT THE SPORTS GROUNDS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN SPORTS GROUNDS WILL BE THE FIRST TWO TO BE AFFECTED AND WILL CLOSE NEXT SATURDAY (JUNE 15).
THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND WILL RE-OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 1 WHILE THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND ON OCTOBER 16.
THE PERIODS OF CLOSURE FOR THE OTHER SIX VENUES ARE:
DISTR ICT VENUES DATE
KWAI CHUNG KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND JUNE 16 - AUGUST 31
TAI PO TEMPORARY SOCCER PITCH AT AREA 4 JULY 1 - AUGUST 31
TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND JULY 15 - SEPTEMBER 33
KWAI CHUNG WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND JULY 16 - SEPTEMBER 33
YUEN LONG YUEN LONG STADIUM AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 31
SAI KUNG TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 31
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT RETURFING WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE CLOSURE TO ALLOW TIME FOR GRASS TO GROW AND TO BE READY FOR INTENSIVE USE AFTERWARDS.
--------o ---------
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1985
- 13 -
FIRING PRACTICE * * *
rip imp PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN—CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM TUESDAY (JUNE 11) TO SATURDAY (JUNE 15) BETWEEN 8.3J AND 5 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
--------0 ---------
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KOWLOON *****
THE WESTERN SIDE OF PORTLAND STREET BETWEEN ARGYLE STREET AND SOY STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONc BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 11).
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERo WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE SECTION OF ON TAK ROAD BETWEEN NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND ON WAH STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
-----0------
CENTRAL WATER CUT *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
STOP FOR PASSENGERS
CENTRAL DISTRICT 11) TO 6 AM THE
AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, ICE HOUSE STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND POTTINGER STREET INCLUDING HOUSE NOS. 1-9 ON HING TERRACE, HOUSE NOS. 24-38 ICE HOUSE STREET AND HOUSE NOS. 18-28 WYNDHAM STREET.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR LEGCO POLLS ......................... 1
VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS BY POST URGED............................. 1
NINE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN LEGCO ............................ 2
MORE BUILDING PROJECTS APPROVED ................................ 3
FULL SCHEDULE FOR URBCO OPEN MEETING............................ 4
APPLY THROUGH UCCA FOR UK UNIVERSITY ENTRY...................... 6
GIRL GUIDES FETED AT ISLAND HOUSE BARBECUE...................... 7
FACTORY OWNERS WARNED ABOUT USE OF BOILERS...................... 7
WOOD CHIPPERS SOLVE PROBLEMS OF FALLIN TREES.................... 9
OPEN AREAS FOR KWUN TONG, CHAI WAN ............................. 9
RESTRICTED ZONE AND REROUTING IN KWUN TONG..................... 10
TRAFFIC REROUTED FOR RA0D7/0RK................................. 10
MARKET STALLS FOR LEASE........................................ 11
NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.................................... 11
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
1
STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR LEGCO POLLS * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, IS MAKING A PERSONAL APPEAL TO MEMBERS OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO MAKE USE OF THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD IF THEY HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED FOR THE COMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
+IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY AS THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD WILL NOT END UNTIL JULY 1,+ MR TSAO WROTE IN A LETTER WHICH IS BEING SENT TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY. TEACHERS, OTHER THAN THOSE IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, WILL RECEIVE THE LETTERS THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS.
MR TSAO STRESSED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE ELECTED WERE CHOSEN FROM A WIDE BASE, THUS INDICATING THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING AS MUCH SUPPORT AS POSSIBLE FROM THE TRADE OR PROFESSION WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
+SUCH A WIDE BASE CANNOT, HOWEVER, MATERIALIZE UNLESS THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THIS RATHER EXCLUSIVE EXERCISE SIGN UP AS ELECTORS AND LATER VOTE IN THE ELECTION,* HE SAID.
DURING THE LAST REGISTRATION PERIOD FROM APRIL 15 TO MAY 6, A TOTAL OF 3 629 ORGANISATIONS AND 30 886 INDIVIDUALS APPLIED TO REGISTER.
TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THIS LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER, PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADc THROUGH RADIO, TELEVISION AND NEWSPAPERS BEFORE AND DURING THE THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD FROM JUNE 21 TO JULY 1.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION AT TEL: - 5-8917247.
-----o------
VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS BY POST URGED
* * * *
RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE BEING URGED TO MAKE FULL USE OF POSTAGE-FREE POSTGRAMMES TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS ON VARIOUS ISSUES TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE POSTGRAMMES, PRINTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, ARE OBTAINABLE AT MORE THAN 50 DISTRIBUTION POINTS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/+TH2 SERVICE, ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 19&5
2
+THE SERVICE WHICH COMES UNDER THE 'MY SUGGESTION TO THE SOUTHERN D I STR I CT* BOARD' SCHEME, IS AIMED AT STRENGTHEN NG COMMUNICATIONS WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE LING IN THE MORE REMOTE PARTS OF THE DISTRICT, SUCH AS THE BAYS AREA,
SHEK 0,+ HE SAID.
STANLEY AND
♦SINCE THE SCHEME *AS INTRODUCED IN 1983, MORE THAN 500 WERE RECEIVED,* HE ADDED.
POSTGRAMMES
+A RECENT ASSESSMENT OF THE SCHEME SHOWED THAT IT DOES HELP THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT 0FF'£E AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN IDENTIFYING PROBLEM AREAS AND TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES WITH WHICH RESIDENTS ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT,+ HE SAID.
THE POSTGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTR ICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES POST OFFICES, A FEW SELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICcS, THE AP LEI CHAU’COMMUNITY HALL, MAJOR BANKS, RESTAURANTS, PETRUL FILLING STATIONS AND SEVERAL LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
0
NINE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN LEGCO
******
HON MRS SELINA CHOW WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT WHETHER IT IS AWARE THAT A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE MEDIA COUNCIL HAS DEEN FORMED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF JUSTICE SIMON LI AND IF SC VHAT IS ITS POSITION IN THIS MATTER.
MRS CHOW’S IS ONE OF NINE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED BY THE UNCFFICIALS AT A MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12).
MRS CHOW ALSO WANTS TO KNOW HOW MANY FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPERS ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG; WHAT HAS BEEN THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS; AND ARE THEY PREVENTED BY THEIR TERMS OF CONTRACT FROM CHANGING EMPLOYERS DURING THE CONTRACT PERIOD AND IF SO HOW IS COMPLIANCE WITH THIS CONDITION ENFORCED?
HON ALEX WU WILL QUESTION WHEN A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CHINESE LANGUAGE FOUNDATION SUBMITTED IN MARCH 1982, AND IN PARTICULAR ON THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING THE PUBLICATION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS.
/ON H2ALTH.........
SUNDAY, JUNS 9, 1985
ON HEALTH, DR HON HO KAM-FAI WILL ENQUIRE WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT EXISTING LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS ARE EFFECTIVE IN SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AGAINST HAZARDOUS INSECTICIDE SPRAYS AND PESTICIDES.
HON WONG PO-YAN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE ITS POLICY AND PLANS FOR DEVELOPING HIGH TECHNOLOGY FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND TO REPORT ON PROGRESS ACHIEVED SO FAR IN THIS AREA.
HON MRS PAULINE NG WILL ASK FOR A STATEMENT ON THE CRITERIA FOR PROVIDING ZEBRA-CROSSINGS ON ROADS INSIDE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES AND WHETHER THE SAME RULES APPLY TO PUBLIC ROADS OUTSIDE SUCH ESTATES.
IN VIEW OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC AT MAN KAM TO, HON YEUNG PO-KWAN WILL QUESTION WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER BUILDING MORE LAY-BYS TO RELIEVE CONGESTION.
HE WILL ALSO ASK FOR A STATEMENT ON HOW AND WHEN THE PROPOSED CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL IS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN NORTH DISTRICT.
HIS THIRD QUESTION CONCERNS PLANS THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AT ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING.
--------O----------
MORE BUILDING PROJECTS APPROVED * * M X
FIVE BUILDINGS FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S SHAU KEI WAN DEVELOPMENT WERE AMONG 37 PLANS THAT THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED IN APRIL.
ALSO APPROVED BY THE OFFICE WAS A SIX-STOREY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN TUEN MUN FOR THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
OF THE APPROVED PLANS IN APRIL, NINE WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SIX IN KOWLOON AND 22 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
OTHERS INCLUDED 18 APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BLOCKS AT WHAMPOA DOCK, HUNG HOM, 52 RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS IN HONG LOK YUEN, TAI PO, A 16-STOREY GODOWN IN SHA TIN AND THREE SINGLE-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BLOCKS AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
DURING THE SAME MONTH, THE OFFICE ALSO AGREED TO WORK STARTING ON 39 PROJECTS OF WHICH 14 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SEVEN IN KOwLOON AND 18 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THiiSS INCLUDED
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
THESE INCLUDED THREE BLOCKS OF STAFF QUARTERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, A CARPARKING AND SHOPPING CENTRE AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, A SCHOOL IN TA I MONG TSAI, SAI KUNG, A WORKSHOP IN KOWLOON BAY, A FOOTBRIDGE IN TA I PO, AN EQUINE HOSPITAL AND A REFUSE COLLECTION CENTRE IN SHA TIN.
THE FLOOR AREA OF THESE 39 PROJECTS TOTALLED 156 690.7 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 86 711.4 WERE FOR NON-DOMESTIC USE WITH THE REST FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
TWENTY-NINE BUILDINGS WERE GRANTED OCCUPATION CERTIFICATES DURING THE SAME MONTH.
AMONG THEM WERE A HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED’S SUB-STATION AT MARSH ROAD, HUNG HING ROAD AND WAN SHING STREET, A PUMPING STATION AND THREE BLOCKS FOR APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IN TAIKOO SHING, PETROL FILLING STATIONS IN CLEARWATER BAY ROAD AND KOWLOON BAY, 24 RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON BAY AND A TWO-STOREY FACTORY BUILDING IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
TOTAL FLOOR AREA FOR ALL NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN APRIL WAS 338 330 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 281 046 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-DOMESTIC USE.
THE OFFICE ALSO ISSUED 49 DEMOLITION ORDERS IN RESPECT OF 97 BUILDINGS DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COSTS OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1 BILLION.
-----o------
FULL SCHEDULE FOR URBCO OPEN MEETING * * * X
THE URBAN COUNCIL FACES A FULL SCHEDULE AT ITS MONTHLY f-EETING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN EDINBURGH PLACE ON TUESDAY (JUNE 11).
URBAN COUNCILLOR MR JOSEPH CHAN WILL MOVE THAT THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE BE EMPOWERED TO HAVE THE DISCRETION TO REVOKE OR SUSPEND THE LICENCE OF A HAWKER CONVICTED OF SELLING PORNOGRAPHIC OR OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE, AND THAT IF NECESSARY THE RELEVANT BY-LAW BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY.
THERE WILL BE FIVE QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS.
/IN VIS.7...........
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
IN VIEW OF THE RECENT OUTBREAK OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE ELSEWHERE AND ITS CONNECTION WITH AIR-CONDITIONING, MRS MARGARET LI WILL ASK WHETHER THE COUNCIL WOULD STUDY WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED, SAY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN RESPECT' OF MAINTENANCE OF AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.
SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF THE COUNCIL WOULD KEEP ABREAST WITH FINDINGS IN THIS ASPECT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE MAKE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS IN REGULATION AND CONTROL OF VENTILATING SYSTEMS IN SCHEDULED PREMISES. *
I • 1 ,
■I CONCERNING THE DESIGN AND EXTERNAL APPEARANCE OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL CENTRE, MR WALTER SULKE WISHES TO
)' FIND OUT IF THE COUNCIL WOULD INSIST ON TAKING UP RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERALL DESIGN OF BUILDINGS WHICH IT WILL LATER MANAGE, SO AS TO PREVENT DESIGN PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THOSE ENCOUNTERED AT THE COLISEUM.
I < I . I
MR SULKE WILL ALSO ENQUIRE ABOUT h"HE POSSIBILITY OF
. SETTING UP SPECIAL GARDENS FOR THE BLIND IN PARKS AND } I. SITTI.NG-OUT AREAS WHICH COULD BE FILLED WITH STRONGLY ,|V SCENTED FLOWERS AND TREES AND POSSIBLY WITH BRAILLE PLAQUES TO IDENTIFY THEM.
■
MR LAM CHAK-PIU WANTS TO KNOW HO>J THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CO-ORDINATING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO REMOVE JUNK AND DEBRIS LEFT BEHIND AFTER SQUATTER CLEARANCES.
• HE WILL ALSO ASK WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS TO CONTROL HAWKERS PLYING TRADES ON FOOTBRIDGES, SUBWAYS AND MAIN STREETS.
DURING COMMITTEE STAGE, COUNCILLORS WILL DISCUSS SIX PAPERS INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND A SITTING-OUT AREA AT ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS
: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A'REPORTER
AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPEN MEETING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN EDINBURGH PLACE AT 2.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY (JUNE IX).
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
6
APPLY THROUGH UCCA FOR UK UNIVERSITY ENTRY
* * * * *
STUDENTS WISHING TO STUDY IN A BRITISH UNIVERSITY OTHER THAN OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION THROUGH THE UNIVERSITIES CENTRAL COUNCIL ON ADMISSIONS (UCCA) ONE YEAR IN ADVANCE.
THOSE WISHING TO GAIN ENTRY EITHER TO OXFORD OR CAMBRIDGE, SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION TO THE UCCA AS WELL AS THE INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSITY 15 MONTHS IN ADVANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE UCCA APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG, STARTING MID-AUGUST.
THE COMPLETED FORM, TOGETHER WITH A FEE OF 5 POUND STERLING, MUST REACH THE SECRETARY, UNIVERSITIES CENTRAL COUNCIL ON ADMISSIONS, POST OFFICE BOX 28, CHELTENHAM, GLOS., GL5O 1HY, ENGLAND, BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1 AND OCTOBER 15 FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR PLACES IN OXFORD OR CAMBRIDGE. FOR ALL OTHER STUDENTS, THE CLOSING DATE IS DECEMBER 15, THIS YEAR.
STUDENTS WHO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE IN SEPTEMBER 1986 MUST SUBMIT TWO FORMS - A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION DIRECT TO THE RELATED UNIVERSITY AND ANOTHER THROUGH UCCA BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1 AND OCTOBER 15.
NO STUDENTS SHOULD APPLY TO BOTH OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE IN THE SAME ADMISSION YEAR UNLESS THEY WISH TO APPLY FOR A CHORAL AND/OR AN ORGAN AWARD AT BOTH UNIVERSITIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO OXFORD IN SEPTEMBER 1986 SHOULD OBTAIN AN APPLICATION CARD FROM THE OXFORD COLLEGES ADMISSIONS OFFICE, UNIVERSITY OFFICES, WELLINGTON SQUARE, OXFORD 0X1 2JD. THE COMPLETED CARD MUST BE RETURNED TO THE UNIVERSITY BEFORE OCTOBER 15.
STUDENTS SEEKING ENTRY TO CAMBRIDGE SHOULD OBTAIN A CAMBRIDGE PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FORM FROM THE ADMISSION SECRETARY OF ANY COLLEGES OF THE UNIVERSITY OR FROM THE CAMBRIDGE INTER-COLLEGIATE APPLICATION OFFICE AT KELLET LODGE, TENNIS COURT ROAD, CAMBRIDGE CB2 1QJ. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE UNIVERSITY BEFORE THE END OF AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO A BRITISH UNIVERSITY ARE FIVE PASSES INCLUDING TWO AT G.C.E. +A+ LEVEL AND THREE AT G.C.E. +0+ LEVEL OR ITS EQUIVALENT WHICH SHOULD NORMALLY INCLUDE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. IN CERTAIN CASES, A SECOND LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS OR A SCIENCE SUBJECT ARE REQUIRED.
/+STUDENTS SHOULD .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 9» 1985
+STUDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE GENERAL AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS MAY VARY FROM COURSE TO COURSE AND FROM UNIVERSITY TO UNIVERSITY,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR STUDENTS TO CONSULT THE CURRENT ISSUE CF THE COMPENDIUM OF UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION CONCERNING EACH UNIVERSITY,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ON SCHOLARSHIPS, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED STUDENTS TO REFER TO UNIVERSITY PROSPECTUSES AND IF NECESSARY TO WRITE TO INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSITIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
- 0-----------
GIRL GUIDES FETED AT ISLAND HOUSE BARBECUE * * *
ABOUT 70 COMMISSIONERS, TRAINERS, DISTRICT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE GUESTS OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND MRS AKERS-JONES AT A BARBECUE HELD AT ISLAND HOUSE TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR AKERS-JONES IS HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION WHILE MRS AKERS-JONES IS THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER.
ISLAND HOUSE ON YUEN CHAU TSAI IN TAI PO, WHERE THE AKERS-JONES HAVE BEEN STAYING UNTIL THEY MOVE TO NEW RESIDENCE LATER THIS MONTH, HAS BEEN THE LOCATION FOR A NUMBER OF GUIDE ACTIVITIES OVER THE YEARS.
TODAY’S GATHERING IS TO FOSTER FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD RELATIONSHIP AMONG OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
-----0------
FACTORY OWNERS WARNED ABOUT USE OF BOILERS * * * *
FACTORY PROPRIETORS ARE WARNED THAT THE USE OF ELECTRIC BOILERS MUST BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PERSON HOLDING A RELEVANT CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY ISSUED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE, ANYONE WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD BE LIABLE, UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF S30 000.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
- 8 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT HAD REVEALED THAT THE REQUIREMENT WAS OFTEN IGNORED BY FACTORY OWNERS.
IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD TO LIFE AND PROPERTY OF UNATTENDED BOILERS, THE DEPARTMENT HAD STEPPED UP VISITS TO FACTORIES TO IDENTIFY OFFENDING OWNERS, HE ADDED.
LAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 188 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST FACTORY PROPRIETORS WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FACTORY OWNERS WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS CF ANY BOILER ACCIDENT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF ITS OCCURRENCE.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO DO SO IS A FINE OF 310 000.
IN A RECENT CASE, AN OWNER HAD BEEN CONVICTED AND FINED FOR HIS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS LEGAL OBLIGATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OWNERS MIGHT ALSO USE THE AUTO RECORDING SERVICE FOR REPORTING SUCH ACCIDENT AFTER OFFICE HOURS AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-688756.
HE URGED FACTORY PROPRIETORS WHO DID NOT HAVE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TENDING THEIR ELECTRIC BOILERS TO USE THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION.
IRON
ALSO
THE DIVISION HAS PREPARED +A GUIDE FOR OPERATORS OF ELECTRIC ING BOILERS+, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE, IT HAS
ORGANISED A HALF-DAY COURSE FOR OPERATORS OF MANUALLY-CONTROLLED
IRONING BOILERS.
AN EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE AWARDED AFTER THE COURSE WOULD PERMIT THE OPERATOR TO ATTEND TO THE BOILER FOR 14 MONTHS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE OPERATOR SHOULD TRY TO OBTAIN A NORMAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY BY PASSING THE EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED EACH DAY BY THE DIVISION, OR BY ATTENDING EVENING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF FACTORIES USING IRONING BOILERS MAY CONTACT THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-688111 EXT. 352 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.
0---------
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
Q ✓
WOOD CHIPPERS SOLVE PROBLEMS OF FALLEN TREES XXX
•WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF TWO WOOD CHIPPING MACHINES, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS NOw ABLE TO DISPOSE OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF UPROOTED TREES AND FALLEN BRANCHES ON SITE WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD.
THE WOOD CHIPPERS, AT A COST OF $150 000 EACH, WERE RECENTLY IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HAVE ALREADY GONE INTO OPERATION, ONE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND ONE IN KOWLOON.
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF OFFICER (HORTICULTURE), MR LAWRENCE Y.K. CHEUNG, THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE MACHINE IS TO CONVERT TREE TRUNK& AND BRANCHES INTO WOOD CHIPS, WHICH CAN THEN BE RE-CYCLED AS MULCHES TO PROTECT THE SOIL AND THE ROOTS OF GROWING PLANTS.
+THE CHIPPING MACHINES ARE PARTICULARLY USEFUL DURING TYPHOONS WHEN MANY BRANCHES ARE RIPPED AWAY AND TREES UPROOTED BY SWIRLING WINDS,* HE SAID.
+ IN THE PAST. PROBLEMS AFTER ANY TRANSPORT BRANCHES THEY TOOK UP A LOT
THE CLEARANCE OF FALLEN TIMBER CAUSED SERIOUS STORMS. IT TOOK MANY JOURNEYS TO TO CONTROLLED TIPS FOR DISPOSAL BECAUSE OF SPACE.
+HOWEVER, THE
PROBLEM WILL NOW BE MUCH REDUCED AS THE WOOD CHIPPING MACHINE CAN BE TOWED TO THE SCENE TO CONVERT FALLEN BRANCHES INTO SMALL CHIPS WITHIN MINUTES, SO THAT THEY CAN BE EASILY TRANSPORTED AWAY FOR DISPOSAL.*
TO CITE AN EXAMPLE, MR CHEUNG SAID FIVE LORRY LOADS OF TREE BRANCHES CAN BE REDUCED TO ONLY ONE LOAD IF THE BRANCHES ARE FIRST CONVERTED INTO WOOD CHIPS.
--------------------------o - - - -
l,r
OPEN AREAS FOR KWUN TONG, CHAI WAN , : X X X X
A LOCAL OPEN SPACE OF ABOUT 9 200 SQUARE METRES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD, KWUN TONG.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE PROVISION OF: PLANT AREAS AT THE SITE WHICH IS SPREAD ACROSS THREE PLOTS OF LAND SEPARATED BY SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD AND NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
ON COMPLETION, THE THREE PLOTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH GRANITE-FACED PLANTERS FOR VISUAL AMENITY PURPOSE.
/v.OBK IS..........
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1985
10 -
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
‘ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND AT FEI TSUI ROAD, CHAI WAN, WILL BE USED AS A SITTING-OUT AREA TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ’FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
I
FACILITIES ON THE 420-SQUARE-METRE SITE WILL INCLUDE LANDSCAPING, PATHS AND SITTING AREAS WITH CHINESE-STYLE RAIN SHELTERS, ARBOURS, PLANTERS AND CONCRETE SEATS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER.
------0 ------
RESTRICTED ZONE AND REROUTING IN KWUN TONG * * *
KWUN TONG,
THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF SHING YIP STREET IN
FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF; ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI
YUEN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, ™El BE DESIGNATED a RESTRICTED ZONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM FROM AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12).
10
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS r OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE FOLLOWING STREETS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM 10 AM TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
* TUNG MING STREET BETWEEN HANG ON STREET AND YEE ON STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO WAYS.
* YEE ON STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
K LUEN ON STREET BETWEEN YEE ON STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
-------o----------
TRAFFIC REROUTED FOR ROADWORK
X X * *
THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD AT THE 17-1/2 MILESTONE NEAR SHU I WAI WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FROM 5 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12).
TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEW ROAD RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE CLOSED ROAD, SO AS TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
- 0 -
SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1985
11
MARKET STALLS FOR LEASE * * * *
SIXTY VACANT STALLS IN SHA TIN AND TAI WAI MARKETS WILL BE PUT UP FOR LEASE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12).
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 AM AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN.
THREE OF THE STALLS ARE IN THE SHA TIN MARKET AND THE REST IN THE TAI WAI MARKET.
THE STALLS CAN BE USED FOR SELLING A WIDE RANGE OF GOODS, INCLUDING ICE, FISH, MEAT, POULTRY, SIU MEI AND LO MEI, DRY GOODS, WET GOODS AND NEWSPAPERS. THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL OF THE STALLS RANGES FROM $600 TO $5 000.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS FOR THE ABOVE STALLS CAN START THEIR BUSINESS ON JULY 1, 1985 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
THOSE WHO WISH TO BID FOR THE STALLS SHOULD BRING ALONG FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION VENUE.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE CF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 0-6065745.
- - 0 - -
NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT
*****
A TWO-STOREY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT-CUM-TOILET WILL BE BUILT ON A 250-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT CROSS LANE, WAN CHAI.
THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL BE ON THE GROUND FLOOR WHILE THE UPPER FLOOR WILL BE FOR TOILETS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK PEOPLE'S ROLE IN BASIC LAW DRAFTING 'EXCELLENT' .......... 1
BUSY DAY FOR VISITING FCO OFFICIAL .......................... 3
HONG KONG NOW A WORLD PRINTING CENTRE, GOVERNOR SAYS......... 4
PERSONAL TOUCH IN VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE .................. 5
NEW CONCEPT FOR ANTI-LITTER CAMPAIGN ........................ 6
ANTI-LITTER DRIVE GATHERS MOMENTUM........................... 6
FUN AND GAMES TO MARK QUEEN' S BIRTHDAY...................... 7
TRAINING FOR OFFENDERS IMPRESSES THAI GROUP ................. 9
MORE VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT....................................... 9
NEW BASKETBALL COURT FOR ISLANDERS .......................... 10
SEMINAR ON SAFETY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION ..................... 11
BETTER ACCESS FOR MA CHAI HANG, CHUK YUEN ................... 11
TENDERS INVITED TO OPERATE GENERAL RESTAURANT ............... 12
LAMIA WATER MAINS WORK ...................................... 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
12
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985
1
HK PEOPLE’S ROLE IN BASIC LAW DRAFTING ’EXCELLENT’
* X * * X
IT IS AN EXCELLENT THING THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
♦THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE, BUT I HAVE SAID QUITE FIRMLY THAT I THINK IT IS AN EXCELLENT THING THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THIS,+ HE SAID.
♦AND INDEED, IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER CAME DOWN FROM PEKING LAST DECEMBER, SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN ASSURED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE DRAWN VERY FIRMLY INTO THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW.+
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE WORLD PRINT CONGRESS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE.
ASKED WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST IF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS WERE APPOINTED TO THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE SAW NO CONFLICT AT ALL.
♦WHAT WE ARE ALL TRYING TO DO IS TO ASSURE THE BEST INTERESTS CF HONG KONG. THERE IS NO CONFLICT, IT SEEMS TO ME, AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO ASSURE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER SIR S.Y. CHUNG WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMITTEE, SIR EDWARD SAID, +1 AM NOT THE CONVENOR OF THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE.+
♦AFTER ALL, THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW IS BASICALLY A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. BUT LET ME REPEAT ONCE AGAIN WE ARE VERY PLEASED IF AS MANY REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE CF HONG KONG ARE DRAWN INTO THIS PROCESS,+ HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, SIR EDWARD SAID HE DID NOT THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL SHOULD BE FURTHER DELAYED.
♦I THINK IT SHOULD BE FURTHER DEBATED.
♦IT WILL COME UP FOR DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY. WE ARE, AFTER ALL, COMING TO THE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER PERIOD WHEN WE SHALL HAVE A NEW-STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
♦AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, I THINK, THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE QUITE CLEAR ON WHAT THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES OF THAT ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE.
/+there MAY ......
ii .Ji. JUNE 10, 1985
2
♦THERE MAY BE A DEBATE, AND IT IS A GOOD THING THAT THERE ARE DEBATES ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES IN IT, AND THOSE WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES ARE.
♦MOST OF THEM EXIST ALREADY, I THINK IN FACT ALL OF THEM EXIST ALREADY. IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW THEY SHOULD BE EXPRESSED AND WHAT FORM THEY SHOULD TAKE.
♦BUT I THINK THE GOOD THING IS THAT THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND I AM QUITE SURE IT WILL CONTINUE OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNTIL THE SECOND DEBATE WHICH IS IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS’ TIME.+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID THE BILL HAD NOT BEEN HASTILY PUSHED THROUGH.
♦IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ALREADY FOR SOME WEEKS. IT WILL BE DISCUSSED FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS. THAT IS NOT PUSHING IT THROUGH HASTILY.+
ASKED WHETHER HE WAS TRYING TO STOP MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM ATTENDING NATIONAL DAY RECEPTIONS GIVEN BY THE CONSULAR CORPS TO WHICH HE HAD BEEN INVITED, SIR EDWARD SAID ANY CONSUL GENERAL, OR ANYBODY, WAS QUITE FREE TO INVITE THE PRESS AS GUESTS.
♦ALL WE HAVE SAID IS THAT THERE IS A PLACE FOR HOLDING PRESS CONFERENCES — LIKE THIS — AND YOU HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT. I SEE YOU TWO OR THREE TIMES EVERY WEEK.
♦ALL WE HAVE SUGGESTED IS THAT WHEN WE ARE IN THE RECEPTION ROOM — FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OTHER GUESTS AND FOR THE DIGNITY CF THE OCCASION, BECAUSE IT IS A NATIONAL DAY — THAT I AM FREE TO WANDER AROUND AND TALK TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU, BUT AS GUESTS RATHER THAN WITH YOUR TAPE RECORDERS.
♦BECAUSE I LIKE TALKING TO YOU WITHOUT YOUR TAPE RECORDERS, AS MUCH AS I LIKE TALKING TO YOU WITH YOUR TAPE RECORDERS,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT THAT ACTIVITIES.
IT WAS NOT A CLAMPDOWN ON MEDIA
♦THIS IS A PERFECTLY NORMAL REMINDER TO PEOPLE. IN OTHER COUNTRIES, YOU DON’T FIND THE REPORTERS FOLLOWING WITH TELEVISION CAMERAS AND WITH TAPE RECORDERS IN SOCIAL OCCASIONS.
♦BUT HERE, SURELY, YOU DON’T LACK ANY OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO ME,+ HE SAID.
-----o------
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985
- 3 -
BUSY DAY FOR VISITING FCO OFFICIAL
*****
A TOUR OF ONE OF HONG KONG’S EARLIEST AND LARGEST PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ESTATES WHICH IS NOW BEING REDEVELOPED AND A VISIT TO THE SELF-CONTAINED PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN HIGHLIGHTED A BUSY DAY’S PROGRAMME TODAY (MONDAY) FOR PERMANENT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, SIR ANTONY ACLAND.
SIR ANTONY BEGAN THE THIRD DAY OF HIS FOUR-DAY HONG KONG VISIT WITH A BRIEFING IN THE MORNING BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, THE SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES), MR PETER WILLIAMS, AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR JOHN BOYD.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION AND A MEETING WITH THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR CHRISTIAN ADAMS, AND HIS STAFF.
SIR ANTONY, WHO ARRIVED ON SATURDAY, THEN PROCEEDED TO SWIRl HOUSE FOR A MEETING AND LUNCHEON WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
IN THE AFTERNOON, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SHAM .... I PO, MR T.K. TSE, HE WENT BY THE MTR TO SHAM SHU I PO.
FOLLOWING TEA WITH MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOA.;: , SIR ANTONY SAT IN TO HEAR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSSING THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING PILOT SCHEME WITH TRANSPORT BRANCH OFF ICIALS.
THE NEXT STOP IN THE BUSY PROGRAMME WAS A VISIT TO THE TwO HOUSING ESTATES. SIR ANTONY FIRST WENT TO THE LEI CHENG UK ESTATE WHERE HE MET THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE ESTATE, BUILT BETWEEN 1955 AND I960 ORIGINALLY HOUSED ABOUT 33 000 IN 19 BLOCKS OF FLATS. WITH OVERCROWDING A SERIOUS PROBLEM, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO REDEVELOP THE ESTATE IN FOUR STAGES.
SIR ANTONY SAW THE IMPROVEMENT IN AMENITIES THAT RESIDENTS OF ESTATE ARE NOW ENJOYING WITH THE FIRST PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT COMPLETED.
THE THREE NEW BLOCKS IN THE FIRST PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT NOW HOUSE 8 000 PEOPLE IN MORE SPACIOUS SURROUNDINGS. THE ESTATE HAb A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, COMPRISING A SUPERMARKET, A RESTAURANT, A BANK AND NUMEROUS SHOPS. THERE ARE ALSO CARPARKING FACILITIES AND WELFARE SERVICES SUCH AS A KINDERGARTEN, A NURSERY, AN ELDERLY CENTRE, A YOUTH CENTRE AND OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES.
/MR FUNG........
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985
4
MR FUNG TOLD SIR ANTONY THAT THE REMAINING THREE PHAStS EE COMPLETED BY 1992 AND 23 000 PEOPLE WOULD BE ACCOMMODATED 5 500 FLATS IN 10 BLOCKS.
WOULD
IN
FROM LEI CHENG UK SIR ANTONY MOVED ON TO CHING LAI COURT FOR A FIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE AREA. HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE EXTENSION OF THE KvuA I CHUNG CONTAINER PORT, AND SAw RECLAMATION OF LAI CHI KOK BA/ AND MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, WHICH HE THEN VISITED.
THE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE, COMPLETED IN 1978, HAS A POPULATION OF 70 000 IN ITS 99 BUILDINGS WHICH CONTAIN 13 HO FLATS.
AFTER HIS VISIT, SIR ANTONY SAID HE WAS MOST IMPRESSED BY WHAT HE SAW AND THAT THE TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENT IN HOUSING WAS A *WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT*.
SIR ANTONY WILL BE MEETING THE PRESS BRIEFLY AT KAI TAK AIRPORT TOMORROW AFTERNOON WHEN HE LEAVES FOR SHANGHAI, THE NEXT LEG OF HIb FAR EAST TOUR, WHICH WILL INCLUDE PEKING, TOKYO AND SEOUL.
-----o-----
HONG KONG NOW A WORLD PRINTING CENTRE, GOVERNOR SAYS ******
HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE MAIN CENTRES OF HIGH QUALITY PRINTING IN THE WORLD, AND THERE WAS A GROWING MARKET HERE FOR PRINTING EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OPENING THE WORLD PRINT CONGRESS III THIS MORNING, SIR EDWARD ALSO SAID THAT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE PRINTING INDUSTRY HAD ACHIEVED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL EXPORT GROWTH OF 23 PER CENT. IN ABSOLUTE TERMS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PRINTED MATTERS IN 1984 AMOUNTED TO $1 557 MILLION.
THE INDUSTRY RANKED SEVENTH IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AMONG INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, AND SERVED A LARGE MARKET, WHICH INCLUDED 65 NEWSPAPERS. 499 MAGAZINES AND PERIODICALS, AS WELL AS MEETING THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMERCIAL AND PACKAGING SECTORS, SIR EDWARD SAID.
+AND SO IT WILL BE EVIDENT TO ALL OF YOU THAT HONG KONG FINDS ITS PRINTING INDUSTRY A VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENT IN ITS ECONOMY,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
/THE holding........
MD..MY JUNE 10, 1985
- 5 .
THE HOLDING OF WORLD PRINT CONGRESS III IN HONG KONG WAS THEREFORE BOTH APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY, HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE CONGRESS SERVED AS A FOCAL POINT TO DRAW TOGETHER EXPERTS OF THE WORLD’S PRINTING INDUSTRIES, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THIS PROVIDED +AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR SHARING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.*
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN CHOSEN AS THE VENUE FOR THE EVENT, AND CONGRATULATED THE ORGANISERS AND ALL THOSE TAKING PART IN IT.
--------0 ---------
PERSONAL TOUCH IN VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE
* * * * *
STAFF OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (MONDAY) APPLIED THE PERSONAL TOUCH TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO REGISTER AS VOTERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION IN SEPTEMBER.
DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF IN THE 19 DISTRICTS VISITED SCHOOLS TO DISTRIBUTE REGISTRATION FORMS TO THE TEACHERS.
THE EXERCISE IS PART OF A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURaGE MEMBERS OF VARIOUS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
+ IN VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION, EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO REGISTER AND TO VOTE,* A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID.
+A TOTAL OF 25 464 TEACHERS REGISTERED AS VOTERS IN THE TEACHING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES DURING THE FIRST REGISTRATION PERIOD IN APRIL AND MAY,* HE ADDED.
+THIS REPRESENTS ABOUT 47 PER CENT OF THE 53 500 TEACHERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AND VOTE,* HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, POSTERS HAVE BEEN PUT UP IN ALL 19 DISTRICTS REMINDING ELIGIBLE VOTERS THAT THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD RUNS FROM JUNE 21 TO JULY 1.
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR MEMBERS OF ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
- - - - 0 ----------
MONDA . JUNE 10, 1985
6
NEW CONCEPT FOR ANTI-LITTER CAMPAIGN * * * *
+EVERYBODY LOVES A CLEAN HONG KONG+ IS THE THEME AND SLOGAN FOR THE NEW KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE.
THE ’EYES’ LOGO AND THE SLOGAN - +HONG KONG IS WATCHING*, WHICH CAME INTO USE IN 1981, WILL NOW GIVE WAY TO A MORE POSITIVE APPROACH.
ACCORDING TO MR SULKE, THE PRIDE CONCEPT IS MORE IN TUNE WITH THE HEIGHTENED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CLEANLINESS IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THAT, WHILE THE LITTERBUG WOULD NOT BE LET OFF THE HOOK, THE NEW DRIVE, SUPPLEMENTED BY PUBLICITY EFFORTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WOULD BE AN ENTHUSIASM-GENERATING AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING CAMPAIGN.
MR SULKE SAID THAT THE NEW SLOGAN COULD BE APPLIED TO A BROAD RANGE OF TOPICS COVERED BY THE CAMPAIGN WITH FLEXIBLE ADAPTATIONS, SUCH AS +EVERYBODY LOVES A CLEAN BEACH* IN SUMMER, AND +EVERYBODY LOVES A CLEAN BUILDING* AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT A NEW THEME SONG WOULD BE COMPOSED FOR THE NEW CAMPAIGN. IT WOULD BE RECORDED BY WELL-KNOWN POP-SINGER ALAN TAM, WITH MUSIC BY JOSEPH KOO AND LYRICS BY PETER LAI.
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER, MRS MARGARET LI, SHARED THE HONOUR OF LAUNCHING THE CAMPAIGN WITH MR SULKE.
ANTI-LITTER DRIVE GATHERS MOMENTUM * * * *
URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANTI-LITTER DRIVE AT ^/™™L?EACHES KEPT UP ITS momentum OVER THE WEEKEND PTM Se'e^Id” bei"g chargeo’ compared “'yh
JHE 31 SUMMONSES WERE SERVED ON LITTERERS AT SEVERAL S;SSEHUM'KOKLUmGs!EEKP%?E BAY’ “ATER B‘Y’ ST4NLEY-
/♦THE INCREASE........
MOftj.. UNE 10, 1985
- 7 -
+THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SUMMONSES DOES NOT MEAN THAT OUR BEACHES ARE DIRTIER,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID. +IN FACT, ALL OUR BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND ARE NOW TAKING ON A MUCH CLEANER LOOK AS A RESULT OF THE HARD WORK OF OUR CLEANSING STAFF AND LONGER WORKING HOURS, PARTICULARLY OVER THE WEEKENDS AND DURING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.+
HE STRESSED THAT THE ANTI-LITTER AND ANTI-NOISE PATROLS WOULD BE STRENGTHENED DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SWIMMING SEASON TO ENSURE THE BEACHES ARE CLEAN AND RELATIVELY QUIET.
--------0 _ - _ -
FUN AND GAMES TO MARK QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ******
A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, WHICH IS TO BE OBSERVED ON JUNE 15 (SATURDAY).
FOLLOWING A DECISION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT THIS YEAR’S QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY SHOULD FALL ON THE THIRD SATURDAY IN JUNE, THE BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY WILL NOW BE ON JUNE 15 AND THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (JUNE 17) WILL ALSO BE A HOLIDAY.
THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS START ON THURSDAY (JUNE 13) WITH A RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE WILL HOST THIS ANNUAL AFFAIR WHICH WILL BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 550 GUESTS.
THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES ON JUNE 15 (SATURDAY) WITH SOME 60 FUN AND SPORTS EVENTS BEING HELD IN THE TERRITORY’S 19 DISTRICTS. THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND CO-ORDINATED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE DIVISION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
PAMPHLETS LISTING OUT THE PROGRAMMES TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, YOUNG AND OLD, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN EVENTS BEING HELD AT MORE THAN 30 VENUES. IN THE URBAN AREA, MORSE PARK, LAI CHI KOK AND ABERDEEN ARE THE THREE MAIN VENUES.
/SIB EDWABD .......
; tIDi JUNE 10, 1985
- 8
SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HOWARD YOUNG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, WILL ATTEND THE EVENTS AT MORSE PARK AT 9.30 AM.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE WILL WATCH A CHINESE DANCE PERFORMANCE, TOUR VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PARK TO SEE FUN GAMES FOR CHILDREN. FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS AND PARACHUTE PERFORMANCE. LATER, THE GOVERNOR WILL BE INVITED TO START THE +ROUND-THE-PARK OBSTACLE RACE + IN THE GRASS SOCCER PITCH.
ON THE SAME DAY, A SPECIAL SPORTING EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE KAI TAK EAST INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE.
IN KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK AND SHAM SHU I PO RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE PART IN A 10-EVENT PROGRAMME TO BE HELD AT THE LAI CHI KOK PARK. THESE INCLUDE SWIMMING COMPETITIONS FOR BABIES AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, TABLE-TENNIS MATCHES AND A SPECIAL SWIMMING GALA.
URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR FAN KAM-PING, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR FOR THIS OCCASION.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR NATHAN MA, AND THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, WILL JOIN IN THE FUN AT WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND IN KWAI CHUNG. THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES A PERFORMANCE BY AN ARMY BAND.
AT MORE THAN 20 OTHER VENUES IN THE NINE DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THE ELDERLY AND THE VERY YOUNG WILL BE KEPT AMUSED BY DANCING GROUPS, THE ARMY AND POLICE BANDS, GYMNASTIC DEMONSTRATIONS, FIELD GAMES AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF AQUATIC ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WINDSURFING, SAILING AND CANOEING.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR JOSEPH CHAN, WILL JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION TO BE HELD AT THE ABERDEEN INDOOR GAMES HALL, AT WHICH NINE EVENTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED. THESE INCLUDE A MINI-SOCCER MATCH AND SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE ELDERLY, SPORTS GAMES FOR THE FAMILY, DANCE FOR ALL, TABLE-TENNIS AND BADMINTON COMPETITIONS.
ALSO ON THE ISLAND, A SWIM-IN WILL BE HELD AT THE PAU YUE KONG SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN THE AFTERNOON.
0 --------
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985
9 -
TRAINING FOR OFFENDERS IMPRESSES THAI GROUP * * * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN TELEVISION AND RADIO REPAIR WORK IS IMPRESSIVE AND A SIMILAR TRAINING PROGRAMME MAY BE SET UP FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS IN THAILAND, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THAILAND’S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, f*R SNIT RUJINARONG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING DURING A VISIT TO STANLEY PRISON, MR SNIT SAID THE INDUSTRIAL SETTING AT THE PRISON WAS COMPARABLE WITH FACTORIES OUTSIDE.
MR SNIT, WHO ALSO TALKED TO SOME THAI PRISONERS HELD THERE, AND THE DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THAILAND’S MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, MR CHARN KANCHANAKPAN, ARE CURRENTLY ON A SIX-DAY STUDY TOUR IN HONG KONG.
THE TOUR IS AIMED AT SEEING THE CSD’S DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAMME AS WELL AS THE VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES PROVIDED IN HONG KONG FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
DURING THE STUDY TOUR, THE 12-MEMBER PARTY COMPRISING SENIOR THAI CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS, ALSO VISITED THE SHEK PIK PRISON SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE, HEI LING CHAU DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE LAI SUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN, TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUT Ou, NEW LIFE HOUSE, TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND THE STAFr
TRAINING INSTITUTE.
THE PARTY WILL BE LEAVING FOR BANGKOK TOMORROW EVENING.
-------o----------
MORE VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
*****
NINETY NEW RECRUITS ARE BEING SOUGHT TO STRENGTHEN THE RANKS CF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS), WHICH NOW HAS A FORCE OF ABOUT 1 000.
THEY MUST BE AT LEAST 17-1/2 YEARS OLD, WITH SECONDARY EDUCATION, GOOD PHYSIQUE AND INITIATIVE.
THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE A REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH AND REGULAR CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG, AND MUST OBTAIN THE CONSENT OF THEIR EMPLOYERS.
/the hbchuits .......
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1985
10 -
THE RECRUITS WOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO DEVELOP CHARACTER, SELF-RELIANCE AND A SENSE OF CITIZENSHIP, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIMENT SAID.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL UNDERGO SIX MONTHS TRAINING, MOSTLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, LEARNING BASIC MILITARY SKILLS, MAP READING, WEAPONS HANDLING, RADIO OPERATION AND FIRST AID.
THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE PAY, AND BE PROVIDED WITH MEALS DURING THE TRAINING PERIOD, PLUS AN ANNUAL BOUNTY FOR GOOD ATTENDANCE AND
PERFORMANCE.
AFTER TRAINING, THE NEW RECRUITS WILL HELP THE POLICE AND THE REGULAR ARMY IN PERFORMING INTERNAL SECURITY DUTIES.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY, AND MUbT BE RETURNED TO THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS BY JUNE 24.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE REGIMENT’S RECRUITING OFFICER AT 5-7952038.
-------o - - - -
NEW BASKETBALL COURT FOR ISLANDERS
* * * X
A NEW BASKETBALL COURT FOR RESIDENTS OF YUNG SHUE WAN ON LAMMA NORTH WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP.
FUNDED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, THE BASKETBALL COURT WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $190 000 AS ONE OF MANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, ENDORSED BY THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.
A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID THE BASKETBALL COURT WILL BOOST RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE ISLANDS’ SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
-----o-----
MONDAY, jUNE 10, 1985
11
SEMINAR ON SAFETY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION * * * *
SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION ON JUNE 29.
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT REMINDING PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, WILL BE HELD AT THE LECTURE THEATRE OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE THEIR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION), PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SEVENTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON BEFORE JUNE 15 (SATURDAY).
BETTER ACCESS FOR MA CHAI HANG, CHUK YUEN * * * *
A NETWORK OF ROADS WILL BE BUILT TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO MA CHAI HANG AND CHUK YUEN AREAS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A MINI ROUNDABOUT ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF FUNG MO INTERCHANGE WITH REALIGNMENT OF EXISTING ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
AMENITY PLANTING ON TRAFFIC ISLANDS AND THE ROUNDABOUT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ON COMPLETION THE ROUNDABOUT WOULD PROVIDE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MA CHAI HANG AND CHUK YUEN AREAS AND THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND ALSO FUNG MO STREET FLYOVER.
+IT WILL ALSO ALLOW THE JUNCTION OF WONG TAI SIN AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO BE CLOSED EVENTUALLY, SUBSEQUENTLY REMOVING A POTENTIAL TRAFFIC HAZARD,+ HE SAID.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
- 0 - -
/12 .
MONDAY, JiNE 10, 1985
- 12 -
TENDERS INVITED TO OPERATE GENERAL RESTAURANT
* * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS INVITING TENDERS TO OPERATE A GENERAL RESTAURANT AT THE SHAM SHU I PO SwIMMING POOL COMPLEX WHICH IS DUE TO OPEN IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE POOL IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF TONKIN STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD, NEXT TO THE SHAM SHU I PO PARK.
SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE GIVEN A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1985. THE UPSET RENT FOR THE GENERAL RESTAURANT IS $2 500 PER MONTH.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE), 55, UN CHAU STREET, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE AND PLACED BY HAND IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECEPTION COUNTER, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, BEFORE
9 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1985. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
LAMMA WATER MAINS WORK
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES ON LAMMA ISLAND WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 13) FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT HUNG SHING YE WAN, INCLUDING LAMMA ISLAND POLICE POST, AND ALL PREMISES AT SOK KWU WAN, INCLUDING LAMMA ROCK COMPANY.
-----o-----
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
XXX
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 55.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 326.895 MILLION CUBIC NETRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 432.433 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 73.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UK WELCOMES HK PEOPLE'S PART IN BASIC LAW DRAFTING .......... 1
11 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON 'POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL' ..... 2
APPROVAL BEING SOUGHT FOR MTR EQUITY INJECTION .............. 3
FRANCE URGED TC REMOVE TRADE RESTRICTIONS.................... 5
TEXTILE QUOTA TRANSFER RULES REVISED ........................ 6
BUSINESS AS USUAL ........................................... 7
SUSPENSION LIFTED ........................................... 8
EK PLANS ROLE IN CANADIAN EXPOSITION ........................ 8
JANUARY-APRIL EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED ........... 9
MY WAS WARMER THAN USUAL .................................... 17
UC LUNCH FOR XINHUA NEWS AGENCY DIRECTOR..................... 19
COUNCIL FULLY CONSULTED ON CULTURAL CENTRE DESIGN ........... 20
SCENTED GARDENS UNDER PLANNING FOR BLIND..................... 22
' SMILE A BIT MORE' , SAYS CHEONG-LEEN ...................... 22
DETAILS ON LEGIONNAIRE'S DISEASE BEING SOUGHT ............... 24
USD REVIEWS HAWKER CONTROL MEASURES ......................... 24
JUNK REMOVAL IN SQUATTER CLEARANCES +ACCEPTABLEF ............ 26
SIX WAYS TO MEET TRANSPORT NEEDS OF DISABLED ................ 27
NEW POLICE STATION FOR SHA TIN .............................. 29
REMINDER ON FLOATING HOLIDAYS ............................... 29
CHILDREN URGED TO GIVE TIME TO COMMUNITY .................... 30
SEMINAR ON MUSIC ACTIVITIES HI KINDERGARTENS................. 31
TIN SHUT WAI ROAD LINK TO BE BUILT .......................... 31
HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS FOR RSD LIBRARIES ..................... 32
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PART-TIME MUSICIANS ................... 32
NEW SITTING-OUT AREA AND RCP FOR ABERDEEN ................... 33
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR THE ISLAND .............................. 34
KOWLOON BAY PLB BAN ......................................... 34
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 198c>
1 "
UK WELCOMES HK PEOPLE’S PART IN BASIC LAW DRAFTING *****
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE PARTICIPATION OF RESPONSIBLE AND REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG IN THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE, THE PERMANENT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, SIR ANTONY ACLAND, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR SHANGHAI, SIR ANTONY SAID ALTHOUGH HE HAD NOT DISCUSSED THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE IN ANY DETAIL DURING HIS VISIT, HE WELCOMED THE FACT THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE DRAFTING PROCESS.
t-WE ATTACH A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO THAT,+ HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, SIR ANTONY SAID THAT THE SUBJECT OF FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM JULY 22 TO 25 IN LONDON, HAD BEEN RAISED WITH HIM DURING HIS VISIT.
+1 KNOW THERE IS SOME CONCERN ABOUT PEOPLE HERE BEING INFORMED CF THE DELIBERATIONS, AND THAT WILL HAVE TO BE THOUGHT ABOUT. I WILL REPRESENT THE VIEWS ON THAT AND OTHER SUBJECTS THAT I HAVE HEARD DURING MY VISIT HERE TO THE AUTHORITIES IN LONDON,+ HE SAID.
ASKED FOR HIS VIEW ON CLOSED CAMPS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, SIR ANTONY SAID NOBODY IN HONG KONG WHOM HE HAD TALKED TO WELCOMED THE CONCEPT OF CLOSED CAMPS.
+BUT I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE CARE AND THOUGHT WHICH HAS GONE INTO LOOKING AFTER THE REFUGEES THERE, IN PROVIDING EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND FOOD AND TOYS FOR THE CHILDREN.
+OBVIOUSLY A GREAT DEAL OF CARE IS TAKEN OVER THE REFUGEES HERE, BUT IT IS SAD THAT THEY HAVE TO BE CLOSED IN.+
ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD BE ADDING HIS VOICE TO PERSUADE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO TAKE MORE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG, HE SAID HE WOULD BE REPORTING THE VIEWS THAT HE HAD HEARD HERE.
+IT IS SOMETHING WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED IN LONDON.
♦WHEN SIR S.Y. CHUNG AND OTHERS WERE IN LONDON THE OTHER DAY, THEY MADE THEIR VIEWS VERY CLEAR TO MR RICHARD LUCE, THE MINISTER CF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFF ICE,+ HE SAID.
ASKED FOR HIS VIEW ON DISTRICT BOARDS IN ACTION, SIR ANTONY SAID IT WAS A GOOD AND DYNAMIC PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WITH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TAKING PART.
/+! WAS........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
2
+l WAS IMPRESSED BY THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION THERE.*
RECOUNTING DETAILS OF HIS VISITS DURING THE PAST THREE DAYS — HIS FIRST IN 13 YEARS — SIR ANTONY SAID IT HAD GIVEN HIM A GOOD PICTURE OF HONG KONG.
+1 AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BROUGHT UP-TO-DATE MY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT PLACE, WHICH IS STILL A PLACE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE AND HIGH PRIORITY BOTH FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND OF COURSE FOR THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
+1 AM ENORMOUSLY IMPRESSED BY THE CONFIDENCE AND THE PROSPERITY AND THE IMAGINATIVE DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE,* HE SAID.
SIR ANTONY SAID HE WAS GOING TO SHANGHAI TO PERFORM THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONSULATE THERE.
+AND OF COURSE THE OPENING OF THE CONSULATE SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE ATTACH TO DEVELOPING OUR RELATIONS WITH THE CHINESE PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC, AND IN PARTICULAR THAT AREA OF CHINA,* HE SAID.
SIR ANTONY WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE AIDE-DE-CAMP
TO THE GOVERNOR, SUPERINTENDENT PAUL COLLIER, AND THE SENIOR BRITloH TRADE COMMISSIONER,.MR CHRISTIAN ADAMS.
0 - - - -
11 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON ’POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL’
******
ELEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE SPEAKING WHEN DEBATE RESUME TOMORROW ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985.
DEBATE WILL ALSO RESUME ON THREE BILLS PRIOR TO FINAL READING. THESE AREs
* EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985;
* LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 5 AND
* BILLS OF SALE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
THE FOLLOWING FOUR NEW BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED :
H FOREIGN JUDGMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985}
* DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) BILL 1985}
* MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985} AND
* WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985.
ANOTHER BILL THE PUBLIC BODIES (CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTED MEMBERS) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1985, SEEKING TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF AN URBAN COUNCILLOR AND FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR ALL THREE READINGS.
IN ADDITION, UNOFFICIALS WILL BE ASKING NINE QUESTIONS DEALING WITH SUCH MATTERS AS THE PROGRESS MADE IN DEVELOPING HIGH TECHNOLOGY FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, GOVERNMENT’S POSITION REGARDING THE FORMATION OF A MEDIA COUNCIL, CONTROLS ON HAZARDOUS INSECTICIDE AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF FIL IP INA DOMESTIC HELPERS.
A STATEMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE BY THE HON S.L. CHEN ON THE REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP 1984.
-----o------
APPROVAL BEING SOUGHT FOR MTR EQUITY INJECTION * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED IN A FORTNIGHT’S TIME TO ACCEPT A FIRM FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OF $2 500 MILLION IN EQUITY INJECTIONS TO BE PAID INTO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IN 1985-86 AND 1987-88, TOGETHER WITH A FURTHER POSSIBLE COMMITMENT OF UP TO $2 500 MILLION ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1989.
FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $1 500 MILLION OF THE INITIAL $2 500 MILLION FOR TRANSFER TO THE MASS TRANSIT FUND DURING THIS CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR SO THAT THE FIRST PART OF THE EQUITY INJECTION CAN BE MADE. THE REMAINING 51 000 MILLION WOULD BE PAID IN 1987-88.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE MOVE WAS A REAFFIRMATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO THE MTRC.
+REVENUE IN THE FORM OF EXTRAORDINARY PROFITS FROM LAND SALES MADE BEFORE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT IS BEING USED TO BUILD UP THE CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
/the rechit.......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
THE RECENT IMPROVEMENT IN LAMD PRICES COUPLED WITH PAYMENTS FOR LAND PURCHASES IN CASH, RATHER THAN LETTERS ’B’, HAS RESULTED IN AN UNEXPECTED FLUSH OF LAND REVENUE.
EVEN ON CONSERVATIVE PROJECTIONS, HE SAID, THE ESTIMATE OF LAND REVENUE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET IS NOW LIKELY TO BE EXCEEDED BY AT LEAST $1 6OO MILLION.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED INJECTION WOULD NOT AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGETARY SITUATION.
+THE BUDGET OUTTURN FOR 1985-86 WILL NOT, THEREFORE, BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED,+ HE SAID.
WHILE THE TOTAL INJECTION FIGURE IS $5 000 MILLION, ONLY HALF IS TO BE FULLY COMMITTED IN ADVANCE. INJECTION OF THE REMAINDER WILL DEPEND ON FUTURE INTEREST RATES AND THE MTRC’S ACTUAL REVENUE RECEIPTS.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS WHICH AFFECTED THE MTRC’S PROFITABILITY, HE SAID, WAS CHANGES IN INTEREST COSTS.
+A MOVEMENT OF ONE PER CENT A YEAR IN FLOATING RATE COSTS WOULD VARY THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL PROFITS BY WELL IN EXCESS OF 3100 MILLION,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FURTHER SUPPORT FOR THE MTRC WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SHORTFALLS IN ANTICIPATED PATRONAGE AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT.
PATRONAGE AND REVENUE HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF EARLIER PREDICTIONS PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE BUSES OPERATING ON ROADS WHICH BECAME LESS CONGESTED AFTER THE MTR COMMENCED OPERATING HAVE TRIPLED THEIR CARRYINGS OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, AND MTR FARES HAVE BEEN INCREASED LESS RAPIDLY THAN FORECAST.
THE 1984 REVENUE SHORTFALL, COMPARED WITH PREDICTIONS MADE IN 1977, WAS 37 PER CENT AND THE AGGREGATE SHORTFALL SINCE THE MTR FIRST STARTED CARRYING PASSENGERS AMOUNTED TO NEARLY $1 000 MILLION.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT UP TO THE END OF LAST YEAR PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ISLAND LINE HAD YIELDED MUCH LESS THAN FORECAST IN 1980. EVEN WITH RECENT IMPROVEMENT IN LAND PRICES INCOME IS LIKELY TO FALL SHORT OF PROJECTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSALS FOR THE ADDITIONAL INJECTION OF EQUITY WERE ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY), AND WOULD BE PUT TO THE OPEN SESSION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 26.
/HE SAID: .........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 5 -
HE SAID: +IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS NEW SUPPORT WILL ENSURE THAT THE MTRC MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY WHICH IT HAS ALWAYS ENJOYED.+
BASED ON A PASSENGERS-PER-ROUTE KILOMETER MEASURE, THE MTR IS THE MOST DENSELY UTILISED URBAN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IN THE WORLD, HE SAID.
IT WAS THE ONLY MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM WHOSE UNSUBSIDISED FARE REVENUES WERE SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL COSTS, INCLUDING DEPRECIATION, PLUS A USEFUL OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN.
-----o-----
FRANCE URGED TO REMOVE TRADE RESTRICTIONS
* M * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED FRENCH BUSINESSMEN TO REFLECT TO THEIR GOVERNMENT THE IMPORTANCE HONG KONG ATTACHES TO THE REMOVAL OF ALL RESIDUAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS PRODUCTS.
HE SAID THE REMOVAL OF RESIDUAL AND DISCRIMINATORY RESTRICTIONS AGAINST HONG KONG COULD ONLY INCREASE THE FUND OF GOODWILL FOR FRANCE, AND SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO EVEN MORE BUSINESS.
MR HO MADE THESE REMARKS WHEN HE ADDRESSED A GROUP OF FRENCH BUSINESSMEN AT A DINNER MEETING ORGANISED BY THE FRENCH TRADE COMMISSIONER AT THE REGAL MERIDIAN HOTEL.
MR HO SA IDs +HONG KONG LIVES ON TRADE AND OBSERVES SCRUPULOUSLY THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), INCLUDING THE PROHIBITION OF QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS ON IMPORTS. IT IS THEREFORE DISHEARTENING TO SEE THAT SOME OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS ARE NOT RECIPROCATING OUR FREE TRADE PRACTICES.+
HONG KONG’S THREE MAJOR EXPORTS TO FRANCE ARE CLOTHING, WATCHES AND TOYS, ALL SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.
ON CLOTHING, MR HO SAID HE HAD RECENTLY VISITED A NUMBER OF EUROPEAN CAPITALS INCLUDING PARIS AND HAD URGED MINISTERS THERE TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE OPTION OF FULL LIBERALISATION WHEN THE MFA EXPIRES IN JULY NEXT YEAR.
ON WATCHES, MR HO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF DIGITAL WATCHES TO FRANCE HAD BEEN INCREASING UNTIL 1981 WHEN THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IMPOSED A QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTION ON THESE PRODUCTS CONTRARY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE GATT.
/HE SAID........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 19©5
6
HE SAID THE RESTRICTION ON HONG KONG ANALOGUE QUARTZ WATCHES WAS REMOVED LAST YEAR WHILE THE RESTRICTION ON IMPORTS OF HONG KONG DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCHES WAS REPLACED BY A GLOBAL QUOTA COVERING ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS.
+THESE RESTRICTIONS PERHAPS EXPLAIN THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF DIGITAL WATCHES TO THE WORLD HAVE INCREASED BY 56 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 224 PER CENT IN QUANTITY, BETWEEN 1933 AND 1984, THOSE TO FRANCE DECLINED BY 78 PER CENT AND 55 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
+ INCI DENTALLY, THERE IS AN INTERESTING PIECE OF STATISTICSi HONG KONG WAS THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORT MARKET FOR FRENCH CLOCK AND WATCH PARTS IN 1983,+ MR HO SAID.
NOTING THAT TOYS FROM HONG KONG HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTION BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AS EARLY AS 1957, MR HO SAID THESE RESTRICTIONS WERE NOT JUSTIFIED UNDER THE GATT AND HAD BEEN A CAUSE OF CONCERN TO HONG KONG.
+WE WERE SLIGHTLY PLEASED WHEN THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT DECIDED LAST YEAR TO LIBERALISE SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS. BUT THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY UNDERTAKEN TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTION ON TOYS BY 1987 AND HAS SET NO DATE FOR RADIO RECEIVERS, ANOTHER RESTRICTED PRODUCT FROM HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT FRANCE WAS HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE SUPPLIER OF BRANDY, WINES, PERFUMES AND COSMETICS AND A MAJOR SUPPLIER IN HANDBAGS, FASHION CLOTHING, FURSKINS, ELECTRIC TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT AND HELICOPTERS. AND TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES HAD INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY SEVEN TIMES DURING THE PAST DECADE, WITH THE BALANCE IN FRANCE’S FAVOUR, NINE OUT OF TEN YEARS.
-----o------
TEXTILE QUOTA TRANSFER RULES REVISED
* * * *
A MAJOR REVISION OF THE QUOTA TRANSFER RULES WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED THE REVISION, WHICH HAD ALSO RECEIVED THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.
THE REVISED RULES PROVIDE THAT;
(A) THE AMOUNT OF A QUOTA WHICH A HOLDER CAN TRANSFER OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE BEFORE A REDUCTION IN HIS QUOTA IS TRIGGERED IS REDUCED FROM 50 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT.
/(B) THE NEW..........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
(B) THE NEW PERCENTAGE WILL APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES OR TO GROUPS AVERAGING THREE OR FOUR CATEGORIES. AT PRESENT ALL GARMENT CATEGORIES ARE IN ONE GROUP AND ALL NON-GARMENT CATEGORIES IN ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE, THE USA PREVIOUSLY HAD ONLY TWO GROUPS - NOW IT WILL HAVE 15.
(C) THE REVISED RULES WILL BE APPLIED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, INSTEAD OF TWO-YEARLY AS AT PRESENT.
(D) TEMPORARY TRANSFERS-OUT WILL BE CALCULATED ON A GROSS BASIS. TEMPORARY TRANSFERS-IN OF QUOTA WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO BE OFFSET AGAINST TRANSFERS-OUT.
IN ORDER TO GIVE SUFFICIENT NOTICE TO THE TRADE, THE REVISED RULES WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE START OF THE 1986 TEXTILES YEAR. DATES OF INTRODUCTION FOR VARIOUS RESTRAINED MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
USA, CANADA, EEC AND FINLAND JANUARY 1, 1986
AUSTRIA FEBRUARY 1, 1986
NORWAY JULY 1, 1986
SWEDEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1986
THE REVISION HAS BEEN MADE AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF
THE MANY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE IN RESPONSE TO A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER 1984, SAID THE SPOKESMAN. THE ADVICE OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD HAD ALSO BEEN SOUGHT.
♦THE REVISED RULES AIM TO CURB EXCESSES OF QUOTA TRANSFERS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RETAINING THE FLEXIBILITY GENUINELY NEEDED BY THE TRADE IN THE USE OF QUOTA,+ HE SAID.
A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE REVISED RULES TO THE TRADE IS BEING ISSUED.
- o---- •-----------i I
BUSINESS AS USUAL X * *
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, AS THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT OTB ASSURANCE LIMITED, WHOSE MAJOR SHAREHOLDER IS THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED (48%) WHICH HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN OVER BY GOVERNMENT, IS CONTINUING WITH ITS BUSINESS IN THE NORMAL WAY.
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
8
SUSPENSION LIFTED
XXX
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT THE SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION OF O.T.B. FINANCE LIMITED AND EXPRESS FINANCE AND INVESTMENT LIMITED UNDER SECTION 45 OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE CEASED YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
-----o------
HK PLANS ROLE IN CANADIAN EXPOSITION * * * *
HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD EXPOSITION IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, NEXT YEAR WILL BE ONE OF THE SUBJECTS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE A COMMITMENT OF UP TO S3 MILLION TO MEET THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION FOR HONG KONG TO TAKE PART IN THE EXPOSITION.
THE TOTAL COST FOR HONG KONG IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $10 MILLION, AND PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT AT LEAST $7 MILLION WILL BE RAISED THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR SPONSORSHIP.
EXPO 86 WILL BE HELD IN VANCOUVER FROM MAY 2 TO OCTOBER 13 NEXT YEAR, AND IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT SOME 14 MILLION VISITORS. THIRTY-FIVE NATIONS, INCLUDING HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND REGIONAL COMPETITORS, ARE ALREADY COMMITTED TO TAKING PART.
THE THEME OF THE EXPOSITION WILL BE TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION.
IT WILL PROVIDE A USEFUL AND TIMELY OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A VIABLE AND PROSPEROUS TERRITORY, AND AS THE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS AND FINANCE.
ITS ORGANISERS HAVE RESERVED A 500-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN A CENTRAL LOCATION FOR HONG KONG.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A LEAD AND TO ENCOURAGE THE CONTINUED INTEREST OF ORGANISATIONS ALREADY INVOLVED AND THOSE THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO COMMIT A SUM NOT EXCEEDING S3 MILLION TOWARDS THE PROJECT, SUBJECT TO THE DIFFERENCE BEING MADE UP BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/OTHER TOPICS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 9 -
OTHER TOPICS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
TOMORROW INCLUDE:
* SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION,
* A NEW FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR THE AIRPORT,
X INCREASED COMMITMENT AND A NEW CAPITAL SUBVENTION FOR THE POK Ol HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME,
* INCREASED COMMITMENT TO VALIDATE 17 NEW DEGREE COURSES AT THE POLYTECHNICS AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE,
* NEW AND INCREASED COMMITMENTS FOR BUILDING PROGRAMMES AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE,
* THE SUPPLY OF STORES TO THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY,
X INCREASED COMMITMENTS FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO COMMERCIAL CRIMES,
* CAPITAL GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND FOR A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE BLIND, A SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND MULTI-HANDICAPPED ADULTS, A SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS, AND A WORK ACTIVITY CENTRE AND HOSTEL FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS,
* INCREASED RATES OF EX-GRATIA DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCES FOR CULTIVATORS AND MAR ICULTUR I STS, AND
X CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1984-85.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE AT TOMORROW’S MEETING.
- - - - 0----------
JANUARY-APRIL EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED X X X X X X
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY-APRIL 1985, VALUED AT $147 407 MILLION, INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT COMPARED WITH TRADE FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1984, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT TO $38 635 MILLION, RE-EXPORTS BY 47 PER CENT TO $34 973 MILLION AND IMPORTS BY 10 PER CENT TO $73 798 MILLION.
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
10 -
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1985 WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. DECREASED BY THREE PER CENT. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $535 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $385 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $561 MILLION OR NINE PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $42 MILLION OR FIVE PER CENT), AND POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY $33 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO CHINA INCREASED RAPIDLY IN VALUE, PARTICULARLY OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $767 MILLION OR 1 660 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $539 MILLION OR 145 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $296 MILLION OR 202 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $101 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT) AND FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (BY $16 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $112 MILLION OR NINE PER CENT) AND TEXTILES (BY $83 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $80 MILLION OR 101 PER CENT), SANITARY, PLUMBING, HEATING AND LIGHTING FIXTURES AND FITTINGS (BY $3 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (BY $3 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $446 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $91 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), AS DID DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO JAPAN (BY $44 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY OF METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $47 MILLION OR 359 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $29 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF TEXTILES (BY $15 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT).
I /IMPOSTS .........
f
/
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
11 -
IMPORTS
DEMAND FOR GOODS IMPORTED FROM JAPAN INCREASED IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1935 COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1 197 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT), ROAD VEHICLES (INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $733 MILLION OR 78 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $665 MILLION OR 122 PER CENT), MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $238 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT) AND POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY $100 MILLION OR 122 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $232 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT) AND MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $135 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA, LARGE DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $927 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT) AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $165 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $136 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING (BY $160 MILLION OR SIX PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $212 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $132 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT), AND MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $67 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD AND AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $465 MILLION OR 82 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $301 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT).
MEANWHILE, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $565 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $258 MILLION OR 237 PER CENT). HOWEVER, IMPORTS OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT FROM TAIWAN DECREASED (BY $25 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT), AS DID IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS FROM SINGAPORE (BY $150 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT).
/RE-EXPORTS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1?85
- 12 -
RE-EXPORTS
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $10 031 MILLION OR 158 PER CENT), U.S.A. (BY $788 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT), JAPAN (BY $404 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT) MACAU (BY $192 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), ITALY (BY $85 MILLION OR 105 PER CENT), PHILIPPINES (BY $76 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT), FRANCE (BY $68 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY $62 MILLION OR SIX PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (BY $368 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (BY $259 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2 039 MILLION OR 221 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 342 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1 278 MILLION OR 216 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $1 056 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $124 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (NOT INCLUDING UNMILLED CEREALS) (BY $58 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT) AND FERTILIZERS MANUFACTURED (BY $64 MILLION OR 95 PER CENT).
(RELEVANT TABLES ARE SET OUT BELOW)
THE APRIL 1985 ISSUE OF THE + HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $5 PER COPY. A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN APRIL 1985 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY JULY 1985 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $13 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-214375). ENQUIRIES CONCERING TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-444436).
FOLLOWING ARE THE TABLES:
/TABLE 1; .......
TUKJLAY, JUuij£ I iy .’35
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-APR 1985 (S MN) J AN-APR 1984 (S MN) INCREASE^)/ DECREASE(-) (t MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
U.S.A. 16 180 16 734 - 555 - 3
CHINA 5 331 2 743 +2 583 + 94
U.K. 2 516 2 880 - 365 - 13
F.R. OF GERMANY 2 313 2 905 - 592 - 20
JAP AN 1 362 1 427 - 65 - 5
CANADA 1 159 1 223 - 64 - 5
AUSTRALI A 1 083 1 137 - 55 - 5
SINGAPORE 728 841 - 113 - 13
NETHERLANDS 672 713 41 - 6
FRANCE 512 529 - 17 - 3
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS > BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
JAN-APR J AN-APR INCREASE^)/ PERCENTAGE
COMMODI TY 1985 1984 DECREASE(-) CHANGE
DIVISION (S MN) (S MN) (S MN) (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 12 664 12 734 - 70 - 1
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS, JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES AND PLASTIC ARTICLES) 5 683 5 509 + 173 + 3
/electrical machinery,
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 14 -
ELECTRI CAL 3 441 3 400 + 41 + 1
MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLI ANCES (MAINLY HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLI ANCES AND SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED Cl RCUITS) PHOTOGRAPHI C 2 969 2 912 + 57 4- 2
APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS TELECOMMUNI CATIONS 2 941 3 037 - 196 - 6
AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT OFFICE MACHINES 2 645 2 521 + 124 + 5
AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES
J AN-APR J AN-APR INCREASE^)/ PERCENTAGE
MAJOR 1985 1994 DECREASE(-) CHANGE
SOURCE (« MN) (« MN) ($ MN) (%)
JAP AN 19 513 15 506 +3 006 ♦ 19
CHINA 16 599 17 151 - 551 - 3
U.S.A. 7 386 7 302 + 94 + 1
Taiwan 6 990 4 924 + 2 066 + 42
SINGAPORE 3 740 3 606 + 134 + 4
/republic of........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
15 -
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3 085 2 106 4- 979 4- 47
U.K. 2 652 2 815 — 163 — 6
F.R. OF GERMANY 2 098 1 569 + 529 + 34
ITALY 1 103 928 + 176 + 19
FRANCE 1 092 959 + 132 4- 14
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTION
OOMMODI TY SECTION J AN-APR 1985 ($ MN) J AN-APR 1984 ($ MN) INCREASE^)/ DECREASE(-) (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 22 317 16 341 +5 975 + 37
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERI AL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 19 370 20 039 - 668 - 3
Ml SCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 12 845 11 335 + 1 511 + 13
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 6 024 6 404 - 380 - 6
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4 816 4 747 + 70 + 1
MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 3 412 3 697 - 285 - 8
/table 5» .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 16 -
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR market J AN-APR 198 5 (S MN) J AN-APR 1984 (S MN) 1NCREASE(+ ) / DECREASE(-) (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
— — — — « — ———————
CHINA 16 459 6 378 +10 081 + 153
U.S.A. 4 313 3 525 + 788 + 22
JAP AN 1 874 1 470 + 404 + 27
TAIWAN 1 502 1 593 - 92 - 6
SINGAPORE 1 274 1 533 - 259 - 17
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 157 1 095 + 62 + 6
MACAU 935 743 + 192 + 26
INDONESI A 931 1 300 - 368 - 28
PHILIPPINES 488 412 + 76 + 18
SAUDI ARABIA 408 403 + 4 * 1
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION J AN-APR 1985 (S MN) J AN-APR 1984 ($ MN) INCREASED) (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (*)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4 666 3 610 + 1 056 + 29
ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLI ANCES 3 738 2 396 + 1 342 + 56
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
17 -
TELECOMMUNI CATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2 960
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING accessories 2 200
miscellaneous MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 1 996
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUI PMENT 1 369
921 +2 039 + 221
1 933 + 266 + 14
1 251 + 744 + 59
591 + 1 278 +216
-----0------
MAY WAS WARMER THAN USUAL * * * *
MAY WAS WARMER THAN USUAL WITH THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 25 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR MAY. BOTH NEAN TEMPERATURE OF 26.8 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 29.7 DEGREES CELSIUS RANKED THE SIXTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO ONLY 103.3 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS 65 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL 298.1 MILLIMETRES.
THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST WITH A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS ON MAY 1. OVERCAST CONDITIONS CONTINUED ON MAY 2 WITH PERIODS OF RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES. THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH, 21.6 DEGREES CELSIUS, WAS RECORDED ON MAY 1 AND AGAIN ON MAY 2.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A MOIST SOUTHEASTERLY AIRSTREAM, FOG OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY FROM MAY 3 TO 7. HOWEVER, NO DISRUPTION TO SEA AND AIR TRAFFIC WAS REPORTED. APART FROM THE OCCURRENCE OF FOG, IT WAS CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS ON MAY 3 BUT SUNNY WEATHER PREVAILED FROM MAY 4 TO 7 EXCEPT FOR A TRACE OF RAINFALL ON MAY 5.
/A JUDGE ......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 18 -
; RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BECAME ESTABLISHED OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF CHINA ON MAY 8.
A SPELL OF FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER WAS EXPERIENCED FROM MAY 8 TO MAY 16 APART FROM SOME LIGHT RAIN ON MAY 8 AND 10. ON MAY 12 AND AGAIN ON MAY 16, THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 31.9 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.
ON MAY 12, A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FORMED OVER CENTRAL CHINA AND MOVED STEADILY SOUTHWARDS. IT WEAKENED AS IT REACHED SOUTH CHINA ON MAY 16. ONLY SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS WERE REPORTED ON MAY 17 WHEN THE TROUGH FINALLY DISSIPATED TO THE NORTH OF HONG KONG.
FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER AGAIN PREVAILED FROM MAY 18 TO 20. HOWEVER, A COLD FRONT FORMED OVER CENTRAL CHINA ON MAY 18 AND MOVED RAPIDLY SOUTH, CROSSING HONG KONG EARLY ON MAY 21. THE WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY WITH SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS ON MAY 21. IT REMAINED CLOUDY IN THE MORNING OF MAY 22 BUT THE WEATHER IMPROVED AND BECAME FINE AND SUNNY IN THE AFTERNOON. FINE WEATHER CONTINUED ON MAY 23.
CLOUDY WEATHER SET IN SHOWERS ON MAY 25 AND 26.
ON MAY 24 AND THERE WERE ISOLATED
A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE AND MOVED SOUTHWARDS CROSSING
FORMED OVER SOUTH CHINA ON MAY 26 HONG KONG LATE ON MAY 28. THERE
WERE ONLY ISOLATED SHOWERS ON
AND
OCCASIONAL HEAVY SHOWERS ON MAY 31.
TYPHOON GAY WAS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH. IT FORMED ABOUT 63O*NAUTICAL MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF MANILA ON MAY 21 AND MOVED NORTH-NORTHWESTWARDS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS BEFORE RECURVING NEAR THE RYUKYU ISLANDS ON MAY 24. GAY FINALLY BECAME AN EXTRATROPICAL CYCLONE ABOUT 280 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF TOKYO ON MAY 26.
DURING THE MONTH ONE AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MAY 21, 27, 28, 30 AND 31. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MAY 28 AND 31. NO FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE ISSUED AND THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS NOT HOISTED DURING THE MONTH.
/THE MONTH'S........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 19 -
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
SUNSHINE
206.2 HOURS
43.6 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
RAINFALL
103.3 MM
194.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUD INESS
63 PER CENT
10 PER CENT NORMAL
LESS THAN
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
83 PER CENT
NORMAL
HE AN
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
29.7 DEGREES CELSIUS
0.8 DEGREES NORMAL
CELSIUS
ABOVE
l*EAN
TEMPERATURE
26,8 DEGREES CELSIUS
0.9 DEGREES NORMAL
CELSIUS
ABOVE
f-EAN
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
25.0 DEGREES CELSIUS
1.1 DEGREES NORMAL
CELSIUS
ABOVE
hEAN
DEW POINT
23.6 DEGREES CELSIUS
0.9 DEGREES NORMAL
CELSIUS
ABOVE
TOTAL EVAPORATION
130.5 MM
16.5 MM
BELOW NORMAL
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE ON MAY 12 AND 16.
OF 31.9 DEGREES
CELSIUS
WAS RECORDED
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE ON MAY 1 AND 2.
OF 21.6 DEGREES
CELSIUS
WAS RECORDED
- - 0 - -
UC LUNCH FOR
XINHUA NEWS AGENCY DIRECTOR
X * X X
THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY HOSTED A LUNCH FOR MR XU JIATUN, DIRECTOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY, AND SEVERAL SENIOR OFFICIALS OF XINHUA.
IN A SPEECH OF WELCOME, COUNCIL CHAIRMAN MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID: +THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY HAS BEEN MOST HELPFUL TO THE URBAN COUNCIL IN ORGANISING OUR MANY CULTURAL AND SPORTS EVENTS WHERE PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN REQUIRED FROM VARIOUS CITIES, SUCH AS BEIJING, SHANGHAI AND GUANGZHOU ETC.
♦THIS HAS HELPED TO ENRICH THE CULTURAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ENABLED HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO APPRECIATE THE RICHNESS OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION, THUS STRENGTHENING HONG KONG’S IMPORTANCE AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY.
/+BSCaiTLY, MS........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1?85
20 -
♦RECENTLY, MR XU MADE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CAMPAIGN FOR PEOPLE IN MAINLAND CHINA TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HONG KONG AND ITS WAY OF LIFE. THIS IS A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL AND I HOPE THAT THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WILL IMPLEMENT IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
♦EQUALLY, HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING FRIENDS AND DOING BUSINESS AS WELL AS PROMOTING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE WITH THE RESIDENTS OF MANY PROVINCES AND CITIES ON MAINLAND CHINA, AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE.
♦HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE NATURALLY KEEN TO RETAIN THEIR PRESENT LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM, AND OF COURSE TO ADAPT TO CHANGING CONDITIONS ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE. SUCH CHANGES SHOULD BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE SO AS TO IMPROVE AND ENRICH THEIR LIFESTYLE, NO 1 ONLY MATERIALLY BUT INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AS WELL.
♦AT THE PRESENT TIME, LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD, WE SHOULD DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT CHINA’S MODERNIZATION PROGRAMME AND OP- DOOR POLICY, IN LINE WITH CHINA’S OWN UNIQUE STYLE OF SOCIALISM, WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY WILL DO MUCH TO RAISE LIVING STANDARDS AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE WHO WILL BE LIVING IN CHINA BY THE END OF CENTURY.+
-----0-----
COUNCIL FULLY CONSULTED ON CULTURAL CENTRE DESIGN *****
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS CONSULTED REGULARLY BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT EITHER IN COMMITTEE OR THROUGH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS OF WHICH THE COUNCIL IS THE ULTIMATE USER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, MR LAWRENCE FUNG, WHEN REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY l-R WALTER SULKE AT THE COUNCIL’S OPEN MEETING TODAY.
MR FUNG TOLD THE MEETING THAT UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING, FINANCING AND CONSTRUCTION OF CIVIC CENTRES, MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES, STADIA, ABATTOIRS, CREMATORIA AND CEMETERIES WHICH UPON COMPLETION WILL BE MANAGED AND CONTROLLED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE COUNCIL ON THE OTHER HAND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCING OF OTHER PROJECTS LIKE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
/but whether .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
BUT WHETHER A PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THE COUNCIL, MR FUNG SAID, THE ONUS IS ON THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT ITS DESIGN OR TO SUPERVISE THE PRIVATE ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS ENGAGED TO CARRY OUT ITS DESIGN.
HE SAID THAT IN THE CASE OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL CENTRE, THE SCALE OF THE PROJECT WAS SUCH THAT THERE HAD BEEN MUCH MORE FREQUENT CONSULTATION.
+A MODEL AND SKETCH PLANS WERE FIRST PRESENTED TO THE FORMER CULTURAL COMPLEX AND INDOOR STADIA SUB-COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL IN AUGUST 1977, PRIOR TO THE UPGRADING OF THE PROJECT FROM CATEGORY B TO CATEGORY A IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
+SUBSEQUENTLY, ON ANOTHER FIVE OCCASIONS, THE COUNCIL WAS ALSO CONSULTED ON REFINEMENTS OR CHANGES TO THE PLANS THROUGH THE SAME SUB-COMMITTEE IN JULY 1978, MAY 1980 AND FEBRUARY 1981 THE CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE IN MAY 1981 AND THE CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE IN 1983.
+ADDITIONALLY THERE WERE PRESENTATIONS OF THE SCHEDULE OF FINISHES IN 1983 AND THE ACOUSTIC MODELS OF THE AUD I TOR IA IN JANUARY 1984.+
MR FUNG ADDED THAT A CIVIC CENTRES PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN APRIL THIS YEAR UNDER THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE.
AND THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS REPRESENTED ON THE SUB-COMMITTEE TO ADVISE COUNCILLORS ON THE PROGRESS CF CONSTRUCTION AND ANY SPECIAL POINTS RELATING TO THE FITTING-OUT OF THE CENTRE, HE ADDED.
+IT CAN BE SEEN THEREFORE THAT THE COUNCIL HAS IN FACT BEEN FULLY CONSULTED ON THE DESIGN OF THE CULTURAL CENTRE,* NR FUNG SAID.
HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE REGULAR LIAISON AND MONITORING OVER PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL GROUP AND THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE CONSULTED AND APPRISED AS APPROPRIATE.
- 0 ----------
/22 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
22
SCENTED GARDENS UNDER PLANNING FOR BLIND * * * *
TO PROVIDE ENJOYMENT FOR THE BLIND THE URBAN COUNCIL IS TO SET ASIDE AREAS WITHIN VICTORIA PARK AND KOWLOON PARK AS SCENTED GARDENS WHERE STRONGLY SCENTED FLOWERS AND TREES WILL BE PLANTED.
THIS WAS STATED BY MR HOWARD YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MR WALTER SULKE AT THE COUNCIL’S OPEN MEETING TODAY.
MR YOUNG SAID THAT AT PRESENT SOME 30 DIFFERENT SPECIES CF STRONGLY SCENTED FLOWERS AND TREES ARE PLANTED IN THE COUNCIL’S VARIOUS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
+HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE QUITE POSSIBLE TO DESIGN AND PLANT UP SMALL GARDENS IN SOME OF OUR PARKS AND SITTING-OUT AREAS WITH AN ASSEMBLAGE OF THESE SPECIES ALTHOUGH THEY MIGHT, PERHAPS, BE CALLED SCENTED GARDENS RATHER THAN SPECIAL GARDENS FOR THE BLIND SO THAT THEY CAN ALSO BE ENJOYED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
AS REGARDS LABELLING OF THE PLANTS WITH BRAILLE PLAQUES, MR YOUNG FELT THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD BE REQUIRED ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS SUCH AS THE APPROPRIATE SIZE AND FORMAT, AND ON A LOCATION WHICH CAN BE EASILY REACHED BY THE BLIND.
HE ADDED THAT THE SOCIETIES FOR THE BLIND WILL BE CONSULTED AND, IF FOUND PRACTICABLE, BRAILLE PLAQUES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE GARDENS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL SPECIES.
-----o-----
’SMILE A BIT MORE’, SAYS CHEONG-LEEN * * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, TODAY CALLED ON HONG KONG PEOPLE TO +SMILE A BIT MORE, GET A BIT MORE ENJOYMENT OUT OF LIFE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MANIFOLD OPPORTUNITIES ON THE CULTURAL AND SPORTING FRONTS.*
SPEAKING AT THE COUNCIL’S MONTHLY OPEN MEETING, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE WAS PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT NOW BECAUSE OUR FORESEEABLE FUTURE WAS ASSURED, THE MARKET WAS UP, THE ECONOMY WAS BOOMING AGAIN AND JOBS WERE PLENTIFUL.
/+ALTH0UGE THE........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
+ALTHOUGH THE MAN IN THE STREET SEEMS NOT TO REALISE IT, HONG KONG IS TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT A CITY OF FESTIVALS,+ HE SAID.
♦HARDLY A MONTH GOES BY WITHOUT A FESTIVAL TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG, AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT IT HAS BEEN ORGANISED, SPONSORED OR SUPPORTED BY THE COUNCIL.*
IN HIS SPEECH, MR CHEONG-LEEN REVIEWED THE URBAN COUNCIL’S VERY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PROMOTING FESTIVALS AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENT AS PART OF ITS EFFORT TO BRING A BETTER, HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER LIFE TO THE LOCAL POPULATION.
IN PROMOTING THE ARTS AND CULTURE THROUGH FESTIVALS, THE URBAN COUNCIL IS PARTICULARLY MINDFUL OF THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THE YOUNGER POPULATION. IT WAS WITH THIS OBJECTIVE IN MIND THAT THE COUNCIL DECIDED IN 1982 TO ORGANISE AN INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL IN SUMMER TO PROVIDE SUITABLE CULTURAL PROGRAMMES AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
SAID MR CHEONG-LEEN! +THIS YEAR, THE COUNCIL WILL ORGANISE THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL IN JULY AND AUGUST TO MARK THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
♦THE AIM OF THIS FESTIVAL IS TO BRING TOGETHER YOUNG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT NATIONS, RACES, BACKGROUNDS AND RELIGIONS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING AND TO ENCOURAGE CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL MEDIUM OF PERFORMING ARTS.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT OTHER HIGHLY-POPULAR FESTIVALS ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL INCLUDE THE FESTIVAL OF ASIAN ARTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
IN ADDITION, THE URBAN COUNCIL ORGANISES FESTIVITIES TO MARK THE MAJOR TRADITIONAL CHINESE FESTIVALS INCLUDING LANTERN CARNIVALS DURING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL AND THE SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
♦WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE URBAN COUNCIL IS ALSO WORKING CLOSELY WITH VARIOUS URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS TO FURTHER DEVELOP HONG KONG’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND TO ORGANISE DISTRICT FESTIVALS,* ADDED NR CHEONG-LEEN.
/24........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 24 -
DETAILS ON LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE BEING SOUGHT * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS SEEKING MORE DETAILS ON THE RECENT OUTBREAK OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, SAID DR DENNY HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MRS MARGARET LI, DR HUANG SAID LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE IS AN ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION CAUSED BY A NEWLY-RECOGNISED DISTINCTIVE ORGANISM THAT WAS FIRST ISOLATED FROM CASES OF PNEUMONIA AMONG VETERANS ATTENDING AN AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1976.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ORGANISM IN NATURE IS INCOMPLETE BUT SEVERAL OUTBREAKS OF THIS DISEASE HAVE BEEN LINKED TO CONTAMINATED CONDENSATES FROM AIR CONDITIONING COOLING TOWERS.
+THE COUNCIL WILL CERTAINLY ATTEMPT TO KEEP ABREAST WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF THIS DISEASE AND ITS PREVENTION PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF ITS ASSOCIATION WITH VENTILATING SYSTEMS,* HE SAID.
+ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS DISEASE IN HONG KONG, SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE IF NECESSARY IN PREVENTING IT FROM OCCURRING AND SPREADING TO THE EXTENT OF MAKING USE OF APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OF VENTILATING SYSTEMS ESPECIALLY IN SCHEDULED PREMISES.*
--------0----------
USD REVIEWS HAWKER CONTROL MEASURES
* * *
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS RECONVENED A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW HAWKER CONTROL MEASURES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE EXISTING TACTICS, STRATEGY, HOURS OF wORK AND OTHER RELATED OPERATIONAL MATTERS.
THE ISSUE HAS ALSO BEEN DISCUSSED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL’S WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW HAWKER POLICIES AND RELATED MATTERS AS ONE OF THE MANY SUBJECTS EXAMINED IN THE COURSE OF ITS DELIBERATIONS.
/THIS WAS .......
1
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 198>
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, MRS ELSIE ELLIOTT, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MR LAM CHAK-PIU AT THE OPEN MEETING TODAY.
AT PRESENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS 12 GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS (GDTS), EACH COMPRISING ABOUT 150 MEMBERS. THEY CARRY OUT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST UNLICENSED HAWKERS AT ALL KNOWN HAWKER BLACKSPOTS, FOOTBRIDGES, SUBWAYS AND AT MAJOR THOROUGHFARES WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE POLICE.
THE TEAMS ARE WORKING TWO SHIFTS DAILY, FROM 7 A.M. TO 4 P.M. AND FROM 3 P.M. TO 11 P.M.
♦TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE TIME REQUIRED FOR BRIEFING AND DEBRIEFING OF THE TEAMS BEFORE AND AFTER EACH DAY’S WORK, THE ACTUAL COVERAGE ON THE GROUND IN RESPECT OF HAWKER CONTROL EXTENDS FROM SHORTLY AFTER 7 A.M. TO SHORTLY BEFORE 11 P.M.,+ MRS ELLIOTT SAID.
♦ THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE ADEQUATE SINCE RELATIVELY FEWER HAWKERS TRADE OUTSIDE SUCH HOURS AND HENCE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED THEN ARE MUCH LESS.+
MR ELLIOTT NOTED THAT MEASURES TAKEN BY GDT MEMBERS TO DETER ILLEGAL HAWK NG INCLUDE PATROLLING, WARNING AND ARRESTING OF HAWKERS, AS WELL AS SEIZURE OF GOODS AND HAWK ING PARAPHERNALIA.
♦THERE IS OF COURSE NO WAY TO STOP HAWKERS FROM FLEE I NG FROM THE GDTS DURING AN OPERATION, THUS POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER TO BYSTANDERS,+ SHE STRESSED.
+BUT OUR GDT STAFF HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO EXERCISE DUE CARE IN CARRYING OUT AN ARREST OPERAT'ON AND NOT TO G!Vt CHASE WHEN TRY SO DOING THEY MIGHT CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION.+
-----0------
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 26 -
JUNK REMOVAL IN SQUATTER CLEARANCES ^ACCEPTABLE* * * * * *
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMOVAL OF JUNK OR DEBRIS IN SQUATTER CLEARANCES SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE DR DENNY HUANG. ’
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MR LAM CHAK-PIU AT THE COUNCIL’S OPEN MEETING TODAY, DR HUANG EXPLAINED THAT CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS IN LANES IS DONE BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH DISTRICT BOARDS WHILE A LARGE SCALE CLEARANCE IS CARRIED OUT AND CO-ORDINATED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
+THE CLEARANCE OF JUNK OR RUBBLE IS THEREFORE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CO-ORDINATING ORGANISATION,* HE SAID.
+FOR SMALL SCALE CLEARANCES, NORMALLY THE DEBRIS AND JUNK ARE CLEARED AWAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OPERATION.
+ IN CASE OF LARGE OPERATIONS, TOTAL CLEARANCE WILL TAKE A LONGER TIME AND THE DISTRICT BOARD AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT OFFICE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK.*
TURNING TO THE ROLE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DR HUANG SAID THAT BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF A CLEARANCE OPERATION, ACTION ON RODENT ERADICATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY USD PEST CONTROL STAFF TO PREVENT THE MIGRATION OF RATS ELSEWHERE.
FOLLOWING THE CLEARANCE, CLEANSING STAFF WILL MOVE IN TO CLEAR ALL ORGANIC REFUSE ON SITE SO AS TO PREVENT VERMIN SUCH AS FLIES OR MOSQUITOES BREEDING, AND TO ERADICATE ANY BAD SMELL.
PEST CONTROL STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY TO ENSURE THE SITE REMAINS FREE FROM RODENT AND VERMIN BREEDING.
DR HUANG FELT THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE ACCEPTABLE AND ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE USD WOULD CO-ORDINATE ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLEARANCE OPERATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENTS.
0 --------
/27 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 19^9
- 27 -
SIX WAYS TO MEET TRANSPORT NEEDS OF DISABLED * * * * *
A WORKING PARTY CHAIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MARTIN LEWIS, HAS PROPOSED SIX WAYS TO MEET THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST TODAY (TUESDAY), MR LEWIS SAID: +BY DISABLED, I MEAN NOT JUST THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED, BUT IN THIS CONTEXT, THE BLIND, THE DEAF AND THE MENTALLY HAND(CAPPED.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT CENTREBASED TRANSPORT SHOULD REMAIN.
MR LEWIS WAS REFERRING TO THE 30-MORE VEHICLES NOW OPERATED BY THE AGENCIES TO CONVEY PEOPLE TO AND FROM THE CENTRES, AND FOR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
THE WORKING PARTY FELT IT WAS RIGHT THAT SUCH CENTRES SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR OWN VEHICLES, WHICH PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN A DISABLED PERSON’S INTEGRATION INTO NORMAL
LIVING PATTERNS.
THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT A DISABLED PERSON’S TRAVEL SCHEME SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, CONCURRENT WITH AN IMMINENT REVIEW CF THE STUDENTS TRAVEL SCHEME, WHICH OFFERS CONCESSIONS ON MOST FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THIRDLY, THE WORKING PARTY SUGGESTED THAT A SPECIAL TRANSPORT SCHEME SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY VEHICLES CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING WHEELCHAIRS.
THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE A REGULAR SCHEDULE OF OPERATION, IDEALLY ON A DOOR-TO-DOOR BASIS, TO MEET THE TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISABLED. SUCH SERVICES SHOULD ALSO BE EXTENDED TO OFF-PEAK HOURS TO FULFIL THE CLIENTS SOCIAL
AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS.
+THIS WILL PROBABLY MEAN UPGRADING THE REHABUS SYSTEM, PUTTING IT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT THt POINT BEING THAT AN INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR THE DISABLED SHOULD FORM PART OF HONG KONG’S OVERALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT
SYSTEM,+ MR LEWIS SAID.
THE FOURTH PROPOSAL WAS THAT A SCHEME SHOULD BE INITIATED TO ENABLE THE WHEELCHAIR BOUND AND THOSE WITH SEVERE WALKING DIFFICULTIES TO TRAVEL MORE INDEPENDENTLY IN TAXIS. •)
+THIS COULD BE DONE IN THE FORM OF A MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE SPENT ON TRAVEL, TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME IS FAVOURED, WHICH IS 3660 000 A YEAR,+ MR LEWIS EXPLAINED.
CASH GRANT, BUT CASH SO A NON-MEANS-TESTED ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT
/THERE ABE .......
TOSSDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
28
THERE ARE ABOUT 1 OOO PERSONS WHO ARE WHEELCHAIR BOUND AND WHO HAVE SEVERE WALKING DIFFICULTIES THAT PREVENT THEM FROM USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, OTHER THAN TAXIS.
THE FIFTH RECOMMENDATION CONSISTED OF A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENTS ID EXISTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, MAKING THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED, OF WHICH COURTESY TO THE DISABLED COMMUTERS WAS ONE.
+SADLY THERE IS NOT MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE MTR WHICH, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE SEVERELY PHYSICALLY DISABLED.
+WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO REALISE THAT IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO EXPAND THE OTHER AREAS OF SPECIAL TRANSPORT THAT I HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO ENSURE THAT WE NEVER AGAIN PLACE OURSELVES IN A POSITION OF PLANNING A NEW TRANSPORT SYSTEM THAT IS NOT GEARED TO THE DISABLED,* MR LEWIS SAID.
THE KCRC, HE ADDED, SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR MAKING THE TUEN , MUN LIGHT RAIL ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED.
AND SIXTH, THE WORKING PARTY FELT THAT SOME PERIPHERAL SERVICES SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED.
CITING THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMME AS AN EXAMPLE, MR LEWIS SAID THAT THIS PROGRAMME WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TEACHES THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR TRAVEL SKILLS, SUCH AS CROSSING ROADS SAFELY AND TRAVELLING TO NEW DESTINATIONS, COULD BE EXPANDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ESCORT SERVICES, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDED IN A MODEST MANNER UNDER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S UNIFIED HOME HELP SERVICE, COULD ALSO BE PROVIDED UNDER THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE. AS FOR THE BLIND, IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE IN THE ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING SERVICES.
MR LEWIS SAID ALL THESE PROPOSALS ARE NOW ONLY JUST BEING FORMALLY SUBMITTED TO THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WHICH ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON REHABILITATION MATTERS.
+ IT IS HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, ON THE ADVICE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WILL CONSIDER THE SUGGESTED AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE COMING MONTHS,* MR LEW IS SAID.
-----0-----
/29........
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 29 -
NEW POLICE STATION FOR SHA TIN * * * *
SHA TIN WILL SOON HAVE ANOTHER DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION TO SERVE THE FAST-DEVELOPING TIN SUM AREA.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $7.8 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE POLICE STATION, LOCATED BETWEEN HIN KENG AND LUNG HANG ESTATES, WILL COMPRISE A COMPOSITE BUILDING PARTLY ID-STOREY AND PARTLY TWO-STOREY, AND AN ANCILLARY BLOCK SURROUNDING A COMPOUND.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW POLICE STATION INCLUDE A DUTY-LECTURE ROOM, AN ARMOURY, REPORT ROOM. CELLS, BARRACKS, MOTOR TRANSPORT OFFICE AND OTHElS OFFICES, CANTEENS, DOG KENNELS AND STORES.
PROVISION WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR LAUNDRY SERVICE AND RECREATION PURPOSES.
-----0-----
REMINDER ON FLOATING HOLIDAYS * * * *
EMPLOYERS WERE REMINDED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY FIXED THE DATES OF THE TWO FLOATING HOLIDAYS FOR TH IS YEAR AND THEIR EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT REQUESTED THAT THESE HOLIDAYS BE ADDED TO THEIR PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, THEY SHOULD GIVE EMPLOYEES THE FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY ON JUNE 17, THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.
AND IF THIS IS THE CASE, THE SECOND FLOATING HOLIDAY SHOULD FALL ON AUGUST 26, THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYERS HAVE TO FIX THE TWO FLOATING HOLIDAYS AND NOTIFY EMPLOYEES BEFORE THE END OF THE PRECEDING YEAR.
HE SAID ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $9 500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY 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 MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
/'.7HRRB E1RNINGS
TUESDAY, JUNK 11, 1985
- 30 -
WHERE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS TO 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-------- 0 --------
CHILDREN URGED TO GIVE TIME TO COMMUNITY * * *
CHILDREN OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO GIVE THEIR TIME THIS SUMMER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY INVOLVING THEMSELVES IN WORTHWHILE AND MEANINGFUL PROJECTS.
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12 CAN JOIN THE CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE SCHEME, WHICH RUNS FROM JULY TO AUGUST, WILL PROVIDE TRAINING FOR CHILDREN IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICES.
♦PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GROUPED INTO TEAMS OF EIGHT TO 16 AND WILL BE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE OR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS,+ A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+EACH TEAM WILL BE GIVEN AN ALLOWANCE OF $300 TO SUBSIDISE PRODUCTION COSTS OF VARIOUS PROJECT REPORTS, WHICH WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH
PROGRAMME,+ HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CITY YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE, AND A NUMBER OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT. '
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JUNE 29.
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 31 -
SEMINAR ON MUSIC ACTIVITIES IN KINDERGARTENS *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS TO ORGANISE A SEMINAR ON MUSIC ACTIVITIES IN KINDERGARTENS FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ON JULY 23.
THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR, TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG LING LIANG CHURCH HALL OF THE LING LIANG WORLD-WIDE EVANGELISTIC MISSION AT 4OA LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, IS TO FAMILIARISE TEACHERS WITH THE ORGANISATION OF MUSIC ACTIVITIES IN KINDERGARTENS AS ADVOCATED IN THE +GUIDE TO THE KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM+.
THERE WILL BE TALKS AND DEMONSTRATION SESSIONS. ENGLISH-SPEAKING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND ALTHOUGH THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.
HEADS OF KINDERGARTENS WHO WISH TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (KINDERGARTEN), KINDERGARTEN SECT ION,
I rLOOKf nYoAN
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 507, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE JUNE
25.
- - 0 ----------
TIN SHUI WAI ROAD LINK TO BE BUILT * * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.25-KILOMETRE ROAD LEADING TO THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
THE SINGLE-LANE, ONE-WAY ROAD WILL BE BUILT BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT HUNG SHUI KIU AND PING HA ROAD. ON COMPLETION, THE ROAD WILL HELP RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON PING HA ROAD NEAR KIU TAU WAI AND TONG FONG TSUEN.
A CYCLE TRACK WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED PARALLEL TO THE ROAD AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORK WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS JUNE 28.
/32 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
32.
HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS FOR RSD LIBRARIES * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL REMAIN OPEN PUT FOR SHORTER HOURS DURING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ON JUNE 15, 17 AND 22.
ON JUNE 15 AND 22, BOTH SATURDAYS, THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN, TAI 0, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN (YAU 01) AND YUEN LONG PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM, AND THE PENG CHAU PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM.
ON JUNE 17 (MONDAY), THE PENG CHAU, NORTH KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN, TAI 0, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN (YAU 01) AND YUEN LONG PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL BE CLOSED.
DURING THESE THREE DAYS, THE CHEUNG CHAU, SAI KUNG, SHEUNG SHUI, SOUTH KWAI CHUNG, TAI PO AND TUEN MUN (TAI HING) PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM WHILE THE MUI WO PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM. THE SOUTH LAMMA PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE MOBILE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED.
- - 0 - -
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PART-TIME MUSICIANS
X X *
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH IS OFFERING LOCAL MUSICIANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS, PERFORMERS OF BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTS OR SCORE COPIERS
APPLICANTS FOR PART-TIME WESTERN MUSIC INSTRUCTORS SHOULD EITHER BE GRADUATES OF THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OR HAVE A DIPLOMA IN MUSIC FROM A REGISTERED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE, OR POSSESS LRSM, OR LRAM, OR ARCM, OR GRSM OR EQUIVALENT.
THOSE INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO BE PART-TIME CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUCTORS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED MUSICAL TRAINING IN AN ACCEPTABLE INSTITUTION, OR HAVE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS' RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN AN ACCEPTABLE PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING GROUP OR ACADEMY.
CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF PART-TIME PERFORMER SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY AN ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT UP TO LRSM, LRAM, ARCM, LGSM, LTCL LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT, PREFERABLY WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN A’PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.
THOSE WHO POSSESS GRADE VIII IN THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF RSM THEORY OR EQUIVALENT AND CAN UNDERSTAND CHINESE NUMERICAL SCORE NOTATIONS ARE WELCOME TO APPLY FOR THE POST OF PART-TIME SCORE COPIERS.
/application forks
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
- 33 -
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. COMPLETED FORMS TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND DIPLOMAS SHOULD REACH THE MUSIC OFFICE, MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT
ROAD CENTRAL, BY JUNE 25.
CANDIDATES NOT INVITED FOR AN AUDITION OR AN FOUR WEEKS FROM THE CLOSING DATE MAY ASSUME THEIR UNSUCCESSFUL.
INTERVIEW WITHIN APPLICATION
INTERESTED PARTIES MAY CONTACT THE PERSONNEL REGISTRY OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AT 5-458791 EXT. 43 FOR DETAILS CONCERNING DUTI AND REMUNERATION.
ES
NEW SITTING-OUT AREA AND RCP FOR ABERDEEN
* X * X
THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 370-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA AT A COST OF S3 MILLION.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A PERMANENT REFUSE-COLLECTION POINT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING OFF-STREET ONE AT TSUNG MAN STREET.
AT PRESENT THE SITE IS BEING OCCUPIED BY SQUATTERS. ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO CLEAR THE SITE TO ENABLE CONSTRUCTION WORK TO START IN MID-1986 FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1987.
THE RCP WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN MINIMISING ANY BAD SMELL.
-----0------
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR THE ISLAND * * * *
NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CUL-DE-SAC AT LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE KING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 14).
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE WESTBOUND TRAM TRACK AT KING’S ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SHU KUK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A TRAM-ONLY LANE.
IN WAN CHAI, 01 KWAN ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM ON JUNE 14 TO ALLOW A JOINT SCHOOL FUNCTION TO BE HELD. DURING THE PERIOD, PARKING SPACES ON 01 KWAN ROAD OPPOSITE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED.
- - 0 - -
KOWLOON BAY PLB BAN
* * *
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING WANG CHIU ROAD NORTH OF KAI LOK STREET AND THE EXTENSION OF KAI LOK STREET WEST OF WANG CHIU ROAD FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 14).
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
' * • ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
......
. . ■ ■
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
' ■' 1 ... ■
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
-- - --- - — ——— 1 1 : .. ». PUBLIC MOPE AVARE OF LEGCO'S VITAL ROLE .................... 1
LEGISLATING FOR AN EFFECTIVE aND STRONG LEGCO ESSENTIAL ...
PUBLIC VIEWS CONSIDERED BY AD HOC GROUP .................. 10
BILL PROVIDES FOR ORDERLY CONDUCT OF LEGCO BUSINESS ..... 10
DUNN AGREES WITH MUCH OF THE CRITICISMS ................. 11
'SUMMONSING WITNESS NOT INFRINGEMENT OF PRIVACY' .......... 12
LEGCO DIFFERENT NEXT SESSION, SAYS SO ................... 1A
AMENDMENT TO BE MADE TO CONTROVERSIAL CLAUSE ............ 16
AN ADMITTANCE TO + DRAFTING OVERSIGHTS+ ................• • 17
AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO ALLEVIATE.CONCERN ............... 19
CALL TO REDRAFT 'STRANGERS' CLAUSE....................... 20
AMENDMENT AND DELETION SUGGESTED ........................ 22
DR FANG WINDS UP DEBATE ON BILL ......................... 23
INDUSTRY GIVEN INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT ................... 23
FILIPHIA DOMESTIC HELPERS' STATUS OUTLINED .............. 25
WAYS TO PRODUCE TEXTBOOKS IN CHINESE STUDIED ............ 25
NON-AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE CONTROL NEEDED ............... 26
DIFFERENCES HALT NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL PLAN ............. 21
/MEDIA COUNCIL ......
MEDIA COUNCIL - A MATTER FOR THE MEDIA ...................... 28
CRITERIA FOR ZEBRA-CROSSINGS EXPLAINED ...................... 28
LAYOUT PLAN PREPARED FOR ON LOK TSUEN ....................... 29
UMELCO GROUP BACKS PROPOSAL ON HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS ....... JO
BILL TO UPHOLD ARBITRATION CLAUSES .......................... 31
STANDARDS SET FOa DANGEROUS GOODS AIR FREIGHT ............... 32
BILL PAVES WAY FOR +OSPREY+ REHEARING ....................... 34
BILL TO CLARIFY WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ..................... 35
APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED ...................................... 36
FOUR BILLS PASSED ........................................... 37
FRESH APPROACH to victoria barracks development plan ........... 38
NEW CONCEPT IN CROP PEST CONTROL INTRODUCED .................... 40
DB MEMBERS ATTEND ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINAR ........................ 41
CMC CALL ON EASTERN DB CHAIRMAN................................. 41
RENOWNED VIRTUOSO TO GIVE DOUBLE BASS DEMONSTRATION ............ 42
VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL GROUP TO VISIT UK .................. 43
NEW FIRE STATION IN SAI KUNG OPENING ........................... 43
NEW TSING YI ROADS TO OPEN ..................................... 43
TEMPORARY CLOSURE............................................... 44
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CENTRAL.......................... 44
LANE CLOSED FOR MAIN LAYING ................................ 44
r».:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
1
PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF LEGCO’S VITAL ROLE
* * * *
THE PUBLIC DEBATE WHICH HAD TAKEN PLACE SINCE PUBLICATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 PROVIDED +A CLEAR INDICATION OF A HEIGHTENED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE COUNCIL IN THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG,+ THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
MAKING HIS FIRST SPEECH IN THE CHAMBER AS CHIEF SECRETARY WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR AKERS-JONES OUTLINED PROPOSALS FOR +SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS AND DELETIONS TO THE BILL,* AND SAID:
+1 BELIEVE THAT THE BILL In'iTS AMENDED FORM WILL COMMEND ITSELF TO MEMBERS AND TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.*
HE ADDED: + IT PROTECTS THE PRINCIPLES, IT ESTABLISHES THE PROCEDURES IT WILL SET THE NEW LEGISLATURE ON COURSE IN ITS OWN COUNCIL CHAMBER, AND I HAVE NO HESITATION THEREFORE IN PROPOSING THAT THE BILL BE READ A SECOND TIME.*
THE PROPOSALS, HE SAID, HAD BEEN MADE AFTER SERIOUS AND PROLONGED DELIBERATION AND CONSULTATION AND WOULD BE CONTAINED IN AN AMENDED TEXT OF THE FULL BILL WHICH WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AT THE END OF THIS WEEK FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.
+1 TRUST THAT THE CHANGES TO THE BILL WHEN IT APPEARS IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY WILL MEET MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE CRITICISMS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE.
♦ ’STRANGERS’ WILL GO 5 SO WILL ’INTENTIONAL DISRESPECT?’ A REVISED CLAUSE WILL EXPRESS THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT COUNCIL BUSINESS SHOULD BE IN PUBLIC LEAVING MEMBERS TO DECIDE WHEN, IF AT ALL, THEY NEED TO CONDUCT SOME BUSINESS IN PRIVATE.
♦THERE MUST BE TRUST IN THE COUNCIL TO USE ITS GOOD SENSE AND HAVE REGARD TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST WHEN DECIDING TO EXERCISE THIS POWER,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID HE WAS VERY CONSCIOUS +OF THE DEEP CONCERN SHOWN OVER THIS LEGISLATION BY LAWYERS, JOURNALISTS, PUBLIC SPIRITED GROUPS AND, IN RESPONSE TO THEIR ANXIETY, PERHAPS OF A WIDER CONCERN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE WAS SOME HIDDEN PURPOSE BEHIND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LEGISLATION INTO THE COUNCIL AT THE PRESENT TIME.+
♦I HAVE NO NEED TO ASSURE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE, BUT LET ME SAY SO QUITE EMPHATICALLY TO THIS WIDER AUDIENCE WHICH IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS COUNCIL TODAY. THERE IS NO HIDDEN AGENDA,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
/THE DEBATE .......
WEDNESDAY, JCH 12, 1985
2 -
THE DEBATE AND DISCUSSIONS OF THE PAST WEEKS HAD BEEN MOST VALUABLE AND A GREAT DEAL OF USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ARISING FROM THE PUBLIC DEBATE HAD BEEN RECEIVED, HE SAID.
THERE HAD BEEN SO MUCH CRITICISM OF CERTAIN PASSAGES
OF THE BILL THAT THERE HAD BEEN DANGER OF LOSING SIGHT OF THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES LYING BEHIND THE LEGISLATION. THAT WAS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN WELCOME SUPPORT FOR THESE PRINCIPLES FROM A NUMBER OF QUARTERS.
♦THE QUESTION BEFORE US TODAY IS TO DECIDE, HAVING LISTENED TO CRITICISM AND ADVICE WHETHER WE ARE PREPARED TO PROCEED WITH THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, DOING SO IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE STICK TO THE PRINCIPLES BUT MAKE SUFFICIENT, AND IN SOME CASES SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS AND DELETIONS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED,+ HE SAID.
IT WAS NECESSARY NOW TO SET DOWN IN LAW A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE POWERS AND PROTECTION THAT FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE BEFORE THEM WHEN THEY TAKE OFFICE AS A RESULT OF THE PROCESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, HE SAID.
IT WAS ALSO FITTING THAT THIS SHOULD BE DONE AS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS ABOUT TO MOVE INTO ITS OWN PREMISES IN OCTOBER. THERE WAS NEED TO HAVE SET OUT CLEARLY IN THE LAW OF HONG KOJG THE AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THROUGH ITS PRESIDENT TO REGULATE THE CONDUCT OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ADMITTED TO THE NEW COUNCIL CHAMBER, TO COMMITTEE ROOMS AND TO ROOMS SET ASIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE QUESTION OF THE ^PHILOSOPHY OF THE BILL,+ AKERS-JONES'SAID THAT JUST AS THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WERE DERIVED FROM THE EXISTING LAW, SO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BILL REFLECTED THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE LAW.
♦AND THAT LAW IS PARLIAMENTARY LAW. IT IS NOT THE CASE THAT THE BILL PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE PARLIAMENTARY LAW IN A SITUATION WHERE IT IS NOT ALREADY PRESENT.
♦THE ESSENTIAL POINT THAT MUST BE EMPHASISED IS THAT PARLIAMENTARY LAW IS NOW BEING AND HAS LONG BEEN APPLIED TO HONG KONG IN RESPECT OF THIS COUNCIL.
♦I AM ADVISED AND I ACCEPT THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG THIS BILL IS A FAITHFUL REFLECTION OF THAT LAW AND THE EXISTING SITUATION* IT DOES NOT INTRODUCE NEW LAW,+ HE SAID.
AN ELEMENT OF THE BILL THAT WAS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT FROM THE CLASSIC TRADITIONS OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW WAS THAT INSTEAD OF THE COUNCIL CLAIMING POWER TO PUNISH FOR BREACHES OF PRIVILEGE, THAT QUESTION WAS TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE COURTS.
/+»! OTHEB
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
+IN OTHER WORDS THE BILL MAKES THE CONCESSION, AND RIGHTLY SO, THAT THIS COUNCIL SHOULD NEVER ACT AS JUDGE IN ITS OWN CAUSE,* HE SAID.
MANY OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF THE PRESS, HAD FOCUSED ON CLAUSE 20, WHICH DEALT WITH DEFAMATORY AND UNAUTHORISED PUBLICATIONS, HE SAID.
THE CLAUSE REPRESENTED AN ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE LIMITS ON THE EXERCISE OF THE RIGHT TO SUBJECT THE COUNCIL, ITS MEMBERS OR PROCEEDINGS TO SCURRILOUS ABUSE OR MALICIOUS ATTACKS OR TO DISCLOSE IN A PUBLIC WAY WHAT HAD, BEEN DONE AND DISCUSSED IN CONFIDENCE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE LAW OF LIBEL ALREADY EXISTED WHICH PROTECTED MEMBERS AS ORDINARY PERSONS AND THERE MIGHT BE OTHER LAWS WHICH WERE RELEVANT.
THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE, IF MEMBERS WERE CONTENT, WAS PREPARED NOT TO PROCEED WITH THIS CLAUSE.
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUED TO SEE MERIT IN HAVING PROVISIONS TO GUARD AGAINST THE DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PROCEEDINGS, AND WOULD MAKE AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE OBJECTIVES COULD BE ACHIEVED.
REFERRING TO CLAUSE 24, HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN IT THAT WOULD PREVENT A PERSON CHALLENGING IN THE COURTS AN UNLAWFUL EXERCISE OF POWERS.
♦I CANNOT THEREFORE SUPPORT THE SUGGESTION THAT CLAUSE 24 BE DELETED FROM THE BILL,* HE SAID.
AN AMENDMENT WOULD HOWEVER, BE TABLED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS CLAUSE DEALT WITH THE +LAWFUL+ EXERCISE OF ANY POWER CONFERRED UNDER THE ORDINANCE ON THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO INVESTIGATE TOPICS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, THE COUNCIL HAD TO ENJOY POWERS TO REQUIRE THE ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION OR KNOWLEDGE TO IMPART AND TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS AND TO GIVE EVIDENCE.
THE ARRANGEMENTS IN PARAGRAPH 16 OF THE BILL AS DRAFTED WERE TOO FAR-REACHING IN PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL WITNESSES FOR THEY MIGHT AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES AND DEFEAT THE ENDS OF JUSTICE.
AMENDMENTS WOULD BE PROPOSED TO MAKE SUCH EVIDENCE INADMISSIBLE IN SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS WHICH HE HOPED WOULD BE SEEN TO BE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR THAT PURPOSE, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------
/4......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
4
LEGISLATING FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND STRONG LEGCO ESSENTIAL * * * * *
THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE SECOND READING ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE AND MERITS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL IS MADE NOT OUT OF INSENSITIVITY TO PUBLIC OPINION, BUT OUT OF DETERMINATION TO FIRMLY STEER THE BILL THROUGH THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS AND BALANCE ON JUDGEMENT BETWEEN LEGISLATING FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND STRONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL* AND ACCOMMODATING THE CONCERNS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE bEDIA OVER THEIR FREEDOMS.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE HON MARIA TAM, CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE BILL, WHEN LEADING THE UNOFFICIALS’ DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MUST BE ABLE TO EXERCISE ITS JUDGEMENT AND AUTHORITY AS DECISION MAKERS AND REPRESENTATIVES CF THE PEOPLE BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE BY GRASPING THE ISSUES BEFORE IT, ANALYSE AND DEAL WITH THEM WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE THAT THE DECISION IS MADE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE,+ SHE SAID.
♦AND THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE SERVED BY A LEGISLATURE BUTTRESSED BY LEGISLATION WHICH GIVES A FIRM CONTROL OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS OWN AFFAIRS, EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATORY POWERS AND AS MUCH POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AND RESPECT WHICH THE COURTS OF LAW ENJOY IN THIS TERRITORY,* SHE . ADDED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT +THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS RATIFIED ON MAY 27, 1985 AND WE HAD MOVED INTO THE 'TRANSITIONAL PERIOD’.
IN FOUR MONTHS’ TIME THERE WOULD BE 24 ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG JOINING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IN 12 YEARS’ TIME THIS TERRITORY WOULD EE GOVERNED BY AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE, SHE SAID.
+BY THEN IT WILL NEITHER BE APPROPRIATE NOR POSSIBLE FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT TO LOOK TO WESTMINSTER AND SEEK REFERENCE TO ITS PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICES ON HOW TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE HONG KONG LEGISLATURE.
+IT WILL BE NECESSARY THEREFORE TO ENACT OUR OWN RULES,* MISS TAM SAID.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL WAS INTRODUCED TO ENACT SUCH RULES IN HONG KONG BY AN ORDINANCE AND AN AD HOC GROUP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS FORMED TO CONSIDER ITS PROVISIONS.
/+THIS BILL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 5 -
+THIS BILL SEEKS TO CODIFY THE EXISTING COMMON LAW AND PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE WHICH CAN BE EXTENDED OR HAS ALREADY BEEN EXTENDED TO THE HONG KONG LEGISLATURE UNDER THE DOCTRINE CF INHERENT NECESSITY,* SHE SAID.
ALSO, SECTION 4 OF THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE SUMMONSING OF WITNESSES TO GIVE EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES FORMED THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THE CLAUSES ON EVIDENCE IN PART III, AND CLAUSES 17 AND 18 UNDER PART IV OF THE BILL, SHE ADDED.
MISS TAM THEN LISTED THE CONSIDERATIONS GIVEN INTO INTRODUCING THIS BILL AT THIS POINT IN TIME:
1. AFTER 1997 ANY INHERENT POWERS AND PRIVILEGES DERIVED FROM THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A COLONIAL LEGISLATURE WILL CEASE TO HAVE EFFECT IN HONG KONG ;
2. THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES DERIVED FROM CASE LAWS HAVE NOT REALLY BEEN BROUGHT OUT IN COURT RULINGS AND IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT RIGHT THE LEGISLATURE HAS;
3. WE ARE ALREADY IN THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, AND AS WE MOVE TOWARDS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMT AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE TRADITION OF CONSENSUS POLITICS, IT WILL ASSIST THE FUNCTIONING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IF THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES, THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND ITS MEMBERS CAN ENJOY, ARE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD;
4. IN THE GREEN PAPER ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN FUTURE MAY ELECT ITS OWN PRESIDENT WHO WILL LACK THE OTHER PROOFS OF AUTHORITY WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS. THE PRESIDENT MUST HAVE CLEAR LEGAL SANCTION TO WHICH TO POINT FOR HIS CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS OF THE LEGISLATURE ; AND
5. FINALLY, WITH THE DEVELOPING PUBLIC ROLE OF THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE FOLLOWING ON THE OPENING UP OF THE HEARING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, AND NOW THE SETTING UP OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES, IT IS TIMELY THAT THE POSITION REGARDING THE CALLING OF WITNESSES AND THE HEARING OF EVIDENCE SHOULD BE CODIFIED.
/+ALL THESE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
6
+ALL THESE FIVE REASONS, JUDGING FROM THE POSITIVE RESPONSE WE HAVE HAD TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, ARGUES FOR THE CODIFICATION EXERCISE TO BE DONE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, AND INDEED, UNTIL JUNE 10, 1985, NEARLY ALL THE GROUPS OR ORGANISATIONS THAT CAME AND MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE AD HOC GROUP SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT AND PURPOSE OF THE BILL ALTHOUGH THEY RIGHTLY CRITICISED INDIVIDUAL CLAUSES IN ITS CONTENTS,+ SHE SAID.
THEY SUPPORTED THE MAIN PRIVILEGES DEFINED IN THE BILL IN RESPECT OF THE STATEMENTS MADE IN DEBATE IN COUNCIL; PROTECTION OF MEMBERS FROM ANY ACTION IN THE COURTS FOR DEFAMATION ARISING OUT OF SUCH STATEMENTS; MEMBERS’ FREEDOM FROM ARREST WHILE DISCHARGING THEIR DUTY AS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF THE COUNCIL (OR IN THE CASE OF CIVIL MATTER, WHILE GOING TO AND COMING AWAY FROM ITS PRECINCTS)? EXEMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE AND ATTENDANCE IN COURT AS WITNESSES.
THERE WAS A VERY STRONG SUPPORT TOO ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INVESTIGATORY ROLE OF THE COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL, SHE OBSERVED.
HOWEVER IN SPITE OF THE OBVIOUS NEED FOR SUCH A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL HAD MET WITH A CONTROVERSIAL RECEPTION.
+1 BELIEVE IT IS RIGHTLY CRITICISED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF CONSULTATION ON THE BILL OUTSIDE THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, AND IT IS WRONGLY, THOUGH NOT DELIBERATELY, PERCEIVED AS A BILL WHICH WILL ATTRACT ONLY A LIMITED INTEREST; AND THAT IN TRYING TO ADOPT A SAFE AND WELL TRIED FORMULA IN CREATING THIS BILL A LITTLE TOO MUCH GRAFTING IS MADE FROM THE EQUIVALENT ACTS OF TERRITORIES WHICH WERE ONCE BRITISH COLONIES, BUT ARE NOW INDEPENDENT,* SHE SAID.
+BUT THE MOST PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT WHICH CAUSED THE AD HOC GROUP IN CHARGE OF THE BILL TO EMBARK ON AN OVERHAUL OF PART IV OF THIS BILL WAS THAT SOON AFTER WE RECEIVED THE FIRST REPRESENTATION ON MAY 24, WE KNEW THAT THE CONCEPT OF PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES AND PRACTICE IS FAR REMOVED FROM THE ORDINARY LIFE OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY; THAT THERE IS THE NEED TO REASSURE THE PUBLIC OF OUR COMMITMENT TO A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, AND THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGES LEADING UP TO 1997,+ SHE ADDED.
THE AD HOC GROUP, SHE SAID, TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION AFTER RECEIVING THE FIRST REPRESENTATION BY THE HONG KONG AFFAIRS SOCIETY ON MAY 24 TO CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS TO WORK ON AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL, WHICH FIRST DRAFT WAS READY ON JUNE 3.
/THESE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
7
THESE AMENDMENTS IN FACT DEALT WITH 90 PER CENT OF THE COMPLAINTS WHICH WAS REPEATED BY VARIOUS GROUPS, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE NEWS MEDIA ON THE EIGHT DAYS TO FOLLOW, WHICH ON JUNE 10 AND 11 HAD DEVELOPED INTO A STRONG DEMAND TO DEFER THE SECOND READING.
HAVING EXPLAINED THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE SECOND READING, MISS TAM SET OUT THE AMENDMENTS WHICH THE UNOFFICIALS HAVE ASKED FOR IN ANSWER TO PUBLIC CRITICISM TO THE BILL:
(1) ON CLAUSE 8 TO THE EFFECT THAT SITTING OF THE COUNCIL SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS, WHICH HAS TO BE PUBLICISED IN FORM OF ORDERS;
(2) ON CLAUSE 13 TO RESTRICT THE PRESIDENT’S POWER TO CALL FOR EVIDENCE ONLY WHEN IT IS LAWFUL AND RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE ;
(3) ON CLAUSE 14 TO GIVE FURTHER PROTECTIONS TO A WITNESS FROM INCRIMINATION OF SELF OR SPOUSE;
(4) CLAUSE 15 TO ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRACTICE OF THE COMMITTEE OR THE COUNCIL AND THE PRESIDENT’S POWER IN THE DETERMINATION OF QUESTIONS TO BE PUT TO THE WITNESSES BY VIRTUE OF ANY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL;
(5) CLAUSE 16 TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WITNESS’ PRIVILEGE AGAINST INCRIMINATION OF SELF OR SPOUSE; AND AMEND IT BY PUTTING IN AN EQUIVALENT SECTION TO SECTION 44A OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE CAP. 4; AND TO THE EFFECT THAT THE EVIDENCE HE HAS GIVEN BEFORE THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE INADMISSIBLE AGAINST HIM 5
(6) DELETION OF CLAUSE 17(D) THE OFFENCE OF INTENTIONAL DISRESPECT;
(7) DELETION OF CLAUSE 19(A) WHICH CAN BE COVERED BY SECTION 4 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE;
(8) CLAUSE 20 BY DELETING IT FROM THIS BILL BUT TO EXPLORE OTHER APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PROTECT FROM DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS OF CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE; AND
(9) CLAUSE 24 WHICH AT THE MOMENT EXCLUDES THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT IN RESPECT OF THE ACTS OF THE COUNCIL, THE PRESIDENT OR THE OFFICERS.
SHE SAID HER COLLEAGUES WHO WERE GOING TO SPEAK ON THIS BILL OR OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS TO AMENDMENTS WOULD GIVE HIS OR HER REASONS.
/+AT THE .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
8
♦AT THE END OF THE DEBATE WE SHALL VOTE ON THE SECOND READING I.E. ON THE PRINCIPLE AND GENERAL MERITS OF THIS BILL WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS SUBJECTED TO THE AMENDMENTS REFLECTING THE POINTS THAT WE HAD MADE IN THIS COUNCIL,* SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID SHE BELIEVED A NEW VERSION OF THIS BILL WOULD BE GAZETTED IN TWO DAYS’ TIME AND THE AD HOC GROUP WOULD SCRUTINISE IT AND THE PUBLIC WOULD NO DOUBT DO THE SAME.
MISS TAM THEN REFERRED IN PARTICULAR TO THREE POINTS OF CRITICISM, THE FIRST BEING THAT +THE EXISTING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS BILL AND THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL IT IS DEBATED BY THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH ITS ELECTED MEMBERS*.
SHE SAID: +l HOPE THIS IS NOT BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT APPOINTED MEMBERS ARE MORE PRONE TO SERVE THEIR OWN INTEREST THAN ELECTED MEMBERS.*
+THE CONDUCT OF EVERY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR ELECTED OR APPOINTED MUST BE AND IS INDEED SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC’S SCRUTINY.
+IT IS WITHIN OUR ANTICIPATION TO WORK ON A CODE OF CONDUCT FOLLOWING THE ULTIMATE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL AND POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* SHE SAID.
AS TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO RESTRICTION ON REPORTING ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE; AND THAT THE PRESS MUST JUDGE WHETHER THE REPORTING ON SUCH PROCEEDINGS IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, MISS TAM SAID SHE COULD SEE THE CONCERN OF THE PRESS AND MEDIA ON SUCH RESTRICTIONS AND AGREED THAT CLAUSE 20, AND IN PARTICULAR CLAUSE 20(C), SHOULD BE DELETED.
+BUT I BELIEVE THAT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE MEASURES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF A WITNESS WHO GIVES EVIDENCE IN CAMERA, OR THE DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION GIVEN BEFORE A COMMITTEE,* SHE SAID.
IT WOULD BE WISE TO ADOPT THE PRACTICE IN THE COURTS ON PROCEEDINGS IN CAMERA, AND RESTRICTIONS ON REPORT ON EVIDENCE HEARD IN CAMERA, A PRACTICE WITH WHICH THE HONG KONG PRESS AND NED IA WERE WELL FAMILIAR, SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID SHE ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF ANY COMMITTEE OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL MUST EXERCISE HIS JUDGMENT ON HOW TO PROTECT PUBLIC INTEREST, WITHOUT ABDICATING SUCH A RESPONSIBILITY AND LEAVING IT TO THE PRESS.
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
ON THE CRITICISMS THAT THE BILL WAS NOT A MERE CODIFICATION EXERCISE BUT NEW OFFENCES HAD BEEN CREATED AND NEW POWERS BESTOWED UPON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER CLAUSE 24, MISS TAM SAID THE UNOFFICIALS HAD HELD A FURTHER WORKING SESSION WITH THE LAW DRAFTSMAN AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO IDENTIFY THE AREAS CODIFIED AND THE AREAS COVERED BY SECTION 4 OF CAP. 11.
+ IT WAS EXPLAINED TO US AGAIN THAT CLAUSE 24 FALLS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WHAT IS 'INHERENTLY NECESSARY’ TO A COLONIAL LEGISLATURE AND THE COURT IN HONG KONG WILL BE EXTREMELY UNLIKELY TO QUESTION THE EXERCISE OF SUCH POWERS CONFERRED ON THE COUNCIL UNDER THIS ORDINANCE.
+HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DOES NOT ENJOY MORE POWER THAN WE HAVE ALREADY, AN AMENDMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED TO EXCLUDE THE COURTS’ JURISDICTION UNDER CLAUSE 24 ON THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF SUCH POWERS AND THE CORRESPONDING CLAUSES, I.E. CLAUSES 10, 13, 14(1) AND 70 WILL BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY,* SHE SAID.
+IN FACT IN THIS BILL, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN THE INTENTION OR THE WORDING TO SEEK THE POWER TO PROSECUTE OR ENFORCE ITS PROVISION, BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE REAL POWER RESTS IN THE HANDS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE COURTS OF LAW,* SHE ADDED.
PREDICTING THAT THERE WOULD STILL BE CRITICISMS THAT THE UNOFFICIALS HAD NOT DEFERRED THE SECOND READING IN ORDER TO ALLOW MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS BILL, SHE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP AND THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES WERE CONVINCED OF THE INTRINSIC VALUE CF THIS BILL AND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS THE PROPER FORUM FOR THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
+WE HAVE GONE THROUGH MANY TIMES THE REPEATED CRITICISMS AND BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD MAKE CLEAR OUR SUPPORT TO ITS INTRINSIC VALUE AND GIVE REASONS FOR IT BEFORE THE PUBLIC JUDGMENT ON THE MERIT OF THIS BILL IS SO CLOUDED BY THE CRITICISMS MADE AGAINST PARTS OF THE BILL, WHICH WE KNOW, AS EARLY AS ON JUNE 3 WILL BE REMOVED.
+THESE PARTS OF THE BILL WILL BE SUBJECTED TO DELETION OR AMENDMENTS AND WE SHOULD NOT THROW AWAY THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER,* SHE SAID.
TO HER, SHE SAID, OPEN GOVERNMENT, WHETHER ITS LEGISLATURE WAS APPOINTED OR ELECTED OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH, MEANT RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT.
+IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OPEN FOR EVERYONE TO GOVERN.
+THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ALONE MUST MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. IT MUST DO SO N0W1 IT WILL DO SO IN THE FUTURE,* SHE SAID.
-----0------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
10
PUBLIC VIEWS CONSIDERED BY AD HOC GROUP
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 HAS ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC SINCE ITS PUBLICATION, THE HON FRANCIS TIEN SAID IN THE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, HE SAID VARIOUS GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT IT.
+THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP UNDER THE CONVENERSHIP OF MISS MARIA TAM HAS STUDIED THE BILL THOROUGHLY AND CONSIDERED THE VARIOUS VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC.
+AS A RESULT, A SERIES OF AMENDMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE MADE TO THE BILL,+ HE SAID.
MR TIEN SAID THE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE THIS COMING FRIDAY AND THE PUBLIC COULD FURTHER COMMENT ON THEM.
+HAVING EXAMINED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, AS WELL AS CONSIDERED FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION, I AM SATISFIED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WOULD NOT GIVE ANY NEW OR ADDITIONAL POWERS TO THIS COUNCIL OTHER THAN THOSE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE,+ HE SAID.
-------0----------
BILL PROVIDES FOR ORDERLY CONDUCT OF LEGCO BUSINESS
******
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT
poiuii creel on. Tue’uA THE LEG|SLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND ™ chen said when ,t was introduced
ON MAY 15 IT WAS PRESENTED AS A MEASURE TO CODIFY THE EXISTING POWERS AND.PR IVILEGES OF THE COUNCIL.
... THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED,
IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS AND THE VIEWS OF THE
™?FtF;^s?aJdB"1?FheTHsL^UNC"- SH0W THAT it “ent BE¥ond
MAKING A SECOND POINT, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS PRESENTATIONAL ^CHEN SAID POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AS ENSHRINED IN THE BILL DID ’ NOT REFLECT THE COMMON MEANING OF THESE WORDS.
K TucTnue^eyjSrrN$L?o TH 1S BILL PR0VIDE FOR THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS OF THIS COUNCIL AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR PREFERABLE IN MY VIEW TO PRESENT THEM AS SUCH.+ HE SAID.
/IT WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
11
IT WAS ALSO MISLEADING TO ARGUE THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE LEGISLATING POWERS AND PRIVILEGES FOR THEMSELVES.
. ■;<
+WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH THE BUSINESS OF THIS COUNCIL AND SEEKING TO CODIFY FOR HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS OF THE FUTURE THE POWERS AND IMMUNITIES WE AT PRESENT ENJOY.
+WITH NECESSARY, CONDUCT OF
THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED, I AM SATISFIED THAT THEY ARE INDEED ESSENTIAL, FOR THE ORDERLY, EFFECTIVE AND LAWFUL THE BUSINESS OF THIS COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
-------0---------
DUNN AGREES WITH MUCH OF THE CRITICISMS
******
+THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND AS TO THE MERITS OF THE PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE BEEN EMBODIED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL,+ THE HON LYDIA DUNN SAID IN THE COUNCIL TODAY.
+WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE COLONIAL ERA,* SHE SAID«
+WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS A LEGISLATURE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS ENJOYING A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.*
LEGISLATORS MUST FEEL FREE TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS AND THEIR RIGHT TO DO SO SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED IN THE LAW OF HONG KONG.
THESE PRINCIPLES WERE SOUND AND REASONABLE AND TIMELY.
+TO VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL TODAY WOULD IMPLY THAT I DID NOT ACCEPT THESE PRINCIPLES,* SHE SAID.
+ l DO.’
+l SHALL VOTE IN FAVOUR OF READING THIS BILL A SECOND TIME.*
MISS DUNN SAID SHE HAD FOLLOWED THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
+l AGREE WITH MANY OF THE CRITICISMS OF PARTICULAR ASPECTS CF THE BILL.
+BUT THIS IS NOT THE STAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE WHEN DETAILED CHANGES IN THE WORDS OF THE BILL, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SOUND POINTS OF SUBSTANCE, CAN BE SETTLED.*
IN THE NEXT STAGE, THE COMMITTEE STAGE, WE SHOULD BE, REQUIRED TO VOTE ON THE BILL CLAUSE BY CLAUSE, ON AMENDMENTS PROPOSED, ON CLAUSES AS AMENDED AND, ULTIMATELY, IN THE THIRD READING, ON THE AMENDED BILL AS A WHOLE.
/+THERE IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
12
+THERE IS STILL SOME WAY TO GO.+
MISS DUNN SAID THE BILL HAD QUITE RIGHTLY ATTRACTED A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND GENERATED A GREAT DEAL OF COMMENT.
SO MUCH HAD BEEN SAID BY SO MANY THERE WAS NOW A THOROUGH STATE OF CONFUSION IN MANY PEOPLE’S MINDS.
WHAT, FOR INSTANCE, WAS THE PURPOSE OF TODAY’S DEBATE? SHE ASKED.
TO MAKE A NEW LAW MANY WOULD SAY.
+IT IS NOTHING OF THE SORT,+ MISS DUNN STATED.
+OUR AIM TODAY IS MUCH SIMPLER.
+IT IS TO EXPRESS OUR APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE THAT A LAW SHOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE IN THIS LEGISLATURE: THAT MEMBERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK FREELY WITHOUT FEAR THAT THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO LEGAL ACTION- THAT WHEN WE NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF WITNESSES THERE ARE PROPER LEGAL ARRANGEMENTS TO GOVERN THE WAY IN WHICH THESE WITNESSES CAN BE OF MOST HELP FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD- AND THAT THERE ARE SANCTIONS AGAINST MISCHIEVOUS ATTEMPTS TO FRUSTRATE THE WORK OF THE BODY REQUIRED TO MAKE LAWS FOR THE GOOD GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG.+
THE PURPOSE OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE WAS TO RESOLVE THESE MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE AND RECORD WHERE, IN SUBSTANCE, CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DRAFT OF THE BILL.
-----0------
’SUMMONSING WITNESS NOT INFRINGEMENT OF PRIVACY’
******
THE PURPOSE OF SUMMONSING WITNESSES TO GIVE EVIDENCE BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR ITS COMMITTEES IS TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY, NOT PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF CITIZENS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI DURING THE DEBATE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985.
HE SAID THE INTENTIONS OF THE BILL WERE TO LAY DOWN SOME RULES SO AS TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AS A BODY TO PROPERLY AND EFFICIENTLY PERFORM THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
HOWEVER, QUITE A FEW CRITICS SEEMED TO HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE BILL CONFERRED MORE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES THAN THOSE AT PRESENT ENJOYED BY THE COUNCIL.
/IN PARTICULAR, ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
IN PARTICULAR, THEY THOUGHT THE POWER TO CALL WITNESSES TO GIVE EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL WAS A NEW INVENTION AND EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT IT MIGHT INFRINGE ON PRIVACY OR CIVIL LIBERTIES.
HE INVITED ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT SUCH POWER HAD FOR
MANY YEARS BEEN PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE AND ANALYSED WHY IT WAS NECESSARY TO LAY DOWN THE SAME POWER UNDER THIS BILL.
HE THOUGHT THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION WAS TWO-FOLD.
+FIRST, IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO TIDY UP AND PUT TOGETHER PROVISIONS ON THIS COUNCIL’S POWERS AND PRIVILEGES SCATTERED IN DIFFERENT PLACES SO THAT THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS FUTURE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL MAY HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT THOSE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES ARE.
+SECONDLY, IN VIEW OF THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG IN 1997, WE CANNOT SIMPLY RELY ON THE PRACTICE IN THE UK HOUSE OF COMMONS AS PROVIDED IN THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE,* HE SAID.
+WE NEED TO LAY DOWN NOW WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES RELATING TO EVIDENCE AND TO BUILD UP OUR OWN TRADITION.
+AFTER ALL, 12 YEARS IS NOT A LONG TIME,* HE ADDED.
AS FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THEIR POWER TO CALL EVIDENCE WAS NOW GOVERNED BY STANDING ORDERS.
EMPHASISING THAT THE PURPOSE OF SUMMONSING WITNESSES WAS TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY, DR HO SOUGHT TO FURTHER ASSURE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT STILL HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THIS THAT UNDER CLAUSE 12 OF THE BILL A WITNESS SUMMONSED TO GIVE EVIDENCE OR TO PRODUCE ANY PAPER BEFORE THE COUNCIL MIGHT REFUSE TO ANSWER A QUESTION OR PRODUCE ANY SUCH PAPER ON THE GROUND THAT IT WAS OF A PRIVATE NATURE AND DID NOT AFFECT THE SUBJECT OF INQUIRY.
THE PRESIDENT MIGHT THEN EXCUSE THE ANSWERING OF THE QUESTION OR PRODUCTION OF THE PAPER.
+FURTHER PROTECTION IS GIVEN UNDER CLAUSE 14(1) WHICH SAYS THAT A WITNESS IS ENTITLED TO THE SAME RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE AS BEFORE A COURT OF LAW, WHICH INCLUDES NON-DISCLOSURE OF PRIVILEGED INFORMATION LIKE THAT BETWEEN A WITNESS AND HIS LAWYER, AND PROTECTION AGmiNST SELF-INCRIMINATION,* HE SAID.
ADDRESSING THE CONCERN RAISED OVER THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A WITNESS MIGHT BE EXCUSED FROM ANSWERING A QUESTION OR PRODUCING A PAPER, DR HO SAID SOMEONE HAD TO DECIDE ON SUCH MATTERS AND IT APPEARED TO BE A SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE THE DECISION.
/+THE PRESIDENT, ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 19^5
14
+THE PRESIDENT, WHO MAY BE ELECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL IN FUTURE, WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO MEMBERS FOR HIS EXERCISE CF POWER AND SHOULD BE TRUSTED TO ACT REASONABLY.
+IF HE WERE TO ACT IN A WHOLLY UNREASONABLE WAY OR BEYOND HIS POWERS, THEN THE WITNESS MAY, AS I UNDERSTAND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 24, HAVE RECOURSE TO THE COURT FOR REDRESS,* F£ SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT SOME KIND OF RULES COMMITTEE SIMILAR TO THE UK PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PRIVILEGE SHOULD BE SET UP TO HANDLE ANY COMPLAINTS WITNESSES MIGHT WISH TO LODGE AFTER GIVING EVIDENCE, HE FELT IT MERITED SOME CONSIDERATION IN THAT IT WOULD GIVE A WITNESS AN APPEAL CHANNEL TO SEEK REDRESS FOR ANY GRIEVANCE, WHETHER IT BE REAL OR IMAGINED.
HE HOPED THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD REFLECT UPON THIS PROPOSAL AND ARRIVE AT SOME CONCRETE PLANS.
+WITH THESE REMARKS AND SUBJECT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, I SUPPORT THE BILL IN PRINCIPLE,* DR HO SAID IN CONCLUSION.
-----o-----
LEGCO DIFFERENT NEXT SESSION, SAYS SO * * * * *
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL, THE HON ANDREW SO SAID CLAUSE 15 PROVIDED THAT WHEN QUESTIONS RELATING TO EVIDENCE AND PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AROSE, THE COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEE SHOULD, IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, MAKE ITS DECISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMER USAGE AND PRACTICE PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
+THIS PROVISION IS BASICALLY CORRECT,* MR SO SAID.
HOWEVER, BOTH THE HONG KONG AFFAIRS SOCIETY AND MEETING POINT AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC WERE OF THE OPINION THAT THESE FORMER USAGES AND PRACTICES SHOULD BE CLEARLY SPELT OUT.
+IN LINE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNCIL, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THIS RESPECT, SO THAT HARD AND FAST RULES OF FORMER USAGE AND PRACTICE NEED NOT BE FOLLOWED SLAVISHLY,* HE SAID.
+1 AM GLAD TO NOTE THAT AN AMENDMENT WILL BE MADE TO THIS CLAUSE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO PROVIDE THAT QUESTIONS MAY BE DETERMINED EITHER IN ACCORDANCE WITH PAST USAGE AND PRACTICE OR BY RESOLUTION CF THE COUNCIL,* HE ADDED.
/MR SO ..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 15 -
MR SO SAID BEFORE TAKING OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MUST PLEDGE AN OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
+AN OATH IS A SACRED PROMISE,+ HE SAID.
+WE HAVE TO THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND OUR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS BEFORE WE UNDERTAKE TO MAKE THE PROMISE.
+THE AIM OF THIS BILL IS TO SET OUT EXPLICITLY THESE BASIC RIGHTS.
*WHEN THE NEW SESSION BEGINS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT IS NOW BOTH IN ITS COMPOSITION AND IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF ITS MEETINGS, THOUGH ITS ROLE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.+
TO GIVE JUST ONE EXAMPLE, THERE WOULD BE A MUCH GREATER NUMBER OF SELECT COMMITTEES TO BE SET UP UNDER THE COUNCIL.
AT PRESENT, WE ONLY HAD THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, PLUS THE RECENTLY-APPOINTED SELECT COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL CRIMES.
+AS THE STATUS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BECOMES INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT, THE NEED TO SET UP SELECT COMMITTEES TO DISPOSE OF ITS DUTIES WILL INCREASE ACCORDINGLY,* MR SO SAID.
HE SAID AS ALL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WERE HITHERTO APPOINTED, THEY HAD IN THE PAST, ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE, SET UP VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS TO CARRY OUT DIFFERENT TASKS.
MEMBERS TOOK PART IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS AND SPECIALTIES.
IN MOST CASES, SENIORITY AND THE ALPHABETIC ORDER OF SURNAMES WOULD DECIDE WHO WOULD BE THE CONVENER OF A WORKING GROUP.
+A MORE DESIRABLE ARRANGEMENT WILL BE FOR YOU, SIR, IN YOUR CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, TO APPOINT SELECT COMMITTEES AND THEIR CHAIRMEN TO DEAL WITH SPECIAL AFFAIRS OF THE COUNCIL,* MR SO SAID.
HE SAID BEING A MEMBER OF THE AD HOC GROUP ON THE BILL HE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN EXAMINING ITS SPIRIT AND WORDING.
+MOREOVER, I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE THREE EXISTING SELECT COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL.
+l AM WILLING TO SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLE OF THIS IMPORTANT BILL AND SELFISHLY HOPE TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT AND ITS AMENDMENTS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY OF MY TERM OF OFFICE ON OCTOBER 3O,+ HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
16 -
AMENDMENT TO BE MADE TO CONTROVERSIAL CLAUSE * * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED THAT AN AMENDMENT WILL BE MADE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO CLAUSE 24 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, THE HON JOHN SWAINE SAID IN THE COUNCIL TODAY.
SUPPORTING THE BILL IN THE LIGHT OF VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO IT, SWAINE SAID THE CLAUSE HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL AND HAD LED TO THE COMMENT THAT IT PLACED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ABOVE THE LAW.
+IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS SOVEREIGN, THE DOCTRINE OF THE SEPARATION OF POWERS APPLIES IN ITS FULL VIGOUR, AND IT HAS BEEN HELD BY THE HIGHEST JUDICIAL AUTHORITY THAT PARLIAMENT IS TRULY MASTER OF ITS OWN HOUSE, AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO CONTROL BY THE COURTS,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR SWAINE STRESSED THAT THIS UNLIMITED IMMUNITY HAD NEVER APPLIED IN HONG KONG.
-(-BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS NOT A SOVEREIGN BODY THE IMMUNITY WHICH IT POSSESSES FROM JUDICIAL ENQUIRY IS LIMITED, AND THIS IS FOUNDED ON THE DOCTRINE THAT ONLY THOSE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES ARE TO BE IMPLIED WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER EXERCISE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODY,+ HE EXPLAINED.
MR SWAINE SAID AS THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF THE BILL WAS TO DECLARE AND CODIFY THE LAW, AND NOT TO EFFECT ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE, CLAUSE 24 IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM WAS OPEN TO OBJECTION AS GOING BEYOND THAT MANDATE.
-••ACCORDINGLY, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED THAT AN AMENDMENT WILL BE MADE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE WHICH WILL EXCLUDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT ONLY IN RESPECT OF THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED BY THE BILL OR STANDING ORDERS.
+THIS AMENDMENT WILL LEAVE INTACT THE COURT’S POWER OF ENQUIRY AS TO WHETHER THE POWER IN QUESTION EXISTS AND WHETHER THE EXERCISE OF THAT POWER IS LAWFUL.
+l AM SATISFIED THAT WITH THIS AMENDMENT A FAIR BALANCE WILL BE STRUCK BETWEEN ENSURING SUFFICIENT FREEDOM OF ACTION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE HAMSTRUNG IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS POWERS, AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE CITIZEN’S RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE COURTS TO CHECK THE ABUSE OF POWER,+ HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL IN GENERAL, MR SWAINE SAID OF THE PROVISIONS WHICH REMAINED, THERE COULD BE NO QUARREL WITH THOSE WHICH SOUGHT TO ENSURE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL OR ITS COMMITTEES.
/+NOR CAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JUN. 2, 1985
17
*NOR CAN THERE BE ANY SERIOUS QUARREL WITH THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES SHALL HAVE POWER TO COMPEL THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES AND TO HAVE THEM EXAMINED ON OATH.
+SUCH POWER WOULD PROBABLY BE IMPLIED ANYWAY, AND IS IN ANY
EVENT CONFERRED BY SECTION 4 OF THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS WHICH IS AN UMBRELLA PROVISION OF VERY WIDE SCOPE.
+THIS IS TO BE REPLACED BY THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF OF THE BILL,* HE SAID.
MR SWA I NE POINTED OUT THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND CONTEMPTS BE PUNISHABLE AS OFFENCES, BUT THE POWER OF PUNISHMENT LAY
THE
LEGISLATURE, BUT IN THE COURTS
ORDINANCE
PART III
WERE TO NOT IN
USE
+l REGARD THIS AS A NECESSARY SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE ARBITRARY
OF POWER,* HE
SAID
- - 0 - -
AN
ADMITTANCE TO +DRAFTING OVERSIGHTS+ * * * *
LEGISLATIVE
COUNCILLOR THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG ADMITTED DURING THE DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL THAT PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE +VERY BELATED* AVALANCHE OF COMMENTS ON THE BILL SOME MEMBERS OF THE IN-HOUSE AD HOC GROUP .’•ERc UNABLE TO DETECT SOME VERY CONTROVERSIAL YET IMPORTANT +DRAFTING OVERSIGHTS*.
-n- nr+tU?DENLY> JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE BILL WAS SCHEDULED ■T?r-TE.READ THE SECOND TIME, THE MATTER WAS GIVEN AN UNEXPECTED LIFT AND IN THIS REGARD THE HONG KONG AFFAIRS SOCIETY SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR CATALYTIC EFFORTS,* MR CHEONG SAID.
HE SAID SINCE THEN UMELCO HAD RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM NO LESS THAN 10 GROUPS OF PUBLIC SPIRITED ORGANISATIONS OR COMMENTATORS.
+VALID POINTS RAISED BY THESE REPRESENTATIONS DID OFFER A _0T OF HELP IN THE PROCESS OF FURTHER CRYSTALISATION OF OUR THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT MATTER,+ HE SAID.
FOR THE PAST 10 DAYS TREMENDOUS EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE BY UNOFFICIALS AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION IN GOING OVER IN DETAIL ALL THE OBSERVATIONS SUBMITTED.
+ THE GUIDING LIGHT OF OUR DELIBERATION HAS BEEN THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE THAT THE DETAILED PROVISIONS ARE MEANT TO BE A CODIFICATION EXERCISE OF THE PRESENT PRACTICE AND THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK NO MORE OR NO LESS THAN IS NECESSARY TO ENABLE LEGISLATORS TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS PROPERLY, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR,+ HE SAID.
'HEY
WEDN.
INE 12, 1985
- 18 -
THEY DELIBERATED AT LENGTH AND IN GREAT DETAIL PARTICULARLY OVER THE PROVISIONS OF CLAUSE 20 AND CLAUSE 24, HE CONTINUED.
THE RESULTANT CONSENSUS WAS THAT CLAUSE 20 WOULD BE DELETED ENTIRELY AND THAT CLAUSE 24 WOULD BE SO AMENDED AS TO REFLECT AGREEMENT THAT UNLAWFUL ACTS OF THE COUNCIL OR THE PRESIDENT OR OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD STILL BE SUBJECTED TO THE SCRUTINY
ON ONE +WIDELY PUBLICISED ASSERTION* THAT IT WOULD NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE IF THIS BILL WAS PUSHED THROUGH WITH INDECENT HASTE DURING THE CURRENT SESSION BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE ELECTED MEMBERS, MR CHEONG SAID THIS WAS FORWARDED AS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL REASON BEHIND THE CALL FOR DEFERMENT OF THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
+l AM SURE I WILL NOT BE ALONE IN QUESTIONING THE LOGIC BEHIND SUCH AN ASSERTION AND THE VALIDITY OF ITS IMPLIED ASSUMPTIONS,* HE SAID.
PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE SURELY HAD TO BE EARNED, IT DID NOT COME AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE ARRIVAL OR OTHERWISE OF ELECTED MEMBERS.
IN ANY CASE, THE IMPLIED ASSUMPTION THAT ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD HAVE LESS VESTED INTEREST THAN APPOINTED MEMBERS IN THIS
ISSUE DID NOT HOLD TRUE.
+WHY THEN SHOULD IT FOLLOW THAT APPOINTED MEMBERS, SITTING IN THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AFTER THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC WHILST DELIBERATING OVER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL?* HE QUESTIONED.
+IN MY VIEW, IF AND WHEN MEMBERS ARE FIRST SATISFIED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CONSCIENTIOUS AND DILIGENT IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS AND IN SO DOING, SECONDLY, HAVE FULLY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ALL REPRESENTATION WHILST TRYING, THIRDLY, TO TAKE STEPS TO AMEND WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WRONG, THEN THEIR DUTIES AS LEGISLATORS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED HONORABLY.
+l WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EMPHASISE THAT THE FINAL PACKAGE, INCLUSIVE OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS, HAS BEEN ARRIVED AT WITH DUE CARE AND OBJECTIVITY AND, IN MY OPINION, IT CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF HOW MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROVISIONS OF ANY BILL CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH CONSCIOUS AND REASONABLE PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO UMELCO.
+THEREFORE ANY FURTHER DEFERMENT OF THIS BILL IS UNNECESSARY,* HE DECLARED.
IN CONCLUSION, MR CHEONG SAID HE HAD GREAT PLEASURE IN DECLARING HIS WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, SUBJECT TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING PROPOSED AND ENACTED IN THE COMMITTEE STAGE CF THE BILL.
- 0 -
WEDNEb AY, JUNE 12, 1985
19
AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO ALLEVIATE CONCERN
*****
DURING THE SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATIONS THE WISH OF HONG KONG TO RETAIN MANY OF ITS FREEDOMS WAS UNQUESTIONABLE, THE HON ffiS SELINA CHOW SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985.
+ IT WAS THEREFORE UNDERSTANDABLE,* SHE SAID, +THAT MUCH WAS VOICED BY THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA IN PARTICULAR ON THE NECESSITY TO SAFEGUARD EXISTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE PRESS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BILL BEFORE US.
+1 SHARE THE SENTIMENT, AND FEEL THAT CERTAIN AMENDMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO ALLEVIATE CONCERN.*
TWO POINTS WERE OFTEN CRITICISED IN CLAUSE 17(D).
THE PHRASE ’INTENTIONAL DISRESPECT’ WAS GENERALLY NOT FAVOURED, AS ITS DEFINITION WAS OPEN TO QUESTION.
+MOREOVER, THE FOLLOWING PHRASE 'TO OR WITH REFERENCE TO THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE OR TO ANY PERSON PRESIDING AT SUCH PROCEEDINGS’ COULD MEAN ANYTHING RANGING FROM DISRESPECTFUL WORDS OR ACT TO GENUINE COMMENTARY MADE OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL WHICH MAY BE CRITICAL OF IT, IN EITHER SPOKEN, WRITTEN OR PUBLISHED FORM.
+THIS GRAVE RESERVATION IS JUSTIFIED, AND IN MY VIEW, CLAUSE 17(D) SHOULD BE REMOVED ALTOGETHER,* SHE SAID.
MOVING TO CLAUSE 20 WHICH SHE SAID SEEMED TO CAUSE THE MOST PROBLEMS AS FAR AS FREEDOM OF SPEECH WAS CONCERNED, MRS CHOW SAID SHE CERTAINLY SHARED THE THINKING OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE NED IA THAT CLAUSE 20 SHOULD BE DELETED, SO THAT MEMBERS WERE LEFT IN NO DOUBT THAT THE PRESENT ROLE OF THE MEDIA AS THE WATCHDOG OF GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY BE ERODED.
+THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DOES NOT AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ANY MORE PROTECTION THAN IS PRESENTLY AFFORDED BY EXISTING LEGISLATION.
+AT THIS JUNCTURE, THERE MUST BE NO NEW LEGAL PROVISION THAT CAN BE CONSTRUED OR INTERPRETED AS RETROGRESSION IN THE PART THE MEDIA IS ALLOWED TO PLAY BY LAW, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS A MORE OPEN FORM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.*
SHE SAID IN DISPOSING OF CLAUSE 20, THERE WAS JUST A SMALL QUESTION MARK THAT REMAINED IN HER MIND.
/*! AM .......
WEDNi .MY. JUNE 12, 1985
- 20 -
+l AM ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THAT IN THE CASE OF A CLOSED MEETING THE PUBLISHER OF REPORTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THAT MEETING SHOULD NOT BE OPEN TO PROSECUTION. THIS HAS BEEN AND IS PRESENTLY THE CASE, AND MUST NOT CHANGE.
+HOWEVER, SHOULD THE COUNCIL DECIDE TO GIVE AN UNDERTAKING
TO A THIRD PARTY COMING FORWARD TO GIVE EVIDENCE THAT HIS SUBMISSION AS WELL AS THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING IN WHICH HE IS ASKED TO TAKE PART WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL, THERE WILL BE NO LEGAL SAFEGUARD THAT THE COUNCIL OR ITS COMMITTEE CAN MAKE GOOD ITS PROMISE REGARDING THE PUBLICATION OF SUCH EVIDENCE CR PROCEEDING.
+l HOPE THIS POINT WILL BE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION,* SHE SAID.
PERHAPS A LEAF COULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE BOOK OF SECTION 5
OF THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (REGULATIONS OF REPORTS) ORDINANCE IN WHICH THE COURT WAS EMPOWERED TO PROHIBIT PUBLICATION OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO THEM. SO LONG AS THE COURT TOOK AN ACTIVE DECISION TO DO SO, AND STATED CLEARLY THAT SUCH PUBLICATION WOULD CONSTITUTE CONTEMPT.
MRS CHOW CONCLUDED: +SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROPOSED DELETION OF CLAUSE 17(D) AND CLAUSE 20 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, WHEREBY I BELIEVE THE PRESENT FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA IN ITS WORK ON THE COUNCIL WILL BE PRESERVED, I SUPPORT THE BILL.*
--------o - - - -
CALL TO REDRAFT ’STRANGERS’ CLAUSE * * * *
DEALING WITH CLAUSE 8 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 WHICH RELATES TO REGULATING THE ADMITTANCE CF STRANGERS TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE HON CHAN YING-LUN SAID IN THE COUNCIL TODAY THAT COMMENTS ON THE FIRST PART OF CLAUSE 8 (1) HAD FOCUSED ON THE FIRST SENTENCE, WHICH READ + N0 STRANGER SHALL BE ENTITLED AS OF RIGHT TO ENTER OR TO REMAIN WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER*, AND IN PARTICULAR THE WORDS +STRANGERS+ AND +AS OF RIGHT* SEEMED TO BE THE MOST CONTENTIOUS.
+SOME PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS WOULD DEPRIVE f-EMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING THE PRESS, OF THE RIGHT TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL,* MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID THE SECOND PART OF CLAUSE 8 (1) GAVE POWER TO THE PRESIDENT TO ORDER WITHDRAWAL OF STRANGERS FROM THE PRECINCTS CF THE CHAMBER.
*SOME PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE PRESIDENT MAY HAVE ARBITRARY POWER TO EXCLUDE ANY PERSON WHOM HE DOES NOT LIKE,* HE ADDED.
/ClauM 8 (2) .....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 21
CLAUSE 8 (2) GAVE POWER TO THE PRESIDENT TO ISSUE SUCH ORDERS AS HE MAY DEEM +NECESSARY OR EXPEDIENT*.
+SOME PEOPLE HAVE AGAIN EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE ABUSE OF POWER,* MR CHAN SAID.
CLAUSE 8 (3) WAS PURELY ADMINISTRATIVE AND HAD ATTRACTED NO COMMENTS.
+TAKING ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS ON CLAUSE 8 AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH TWO GROUPS CALLED FOR ITS DELETION, THERE HAS BEEN NO DENIAL THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE POWER TO REGULATE ADMITTANCE OF THE PUBLIC TO THE PRECINCTS OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AS THIS POWER IS ALREADY PROVIDED IN THE STANDING ORDERS,* MR CHAN SAID.
+THE OVERWHELMING REACTION OF THE INTERESTED GROUPS TO THIS CLAUSE IS THAT IT SHOULD BE REDRAFTED TO STATE THE RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL, AND TO PREVENT ARBITRARY USE OF POWER BY THE PRESIDENT.
+l CONSIDER THESE REQUESTS BOTH LEGITIMATE AND CONSTRUCTIVE.*
HE PROPOSED THAT CLAUSE 8 (1) SHOULD BE REDRAFTED TO STATE IN A POSITIVE MANNER THE RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RULES.
TO ALLAY ANY POSSIBLE FEARS THAT THE PRESIDENT COULD MAKE ARBITRARY RULES, HE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE CLEAR STIPULATIONS THAT SUCH RULES SHOULD BE PROVIDED EITHER IN THE STANDING ORDERS OR BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
+BY FOLLOWING THE LINE OF THE STANDING ORDERS, THE WORDS ’STRANGERS’ AND ’AS OF RIGHT’ CAN THUS BE REMOVED,* HE SAID.
AS REGARDS COMMENTS ON CLAUSE 8 (2) WHICH CONCERNED THE ISSUE OF ORDERS BY THE PRESIDENT, MR CHAN SAID HE AGREED WITH THE REPRESENTATIONS THAT IN ADDITION TO THE QUALIFICATION OF +NECESSARY AND EXPEDIENT*, THE PURPOSE OF ISSUING SUCH ORDERS SHOULD BE CLARIFIED, SUCH AS FOR MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER, ENSURING THE PROPER BEHAVIOUR AND DECORUM OF PERSONS AND FOR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES.
+TO FURTHER ALLAY ANY MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT ABUSE OF POWER. THE WORD ’ORDER’ CAN BE SUBSTITUTED BY ’ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS’ WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS IN THE CLAUSE.*
HE SAID IN LINE WITH THE ABOVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, CORRESPONDING AMENDMENTS SHOULD ALSO BE MADE TO CLAUSE 21 (A), (B) AND (C) WHICH DEALT WITH SITUATIONS UNDER WHICH OFFENCES WOULD BE COMMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
------0-------
/22......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
22
AMENDMENT AND DELETION SUGGESTED
*****
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER THE HON PAULINE NG CALLED FOR THE AMENDMENT CF CLAUSE 16 AND DELETION OF CLAUSE 19(A) OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL IN THE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, MRS NG SAID THE WORDING OF CLAUSE 16 OF THE CURRENT BILL MIGHT GIVE PEOPLE THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT THE WITNESS ENJOYED AN IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION AND THAT EVEN IF THERE WAS INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE THE WITNESS COULD NOT BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
♦HENCE, CLAUSE 16 SHOULD BE AMENDED TO STIPULATE THAT THE STATEMENT MADE BY A WITNESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CANNOT BE USED AS EVIDENCE AT COURT IN A CHARGE OF CRIMINAL OFFENCE OR CIVIL LIABILITIES AGAINST HIM, BUT HE MAY STILL BE PROSECUTED IF THERE IS OTHER EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT HE IS GUILTY OF SUCH AN OFFENCE,+ SHE SAID.
♦ THIS PROVISION MAY ALSO BE AMENDED ALONG THE LINES OF SECTION 44A OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE,* SHE ADDED.
REFERRING TO CLAUSE 19(A) OF THE BILL, MRS NG SAID IT COULD BE DELETED AS IT WAS SIMILAR TO SECTION 4 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE (CAP 201).
+SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAVE CRITICISED THAT THERE IS NO PROVISION IN THE BILL TO PREVENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS FROM ACCEPTING ADVANTAGES.
+AS A MATTER OF FACT, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC SERVANTS REFERRED TO IN THE PREVENTION CF BRIBERY ORDINANCE, AND ARE ALREADY RESTRICTED BY LAW TO RECEIVE ADVANTAGES FROM THE PUBLIC.
+IT IS THEREFORE UNNECESSARY TO RAISE THE SAME POINT AGAIN IN THIS BILL,* SHE SAID.
-----0------
/23
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
23
DR FANG WINDS UP DEBATE ON BILL * * * *
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, DR THE HON HARRY FANG SAID HE DID NOT THINK HE COULD USEFULLY ADD TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED SO ELOQUENTLY AND PERSUASIVELY BY HIS COLLEGAUES WHICH REFLECTED IN GENERAL THE MANY HOURS THEY HAD SPENT IN DISCUSSION IN THE UMELCO OFFICE ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
+WE ARE SATISFIED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE EXTENSIVE AMENDMENTS AGREED, WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, THE BILL BEFORE THIS COUNCIL WILL PROVIDE THOSE RIGHTS, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR THE ORDERLY AND LAWFUL CONDUCT OF THIS COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
+ON THIS UNDERSTANDING, I AM PLEASED TO GIVE MY SUPPORT TO THE UNANIMOUS VIEW OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT THIS BILL BE READ A SECOND TIME,* HE CONCLUDED.
-----0-----
INDUSTRY GIVEN INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SAW ITS ROLE AS PROVIDING AN ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENABLE INDUSTRY TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY WITH THE MINIMUM OF INTERFERENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO SAID TODAY.
IN THIS WAY IT WAS HOPED THAT HIGHER TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WOULD BE ATTRACTED TO HONG KONG.
MR HO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG PO-YAN ON GOVERNMENT’S POLICY AND PLANS FOR DEVELOPING HIGH TECHNOLOGY FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ADVICE ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES NEEDED BY INDUSTRY WAS CHANNELLED TO GOVERNMENT PRINCIPALLY THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB) ON WHICH MAJOR TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS WERE REPRESENTED.
ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE IDB, PUBLIC FUNDS HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR THREE RESEARCH PROJECTS RELATED TO ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER-AIDED-DESIGN TECHNOLOGY WHICH WERE BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC. IN ADDITION, A PHASED PROGRAMME HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO CONDUCT, ON A REGULAR BASIS, TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDIES ON MAJOR SECTORS OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, NAMELY ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS, METALS, LIGHT ENGINEERING AND GARMENTS-TEXTILES.
/+SUCH RESEARCH ..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
24
+SUCH RESEARCH STUDIES WILL EXAMINE THE LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS CF THE MAJOR SECTORS, THEIR STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES IN THE CONTEXT CF WORLD-WIDE TREND AND WILL IN ADDITION IDENTIFY, ON A MACRO-LEVEL, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND MARKET POTENTIALS OF THEIR PRODUCTS.
+THEY WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURERS IN FORMULATING THEIR PLANS FOR EXPANSION, DIVERSIFICATION OR UPGRADING,* HE SAID.
AS A BACK-UP SERVICE TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY WAS SET UP IN SEPTEMBER 1984.
ATTRACTION OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY TO HONG KONG WAS PARAMOUNT IN THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD ASSISTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT IN HONG KONG OF A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FACTORIES EMPLOYING MANUFACTURING PROCESSES WHICH REPRESENTED THE CURRENT STATE-OF-THE-ART AND WERE AMONG THE MOST EFFICIENT IN THIS REGION.
OTHER SUPPORT FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY WAS THROUGH:
* TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO PROVIDE A POOL OF ADAPTABLE MANPOWER?
* ESTABLISHMENT IN 1977 OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION -PRIMARILY TO MAKE AVAILABLE FULLY SERVICED LAND TO INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WHICH HELP TO DIVERSIFY AND BROADEN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE AND TO UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF INDUSTRY.
THESE ESTATES NOW HOUSE SOME OF THE MOST MODERN PLANTS IN HONG KONG AND IN THIS REGION.
IN ADDITION, INDUSTRIES HAVING SPECIAL LAND REQUIREMENTS COULD APPROACH THE GOVERNMENT FOR A PRIVATE TREATY GRANT OF LAND UNDER THE SPECIAL INDUSTRIES POLICY.
AND, FINALLY, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE ASSISTS INDUSTRY TO UPGRADE ITSELF, AND PROVIDES THE NECESSARY SUPPORT SERVICES TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES AT A HIGHER LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY THAN THAT EXISTS AT PRESENT.
+WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN THE VARIOUS AREAS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE APPLICATION OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY IN OUR INDUSTRIES,* 14? HO SAID.
------0-------
/25........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
25
FILIPINA DOMESTIC HELPERS' STATUS OUTLINED
* * * *
FIL IPINA DOMESTIC HELPERS WERE NOT PREVENTED BY THE TERMS OF THEIR CONTRACTS FROM CHANGING EMPLOYERS DURING THE CONTRACT PERIOD, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
BUT THE 'CONDITIONS OF STAY’ THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IMPOSED ON THEM WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN HONG KONG WOULD SPECIFY WHO THEIR EMPLOYERS IN HONG KONG WERE, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
IF, THEREAFTER, THEY WANTED TO CHANGE EMPLOYERS, THEN UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE THEY HAD TO GET THE DIRECTOR CF IMMIGRATION’S APPROVAL, HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF FIL IP INA DOMESTIC HELPERS IN HONG KONG.
AS REGARDS ENFORCING COMPLIANCE WITH THE +CONDITIONS OF STAY+, MR JEAFFRESON SAID A FIL IP INA DOMESTIC HELPER WHO CHANGED EMPLOYER WITHOUT GETTING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION WOULD BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 41 OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THE OFFENDER WOULD BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $5 OOO AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
AT THE END OF MAY, HE SAID, THERE WERE 24 008 FIL IP INA DOMESTIC HELPERS WORKING IN HONG KONG.
THE NUMBER HAD INCREASED BY 66 PER CENT SINCE JANUARY 1982.
THE ANNUAL RATES WERE 39 PER CENT IN 1982, 23 PER CENT IN 1983, MINUS SEVEN PER CENT IN 1984, AND PLUS FIVE PER CENT IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1985, HE SAID.
--------o---------
WAYS TO PRODUCE TEXTBOOKS IN CHINESE STUDIED
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AT PRESENT EXAMINING A NUMBER OF OPTIONS AS TO HOW THE PRODUCTION OF TEXTBOOKS WRITTEN IN CHINESE SHOULD BEST BE ARRANGED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FIRM PROPOSALS ON THIS, AND ON THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CHINESE LANGUAGE FOUNDATION, WOULD HOPEFULLY BE TAKEN TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS, HE SAID.
/He vas ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 26 -
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALEX WU ON GOVERNMENT’S DECISION REGARDING THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE WORKING PARTY IN MARCH 1982. MR HENDERSON SAID THE WORKING PARTY, CHAIRED BY THE HON ALEX WU, HAD CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED THE LACK OF ADEQUATE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEXTBOOKS AS AN INHIBITING FACTOR IN RAISING Se STANDARD OF CHINESE LANGUAGE USED BY THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
+IT THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT, IN PROMOTING THE BETTER USE OF CHINESE. A CHINESE LANGUAGE FOUNDATION, IF ESTABLISHED, SHOULD GIVE PARTICULAR EMPHASIS TO THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH QUALITY TEXTBOOKS IN CHINESE,+ MR HENDERSON SAID.
-------0 ---------
NON-AGRI CULTURAL PESTICIDE CONTROL NEEDED KO**
THERE WAS A NEED TO INTRODUCE CONTROL OF NON-AGRI CULTURAL PESTICIDES AND NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR CHAMBERS SAID LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OF PESTICIDES FOR AGRICULTURAL USE WAS PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES ORDINANCE.
UNDER THIS ORDINANCE CONTROLS WERE EXERCISED ON THE IMPORT, SUPPLY, STORAGE, TRANSPORT, RETAIL SALE, LABELLING, BOTTLING AND MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION LIMITS OF AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES, HE SAID.
♦THESE CONTROLS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE GENERALLY ADEQUATE,+ HE SAID.
REGARDING HEALTH HAZARDS THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM THE MISUSE OF THESE PESTICIDES, MR CHAMBERS SAID ONE OF THE LABELLING REQUIREMENTS WAS THAT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE THE PESTICIDE AS WELL AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN SHOULD BE PRINTED IN cNGLISH AND CHINESE ON THE LABEL OF THE CONTAINER OF THE PESTICIDE.
IN ADDITION, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PROVIDED AN ADVISORY SERVICE AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR USERS ON THE SAFE USE AND HANDLING OF AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES, HE SAID.
AS FOR NON-AGR(CULTURAL PESTICIDES, MR CHAMBERS SAID THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO LEGISLATION WHICH DEALT SPECIFICALLY WITH THESE PESTICIDES.
/HOWEVER, HE .
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 198$
- 27 -
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE INGREDIENTS OF SOME SUCH PESTICIDES WERE INCLUDED IN THE POISONS LIST MADE UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE AND IN THESE CASES, THE PESTICIDES WERE SUBJECT TO CONTROLS IN RESPECT OF STORAGE, TRANSPORT, SALE, LABELLING AND BOTTLING.
+IT IS RECOGNISED HOWEVER THAT THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS NOT INTENDED TO CONTROL NON-PHARMACEUTICAL POISONS, IS NOT REALLY APPROPRIATE FOR THE CONTROL OF NON-AGRI CULTURAL PESTICIDES.
♦FOLLOWING RECENT CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IT IS ACCEPTED THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR CONTROLS TO BE INTRODUCED IN THIS AREA AND NEW LEGISLATION WILL BE CONSIDERED,* HE SAID.
-----0------
DIFFERENCES HALT NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL PLAN
X X X X X *
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NORTH DISTRICT WOULD DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE PARTIES CONCERNED BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
RESPONDING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN ON THE PROPOSED CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NORTH DISTRICT, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS PROPOSED TO COMBINE FIVE SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS IN THE AREA AND USING THE EXISTING PREMISES OF ONE OF THESE SCHOOLS WHICH WAS CENTRALLY LOCATED AND COULD BE SUITABLY RENOVATED FOn THE PURPOSE.
♦BECAUSE OF THE VERY SMALL SIZE OF THE TOTAL ENROLMENT IN THESE FIVE SCHOOLS. A NEW SCHOOL PROJECT IS NOT CONSIDERED JUSTI Fl ED,+ HE SAI D.
IN LINE WITH PREVIOUS PRACTICE, CONSULTATION WITH THE SCHOOL MANAGERS INVOLVED BEGAN IN FEBRUARY TO SECURE THEIR FULL CONSENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE SCHEME BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT BECAUSE OF UNFAVOURABLE REACTION FROM SCHOOL MANAGERS TO BEING RECONSTITUTED INTO A NEW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, IT WAS FELT THAT WIDER CONSULTATION INVOLVING PARENTS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN RURAL AREAS BY COMBINING A NUMBER OF SMALL SCHOOLS IN THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS TO FORM CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS, SUBJECT TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE SCHEME BY THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED.
ONE SUCH SCHOOL WAS SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED AT HO CHUNG IN SAI KUNG IN 1984, HE SAI D.
/28......
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
28
MEDIA COUNCIL - A MATTER FOR THE MEDIA * X X X
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT THE PROPOSAL FOR A MEDIA COUNCIL WAS A MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE PURSUED BY THE MEDIA THEMSELVES THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW, MR TSAO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE FORMATION OF A PREPARATORY
COMMITTEE OF THE MEDIA COUNCIL.
A PRESS STATEMENT HAD BEEN ISSUED ON MAY 30 BY THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCING ITS ESTABLISHMENT UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR JUSTICE SIMON LI, HE SAID.
+WE WELCOME THE INITIATIVE TO CONSIDER THE DESIRABILITY OF A MEDI A COUNCIL FOR HONG KONG.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF
NOT AND DOES NOT INTEND TO BECOME DIRECTLY THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE,* MR TSAO SAID.
--------0--------
CRITERIA FOR ZEBRA-CROSSINGS EXPLAINED M X * *
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, THE EFFECT ON MOTORISTS AND NEARBY PREMISES AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WERE THREE MAIN CRITERIA TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WHEN CONSIDERING THE NEED FOR ZEBRA-CROSSINGS ON PUBLIC ROADS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON CHRISTOPHER WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OTHER FACTORS WOULD BE THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIANS LIKELY TO USE THE CROSSING, THE POSITION OF THE CROSSING AND THE GRADIENT OF THE ROAD.
BUT THESE WERE ONLY GENERAL GUIDELINES, HE SAID, REPLYING TO QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG.
♦ THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF POTENTIAL SITES CAN VARY VERY CONSIDERABLY AND A DECISION CAN ONLY BE TAKEN IN ANY PARTICULAR SITUATION AFTER A CAREFUL SITE INVESTIGATION,* HE SAID.
INSIDE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, HE SAID, THE SAME ARRANGEMENTS APPLIED WHEN THE ROAD HAD BEEN GAZETTED AS A PUBLIC ROAD.
/WHERE A ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 29 -
WHERE A ROAD HAD NOT BEEN GAZETTED AS A PUBLIC ROAD, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE AND CONSIDERED EACH LOCATION ON ITS MERITS WITH REGARD TO THE DENSITY OF PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
INSIDE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES, HE SAID, THE PROVISION OF ZEBRA-CROSSINGS WAS LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF ESTATE MANAGERS. THIS WAS BECAUSE THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE DID NOT AT PRESENT APPLY TO SUCH ROADS.
♦HOWEVER, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY ENDORSED A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE ROAD SAFETY PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE SHOULD APPLY TO THESE ROADS AND NON-GAZETTED ROADS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
♦ THIS WILL BRING THE PROVISION OF SUCH ZEBRA-CROSSINGS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND DRAFT LEGISLATION IS BEING PREPARED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS,+ HE SAID.
ANSWERING ANOTHER QUESTION, BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, AS TO WHETHER GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER BUILDING MORE LAY-BYS TO RELIEVE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT MAN KAM TO, MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING WHETHER IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL VEHICLE HOLDING AREA - + IN EFFECT, A LARGE LAY-BY IN THE EXPANDED CONTROL COMPLEX AT MAN KAM TO*.
♦ THE FEASIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE MAN KAM TO ROAD TO A THREE-LANE ROAD IS ALSO BEING CONSIDERED,* HE SAID.
-----o------
LAYOUT PLAN PREPARED FOR ON LOK TSUEN ******
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREA
ON LOK TSUEN SHOULD BE DEVELOPED AS A ....... ..
PROVIDING SCOPE FOR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND EMPLOYMENT AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING NEW TOWN, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR ON LOK TSUEN IN FANLING.
+A LAYOUT PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE AREA TO PRODUCE 15 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND WHICH, IF DEVELOPED TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL, COULD PROVIDE JOBS FOR UP TO 30 000 PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
+THE LAND WITHIN THE LAYOUT IS LARGELY IN PRIVATE HANDS AND HAS BEEN CONVERTED OVER THE YEARS FROM AGRICULTURAL TO TEMPORARY INDUSTRIAL USE UNDER SHORT TERM WAIVERS.
+A SURVEY IN 1983 INDICATED THAT ABOUT 130 UNDERTAKINGS WERE THEN OPERATING AND EMPLOYING BETWEEN ONE AND TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE.
t
/♦IMPLEMENTATION OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
+IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAYOUT THEREFORE INVOLVES UPGRADING BY CONVERTING THE TEMPORARY TO THE PERMANENT THROUGH LEASE MODIFICATIONS AND LAND EXCHANGES WITH GOVERNMENT RESUMING SOME LAND TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ROADS AND DRAINAGE TO SERVE THE AREA.+ HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDED DEVELOPERS WITH FLEXIBILITY TO DEVELOP TO A PLOT RATIO OF BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE AND A BUILDING COVENANT PERIOD OF 48 MONTHS.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, PROGRESS WAS SLOW BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE INDUSTRIAL LAND MARKET.
THE FEW CROWN LAND SITES WHICH EXISTED IN THE AREA SHOULD BEGIN TO COME ONTO THE MARKET NEXT YEAR, MR CHAN ADDED.
-----0------
UMELCO GROUP BACKS PROPOSAL ON HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS ******
THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP HAS ENDORSED RECOMMENDATIONS BY A WORKING PARTY TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND WORKING PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING THE HANDLING OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE.
THIS WAS STATED BY HON S.L. CHEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN TABLING THE REPORT OF THE GROUP FOR 1984 IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, HE SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY, FORMED WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, THE SECURITY BRANCH, THE POLICE AND THE UMELCO OFFICE, HAD SUBMITTED ITS REPORT AND HAD RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SETTING UP OF A FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL SECRETARIAT TO SERVICE THE GROUP.
f
+THE WORKING PARTY HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF A FILTERING SYSTEM UNDER WHICH THE HANDLING OF SERIOUS COMPLAINTS WOULD BE EXAMINED IN DEPTH BY MEMBERS OF THE GROUP, WHILE THE HANDLING OF LESS SERIOUS COMPLAINTS WOULD BE EXAMINED ON BEHALF CF THE GROUP MEMBERS BY THE FULL-TIME SECRETARIAT, WHO WOULD REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO MEMBERS,+ MR CHEN SAID.
ON THE WORK OF THE GROUP IN 1984, MR CHEN SAID IT HAD EXAMINED A RECORD NUMBER OF POLICE INVESTIGATION REPORTS IN CONTINUATION CF THE TREND WHICH HAD DEVELOPED SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GROUP IN 1977.
/HE THANKED
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
HE THANKED THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND ALL OFFICERS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BRANCH FOR THE CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE RENDERED TO THE GROUP.
♦I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE DEDICATED SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, TO THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND INVALUABLE CONTR BUTION OF T.S. LO, FORMER CHAIRMAN, WHO LED THE GROUP DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW AND WAS A MEMBER FROM ITS INCEPTION,* HE SAID.
-----o------
BILL TO UPHOLD ARBITRATION CLAUSES ******
A BILL SEEKING TO CHANGE SOME WELL-ESTABLISHED BUT UNFAIR RULES CONCERNING FOREIGN JUDGMENTS ON CIVIL PROCEEDINGS OBTAINED IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION WAS READ A SECOND TIME TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FOREIGN JUDGMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO RESTATE POSITIVELY AND REINFORCE THE NEED TO GIVE EFFECT TO ARBITRATION CLAUSES FREELY ENTERED INTO.
+IF HONG KONG IS TO BE SEEN AS AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ARBITRATIONS, THEN IT IS CLEARLY RIGHT THAT THE LAW SHOULD UPHOLD ARBITRATION CLAUSES RATHER THAN SEE THEM CIRCUMVENTED,* MR THOMAS STRESSED.
+THE SECOND OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL IS TO PREVENT JUDGMENT CREDITORS COMMENCING FRESH PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG INSTEAD OF ENFORCING THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT ITSELF.
+A FOREIGN JUDGMENT WHICH IS ENFORCEABLE AND ENTITLED TO RECOGNITION IN HONG KONG WILL THEREFORE OPERATE AS A BAR TO ANY ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A SEPARATE HONG KONG JUDGMENT,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG ALREADY HAD A STATUTORY SCHEME WHICH PROVIDED A RELATIVELY SIMPLE PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING FOREIGN JUDGMENTS IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXECUTING THEM AGAINST DEFENDANT DEBTORS’ ASSETS IN HONG KONG.
EVEN THOUGH LIMITED BY THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHOSE COURTS COME WITHIN THE SCHEME, THIS APPEARED TO WORK QUITE WELL.
IN CASES WHICH FELL OUTSIDE THE STATUTORY SCHEME, MR THOMAS SAID, IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR A JUDGMENT CREDITOR WHO SOUGHT TO ENFORCE HIS JUDGMENT AGAINST THE HONG KONG ASSETS OF THE DEBTOR TO DO SO, BUT ONLY BY COMMENCING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS HERE BASED ON THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT FOR THAT PURPOSE.
/+A rURTHER .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
52 -
+A FURTHER POSSIBILITY, AND ONE WHICH MAY BE UNJUST TO ONE OF THE PARTIES TO THE DISPUTE, IS TO COMMENCE FRESH LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING A SEPARATE HONG KONG JUDGMENT,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT IN CASES WHERE A CREDITOR CAME TO THE COURTS OF HONG KONG RELYING UPON A JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN A FOREIGN COURT, THE COURTS HERE WERE BOUND TO RECOGNISE THAT JUDGMENT IF THE DEBTOR APPEARED IN THAT FOREIGN COURT.
+WHERE HE APPEARED TO MAKE OUT HIS DEFENCE AND FAILED, THAT IS CLEARLY RIGHT, BUT VERY OFTEN THE DEBTOR APPEARED IN THE FOREIGN COURT ONLY TO PERSUADE IT NOT TO ENTERTAIN THE CLAIM AGAINST HIM BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE. JHE DISPUTE OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO ARBITRATION UNDER A BINDING ARBITRATION SUBMISS ION.
+THIS BILL RELAXES THE LAWS OF HONG KONG TO DEAL WITH THAT CASE IF THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE DEBTOR’S APPEARANCE IN THE FOREIGN COURT AND HE RAISED NO CLAIM HIMSELF, THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT WILL NOT NOW BE RECOGNISED OR ENFORCED IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL WHICH FOLLOWED UNITED KINGDOM CHANGES MADE IN 1982 HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY, AND WAS PROMPTED IN PART BY THE KEEN INTEREST OF MR JUSTICE RHIND.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
---0------
STANDARDS SET FOR DANGEROUS GOODS AIR FREIGHT
* * * *
IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS FOR THE SAFE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS EMPHASISING THIS POINT WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) BILL 1985.
MR JACOBS SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION, IN PART, OF ANNEX 18 OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION AND THE ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH COMPRISED A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR.
THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO) CONTRACTING STATES WERE EXPECTED TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ANNEX AND THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS BY MEANS OF SUITABLE LEGISLATION, HE NOTED.
/+THEY ARE........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 31 -
HE THANKED THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND ALL OFFICERS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BRANCH FOR THE CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE RENDERED TO THE GROUP.
♦I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE DEDICATED SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, TO THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND INVALUABLE CONTR BUT ION OF MR T.S. LO, FORMER CHAIRMAN, WHO LED THE GROUP DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW AND WAS A MEMBER FROM ITS INCEPTION,* HE SAID.
0 -------
BILL TO UPHOLD ARBITRATION CLAUSES ******
A BILL SEEKING TO CHANGE SOME WELL-ESTABLISHED BUT UNFAIR RULES CONCERNING FOREIGN JUDGMENTS ON CIVIL PROCEEDINGS OBTAINED IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION WAS READ A SECOND TIME TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FOREIGN JUDGMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO RESTATE POSITIVELY AND REINFORCE THE NEED TO GIVE EFFECT TO ARBITRATION CLAUSES FREELY ENTERED INTO.
+IF HONG KONG IS TO BE SEEN AS AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ARBITRATIONS, THEN IT IS CLEARLY RIGHT THAT THE LAW SHOULD UPHOLD ARBITRATION CLAUSES RATHER THAN SEE THEM CIRCUMVENTED,* MR THOMAS STRESSED.
+THE SECOND OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL IS TO PREVENT JUDGMENT CREDITORS COMMENCING FRESH PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG INSTEAD OF ENFORCING THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT ITSELF.
+A FOREIGN JUDGMENT WHICH IS ENFORCEABLE AND ENTITLED TO RECOGNITION IN HONG KONG WILL THEREFORE OPERATE AS A BAR TO ANY ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A SEPARATE HONG KONG JUDGMENT,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG ALREADY HAD A STATUTORY SCHEME WHICH PROVIDED A RELATIVELY SIMPLE PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING FOREIGN JUDGMENTS IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE PURPOSE CF EXECUTING THEM AGAINST DEFENDANT DEBTORS’ ASSETS IN HONG KONG.
EVEN THOUGH LIMITED BY THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHOSE COURTS COME WITHIN THE SCHEME, THIS APPEARED TO WORK QUITE WELL.
IN CASES WHICH FELL OUTSIDE THE STATUTORY SCHEME, MR THOMAS SAID, IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR A JUDGMENT CREDITOR WHO SOUGHT TO ENFORCE HIS JUDGMENT AGAINST THE HONG KONG ASSETS OF THE DEBTOR TO DO SO, BUT ONLY BY COMMENCING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS HERE BASED ON THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT FOR THAT PURPOSE.
/+A FURTHER........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
32
+A FURTHER POSSIBILITY, AND ONE WHICH MAY BE UNJUST TO ONE OF THE PARTIES TO THE DISPUTE, IS TO COMMENCE FRESH LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING A SEPARATE HONG KONG JUDGMENT,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT IN CASES WHERE A CREDITOR CAME TO THE COURTS OF HONG KONG RELYING UPON A JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN A FOREIGN COURT, THE COURTS HERE WERE BOUND TO RECOGNISE THAT JUDGMENT IF THE DEBTOR APPEARED IN THAT FOREIGN COURT.
+WHERE HE APPEARED TO MAKE OUT HIS DEFENCE AND FAILED, THAT IS CLEARLY RIGHT, BUT VERY OFTEN THE DEBTOR APPEARED IN THE FOREIGN COURT ONLY TO PERSUADE IT NOT TO ENTERTAIN THE CLAIM AGAINST HIM BECAUSE. FOR EXAMPLE, JHE DISPUTE OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO ARBITRATION UNDER A BINDING ARBITRATION SUBMISSION.
♦ THIS BILL RELAXES THE LAWS OF HONG KONG TO DEAL WITH THAT CASE. IF THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE DEBTOR’S APPEARANCE IN THE FOREIGN COURT AND HE RAISED NO CLAIM HIMSELF, THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT WILL NOT NOW BE RECOGNISED OR ENFORCED IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL WHICH FOLLOWED UNITED KINGDOM CHANGES MADE IN 1982 HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY, AND «vAS PROMPTED IN PART BY THE KEEN INTEREST OF MR JUSTICE RHIND.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0----------
STANDARDS SET FOR DANGEROUS GOODS AIR FREIGHT * * * *
IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS FOR THE SAFE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS EMPHASISING THIS POINT WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) BILL 1985.
MR JACOBS SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION, IN PART, OF ANNEX 18 OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION AND THE ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH COMPRISED A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR.
THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO) CONTRACTING STATES WERE EXPECTED TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ANNEX AND THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS BY MEANS OF SUITABLE LEGISLATION, HE NOTED.
/+THEY ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 35 -
+ THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH INSPECTION, SURVEILLANCE AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE SHIPMENT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR COMPLY WITH SUCH LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.
INDEED, HE ADDED, ICAO SET JANUARY 1, 1984 AS THE TARGET DATE FOR FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ANNEX 18 AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS.
HONG KONG, MR JACOBS SAID, WAS A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION THROUGH ITS APPLICATION TO BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES BY HMG.
+BUT, EVEN IF IT WERE NOT, IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS FOR THE SAFE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR.+
HE SAID THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF REGULATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIRLINE OPERATORS, ENFORCED UNDER ARTICLE 41 OF THE AIR NAVIGATION (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1977, WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ICAO STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
HOWEVER, IT FELL SHORT OF FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ANNEX 18 AND THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS IN THAT, AT PRESENT, THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE PREPARATION, PACKING, LABELLING, MARKING OR OFFERING OF DANGEROUS GOODS FOR CARRIAGE BY AIR.
THE BILL PROVIDED THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MIGHT MAKE REGULATIONS AIMED AT SECURING COMPLIANCE WITH ANNEX 18 AND THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS BY SHIPPERS, FREIGHT FORWARDERS AND OTHERS, SUBJECT TO EXPRESS EXEMPTIONS, HE POINTED OUT.
IT ALSO PERMITTED THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION OR ANY OFFICER AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY HIM TO ENTER PREMISES FOR THE PURPOSES OF INSPECTING AND SEARCHING PREMISES, AND SEIZING DANGEROUS GOODS, AND TO DETAIN VESSELS, VEHICLES OR AIRCRAFT FOR PURPOSES OF SEARCH.
LASTLY, MR JACOBS SAID, THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE LIABILITY OF COMPANY DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT WHERE ANY OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE WAS COMMITTED BY A COMPANY; AND CLAUSE 6 EMPOWERED A MAGISTRATE TO ORDER THE FORFEITURE OF ANY DANGEROUS GOODS IN RESPECT OF WHICH AN OFFENCE HAD BEEN COMMITTED, WHETHER OR NOT ANY PERSON HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH THE OFFENCE.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE BILL, TO COME INTO OPERATION ON AUGUST 1, TO BE MADE UNDER ITS PROVISIONS BY
IF PASSED AND ENACTED, IS 1985 TOGETHER WITH REGULATIONS THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE PROPOSALS CONSULTATION WITH, STANDING COMMITTEE SAID.
REFLECTED IN THE BILL HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN AND WERE SUPPORTED BY THE DANGEROUS GOODS AND THE HONG KONG SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL, MR JACOBS
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
/5A .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 34 -
BILL PAVES WAY FOR +OSPREY+ REHEARING *****
THE DISCOVERY OF THE WRECK OF THE BARQUENTINE +OSPREY+ SINCE THE MARINE COURT FINDINGS IN MID-1984, TOGETHER WITH OTHER NEW EVIDENCE, SUGGESTED THAT A REHEARING SHOULD BE ORDERED, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JOCOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE WRECK, HE SAID, HAD BEEN DISCOVERED AND POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED + IN A LOCATION SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THAT IN WHICH THE COURT FOUND THE VESSEL WAS LOST.+
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNOR MIGHT ORDER THE REHEARING OF AN INVESTIGATION BY A MARINE COURT INTO A CASUALTY AFFECTING A SHIP.
HE EXPLAINED THAT +UNDER SECTION 56(1) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR’S POWER TO ORDER A REHEARING RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CONDUCT OF A HOLDER OF A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY.
THERE WAS SOME DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THE GOVERNOR MIGHT ORDER A REHEARING OF INVESTIGATION INTO A CASUALTY AFFECTING A SHIP EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL HEARING WOULD USUALLY HAVE TOUCHED ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF CERTIFICATE HOLDERS.
+CLAUSE 2(A) OF THE DRAFT BILL MAKES THE POSITION ABUNDANTLY CLEAR,+ HE SAID.
+WHILST THIS BILL REPRESENTS A NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE AMENDMENT TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, IT WILL BE OF DIRECT RELEVANCE TO THE INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE ’OSPREY’.+
CLAUSE 2(B) OF THE BILL, WHICH PROVIDED THAT SUCH AN ORDER FOR A REHEARING MIGHT BE MADE IN RELATION TO AN INVESTIGATION HELD BEFORE OR AFTER THE BILL TOOK EFFECT, WOULD ENABLE THIS TO BE DONE, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----o------
/».....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 35 -
BILL TO CLARIFY WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ******
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, WHICH SOUGHT TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WAS LARGELY AN ENABLING ORDINANCE THAT SET OUT THE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND PROVISIONS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS.
DETAILS OF THE METHODS OF CALCULATION OF QUANTITIES AND RATES OF DISCHARGES, THE FORM AND CONTENT OF NOTICES AND APPLICATIONS AND OTHER SUCH MATTERS WERE LEFT TO BE DEALT WITH IN REGULATIONS TO BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO CLARIFY THE EXISTING ORDINANCE IN THREE WAYS.
+FIRST OF ALL, IT WILL BRING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE ANY DISCHARGE OF OIL, OR A MIXTURE CONTAINING OIL, INTO WATERS - INCLUDING INLAND WATERS - SITUATED INSIDE A WATER CONTROL ZONE,* MR CHAMBERS SAID.
SECONDLY, MR CHAMBERS SAID, THE BILL SOUGHT TO SPECIFY WHO MIGHT CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING THE CANCELLATION OR VARIATION OF A LICENCE OR AN EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF A DISCHARGE OR DEPOSIT OF MATTER INTO A WATER CONTROL ZONE.
+THIRDLY, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT, IN THE EVENT OF DISAGREEMENT OVER THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION, THE DISPUTE WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR DETERMINATION,* MR CHAMBERS SAID.
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT COMPREHENSIVE REGULATIONS HAD BEEN DRAFTED AND PUBLISHED IN DRAFT FORM IN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT NO. 5 OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OF MAY 31, 1985.
THE DRAFT WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, AS IS INEVITABLE WITH POLLUTION CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION, ARE QUITE LENGTHY AND SOMEWHAT COMPLEX, HE NOTED.
' <
+EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION HAS TAKEN PLACE WITH INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL FIRMS INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRIES WHICH WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE REGULATIONS, BUT IT IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THEM,* MR CHAMBERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN INVITED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEwS TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND HE ALSO WELCOMED ANY COMMENTS FROM FELLOW MEMBERS.
I
/HIGHLIGHTING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- J6 -
HIGHLIGHTING TWO POINTS ABOUT THE DRAFT REGULATIONS, CHAMBERS SAID THEY WOULD INITIALLY APPLY ONLY TO THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE, THE ONLY ZONE SO FAR DECLARED UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS THE INTENTION TO DECLARE OTHER WATER CONTROL ZONES IN THE FUTURE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED IN THE TOLO AREA.
+SECONDLY, DETAILED GUIDANCE NOTES, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WILL BE ISSUED TO HELP INDUSTRIALISTS TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY APPLICATION FORMS,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.
IN ADDITION, SEMINARS WOULD BE ORGANISED TO EXPLAIN THE OPERATION OF THE LEGISLATION, AND THE AUTHORITY WOULD ALWAYS EE PREPARED TO ASSIST APPLICANTS IN THE COMPLETION OF FORMS, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED * * * *
A TEMPORARY BILL, CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN URBAN COUNCILLOR AND FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, WAS TAKEN THROUGH ALL ITS STAGES AT ONE SITTING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
EXPLAINING THE URGENCY OF THE PUBLIC BODIES (CONFIRMATION CF APPOINTED MEMBERS) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1985, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FIVE PERSONS HAD NOT FIRST GONE THROUGH THE REQUIREMENT OF REGISTERING AS ELECTORS IN TERMS OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.
AND THE ADMINISTRATION, HE SAID, ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE +UNFORTUNATE OVERSIGHT*.
HE SAID THAT THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE FIVE MEMBERS DID NOT INVALIDATE ANY ACTS ALREADY PERFORMED' BY THEM IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BODIES.
+THIS IS SO BECAUSE IN BOTH THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE, THERE IS A PROVISION TO THE EFFECT "THAT THE ACTS AND PROCEEDINGS OF ANY MEMBER ACTING AS SUCH SHALL, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS WANT OF QUALIFICATION OR DISQUALIFICATION, BE AS VALID AND EFFECTUAL AS IF HE HAD BEEN QUALIFIED,* MR TSAO SAID.
/MR TSAO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
- 57 -
MR TSAO EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL WAS INTENDED AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO ENABLE THE FIVE PERSONS TO CONTINUE TO ACT AS MEMBERS, AND IN THE INTERIM, TO SEEK REGISTRATION ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL.
THE NEXT REGISTRATION PERIOD WOULD START ON AUGUST 15, AND LEAD TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS IN JANUARY 1986, WHEN, IT WAS PROPOSED, THE BILL SHOULD LAPSE.
+THIS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE FIVE PERSONS CONCERNED TO QUALIFY THEMSELVES FOR APPOINTMENT BY SECURING REGISTRATION, AND THEREAFTER TO BE VALIDLY APPOINTED TO THE RESPECTIVE BODIES IN THE NORMAL WAY,+ MR TSAO SAID.
+IT IS THUS DESIRABLE, IN THE INTEREST OF THESE BODIES, THAT THE POSITION OF THE FIVE PERSONS SHOULD BE PUT RIGHT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT IT IS PROPOSED THE BILL SHOULD BE TAKEN THROUGH ALL ITS STAGES AT ONE SITTING.+
MR TSAO ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT A REPETITION OF THE OVERSIGHT.
-----0-----
FOUR BILLS PASSED * * *
FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985;
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 ;
THE BILLS OF SALE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 ; AND THE PUBLIC BODIES (CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTED MEMBERS)(TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1985.
FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE FOREIGN JUDGMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION । AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985; THE DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) BILL 1985; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985; AND THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985.
DEBATE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, WHICH RESUMED TODAY WAS ALSO ADJOURNED.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JUNE 26.
_ o - ,j
/38...... J'
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
, - 38 -
FRESH APPROACH TO VICTORIA BARRACKS DEVELOPMENT PLAN *****
THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY DECIDED THAT AN ENTIRELY FRESH APPROACH WAS NECESSARY ON THE LONG-DELAYED DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE VICTORIA
1 BARRACKS SITE, BUT WITH THE EMPHASIS TO REMAIN ON CONSERVING AS MUCH OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE SITE AS POSSIBLE AND BRINGING IT INTO PUBLIC RECREATION USE WITH THE MINIMUM OF
। FURTHER DELAY.
THE COMMITTEE, AS PART OF ITS IMPORTANT DECISION, RULED AGAINST EARLIER SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A LARGE, SPECIALIZED SHOUZHOU GARDEN, AND AGAINST THE RE-SITING OF MURRAY HOUSE IN THIS AREA.
+CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE COUNCIL’S CONTROL VIRTUALLY FORCED THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO TAKE A FRESH APPROACH TO THE WHOLE PROJECT,+ SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
♦ AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS NOW NEEDED QUICKLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA IS DEVELOPED AS A CO-ORDINATED WHOLE AND NOT IN BITS AND PIECES.
♦BASICALLY, THE COMMITTEE WISHES TO MAKE THE AREA AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY AND WITH THE BARE MINIMUM OF BUILDING AND FORMAL, ACTIVE RECREATION FACILITIES.+
EXPLAINING THE DECISION NOT TO GO AHEAD WITH PROPOSALS FOR A SHOUZHOU GARDEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FURTHER STUDIES HAD SHOWN THAT SUCH A FACILITY WOULD BE TOTALLY UNSUITABLE FOR LARGE CROWDS OF VISITORS.
♦THE WHOLE AESTHETIC BEAUTY OF SUCH A GARDEN IS IN ITS VERY PRIVACY AND SENSE OF ONENESS WITH NATURE,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
♦IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OR ESSENCE OF SUCH A GARDEN WITH PEOPLE BEING SQUASHED TOGETHER ON NARROW WALKWAYS AMID ROCKERY AND SHRUBS, AND CHILDREN RUNNING BACK AND FORTH ALONG LITTLE BRIDGES OVER CHARMING LITTLE PONDS CONTAINING LOTUS BLOOMS AND GOLDFISH.
♦FURTHERMORE, DESPITE THE COUNCIL’S OBJECTIONS, A FIRE STATION IS BEING BUILT ON ANOTHER AREA, ALONGSIDE COTTON TREE DRIVE, WHICH WOULD ALSO BE IN TOTAL CONFLICT WITH THE PREVIOUS SUGGESTION FOR A TRANQUIL SHOUZHOU GARDEN.+
/CONCERNING MURRAY
WE
JUNE 12, 1985
- 59 -
CONCERNING MURRAY HOUSE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL REASONS AGAINST IT BEING RE-SITED IN THIS AREA INCLUDING:
IT SEEMED TO THE COMMITTEE TO BE A
GOVERNMENT THE
RESPONSIBILITY TO FINANCE AND SITE
RECONSTRUCTION OF THIS OLD BUILDING IF GOVERNMENT FEELS THE BUILDING TO BE OF SUCH HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE. „ _ Tlir.
GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION AND RE-USE OF MURRAY HOUSE ON THE GROUNDS THAT A NEW BUILDING COULD BE OBTAINED AT ROUGHLY HALF THE COST OF RE-ERECTING THE FABRIC OF --------------------------- THE COUNCIL FEELS
THIS OLD MILITARY BUILDING. . _
LIKEWISE. THE PRESERVATION OF OLD BUILDINGS IS A
GOVERNMENT AND NOT AN URBAN COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITY. IF THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT AFFORD IT, THE COUNCIL CERTAINLY CANNOT.
WHILE THE COUNCIL HAD NEVER BEEN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO RE-ERECT THE BUILDING ON THE SITE OF THE INFANTS’ SCHOOL INSIDE THE BARRACKS, IT HAD NOW BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT THIS SITE WAS TOO SMALL, AND VERY CONSIDERABLE AND EXPENSIVE SLOPE-CUTTING AND STABILISATION WORK WOULD BE NEEDED FIRST. THIS IN TURN WOULD ENTAIL THE LOSS OF A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHED TREES AND SHRUBS.
+AT PRESENT THIS BEAUTIFUL SITE IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL HAS ONLY ONE COMPLETED DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS THE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE MUSEUM OF TEA WARE,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
♦A SQUASH COMPLEX FOR THE COUNCIL IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT ONE END OF THE SITE.
+THE COUNCIL IS ANXIOUS TO GET THE AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MOVE AHEAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH A REVISED DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT INCORPORATING AN OVERALL PLAN, THE BASIS OF WHICH WILL INVOLVE THE DEMOLITION OF ALL UNNECESSARY BUILDINGS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE GARDEN AREAS WITH A VARIETY OF PASSIVE RECREATION FEATURES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL SHORTLY BE PUTTING DETAILS OF THE REVISED DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
TODAY’S MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR HOWARD YOUNG, AND ^AS ATTENDED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM
BARNES.
-------0----------
/4O .......
WE Di.
JUNE 12, 198
Ao -
NEW CONCEPT IN CROP PEST CONTROL INTRODUCED ******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED A NEW CONCEPT IN THE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF CERTAIN MAJOR INSECTS THAT ARE A PEST TO LOCAL VEGETABLES.
AFTER CONSIDERABLE INVESTIGATIONS AND FIELD EVALUATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT, IT WAS FOUND THAT A BACTERIUM — BACILLUS THUR I NG IENSIS -- HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING UNDER LOCAL CONDITIONS THE DIAMOND-BACK MOTH, A PERSISTENT PEST TO COMMONLY GROWN BRASSICA CROPS SUCH AS CHINESE KALE, CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE AND WHITE CABBAGE.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BACTERIUM WAS HARMLESS TO HUMAN BEINGS AND ANIMALS.
AS A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT IT PROVIDED LONG-TERM CONTROL OF THE PEST WHICH HAS ALREADY DEVELOPED A RESISTANCE TO MOST CHEMICAL PESTICIDES AVAILABLE LOCALLY.
THE NEW IDEA IN AGRICULTURAL PEST CONTROL WAS INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CROP DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MR C.W. FONG, TO 20 REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL FARMER GROUPS WHEN THEY VISITED TAI LUNG FARM AT SHEUNG SHU I.
THE VISIT IS PART OF REGULAR EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE FARM FOR LOCAL FARMERS TO ENABLE THEM TO LOOK AT EFFECTIVE MEASURES INTRODUCED TO PROTECT CROPS FROM BEING DAMAGED BY DISEASES, INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS.
FARMERS WERE ALSO SHOWN VARIOUS NON-CHEMICAL METHODS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS EXPERIMENTING IN TO REDUCE THE ATTACK OF THRIPS ON HAIRY GOURD, INCLUDING THE USE OF REFLECTIVE MATERIALS AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF MULCH. THESE HAVE YIELDED SIGNIFICANT RESULTS IN REDUCING THE PROBLEM.
THE VISIT STARTED WITH A BRIEFING BY AFD OFFICERS ON CURRENT CROP RESEARCH AND PLANT PROPAGATION WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF THE AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AND AGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES WHERE EXAMINATIONS AND IDENTIFICATIONS OF INSECT PESTS AND DISEASE PATHOGENS ARE BEING CONDUCTED.
VISITORS THEN SAW FIELD EXPERIMENTS ON WEED CONTROL ON LEAFY VEGETABLES AND VARIOUS DESIGNS OF PROTECTIVE STRUCTURES FOR VEGETABLE GROWTH, AND ALSO TOURED THE FARM’S MUSHROOM LABORATORY.
TAI LUNG FARM IS THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRE FOR CROP EXPERIMENTAL WORK AND IS ALSO USED FOR MULTIPLICATION OF GOOD-QUALITY SEEDS AND PLANT MATERIALS. AT PRESENT, MANY LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM STUDIES OF CROP PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION ARE IN PROGRESS.
/Al .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1935
- 41
DB MEMBERS ATTEND ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINAR
X * X X
MORE THAN 60 MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ATTENDED A SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING.
THE SEMINAR WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
participants at the seminar were welcomed by the secretary
FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR J.W. CHAMBERS.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID THE SEMINAR WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT PROBLEMS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, CURRENT GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING, THE VIEW OF THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION ON THE SUBJECT,AND WAYS IN WHICH BOARD MEMBERS COULD CONTRIBUTE IN THIS FIELD.
EXPERTS FROM THE CENTRE FOR URBAN STUDIES AND URBAN PLANNING OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, THE GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION, GAVE TALKS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENT.
THERE WERE ALSO TWO SESSIONS ON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DURING WHICH PARTICIPANTS FREELY EXCHANGED VIEWS.
another seminar on the same topic will be held next week for
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS.
+IT IS ENVISAGED THAT SIMILAR SEMINARS ON DIFFERENT SUBJECTS WILL BE HELD IN FUTURE FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAI D.
-----o-----
DMC CALL ON EASTERN DB CHAIRMAN
XXX
IN THE CURRENT STAGE OF DEVELOPING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES WORK VERY CLOSELY AND WITH MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IS THE CLEARING HOUSE FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON POLICY AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS AFFECTING THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
/+IT ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
42
+IT ALSO PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE DISTRICT BOARD IN IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT,* HE ADDED.
MR LUI MADE THE REMARKS DURING A COURTESY CALL BY MEMBERS CF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ON THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR SHUM CHO I-SANG, AND THREE COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD.
MR LUI IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DMC WHICH COMPRISE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE, THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION, THE FIRE SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE, URBAN SERVICES, LANDS, HOUSING, TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS.
-----0------
RENOWNED VIRTUOSO TO GIVE DOUBLE BASS DEMONSTRATION
* * * X M
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL PRESENT A DOUBLE BASS DEMONSTRATION BY AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED MUSICIAN THIS SATURDAY (JUNE 15) AT 10 AM AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE, ARTS CENTRE.
GARY KARR, KNOWN AS ONE OF THE FOUR GREATEST VIRTUOSOS IN THE MUSICAL HISTORY OF DOUBLE BASS, HAS PERFORMED AS A SOLOIST WITH OVER 100 ORCHESTRAS AND HAS GIVEN MORE THAN 500 RECITALS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO AND EUROPE.
KARR’S EXCELLENT TECHNIQUE HAS ALSO INSPIRED SUCH LEADING COMPOSERS AS HANS WERNER HENZE, GUNTHER SCHULLER, ALEC WILDER AND SIR MALCOLM ARNOLD TO COMPOSE WORKS ESPECIALLY FOR HIM.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES CF THE MUSIC OFFICE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
- 0 -
A3.....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
*»3
VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL GROUP TO VISIT UK
*****
A SIX-MAN VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL DELEGATION WILL VISIT LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL
BRITAIN ON JUNE 18 TO STUDY THE AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING THERE.
THE GROUP IS HEADED BY THE । Y.H. TIEN, AND WILL INCLUDE THE Mx ALEX S.C. WU, AND THE DEPUTY I TRAINING COUNCIL, MR H.R. KNIGHT
COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN, DR FRANCIS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONAL
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE 10.30 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 14) AT THEIR NINE-DAY TRIP.
HELD AT THE GIS THEATRE WHICH DR TIEN WILL TALK
AT ABOUT
--------c ---------
NEW FIRE STATION IN SAI KUNG OPENING
******
A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION
*ILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND, MR M. KINGDOM, ON FRIDAY (JUNE 14) AT 10.30 AM.
IN SAI KUNG
THE NEW FIRE STATION COMPLEX, LOCATED OUTSIDE SAI KUNG TOWN, IS TO REPLACE AN EXISTING TEMPORARY STATION IN AN OLD ARMY BARRACK.
-------0---------
NEW TSI NG Yl ROADS TO OPEN
* * * *
CHING HONG ROAD BETWEEN ROAD TY11 AND ROAD TY1, AS WELL AS CHUNG MEI ROAD BETWEEN CHING HONG ROAD AND TSI NG Yl HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ON TSING Yl ISLAND WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC FROM NOON ON FRIDAY (JUNE 14).
-----0------
/44 .......
i
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985
TEMPORARY CLOSURE
* * *
KO SHING STREET IN SAI YING PUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM NOON ON SATURDAY (JUNE 15) TO 7 AM ON JUNE 17 FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL PARKING SPACES ALONG KO SHING STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
THE SAME MEASURES WILL BE REPEATED FROM JUNE 17 TO JUNE 23, DAILY BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
-----o------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CENTRAL * * * *
VEHICLES ON LOWER ALBERT ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO ICE HOUSE STREET FROM 13 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 15) TO 8 AM ON JUNE 17 TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE PERIOD, CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL BUSES ON ROUTE NO. 133 BOUND FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED TO GARDEN ROAD AND CHATER ROAD.
OTHER VEHICLES ON LOWER ALBERT ROAD HEADING FOR ICE HOUSE STREET WILL HAVE TO PROCEED VIA GLENEALY, UPPER ALBERT ROAD, ARBUTHNOT ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET.
-----0------
LANE CLOSED FOR MAIN LAYING * * * *
THE SERVICE LANE JOINING TAI YAU STREET AND SZE MEI STREET IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE CLOSED FROM SATURDAY (JUNE 15) TO JUL' .4 TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF WATER MAIN.
FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE EASTBOUND CAnnlaGsWAY OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST FLYOVER, BETWEEN COLLEGE ROA.. Ai SA PO ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY, ..ILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC TO FACILIiAlc THE REPAIR OF FIRE HYDRANTS.
TRAFFIC ON EASTBOUND BOUNDARY STREET HEADING FOR SAN PO rsy.<o AND KWUN TONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO BOUNDARY STREE’ AND PR I MCE EL..aR_ ROAD WEST.
- - C
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT DECLARATION REGISTERED AT UNITED NATIONS ................ 1
GOVERNOR HOSTS QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECEPTION ..................... 1
DOUBLE-DECKER BORDER CROSSING OPENED........................... 2
COMPANY LAW REFORM REPORT SENT TO EXCO......................... 3
OFFENDING FOOD PREMISES LOSE LICENCES FOR TWO DAYS............. 5
DB MEMBERS WELCOME UC CULTURAL CENTRE IN SAI WAN HO............ 6
DB TO DISCUSS HOVERFERRY SERVICE............................... 7
SPEECH BY GARNER............................................... 7
NEW SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED .................................. 8
PRIZES FOR YOUTH CONTEST 'WINNERS ............................. 8
REFRESHER COURSE FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS ......................... 9
APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR LIMOUSINE HIRE CAR PERMITS............. 9
CENTRAL ROAD CLOSURE .......................................... 10
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1985
1
JOINT DECLARATION REGISTERED AT UNITED NATIONS
*****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AT 12.30 PM IN LONDON (7.30 PM HONG KONG) TODAY (THURSDAY):
+IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR OBLIGATION UNDER ARTICLE 102 OF THE UN CHARTER, THE UNITED KINGDOM MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS REGISTERED ON JUNE 12 WITH THE UN SECRETARIAT IN NEW YORK THE JOINT DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG.
+THE CHINESE MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS REGISTERED THE JOINT DECLARATION SIMULTANEOUSLY. WE WELCOME THIS.
+THE REGISTRATION CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE UNITED NATIONS.
+THIS EARLY ACTION TO REGISTER THE JOINT DECLARATION UNDERLINES ONCE AGAIN THE SERIOUS COMMITMENT OF THE TWO SIDES TO ITS FULL IMPLEMENTATION.+
-----o------
GOVERNOR HOSTS QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECEPTION * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING HOSTED A RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN S BIRTHDAY, WHICH THIS YEAR FALLS ON JUNE 15 (SATURDAY).
THE ANNUAL EVENT AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE WAS ATTENDED BY MORE
THAN 400 GUESTS.
ON SATURDAY, SIR EDWARD WILL BE ATTENDING A FUN AND SPORTS PROGRAMME AT MORSE PARK, ONE OF THE MANY VENUES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WHERE A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING A SIMILAR PROGRAMME AT THE WO Yl HOP SPORTS GROUND IN KWAI CHUNG ON THE SAME DAY.
-----o------
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1985
2
DOUBLE-DECKER BORDER CROSSING OPENED
X X * K
A NEW DOUBLE-DECKER FOOTBRIDGE FOR CROSS-BORDER PASSENGERS, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED AT LO WU TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS JOINTLY PERFORMED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER OF HONG KONG, MR JOHN BOYD, AND THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF SHENZHEN, MR ZHEN X I PE I.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE PROGRESS MADE ON IMPROVING CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION FACILITIES ON THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE BORDER, MR BOYD SAID THE OPENING OF THE NEW BRIDGE +WILL ENABLE US TO PRESS AHEAD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR OWN STATION FACILITIES.*
+THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO COMPLETING THIS REDEVELOPMENT AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE, AND ACCORDING TO OUR CURRENT TIMETABLE WE HOPE TO REACH OUR GOAL BY SPRING FESTIVAL 1987.+
CONTRASTING THE ANNUAL RATE OF CROSSINGS OF 1.9 MILLION AT LO WU TEN YEARS AGO WITH THE ALMOST 13 MILLION WHO CROSSED LAST YEAR, MR BOYD SAID THE FIGURES AMPLY JUSTIFIED THE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES.
HE SAID THE INCREASED CONTACTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF CHINA, ESPECIALLY AMONG BUSINESSMEN, CONTRIBUTED BOTH TO THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AND TO CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.
+1 CONFIDENTLY PREDICT THAT WE SHALL SEE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF SUCH VISITS,* SAID MR BOYD.
THE FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH EVENTUALLY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A FLOW OF 8 OOO PASSENGERS AN HOUR IN EACH DIRECTION, IS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES. INITIALLY ONLY ONE DECK OF THE BRIDGE WILL BE USED BY THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE BRIDGE IS PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF CROSS-BORDER FACILITIES BY BOTH SIDES, AND AFTER THE BRIDGE-OPENING CEREMONY GUESTS CROSSED TO THE CHINESE SIDE FOR THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 10-ST0REY ADMINISTRATION BLOCK BUILT BY THE SHENZHEN AUTHOR(TIES.
THE NEW BRIDGE IS LOCATED 70 METRES EAST OF THE EXISTING ONE-STOREY FOOTBRIDGE *HICH HAS BEEN THE ROUTE IN AND OUT OF CHINA FOR MILLIONS OF PASSENGERS OVER THE YEARS.
HONG (ONG HAS SPENT .7 MILLION AS ITS SHARE OF CONSTRUCTING THE 61-METRE BRIDGE WHICH HAS FOUR SPANS OF 15, 20, 20 AND SIX' METRES. HONL KONG . R S'CilSIBLE FOR THE 15 AND 20 METRE
SPANS ON ITS SIDE OF 'i'E -ORDER.
CHE .......
THURSDAY, JUNK 13, 1985
- 3 -
THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES DESIGNED AND BUILT THE COMMON PIER FOR THE BRIDGE WHILE HONG KONG SUPPLIED ALL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FINISHING MATERIALS. EACH AUTHORITY SUPPLIED MATERIAL FOR AND BUILT ITS OWN SECTIONS.
THE NEW BORDER CROSSING IS 8.2 METRES WIDE AND HAS TWO PASSENGER WALKWAYS AND A BAGGAGE ROUTE. WORK STARTED ON THE HONG KONG SECTION IN MAY LAST YEAR AND WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL.
AT THE MOMENT THE BRIDGE IS JOINED BY A TEMPORARY WALKWAY TO THE LO WU ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE $300 MILLION STATION REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME. THIS, WHEN COMPLETED IN 1987 WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED FAC IL IT IES FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE OF CROSS-BORDER PASSENGERS.
----0------
COMPANY LAW REFORM REPORT SENT TO EXCO * * * *
THE FIRST REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE REPORT SUMMARISES THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUBJECTS CONSIDERED AT THEIR MONTHLY MEETINGS BETWEEN MAY AND DECEMBER 1984.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE, THE HON MR JUSTICE CONS, EXPLAINED TODAY THAT THE MATTERS COVERED WERE PRINCIPALLY TECHNICAL, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF MORTGAGES AND OTHER CHARGES GRANTED BY COMPANIES.
BUT THEY ALSO INCLUDED A NUMBER OF ITEMS OF MORE GENERAL INTEREST, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING TO THE TIME LIMITS WITHIN WHICH COMPANIES MUST SUBMIT THEIR ACCOUNTS TO THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A COURT ORDER BEING OBTAINED AGAINST ANYONE NAMED AS A CULPABLE INSIDER DEALER BY AN INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL, PROHIBITING HIM FROM BEING A DIRECTOR, OR TAKING PART IN THE MANAGEMENT, OF ANY COMPANY.
WITH REGARD TO COMPANY ACCOUNTS, SAID MR JUSTICE CONS, THE PRESENT PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ARE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE DIRECTORS OF A COMPANY MUST AT LEAST ONCE IN EVERY CALENDAR YEAR LAY THE COMPANY’S ACCOUNTS BEFORE A GENERAL MEETING AND THESE ACCOUNTS MUST BE MADE UP TO A DATE NOT MORE THAN NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE O’7 THE GENERAL MEETING.
/IN THE ........
THURSDAY, uWNE 1J, 1985
4
IN THE CASE OF A COMPANY CARRYING ON BUSINESS ABROAD OR HAVING INTERESTS ABROAD, THE DATE UP TO WHICH THE ACCOUNTS ARE MADE MUST BE NOT MORE THAN 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE GENERAL MEETING.
THE ACCOUNTS CAN BE LAID BEFORE ANY GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMPANY, NOT NECESSARILY THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WHICH USUALLY MUST BE HELD WITHIN 15 MONTHS OF THE PREVIOUS AGM.
♦ THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THESE AND OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IS THAT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES A COMPANY CAN DELAY SUBMISSION OF ITS ACCOUNTS TO A GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMPANY FOR WELL OVER A YEAR,+ SAID MR JUSTICE CONS. +THERE WAS PRESS CRITICISM OF THIS SITUATION IN 1984.+
THE COMMITTEE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THESE EXISTING TIME LIMITS FOR SUBMISSION OF ACCOUNTS ARE TOO GENEROUS AND HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT A FLAT TIME LIMIT OF SIX MONTHS BE IMPOSED.
THE COMMITTEE HAVE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE ACCOUNTS SHOULD NORMALLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMPANY’S AGM, NOT JUST ANY GENERAL MEETING, BUT WITH POWER TO THE COURT TO APPROVE SUBMISSION TO ANY GENERAL MEETING IF THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
WITH REGARD TO THE SUBJECT OF CULPABLE INSIDER DEALERS, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE TERMS OF SECTION 157E OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WHICH DEALS WITH THE POWER OF THE COURTS TO RESTRAIN FRAUDULENT PERSONS FROM MANAGING COMPANIES.
IF A PERSON FALLS WITHIN ANY CATEGORY SPECIFIED IN THE SECTION - FOR EXAMPLE, IF HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY INDICTABLE OFFENCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMOTION, FORMATION OR MANAGEMENT OF A COMPANY - THE HIGH COURT MAY MAKE AN ORDER THAT HE SHALL NOT, WITHOUT THE LEAVE OF THE COURT, BE A DIRECTOR, LIQUIDATOR, RECEIVER OR MANAGER OF THE PROPERTY CF ANY COMPANY OR IN ANY WAY BE CONCERNED OR TAKE PART IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A COMPANY FOR SUCH PERIOD, NOT EXCEEDING
MAY SPECIFY.
FIVE YEARS, AS THE COURT
THE PERSONS WHO ARE AUTHORISED BY THE SECTION TO APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT ASKING IT TO MAKE SUCH AN ORDER INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND, IF THE APPLICATION IS MADE IN THE COURSE OF THE WINDING UP OF A COMPANY, THE LIQUIDATOR OF THE COMPANY OR ANYONE WHO IS, OR HAS BEEN, A MEMBER OR CREDITOR OF THE COMPANY.
MR JUSTICE CONS SAID THE COMMITTEE HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT SECTION 157E SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ENABLE THE COURT TO MAKE AN ORDER AGAINST ANY PERSON WHO IS NAMED AS A CULPABLE INSIDER DEALER IN A REPORT ISSUED BY AN INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL APPOINTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE.
/+THE COMMITTEE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1J, 1985
- 5
+THE COMMITTEE ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE WHOLE SUBJECT OF INSIDER DEALING MIGHT USEFULLY BE RECONSIDERED AFTER THE INSPECTORS’ REPORTS ON THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CARR IAN GROUP AND THE EDA GROUP AND THE TRIBUNAL’S REPORT ON THE TRADING IN INTERNATIONAL CITY HOLDINGS LTD. SHARES HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
ANYONE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A COPY OF THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG.
ANYONE WISHING TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT IS INVITED TO DO SO IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE AUGUST 12, 1985.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE UNDER STUDY WITHIN GOVERNMENT.
-----0------
OFFENDING FOOD PREMISES LOSE LICENCES FOR TWO DAYS * * * *
THE LICENCES OF TWO FOOD PREMISES ARE TO BE SUSPENDED FOR TWO DAYS BECAUSE EACH HAD THREE CONVICTIONS WITHIN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS.
ONE IS A GENERAL RESTAURANT AT 149 WUHU STREET, G/F., HUNG HOM, THE LICENSEE OF WHICH, MR KONG WING, WAS FINED $800 IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR FOR EXPOSING FOOD IN THE OPEN, $300 IN JUNE LAST YEAR FOR STORING KITCHEN UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE OPEN AND $1,000 IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AGAIN FOR EXPOSING FOOD IN THE OPEN. \
THE SECOND OFFENDER IS MADAM SZETO FOON, WHO HAS A FRESH PROVISIONS SHOP AT 17 BOWRINGTON ROAD, G/F., HONG KONG. SHE WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $450 LAST YEAR AFTER BEING CONVICTED THREE TIMES OF OBSTRUCTION BY PLACING TRAYS AND TABLES ON THE PAVEMENT TO DISPLAY SEAFOOD FOR SALE.
THE DECISION TO SUSPEND THE LICENCES OF BOTH BUSINESSES FOR TWO DAYS WAS CONFIRMED AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR WALTER SULKE.
+SUCH TWO-DAY SUSPENSIONS ARE REGULARLY IMPOSED ON PREMISES LICENSED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL WHICH HAVE THREE CONVICTIONS WITHIN A YEAR FOR BREACHES OF THE REGULATIONS,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
------0-------
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1985
6
DB MEMBERS WELCOME UC CULTURAL CENTRE IN SAI WAN HO ******
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S DECISION TO BUILD A SMALL CULTURAL CENTRE IN SAI WAN HO WAS WELCOMED BY MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TODAY WHEN THEY WERE BRIEFED ABOUT THE COUNCIL’S CAPITAL AND MINOR WORKS PROJECTS FOR THE DISTRICT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PLANNING) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MISS ELLE SHUM, TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE FINDINGS OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A NEED FOR A PURPOSE-BUILT CULTURAL CENTRE IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT IN VIEW OF THE LARGE POPULATION AND THE INADEQUACY OF FACILITIES THERE.
+THERE ARE TWO PROPOSALS WITH REGARD TO THE PROVISION CF SUCH A CULTURAL CENTRE: A FREE-STANDING MEDIUM-SIZED CULTURAL CENTRE IN CHAI WAN AND A SMALL CULTURAL CENTRE IN THE UC SAI WAN HO COMPLEX,* SAID MISS SHUM.
+SINCE THE SMALL CULTURAL CENTRE IN SAI WAN HO IS EXPECTED TO BE LESS COSTLY, INVOLVES FEWER ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLICATIONS AND YET IS ABLE TO ANSWER MOST OF THE NEEDS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT, THE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT THIS CULTURAL CENTRE SHOULD BE BUILT AS SOON AS THE SITE IS AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
+MEANWHILE, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE IN CHAI WAN FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND ITS LONG-TERM USE WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SMALL CULTURAL CENTRE.*
HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HOPED THAT THE CHAI WAN CULTURAL CENTRE WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE NOT-TOO- DISTANT FUTURE TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR CULTURAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER PROJECTS OF GREAT CONCERN TO BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDED THE CHAI WAN FOLK MUSEUM, ALDRICH BAY PLAYGROUND, LYEMUN PARK, THE INDOOR GAMES HALL ON SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION, ELECTRIC ROAD COMPLEX AND JAVA ROAD COMPLEX.
IN REPLY, MISS SHUM UNDERTOOK TO TAKE THE MEMBERS’ VIEWS INTO CONSIDERATION AND TO AMEND, WHERE POSSIBLE, THE PLANNING PROPOSALS ACCORDING TO THEIR OPINIONS.
MISS SHUM TOLD THE MEETING THAT THERE ARE 29 CAPITAL WORKS AND 54 MINOR WORKS PROJECTS IN THE COUNCIL’S PLANNING PIPELINE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT, OF WHICH SOME 52 PER CENT ARE RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES.
THE MULTI-MILLION PROGRAMME, INCLUDING THREE PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, COVERS A VERY WIDE FIELD INCLUDING MARKET COMPLEXES, COOKED FOOD CENTRES, A TEMPORARY HAWKER BAZAAR, PARKS, GARDENS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND TOILET FACILITIES.
----o------
/7........
THURSDAY, JUNE. 13, 1985
7
DB TO DISCUSS HOVERFERRY SERVICE X * *
A PROPOSED NEW HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
IF INTRODUCED, THE SERVICE WILL BE PUT INTO OPERATION FOR A THREE-MONTH TRIAL PERIOD.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS HOW TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, AND WHETHER THE BOARD WILL ALLOCATE FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT A BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT AT A PIECE CF CROWN LAND IN SALISBURY ROAD.
THE BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON A DRAFT REVISION OF THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE BOARD, THE DISTRICT WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE WORK OF THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE DRAFT DISTRICT STRATEGY, THE REPORT OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE ELECTION OF DB COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN, THE IYY YOUTH FESTIVAL AND PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
- - 0 -
SPEECH BY GARNER * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH TO BE HELD IN THE ORCHID AND JASMINE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AT 1 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MR GARNER WILL TALK ON +THE CHANGING RESPONSIBILITIES OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TO MEET NEW DEMANDS*.
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1935
8
NEW SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED * * * *
THE SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS CAMPAIGN FOR 1985 AND ITS SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
DETAILS OF THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY TO BE HELD AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROMENADE ON SUNDAY (JUNE 16) WILL ALSO BE ANNOUNCED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, DR S.F. LAM; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON WATER SPORTS SAFETY 1985, MR J.A. FORTUNE; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON LAND SPORTS SAFETY 1985, MR P.E. BIRNEY, WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
-----o------
PRIZES FOR YOUTH CONTEST WINNERS * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE 10TH HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 15).
ABOUT 7 000 YOUNG PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITIONS, SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WHICH INVOLVED SUCH ACTIVITIES AS TRANSLATION, CHINESE ESSAY WRITING, CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, DEBATE, POSTER DESIGN, CHINESE SPEECH, PAINTING, AND NEWS AND AN ACADEMIC QUIZ.
MR LIAO WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES IN THE COMPETITIONS.
-------0----------
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1935
9
REFRESHER COURSE FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE BRITISH COUNCIL TO RUN A REFRESHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS DURING THE COMING SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THE COURSE WILL OFFER 300 PLACES TO TEACHERS IN TWO SESSIONS -MORNING AND AFTERNOON.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE ARE TO ORIENTATE TEACHERS TO THE REVISED SECONDARY ENGLISH SYLLABUS AND TO INTRODUCE THEM TO A RANGE CF COMMUNICATIVE TEACHING TECHNIQUES RELATED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE REVISED SYLLABUS.
IN ADDITION, IT IS ALSO AIMED AT IMPROVING TEACHERS’ FLUENCY AND ACCURACY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH, THUS MAKING THEM A MORE ACCURATE MODEL OF ENGLISH FOR STUDENTS.
THE THREE-WEEK COURSE, APPLICATIONS FOR WHICH ARE NOW BEING INVITED, WILL BEGIN ON JULY 30 AND LESSONS WILL BE HELD FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY UNTIL AUGUST 16 IN TWO ALTERNATIVE SESSIONS.
ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL AT EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 255 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (ENGLISH), ENGLISH SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR LIMOUSINE HIRE CAR PERMITS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR 100 HIRE CAR PERMITS TO OPERATE LUXURY LIMOUSINE SERVICE WITHIN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PRIVATE CARS TO WHICH SUCH PERMITS WOULD BE ISSUED MUST HAVE A COST INSURANCE FREIGHT VALUE OVER $30 000 IF THEY WERE MANUFACTURED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1983 OR A CIF VALUE OVER $45 000 IF THEY WERE MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984.
/THE APPLICANT
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1985
10
THE APPLICANT MUST BE THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE PRIVATE CAR.
IT WOULD ALSO BE NECESSARY FOR THE APPLICANT TO PRODUCE, AMONG OTHER DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTARY PROOF THAT THE APPLICANT HAD BEEN PROVIDING A PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
THE PERMIT FEE WILL BE $1 000 PER ANNUM AND $350 FOR FOUR MONTHS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION, ROOMS 906-909, HUTCHISON HOUSE, 10 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION IN PERSON OR BY REGISTERED POST.
+THE PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED IN BATCHES AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WHO MAKE THEIR APPLICATION FIRST MAY RECEIVE THEIR PERMITS EARLIER,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR ENQUIRIES CALL 5-249418 OR 3-329294.
0 -------
CENTRAL ROAD CLOSURE
* * * *
D’AGUILAR STREET BETWEEN WYNDHAM STREET AND WELLINGTON STREET ALONG WITH LAN KWAI FONG AND WO ON LANE IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 16) TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 18) FOR ROAD WORKS.
THE SAME AREA WILL BE CLOSED AGAIN ON JUNE 30 AND JULY 7 DAILY FROM 8 AM UNTIL 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON OPEN EDUCATION ....................... 1
REVISED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS Al® PRIVILEGES) BILL PUBLISHED ..................................................... 2
HK GROUP TO SEE UK VOCATIONAL TRAINING ...................... 2
LATEST LABOUR FORCE FIGURES RELEASED ........................ 3
GOVERNOR AT SPORTS EVENTS ................................... 5
SPOKES, GAMES TO MARK QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY....................... 5
ABERDEEN, AP LEI CHAU OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED ........... 6
BILL TO STREAMLINE CUSTOMS, EXCISE SERVICE .................. 7
CS TO MEET THE MEDIA ........................................ 7
LADY YOUDE VISITS TAI PO .................................... 7
NERD FOR BALANCE IN CORRECTIONAL WORK STRESSED............... 8
SAFETY-IN-SPORTS DRIVE STARTS SUNDAY......................... 9
IMPROVEMENT WORK AT BEACHES UNDER WAY ....................... 10
TENDERERS ASKED TO PREQUALIFY ............................... 12
CENTRAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT MEASURES PROPOSED ............... 12
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OFFER SUMMER COURSES ................... 13
COLOURFUL DRAGON BOAT ON DISPLAY............................. 14
SAI KUNG FIRE SERVICES GET OWN STATION ...................... 14
HEALTHY THEME FOR BUDDING YOUNG ARTISTS ..................... 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM................ 15
12 RSD SUPERVISORS PROMOTED ................................. 1$
PROPER ABLUTION FACILITIES FOR CHA KWO LING.................. 16
CLINICS TO OPEN ON HOLIDAYS ................................. 17
HAPPY VALLEY TRAFFIC CHANGE.................................. 17
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON OPEN EDUCATION * * * *
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TODAY CALLED FOR THE PUBLIC TO PUT FORWARD ITS VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT OF OPEN EDUCATION. THIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR TOPICS WHICH THE COMMISSION INTENDS TO COVER IN ITS SECOND REPORT. THE COMMISSION MADE ITS FIRST REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN OCTOBER 1984.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSION SAID THAT IN ITS FIRST REPORT THE COMMISSION HAD GIVEN PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION TO OPEN EDUCATION. THE COMMISSION HAD STATED THERE THAT +WHILST WE ENDORSE THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION THAT AN OPEN UNIVERSITY SHOULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG, WE SHALL, IN THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR WORK, EXAMINE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPEN EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS.+
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FOLLOWING THE REPORT BY A VISITING PANEL IN 1982 THE GOVERNMENT HAD ASKED THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE IN JULY 1983 TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF AN OPEN UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG. THE UPGC HAD COMPLETED ITS REPORT IN AUGUST 1984, CONCLUDING THAT +WHILST Wc. DO NOT RECOMMEND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTION BASED ON THE UNITED KINGDOM OPEN UNIVERSITY MODEL, WE DO RECOMMEND THAT A VERY HIGH PRIORITY IS GIVEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHAT WE WILL TERM ’OPEN EDUCATION’*.
OPEN EDUCATION REFERS TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR BASIC OR FURTHER EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR IT. THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT A PERSON MIGHT NOT NORMALLY ■c ELIGIBLE BECAUSE HE OR SHE WAS BEYOND THE NORMAL AGE LIMITS CR WAS INADEQUATELY QUALIFIED.
+OPEN EDUCATION CAN OFFER SUCH A PERSON A SECOND CHANCE TO COMPLETE HIS OR HER EDUCATION,* HE SAID.
OPEN EDUCATION INCLUDES DISTANCE LEARNING BY CORRESPONDENCE COURSES, RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES; PART-TIME ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; EXTERNAL DEGREE AND DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY A UNIVERSITY, POLYTECHNIC OR RECOGNISED COLLEGE; AND FULL-TIME COURSES FOR MATURE STUDENTS.
+THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WISHES TO CONSIDER WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO EXTEND OPEN EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMMISSION HAD CONSIDERED THE WIDE RANGE OF COMMENTS OFFERED BY THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT BY THE VISITING PANEL.
+MOST OF THESE COMMENTS RELATED SPECIFICALLY OF AN OPEN UNIVERSITY,* HE SAID. +THE COMMISSION SPECIFICALLY FOR PUBLIC VIEWS ON OTHER ASPECTS OF FROM THE PRIMARY TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION LEVELS.*
TO THE IDEA
IS NOW LOOK ING OPEN EDUCATION
/TEE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY JUNE 14» 19^5
2
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMMISSION WISHED TO RECEIVE IDEAS ON OPEN EDUCATION BY THE END OF JULY.
♦THE PUBLIC SHOULD SEND THEIR VIEWS, IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, TO THE SECRETARY TO THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, EAST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.+
HF ADDED THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS NOT SEEKING PUBLIC VIFUS ON OTHER SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AT THIS STAGE BECAUSE Cf'thE WEALTH OF COMMENT ALREADY AVAILABLE FROM VIEWS PUT FORWARD ON THE REPORT BY THE V ISITIJjJG PANEL BUT REPRESENTATl°Nb ON ANY ASPECTS OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY COULD BE MADE TO THE COMMISSION AT ANY TIME.
-----o------
REVISED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POwERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL PUBLISHED * * * *
FOLLOWING THE DEBATE AND SECOND READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12), A REVISED VERSION OF THE BILL, CONTAINING AMENDMENTS TO BE PROPOoEu AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) ■□AZETTE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.
HK GROUP TO SEE UK VOCATIONAL TRAINING
******
A DELEGATION HEADED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, DR FRANCIS TIEN, WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON OVER THE WEEKEND TO STUDY THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN BRITAIN.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION wILL BE MR ALEX S.C. WU, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN; MR JOHN H.P. LOK, MEMBER, MR H.R. KNIGHT, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND MR T.Y. CHUI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR J.N. HENDERSON, WILL JOIN THE DELEGATION AS A MEMBER, AT THE COUNCIL’S INVITATION.
THE NINE-DAY STUDY TOUR WILL START FROM JUNE 18 AND IS BEING MADE AT THE INVITATION OF THE BRITISH MINISTER OF STATE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, THE HON PETER MORRISON, WHO HAD TOURED HONG KONG AND THE FAR EAST IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
/♦THE DELEGATION .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 19B5
+ 1-E DELEGATION a ILL MEET THE nON RETER MORRISON; THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS KING, MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EMPLOYMENT, AND SHADGa EMPLOYMENT SPOKESMAN, MR JOHN PRESCOTT, MP; AS WELL AS LEADERS FROM THE INDUSTRIAL anD COMMERCIAL SECTORS AND OFFICIAL^ INVOLVED IN MANPOWER TRAINING,* DR TIEN SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD THIS MORNING.
THE DELEGATION .ILL ALSO VISIT VARIOUS VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHEMES, PRIVATt ENTERPRISES, EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ORGANISATIONS, TEACHING INSTITUTIONS AND NATIONAL BODIES INVOLVED WITH ECONOMIC PLANN ING.
+THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST * I TH PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
+THE EXPERIENCE OBTAINED IN THE TRIP WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO __ ENHANCE THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’3 MANPOWER TRAINING SCHEMES,* DR TIEN SAID.
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL OPERATES TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, TRAINING CENTRES AND VARIOUS SCHEMES, PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT HONG KONG’S MANPOWER NEEDS.
LATEST LABOUR FORCE FIGURES RELEASED
* X X X
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED STABLE IN THE QUARTER FEBRUARY - APRIL 1985 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 198?, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1985 WAS 3.3 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF 3.4 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985. THE RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1984 WAS 4.1 PER CENT.
WHILE The DECREASE OF 0.1 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WAS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT, THE DECREASE OF 0.8 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER THE YEAR WAS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT -THAT IS, IT IS GREATER THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED TO ARISE FROM SAMPLING ERROR, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID.
/THE NUMBER.......
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
- 4 -
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING APRIL 1^35 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 34 400, AS COMPARED WITH 90 600 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985 AND 103 800 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1934.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1985 WAS 1.1 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF 1.0 PER CENT FOR THE PREVIOUS* QUARTER. THE RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1984 WAS 1.2 PER CENT. THE CHANGES IN THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE OVER THE RESPECTIVE QUARTERS WERE STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDING APRIL 1985 WAS 28 300, AS COMPARED WITH 27 100 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985 AND 31 200 FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1984.
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKING MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAI LABLE.
COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIED FROM MONTH TO MONTH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WHICH HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATION IN FIRST-TIME JOB SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARI SONS OVER TIME.
HE ADDED THAT BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST MOVING THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY. THESE PROVIDE AN INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION. THE PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) FOR MARCH - MAY 1985 WAS 3.1 PER CENT, AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.0 PER CENT. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1985 WAS ALSO 3.1 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY (GHS) CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14 000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 53 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NONINSTI TUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLD SAMPLED. IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
/THE COMMISSI ON EH
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
- 5
the commissioner further pointed out that to conform to the LATEST STANDARDS RECOMMENDED BY ILO, THE GHS DEFINITIONS OF +UNEMPLOYMENT+ AND +UNDEREMPLOYMENT+ HAVE BEEN MODIFIED SINCE JANUARY 1985. HOWEVER, A COMPLETE CONVERSION WILL ONLY BE INTRODUCED IN MAY 1986 WHEN A SUFFICIENTLY LONG SERIES OF THE STATISTICS UNDER THE NEW DEFINITIONS IS AVAILABLE. USING THE NEW DEFINITIONS THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1985 WERE 3.2 PER CENT AND 1.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1985 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE LATER THIS MONTH.
-----o------
GOVERNOR AT SPORTS EVENTS
* * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDwARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE WILL ATTEND THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SPORTS PROGRAMME AT MORSE PARK, KOWLOON, AT Q.30 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THEY WILL WATCH A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SOME FUN GAMES FOR CHILDREN.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE TO MORSE PARK TOMORROW. THEY WILL ARRIVE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE MORSE PARK INDOOR GAMES HALL AT FUNG MO STREET AT 9.30 AM AND LEAVE AT ABOUT 10.25 AM.
------o-------
SPORTS, GAMES TO MARK QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY * * * *
SOME 30 RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS NON-URBAN DISTRICTS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SHARE THE FUN AND JOY IN ALL THE FREE PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR NATHAn’mA, AND THE DIRECTOR CF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN IN THE FUN AT WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND IN KWAI CHUNG. THE PROGRAMME THERE INCLUDES A PERFORMANCE BY AN ARMY BAND.
0
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1935
6
ABERDEEN, AP LEI CHAU OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
ONE AMENDMENT INVOLVES MINOR CHANGES TO LAND USE OF THE AREA TO THE SOUTH OF SHEK PAI wAN ESTATE AS A RESULT OF THE DELETION OF A PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD SOUTH OF YUE KWONG ROAD PARALLEL TO ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD DUE TO GEOTECHNICAL PROBLEMS.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS TO REZONE THE BUS TERMINUS SITE ADJACENT TO OCEAN PARK FROM +OTHER SPECIFIED USES* TO ■►GOVERNMENT/ I NSTI TUT ION/COMMUN ITY+.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO CHANGE THE SITE TO THE NORTH OF AP LEI CHAU MAIN STREET FROM +INDUSTRIAL* TO +COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL*.
THE SITE, ORIGINALLY RESERVED FOR A RESETTLEMENT FLATTED FACTORY, IS NO LONGER REQUIRED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AS THE FLATTED FACTORY PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
IN VIEW OF ITS STEEP TOPOGRAPHY AND ISOLATION, IT IS PROPOSED TO RECLASSIFY AP LEI PAI ISLAND FROM +OPEN SPACE* TO +GREEN BELT*.
FINALLY, THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF THE PLANNING AREA IS TO BE ADJUSTED. PART OF THE KELLET BAY RECLAMATION AND TWO +OTHER SPECIFIED USES* SITES ARE DELETED FROM THE PLANNING AREA.
OBJECTIONS BY ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THESE AMENDMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD C/C LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BEFORE JULY 4.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT:
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (SOUTHERN), SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, HONG KONGj
* PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONGJ AND
* THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP SALES COUNTER, SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1935 - 7 -
BILL TO STREAMLINE CUSTOMS, EXCISE SERVICE ******
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, WHICH TIDIES UP LEGISLATION RELATING TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRINCIPAL AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO EMPOWER ALL THREE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TO DISCHARGE THEIR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND OTHER RELATED CHANGES.
OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS INCLUDE A PROVISION FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE RATHER THAN AS THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, IN LINE WITH OTHER LEGISLATION! AND A PROVISION THAT THE POWER TO COMPEL THE RETIREMENT OF CUSTOMS OFFICERS SHALL, AS WITH THE POWER TO DISMISS SUCH OFFICERS FOUND GUILTY OF DISCIPLINARY OR CRIMINAL OFFENCES, REST SOLELY WITH THE COMMISSIONER.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 26, AND DEBATE WILL RESUME ON JULY 10.
- 0 ----------
CS TO MEET THE MEDIA * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON JUNE 18 (TUESDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
------o-------
LADY YOUDE VISITS TAI PO
* * *
LADY YOUDE TOURED TAI PO DISTRICT THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO SEE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS AND TO LEARN ABOUT THE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ LIVING CONDITIONS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS CHAN, LADY YOUDE WENT TO KWONG FUK ESTATE, WHERE SHE WAS BRIEFED ON FACILITIES IN THE ESTATE AND VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN TAI PO.
SHE ALSO VISITED THE TAI PO PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE YUE KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, A FACTORY IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND THE ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME.
- 0 ----------
/B........
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
1
- 8
fli
NEED FOR BALANCE IN CORRECTIONAL WORK STRESSED
*****
THERE WAS A PUBLIC DEMAND FOR THE CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATOR TO ENSURE THAT IMPRISONMENT ACTS AS A DETERRENT AND TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMMES LEADING TO REFORMATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER SAID TODAY.
THE WORK OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE MUST BE BALANCED WITH, ON ONE HAND, THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND ON THE OTHER WITH THE PROVISION OF POSITIVE PROGRAMMES FOR OFFENDERS WITHIN A DISCIPLINED SETTING, HE SAID.
I C
AND THE RISING EXPECTATIONS OF PRISONERS MUST ALSO BE MET, FOR PERSONS IN CUSTODY HAD BASIC RIGHTS, HE SAID.
b +THEIR EXPECTATIONS, HOWEVER, SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO LEAD TO A SITUATION OF BUYING PRISONER COOPERATIONS, + MR GARNER SjAID.
MR GARNER STRESSED THE NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOjR EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH.
RECENTLY THERE HAD BEEN AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT CHANGING RESPONSIBILITIES WERE MAKING NEW DEMANDS ON THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE, HE SAID.
+TO MEET THESE NEW DEMANDS*, HE SAID, +THE ADMINISTRATORS MUST RE-STRUCTURE AND CONTINUE TO RE-STRUCTURE THE SERVICE IN KEEPING WITH THESE CHANGING RESPONSIBILITIES.*
HE SAID THAT MANY PRESENT PRISON SERVICES ADMINISTERED OTHER PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS PRE-RELEASE WORK PROGRAMMES AND AFTER-CARE, IN ADDITION TO PRISONS.
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE HAD ALSO BEEN CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ADMINISTERING THE REFUGEE CAMPS, HE SAID.
+THIS NEW RESPONSIBILITY HAS ARISEN AS A RESULT OF THE [ RECOGNITION THAT A CORRECTIONAL SERVICE IS INVOLVED IN TAKING CARE OF THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE PARTICULARLY IN LARGE NUMBERS,* HE SAID. )Z
HONG KONG WAS A WORLD LEADER IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS, HE SAID.
)‘
1/ ------o-------
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
- 9 -
SAFETY-IN-SPORTS DRIVE STARTS SUNDAY
* X X X
TWO MAJOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS TO PROMOTE SAFETY IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED THIS YEAR.
THE FIRST EVENT, FEATURING WATER SPORTS SAFETY, WILL BE HELD AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE ON SUNDAY (JUNE 16).
the other will be A land sports safety day, to be held IN DECEMBER.
ANNOUNCING THE PLANS FOR THE '1985 SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS CAMPAIGN’ AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), DR S.F. LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOP COMMITTEE ALSO SAID THAT two short films were being made to spread the water safety MESSAGE.
ONE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST (API) WILL DRAW ATTENTION TO THE DANGERS OF SWIMMING IN EXCAVATED SITES, RESERVOIRS, STREAMS, AND CATCHMENT AREAS.
THE OTHER WILL ADVISE POWER BOAT OPERATORS, TO TAKE HEED OF SWIMMERS.
DR LAM SAID THAT ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS TO CONVEY THE ’PLAY SAFE’ MESSAGE WAS THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, AND CALLED ON THE PRESS TO HELP CARRY THE MESSAGE TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING ALSO, MR J. A. FORTUNE, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON WATER SPORTS SAFETY 1.985 SAID THAT MOST ACCIDENTS WERE DUE MAINLY TO A LACK OF COMMON SENSE, LACK OF TRAINING, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SEA, AND +FOOLISH BRAVADO*.
QUITE OFTEN THE ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, HE SAID.
+THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY IS PRIMARILY AIMED NOT AT THE EXPERIENCED SPORTSMAN WHO INEVITABLY SEEKS PROPER TRAINING IN HIS PARTICULAR SPORT, BUT AT ’MR AVERAGE MAN ’ ,+ HE SAI D.
+ IT IS DESIGNED TO BRING HOME TO EVERYBODY THE IMPORTANCE OF USING THEIR COMMON SENSE AND TO ABIDE BY THE SAFETY RULES OF THE SPORT THEY ARE UNDERTAKING.*
HE SAID THAT PEOPLE TAKING UP WATER SPORTS, SHOULD FIRST SEEK PROPER ADVICE AND, TRAINING, AND ALSO LEARN TO APPRECIATE THE HAZARDS OF THE PARTICULAR SPORT.
+THE SEA DOES NOT FORGIVE PEOPLE WHO MAKE MISTAKES. NORMALLY, WITH A WATER-ORIENTED ACCIDENT, THERE IS SELDOM A SECOND CHANCE,* HE SAI D.
/MH P.E
FRIDAY, JUKI u, 1985
10 -
MR P.E. BIRNEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON LAND SPORTS SAFETY 1985, SAID THAT WHILE THERE WERE MANY FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO ACCIDENTS IN OUTDOOR SPORTS, IGNORANCE OR SHEER LACK OF CARE, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH, TOPPED THE LIST.
+ 1 GNORANCE CAN BE REMEDIED, AND SO CAN THE LACK OF CARE+, HE ADDED.
MR BIRNEY SAID THAT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE COMMITTEE HAD TRIED TO GET THE SAFETY MESSAGE ACROSS TO YOUNG PARTICIPANTS OF LAND SPORTS.
♦ THIS YEAR, OUR TARGET IS THOSE GROUPS AND AGENCIES THAT ARE IN A POSITION TO INSTRUCT OR TRAIN PARTICIPANTS IN LAND SPORTS,+ HE SAID.
A SEMINAR, WITH EXPERT SPEAKERS REPRESENTING INTERESTED SPORTING AGENCIES, AND AN EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 1, TO HIGHLIGHT THIS YEAR’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LAND SPORTS SAFETY.
-----0------
IMPROVEMENT WORK AT BEACHES UNDER WAY * * * *
THE FIRST STAGE OF IMPROVEMENT WORK TO SOLVE POLLUTION PROBLEMS AT SEVERAL POPULAR BEACHES - REPULSE BAY, HEUNG TO WAN IN SHEK 0, STANLEY MAIN BEACH, TUNG WAN IN CHEUNG CHAU - WERE COMPLETED BEFORE THE CURRENT SWIMMING SEASON.
PROPOSALS FOR A SECOND STAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME ARE EE I NG DRAWN UP BY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE SWIMMING SEASON NEXT YEAR.
IN RESPONSE TO A SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 29, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, UNDERTOOK TO PROVIDE A LIST OF BEACHES AFFECTED BY POLLUTING AND POTENTIALLY POLLUTING DRAINS AND THE STEPS BEING TAKEN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS.
MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED, IN A REPLY TO MR YEUNG, THAT THERE WERE TWO TYPES OF DRAINS WHICH COULD AFFECT BEACHES: STORMWATER DRAINS WHOSE FUNCTION WAS TO CHANNEL SURFACE WATER TO AVOID FLOODING DURING WET SEASONS, AND SEWAGE OUTFALLS.
+REPULSE BAY, HEUNG TO WAN, STANLEY MAIN BEACH, DEEP WATER BAY AND TUNG WAN ARE AFFECTED TO VARYING DEGREES BY STORMWATER DRAINS WHICH DISCHARGE INTO THEM,+ HE SAID.
/+M GQJExUL, .........
FBIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
11 -
♦IN GENERAL, POLLUTION OF BEACHES IS CAUSED BY DOMESTIC WASTE WATER FROM ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS DISCHARGING INTO STORMWATER DRAINS, WHICH PASS OVER OR CLOSE TO THE BEACHES.
+IT IS SUSPECTED THAT, IN CERTAIN CASES, ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS WITH STORMWATER DRAINS OF SEWERS FROM HOUSES AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HINTERLAND CAUSE BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION AT THESE BEACHES. AT STANLEY MAIN BEACH, A SEWER OUTFALL DISCHARGED AT A POINT NOT FAR FROM THE BEACH LIMIT.+
GENERALLY, SOME OF THE STORMWATER DRAINS AT REPULSE BAY, HEUNG TO WAN AND TUNG WAN HAVE BEEN DIVERTED AWAY FROM THE MAIN BEACH AREAS UNDER THE FIRST STAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
IN THE CASE OF REPULSE BAY AND HEUNG TO WAN, INTERCEPTING CHAMBERS AND SOAKAWAY PITS AND A SEPTIC TANK HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE TREATMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE POLLUTING DOMESTIC WASTE FLOW.
THE SEWER OUTFALL AT STANLEY MAIN BEACH HAS SIMILARLY BEEN DIVERTED TO A DISCHARGE POINT MORE THAN 100 METRES FROM THE GAZETTED BEACH LIMITS.
THE SECOND STAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IS MAINLY CONCERNED WITH THE INTERCEPTION OF DOMESTIC WASTE FLOW AND DIVERSION OF REMAINING DRAINS FROM THE FIVE BEACHES IN QUESTION.
PROPOSALS FOR MORE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF, AND, IF NECESSARY, ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL SEWAGE CONNECTIONS TO STORMWATER DRAINS WOULD BE INCLUDED.
+IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROGRAMME WILL BE FINALISED SHORTLY TO ENABLE THE NECESSARY CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK TO START,+ NR CHAMBERS SAID.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STEPS BEING TAKEN AT THESE POPULAR BEACHES, THREE OTHER BEACHES AFFECTED BY POLLUTION - LIDO BEACH, TING KAU BEACH AND BUTTERFLY BEACH - HAVE ALSO BEEN RECEIVING ATTENTION.
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS AT PRESENT CONSIDERING IMPROVEMENT ACTION ON THE SEWAGE OUTFALL AT LIDO BEACH.
A HYPOCHLORINATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT TING KAU BEACH TO DISINFECT THE DOMESTIC WASTE WATER BEFORE IT ENTERS INTO A SUBMARINE SEWAGE OUTFALL.
AT BUTTERFLY BEACH, THE OUTFALL FROM THE PILLAR POINT SEwAGt TREATMENT WORKS IS SUSPECTED TO BE A MAJOR SOURCE CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLLUTION OF THE BEACH.
+THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS CONDUCTING A BACTERIOPHAGE TRACER STUDY TO ASCERTAIN ITS POLLUTION LOADING. FURTHER IMPROVEMENT ACTION WILL BE BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY,+ MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
.... 0 - - - -
/12 •••••«•
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1935
- 12 -
TENDERERS ASKED TO PREQUALIFY
4 * * * * *
CONTRACTORS WITH SPECIALISED EXPERTISE ARE INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR INCLUSION ONTO A LIST OF PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS FOR THE PROPOSED TSUEN WAN TO SHA TIN HIGHWAY.
THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY, KNOWN AS ROUTE 5, CONSISTS CF A NETWORK OF ROADS, BRIDGES AND TUNNELS BETWEEN THE TWO DISTR ICTS.
THERE WILL BE TWO TWIN-TUBE TUNNELS, TOTALLING 2.6 KILOMETRES, UNDER SMUGGLERS RIDGE AND NEEDLE HILL, AND TWO 1OO-METRE LONG ERIDGES OVER THE HEADWATER OF THE LOWER SHING MUN RESERVOIR.
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS, TO BE COVERED BY FIVE CONTRACTS, WILL DEAL WITH THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM, TUNNEL SERVICES, TUNNEL SUPERVISORY SYSTEM, VENTILATION FANS AND LUMINARIES.
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS WITH RECENT SATISFACTORY EXPERIENCE OF SIMILAR CONTRACTS SHOULD APPROACH MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON FAR EAST, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, 2401 SUN HUNG KEI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW THEY CAN APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIST OF SELECTED TENDERERS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON JULY 19.
-----o------
CENTRAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT MEASURES PROPOSED
* * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN THE VICINITY OF CHATER ROAD IN CENTRAL.
THESE MEASURES ARE AIMED AT IMPROVING VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN FLOW ON CHATER ROAD, THUS RELIEVING TRAFFIC ON NEARBY CONNAUGHT ROAD.
THE PROPOSED WORK WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF LAY-BYS AT CLUB STREET AND ICE HOUSE STREET, AND MODIFICATION TO GROUNDLEVEL ROADS AT THE JUNCTIONS OF CHATER ROAD WITH JACKSON ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET.
/A NOTICE ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTt UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE WORK CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE PROPOSED WORK OR THE USE, OR BOTH, MUST BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY AUGUST 13.
-----o------
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OFFER SUMMER COURSES
******
THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL OFFER 171 SHORT COURSES THIS SUMMER FOR MORE THAN 6 000 YOUTHS wHO ARE OVER 15 YEARS OLD.
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF TECHNICAL, COMMERCIAL AND LEISURE INTEREST STUDIES WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER.
THE COURSES, RANGING IN LENGTH FROM FOUR TO 50 HOURS, COVER DISCIPLINES IN HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MARINE AND FABRICATION, COMPUTING STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, DESIGN AND MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING.
THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR THAT THE COUNCIL IS RUNNING THESE SUMMER COURSES WHICH HAVE PROVED POPULAR AS MORE THAN 48 000 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED LAST YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES, INCLUDING COURSE FEES, MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTIONS AND OTHER DETAILS WILL BE ADVERTISED IN MAJOR NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS ANG GUIDES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES — MORRISON HILL, K..AI CHUNG, KWUN TONG, HAKING WONG AND LEE WAI LEE.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS JUNE 29.
o --------
/14 ••
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
- 14 -
COLOURFUL DRAGON BOAT ON DISPLAY * * *
A DISPLAY OF A DRAGON BOAT AND AN EXHIBITION ON THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IN HONG KONG Vw ILL BE HELD AT CITYPLAZA STARTING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON THE wORK OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND CITYPLAZA.
THE BOARD RECENTLY CONTRIBUTED all 000 TO SPONSOR THE FUNCTION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT LARGE CROWDS DURING THE 13-DAY EXHIBITION.
THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF THE EXHIBITION IS THE DISPLAY OF A 38-FOOT-LONG DRAGON BOAT, DECORATED WITH COLOURFUL CHINESE EMBROIDERED FRONT BANNERS, PARASOL, DRUM, GONG AND PADDLES.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, UNTIL JUNE 27 (THURSDAY).
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, THE CHAIRMAN CF COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR Let KWONG-LAM, AND THE CENTRE MANAGER OF CITYPLAZA, MR JOHN WAGNER WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
-----o------
SAI KUNG FIRE SERVICES GET OWN STATION
*****
SAI KUNG FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL BEGAN OPERATING FROM A PERMANENT BASE TODAY, WITH THE OPENING OF A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR STATION COMPLEX IN THE AREA.
FOR THE PAST 23 YEARS, THE SERVICES HAD BEEN WORKING FROM TWO CORRUGATED NISSEN HUTS VACATED BY THE BRITISH FORCES, THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, KOWLOON COMMAND, MR M. KINGDOM, SAID TODAY. BEFORE THAT, THE SERVICES HAD OCCUPIED TWO OTHER TEMPORARY PREMISES.
+NOW, SOME 23 YEARS LATER, WE HAVE A PERMANENT FIRE STATION ESTABLISHMENT,* HE SAID, UNVEILING A PLAQUE TO OPEN THE NEW STATION COMPLEX.
BY WORKING CLOSELY AND HARMONIOUSLY WITH SAI KUNG RESIDENTS, THE SERVICES COULD +HOPEFULLY, BRING ABOUT A LESSENING Op THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT ARISES FROM FIRES, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND OTHER INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR TOO FREQUENTLY,* HE SaIi>.
-----o------
FRIE {, JUNE 14, 1935
- 15 -
/ HEALTHY THEME FOR BUDDING YOUNG ARTISTS
* * * *
BUDDING YOUNG ARTISTS LIVING IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARE1 INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A PAINTING COMPETITION WHICH HAS AN EMPHASIS ON A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.
THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY CHILDREN PAINTING COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME S-ORDInXtTnG COMMITTEE, IS A!MED AT ENCOURAGING YOUNG CHILDREN TO SHOW OFF THEIR ARTISTIC TALENT AND, AT THE SAME TIME LEARN MORE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONAL HYGIENE THROUGH PARTICIPATION.
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 12 ARE WELCOME TO ENTER THE COMPETITION, IN WHICH THEY CAN INCORPORATE SLOGANS TO EMPHASIS THEIR THEME.
WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE OPEN ING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ON JULY 14. WINNERS wILL ALSO BE INVITED TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENT AT AN IMPROMPTU DRAWING COMPETITION ON THE SAME DAY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES, AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CITY YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE AND THE HUNG HOM HOLY CARPENTER COMMUNITY CENTRE.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS JULY 2.
- - C ------------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM
* * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CREMATION SERVICE AT THE DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FOR FIVE DAYS AS FROM MONDAY (JUNE 17).
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, TWO ADDITIONAL CREMATORS WILL BE INSTALLED THERE AT A COST OF $1.9 MILLION.
THIS BRINGS TO SIX THE NUMBER OF CREMATORS AT THE DIAMOND HILL CREMATORIUM, SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
AT PRESENT THE COUNCIL MAINTAINS TWO CREMATORIA, ONE AT DIAMOND HILL IN KOWLOON AND THE OTHER AT CAPE COLLINSON HILL ON HONG KONG ISLAND. TOGETHER THEY HANDLED SOME 10 200 CREMATIONS IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
--------0 - - - -
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1985
- 16 -
12 RSD SUPERVISORS PROMOTED * * * X
THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED PROMOTION LETTERS TO 12 SUPERVISORY GRADE OFFICERS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE.
THE OFFICERS INCLUDE TWO OVERSEERS, TWO SENIOR FOREMEN AND EIGHT FOREMEN WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT A WIDE RANGE OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES DUTIES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS.
AT A BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS, MR HAMMOND CONGRATULATED THE PROMOTED OFFICERS AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR GOOD WORK.
PROPER ABLUTION FACILITIES FOR CHA KWO LING
* * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE LAYOUT PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC TOILET AND BATHHOUSE AT CHA KWO LING VILLAGE.
A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE VILLAGE HAS A SQUATTER POPULATION OF ABOUT 4 700 BUT IS WITHOUT ANY PROPER TOILET AND ABLUTION FACILITIES.
+ALTHOUGH THE NEED FOR A PUBLIC TOILET AND BATHHOUSE THERE HAS LONG BEEN RECOGNISED, THE COUNCIL HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SUCH FACILITIES DUE TO THE LACK OF A SUITABLE SITE,* HE SAID.
+HOWEVER, WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD EARLY NEXT YEAR, A 140-SQUARE-METER SITE ALONG THE ROAD WITH A PROPER SEWER SYSTEM WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT.*
UNDER THE PROJECT, A FEMALE TO ILET/BATHHOUSE WITH 10 COMPARTMENTS AND A UNISEX TOILET FOR THE DISABLED WILL OCCUPY THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING.
THE MALE TO ILET/BATHHOUSE, ALSO WITH 10 COMPARTMENTS, AND AN OFFICE, WILL TAKE UP THE FIRST FLOOR.
THE ROOFTOP WHICH wILL EE DECORATED WITH PLANTS, SERVE AS A SITTING-OUT AREA.
WILL
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS 1.66 MILLION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1986 AND TAKE ABOUT TEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----0------
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1935
17
CLINICS TO OPEN ON HOLIDAYS ******
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, AND ON JUNE 22 (SATURDAY), THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.
THEY WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM.
THE EIGHT CLINICS, WHICH * ILL BE OPENED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM, ARE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND? K*UN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON? LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THESE TWO HOLIDAYS.
- - 0
HAPPY VALLEY TRAFFIC CHANGE ******
THE UNNAMED ROAD AROUND THE HONG KONG STADIUM WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 17) TO MIDNIGHT ON JULY 16 FOR ROAD WORK.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
Friday, June 14, 1985
X
EMBARGOED NEWS ITEM:
NOTE TO EDITORS OF NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGENCIES, AND BROADCASTING STATIONS:
The following announcement on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List is being made simultaneously in-London at 0001 hours GMT on Saturday, June 15-
Publication is permitted in Hong Kong newspapers tomorrow (Saturday), June 15, but no news agency or overseas radio transmission of the announcement may carry the information without the embargo qualification •
The news may be broadcast from 7 am onwards over the local radio and television stations.
On NO account should any of the recipients of Honours be contacted for interviews or for information relative to their careers or be approached in any way in connection with their awards before these have been publicly announced.
HONOURS
KBE - Knight Commander, Order of the British Empire
CBE - Commander, Order of the British Empire
OBE - Officer, Order of the British Empire
ISO - Companion, Imperial Service Order
MBE - Member, Order of the British Empire
BEM - British Empire Medal
QPM - Queen’s Police Medal •
CPM - Colonial Police Medal
Badge of Honour
Birthday Honours 19^5
The Hon. David AKERS-J ONES, CMS, JP
Mr Akers-Jones joined the Colonial Service in Malaya in 1953 and transferred to Hong Kong in 1957* He assumed the post of Chief Secretary in early June.
C.B.E.
Mr Hugh Moss Gerald FORSGATE, OBE, JP
Mr Forsgate is Vice Chairman of the Urban Council and Chairman of the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation.
C.B.E.
Pmf. HO Hung-chiu, OBE, JP
Prof. HO Hung-chiu joined the Medical and Health Department in 1949. He was appointed Consultant in Radiology and Oncology in-charge in 195$• He retires in 19$5-
C.B.E.
The Hon. Francis TIEN Yuan-hao, OBE, JP
Mr Francis Tien has been a member of the Legislative Council since 1974- He is also prominent in other spheres of public importance.
O.B.E.
The Hon. Ronald George Blacker BRIDGE, J?
Mr Bridge was first appointed to the Hong Kong Administrative Service in 1957- He now holds the post of Commissioner of Labour.
/O.B.E. .......
2
O.B.E
TheJ-Ion. CHEJNG Tan-lung, MBE, JP
Mr Cheung is a member of the Legislative Council and. is prominent in many other spheres of public service, particularly in the New Territories.
O.B.E
The Hon. Mrs Selina CHOW LIANG Shuk-yee, JP
Mrs Chow is a member of the Legislative Council and is also Chairman of the Consumer Council, j 1
O.B.E.
Mr NGAI Shiu-kit, JP
Mr Ngai was a former President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong. He is also a member of the Trade Development Council, Industry Development Board, Energy Policy Committee and the Hong Kong Japan Business Co-operation Committee.
O.B.E
Mr John Rawlins TODD, CVO, JP
Mr Todd came to Hong Kong on appointment as an Administrative Officer Staff Grade C in 1976 after a career in other British dependent territories. He is now the Director of Lands.
O.B.E.
Mr Thomas Herbert TOMLINSON, JP
Mr Tomlinson was .appointed as an. Engineer _ in the Waterworks Office of the Public Works Department in 1954* He is now the Director of Water Supplies.
/I.S.O
3
I, SeO
Mr Peter Frederick LEEDS, JP
Mr Leeds joined the Hong Kong Government service in 1951* He is now the Commissioner for Transport.
I.S.O
Mr Gordon Louis MORTIMER, JP
Mr Mortimer came to Hong Kong as an Administrative Officer in 1971 after service with the Government of Fiji. He is now the Conmissioner for Narcotics.
M.B.E.
Mr Arthur John A^jdAS
Mr Abbas first joined the Hong Kong Government service in 1955 as a Land Bailiff. He is now a Principal Land Executive in the City and New Territories Administration.
M.B.E
Mr Victor CHANN Yau-fong
Mr Chann was seconded to the London Office in October 19$5 as the first full time Liaison Officer. He is now the Senior Liaison Officer in London.
M.B.E.
Mr John Owen EDWARDS
Mr Edwards has had a long record of public service, particularly with respect to the affairs of former Far East Prisoners of War.
/M.B.E
4
M.B
Mr Stanley WI Shih-kuary?
Mr Kwan is the former Head of the Economic Research Department of the Hang Seng Bank and a former member of the Statistics Advisory Board on which he served for several years.
M.B.E.
Mr NG Shue-chiu
Mr Ng is a former Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Po Leung
Kuk<
M.B.E
Mr Andrew Cameron RENNIE
Mr Rennie joined the Hong Kong Government as a Chief Information Officer in September 1973* He has served continuously in the Police Public Relations Bureau where he is now the Chief Staff Officer, Public Relations.
M.B.E.
Mr TONG Yuk-lun
Mr Tong joined the Government Supplies Department in 1953 and now holds the rank of Controller of Government Supplies.
M.B.E. (Hon or ary.)
Mr LI Ying
Mr LI Ying joined the Communications Branch of the Hong Kong Police Force in 1953* He is now the Controller, Police Telecommunications.
/B.E.M.
5
B.E.M.
Mr CHEUNG Siu-ping
Mr Cheung joined the civil service in 1952. He is now a Clerical Officer Class I in the Education Department.
B.E.M.
Mr KAN Po
Mr Kan first joined the civil service in August 1951 as a Squatter Control Patrolman. He is now a Foreman (Supervisor) in the Housing Department.
B.E.M.
Mr LEE Cheung-fai
Mr Lee joined the Preventive Service (now Customs and Excise Service) as an Assistant Revenue Officer in 1958 and now holds the rank of Chief Customs Officer.
B.E.M. . :
Mr LEUNG Chuen .......
Mr Leung has served the Hong Kong Government for 35 years. He is now a Foreman in the Education Department.
B.E.M.
Mr LI Chung
Mr Li has served the Hong Kong Government-for 48 years. He is now an Office Assistant in the Engineering Development Department.
B.E.M.
Mr LI Hing
Mr Li joined the civil service in 1954. He is now a Senior Foreman, Urban Services Department.
/B.E.M. .......
6
B.E.M.
Mrs LC NG Po-s-im
Lira Lo joined the Government service in 1954- She is now an Enrolled Nurse in the Social Hygiene Service of the Medical and Health Department.
B.E.M.
Mr LO Pak-sum
lAr Lo joined the Prison Service as a Warder in September 1953 He is now an Assistant Officer Class I.
B.E.M.
Mr LOK Ho-aum
Mr Lok joined the civil service 33 years ago. He now holds the rank of Principal Survey Officer (Buildings).
B.E.M.
Miss Aysha WOSDKEN
Miss Moosdeen has served 26 years with the Hong Kong Government. She is now Personal Assistant to the Commissioner, IC AC.
B.E.M.
Mrs_NG TSUI Kit-ming ---*
Mrs Ng joined the Auxiliary Medical Services in 1953 and now holds the rank of Group Supervisor (Volunteer).
Mr SINN Kwok-bun
Mr Sinn joined Government service in 1941- He is now a Transport Inspector in the Transport Department.
/B.E.M. .......
B.E.M.
Mr YUEN Keng
Mr Yuen joined the Hong Kong Government Printing Department as a Pressman in 1952. He now holds the rank of Chief Proof Reader.
B.E.M. (Mil it ary)
Sergeant HSU Chi-wei
Sergeant Hsu is a Radio Instructor, Junior Leaders Corps, (Volunteers). . 1 .
B.E.M. (Military)
Flight Sergeant LAU Fook-wing
Flight Sergeant Lau joined the Royal Hong Kong Air Force in 1957 and was the Senior Non-commissioned Officer, Motor Transport Section, before he retired in October 1984*
Mr Robert Lewis John MCDONALD, CPU
Mr MacDonald joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a SubInspector in 1959 and reached his present rank of Chief Superintendent in 1979- - - •
Q.P.M,
Mr Briar. WEBSTER, CPM
Mr Webster joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 1957 as a Sub-Inspec tor and was promoted to his present rank of Assistant Commissioner in 1982.
/C.P.M. .......
8
C.P.M... (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr CHUNG Chi-kin
Mr Chung joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 1957 and was promoted to Station Sergeant in 1979-
C.P.M., (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr Stanley Ernest DIRKIN
Mr Dirkin joined the Hong Kong Police as a Sub-Inspector in 1952 and was promoted to Chief Inspector in 1971 •
C_.P.M. (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr James Kenneth. WAN
Mr Ewan joined the Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector in July 19&5* He was promoted to his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1982.
C.P.M., (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr Timothy Antony FITZPATRICK
In 1958 Mr Fitzpatrick joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector. He was promoted to .his present...rank of Senior Superintendent in 1982.
C.P.M, (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr Ian Lavis GRIFFITHS
Mr Griffiths joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 19^3* He achieved his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1980.
C.P.M. (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr Michael John HARRIS
Mr Harris joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector in 1957- He was promoted to Senior Superintendent in 1983*
/C.P.M. .......
9
C.P.M, (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr Arthur William HIGGINBOTTOM
Mr Higgin bottom joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector in 1960. He was promoted to his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1982.
C.P.M. (Royal H.K. Police)
Ito LEE Kwong-yee
Mr Lee joined the Force as a Police Interpreter in 1961. He was appointed as a Probationary Inspector in 1965 and achieved his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1982.
C.P.M. (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr James Souter MAIN
Mr Main joined the Hong Kong Police as an Inspector in 19$5* He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in December 1983.
C.P.M. (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr MG Ka-wing
Mr Ng joined the Hong Kong Police as a constable in 1956.
He was promoted to Sergeant in 1971 •
C.P.M., (Royal H.K. Police)
Ito Ivan Cyril SCOTT
Mr Scott joined the Hong Kong Police as a Sub-Inspector in 1955 after previous service in the Royal Marines and the Nottingham City Police. He was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent of Police in 1976.
/C.P.M.
10
C.P.M, (Royal H.K, Police) . .
Mr John Anthony WILKINSON
Mr Wilkinson joined the Hong Kong Police in 1960 and was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent in 1976.
C.P.M. (Royal H.K. Police)
Mr YEUNG Chi-keung
Mr Yeung joined the Force in 1954 and has been with the Police Band since 1955- He was promoted through the ranks to Station Sergeant in 1975-
C-.P.M. (Fire Services Department)
Mr HO Sum
Mr Ho joined the Fire Services Department in 1952. He was promoted to his present rank of Principal Fireman in 1978.
C.P.M._._(Fire Services Department)
Mr LEE Jang-on
Mr Lee joined the Fire Services Department as an Assistant Station Officer in January 1962. He was promoted to Senior Divisional Officer in 1982.
C.P.M, (Fire Services Department)
Mr LEUNG Fook-sin
Mr Leung joined the Fire Services Department in 1953 and was promoted to Principal Fireman in 1979*
C.P.M. (Fire Services Department)
Mr TAI Chun-lag
Mr Tai joined the Hong Kong Fire Services Department in 1958 and was promoted to Divisional Officer in 1977-
/Badge of Honour .......
11
Badge of Iiono«ir
Mr CHAN Ka-si
Mr Chan is an elected District Board member of Wong Tai Sin district•
Badge 01 Honour
Mrs Ena CHAN YUSI Yin-hung
Mrs Chan has been active in community service and was appointed a member of the Yau Ma Tei District Board in 1982.
Badge of Honour
Mr CHONG Kam-ning
Mr Chong is a member of the District Board, North District.
Badge of Honour
Mrs_Alice CHONG YUK Tak-fun
Mrs Chong is a former Director of the Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre.
Badge of Honour
Mr CHOW Chun-fai
Mr Chow is a member of the Mong Kok District Board.
Badge of Honour
Mr CHOY Kan-pui
Mr Choy is a member of the Sha Tin District Board.
Badge of Honour
Mr HO Fook-chu
Mr Ho is active in the public business of the Wan Chai East District.
/Badge of Honour
12
Badge of Honour
Dr Kenneth HO Pui-hung
Dr Ho has been an adviser and adjudicator to the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions since their inception in 1977*
Badge of Honour
Reverend LEUNG Sin-sang
The Reverend L0JNG Sin-sang has been a voluntary Prison Visitor to institutions on the island of Hei Ling Chau, particularly the drug addiction treatment centre, since 1975•
Badge of Honour
Mr MA Chi-keung
Mr MA has been active in the public business of the Kwun Tong District since 1971*
Badge of Honour
Mr NG Cliing-yee
Mr Ng has been a Director of the Tsuen Wan Yan Chai Hospital since 1979 and was elected the Chairman in 19^4*
Badge of Honour
Mr SIL) Yun-chung
Mr Siu has been active in the public business of Shek Lei Estate since 1981.
Badge of Honour
Mrs SO CHOW Yim-ping
Mrs So has been active in workers’ welfare schemes in Wong
Chuk Hang since 1979*
Badge of Honour
Mr TSE Hay
‘"Mr Tse has been active in the public bueiness of Shaukiwan
since 1973-
13
QUEHN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS .uIST 1985
(British Forces)
MBE (Reft)
Maj J E G Lamond 2 GR
Maj J J Purves 10 GR
Maj H M Adams R SIGNALS
Capt(QPO) Jogindrasing Gurung Q£E
Now retired in UK
10 GR
Queen’s Gurkha Signals
Nov/ serving in Nepal
BEM (Reg)
SSgt A J Baily RE
Sgt D G Scrivens R HAMPS
Serving in Nepal
Now serving in BAOR
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO BILL - TIME FOR CAIM CONSIDERATION ................ 1
GOVERNOR JOINS MORSE PARK CELEBRATIONS .................. 2
SUGGESTIONS ON BILL WILL BE CONSIDERED .................. 2
NT SPORTS PROGRAMMES TO CELEBRATE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ...... 4
CHANCE FOR YOUTHS TO DEVELOP TALENTS .................... 5
REMINDER ABOUT NEW ID CARDS ............................. 5
INCENTIVE IN EASTERN DISTRICT FOR INVESTORS ............. 6
COMPUTER CONTEST TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY ................. 7
WOMEN LIFEGUARDS PROTECT SWIMMERS AT HK BEACHES ......... 8
SUMMER COURSE FOR SCIENCE TEACHERS ...................... 10
NEW POLICE STATION FOR TAI PO ........................... 10
SPECTACULAR SHOW FOR WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY ............ 11
EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY..................................... 11
TENNIS COURSE OFFERED IN FANLING ........................ 12
MORE URGED TO USE COMMUNITY FACILITIES .................. 12
MAN KAM TO ROAD BEING IMPROVED .......................... 15
FIRING PRACTICE
-13
SATURDAY.. JUNE 15, 1985
1
LEGCO BILL - TIME FOR CALM CONSIDERATION * * *
IT IS TIME THERE WAS A PERIOD OF CALM CONSIDERATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
+THERE WAS A VERY GOOD DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY AND THE AMENDED BILL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, AND I THINK THE THING TO DO NOW IS WHAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SAID, THAT IS, HAVE A CAREFUL LOOK AT THE BILL AS IT NOW STANDS,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM A REPORTER AFTER ATTENDING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SPORTS PROGRAMME AT MORSE PARK.
. ASKED To COMMENT ON CALLS BY SOME CRITICS THAT THE BILL SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REWRITTEN, HE SAID, +THE BILL HAS ONLY JUST BEEN GAZETTED AGAIN, AND IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT BILL. SO WHY NOT
HAVE A LOOK AT IT.+
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL WOULD BE DEFERRED, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WAS NOW WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+WHAT THE UNOFFICIALS HAVE SAID VERY SENSIBLY IS LOOK AT THE BILL. AND I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO TAKE IT — STEP BY STEP.*
...... ASKED WHETHER IT WAS + INAPPROPRI ATE FOR THE HEAD OF THE E?LLNMKPATHFN| Fcrn'nn |HIS ^RS°NAL BACKING TO A CONTROVERSIAL
LJK- THE LEGCO BILL + , SIR EDWARD SAID. + | AM THE GOVERNOR OF K?Mn'TAND MY RE^PONS I B IL ITY IS THE GOOD GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG, AND THAT’S A RESPONSIBILITY WHICH ANY GOVERNOR HAS TO TAKE.
+BUT THE BILL IS NOW WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT IS NOT WITH ME.+
ON THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK ISSUE, SIR EDWARD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MOVED VERY QUICKLY.
♦THE OTB IS NOW OPERATING NORMALLY, AND THE SITUATION IS STILL AS IT WAS WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE OBJECT CF GOVERNMENT POLICY IS TO DO ALL WE CAN TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY AND THE REPUTATION OF THE HONG KONG BANKING SYSTEM.
+ l THINK THAT POLICY HAS VERY CLEARLY BEEN SHOWN OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT ACTIONS,* HE SAID.
ON HIS VISIT TO THE CELEBRATION SPORTS PROGRAMME THIS MORNING, SIR EDWARD SAID HE HAD BEEN VERY TEMPTED TO STAY AND JOIN IN SOME OF THE COMPETITIONS.
+l THINK PARACHUTING WOULD BE A LITTLE BEYOND ME, BUT I MAY MANAGE SOME OF THE SWIMMING COMPETITIONS.
+IF YOU WILL GET TOGETHER A TEAM, I MIGHT BE EVEN MORE TEMPTED,* HE SAID.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 19-5
2
GOVERNOR JOINS MORSE PARK CELEBRATIONS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDED A PROGRAMME OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS EVENTS AT MORSc. PARK TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE WERE WELCOMED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THc RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HOWARD YOUNG; DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM; THE CHIEF MANAocr-(LEISURE SERVICES) KOWLOON EAST, MR JOHNNY WOO.
THEN PART
WITH
THEY FIRST WATCHED A CHINESE DANCE AT THE MINI-SOCCER PITCH AND TOURED VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PARK TO SEE CHILDREN TAKING IN GAMES, A FOOTBALL COMPETITION AND A PARACHUTE PERFORMANCE.
IN THE GAMES HALL THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE STOPPED TO CHAT PARTICIPANTS OF THE +SPORTS FOR THE ELDERLY* COMPETITION.
LATER SIR EDWARD STARTED THE +ROUND-THE-PARK OBSTACLE RACE* IN THE SOCCER'PITCH BEFORE MEETING PARTICIPANTS OF THE +AQUATIC TELEMATCH+ AT THE PARK’S SWIMMING POOL.
-----o------
SUGGESTIONS ON BILL WILL BE CONSIDERED * * *
THERE COULD WELL BE OTHER SENSIBLE AND REALISTIC SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE REVISED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL AND THEY WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SPORTS PROGRAMME AT THE WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND IN KWAI CHUNG, SIR DAVID SAID MANY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL HAD BEEN PUBLISHED AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE VOTED ON IN THE THIRD READING.
+AFTERALL THE BILL IS NOW WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IT WILL BE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WHO HAVE VOTED ON THE SECOND READING TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHEN ITS COMES TO THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL,* HE SAID.
/THE CHIEF ........
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
- 3 -
THE CHIEF SECRETARY AGAIN POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WAS PART OF A PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION AND PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEw LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+WE HAD TO AMEND THE LETTERS PATENT? WE’VE GOT TO PROVIDE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM? WE’VE GOT TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER,AND WE’VE GOT TO PROVIDE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE NEW COUNCIL WILL OPERATE,* HE SAID.
+l THINK THAT IS THE THING WHICH PEOPLE MUSTN’T LOSE SIGHT OF.*
SIR DAVID SAID THE PAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS HAD BEEN VERY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG.
+l THINK IT IS A REMARKABLE THING ABOUT HONG KONG THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THESE PUBLIC EXPRESSIONS OF OPINIONS AND CRITICISMo, THAT THE CRITICISMS CAN BE LISTENED TO BY THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LEGISLATION AND THAT THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS CAN BE MAuc.
+THIS IS AN INDICATION OF THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE HERE.*
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANTICIPATED SUCH A STRONG REACTION TO THE BILL, SIR DAVID SAID, +W I TH HINDSIGHT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER PERHAPS IF wE HAVE HAD A GREATER DEGREE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE GOING FORWARD.
+BUT IT HAS BEEN A VERY USEFUL LEARNING EXERCISE FOR US ALL AND I THINK THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IS STRONGER AS A RESULT OF THESE FEW WEEKS THAT WE HAVE HAD.
+IT HAS DEMONSTRATED, I THINK, THAT THE SYSTEM IS ALIVE ND H8ALTHY AND WORKING — THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATION AND A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT STILL HOPED THAT THE BILL. COULD BE PASSED BEFORE THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS ASoEMBLt., THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID, +YES INDEED, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THA, IT IS VERY NECESSARY THAT THE NEW LEGISLATURE IN ITS NEW CHAMBER SHOULD HAVE THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH TO CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS.*
-------o----------
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1^85
NT SPORTS PROGRAMMES TO
* *
CELEBRATE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY * * *
OVER 6 OOO PEOPLE TOOK PART IN SOME 30 RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS IN CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY TODAY.
THE EMPHASIS FOR ALL THE ACTIVITIES IS ON AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION, WITH EACH OF THE NINE NON-URBAN DISTRICTS HOLDING AT LEAST ONE DISTRICT-LEVEL COMPETITION EITHER IN TENNIS, BASKETBALL OR TABLE TENNIS, IN ADDITION TO A WIDE VARIETY OF FUN-AND-GAMES CARNIVALS SUCH AS THE AQUATIC CARNIVAL FOR WORKERS IN KWAI CHUNG, THE SWIM-IN FOR ALL IN YUEN LONG OR THE WINDSURFING FUN DAY IN TAI PO.
VISITING THE WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND WHERE THE CELEBRATIONS IN KWAI CHUNG WERE BEING HELD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE AGE GROUP OF THE PARTICIPANTS WHICH RANGES FROM SEVEN TO 70.
SIR DAVID SAID: +IT IS MARVELOUS TO SEE THE WIDE RANGE CF RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND WHERE ONLY FIVE YEARS AGO IT WAS A PLOT OF EMPTY HILLS IDE.+
HE NOTED THAT THE SPORTS GROUND NOW OFFERS FACILITIES FOR FOOTBALL, GYMNASTICS, BASKETBALL, SWIMMING, DIVING AND OTHER INDOOR SPORTS AND WATER SPORTS.
ABOUT 1 400 KWAI CHUNG RESIDENTS TOOK PART IN SEVEN SPORTo AND FUN-AND-GAMES PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDED A GYMNASTICS DEMONSTRATION AND PLAY-IN, AEROBIC DANCE-IN, SWIM-IN FOR THE THE YOUNG AND OLD AND OTHER COMPETITIVE GAMES.
SIR DAVID AND LADY AKERS-JONES WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL B'Yx THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, NR NATHAN MA, AND THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND.
FOLLOWING A TOUR OF THE ACTIVITY VENUES, SIR DAVID, LADY AKERS-JONES, MR MA AND MR HAMMOND MET WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl, HEADED BY BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING.
-----0------
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1935
5
CHANCE FOR YOUTHS TO DEVELOP TALENTS * * * *
THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN ACTIVITIES THAT V.OUL-, HELP DEVELOP THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL AND AROUSE THEIR INTEREST IN TRADITIONAL CULTURE AND ARTS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS HELD AT THE CITY HALL.
THE COMPETITIONS, HELD OVER THE PAST YEAR, WERE SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WITH ABOUT 7 000 YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING PART IN VARIOUS INTERESTING ACTIVITIES.
MR LIAO PRAISED PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR TALENTS AND ABILITIES, AND SAID THAT THEY HAD COMPLIED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR THEME OF PARTICIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID THE COMPETITIONS HAD BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND WERE STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY ACADEMIC ORGANISATIONS AND PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
MR LIAO ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF EIGHT CATEGORIES CF THE COMPETITIONS WHICH INCLUDE TRANSLATION, CHINESE ESSAY WRITING, CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, DEBATE, POSTER DESIGN, CHINESE SPEECH, PAINTING, AND NEWS AND ACADEMIC QUIZ.
AN EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE COMPETITIONS -/.ILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL LOW BLOCK ON JUNE 29 AND 30.
- 0 - -
REMINDER ABOUT NEW ID CARDS
*****
MEN BORN IN 1937, 1938, 1939 AND 1940 ARE REMINDED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THEY SHOULD APPLY FOR NEW ID CARDS BEFORE JUNE 29.
+SINCE JUNE 17 AND JUNE 22 ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THERE ARE ONLY 10 WORKING DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE END OF THIS PHASE,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
/IN THE
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
6 -
IN THE PAST FOUR WEEKS, THE EIGHT ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 93 183 APPLICATIONS.
+IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 28 617 MEN HAVE NOT YET APPLIED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE URGED THEM TO CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE ISSUE OFFICES WITHOUT DELAY, BRINGING ALONG THEIR OLD CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT NO AMNESTY WOULD BE GRANTED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THEY WOULD BE REPATRIATED ON DETECTION.
-----0------
INCENTIVE IN EASTERN DISTRICT FOR INVESTORS *****
THE MUCH IMPROVED TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN EASTERN DISTRICT, LINKING IT WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, WOULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO INVEST IN THE DISTRICT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
+AND THE RECENT FORMATION OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT INDUSTRIALISTS ASSOCIATION, PROVIDES A SUITABLE FORUM FOR INDUSTRIALISTS TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS AND TO PROMOTE MUTUAL INTERESTS,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR LUI NOTED THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 1 000 FACTORIES IN THE DISTRICT, RANGING FROM HIGH TECHNOLOGY ELECTRONICS FACTORIES TO SMALL WORKSHOPS.
+THE FACTORIES PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FAST-GROWING DISTRICT, AND I HOPE THE ASSOCIATION WOULD ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE,* HE ADDED.
THE 70-MEMBER EASTERN DISTRICT INDUSTRIALISTS ASSOCIATION, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE DISTRICT, WAS SET UP WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MS JACQUALINE HA IS THE CHAIRPERSON OF ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM 13 LOCAL INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTES.
------0-------
/7........
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1935
7
COMPUTER CONTEST TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A TwO-SECTION COMPUTER PROGRAMME DESIGN COMPETITION PROMOTING ROAD
SAFETY, WHICH CLOSES ON
TOP PRIZES OFFERED TICKETS TO FRANKFURT OR
JULY 20.
IN THE COMPETITION ARE TWO RETURN AIR KUALA LUMPUR.
THE COMPETITION IS
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY COMMITTEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY, HANG SENG BANK AND CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO A SENIOR SECTION FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND A JUNIOR SECTION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS UP TO FORM 7 LEVEL.
PROGRAMMES DESIGNED SHOULD EMPHASISE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, GOOD DRIVING MANNERS AND CYCLING SAFETY.
REFERENCE MATERIAL ON ROAD SAFETY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE MARKETING SECTION OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BASKERVILLE HOUSE, ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL.
ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN GRAPHIC AND IN ENGLISH. THEY MUST BE APPLICABLE TO APPLE II E COMPUTER WITH APPLESOFT BASIC,^ AND ACCOMPANIED BY DOCUMENTATION AND FLOPPY DISK CONTAINING THE PROGRAMME AND AN ENTRY FORM.
FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND
ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED
ARE ALSO PUBLISHED REGULARLY IN THE SCM POST, WAH KIU YAT
PO AND THE HONG KONG COMPUTER JOURNAL.
THREE WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED FROM EACH SECTION, AND THEIR ENTRIES WILL BE USED ON THE COMPUTER IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICc FORCE’S ROAD SAFETY BUS. THE BUS REGULARLY CALLS AT SCHOOLS, HOUSING ESTATES, COMMUNITY HALLS AND OTHER PLACES TO SPREAD THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE.
THE SECOND AND THIRD PRIZES COMPRISE GIFT COUPONS OF $2 000 AND $1 000 RESPECTIVELY PLUS SIX-MONTHS’ FREE SUBSCRIPTION OF HONG KONG COMPUTER JOURNAL. THERE ARE ALSO FIVE CONSOLATION PRIZES IN EACH SECTION.
RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY AUGUST.
- 0 -
/8
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985 •
8
WOMEN LIFEGUARDS PROTECT SWIMMERS AT HK BEACHES
X X X X *
WOMEN’S LIB. HAS COME TO OUR BEACHES. THE URBAN COUNCIL LIFEGUARDS PROTECTING THE 12 BEACHES ON HONG KONG INCLUDE SOME FIT, CAPABLE AND FULLY QUALIFIED YOUNG LADIES SUCH AS 18-YEAR-OLD MISS TSOI KWEI-YIP, WHO SERVES AT REPULSE BAY.
+WOMEN ARE JUST AS CAPABLE AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS IN PROVIDING LIFE-SAVING SERVICES,+ SHE SAYS.
BUT SHE CONCEDES THAT WOMEN MUST BE PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED TO FACE A FEW HURDLES BEFORE TAKING UP THE CHALLENGING AND MEANINGFUL JOB.
+MANY MEN HAVE TRIED TO APPROACH OR PLAY JOKES ON ME WHILE I AM PATROLLING IN A CATAMARAN OR AT THE BEACH, OR SITTING AT A LOOK-OUT POST. AT FIRST I WAS VERY EMBARRASSED BY THEIR BEHAVIOUR, BUT NOW I AM GETTING USED TO THE SITUATION AND GIVE MY FULL ATTENTION TO GUARDING THE SAFETY CF SWIMMERS,+ SHE ADDED.
+1 AM SURE THAT AS MORE WOMEN JOIN THE PROFESSION, THE PUBLIC WILL GET MORE ACCUSTOMED TO THE SIGHT OF WOMEN LIFEGUARDS AND MIGHT GET TO LIKE US.+
MISS CHOI IS GRATIFIED THAT WOMEN ARE PLAYING THEIR PART IN PROTECTING OUR BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS. HER REGULAR DUTIES INCLUDE MANNING THE OBSERVATION TOWER, KEEPING IN TOUCH BY WALK IE TALKIE WITH OTHER LIFEGUARDS, AND DOING PATROLS BY CATAMARAN.
HUNDREDS OF SWIMMERS WOULD HAVE FACED THE RISK OF DROWNING EVERY YEAR BUT FOR THE VIGILANCE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S LIFEGUARDS.
LAST YEAR, THREE PERSONS WERE DROWNED BUT 595 OTHERS WERE RESCUED AT URBAN COUNCIL BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS.
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT UP TO 25 MILLION PEOPLE USE URBAN BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS EVERY YEAR, THE TOLL IS CONSIDERED TO BE VERY LOW BY ANY STANDARDS.
/+IN FACT.........
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
- 9 -
+ IN FACT, THE USD’S LIFEGUARDS ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED,+ SAID MR PAUL CHEUNG, SENIOR AMENITIES OFFICER (SWIMMING). +THE MINIMUM ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS OF LIFEGUARDS ARE A BRONZE NEDAL AWARD AND A VALID FIRST-AID CERTIFICATE. IN ADDITION THEY MUST HAVE A GOOD PHYSIQUE, GOOD VISION AND A GOOD EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.+
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT ALL SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES RECEIVED A TWO-WEEK INDUCTION COURSE BEFORE BEING POSTED TO BEACHES OR SWIMMING POOLS. DURING THE COURSE, THEY ARE TAUGHT LIFE-SAVING SKILLS, FIRST-AID TECHNIQUES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AT BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS, AND THE OPERATION OF CATAMARANS.
EVERY YEAR THE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER WITH THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, ORGANISES REFRESHER COURSES FOR SERVING LIFEGUARDS TO UPDATE THEM ON FIRST-AID TECHNIQUES.
IN ADDITION, REGULAR DRILLS ARE HELD FOR ALL SERVING LIFEGUARDS TO ENABLE THEM TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES EFF ICIENTLY.
THE DEPARTMENT FURTHER ENCOURAGES SERVING LIFEGUARDS TO ATTAIN HIGHER LIFE-SAVING QUALIFICATIONS SO AS TO PROVIDE A BETTER STANDARD OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT TO STRENGTHEN ITS NORMAL LIFE-SAVING SERVICES DURING THE SUMMER SEASON, THE DEPARTMENT RECRUITS A LARGE NUMBER OF PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 280 FULL-TIME LIFEGUARDS AND 100 PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS.
THE PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS ARE EITHER EMPLOYED ON A SHORT CONTRACT TERM AT A MONTHLY SALARY OF $3 055 OR ON A S121-A-DAY BASIS.
THE NUMBER OF LIFEGUARDS POSTED AT THE VARIOUS URBAN COUNCIL BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS DEPENDS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SIZE AND ATTENDANCE FIGURES. THERE ARE AT LEAST SIX LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY AT A BEACH AND 12 AT A SWIMMING POOL. HOWEVER, AT A LARGE AND HEAVILY PATRONISED BEACH SUCH AS REPULSE BAY, THERE ARE AS MANY AS 20 LIFEGUARDS AT ANY ONE TIME PLUS ADDITIONAL STAFF DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
-----0------
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
10
SUMMER COURSE FOR SCIENCE TEACHERS * * * *
FOUR IDENTICAL THREE-DAY SUMMER COURSES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR PRIMARY SCIENCE TEACHERS BETWEEN JULY AND AUGUST.
THE COURSES, CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
IN EACH COURSE, THERE WILL BE TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SCIENCE TEACHING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
APART FROM CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS ON THE MAKING OF SIMPLE TEACHING AIDS, THERE WILL ALSO BE A COMPETITION ON THE DESIGN OF SUCH AIDS.
FIELD TRIPS TO AN URBAN COUNCIL NURSERY WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS TAKING PART IN THE COURSES.
PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE INSPECTOR (PRIMARY SCIENCE), PRIMARY SCIENCE SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE JUNE \20.
-------c --------
NEW POLICE STATION FOR TAI PO * * *
A NEW DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION IS TO BE BUILT ON A 5 100-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TAI PO.
THE NEW STATION, TO BE BUILT AT NAM WAN ROAD NEAR THE TAI PO TOWN CENTRE, WILL CONSIST OF A THREE-STOREY PODIUM AND A 16-STOREY TOWER BLOCK.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE OFFICES, PUBLIC REPORTING FACILITIES, BARRACKS, CELLS, CANTEEN AND MESS FACILITIES, DOG KENNELS, EQUIPMENT STORAGE AND VEHICLE PARKING AND SERVICING FACILITIES.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1987.
-------0----------
/11 .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
11
SPECTACULAR SHOW FOR WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO SEE A SPECTACULAR SEA-PARADE AND A HELICOPTER RESCUE PERFORMANCE WHEN THEY VISIT THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROMENADE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS IN THE 1985 WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY, TO BE HELD BETWEEN 3 PM AND 7 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS TO PROMOTE THE +PLAY SAFE+ MESSAGE, THE EVENT, WHICH WILL BE OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR PETER CHAN, WILL PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATION THROUGH A VARIETY OF WATER SPORTS ACTIVITIES, SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS AND STATIC DISPLAYS.
QUIZ FORMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE AND THOSE wHO TAKE PART IN THE QUIZ COMPETITION STAND TO WIN A HOTEL BUFFET COUPON, A SIGHT-SEEING TRIP OR A TRAINING COURSE OFFERED BY THE ADVENTURE SHIP LIMITED AND THE OUTWARD BOUND TRUST OF HONG KONG.
TAKING PART IN THE EVENT ARE THE ADVENTURE SHIP LTD.;
HONG KONG AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION; HONG KONG CANOE UNION; HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS? HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB; HONG KONG POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION LTD. ; HONG KONG SCHOOL TEACHERS’ LIFE SAVING SOCIETY ; HONG KONG SEA CADET CORPS. ; HONG KONG UNDERWATER FEDERATION? HONG KONG WATER SKI ASSOCIATION ; HONG KONG YACHTING ASSOCIATION? OUTWARD BOUND TRUST OF HONG KONG; SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG? AND WINDSURFING ASSOCIATION CF HONG KONG.
-----o------
EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY * * *
SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO WILL OFFICIATE AT AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY OF A NEW DRAGON BOAT AT THE SAI KUNo PUBLIC PIER AT NOON ON TUESDAY (JUNE 18).
THF NEW DRAGON BOAT IS MADE OF GLASS FIBRE AND WAS DONATED TO THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE BY THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND.
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD BY THE 1985 SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE, TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS CF THE FORTHCOMING DRAGON BOAT RACE.
A CHARITY RACE AND A HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CUP RACF a III EE HELD IN SAI KUNG THIS YEAR, AND THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT TEAM WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG AT AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN SINGAPORE.
- 0
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1985
- 12 -
TENNIS COURSE OFFERED IN FANLING
******
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A TENNIS TRAINING COURSE FOR PEOPLE OVER 16 YEARS OLD IN FANLING FROM JUNE 26 TO AUGUST 7.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD IN THE FANLING TEMPORARY TENNIS COURT EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY BETWEEN 5.30 PM AND 7 PM.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE COURSE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE RSD’S SUB-OFFICE AT 170 JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, SHEUNG SHU I, OR TELEPHONING 0-925529 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
MEANWHILE, OPENING HOURS OF THE FANLING TEMPORARY TENNIS COURT ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED.
THE COURT WILL NOW BE OPENED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON THOSE DAYS AND FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON WEEKDAYS.
FREE BOOKINGS OF THE COURT CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 0-922892 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----o------
MORE URGED TO USE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
* * * *
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN TAI PO ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO MAKE MORE USE OF COMMUNITY HALL AND CENTRE FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICi FOR THEIR SOCIAL FUNCTIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE TAI YUEN COMMUNITY HALL AND THE KWONG FUK COMMUNITY HALL PROVIDE MANY FACILITIES AND ARE GOOD VENUES FOR ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS.
+THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HALLS AND CENTRE WAS HANDED OVER TO THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE EARLIER THIS MONTH,+ HE SAID.
+THE CENTRE AND THE HALLS ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH FACILITIES SUCH AS HALLS, DRESSING ROOMS, CONFERENCE ROOMS AND BADMINTON COURTS. THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE HAS BASKETBALL COURTS, AN EXHIBITION HALL AND A COVERED PLAYGROUND,* HE ADDED.
/THEY ARE .........
SATURDAY, JUNE 1J>, 1985
THEY ARE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 9.30 PM ON MONDAY TO FRIDAY, FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND 2 PM TO 9.30 PM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
OPENING HOURS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DEPEND UPON DEMAND AND THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
+ORGANI SAT IONS WISHING TO USE THE FACILITIES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS IN ADVANCE, AND THEY MAY BE EXEMPTED FROM CHARGES IF THEY COMPLY WITH THE EXEMPTION REGULATIONS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RESPECTIVE COMMUNITY HALLS AND CENTRE.
- o -
MAN KAM TO ROAD BEING IMPROVED
******
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A S10.3-MILL ION CONTRACT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF MAN KAM TO ROAD BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND THE CROSS-BORDER CONTROL FACILITIES AT MAN KAM TO.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF THE EXISTING MAN KAM TO ROAD UP TO THE MUK WU PUMPING STATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 300-METRE CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND THE NEW BORDER CONTROL BUILDING AT MAN KAM TO.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH IS PART OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION CF THE VEHICULAR BORDER LINK IN THE AREA, IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 1c MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 -
F IR ING PRACTICE * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM MONDAY (JUNE 17) TO FRIDAY (JUNE 21) BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 5 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC URGED TO 'PLAY SAFE' OUTDOORS ........................... 1
AIRPORT EXPANSION KEEPS PACE WITH GROWING TRAFFIC .............. 2
PEOPLE URGED TO AVOID CROWDED BEACHES .......................... 4
INVITATION TO RUN COMMUNITY HALL, CENTRES ...................... 5
STAGE LIGHTING COURSE FOR TEACHERS ............................. 6
TENDER SOUGHT FOR REFRESHMENT KIOSK............................. 6
FOOTBRIDGE PLANNED FOR KIVU TUNG................................ 7
RECREATION GROUND FOR TO KWA WAN ............................... 8
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KiVUN TONG.................................. 8
CENTRAL TAPS OFF ............................................... 8
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1985
1
PUBLIC URGED TO 'PLAY SAFE’ OUTDOORS
*****
OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THOUGH EXCITING AND CHALLENGING, CONTAIN AN ELEMENT OF DANGER, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF WATER SPORTS.
THE WARNING CAME FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR PETER CHAN WHO WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1985 WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY HELD TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE EAST TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE.
MR CHAN SAID THAT SINCE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG, WERE TAKING PART IN SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THEY SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY.
THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT DESIGNED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE THAT PARTICIPANTS OF AQUATIC SPORTS SHOULD EXERCISE COMMON SENSE AND CARE, AND OBSERVE THE BASIC SAFETY RULES AS A MEANS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
IT WAS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER RELATED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
THE WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AT SEA THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS AND WATER SPORTS WATERFRONT THIS AFTERNOON.
AND ON LAND ATTRACTED ENTHUSIASTS TO THE
BY A SPECTACULAR 100 SURF-BOARDS,
THE ACTIVITIES AT SEA WERE LAUNCHED
SEA-PARADE INVOLVING SOME 20 VESSELS AND niuiiur
AND WERE FOLLOWED BY SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS ON HIGH DIVING, SKIING WINDSURFING, AS WELL AS RESCUE AND LIFE SAVING TECHNIQUE*.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY wAS A SEA RESCUE BY HELICOPTER.
ON LAND, THERE WERE DISPLAYS OF VARIOUS WATER SPORTS EQUIPMENT, STATISTICS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. IN A MAKE-SHIFT MINI-THEATRE, THE PUBLIC ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH AND LEARN FROM VIDEO FILM SHOWS THE TECHNIQUES ON YACHTING, SKIING, WINDSURFING AND UNDER-WATER SWIMMING.
--------0
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1935
2
AIRPORT EXPANSION KEEPS PACE WITH GROWING TRAFFIC ******
A VITAL S273-MILLI0N PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVING AND UPGRADING FACILITIES AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND OF THE NEXT DECADE IS STEADILY GATHERING MOMENTUM.
TO DATE ALMOST $3O-MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON REPROVISIONING WORK AND ON A TRANSPORT TERMINUS, WHICH IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE.
THE MAIN CONTRACT OF THE STAGE 5 EXPANSION PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE TARGET DATE FOR COMPLETION SET FOR EARLY 1988.
SENIOR ARCHITECT OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, PR ROGER MATTHEWS, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT SAID THAT IN ORDER TO MINIMISE CONGESTION THAT MIGHT DEVELOP AT PEAK PERIODS, CERTAIN PARTS OF THE EXPANSION SCHEME WOULD BE' COMMISSIONED EARLIER.
+WE HAVE PHASED WORK IN SUCH A WAY THAT SOME FACILITIES COULD BE MADE USABLE BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE MAIN TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT,+ HE SAID.
THE RECENTLY COMPLETED $8 MILLION TRANSPORT TERMINUS REPLACING THE OLD WESTERN CAR PARK, FOR EXAMPLE, IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN FOR USE NEXT MONTH, HE SAID.
THIS WILL PROVIDE ARRIVING PASSENGERS WITH A COVERED AREA FOR TAXIS, LIMOUSINES AND AIRPORT BUSES AND RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE EXISTING ARRIVALS KERB.
MR MATTHEWS SAID THE TERMINAL BUILDING WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARD, OVER THE EXISTING TOURIST COACH PARK, INTO THE AREA NOW OCCUPIED BY THE AIRPORT STORES BUILDING WHICH IS BEING REPROVISIONED ELSEWHERE AT THE AIRPORT.
AT THE DEPARTURES LEVEL ON THE FIRST FLOOR TWO NEW CHECK-IN ISLANDS WILL BE PROVIDED, INCREASING BY ABOUT 50 PER CENT TO 176 THE NUMBER OF CHECK-IN COUNTERS IN THE ENTIRE BUILDING.
THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION DESKS FOR OUTGOING PASSENGERS WILL BE INCREASED TO MATCH TRAFFIC FLOWS, AND THE LOUNGE AREA WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED.
ADDITIONAL PREMISES FOR SHOPS, CAFES, MONEY CHANGERS AND OTHER FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1985
AT THE GROUND FLOOR ARRIVAL LEVEL, TWO NEW BAGGAGE RECLA> LOOPS WILL BE PROVIDED, IN ADDITION TO EXPANDED IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS CONTROL FACILITIES.
+ALL OF THESE SHOULD GREATLY ENHANCE PASSENGER AND BAGGAGE PROCESS ING,+ SAID MR MATTHEWS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (TECHNICAL AND PLANNING) OF THE Cl. i-AVIATION DEPARTMENT (CAD), MR TREVOR OLIVER, SAID HE WAS CONFIDl. THE WHOLE PROJECT WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME TO MEET AIR PASSU; TRAFFIC NEEDS IN THE LATE 1980S AND 199OS.
THE PLAN AT HAND IS TO INCREASE THE PASSENGER HANDLING CAPACITY FROM THE PRESENT 12 MILLION PASSENGERS TO ABOUT 18 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR, HE SAID.
THIS WOULD MEAN THE AIRPORT HANDLING 5 300 INBOUND OR OUTBOUND PASSENGERS PER HOUR, HE ADDED.
CURRENTLY, 32 SCHEDULED AIRLINES ARE OPERATING AROUND 1 J J. SERVICES A WEEK TO AND FROM HONG KONG -- LINKING IT DIRECTLY TO 70 MAJOR WORLD CITIES WITH NON-STOP SERVICES TO 40 OF THE; .
THE AIR NETWORK COVERS BRITAIN, EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA CHINA, SOUTH AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, AUSTRALASIA AND Asia. SIX OTHER AIRLINES OPERATE AN AVERAGE OF 24 NON-SCHEDULED SERVICto IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG EACH WEEK.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE VOLUME OF AIR CARGO BEING HANDLED HAS ALSO GONE UP DRAMATICALLY.
IT HAS INCREASED FROM 5 732 TONNES IN 1961/62 TO 258 627 TONNES IN 1980/81 AND TO A TOTAL OF 420 000 TONNES, VALUED AT $139 BILLION, IN 1984.
CORRESPONDING TO ITS GROWTH OVER THE YEARS, THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AND ITS OTHER FACILITIES HAVE UNDERGONE ALTERATIONS AND ADDITION, MODIFICATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS, MR OLIVER SAID.
VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES WERE SET UP TO STU-'' THE COMPLEX, IMMEDIATE AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSENGtR PROCESSING, CARGO HANDLING, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE, AIRLINE’S ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER FACETS OF THIS INCREASINGLY BUSY AIR-^
IT HAS UNDERGONE FOUR STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND MODERN IS-FE NOTED.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN THE EARLY 196 is SHORTLY AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE THEN NEW PASSENGER TERMINAL. THE SECOND AND THIRD STAGES WERE CARRIED OUT IN THE FOLLOWING ID YEARS.
/HOWEVER, all .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1985
4 -
HOWEVER, ALL THESE EARLY PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT WERE COMPARATIVELY MODEST AND WERE PLANNED TO SMOOTH OUT THE AIRPOkT OPERATION AND MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS, HE SAID.
THE HEAVY BUILDING PROGRAMME UNDER STAGE 4 BEGAN IN 1974 AND A PASSENGER TERMINAL EXTENSION SUPER-STRUCTURE WAS COMPLETE THREE YEARS LATER, MAKING THE BUILDING TWICE ITS ORIGINAL SIZE.
IN 1976 THE NEW AIR CARGO COMPLEX — ALLOWING THE INTEGRATION OF ALL AIR CARGO HANDLING UNDER ONE ROOF — WAS COMPLETED.
+BEYOND STAGE 5 WE FEEL THERE IS LIMITED SCOPE FOR FURTHER EXPANSION. BECAUSE THE RUNWAY WILL BE OPERATING AT CAPACITY,* SAID THE CAD’S CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER, MR PETER BODILEY.
THE COST OF FURTHER WORK ON THE AIRPORT RUNWAY, TAXIWAY AND APRON PAVEMENTS WILL BE AROUND $200 MILLION, BUT THIS EXPENDITURE WILL BE SPREAD OVER A LONGER PERIOD, MR BODILEY SAID.
PROGRESSIVE REPLACEMENT OF AEROBRIDGES AND OTHER FEATURES, THE UPGRADING AND COMPUTERISATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT, AND THE PROVISION OF NEW VISUAL AND ELECTRONIC LANDING AIDS AND RADARS ARE EXPECTED TO COST A FURTHER #150 MILLION. . a / .
PEOPLE URGED TO AVOID CROWDED BEACHES * * * *
CLEAR WATER BAY BEACH IN SA I KUNG AND LIDO BEACH IN TSUEN WAN HAVE BEEN GROSSLY OVERCROWDED, PARTICULARLY DURING WEEKENDS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
ON AVERAGE, AS MANY AS 50 000 AND 20 000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VISITING THE BEACHES EACH SUNDAY.
THE BEACHES HAVE BEEN SO CROWDED THAT IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND SPACE FOR A FAMILY TO SIT TOGETHER, AND THERE HAVE BEEN LONG LINES WAITING FOR THE USE OF TOILETS AND SHOWERS.
A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM WAS THE DIFFICULTY THAT LIFEGUARDS WOULD ENCOUNTER IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK OF LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF SWIMMERS. HE URGED PEOPLE TO GO TO OTHER BEACHES THAT WERE LESS CROWDED.
/THE BSD .......
SUN1AY, TJE 16, 1985
- 5 -
THE RSD MANAGES 26 GAZETTED BEACHES SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING IN THE SAI KUNG AREA, ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
AND ALTHOUGH SOME OF THEM MAY TAKE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME AND EFFORT TO REACH, THEY WERE LESS CROWDED, HE SAID.
LIFEGUARDS ARE ON DUTY AT ALL BEACHES MANAGED BY THE RSD AT LEAST FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM.
AT SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR BEACHES THE LIFEGUARDS ARE PRESENT FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING THE PEAK SWIMMING SEASON.
INFORMATION ABOUT BEACHES IN THE VARIOUS NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE RSD DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----o------
INVITATION TO RUN COMMUNITY HALL, CENTRES * * * *
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES ARE BEING SET UP TO RUN THE SEVEN COMMUNITY CENTRES AND A COMMUNITY HALL IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT, A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
♦APPOINTMENT LETTERS ARE BEING SENT OUT, AND THE MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DRAWN FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES,+ HE SAID.
♦THEIR DUTIES ARE MAINLY TO OVERSEE AND ENCOURAGE THE UTILISATION OF THE PREMISES, AND TO IDENTIFY AND ASSESS THE NEEDS CF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN PLANNING FOR FUTURE COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES,+ HE ADDED.
THE SEVEN COMMUNITY CENTRES AND A COMMUNITY HALL WERE HANDED OVER TO THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THIS MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED LOCAL REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE FACILITIES AND PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
♦IF THEY ARE SUBVENTED WELFARE AGENCIES, NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS MACS, ACS AND DB, OR LOCAL COMMITTEES RECOGNISED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THEY MAY EVEN BE EXEMPTED FROM CHARGES,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/♦THE FACILITIES .......
Slt'DAT, JUNE 16, 1985
6
+THE FACILITIES MAY ALSO BE FREE OF CHARGE IF A LOCAL BODY RUNS A PROGRAMME FOR THE PROMOTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, CULTURAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES,* HE ADDED.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM FROM THE CENTRE OR FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, AND SUBMIT IT AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS IN ADVANCE, HE SAID.
THE EIGHT COMMUNITY CENTRES IN KWUN TONG ARE LAM TIN (EAST), LAM TIN (WEST), SAU MAU PING (CENTRAL), SAU MAU PING (SOUTH), LOK WAH, AND SHUN LEE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRES, KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, AND KAI YIP COMMUNITY HALL.
- - - - 0 -----------
STAGE LIGHTING COURSE FOR TEACHERS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE TWO STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN COURSES FOR REGISTERED TEACHERS BETWEEN JULY 22 AND 26.
THE FIVE-DAY COURSE WILL BE HELD IN TWO SEPARATE SESSIONS AT SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE AT 2 CH I FU CLOSE IN POKFULAM.
IT WILL CONSIST OF LECTURES AND PRACTICAL WORK ON THE CREATIVE AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN FOR DANCE PRODUCTION IN THEATRES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY HALLS.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION), PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SEVENTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON BEFORE JUNE 24.
-----0-----
TENDER SOUGHT FOR REFRESHMENT KIOSK
******
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS CALLED FOR TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENT AT THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND, A MAJOR RECREATION AND SPORTS COMPLEX IN THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
LOCATED AT YEUNG UK ROAD, THE SPORTS GROUND HAS A STANDARD SIZE GRASS SOCCER PITCH, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, TWO VOLLEYBALL COURTS AND A 400-METRE RUNNING TRACK, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RSD.
/THE CONTRACT .......
SUNDlT, .7JNE 16, 1985
THE CONTRACT WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, TO AUGUST 31, 1988.
TENDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM RSD’S TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
THE COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX SITUATED AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE, AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON JULY 19 (FRIDAY). LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE RSD, TELEPHONE NO. 0-444281.
-----o-----
FOOTBRIDGE PLANNED FOR KWU TUNG
*****
PLANS TO CONSTRUCT DILL’S CORNER GARDENS
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT A FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF THE DRIVE TO
AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN KWU TUNG.
THE 50-METRE FOOTBRIDGE WILL STRETCH ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THAT SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD WITH A RAMP AND STAIRCASE AT BOTH ENDS.
ON COMPLETION, IT WILL PROVIDE A SAFE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, THUS MAINTAINING A SMOOTH FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE TRUNK ROAD.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONGj THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH, AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, FANLING.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 13.
-----o------
/8........
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1985
- 8 -
RECREATION GROUND FOR TO KWA WAN * * * *
A NEW RECREATION GROUND IS TO BE BUILT AT CHEUNG NING STREET IN TO KWA WAN.
SITUATED ON A 2.4-HECTARE SITE, THE PROPOSED MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATION GROUND WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES -- INCLUDING AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, TWO MINI-SOCCER PITCHES WITH SPECTATOR STAND, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AND A JOGGING TRACK.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE LANDSCAPED SITTING-OUT AREAS, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A MAZE GARDEN.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 1986.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOK THE PROJECT.
-----o------
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWUN TONG
* * * *
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR RESTRICTED ZONES FROM IQ AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 19):
* HIP WO STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WAN HON STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 160 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* YUET WAH STREET FROM ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH HIP wO STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
MOTOR VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
--------0 ----------
CENTRAL TAPS OFF
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY POTTINGER STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, WING WO STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DB TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ............ 1
REVISED DB HJLES TO BE DISCUSSED.............................. 1
LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE ACTIVITIES................ .......... 2
12TH UC SWIMMING POOL FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.................... 5
SWIMMING GALA FOR ISLANDS DISTRICT ........................... 4
FLASHING DOOR BELLS A HELP TO DISABLED TENANTS................ 4
FREE COMPUTER COURSE FOR TEACHERS ............................ 5
SECOND LARGEST THa FOR FANLING ............................... 6
TU5M MUN WATER CUT ........................................... 7
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR SAI KUNG .......................... 7
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1995
1
DB TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS X X * *
A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.
MPMRFRS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED, AND THEIR VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT, rw THF DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR JARDINE’S LOOKOUT AND WONG Sil Shuns GAP? AND THE LIAISON ACT IV IT IES OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN THE DISTRICT.
AT THE MEETING. MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE THE TERMS Sf°"?I™Wernment DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROBLEMS OF OVERHANG I NG SIGNBOARDS, THE RELOCATION OF HAWKERS AT LI CH IT S™EET AND THc PROPOSED DECLARATION OF WAN CHAI POST OFFICE AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING.
IN ADDITION, A QUESTION WILL BE RAISED ON THE TEMPORARY USE OF A VACANT SITE AT SPRING GARDEN LANE AS AN OPEN SPACE.
-----o------
REVISED DB RULES TO BE DISCUSSED
XXX
THE REVISED DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 20) MORNING.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON PROPOSALS TO ENACT LAWS TO CONTROL VILLAGE VEHICLES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF TH. HOARD.
------0 ------
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1985
2
LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE ACTIVITIES
*****
KWUN TONG RESIDENTS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING MONTHS AS THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE RECENTLY AGREED TO GRANT ABOUT $180 000 TO THREE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS - THE KWUN TONG SPORTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION (KTSPA), THE KWUN TONG SWIMMING CLUB AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION (KTDCRPA) - FOR ORGANISING ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
+THE KTSPA, FOR INSTANCE, HAS PREPARED AN ANNUAL PROGRAMME CF 10 DISTRICT-WIDE SPORTS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TWO RECREATION AND SPORTS EVENTS SPECIFICALLY FOR ESTATE RESIDENTS AND FACTORY WORKERS IN KWUN TONG,* THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR LAM KIN-KWOK SAID.
+THE ASSOCIATION AND ITS 12 AREA BRANCHES WILL ALSO ORGANISE AO ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS DURING THE YEAR,* HE ADDED.
MR LAM SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD ALSO PROVIDED FUNDS TO THE KWUN TONG SWIMMING CLUB FOR RUNNING A YEAR-ROUND TRAINING PROGRAMME FOP 200 LOCAL YOUTHS, A DISTRICT-WIDE SWIMMING GAlA IN OCTOBER AND TRAINING CAMP.
+THE KTDCRPA, WITH FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL CONTINUE HOLDING SINGING AND DANCING TRAINING CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS AND ADVANCED LEARNERS,* MR LAM SAID.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD SPENT ABOUT $1 FINANCIAL YEAR ON PROMOTING CULTURAL, RECREATION ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
MILLION IN THE LAST AND SPORTS
--------o ---------
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1985
12TH UC SWIMMING POOL FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT M * * *
WITH THE OPENING OF THE SHAM SHU I PO PARK SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN EARLY AUGUST, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF URBAN COUNCIL PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS WILL RISE TO 12.
LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO THE SHAM SHU I PO PARK, THE NEW COMPLEX HOUSES A 50-METRE MAIN POOL, A SECONDARY POOL, A TRAINING POOL, TWO TEACHING POOLS, A DIVING POOL, AND TWO PADDLING POOLS. THE MAIN POOL WILL BE HEATED IN WINTER TO t^EET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR WINTER SWIMMING FACILITIES.
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A SUNBATHING AREA, A SPECTATOR STAND, A RESTAURANT, A SODA FOUNTAIN, A FIRST-AID ROOM, CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILETS.
THE H6-MILLI0N PROJECT IS THE THIRD SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR KOWLOON WEST. THE OTHER TWO ARE IN LEI CHENG UK AND LAI CHI KOK PARK.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THE NEW COMPLEX WILL PROVE A POPULAR RECREATION VENUE FOR SHAM SHU I PO RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE FROM SURROUNDING DISTRICTS,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL.
IN ADDITION TO THE THREE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN KOWLOON WEST, THE PENINSULA HAS FOUR MORE COMPLEXES LOCATED RESPECTIVELY IN KOWLOON TSAI, KWUN TONG, MORSE PARK AND TAI WAN SHAN. THERE ARE FIVE COMPLEXES ON HONG KONG ISLAND — CHAI WAN, KENNEDY TOWN, MORRISON HILL, ABERDEEN AND VICTOR I* PARK.
THE FACILITIES IN THE 11 EXISTING SWIMMING POOLS ARE ABOUT THE SAME. EACH COMPLEX COMPRISES POOLS OF VARIOUS SIZES AND DEPTHS TO MEET DIFFERENT NEEDS AND A SPECTATOR STAND TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WATCHING COMPETITION EVENTS AND Swimming galas.
ELECTRONIC TIMING AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT IS INSTALLED AT SIX MAJOR POOL COMPLEXES FOR HOSTING TERRITORY-WIDE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS. MOST POOLS ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH FACILITIES FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
DURING THE 1984-85 FINANCIAL YEAR, 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE PATRONISED THE URBAN SWIMMING POOLS, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 19 PER CENT OVER ATTENDANCES IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
------0-------
/4
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1985
k
SWIMMING GALA FOR ISLANDS DISTRICT
******
SWIMMERS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A DISTRICT-WIDE SWIMMING GALA TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH (JULY).
THE 1OTH ISLANDS DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA, WHICH AIMS TO PROMOTE THE SPORT AS WELL AS UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF SWIMMERS, WILL BE HELD AT THE KENNEDY TOWN SWIMMING POOL ON JULY 14 BETWEEN 1 PM AND 6 PM.
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
SWIMMERS AGED EIGHT AND ABOVE AND WHO EITHER LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN ISLANDS DISTRICT ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENROL.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL RURAL COMMITTEES OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND THE RSD’S ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AT ROOMS 202-204, CONNAUGHT BUILDING, 55 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS JUNE 29.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE 5-423085 FOR FURTHER DETA ILS.
-----o-----
FLASHING DOOR BELLS A HELP TO DISABLED TENANTS *****
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS COME UP WITH A NEW DEVICE WHICH ENAPLES PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHO HAVE HEARING DISABILITY TO LEAD A MORE INDEPENDANT LIFE AT HOME.
THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE AUTHORITY’S LIST OF PROVISIONS TO AID DISABLED TENANTS IS A +FLASHING DOOR BELL+.
A FLASH LIGHT IS CONNECTED TO THE DOOR BELL AND INSTALLED CONSPICUOUSLY ABOVE THE DOOR IN THE LIVING ROOM.
WHEN A VISITOR PRESSES THE DOOR BELL, THE LIGHT INSIDE T|;E FLAT BEGINS TO FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY, DRAWING TENANTS’ ATTENTION.
+THIS IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL WHEN A PERSON WITH HEARING DISABILITY STAYS ALONE AT HOME AS IT MINIMISES THE CHANCE OF MISSING THE DOOR,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY.
+FLASHING DOOR BELLS, THOUGH SIMPLE ENOUGH, ARE,EFFECTIVE AND ARE PART OF THE AUTHORITY’S ON-GOING EFFORT TO HELP MAKE LIFE AS FULL AND NORMAL AS POSSIBLE FOR DISABLED TENANTS.+
/HE SAID ........
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 19b5
- 5 -
HE SAID IT HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY TRIED OUT IN A P ; T WCHEr-L AT LOK WAH AND KAI YIP ESTATES AND HAD NOW BECOME A STANDARD PROVISION FOR DISABLED TENANTS IN NEED OF IT.
+THE FLASH LIGHT MAY BE INSTALLED AT OTHER SUITABLE SPC INSIDE THE FLAT TO MEET INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS.
+IN CASES OF GENUINE MEED, AN ADDITIONAL FLASH LIGHT CAN nE PROVIDED.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FLASHING DOOR BELLS WERE INSTALLED FREE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAD AMONG THEM A MEMBER WITH HEARING DISABILITY.
HE SAID OTHER PROVISIONS FOR DISABLED TENANTS INCLUDED PEDESTAL TOILETS AND HANDRAILS, BALCONIES WITH FLOOR LEVEL RAISED TO THAT OF THE LIVING AREA, WIDENED DOORWAY AND NEW DOORS, AS WELL AS FOLDING PLASTIC DOORS FOR TOILETS.
-----o - - - -
FREE COMPUTER COURSE FOR TEACHERS *****
SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A FREE COURSE ON COMPUTER AWARENESS TO BE HELD BETWEEN JULY 22 AND 26.
THE COURSE IS JOINTLY HELD BY THE GENERAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT CF THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE COMPUTER EDUCATION SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
IT IS DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS WITH NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE IN COMPUTER AND WILL COVER BASIC COMPUTER STRUCTURE, PROGRAMMING IN BASIC, WORD PROCESSING AND THE USE OF DATABASE AND SPREADSHEET PACKAGE.
CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG.
CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE.
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (COMPUTER EDUCATION), COMPUTER EDUCATION SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, LEE.GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON OR BEFORE JUNE 25.
-----o------
/6.......
MONDAY, JUNE 1?, 1985
6
SECOND LARGEST THA FOR FANLING
******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS BUILDING ITS SECOND LARGEST TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN FANLING TO HELP MEET REHOUSING COMMITMENTS FROM DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE AND NATURAL DISASTERS.
COVERING A 9.4-HECTARE SITE OPPOSITE THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION, THE $44.6 MILLION TIN SUM THA WILL HAVE SPACES FOR 9 200 PEOPLE ON FULL COMPLETION BY 1987.
+IT WILL BE NEXT TO THE LARGEST THA, YUEN CHAU KOK IN SHA TIN, WHICH IS HOUSING 12 000 PEOPLE,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID TIN SUM WOULD ALSO BE THE FOURTH FULL-CLAD THA WITH UPGRADED DESIGNS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR TENANTS.
+ALL UNITS WILL BE FULL-BUILT WITH KITCHEN, BATHROOM, WALLS, PARTITIONS, UPPER-FLOOR DECKING, FALSE CEILING, STAIRCASE, DOORS AND WINDOWS.
+OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL WATER METERS, ELECTRICITY SOCKETS, OPENINGS FOR AIR-CONDITIONERS, AND TELEPHONE INSTALLATION POINTS.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TIN SUM THA WOULD BE DEVELOPED IN SIX PHASES AND WOULD HAVE ALTOGETHER 136 DOMESTIC BLOCKS OF DUPLEX-TYPE UNITS, PLUS A WIDE RANGE OF COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY FAC ILITIES.
+THERE WILL BE SHOPS FOR DRY AND WET GOODS, COOKED-FOOD STALLS, A COMMUNITY CENTRE, A KINDERGARTEN AND A NURSERY, AS WELL AS BASKETBALL COURTS AND SITTING-OUT AREAS.
+CONSTRUCTION WORKS ON TIN SUM THA BEGAN IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, AND THE FIRST 26 BLOCKS WOULD BE READY FOR OCCUPATION BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.*
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE FIRST TWO FULL-BUILT THAS, KWAI FUK ROAD THA IN KWAI CHUNG AND MUI WO THA ON LANTAO ISLAND, WERE COMPLETED. CONSTRUCTION IS NOW UNDERWAY ON THE THIRD FULL-CLAD THA AT LONG BIN IN YUEN LONG.
-----0------
/7........
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1985
7
TUEN MUN WATER CUT
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 20) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAIN CONNECTION.
PREMISES AFFECTED ARE THOSE ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM PUI TO ROAD TO TAI LAM CHUNG, TUEN MUN INCLUDING ALL VILLAGES, SAM SHING ESTATE, SIU LAM, TAI LAM, SO KWUN WAT AND PEARL ISLAND.
- - 0 ---------
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR SAI KUNG # * * *
A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WILL BE BUILT s£ ■ K^NG
TOWN, SHA KOK MEI AND PAK KONG IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE N TERR ITORIES.
tuc qchcmf WIIL ALSO COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT 36 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMPROVED LAW IN BANK SUPERVISION PLANNED ..................... 1
NEED SEEN FOR CHANGE IN ILLEGITIMACY LAW ..................... 2
PERSONAL TOUCH IN VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE ................... 5
BETTER EMPLOYMENT FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES .......... 5
STUDENT LOAN FUNDS OF/ERED FOR 1985-86 ....................... 6
CHANCE TO VISIT MAI PO MARSHES ............................... 7
DOTTING THE EYES OF TWO DRAGONS .............................. 8
DRAGON BOAT RACE IN CHAI WAN ................................. 9
FARMERS TO STUDY NEW TECHNIQUES IN U.S........................ 9
TSEUK LUK STREET ROOF STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED ................ 10
SUMMER BRINGS SPORTS TRAINING OPTIONS FOR ALL ................ 10
NEW PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT FOR TAI PO ................. 12
NEW NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TUEN MUN ...................... 12
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTIC COURSE SEEKS PARTICIPANTS ................. 15
500 TO ATTEND SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT ................. 14
GRASS PITCHES TO CLOSE FOR RENOVATION ........................ 1**
SPECIAL STAMPS ON SALE TOMORROW .............................. 15
SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR KWUN TONG .............................. 15
HOLIDAY MAIL ................................................. 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 16
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
1
IMPROVED LAW IN BANK SUPERVISION PLANNED * * * *
NEw LEGISLATION WAS NEEDED IN HONG KONG’S SYSTEMS OF SUPERVISING BANKS, AS UNDERLINED BY RECENT EVENTS AND GOVERNMENT WAS SET ON IMPROVING THEM, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, 1-R DOUGLAS BL YE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN INTERNATIONAL CREDIT AND FINANCE FORUM, MR BLYE SAID THAT GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR WAS INTENDED TO BE LIMITED TO THE MINIMUM TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE BASIS FOR MACRO MONETARY POLICY, SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICE AND TO THE PROVISION OF A MEASURE OF PROTECTION FOR DEPOSITORS AND INVESTORS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR HAD EVOLVED IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS OTHER SECTORS OF ITS ECONOMY, NAMELY THROUGH MARKET FORCES WITH A MINIMUM OF DELIBERATE DISCRIMINATORY INFLUENCE FROM GOVERNMENT.
+WE DO NOT HAVE POLICIES WHICH ARE DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY aT NURTURING THE FINANCIAL SECTOR,+ MR BLYE STRESSED, +BUT AT THE SAME TIME NOTHING IS DELIBERATELY DONE TO RESTRICT IT EITHER.*
MR BLYE SAID THAT NOBODY SHOULD EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT AS THE PRIME MOVER IN ANY FINANCIAL INNOVATION.
♦ONLY GENUINE BORROWERS AND LENDERS ARE IN A POSITION TO TEST THE NEED FOR AND VIABILITY OF SUCH MARKETS AND THEY MUST PAY THE PRICE OF FAILURES, NOT THE TAXPAYER. THEY SHOULD ALSO REAP THE PROF ITS. +
HOWEVER, WHEN BUREAUCRATIC OBSTACLES ARE IDENTIFIED AS UNREASONABLY IMPEDING LAWFUL AND ACCEPTABLE VENTURES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ACT SWIFTLY TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, MR BLYE SAID.
HE TOLD PARTICIPANTS AT THE FORUM THAT HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR STOOD OUT AMONG THE OTHER MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY WHICH HAD GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE YEARS.
+THE FINANCIAL SECTOR CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 17 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT TEN YEARS AGO,* HE SAID. +NOW THAT CONTRIBUTION IS ROUGHLY 20 PER CENT.*
TWO FACTORS ARE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPANSION IN THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, MR BLYE CONTINUED.
TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THE ENTREPOT TRADE IS ONE AND THE OTHER IS DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ROLE FROM BEING AN ADJUNCT TO OTHER SECTORo OF THE ECONOMY, PROVIDING FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, TO BECOMING AN ATTRACTION TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, MR BLYE MADE AN ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S GROWING TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA WHICH HE DESCRIBE^ THE WORLD’S MOST POPULOUS NATION WITH MARKETS STILL RELATIVELY UNEXPLORED.
TUESDAY, JUNE 1B, 19&5
2
HE SAID THAT CHINA WAS NOV* HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST EXPORT MARKET AFTER THE UNITED STATES AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA GREw EY 81 PER CENT IN VALUE LAST YEAR. BY CONTRAST, IN 1978 CHINA’S MARKET POSITION wAS IN 37TH PLACE, HE POINTED OUT.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA LAST YEAR GREW BY 130 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND WHILE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE THE RATE OF GROwTri l.< THE YEARS AHEAD, MR BLYE SAID HE HAD EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THt TREND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SHARPLY UPwARD.
THE STATE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY TODAY IS EVIDENCE THAT THE QUESTION MARK WHICH HUNG OVER THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG FOR ALM0S1 TwO YEARS WAS REMOVED WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, HE EXPLAINED.
+IN THE YEARS TO COME THERE WILL BE MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPECIAL tCONOMIC ZONES AND THOSE OTHER ARtAo OF CHINA WHICH ARE OPENING THEIR DOORS TO OUTSIDE INVESTMENT.
+0N THE BASIS OF PAST EXPERIENCE BUTTRESSED BY THE NEw RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG.+ HE SAID, +1 AM CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG IS THE PLACE TO BE TO TAKE BEST ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES.+
-----0-----
NEED SEEN FOR CHANGE IN ILLEGITIMACY LAw ******
THE PRESENT STATE OF THE LAW COULD LEAD TO VERY GRAVE INJUSTICES FOR CHILDREN BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK IF NO PROVISION WAS MADE IN A WILL FOR THEM, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR r ICHAEL THOMAS SAID TODAY.
AND SINCE HE HAD A CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSIDER IDEAS FOR LAW REFORM, HE WOULD BE TAKING STEPS TO SEE WHETHER THERE WERE ANY GOOD REASONS WHY REFORMS IN THIS AREA OF FAMILY LAW SHOULD NOT PROCEED, MR THOMAS TOLD DIRECTORS OF THE PO LEUNG KUK, AT THEIR LUNCHEON MEETING TODAY.
IT MIGHT BE A NEGLECTED AREA OF LAW AND IT MIGHT NOT INVOLVE VERY MANY CHILDREN, BUT IF THOSE CHILDREN WERE SUFFERING AN INJUSTICE BECAUSE THE LAw DID NOT GIVE THEM ADEQUATE PROTECTION AFTER THE DEATH OF THEIR FATHER, HE TOOK THE VIEW THAT A CHANGE IN THE LAW SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, MR THOMAS SAID.
BUT THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE WIDE CONSULTATION AND PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE WERE BROUGHT FORWARD.
/+NONLTHKLESb WE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
+NONETHELESS WE SHALL HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE, AND I AM GOING TO START ON THIS FOLLOWING THIS LUNCH,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
THE 1971 LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG, MR THOMAS SAID, MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE LEGITIMATE CHILDREN OF A MAN BY HIS WIFE OR HIS CONCUBINE, AND HIS ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN.
ALTHOUGH THE ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN MIGHT HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY HIM AND MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN THE FRUIT OF A LONG-TERM STABLE RELATIONSHIP, NONETHELESS THEY WERE NOT BY STATUTE HIS CHILDREN, NR THOMAS SAID.
DURING A MAN’S LIFE HE COULD BE MADE LIABLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE CF ALL HIS CHILDREN WHETHER LEGITIMATE OR ILLEGITIMATE. BUT ON HIS DEATH HIS ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN HAD NO INTEREST IN HIS ESTATE UNDER THE RULES OF INTESTACY, NOR DID THEY HAVE ANY RIGHT TO CLAIM AGAINST HIS ESTATE AS HIS DEPENDANTS, EVEN THOUGH HE MIGHT HAVE MAINTAINED THEM DURING HIS LIFETIME, MR THOMAS SAID.
IN HIS TALK ENTITLED +PROVISIONS FOR ILLEGITIMACY*, MR THOMAS SAID THAT IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ALL CHILDREN OF A MAN, ACKNOWLEDGED BY HIM, HAD EQUAL RIGHTS. ENGLAND TOO HAD SHOWN A SIMILARLY COMPASSIONATE ATTITUDE BY ELIMINATING MOST DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN AND ALLOWING PERSONS WHO HAD ACTUALLY BEEN DEPENDENT UPON A DECEASED TO MAKE A CLAIM FOR PROVISION FROM HIS ESTATE.
BUT HONG KONG, HE SAID, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY, HAD REDUCED THE STATUS OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN SO THAT THEY HAD NO CLAIM UPON THEIR FATHER’S ESTATE AFTER HIS DEATH.
+A MAN MAY MAKE WHATEVER PROVISION HE WISHES FOR HIS CHILDREN, LEGITIMATE OR ILLEGITIMATE, BY WILL. WHILE THOSE WHO LIVE TO AN ADVANCED AGE AND DIE MAY TAKE THE PRECAUTION CF PROVIDING FOR ALL THEIR CHILDREN BY WILL, IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE DIE WITHOUT HAVING MADE A WILL TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR DEPENDANTS.
+THE PRESENT STATE OF THE LAW CAN LEAD TO VERY GRAVE INJUSTICES. THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT EXAMPLES OF YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE FATHERED CHILDREN IN LONG TERM, STABLE RELATIONSHIPS, AND WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ACCIDENTS. BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT MARRIED TO THE MOTHER OF THEIR CHILDREN AND HAD NOT MADE A WILL, THE CHILDREN WERE NOT ENTITLED TO SHARE IN PROPERTY AFTER DEATH,* MR THOMAS SAID.
IT MIGHT BE ARGUED THAT, BECAUSE OF THE VIRTUES OF CHINESE COMMUNITIES, PROVISION WOULD BE MADE ON AN INFORMAL BASIS FOR ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN ON THE DEATH OF THEIR FATHER. HE TOOK THE VIEW, HOWEVER, THAT THERE COULD BE NO HARM IN ENSURING THAT THE LAW ACCURATELY REFLECTED THE VIRTUOUS PRACTICES OF THE COMMUNITY.
/+THERE IS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
4
+THERE IS CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT IF THE LAW ENSURES THAT THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS ARE SAFEGUARDED WHEN IN INDIVIDUAL CASES THE COMMUNITY’S HIGH STANDARDS ARE NOT OBSERVED FOR SOME REASON,+ HE SAID.
THE LAW, HE SAID, RECOGNISED AND ENFORCED THE OBLIGATION CF A FATHER TO SUPPORT HIS ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN DURING HIS LIFETIME AND THERE WAS A PROPOSAL GOING FORWARD SOON TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THAT THE MAXIMUM RATE AT WHICH HE COULD BE COMPELLED TO DO SO SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.
THE LAW ALSO ALLOWED A FATHER TO SEEK THE EXCLUSIVE CUSTODY CF HIS ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN, MR THOMAS SAID.
+AS A MATTER OF CONSISTENCY AND OF JUSTICE, THEREFORE, IT WOULD SEEM DESIRABLE THAT THE ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN OF A MAN WHO CAN PROVE THAT THEY WERE DEPENDENT UPON HIM DURING HIS LIFETIME - AND WERE MAINTAINED DURING HIS LIFETIME - SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO SEEK REASONABLE PROVISION FROM HIS ESTATE IN THE EVENT OF HIS UNTIMELY DEATH WITHOUT A WILL HAVING BEEN MADE NAMING THEM AS BENEFICIARIES,* MR THOMAS SAID.
SPEAKING OF THE LONG-STANDING VIRTUE OF CHINESE COMMUNITIES’ CLOSE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, MR THOMAS SAID, +BUT EVEN IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS, FAMILY TIES HAVE LOOSENED THROUGH PRESSURES OF MODERN LIFE, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS, AND AS A RESULT OF FAMILY MEMBERS DISPERSING AROUND THE WORLD.*
THE PO LEUNG KUK PLAYED AN EVER-INCREASING ROLE IN HELPING THOSE UNFORTUNATE PERSONS FOR WHOM FAMILY SUPPORT WAS EITHER LACKING OR INSUFFICIENT.
AMONG THE MANY YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER THE PROTECTION AND CARE OF THE KUK WERE A SMALL MINORITY BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK, AND HE THOUGHT THEY WERE +A PARTICULARLY DISADVANTAGED GROUP*, NR THOMAS SAID. HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO REFER TO THESE ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN TODAY FOR TWO REASONS: FIRSTLY BECAUSE, AS A GROUP THEY WERE, ALMOST BY DEFINITION, WITHOUT A REPRESENTATIVE VOICE TO SPEAK FOR THEM; AND SECONDLY, THE PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY OF A LEGAL NATURE WITH WHICH THEY WERE FACED, WERE PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO SOME EXTENT BEEN CREATED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF STATUTORY PROVISIONS THAT DID NOT ADEQUATELY TAKE THEIR RIGHTS INTO ACCOUNT.
-----0 - -
/5........
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
5
PERSONAL TOUCH IN VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE *****
FIVE MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, LED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM, TODAY (TUESDAY) APPLIED THE PERSONAL TOUCH TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT TO REGISTER AS VOTERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION IN SEPTEMBER.
THE GROUP INCLUDED DR FANNY CHEUNG, MR KAN CHUNG-NIN, l*R CHEUNG CHI-YUEN, MR WONG WANG-FAT AND MR CHOY KAN-PUI.
THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF VISITED MORE THAN 20 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO DISTRIBUTE REGISTRATION FORMS TO TEACHERS, AND ASSISTED THEM TO REGISTER FOR THE ELECTION. THERE ARE SOME 100 PRIMARY, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS IN SHA TIN.
THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE, WHICH STARTED LAST WEEK, IS PART CF A CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE TO ENCOURAGE NEMBERS OF TEACHING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
-----o------
BETTER EMPLOYMENT FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES * * * *
GRADUATES OF FULL-TIME COURSES FROM HONG KONG’S FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN 1984 ENJOYED BETTER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT SURVEY.
IT ALSO REVEALED THAT 1 732 GRADUATES, OR 71.6 PER CENT OF ALL GRADUATES, WERE EMPLOYED BY MID-OCTOBER, THREE MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1983/84.
THIS COMPARED WITH 1 378 OR 67.3 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS ACADEMIC YEAR.
THERE WERE 388 GRADUATES. OR 16 PER CENT. PURSUING FURTHER FULL-TIME STUDIES, AND 299, OR 12.4 PER CENT STILL LOOKING FOR SUITABLE JOBS AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY.
IN 1983/84, 2 614 FULL-TIME STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG, KWUN TONG, HAKING WONG AND LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WHICH OPERATES THE FIVE INSTITUTES, SAID THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF GRADUATES WAS MOST ENCOURAGING.
/THEY hU JOYED, .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
6 -
THEY ENJOYED ON THE WHOLE, BETTER OPPORTUNITIES THAN GRADUATES OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND WE^ *LSO FOUND TO BE MORE READILY ACCEPTED BY THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, HE ADDED.
A SUMMARY OF THE JOBS UNDERTAKEN BY GRADUATES REVEALED THAT MOST WERE EMPLOYED IN AREAS RELATING TO THEIR COURSE OF STUDY --41 PER CENT WERE EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRY, 16.9 PER CENT IN COMMERCE, 5.5 PER CENT IN PUBLIC UTILITIES, TWO PER CENT IN G°yE^MENT AND 62 PER CENT IN OTHER FIELDS SUCH AS EDUCATION OR NON-PROFI.
MAKING ORGANISATIONS.
AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY, THE AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY OF EMPLOYED GRADUATES WAS 8.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN 1983.
THE SURVEY ALSO INDICATED THAT 77 PER CENT OF THE GRADUATES had TAKFN UP SOME FORM OF PART-TIME STUDY AFTER GRADUATION S?9 PER CENT^ATTENDING EVENING COURSES AND 33.8 PER CENT PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES.
-------0---------
STUDENT LOAN FUNDS OFFERED FOR 1985-86
*****
STUDENTS OF POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEED OF A LOAN TO COMPLETE THEIR STUDY ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE 1985-86 ACADEMIC YEAR FROM TWO STUDENT LOAN FUNDS.
THE FUNDS WHICH PROVIDE INTEREST-FREE ASSISTANCE ARE FROM THE HONG KONG ROTARY CLUB STUDENTS’ LOAN FUND AND THE STANDARD-SING TAO FAT CHOY DRIVE STUDENTS’ LOAN FUND.
MAXIMUM LOANS VARY FROM $1 800 PER ANNUM FOR A SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT TO $2 600 PER ANNUM FOR A POST-SECONDARY STUDENT.
APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WILL BE CONSIDERED BY A JOINT COMMITTEE FOR BOTH LOAN FUNDS AND PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE NEARING COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WHO RECEIVE LOANS FROM EITHER FUNDS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO A FORMAL UNDERTAKING TO REPAY THEIR LOANS BY INSTALMENTS OF AT LEAST 10 PER CENT OF THEIR MONTHLY SALARY FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
THE LOANS WILL THEN BE PAID DIRECTLY INTO THEIR PERSONAL CURRENT OR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WITH A LOCAL BANK.
/THESE LOANS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
THESE LOANS ARE MADE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. NEW APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR LOANS AND RECIPIENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR FURTHER LOANS FOR THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR MUST COMPLETE A PRESCRIBED FORM.
APPLICANTS WHO INTEND TO ENTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
THOSE WISHING TO ENTER THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE UNIVERSITY’S ASSISTANT SECRETARY, STUDENT AFFAIRS.
THOSE INTENDING TO ENTER THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT WELFARE OFFICER OF THE POLYTECHNIC.
APPLICANTS WISHING TO ENTER THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC.
THOSE INTENDING TO ENTER THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID OFFICE OF THE COZWVEGE.
ALL APPLICANTS WHO ARE ATTENDING ANY OF THESE FIVE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD ALSO APPLY IN THE SAME MANNER AND THEIR APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS BEFORE OCTOBER 16.
STUDENTS OF POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WISHING TO APPLY FOR LOANS ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE OVERSEAS S™DENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME OFFICE NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 7.
CHANCE TO VISIT MAI PO MARSHES
* * * *
HONG KONG’S NATURE LOVERS HAVE A CHANCE TO VISIT MAI PO MARSHES, A NATURE RESERVE KNOWN FOR ITS BIRDLIFE.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING, ON AN EXPERIMENTAL SIX-MONTH BASIS, EDUCATIONAL VISITS TO THE MARSHES FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC EVERY SUNDAY STARTING JULY 7.
THE MARSHES, SITUATED ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF DEEP BAY NEAR YUEN LONG, IS AN IMPORTANT ATTRACTION FOR BIRDWATCHERS. OF HONG KONG’S 350 RECORDED SPECIES, 250 HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN THE AREA.
/ANNOUNCING THE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
8
ANNOUNCING THE PROJECT TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE EDUCATIONAL VISITS, ORGANISED FOR THE FIRST TIME, ARE TO PROVIDE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE INTERESTING FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE AREA.
+THE VISITS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF GUIDED TOURS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S NATURE WARDENS WHO WILL BRIEF PARTICIPANTS ON THE PLANTS AND WILDLIFE IN THE NATURE RESERVE AND THEIR PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WILL BE LIMITED TO 20 PER VISIT AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. ‘ ™ ”:L" ' > • •' ' '■! .
VISITORS SHOULD BE AGED 12 OR OVER AND THOSE UNDER 17 SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY ADULTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD TELEPHONE THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK VISITORS CENTRE AT 3-2817365 TO ARRANGE FOR ADVANCE BOOKINGS, GIVING THEIR NAMES, IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS, AGES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
BOOKING SHOULD BE MADE AT LEAST THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE AND NO APPLICATIONS FOR VISITS MORE THAN TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE WILL BE ENTERTAINED, HE ADDED.
-------o----------
DOTTING THE EYES OF TWO DRAGONS
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, TODAY (TUESDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY OF TWO NtW DRAGON BOATS AT THE TAI WONG YEH TEMPLE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE CEREMONY, ROASTED PIGS, CHICKENS AND OTHER FISHERMEN, TAI WONG YEH.
AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SwAN WHICH BEGAN WITH AN OFFERING OF DELICACIES TO THE PATRON GOD OF
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS THEN BOATS, AFTER A BRIEF CEREMONY BY PRAISES IN THE HAKKA DIALECT.
DOTTED THE EYES OF TWO NEW DRAGON VILLAGE ELDERS OF PRAYERS AND
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION RACE BY LAST YEAR’S DRAGON BOAT RACE WINNING TEAMS.
/9........
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
9
DRAGON BOAT RACE IN CHAI WAN X * *
COMPETITORS COMPRISING FISHERMEN AND MEMBERS OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL VIE FOR TOP HONOURS IN THE CHAI WAN DRAGON BOAT RACE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JUNE 20).
THE EVENT, SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, IS ORGANISED BY THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN RECREATION CLUB.
A TOTAL OF 22 DRAGON BOATS OF VARYING SIZES WILL TAKE PART IN THE RACES TO BE HELD FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM IN THE CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN.
THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR E. LOCKEYEAR, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION.
MEANWHILE, A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN THEY TRAVEL TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT TO WATCH THE SHAU KEI WAN DRAGON BOAT RACE TO BE HELD IN THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22).
♦HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TURN UP FOR THE RACES AND AS THE FAIRWAY TO THE TYPHOON SHELTER IS NARROW, PEOPLE ARE URGED TO BE CAREFUL,+ HE ADDED.
- 0 - -
FARMERS TO STUDY NEW TECHNIQUES IN U.S * * * *
FOURTEEN VEGETABLE FARMERS WILL LEAVE ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21) FOR THE UNITED STATES TO STUDY THE LATEST TECHNIQUES IN FARMING AND MARKETING.
THE 12-DAY STUDY TOUR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, WILL PRESENT A BANNER TO THE TEAM AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
- - 0 -
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
10
TSEUK LUK STREET ROOF STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOF OF 40, 42 AND 42A, TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, TO ENABLE THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES WITHOUT DANGER TO PEOPLE.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JULY 18, 1985 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF THE EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDER ISSUED IN JULY 1984 UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND AS A RESULT OF THE OWNERS’ FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
-------0----------
SUMMER BRINGS SPORTS TRAINING OPTIONS FOR ALL * * * *
SUMMER IS WITH US, AND THIS SUMMER MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER IN HONG KONG HAVE MADE RESOLUTIONS TO GET FIT OR STAY FIT — PARTICULARLY THROUGH REGULAR SPORTS TRAINING.
AS IN MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, THERE IS AN INCREASING INTEREST IN SPORTS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG. THE RECENT TRIUMPHS OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM AND OF A LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUB HAVE NO DOUBT ADDED IMPETUS TO THIS
ENTHUSIASM.
FORTUNATELY, THE SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAMME OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS ON OFFER:
+ WATERPOLO — THIS COURSE STARTED IN MAY AND CONTINUES TILL SEPTEMBER. IT IS OPEN TO ANY COMPETENT SWIMMER AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 35. TRAINING TAKES PLACE FOR AN HOUR IN THE EVENINGS ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS AT FOUR COUNCIL SWIMMING POOLS: PAO YUE KONG (ABERDEEN) ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND MORSE PARK, KWUN TONG AND LAI CHI KOK IN KOWLOON.
FISHING .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
11
+ FISHING — THE FIRST SERIES OF THIS POPULAR ANNUAL COURSE TAKES PLACE THIS MONTH. IT CONSISTS OF LECTURES AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, FOLLOWED BY FISHING PRACTICE IN THE HARBOUR OR OFF LAMMA ISLAND.
+ ATHLETICS -- THIS COURSE, HELD IN JULY AND AUGUST, IS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED OVER 14 AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TEST THEIR CAPACITIES FOR SPRINTING, HURDLING, MIDDLE-DISTANCE RUNNING, JUMPING AND THROWING EVENTS AT THE PERTH STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY AND WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUNDS. TRAINING IS AT BOTH ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE LEVELS.
+ SUMMER BADMINTON -- THIS STARTS ON JULY 1 AND ENDS ON AUGUST 31. BASIC SKILLS ARE TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS AT VARIOUS INDOOR GAMES HALLS. ENROLMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED AND WILL BE ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
+ LADIES SELF-DEFENCE JUDO -- THIS STARTS ON JULY 7 AND CONTINUES TILL OCTOBER 27.
NUMBERS ARE LIMITED TO 40 — BUT ANYONE WHO MISSES OUT ON THIS COURSE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GET HER NAME DOWN FOR THE FOLLOWING ONE.
ANYONE WISHING TO FOLLOW UP THESE OR OTHER OPTIONS CAN CONTACT THE URBAN COUNCIL’S SPORTS PROMOTION OFFICE AT 5-756793.
FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THERE ARE THE NATIONAL SQUAD TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO BE HELD AT VARIOUS VENUES, THE SWIMMING TRAINING PROGRAMME AT TAI WAN SHAN SWIMMING POOL, AND THE SWIMMING GALA FOR THE DEAF AT MORSE PARK SWIMMING POOL. MORE DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM 3-404584 OR 3-7111974.
-------0 ---------
/12........
12
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
NEW PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT FOR TAI PO
* * * *
ANOTHER LARGE PUBLIC ESTATE IS TO RISE IN THE BURGEONING TAI PO NEW TOWN PROVIDING MODERN HOMES FOR 40 000 PEOPLE ON COMPLETION BY 1989.
PILING WORKS WILL SOON BEGIN FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW PROJECT, TAI WO ESTATE.
+ THE PILING WORKS WILL COVER THREE 35-STOREY TRIDENT BLOCKS, A 20-ST0REY SLAB BLOCK, A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND A COMMERCIAL CENTRE,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID THESE FOUR RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS WOULD ACCOMMODATE SOME 13 300 PEOPLE IN 2 942 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WHEN THEY WERE READY BY 1988.
+TAI WO ESTATE WILL BE THE FOURTH PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT IN THE NEW TOWN AND WILL BE DEVELOPED IN FOUR PHASES ON A SITE COVERING 15.7 HECTARES TO THE NORTH OF TAI PO OLD MARKET.
+ AT PRESENT, CONSTRUCTION WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY ON THE THIRD RENTAL ESTATE IN TAI PO, FU SHIN ESTATE, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE 25 000 PEOPLE ON COMPLETION NEXT YEAR.*
THE FIRST TWO RENTAL ESTATES IN THE NEW TOWN, TAI YUEN AND KWONG FUK, ARE NOW HOUSING 50 000 PEOPLE.
-----o------
NEW NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TUEN MUN * * * *
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A $94 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NURSING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS IN TUEN MUN.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE CHIEF ARCHITECT, MR A.M. WAHAB, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF HUNG WAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
THE PROJECT, WHICH IS PART OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, INCLUDES A 17-STOREY BUILDING WITH A NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL, A STUDENTS’ QUARTERS AND A TUNNEL LINK TO THE HOSPITAL.
TWO OTHER BUILDINGS - A 17-STOREY BLOCK WITH COMMUNAL FACILITIES AND QUARTERS FOR NURSING STAFF, AND A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR MINOR STAFF WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
THE TRAINING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE ADJACENT TO THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL.
WORK WILL START IN EARLY NEXT MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------o-------
/13.......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
13
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTIC COURSE SEEKS PARTICIPANTS
* * * *
GIRLS AGED BETWEEN 10 TO 15 WHO ARE KEEN ON KEEPING FIT CAN TRY A RELATIVELY NEW SPORT - RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS.
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE DIVISION (RSSD) OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE HONG KONG AMATEUR GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE AN ELEMENTARY RHYTHMIC GYMNASTIC TRAINING COURSE AIMED AT PROMOTING FITNESS IN GENERAL.
PARTICIPANTS CAN MAKE USE OF EQUIPMENT LIKE RIBBONS, RATTAN RINGS AND COLOURED RUBBER BALLS TO PERFORM MOVEMENTS IN TUNE TO MUSIC.
CLASSES WILL BE HELD EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM JULY 17 TO AUGUST 19 AT HA KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL.
ADMISSION IS FREE BUT ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 30 PERSONS ONLY.
THE BRANCH AND THE GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION ARE ALSO ORGANISING A SPECIAL 20-H0UR COURSE TO TRAIN QUALIFIED TRAMPOLINE INSTRUCTOR^
IN MID-JULY.
THE INTENSIVE COURSE IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACQUIRED THE ELEMENTARY SILVER BADGE QUALIFICATION AND ARE WILLING TO TEACH THE SPORT IN THE FUTURE.
IT WILL BE HELD FROM JULY 15 - 19 FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
THOSE WHO COMPLETE THE COURSE MAY ATTEND A QUALIFYING EXAMINATION SET BY THE ASSOCIATION, AND ON PASSING WILL BE AWARDED AN INSTRUCTOR’S CERTIFICATE.
INTERESTED PERSONS AGED 18 OR ABOVE ARE URGED TO APPLY NOW AS ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 30 PERSONS ONLY. COURSE FEE IS <?30.
A BALLROOM DANCE INSTRUCTORS’ TRAINING COURSE WILL ALSO BE HELD IN JULY FOR THOSE WISHING TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS AND INTERESTED IN TEACHING BALLROOM DANCES.
THE COURSE, COMPRISING 19 SESSIONS, WILL BE HELD FROM JULY 26 UNTIL OCTOBER 1 ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS AT THE TO KWA WAN SPORTS CENTRE.
THOSE AGED 18 OR AEOvE ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART AND APPLICANT^ SHOULD ATTEND AN AUDITION AT 'HE SPORTS CENTRE ON JULY 26.
COURSE FEE IS $30 AND ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 20 PERSONS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE ABOVE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE AT RSSD OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, 14TH FLOOR, RUTTONJEE HOUSE, 11 DUDDELL STREET, CENTRAL.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT 5-224415.
-----o------
/14 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
14
300 TO ATTEND SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT K * * * *
ABOUT 300 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF EASTERN DISTRICT MULTI-STOREY BUILDING OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND IS SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY-FORMED EASTERN BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM WILL TALK ON THE WORK OF THE TEAM AND ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE TEAM COMPRISING A HOUSING MANAGER. AN ASSISTANT ^USINo MANAGER AND TWO HOUSING ASSISTANTS, HAD BEE& INSPECTING A NUMBER OF PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS TO ADVISE RESIDENTS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SEMINAR.
-------o---------
GRASS PITCHES TO CLOSE FOR RENOVATION * * * *
A NUMBER OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT URBAN COUNCIL PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ANNUAL RENOVATION AND RETURFING WORK.
THESE INCLUDE THE GRASS PITCH AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND AND GRASS PITCH NO 4 AT THE KOWLOON TSAI PARK WHICH WILL BE CLOSED AS FROM JULY 1. THE MONG KOK STADIUM WILL BE CLOSED AS FROM JULY 16.
ALL THE THREE VENUES WILL BE REOPENED FOR PUBLIC USE IN EARLY OCTOBER.
-------o ---------
/15
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1935
15
SPECIAL STAMPS ON SALE TOMORROW * * * *
THE POST OFFICE WILL ISSUE FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS TOMORROW (JUNE 19) TO COMMEMORATE THIS YEAR’S DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.
AS ALL POST OFFICES ARE EXPECTED COUNTERS FOR NORMAL BUSINESS WILL BE THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES:
TO BE CROWDED, ADDITIONAL MADE AVAILABLE TOMORROW AT
HONG KONG ISLAND - GENERAL POST OFFICE. CAUSEWAY BAY, HENNESSY ROAD, MORRISON HILL. ROAD AND SHEUNG WAN.
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, NORTH POINT, QUEEN’S
KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES - KOWLOON CENTRAL. CHEUNG SHA WAN, GILLIES AVENUE, KOWLOON CITY, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, SHAM SHU I PO, TSIM SHA TSUI AND TSUEN WAN.
+IN ADDITION TO THE ISSUE OF FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS AND A FIRST DAY COVER, A SOUVENIR SHEET WILL ALSO BE ON SALE TOMORROW.+ A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO SHOW THEIR USUAL TOLERANCE AND IF POSSIBLE, TRY TO TRANSACT THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS ON THE DAY BEFORE OR AFTER THE SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUE DATE.
-----o------
SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR KWUN TONG * * * *
& SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE BUILT IN LAM TIN ESTATE TO SUPPLEMENT THE FLUSHING WATER SYSTEM IN KwUN TONG.
.... . RESERVOIR, WITH A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 5 000 CUBIC METRES WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING MA YAU TONG FLUSHING WATER RESERVOIR. '
SALT L6^k"Ih1ES °F
§ltTwate|'rCmpihs8station" THE PR0P0SED ftEPR0''l3IME“ to»g
complete* IS EXPECTED T0 START in AUGUST AND TAKE 12 MONTHS TO
--------c ---------
/16........
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1985
16
HOLIDAY MAIL * * *
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22), WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIRTY-EIGHT POST OFFICES, WHICH WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON THAT DAY, INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DETAILS OF THE OTHER POST OFFICES WHICH WILL BE OPEN CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT TEL: 5-231071 OR 5-231072.
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 55.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 324.034 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 441.704 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 75.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR URGES ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO REGISTER ................... 1
SIR DAVID SEES MEDICAL, HEALTH WORK .......................... J
AIRLINE PRAISED FOR 1INVESTMENT FOR FUTURE1 ............... 4
HK CITIZENS’ ROLE SUPPORTED................................... 4
FARMERS GET CHANCE TO LEARN U.S. TECHNIQUES .................. 5
DISCUSSION ON OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ..................... 6
Sanitary condition of care village maintained ................ 6
DB MEETINGS FOR TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG .......................... 7
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER ................................... 8
PLAQUE IN HONOUR OF RIZAL UNVEILED ........................... 8
FANLING BYPASS TO BE OPENED .................................. 9
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS COMMITTEE SET-UP .......................... 10
TIME CORRECTION .............................................. 10
NEW TERRITORIES SITES UP FOR RENT ............................ 11
EARLY DRAGON BOAT RACE AT LAMMA .............................. 12
SAI KUNG SEMINAR FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY .............. 12
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES ........................ 15
MINIBUS SERVICE EXTENDED...................................... 14
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1% 1985
1
GOVERNOR URGES ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO REGISTER
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO REGISTER DURING THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD.
+THE ONE MESSAGE WHICH THIS AFTERNOON I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO TRANSMIT IS TO ENCOURAGE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS TO REGISTER,* HE SAID.
+THE LATE REGISTRATION STARTS IN TWO DAYS’ TIME. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY AND I BELIEVE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT INDEED THAT ALL ELIGIBLE ELECTORS SHOULD REGISTER THEMSELVES FOR THAT ELECTION.*
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE ENOUGH TO ENCOURAGE THESE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD AND REGISTER, SIR EDWARD SAID, +WE HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME FORWARD.*
+1 KNOW THAT ORGANISATIONS HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO COME FORWARD, AND I HAVE JUST ENCOURAGED THEM AGAIN.
+SO I DON’T THINK ANYBODY CAN NOW COMPLAIN THAT wE HAVEN’T DONE ENOUGH.*
EARLIER, REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WERE COVERING THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE CAMPUS GOT TOGETHER AND SANG SIR EDWARD A BIRTHDAY SONG. TODAY IS SIR EDWARD’S 61ST BIRTHDAY.
SIR EDWARD COMMENTED, +1 MUST SAY THAT THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A BIRTHDAY. I HAD A BIRTHDAY PARTY AT LUNCH WHICH WAS PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS, AND THEY PRODUCED ME A MARVELLOUS CAKE.
+1 EVENTUALLY GOT OUT OF THEM A PRESENT, WHICH WAS THE MENU WHICH THEY ALL SIGNED FOR ME, AND I SHALL TREASURE THAT AS A SOUVENIR.
+AND I HAVE JUST BEEN GIVEN ONE OR TWO SMALL GIFTS AS A NEMENTO OF MY COMING HERE AND OF MY BIRTHDAY.
+ AND I MUST SAY THAT THE GREATEST SURPRISE OF ALL IS BY Th IS HONG KONG PRESS CHOIR WHICH I AM SURE I SHALL FIND PERFORMING IL THE CITY HALL WITHIN A FEW WEEKS.*
/SIS SWARD .......
WEDNES&I ■ 19, 1985
2
SIR EDWARD SAID SIR S.Y. CHUNG, THE DIRECTOR OF Trit POLYTECHNIC, HAD SUGGESTED THAT HE SHOULD COME ALONG AND SEE THE POLYTECHNIC, WHICH WAS SOMETHINu HE HAD VERY MUCH WANTED TO DO.
♦ AND IT HAPPENED ON MY BIRTHDAY. I MUST SAY IT IS A VERY NICE WAY AND A VERY INTERESTING WAY TO SPEND YOUR BIRTHDAY. I RECOMMEND IT.+
ASKED TO MAKE A BIRTHDAY WISH, SIR EDWARD SAID, +MY BIRTHDAY WISH IS UNDOUBTEDLY THAT HONG KONG SHALL CONTINUE Ab SUCCESSFUL AS IT IS NOW, IN THE FUTURE.+
ASKED ABOUT THE LATEST COMMENTS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (°OWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL BY THE LEGAL SECTOR, THE GOVERNOR SAID +I HAVEN’T SEEN WHAT THE LEGAL SECTION SAID. YOU KNOW I NEVER COMMENT ON SOMETHING I HAVEN’T SEEN.+
+BUT ON THE BILL I HAVE STILL THE SAME TWO THINGS WHICH HAVE SAID BEFORE, WHICH IS - NOW IS THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE BILL AND TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT IT CAREFULLY AND IN DETAIL.
+AND THE BILL IS NOW WITH THE LEGISLATURE. SO IF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY HAVE PRODUCED ANY VIEWS ON IT, I AM SURE THAT MEMBERS CF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL LOOK AT THAT VERY CAREFULLY.+
ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS ANY CHANCE THAT THE_BILL WOULD BE DEFERRED, SIR EDWARD SAID, +AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, THE BILL IS NOw WITH THE LEGISLATURE, SO I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DECIDES.+
ASKED TO COMMENT ON AN EXISTING STANDING ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH BANNED THE PUBLICATION OF ANY EVIDENCE GIVEN BEFORE ANY SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID, +THE STANDING ORDERS, OF COURSE, HAVE BEEN THERE NOT SINCE LAST WEEK. THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME FOR PEOPLE TO READ.*
♦AND I HAVEN’T NOTICED THAT THESE STANDING ORDERS HAVE IN ANY WAY IMPEDED THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.+
TURNING TO THE RESCUE OPERATION OF THE KA WAH BANK BY THE HONG KONG BANK AND THE BANK CF CHINA, SIR EDWARD SAID IT WAS SOMETHING TO BE WELCOMED.
+IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES, THAT THERE SHOULD BE ACTION BY THE BANKING COMMUNITY TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE IN THE BANKING SYSTEM wHICH I BELIEVE TO BE SOUND AS A WHOLE,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD WAS LATER PRESENTED WITH SOME FLOWERS AND A BIRTHDAY CARD SIGNED BY ALL REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO COVERED THIS AFTERNOON’S VISIT.
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1935
SIR DAVID SEES MEDICAL, HEALTH WORK * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.
SIR DAVID WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, AND OTHER DIRECTORATE STAFF.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR VARIOUS MEDICAL AND HEALTH PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE PROGRESS OF WORK ON THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, THE SHAUKEIWAN HOSPITAL AND THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL PHASE II EXTENSION PROGRAMME.
THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1988, AND SHAUKEIWAN HOSPITAL IN 1991, PROVIDING 3 OOO MORE HOSPITAL BEDS. IN ADDITION, THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL PHASE II EXTENSION PROJECT, WHICH IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1988, WILL PROVIDE 850 MORE BEDS.
WITH AN OVERALL ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE THAN 24 000, THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES 14 HOSPITALS, 62 OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, 44 FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRES, 18 CHEST CLINICS AND 20 SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS.
MEDICAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR WILL BE ABOUT $4 BILLION, OF WHICH Si.13 BILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
SIR DAVID ALSO SPENT SOME TIME TALKING TO STAFF IN THE VARIOUS OFFICES.
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
4
AIRLINE PRAISED FOR ’INVESTMENT FOR FUTURE’ * * * *
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FIRST VR-II INTO CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAY’S EXPANDING SERVICE MARKED THE AIRLINE’S INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE AND ITS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE NEW +STRETCHED UPPER DECK+ JET AT HANGAR NO. 4 OF KAI TAK AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID THE AIRLINE WOULD ALSO BE TAKING DELIVERY OF A SIMILAR AIRCRAFT NEXT YEAR, AND THAT THIS SERVED NOTICE OF THE AIRLINE’S INTENTION TO INCREASE AND CONSOLIDATE ITS SHARE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR P.D.A. SUTCH, AND OTHER EXECUTIVES OF THE AIRLINE, SIR DAVID FIRST TOURED THE INTERIOR OF THE PLANE.
THEN, FROM A PODIUM, SIR DAVID PRESSED A BUTTON TO RELEASE A SHOWER OF FLOWERS AND CONFETTI.
AFTER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY, THE WIDE-BODIED CRAFT WAS TOWED OUT OF THE HANGAR AND PUT INTO SERVICE.
-------c ---------
HK CITIZENS’ ROLE SUPPORTED * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF HONG KONG CITIZENS ON THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE.
HE WAS ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE LAUNCHING OF A JUMBO JET AT THE AIRPORT.
♦THEY ARE LEADING FIGURES IN INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, AND BANKING AND YOUNG LAWYERS,* HE ADDED.
ASKED WHAT ROLE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PLAY ON THE COMMITTEE, SIR DAVID SAID: *THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO DIRECT ROLE TO PLAY ON THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE OF COURSE, BUT IT WILL NATURALLY BE IN EVERYBODY’S INTEREST IF THE HONG KONG MEMBERS OF THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE HAVE A FULL KNOWLEDGE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON IN HONG KONG.+
- - o -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
- 5 -
FARMERS GET CHANCE TO LEARN U.S. TECHNIQUES * * * *
FOURTEEN VEGETABLE FARMERS WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21) ON A STUDY TOUR ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
THE STUDY TOUR, THE EIGHTH SINCE 1977, WILL LAST 12 DAYS.
AT A BANNER PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, SAID THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF SUCH TOURS WERE TO PROVIDE LOCAL FARMERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH ADVANCED CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES, TO BROADEN THEIR OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE AND TO GIVE THEM AN INSIGHT INTO THE TYPES OF LIFESTYLE LED BY THEIR COUNTERPARTS ELSEWHERE.
IN ADDITION, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID, THE TOURS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EXCHANGE OF FARMING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE-BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS FARMERS.
+SEVEN SUCH TOURS HAVE SO FAR BEEN ORGANISED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, HOLLAND, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ALL CF WHICH HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPATING FARMERS HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING AS THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE TOURS AND HAVE BROUGHT BACK USEFUL TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW WHICH THEY HAVE SHARED WITH LOCAL FARMERS,+ HE SAID.
WHILE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE TEAM, ACCOMPANIED BY AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MR K.Y. HO, WILL VISIT RESEARCH CENTRES, VEGETABLE FARMS AND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
THEY WILL ALSO MEET AMERICAN OFFICIALS WHO WILL BRIEF THEM ON AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTRY AND TAKE THEM TO SEE LARGE-SCALE AND SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTION OF GARDEN CROPS, THE LATEST TECHNIQUES AND METHODS USED IN THE CULTIVATION OF ARTICHOKE, MUSHROOM, CELERY AND LETTUCE, AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF SEEDS.
- - 0----------
/6........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
6
DISCUSSION ON OBJECT IC . ABLE PUBLICATIONS * * * *
THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL MET TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SALE OF UNDESIRABLE PUBLICATIONS BY hEWSPAPER HAWKERS.
MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE ISSUE THOROUGHLY AND AGREED THAT THE WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW HAWKER AND RELATED POLICIES SHOULD NOW EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUSPENDING OR CANCELLING THE LICENCE OF A HAWKER WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REACH A SPEEDY CONCLUSION TO ITS PRESENT DELIBERATIONS ON THE ISSUE AND HOPED THAT IT WOULD GIVE GUIDANCE TO NEWSPAPER HAWKERS AS TO WHAT IS CONSIDERED OBJECTIONABLE.
IN THE MEANTIME, MEMBERS CALLED ON HAWKERS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN THE SALE OF UNDESIRABLE PUBLICATIONS.
-----0------
SANITARY CONDITION OF CARE VILLAGE MAINTAINED * * * *
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CARE (CO-OPERATIVE AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE) VILLAGE WAS AS GOOD AS BEFORE THE TERMINATION CF THE +CONTRACTING OUT+ OF CLEANSING SERVICES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THIS AFTER VISITING THE VILLAGE WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO SEE THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE VILLAGE.
ACCOMPANYING BOARD MEMBERS ON THE TOUR WERE THE TAI PO DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, MR CHAN CHAI-CHI, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF TAI PO (DEVELOPMENT), MR JOHNNY CHAN.
MR HO WAS TOLD THAT FOR ECONOMIC PURPOSE AND BETTER MANAGEMENT, THE +CONTRACT I NG OUT+ CLEANSING SERVICE IN THE CARE VILLAGE WAS TERMINATED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
/AS A
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
- 7
AS A RESULT, CLEANSING SERVICE IN THE VILLAGE IS NOW BEING CARRIED OUT BY STAFF OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MR HO PRAISED THE DEPARTMENT FOR BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE
cleanliness standard of the village at a reduced cost.
BOARD MEMBERS ALSO INSPECTED THE OPERATION OF A DISTRICT-WIDE ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN WHICH COINCIDENTALLY WAS HELD AT THE CARE VILLAGE TODAY.
THEY SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE WAY PEST CONTROL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO COMBAT MOSQUITO BREEDING IN A BID TO FURTHER IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
-----0------
DB MEETINGS FOR TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING IN WHICH BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS WAYS TO COMBAT OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS.
MEMBERS’ VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT ON A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE TENURE OF THE WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, AND THE ALLOCATION OF MORE SITES FOR THA DEVELOPMENT NEAR LEUNG TIN ESTATE.
THEY WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED BY THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT CFFICE ON THE RESULT OF A RECENT ASSESSMENT ON THE FUTURE DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON OUTSTANDING ITEMS THAT WERE NOT DEALT WITH AT ITS PREVIOUS FULL BOARD MEETING.
THESE INCLUDE THE BACKGROUND TO PROBLEMS RELATING TO PR IVATE ROADS AND PLANS FOR THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND A*MID-SUMMER NIGHT CONCERT.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO COMMENT ON PROPOSALS TO DEAL WITH VILLAGE VEHICLES. QUESTIONS ON HAWKER LICENCES, TEMPORARY HOUSING, TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCES WILL BE RAISED DURING THE MEETING.
- - 0 --------
/8..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1935
8
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
XXX*
EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22) IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $9 500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE SAID.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS wEL-AS ALLOWANCES THAT COULD BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS REALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY-TO-DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS TO 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-------0---------
PLAQUE IN HONOUR OF RIZAL UNVEILED
XXX
THE PHILIPPINE CONSUL-GENERAL, HRS FELICl DAD BENGZON-GONZALES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNVEILED A PLAQUE AT D’AGUI LAR PLACE, 1-13 D’ AGUILAR STREET, COMMEMORATING PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HERO DR JOSE RI ZAL.
THIS IS THE 11TH COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE INSTALLED SINCE THE PROJECT WAS INITIATED BY THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD IN 1977.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH'S ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENT OFFICE SAID THE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES WERE INSTALLED TO MARK PLACES WHERE RENOWNED PEOPLE LIVED, WHERE NOTABLE EVENTS OCCURRED OR WHERE PREVIOUS WELL-KNOWN BUILDINGS STOOD.
/DH RIZAL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
- 9 -
DR RIZAL (1361-1396), A PHYSICIAN, POET AND AUTHOR WHO WAS WIDELY REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN THE ARCHITECT OF THE PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT, LIVED AND PRACTISED AS AN EYE SPECIALIST DURING 1391-92 IN A HOUSE WHICH ONCE STOOD ON THE SITE OF D’ AGUI LAR PLACE.
HE FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1333 RETURNING IN 1391 TO SET UP HIS OPHTHALMIC PRACTICE.
THE PLAQUE IS IN HONOUR OF DR RIZAL AND TO COMMEMORATE HIS SERVICE TO THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY DURING HIS BRIEF STAY IN THE TERRI TORY.
+IT SERVES NOT ONLY TO UNDERLINE THE HISTORICAL LINKS BUT ALSO TO ENHANCE THE PRESENT CORDIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER PLAQUES ALREADY INSTALLED INCLUDE ONE COMMEMORATING THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY, DR JAMES LEGGE ( 1315-1397) AT NO. 2 BRIDGE STREET AND ONE MARKING THE SITE OF THE OLD HONG KONG MINT IN CLEVELAND STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, WAS PRESENT AT THE UNVEILING TODAY.
-------0---------
FANLING BYPASS TO BE OPENED * * *
SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR ROGER LOBO, WILL OPEN THE FANLING BYPASS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21).
THE 3.9-KILOMETRE STRETCH OF DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY FORMS A CRUCIAL PART OF A CIRCULAR ROUTE BEING BUILT TO LINK THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEw TERRITORIES.
-------o---------
/1O........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
10
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS COMMITTEE SET-UP * * * *
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL MEET ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21) TO DECIDE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ITS COMMITTEES AND DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING PUBLIC HEALTH AND OTHER MATTERS.
THE COUNCIL IS TO APPOINT THREE SELECT COMMITTEES IN ADDITION TO HAVING ONE DISTRICT COMMITTEE IN EACH OF THE NINE DISTRICTS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS. AT THE MEETING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL DECIDE ON THE PROCEDURE FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE COMMITTEES.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROPOSALS TO AMEND A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE THAT GOVERNS THE MANNER IN WHICH LICENCES, REGISTRATIONS AND PERMITS ARE TO BE GRANTED, RENEWED, REFUSED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED.
OTHER ITEMS TO COME UP AT THE MEETING INCLUDE A BILL DEFINING THE ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, A POLICY PAPER ON ABATTOIRS AND SLAUGHTERHOUSES, FEE INCREASES FOR THE YUEN LONG STADIUM AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL BE THE COUNCIL’S FOURTH MEETING SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN APRIL.
- 0 -
TIME CORRECTION * * *
AT 8 AM ON JULY 1, 1985 THE USUAL 6-P IP TIME SIGNAL FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, HONG KONG WILL NOT BE BROADCAST. IT WILL RESUME AT 8.15 AM.
THIS IS TO ENABLE A CORRECTION TO BE APPLIED WHICH WILL RESULT IN A DELAY OF ONE SECOND TO THE RESUMED TIME SIGNAL, AN OBSERVATORY SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY.
THIS CORRECTION ARISES FROM THE FACT THAT THE TIME SCALE NOW IN USE, KNOWN AS THE COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME (UTC), IS BASED ON THE ATOMIC TIME SCALE WHICH PROVIDES A MORE PRECISE AND UNIFORM SECOND THAN THAT DERIVED BY ASTRONOMICAL MEANS. IT HAS BEEN INTERNATIONALLY AGREED THAT A CORRECTION OF ONE SECOND SHOULD BE APPLIED FROM TIME TO TIME SO THAT THE COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME (UTC) WILL NOT DIFFER FROM THE ASTRONOMICAL TIME BY MORE THAN NINE-TENTHS OF A SECOND.
THE LAST CORRECTION WAS MADE ON JULY 1, 1983.
c
/11
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
11
NEW TERRITORIES SITES UP FOR RENT * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO SITES IN THE NE*. TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE OF 1 248 SQUARE METRES AT FUNG YAU STREET NORTH, YUEN LONG, IS FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER SITE, MEASURING 1 600 SQUARE METRES, IS AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR CHING LEUNG FA YUEN, TUEN MUN.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF NON-COMBUST IBLE GOODS AND MATERIALS, VEHICLES AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, BUT EXCLUDING THE REPAIR OF VEHICLES OR ITS RELATED WORKS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDERS FOR THE TWO SITES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 5.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND PLANS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, AT:
*
*
*
LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON » AND
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YUEN LONG SITE; AND
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, 201 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE TUEN MUN SITE.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985
1?
EARLY DRAGON BOAT RACE AT LAMMA * * * *
THE FESTIVITIES LEADING UP TO THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22) HAVE ALREADY BEGUN IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, WITH A RECENT DRAGON BOAT RACE AT SOUTH LAMMA.
MORE THAN A DOZEN BOATS TOOK PART IN THE RACE HELD AT LUK CHAU BEACH ON TUESDAY (JUNE 18).
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE LAMMA ISLAND (SOUTH) RURAL COMMITTEE, AND SPONSORED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED ABOUT $43 OOO TO SUPPORT THIS YEAR’S DRAGON BOAT RACES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
-----o------
SAI KUNG SEMINAR FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY * * * *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ORGANISED A SPECIAL SEMINAR FOR THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT TO ENABLE THEM TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR DISTRICT.
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS, INCLUDING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN A PROPOSAL TO BUILD AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG, THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL, THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SPEAKERS WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, ITS CARRIE LAM; THE SECRETARY OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION, W D.B. JONES ; THE PROJECT MANAGER, MR T.D. ARMOUR, AND CHIEF TOWN PLANNER, MISS ANNE CHENG, OF THE JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE; SENIOR TRANSPORT OFFICER, MS ELLY TSE, AND SENIOR ENGINEER NT/SE, MR K.S. HUNJAN, OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE SEMINAR ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21) WILL START AT 7.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
-----o------
/13........
13
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1935
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES
*****
wI TH DRAGON BOAT RACES BEING HELD IN TAI PO SHA TIN AND mWhl ^bsfPEC,AL ™FF'6
IN TAI PO, WHERE RACES WILL BE HELD NEAR THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL BE INTRODUCED BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 2 PM:
* DAI SHING STREET AND THE SHORT SECTION OF DAI FAT STREET SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION WITH DAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
* KMB ROUTE 72K RUNNING BETWEEN TAI PO KCR STATION AND TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, AND KCR SERVICE WILL BE ENHANCED.
* CYCLISTS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
IN SHA TIN, DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL BE HELD ON THE SHING MUN RIVER AND SAND MARTIN BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM.
TRAFFIC wILL BE DIVERTED TO WHILE KMB ROUTES 48, 69, 70, 72A, wILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
BANYAN BRIDGE OR LION BRIDGE 81K AND GREEN MINIBUS 65K LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND
AS BOAT RACES WILL ALSO SHELTER ON THE SAME DAY, MAN 12.10 AM TO 6 PM.
BE HELD AT THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM
HEADING FOR JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR TO CANTON ROAD AND JORDAN ROAD
TRAFFIC ON FERRY STREET FERRY PIER wILL BE DIVERTED
FERRY CONCOURSE.
METERED PARKING SPACES ON MAN CHEONG STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED. AS PARKING SPACES ARE LIMITED, SPECTATORS ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1985 14 -
MINIBUS SERVICE EXTENDED * * *
NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 66K, PLYING BETWEEN KAU TO AND FO TAN KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION WILL BE EXTENDED FROM SATURDAY (JUNE 22), TO TERMINATE AT THE SHA TIN KCR STATION INSTEAD OF FO TAN.
FARE WILL BE $2 PER JOURNEY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP LEAVES HONG KONG ON RETIREMENT .................... 1
APRIL ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT ........ 1
PROVISIONAL REGISTER FOR ELECTIONS OUT TOMORROW .............. k
PAGEANTRY OF DRAGON BOATS AT TUEN NG FESTIVAL ................ 6
LIAO SPENDS BUSY DAY IN THE NT ............................... 8
RESTAURANT CHECKS BY HEALTH STAFF UP ......................... 9
SPORTS DAY FOR KWUN TONG FACTORY WORKERS ..................... 10
LIFEGUARD SERVICE EXTENDED FOR HOLIDAYS ...................... 11
SHAM SHUT PO DB RESUMES MEETING .............................. 11
FISHERMEN ON STUDY TOUR OF EUROPE ............................ 12
CLINICS CLOSED ON HOLIDAY .................................... 12
LATEST REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE SURVEY OUT ..................... 12
SUMMER WORKSHOP, COURSE FOR MUSIC TEACHERS ................... 15
WORK STARTS ON WAN CHAI ROAD NETWORK ....................... 14
THURSDA
E 29, 1985
SIR PHILIP LEAVES HONG KONG ON RETIREMENT * * * *
THE FORMER CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING THAT HE WAS LEAVING HONG KONG PEOPLE +IN THE HANDS OF A MOST EXCELLENT GOVERNMENT*.
TALKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE DEPARTING FOR HAWAII WITH LADY HADDON-CAVE FOR A HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES, SIR PHILIP wiSHED PEOPLE HERE + THE VERY BEST OF GOOD FORTUNE IN THE
FUTURE.*
ASKED ABOUT HIS MOST UNFORGETTABLE EVENT DURING HIS 23 YEARS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID: +MY MOST UNFORGETTABLE EVENT IS THE PAIN OF LEAVING.*
SEEING SIR PHILIP AND LADY HADDON-CAVE OFF AT THE AIRPORT WERE THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE ? LADY YOUDE ? ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS? SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG? SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR ROGER LOBO? THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON? THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO AND THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE.
- 0 - -
APRIL ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT * * * * *
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS IN THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN APRIL 1985 WAS SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY RECORDED AN INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS, WHEREAS THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED SOME DECLINE. OTHER INDUSTRIES REPORTED NO CHANGE.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED, PARTICULARLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WHERE A NUMBER CF FIRMS LAID OFF SOME WORKERS.
HOWEVER, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES INCREASED BECAUSE OF BONUSES AND SALARY REVISION AND, IN A FEW CASES, TERMINATION PAY TO LA ID-OFF WORKERS.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES SECTORS, THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT REMAINED STABLE. BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR DECLINED, REPORTEDLY DUE TO THE DEPARTURE OF SOME HIGH-SALARIED STAFF AND ALSO BECAUSE BONUSES HAD BEEN PAID BY SOME FIRMS IN MARCH.
/ON THE ........
THURSDA-, J' i 20, 1985
2
ON THE OTHER HAND, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED DUE TO SALARY REVISION AND PAYMENT OF BONUSES.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLES BELOW.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1983.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR APRIL 1985 WILL BE ON SALE SOON AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7212768.
(A) ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES
(% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH) ORDERS-ON-HAND
( IN TERMS OF
INDUSTRY FEB. 1985 MAR. 1985 APR. 1985 MONTHS) FOR APRIL 1985
WEARING APPAREL, * -4 * 4.38
EXCEPT FOOTWEAR
TEXTILES, EXCEPT * * -3 2.09
WEARING APPAREL
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 5 -1 -1 4.35
FABRICATED METAL 2 2 2 3.74
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND * -1 * 5.41
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS * 2 * 4.43
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES * -2 * 4.39
/(B) EMPLOYMENT ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
- 5 -
(B) EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/ SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED PER CAPITA EARNINGS
(% FEB. 1985 CHANGE MAR. 1985 OVER THE APR. 1985 PRECEDING MONTH) PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR APRIL 1985 HK$
FEB. 1985 MAR. 1985 APR. 1985
MANUFACTURING - 2 - 1 - 2 11 -23 6 3_ 020
—— —— ———— —
FOOD AND DRINKS * * * -32 - 8 5 3 570
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR - 2 1 - 1 9 -20 - 3 2 402
TEXTILES, EXCEPT ^EARING APPAREL - 1 - 1 * 20 -28 11 3 017
PLASTIC PRODUCTS - 3 - 1 * 64 -44 33 3 330
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS - 2 - 1 - 3 20 -36 6 2 528
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS - 4 - 4 - 4 12 -21 6 2 963
OTHERS * * * - 2 -17 * 4 070
CONSTRUCTION ** - 3 * * 6 -12 - 5 4 339
— — — —— • ■ ■■
SERVICES * * * -21 -11 2 5 372
BANKS * * * -34 2 2 4 754
HOTELS - 1 * * -20 -33 12 3 954
/PUBLIC .........
THUhS , JUNE 20, 1985
<+
PUBLIC * * * -23 - 8 3 5 409
UTILITIES
OTHERS * * * - 2 -19 - 1 6 668
* CHANGES WITHIN + OR - 0.5 PER CENT
* * PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY? SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.
-------0-----------
PROVISIONAL REGISTER FOR ELECTIONS OUT TOMORROW
******
A PROVISIONAL REGISTER FOR THE FORTHCOMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BY THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH.
CONTAINING THE NAMES AND OTHER PARTICULARS OF 3 514 ORGANISATIONS AND 31 017 INDIVIDUALS, THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER IS A RECORD OF ELIGIBLE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ELECTORS WHO HAVE APPLIED DURING THE INITIAL REGISTRATION PERIOD WHICH ENDED ON MAY 6.
AVAILABLE FOR AND AT THE
COPIES OF THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER WILL BE INSPECTION UP TO JULY 1 AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION, HARBOUR CENTRE, TENTH FLOOR,
25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PUBLICATION OF THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER SERVED TwO PURPOSES.
+ IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED TO REGISTER TO CHECK WHETHER THEIR PARTICULARS HAVE BEEN ACCURATELY
RECORDED.
+IT ALSO ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO OBJECT, ON VALID GROUNDS, TO THE INCLUSION OF ANY ORGANISATION OR INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE OF INELIGIBILITY OR DISQUALIFICATION,* HE SAID.
TO RAISE AN OBJECTION, A PERSON SHOULD COMPLETE A SPECIFIED FORM — +NOTICE OF OBJECTION+ — OBTAINABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT CFFICES, AND FORWARD IT IN PERSON OR POST IT TO THE REGISTRATION OFFICER’NOT LATER THAN JULY 6.
ELIGIBLE ORGANISATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MISLED OU I DURING THE INITIAL REGISTRATION PERIOD MAY APPLY IN PERSON OR BY POST BETWEEN TOMORROW AND JULY 1.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
APPLICATION FORMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE REGISTERED IN THE RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. FORMS ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFF ICES.
A BREAKDOWN OF THE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS ACCORDING TO CONSTITUENCIES IS AS FOLLOWS:
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
(APRIL 15 - MAY 6)
ESTIMATED SIZE OF ELECTORATE NO. OF APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PERCENTAGE
A. ELECTORAL COLLEGE 434 428 98.6
B. FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY
1. (A) FIRST COMMERCIAL (HK GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) 2 300 681 29.6
(B) SECOND COMMERCIAL (CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) 5 134 1 730 33.7
2. (A) FIRST INDUSTRIAL (FEDERATION OF HK INDUSTRIES) 707 364 51.5
(B) SECOND INDUSTRIAL (CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION) 2 219 913 41.1
3. FINANCIAL (HK ASSOCIATION OF BANKS) 141 119 84.4
4. LABOUR (EMPLOYEE TRADE UNIONS) 390 285 73.1
/5. SOCIAL ...........
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
- 6 -
5. SOCIAL SERVICES (HK COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE) 155 129 83.2
6. MEDICAL (HK MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, ALL REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, ETC.) 4 540 2 109 46.5
7. LEGAL (LAW SOCIETY OF HK, HK BAR ASSOCIATION AND GOVERNMENT LEGAL OFF ICERS) 1 500 727 48.5
8. TEACHING (TEACHERS OF ALL LEVELS) 53 270 25 337 47.6
9. ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL SURVEYING AND PLANNING 2 500 1 709 68.4
73 290
34 531
-----o------
PAGEANTRY OF DRAGON BOATS AT TUEN NG FESTIVAL * * * *
THE COLOURFUL PAGEANTRY OF DRAGON BOATS, THE SOUND OF BEATING DRUMS AND GONGS, THE FEAST OF RICE DUMPLINGS AND VARIOUS OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE ALL PART OF THE FESTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY (JUNE 22).
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL FLOCK TO DRAGON BOAT RACES AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS PARKING FACILITIES ARE VERY LIMITED AT MOST VENUES.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE WILL TAKE TIME OFF FROM THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES TO JOIN IN THE FESTIVITIES AT ONE OF THE RACES.
THIS YEAR, THEY WILL ATTEND THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE AT THC WATERFRONT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WHERE 50 ROWING TEAMS, INCLUDING ONE OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, WILL COMPETE IN A SERIES OF RACES BEGINNING AT 9.30 AM.
SIR EDWARD WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNING TEAMS AT ABOUT NOON.
/Members of
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
- 7 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED THAT IF IT RAINED, THE ROAD SURFACE MAY BECOME MUDDY, AND THEY SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN WALKING TO THE WATERFRONT.
TRAIN AND BUS FREQUENCIES WILL BE INCREASED TO COPE WITH THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXPECTED TO TURN UP AND CYCLISTS WILL NOT BE
ALLOWED INTO THE AREA DURING THE RACES.
IN SHAU KEI WAN, DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL BE HELD FROM 11 AM
TO 5 PM IN THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER. THE MAIN RACE WILL FEATURE NINE FULL-SIZED DRAGON BOAT TEAMS FROM SHAU KEI WAN, ABERDEEN, CHAI WAN AND HANG HAU.
THERE WILL ALSO BE INVITATION RACES FEATURING TEAMS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL PRESENT TROPHIES TO THE WINNING TEAMS.
THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACE WILL BE HELD FROM 8.45 AM TO 1 PM ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER NEAR WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
THERE WILL BE 54 TEAMS COMPRISING SEVEN LARGE BOATS, 36 MEDIUM-SIZED BOATS AND 11 PHOENIX BOATS.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, wILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE CHAMPIONS AT AROUND NOON.
IN YAU MA TEI, 56 ROWING TEAMS, INCLUDE SEVERAL WOMEN’S TEAMS, WILL COMPETE FROM 11.30 AM TO ABOUT 5 PM ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY’S EVENTS WILL BE AN EXHIBITION RACE CF TEAMS FROM BANKS, HOTELS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND A TELEVISION STATION.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNING TEAMS.
IN SHA TIN, 18 ROWING TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN THE OPEN RACE, SIX TEAMS WILL VIE FOR TOP HONOURS IN THE SPONSORSHIP EVENT, AND 12 BOATS WILL TAKE PART IN THE FRIENDSHIP RACE.
THE RACES, TO BE HELD IN THE SHING MUN RIVER, WILL START AT ABOUT 8.30 AM AND FINISH AT 12.30 PM. MOTORISTS TRAVELLING TO SHA TIN ARE ADVISED THAT THE SANDS MARTIN BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED, AS WILL A NUMBER OF ROADS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, WHO IS THE GUEST OF HONOUR WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
/THE SAI KUNG .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
- 8
THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACE WILL FEATURE 28 TEAMS IN THE MEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, FOUR TEAMS IN THE PHOENIX RACE, F!^R TEAiB IN THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CUP RACE AND EIGHT TEAMS IN A CHARITY RACE.
RACES WILL BE FROM 8.33 AM TO 3 PM ALONG THE SEAFRONT OF SAI KUNG TOWN, AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR IAN MACPHERSON, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR.
IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT STANLEY MAIN BEACH BEGINNING AT 8 AM WI TH 77 TEAMS TAKING PART IN THREE MAIN EVENTS.
INTERVALS 31 TEAMS IN THE
A TOTAL OF 40 RACES WILL BE HELD AT 15-MINUTE FEATURING 33 TEAMS IN THE EUROPEAN MEN’S SECTION, CHINESE MEN’S EVENT AND 13 LADIES TEAMS.
THE GUEST OF HONOUR wILL BE THE CAPTAIN-IN-CHARGE OF HMS TAMAR, CAPTAIN C.W. GOTTO.
FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS, RACES WILL BE HELD AT PUI 0 BEACH ON SOUTH LANTAU, TAI 0 AND MUI WO ALSO ON LANTAU, AND THE TYPHOON SHELTER IN FRONT OF PAK TAI TEMPLE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
-----0------
LIAO SPENDS BUSY DAY IN THE NT * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, HAD A BUSY DAY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (THURSDAY), TOURING THE BORDER AREA, ATTENDING A DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AND VISITING A COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TUEN MUN.
TRAVELLING BY HELICOPTER, MR LIAO WENT TO SHA TAU KOK WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU YUM-MAN, AND NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR TAO MAN-KWONG.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR SHA TAU KOK WHICH INCLUDE A TOWNSHIP FOR A PLANNED POPULATION OF 6 000, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND THE CLEARANCE CF SQUATTER STRUCTURES AT YIM LIU HA AND TSOI YUEN KOK AREAS.
LATER, AT MAN KAM TO, HE WAS BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE AREA AND PLANS TO IMPROVE THE CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC SITUATION.
THE NEXT STOP WAS TUEN MUN, WHERE HE ATTENDED THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
/IN THE ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1985
9 -
IN THE AFTERNOON, MR LIAO VISITED THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TUEN MUN, LOOKING INTO THE VARIOUS FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN THE FIVE-STOREY BUILDING, INCLUDING A NURSERY, A STUDY ROOM, A CHILDREN’S CENTRE, A YOUTH CENTRE, A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AND AN ACTIVITIES ROOM.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE OFFICIALLY TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTRE THIS MONTH. MR LIAO WAS TOLD THE CENTRE IS A SUITABLE VENUE FOR VARIETY SHOWS, CONCERTS, EXHIBITIONS, FILM SHOWS, SEMINARS AND TRAINING CLASSES.
A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO OPERATE THE CENTRE, WHICH IS ALWAYS FULLY BOOKED.
-----0------
RESTAURANT CHECKS BY HEALTH STAFF UP * * * *
MORE THAN 1 240 RESTAURANT OPERATORS WERE PROSECUTED IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 1 140 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS, 567 WERE INITIATED AGAINST LICENSED RESTAURANT OPERATORS WHO WERE IN BREACH OF VARIOUS HEALTH LAWS OR LICENSING CONDITIONS.
THESES’INCLUDED THE USE OF OPEN SPACE FOR A SCULLERY OR FOR STORAGE OR PREPARATION OF FOOD DIRTY FOOD PREMISES FOOD NOT STORED IN A SUITABLE CONTAINER AND DEVIATION FROM APPROVED LAYOUT.
THE REMAINING 680 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST UNLICENSED RESTAURANT OPERATORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT FINES FOR THE FOUR-MONTH PERIOD, RANGING FROM S100 TO OVER $2 000, AMOUNTED TO $1 094 207. THE AMOUNT COLLECTED IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR WAS $1 028 000.
IN ONE CASE, THE OPERATOR OF AN UNLICENSED RESTAURANT WAS FINED $5 000 AND SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT FOR A WEEK.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF FOOD BUSINESSES ARE MADE BY HEALTH INSPECTORS TO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTH LAWS AND THE LICENSING CONDITIONS ARE OBSERVED AND THE REQUISITE HYGIENE STANDARDS MAINTAINED.
+ANY CONTRAVENTION OF THE LAW IS LIABLE TO LEAD TO PROSECUTION OR SUSPENSION OF THE LICENCE,* HE WARNED.
+UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ARE DEALT WITH BY SUMMONSES AND IN PERSISTENT CASES, BY SUMMARY ARREST.*
------0-------
/10......
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 19'i’
10
SPORTS DAY FOR KWUN TONG FACTORY WORKERS ******
THE KWUN TONG SPORTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION PLANS TO HOLD THE FIRST-EVER INTER-FACTORY SPORTS DAY FOR SOME 160 000 FACTORY z.ORKERS LATER THIS YEAR, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ASSOCIATION’S NEW OFFICE, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE EVENT WOULD BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN THE URBAN AREA.
HE SAID THAT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAD DOUBLED ITS SUBVENTION TO THE ASSOCIATION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, WHICH WAS A REFLECTION OF APPRECIATION OF THE ASSOCIATION’S WORK.
THE ASSOCIATION, FOUNDED IN 1970 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, QUICKLY ASSUMED THE RESPONSIBILITIES GF PROVIDING AND PROMOTING VARIOUS SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND GAMES IN THE DISTRICT.
IN SEPTEMBER 1982, THE ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED A SCHEME TO ESTABLISH AREA BRANCHES IN THE DISTRICT, AND 10 AREA BRANCHES WERE SET UP THE FOLLOWING YEAR, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
A TOTAL OF 12 BRANCHES EACH SERVING ABOUT 55 000 RESIDENTS HAVE NOW BEEN ESTABLISHED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AREA CONCEPT WAS BROUGHT INTO FULL PLAY IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE LAST KWUN TONG SPORTS FESTIVAL FELD IN NOVEMBER 1983.
THE NEW OFFICE OF THE KWUN TONG SPORTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION IS AT YAU 01 wAI, FU YAN STREET.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DONATED $12 000 TOWARDS THE COST TO DECORATE THE PREMISES.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
-----o------
/11 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1935
11
LIFEGUARD SERVICE EXTENDED FOR HOLIDAYS * * * K
LIFEGUARD SERVICE AT SIX POPULAR BEACHES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WITH EFFECT FROM THE COMING DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22).
THESE BEACHES ARE THE LIDO BEACH AND CASAM BEACH INJSUEN wAN THE OLD CAFETERIA BEACH IN TUEN MUN AND THE TRIO, SILVERSTRAND AND’CLEAR WATER BAY (SECOND) BEACHES IN SAI KUNG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE EXTENSION OF SUCH SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF SWIMMERS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE PEAK SWIMMING SEASON UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15.
BUT LIFEGUARD SERVICE AT THE SIX BEACHES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM DURING WEEKDAYS.
---------o-----------
SHAM SHUI PO DB RESUMES MEETING * * * *
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS FROM A PREVIOUS FULL BOARD MEETING.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF EDUCATION, LABOUR, MEDICAL AND WELFARE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, AND EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ON A PROPOSED CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AT CHAK ON ESTATE.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF A WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNITY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, AND THE PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD.
-----o------
12
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1935
FISHERMEN ON STUDY TOUR OF EUROPE
* * * *
TEN HONG KONG FISHERMEN WILL LEAVE ON MONDAY (JUNE 24) FOR EUROPE ON A STUDY TOUR ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
DURING THEIR STAY IN ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, THE DELEGATES WILL ALSO VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES AND MARINE EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION BEING HELD THERE.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, WILL PRESENT A BANNER TO THE DELEGATION AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
------o-------
CLINICS CLOSED ON HOLIDAY * * * *
ALL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, INCLUDING EVENING CLINICS, WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22) FOR THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL HOLIDAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL HOWEVER STAY OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 23).
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON; LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN CONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
- 0 - -
LATEST REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE SURVEY OUT X * * *
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JANUARY-MARCH 1985 IS NOW AVAILABLE.
IT CONTAINS STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER.
IT ALSO PROVIDES A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT OF THE UNEMPLOYED.
THE REPORT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AT $8 PER COPY.
------o ------
/13.......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1P85
13
SUMMER WORKSHOP, COURSE FOR MUSIC TEACHERS
******
SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SUMMER COURSE ON THE APPROACHES OF PRESENTING CHINESE MUSIC APPRECIATION IN CLASS AND MUSIC TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS CAN TAKE PART IN A SUMMER WORKSHOP ON CHORAL CONDUCTING TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
THE TWO-DAY (JULY 15 AND 16) COURSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS MUSIC AND SPEECH ASSOCIATION AT 54, JAFFE ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR, KAM CHUNG BUILDING, wAN CHAI.
THE COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS AIMED AT FAMILIARISING TEACHERS WITH APPROACHES OF PRESENTING CHINESE MUSIC APPRECIATION IN CLASS.
THE COURSE CONTENT * ILL BE RELATED TO THE 1983 SYLLABUS FOR MUSIC (FORM 1 TO 3) AND TEACHING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES ON CHINESE MUSIC APPRECIATION wILL BE DISCUSSED.
GUEST SPEAKER WILL BE DR MICHAEL LI CHAU-YUEN, LECTURER IN MUSIC AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
THE WORKSHOP FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHERS WILL BE bELD AT HO TUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AT KA NING PATH, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON JULY 15.
CONDUCTED BY MR RICHARD TSANG, LECTURER IN MUSIC AT JHE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, it WILL INCLUDE BASIC CONjUciL.^ SKILLS, CHOIR TRAINING TECHNIQUE AND STYLE AND INTERPRETATION CF CHORAL MUSIC.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS FOR THE COURSE SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (MUSIC), ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE JULY 1 WHILE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE JUNE 26.
-----o------
/1L .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1935
14
WORK STARTS ON WAN CHAI ROAD NETWORK * * * *
A SERIES OF ROADWORKS, INCLUDING ELEVATED ROADS AND FOOTBRIDGES, IS BEING BUILT IN WAN CHAI TO PROVIDE ACCESS BETWEEN WAN CHAI RECLAMATION AND GLOUCESTER ROAD AND HARCOURT ROAD.
THE $66 MILLION WORKS CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WAS RECENTLY awarded to shui on group limited by the engineering development DEPARTMENT.
IT WAS SIGNED BY THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER (HONG KONG) OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, MR M.S. LEUNG, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR.
THE 27-MONTH PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO ELEVATED ROADS - ONE FROM FENWICK PIER STREET TO HARCOURT ROAD, AND THE OTHER FROM HUNG HING ROAD TO GLOUCESTER ROAD - A SEAFRONT ROAD FROM TONNOCHY ROAD TO FLEMING ROAD AND THE EXTENSION OF FENwICK PIER STREET, LUNG KING STREET AND WAN SHING STREET.
IT ALSO INCLUDES WORK ON THREE FOOTBRIDGES AND A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS AT WAN CHAI FERRY PIER.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENT TO EXCO ........................................... 1
REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1985 PUBLISHED ............................ 1
RTT.T. PAVES WAY FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL ........................... 2
PROVISIONAL RC SETS UP COMMITTEE STRUCTURE....................... 4
AMENDMENT PLAN SUPPORTED ........................................ 5
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR MEN BORN 1933-36 ............................. 6
ROUTINE VISIT ................................................... 7
EPCOM DISCUSSES EMISSION CONTROL PROPOSALS ...................... 7
FANLING BYPASS OPENED ........................................
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHING ................................ 10
MO DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS CHANGE!' ......................... 10
FORESHORE, SEA BED IN SLA TIN TO BE LEASED ..................... 11
LANGUAGE LEARNING NEEDS RIGHT MOTIVATION ....................... 12
MORE STUDENTS TAKING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS ....................... 13
32 COMMENDED FOR GOOD WORK...................................... 14
FISHERMEN GOING ON EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR.......................... 15
REFRESHMENT KIOSK TENDERS INVITED............................... 16
TRAFFIC REROUTING AT FANLING.................................... 16
+MUSIC FOR MILLION St- FROM TRAMS .............................. 17
YUEN LONG STADIUM HIRING CHARGES BEING REVISED ................. 18
OBSOLETE SIGNBOARDS REMOVED .................................. 1?
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI...................................... 19
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
1 -
APPOINTMENT TO EXCO * X *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNOR riAS APPOINTED THE HON ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, OBE, JP TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT UNTIL AUGUST 31, 1988.
MR "LEE RAS SERVED ON THE LEG I SLAT IVE COUNC IL SINCE 1978.
AS ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 5, MR LEE HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED REAPPOINTMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR A THREE YEAR PERIOD UP TO AUGUST 31, 1988.
-----o------
REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1985 PUBLISHED
X X X X
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1985, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL TO COME INTO EFFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL NEXT YEAR, WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL DETAILS THE MEMBERSHIP, FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WHICH WILL, LIKE ITS URBAN COUNTERPART, BE A FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS EXECUTIVE BODY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD HAVE LEGALLY DELEGATED AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING SERVICES RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE, RECREATION AND CULTURE IN THE AREAS OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+IN THIS SENSE ITS FUNCTIONS WILL BE DISTINCT FROM THE NEW ■TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK,+ HE SAID.
♦THESE WILL CONTINUE TO FULFIL AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES.*
ALTHOUGH, IN THE MAIN, THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP.
30 MEMBERS - OF
WHEREAS THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS A TOTAL OF r>lrsc.^TIV *HOM 15 ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND 15 ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED - THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL COMPRISE 36 MEMBERS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT OF THESE 12 WOULD BE APPOINTED, NINE WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS OF EACH OF THE NEW TERR I TOR Ito DISTRICT BOARDS, AND THE CHAIRMAN AND TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF HEUNG YEE KUK WOULD BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
/+ FURTHERMORE, THERE
JUNE 21, 1985
2
♦FURTHERMORE, THERE WILL BE 12 CONSTITUENCY-BASED MEMBERS wHO WILL BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY THE PUBLIC IN THE AREAS COVERED BY THE NEW COUNCIL IN MARCH 1936,+ HE ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK WHEN IT WILL BE INITIALLY DEBATED. THE SECOND READING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 10.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12/F, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES AT HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN A I
BILL PAVES WAY FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL
* * * *
A BILL PAVING THE WAY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND FOR THE RETURN OF ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE NEW COUNCIL IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ELECTIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1985 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON ---------------------------------- IS EXPECTED TO BE RESUMED
JUNE 26. THE SECOND READING DEBATE
ON JULY 10.
+IT IS DESIRABLE FOR THE BILL TO BE ENACTED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH SO THAT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES COULD BE DECLARED BY THE END OF THE MONTH AND THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION CF ELECTORS COULD BEGIN ON AUGUST 15,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SA ID.
ELABORATING ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT, THE ELECTORATE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL COINCIDES WITH DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
+BUT THESE BOUNDARIES DO NOT COINCIDE PRECISELY WITH THE DEMARCATION BETWEEN NEW KOWLOON AND THE NEw TERRITORIES,* HE SAID.
+THE BILL SEEKS TO AMEND THE LAw SO THAT THE DELINEATION CF THE JURISDICTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL COINCIDE WITH THEIR ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.
+FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION, IT IS PROPOSED TO NAME THE AREAS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE TWO COUNCILS THE ’URBAN COUNCIL AREA’ AND THE ’REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA’,* HE SAID.
+THE TERMS FOR THE TWO AREAS COULD STILL BE AMENDED IF THERE ARE BETTER SUGGESTIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS HAP°Y TO CONSIDER OTHER NAMES THAT MAY DIFFERENTIATE THE T*0 AREAS MORE APPROPRIATELY,* RE SAID.
/THE BILL .......
FrtIDAY JUNE 21, 1985
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO DECLARE, BY REFERENCE TO DISTRICTS, ANY AREA TO BE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
+AFTER THE 1986 ELECTIONS, FURTHER CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN AS TO WHETHER THE POWER TO DECLARE THE JURISDICTIONAL AREAS OF THE TWO COUNCILS SHOULD REST WITH THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO FURTHER EXTEND EXISTING LEGISLATION TO REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AMENDMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS TO BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL AND THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
+THE PROHIBITION OF CANDIDATES FROM STANDING FOR AND ACCEPTING ELECTIONS TO A DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE REMOVED,* HE NOTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE WILL STILL APPLY TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS BUT REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS, WHO WILL BE ELECTED ON A BOARD-BY-BOARD BASIS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTION EXPENSES ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE CEILING ON ELECTION EXPENSES FOR CANDIDATES TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO BE SET AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THAT FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION TO THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+SUBSEQUENT TO A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE POST OFFICE REGULATIONS, CANDIDATES STANDING FOR ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL, AS DO THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, BE ABLE TO DISPATCH ONE LETTER TO EACH REGISTERED ELECTOR IN THEIR CONSTITUENCY FREE OF POSTAGE,* HE SAID.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SwIRE HOUSE, 12/F, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
-----o------
F- iDa , JUNE 21, 1985
- 4 -
PROVISIONAL RC SETS UP COMMITTEE STRUCTURE * * * *
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY) DECIDED ON ITS OVERALL COMMITTEE STRUCTURE, WHICH WILL CENTRE ON THREE SELECT COMMITTEES AND NINE DISTRICT COMMITTEES.
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE WAYS AND MEANS SELECT COMMITTEES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED THIS MONTH AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE
IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE 21 MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL INDICATED THEIR PREFERENCES AT THP MEETING AS TO WHICH SELECT COMMITTEES THEY WISHED TO SERVE ON. THIS WOULD SERVE AS THE BASIS ON WHICH THE COMPOSITION OF THE SELECT COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THEIR CHAIRMEN AND VICE CHAIRMEN, *OULD BE DECIDED AT THE COUNCIL’S NEXT MEETING ON JUNE 28.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE SELECT COMMITTEES WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICERS BEING INVITED TO BE ■N ATTENDANCE AND OUTSIDE EXPERTS CO-OPTED AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.
ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF SELECT COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, IT WAS DECIDED ABOUT 10 IN EACH COMMITTEE WOULD BE PRACTICAL.
THE NINE DISTRICT COMMITTEES TO SERVE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF DISTRICTS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS WOULD BE SET UP BY SEPTEMBER AND EACH WOULD BE COMPOSED OF ABOUT FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THREE NON-COUNCIL MEMBERS.
DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE APPOINTED AS THE
THE NINE
IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT
ON THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCII-------- - TU1O
CHAIRMEN OF THE NINE DISTRICT COMMITTEES RESPECTIVELY, AS THIS
«OULD HELP STRENGTHEN THE LINKS BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE
DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO EXISTING PRECEDENT IN HONG KONG FOR DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND THEY WOULD TEND TO BE EXPERIMENTAL. THEY WILL BE MORE LOCALISED IN THEIR FUNCTION THAN THE SELECT COMMITTEES AND THEY WILL REQUIRE A STRONb LOCAL INPUT.
THE MAIN SOURCES OF
THIS INPUT
WILL INCLUDE LEADING MEMBERS INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS DISTRICT
CF LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS OR
BOARDS. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.
IS TO ACHIEVE AS WIDE AND AS REPRESENTATIVE SELECTION OF MEMBERS
THE AIM
IN EACH DISTRICT AS POSSIBLE.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
5
AMENDMENT PLAN SUPPORTED * * * *
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL HAS GIVEN SUPPORT TO A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS UPON THE RENEWAL OF ANY REGISTRATION, LICENCE OR PERMIT.
THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 125 OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH WAS DISCUSSED AT THE COUNCIL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, WOULD ALSO EXTEND FROM SEVEN DAYS TO 14 DAYS THE PERIOD FOR THE LODGING OF AN APPLICATION FOR REVIEW OF A DECISION OF THE LICENSING AUTHOR ITY.
SECTION 125 OF THE ORDINANCE GOVERNS THE MANNER IN WHICH LICENCE, REGISTRATION AND PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE TO BE GRANTED, RENEWED, REFUSED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED, A REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THE IMPOSITION OF NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS OR CHANGES TO EXISTING ONES UPON THE RENEWAL OF A LICENCE.
IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE TO UPGRADE THE HYGIENE STANDARD OF A RESTAURANT, THERE IS OFTEN A NEED TO IMPOSE NEW CONDITIONS OR TO VARY EXISTING ONES UPON THE RENEWAL OF A LICENCE OR PERMIT. THE PRESENT PROCEDURE IS FOR THE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO SERVE A 90 DAYS’ NOTICE STATING THE INTENTION TO REFUSE RENEWAL AS REQUIRED BY LAW AND AT THE SAME TIME TO ISSUE ANOTHER NOTICE INVITING A FRESH APPLICATION, SO THAT WHEN A NEW LICENCE IS ISSUED THE NEW CONDITIONS MAY BE INCLUDED, HE SAID.
THE COUNCIL WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROCEDURE IS CUMBERSOME AND IS NOT WELL-UNDERSTOOD BY THE AVERAGE LICENSEE. IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO AMEND SECTION 125 TO EMPOWER THE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE NEW CONDITIONS, OR VARY EXISTING ONES, WHEN ANY LICENCE, REGISTRATION OR PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE IS DUE FOR RENEWAL.
THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS ARE THE LICENSING AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF JURISDICTION.
-----o------
/6........
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
6
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR MEN BORN 1933-36 * * *
MEN BORN BETWEEN 1933 AND 1936 WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS STARTING FROM JULY 1.
THIS PHASE WILL LAST UNTIL AUGUST 3, DURING WHICH APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES, BRINGING ALONG THEIR OLD CARDS.
THE EIGHT OFFICES, OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
EAST KOWLOON
WEST KOWLOON
TSUEN WAN
SHA TIN
YUEN LONG
TUEN MUN
SHEUNG SHU I
• AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
: CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
: EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
: SHAT IN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK STREET.
: HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
: CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THESE OFFICES DO NOT DEAL WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED OR LOST CARDS.
♦SUCH APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED BY THE REGULAR REGISTRATION CF PERSONS OFFICES,* HE SAID.
HE REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. ONCE DETECTED, THEY WILL BE REPATRIATED.
-----o-----
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
7
ROUTINE VISIT * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY OF A ROUTINE VISIT TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) TO LISTEN TO STAFF MEMBERS AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS.
MR ROWLANDS STARTED HIS MORNING VISIT WITH A MEETING WITH THE DIRECTORATE BEFORE TOURING THE NEWS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISIONS.
HE STOPPED TO CHAT WITH STAFF OF THE VARIOUS SECTIONS, EEFORE DROPPING IN ON A MEETING OF THE DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE ISD STAFF CLUB.
MR ROWLANDS LISTENED TO THE NUMEROUS TOPICS DISCUSSED AND ALSO BRIEFED THEM ON ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST.
- - 0 - -
EPCOM DISCUSSES EMISSION CONTROL PROPOSALS * * * *
TENTATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES IN HONG KONG WERE CONSIDERED BY MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) AT A MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CONTAINED IN AN INTERIM REPORT OF A STUDY ON HONG KONG MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS PROBLEM COMMISSIONED BY THE UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (UNIDO) IN 1984.
THE UNIDO CONSULTANT, MR MICHAEL WALSH, WHO COMPILED THE REPORT AFTER A MONTH-LONG PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION IN HONG KONG LAST NOVEMBER ALSO ATTENDED THE EPCOM MEETING FOR DISCUSSION OF THE REPORT.
THE STUDY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A WIDESPREAD PARTICULATE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG CAUSED MAINLY BY COMMERCIAL DIESEL VEHICLES.
PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PROPOSED TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAMME AS REGARDS THE CONTROL OF SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES AND TO STREAMLINE THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTROL OF THE PROBLEM.
/the report
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
8
THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL. MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE LEVEL OF LEAD IN PETROL WAS REDUCED FROM 0.4 GM/LITRE TO 0.25 GM/LITRE ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
THESE PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE RESEARCHED AND REFINED DURING THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT LATER THIS YEAR. THEY WILL FORM THE BASIS OF A FINAL REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE EPCOM MEETING ALSO NOTED THE ACTION TAKEN TO IMPROVE POLLUTION CONTROL AT POPULAR BEACHES AND THE STUDIES INITIATED BY THE BEACH POLLUTION ACTION COMMITTEE ON BOOMING OF BEACHES TO PREVENT MARINE REFUSE FLOWING INTO BATHING AREAS.
THE TRIAL BOOMING SCHEME AT REPULSE BAY, IMPLEMENTED DURING THE LAST SWIMMING SEASON, HAS RECENTLY BEEN EVALUATED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IN VIEW OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO STANLEY MAIN BEACH AND DEEP WATER BAY THIS SUMMER.
MEMBERS ALSO LEARNED THAT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, HAS REVIEWED THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS REFUSE COLLECTION VESSELS (+SEACATS+) OPERATING WITHIN GAZETTED BEACH LIMITS AND NEW DESIGNS AIMED AT GREATER OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY ARE BEING DEVELOPED.
ALSO DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING WAS A STUDY REPORT PREPARED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ON ASBESTOS LEVELS IN AMBIENT AIR IN HONG KONG.
THIS STUDY OF 24 LOCATIONS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE CHOSEN FOR THEIR PROXIMITY TO POTENTIAL ASBESTOS SOURCES, HAS ESTABLISHED THAT AMBIENT AIR ASBESTOS CONCENTRATIONS IN HONG KONG ARE CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THOSE FOUND IN OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT COMPARISON OF THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY WITH SIMILAR STUDIES CARRIED OUT OVERSEAS, TAKEN TOGETHER WITH KNOWN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA FOR ASBESTOS EXPOSURE, STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT PRESENT LEVELS OF AMBIENT AIR ASBESTOS LEVELS SHOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO CONCERN.
- - - - 0 ----------
/9........
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
- 9 -
FANLING BYPASS OPENED * * *
IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WOULD BE OF CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT IN PROMOTING TRADE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, SIR ROGER LOBO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SIR ROGER WAS SPEAKING WHEN OPENING THE FANLING BYPASS, WHICH HAD BEEN BUILT AS PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROUTE TO LINK DEVELOPING NEw TOWNS.
♦ THIS ROAD, TOGETHER WITH OTHER RECENT IMPROVEMENTS IN RAIL AND SEA LINKS, WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE OF GREAT MUTUAL BENEFIT TO CROSS BORDER TRADE,* HE SAID.
THE BYPASS, A 3.9-KILOMETRE STRETCH OF DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN THE SMOOTH FLOW OF GROWING TRAFFIC WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND ACROSS THE BORDER.
+1 KNOW THAT THIS ROAD WILL REMOVE THROUGH TRAFFIC FROM THE TOWN CENTRE WHILE PROVIDING LINKS TO FANLING NEW TOWN AND THAT IT WILL ALSO FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD SCHEME,* SIR ROGER SAID.
+1 AM SURE THAT THE FANLING BYPASS WILL PROVE A VALUABLE ASSET TO BOTH THE NORTH DISTRICT AND THE TERRITORY AS A WHOLE.
+1 AM EQUALLY CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF A MAJOR PART OF THE TRUNK ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO FANLING LATER THIS YEAR AND THEN ON TO AU TAU NEXT YEAR, EVEN GREATER BENEFITS WILL ENSUE,* SIR ROGER SAID.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1973, SIR ROGER SAID: +THE COMPLETION OF THIS MAJOR ROAD PROJECT REPRESENTS ANOTHER OF HONG KONG’S ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IS WELL KNOWN BOTH HERE AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD- HONG KONG CAN BE JUSTLY PROUD OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS.*
EARLIER, IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR BRYAN O’RORKE, SAID THE PROJECT WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING NEW TOWN WHICH HAD BEEN GROWING AT AN EVER-INCREASING RATE SINCE 1978.
THE GROWTH WAS CONTINUING WITH A FURTHER $160 MILLION WORTH OF NEW PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN FANLING TO BE ADDED TO THOSE ALREADY IN HAND.
THE BYPASS HAD BEEN BUILT TO THE LATEST HIGHWAY STANDARDS TO ALLOW SAFE DRIVING AT REASONABLY HIGH SPEED - SPECIAL SKID-RESISTANT SURFACING, IMPROVED ROAD SIGNS, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES AND OBSERVATION PLATFORMS FOR POLICE VEHICLES.
/THE HOAD .......
FBIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
10 -
THE ROAD HAD ALSO BEEN GENEROUSLY LANDSCAPED AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM.
MR O’RORKE SAID FANLING BYPASS RESULTED FROM SEVERAL YEARS OF CAREFUL PLANNING, DESIGN, CO-ORDINATION AND CONSTRUCTION ON THE PART OF CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS AND SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. IT COST $180 MILLION, AND IT HAD TAKEN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO CONSTRUCT.
--------o----------
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHING
* * * X
THE 1985 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED AT 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 23) AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG CAMP.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME POLICY COMMITTEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE PRECEDED BY A GUIDED TOUR OF THE CAMP ACTIVITIES INVOLVING SOME 300 YOUNG PARTICIPANTS.
-----o------
TWO DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS CHANGED
* K K *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER CF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHA TIN AND WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLANS.
IN SHA TIN, A REVISION OF THE GENERAL ZONING OF THE SIU LEK YUEN VALLEY AREA TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSED KWONG YUEN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IS PROPOSED.
OTHER AMENDMENTS IN THE DISTRICT CONCERN RAILWAY LAND AND ITS ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH SIMILAR ZONING IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS, ALL RAILWAY LAND ON THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN HAD BEEN ZONED +OTHER SPECIFIED USES+ AND GIVEN THE APPROPRIATE ANNOTATION TO REFLECT THE EXISTING OR INTENDED DEVELOPMENT.
/the amended........
i’l u JUNE 21, 1985
11 -
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN EE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD} THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE} AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE AMENDMENT IN wAN CHAI INVOLVES THE REZONING OF A SITE OF ABOUT 1.27 HECTARES TO THE SOUTH OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND EAST OF SHIP STREET FROM +OPEN SPACE+, +GOVERNMENT-1NSTI TUTION-COMMUNITY+, ♦RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)+ AND +RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) + TO ♦OTHER SPECIFIED USES+.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS REZONING WAS TO FACILITATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WITHIN THE AREA WHICH WAS PARTLY OCCUPIED BY DILAPIDATED PRE-WAR BUILDINGS.
♦REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS SITE WILL REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OPEN SPACE WOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN THIS SITE UPON COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG} PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG} AND THE TOwN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS IN SHA TIN AND WAN CHAI MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 11.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE AT 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 FOR UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR COLOURED ONE.
-----0------
FORESHORE, SEA BED IN SHA TIN TO BE LEASED * * # M
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO GRANT A LEASE OF 1 330-SQUARE METRE CF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT SHING MUN RIVER CHANNEL, NEAR TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RESTAURANT.
AN ADJACENT PIECE OF CROWN LAND OF ABOUT 6 379 SQUARE METRES WILL ALSO BE GRANTED TO THE LESSEE FOR LANDSCAPING, PARKING, LOADING AND UNLOADING PURPOSES.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
- 12 -
HOWEVER THE LESSEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN AT HIS OWN EXPENSE FOOTBRIDGES LINKING THE FORESHORE AND SEA BED AREA WITH THE CROWN LAND.
OBJECTIONS TO THIS PROPOSAL AND/OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 21.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN SHOWING THE AREA AFFECTED CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE WHILE THE PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG* SHA TIN ~ uFriCE, FLOOH, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN* AND SHA TIN
LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN.
OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR
DISTR ICT
DISTR ICT
--------0 ---------
LANGUAGE LEARNING NEEDS RIGHT MOTIVATION
* * * *
THE WEAKEST STUDENTS COULD BE MOTIVATED TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IF THE TEACHER PROVIDED THE RIGHT CONDITION FOR LEARNING, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAMME HAVE PROVED THAT NEW TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS COULD MOTIVATE CHILDREN TO LEARN CHINESE AND ENGLISH BETTER.
MR LEUNG WAS ADDRESSING 310 TEACHERS AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY CF THE SIXTH REFRESHER COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE FIRST REFRESHER COURSE FOR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS AT THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
+PARTICI PANTS IN THE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS PROGRAMME HAVE REPORTED VERY ENCOURAGING RESULTS IN THEIR EXPERIMENTAL TEACHING,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
HE SAID A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY CONDUCTED BEFORE THE COURSE BEGAN ENABLED THE INSTITUTE TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION WHICH IT USED TO DESIGN A TAILOR-MADE COURSE MEETING THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND THE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
+THE FINAL PROGRAMME WAS ACTUALLY A JOINT EFFORT OF THE TUTORS AND THE PARTICIPANTS,* HE CONTINUED.
+THROUGH CONSTANT FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS, THE INSTITUTE WAS ABLE TO MODIFY THE CURRICULUM AND READJUST THE TIMETABLE TO MAKE THE PROGRAMME MORE PRACTICAL AND REALISTIC,* MR LEUNG ADDED.
/the refresher........
;e 21, 1985
- 13 -
THE REFRESHER COURSES, EACH OF 16 WEEKS, ARE ORGANISED EVERY YEAR FOR EXPERIENCED TEACHERS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE CEREMONY, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO GRADUATES.
MR PETER WONG, WHO ATTENDED THE REPRESENTATIVES OF
MR WONG ALSO OFFICIATED AT ANOTHER
CEREMONY TO MARK THE OF LANGUAGE LEARNING AND
OPENING OF THE END-OF-COURSE EXHIBITION
- “ INSTITUTE. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THURSDAY (JUNE 24 TO 27).
TEACHING MATERIALS AT THE TO THE PUBLIC FROM MONDAY
-----0-----
MORE STUDENTS TAKING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS
******
THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION HAS INCREASED GREATLY AND THE GROWTH OF THESE SUBJECTS IS PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGING, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID TECHNOLOGISTS, TECHNICIANS, CRAFTSMEN, MANAGERS, ACCOUNTANTS, SECRETARIES AND CLERICAL STAFF *ERE NEEDED AS HONG KONG HAD BECOME ONE OF THE MAJOR MANUFACTURING AND FINANCIAL CENTRES OF THE WORLD.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LEUNG SAID, WE MUST PRODUCE THE SKILLED MANPOWER REQUIRED IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOCAL INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS, WHICH ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED.
WHILE THE ONUS RESTED ON THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNICS AND THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR THE TRAINING OF TECHNOLOGISTS, TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN, MR LEUNG SAID SECONDARY SCHOOLS PLAYcD A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING STUDENTS TO ACQUIRE BASIC SKILLS, THUS OPENING UP FOR THEM A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
+COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS IN FORMS 4 AND 5 PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SOUND FOUNDATION OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND AN INTRODUCTION TO EROAD-BASED COMMERCIAL SKILLS UPON WHICH FUTURE DEVELOPMENT MAY BE BASED,+ HE SAID.
+VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE FORM 5 LEAVERS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN COMMERCIAL EDUCATION AND THOSE WHO PREFER A MORE ACADEMIC APPROACH MAY CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN FORMS 6 AND 7.
/+COQHSES Di .......
raiMY, TUBS 21, 1985
- 14 -
+COURSES IN ACCOUNTING, MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS STUDIES EXIST IN THE Tv,0 UNIVERSITIES AND PRACTICALLY ALL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING OF COURSE THE TWO POLYTECHNICS.
+STUDENTS WHO PREFER TO FOLLOa MORE VOCATIONALLY-BIASED COURSES MAY JOIN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES,+ HE SAID.
RECALLING THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID IT RECOMMENDED SCHOOLS TO INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE PRACTICAL OR TECHNICAL SUBJECT, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS, IN THE SENIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM.
♦WHILE THE EXISTING PRACTICE OF LEAVING DECISIONS ON THE CURRICULUM TO THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES WILL CONTINUE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ASSISTING SCHOOLS TO OFFER PRACTICAL, TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY RESOURCES,+ HE SAID.
+THE RESPONSE FROM SCHOOLS HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING,* HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE AIM OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION WAS TO ADMIT AS MEMBERS TEACHERS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THOSE IN FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS A GOOD IDEA SINCE IT ALLOWED TtACHERS TO MEET FROM TIME TO TIME TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCES.
---------0------------
32 COMMENDED FOR GOOD WORK * * * *
THIRTY-TWO STAFF MEMBERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO DUTY AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN WORK BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THEY WERE AWARDED THE COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES AT A DINNER HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS’ CLUB IN WAN CHAI.
THE 32 RECIPIENTS COMPRISED CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, MEDICAL OFFICERS AND CIVILIAN STAFF.
MOST WERE PRAISED FOR THEIR INITIATIVE, DEDICATION AND ENTHUSIASM WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMONWEALTH CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS HELD IN
HONG KONG LAST MARCH.
/OVER 450 ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
- 15 -
OVER 450 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND THEIR SPOUSES ATTENDED THE DINNER TO BID FAREWELL TO MR GARNER WHO IS GOING TO RETIRE AFTER 38 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
MR GARNER WAS APPOINTED A LIFE MEMBER AND VICE-PATRON OF THE OFFICERS’ CLUB FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE STAFF AND WAS PRESENTED WITH A PLAQUE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OFFICERS’ CLUB, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT CHENG CHI-LEUNG.
-----0------
FISHERMEN GOING ON EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR * * * *
A DELEGATION OF TEN FISHERMEN WHO WILL BE LEAVING ON MONDAY ON A 12-DAY STUDY TOUR OF EUROPE WAS PRESENTED WITH A BANNER TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN.
THE TOUR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANIZATION.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THAT <; i mcf 1981 THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANIZATION HAD BEeS ?SnAHoS™G STUDY T°URS TO ENABLE LOCAL FISHERMEN TO SEE NEW ADVANCED AND UP-TO-DATE FISHING TECHNOLOGY IN OVERSEAS COUNTRIES. ’
+IT IS HOPED THAT THESE VISITS WILL BROADEN LOCAL FISHERMEN’S OUTLOOK ON FISHERIES AND ENABLE THEM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS AS WELL AS INCREASE THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE.
+THIS YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ORGANISE A VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NORWAY TO COINCIDE WITH THE INTERNAT ONAL FISHERIES AND MARINE EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT ABERDEEN SCOTLAND AT THE END OF JUNE,+ HE SAID. ‘ ’
9R°UR U,LL ALS0 V,S,T THE FISH maRKET AND FISH PORT AT GRIMSBY, THE SCHOOL FOR FISHING STUDIES AT HULL, FISHING GEAR AND FISH UNLOADING EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS IN OSLO AND A MARINE ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURER IN HORTEN.
0 - -
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
16
REFRESHMENT KIOSK TENDERS INVITED
4 4 4*
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION GF A REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT ■ CHAI SPORTS GROUND.
THE SPORTS GROUND IS CCNVEi'IENTLY LOCATED IN TONNOCHY ROAD. IT IS USED BY SPORTS ASSOCIATION A'.'D OTHER ORGANISED BODIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, CLUBS AND FIRMS TO HOLD ATHLETIC MEETS.
SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL ?E A ,'ARDED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT STARTING FROM THE DATE OF SIGNING THE DOCUMENT. AT PRESENT, THE KIOSK CARRIES A MONTHLY RENTAL OF "2 230.
TENDER FORMS AND OTHER PARTICULARS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE HONG KONG REGIONAL OFFICE (LEISURE SERVICES), 16TH FLOOR, HONEST MOTORS BUILDING, 9-11 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE AND PUT BY' HAND IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECEPTION COUNTER, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET BEFORE 9 AM ON FR'lDAY, JULY 5. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
-----0------
TRAFFIC REROUTING AT FANUNG If * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING SECTION), ALSO KNOWN AS FANL I NG BYPASS^EBOM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 24).
THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN HO KA YUEN AND SHEUNG SHU I ROUNDABOUT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 80 KJLOMETRE-PER-HOUR SPEED LIMIT RESTRICTED ZONE.
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR RESTRICTED ZONES:
K TA I PO ROAD BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD TO TONG HANG AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT.
* WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE, NORTHEAST SLIP ROAD, SOUTHWEST LOOP ROAD AND NORTHWEST LOOP ROAD.
4 TAI PO ROAD (FANLING SECTION) BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I ROUNDABOUT AND A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF HO KA YUEN.
/♦ KAI LENG.......
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1985
- 17 -
* KAI LENG INTERCHANGE.
* SHEUNG SHU I ROUNDABOUT.
ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE PROHIBITED TO LEARNER DRIVERS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES:
* TAI PO ROAD (FANLING SECTION) BETWEEN THE SOUTHWEST LOOP ROAD OF WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE AND SHEUNG SHU I ROUNDABOUT.
* SLIP ROADS AT KAI LENG ELEVATED ROUNDABOUT.
THREE NEW PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES NEAR FANLING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, FANLING KCR STATION AND CHOI YUEN ESTATE WILL BE OPEN TO PUBLIC.
CYCLE PATHS HAVE ALSO BEEN CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE NEW ROAD.
TRAFFIC HEADING FOR YUEN LONG AND SHEK KONG CAN USE THE NEW ROAD INSTEAD OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
----o------
+MUSIC FOR MILLIONS* FROM TRAMS * * * *
A CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE AND A BRASS QUINTET FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH MADE MUSIC FROM TWO TRAMS PLYING BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND WESTERN MARKET THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THE TWO MUSICAL TRAMS ALSO STOPPED AND GAVE 10 TO 15 MINUTES RECITALS AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY, NORTH POINT AND WESTERN MARKET TRAM LOOPS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ALLIANCE FRANCAISE, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE FRINGE CLUB TO MARK THE PASSING IN EUROPE OF THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, WHICH SIGNIFIES FERTILITY AND GROWTH, ESPECIALLY IN A FARMING COMMUNITY.
IT ALSO SERVES AS ONE OF OUR REGULAR +MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS* CONCERTS FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT DEFINITELY IT IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE PERFORMED FROM A TRAM AND TAKEN MUSIC TO THE STREETS, HE SAID.
/the programme.......
FRIDAY, JUKE 21, 1985
- 18 -
THE PROGRAMME TONIGHT INCLUDED BACH TO SCOTT JOPLIN, THE ALL-TIME PIPA SOLO PIECE, THE AMBUSH, AND THE THEME SONG FROM THE FAMOUS +ANGEL OF THE ROAD+.
PART OF THE PROGRAMME WAS TRANSMITTED BY RTHK VIA SATELLITE TO RADIO NETWORKS IN FRANCE AND EUROPE.
THE EVENT WAS ALSO AN ATTEMPT TO THE STREETS, AWAY FROM CONCERT HALLS, IT WAS HOPED THAT STARTING THIS YEAR, FOR MUSIC-MAKING IN THE TERRITORY AS
TAKE MUSIC-MAKING INTO CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. THIS DAY WOULD BE MARKED IN MOST EUROPEAN CITIES,
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE IDEA ORIGINATED IN PARIS THREE YEARS AGO, WHEN THE FETE DE LA MUSIQUE WAS ORGANISED SO THAT MUSIC COULD BE HEARD IN THE PARKS, STREET CORNERS AND COURTYARDS ONCE EVERY YEAR ON JUNE 21, THE DAY BEFORE THE PASSING OF SUMMER SOLSTICE.
IN ADDITION TO THE MUSICAL TRAMS, A PIANO RECITAL BY MISS CHEN SU-CHEN, AND A CHINESE MUSIC CONCERT BY THE INSTRUCTORS CF THE MUSIC OFFICE WERE LATER HELD AT THE NEW ALLIANCE FRANCA ISE
CENTRE IN JAVA ROAD.
A LATE-NIGHT RECITAL OF BRASS MUSIC OF THE BEST BRASS PLAYERS FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE WAS ALSO HELD AT THE FRINGE CLUB.
-----0------
YUEN LONG STADIUM HIRING CHARGES BEING REVISED * * * *
FOLLOWING A COSTING OF THE OPERATION OF THE YUEN LONG STADIUM, IT WAS DECIDED TO INCREASE BY AN AVERAGE OF 27 PER CENT THE HIRING CHARGES FOR THE USE OF THE STADIUM, THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEE INCREASE HAD BEEN DEFERRED BY ONE YEAR TO APRIL 1, 1986 TO ALLOW TIME FOR SCHOOLS, CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS -WHICH NORMALLY PLAN THEIR ACTIVITIES ON A YEARLY BASIS - TO BUDGET FOR THE INCREASE. FOR OTHER HIRERS, THE NEW FEE SCALE WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE COSTING SHOWED THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF FEES COVERED ONLY ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THE OPERATING COSTS, RESULTING IN A DEFICIT OF $1 MILLION A YEAR.
THE COUNCIL WAS TOLD THAT THE FEES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED FOR 11 YEARS.
/HOWEVER, the.........
F2IDAI. JUNE 21, 1985
- 19 -
HOWEVER, THE REVISED FEES WOULD MEAN THAT A TYPICAL HIRER OF THE STADIUM WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY MARGINALLY MORE, FOR EXAMPLE 850 FOR AN ATHLETIC MEET, AND 820 FOR A FOOTBALL MATCH.
THE CHARGING METHOD HAS, AT THE SAME TIME BEEN SIMPLIFIED. WHERE GATE RECEIPT IS CHARGED, A HIGHER PERCENTAGE ON THE GATE RECEIPT IS AIMED FOR.
AS THE ONLY GAZETTED STADIUM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE YUEN LONG STADIUM HAS A USAGE RATE OF 55 PER CENT, AND THE NEW CHARGES WERE NOT EXPECTED TO AFFECT THIS TO ANY SIGNIFICANT DEGREE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
RECORDS SHOWED THAT SCHOOLS, CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS MADE UP 40 PER CENT OF THE HIRERS OF THE STADIUM, HE SAID.
THE NEW CHARGES WERE EXPECTED TO BRING IN AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF 817 000 IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1985-86 AND $24 000 FROM 1986-87 ONWARDS.
THE FEES WILL FROM NOW ON BE REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
THE COUNCIL ALSO APPOINTED MR LAM KIM-MING AS ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.
--------o-----------
OBSOLETE SIGNBOARDS REMOVED
XXX
ELEVEN OBSOLETE SIGNBOARDS WERE REMOVED FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DI STRI CT TODAY (FRI DAY).
THE SIGNBOARDS, LOCATED IN FIVE BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT OF TYPHOONS.
THE OPERATION WAS FUNDED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CARRIED OUT BY PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.
------0-------
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI
XXX
SPRING
CLOSED FROM
GARDEN LANE BETWEEN HOUS! NOS. 25 AND 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 14) FOR ABOUT A
35 WILL BE MONTH TO
FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON SPRING L-AJI6 *1
EE DIVERTED INTO CROSS STREET TO REJOIN THE NORTHERN END SPRING GARDEN LANE.
0 --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HOFJG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FORMATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION GAINS IMPETUS .. 1
FIVE MORE FUN POOLS ON THE WAY ........................... 2
MORE YOUTHS JOIN ANTI-DRUGS FIGHT ........................ 3
LANGUAGE TEACHERS' WORK FOR SHOW.......................... k
WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH ...................... k
ROAD WORK TO EASE TRAFFIC ................................ 5
NORTH DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA ENTRIES INVITED ............. 6
PEDESTRIAN, CYCLE BRIDGE FOR YUEN LONG ................. 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SAI YING PUN .............. 7
ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ................................ 7
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1935
1
FORMATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION GAINS IMPETUS
******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE FOR WORK TO START ON DRAFTING LEGISLATION TO PERMIT THE SETTING UP OF A LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEGISLATION COULD MEAN A NEW LOOK FOR THE TERRITORY’S INNER CITY AS AREAS MOST IN NEED OF DEVELOPMENT WERE ALREADY BEING IDENTIFIED.
THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE LDC COULD CHOOSE A SUITABLE PROJECT AND BEGIN WORK AS SOON AS IT WAS SET UP.
BESIDES DRAFTING LEGISLATION, LEGAL EXPERTS ARE LOOKING AT POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE AND THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.
THESE WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO DESIGNATE SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND FACILITATE ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
THE LDC WOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY WITH MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITIES. IT WOULD OPERATE THROUGH SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES SET UP FOR PARTICULAR PROJECTS.
THE COMPANIES WOULD BE ABLE TO ENTER JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS OR WITH MAJOR PROPERTY OWNERS.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OLDER URBAN AREAS wITH POOR HOUSING AND GROSS OVERCROWDING WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO DEVELOP.
+THIS ACQUIR ING DISPLACED.
HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY AND OF REHOUSING THOSE
THE LDC CONCEPT wAS PUT FORwARD SPECIFICALLY TO
IN
OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES.*
THE SETTING UP OF SUCH A BODY WAS RECOMMENDED IN A 1981 REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IN SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS THE LDC COULD EITHER OFFER TO BUY PROPERTY OUTRIGHT OR OFFER OWNERS A SHARE IN ONE OF THE SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES.
THOSE CHOOSING THE LATTER OPTION WOULD BE OFFERED TEMPORARY REHOUSING IN THE VICINITY AND BE GIVEN PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS TO UNITS IN THE COMPLETED DEVELOPMENT.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1985
2
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE WHO BENEFITED MOST DIRECTLY FROM LDC PROJECTS WOULD BE PEOPLE wHO HAD HAD TO ENDURE SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS BEFORE REDEVELOPMENT. IT WOULD MEAN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE PRESERVING THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND BASIC character of older areas.
HE ADDED THAT WHERE OWNERS DECLINED TO GIVE UP THEIR PROPERTY THE LDC COULD ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO RESUME PROPERTIES ON ITS BEHALF. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ONLY DO SO IF THE LDC HAD ALREADY ACQUIRED A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF THE PROPERTY IN THE AREA THROUGH NEGOTIATION.
OFFERS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF AN INDEPENDENT 7R IBUNAL.
THE SPOKESMAN COULD NOT SAY EXACTLY wHAT PROPORTION OF PROPERTY THE LDC WOULD NEED TO ACQUIRE BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO A RESUMPTION ORDER. EACH CASE wOULD BE ASSESSED ON ITS MERITS.
0 -------
FIVE MORE F'J‘» POOLS ON THE WAY •4 n # X
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS FIVE MORE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN ThE PIPELINE, FOUR OF WHICH WILL BE BUILT IN KOWLOON AND THE OTHER ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THEY WILL Bp LOCATED AT KOwLOON °ARK, HAMMER HILL ROAD, rO MAN TIN, SHEK KIP MEI PARK AND JAVA ROAD.
ALL WILL INCORPORATE THE NEWLY-DESIGNED FUN POOLS, WHICH ARE OF A FREE FORM INSTEAD OF BEING BUILT IN THE USUAL RECTANGULAR SHAPE. SPECIAL FEATURES SUCH AS WAVE-MAKING MACHINES AND WATER SLIDES WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE POOL SETTING TO MAKE THE SWIMMING ENVIRONMENT MORE PLEASANT AND RELAX ING.
+IT IS FELT THAT THESE FUN POOLS WILL PROVIDE MORE FUN, EXCITEMENT AND ENJOYMENT FOR THE PUBLIC WHO NO LONGER REGARD SWIMMING AS A MERE FORM OF EXERCISE,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
THE FIRST FUN POOL IN KOWLOON PARK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO TO THREE YEARS.
/WITH THE .......
SATURDAY, 22, 1985
*ITh THE COMPLETION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL HAVE A TOTAL ACHIEVE ITS TARbET OF PROVIDING FOR EVERY 250 003 PEOPLc.
FIVE SWIMMING POOLS, THE OF 17 COMPLEXES AND SO ONE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX
IN GENERAL, MOST URBAN COUNCIL SWIMi'iNG POOLS ARE FULLY UTILISED BY THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY DURING THE PEAK SImmTnG SEASON. HOWEVER, THREE POOLS IN CHAI WAN PAO YUE KONG (ABERDEEN) AND TAI WAN SHAN (HUNG HOM) ARE RELATIVELY UNDER-UTILISED.
+THIS IS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE CHAI WAN AND TAI WAN SHAN POOLS ARE TO SOME EXTENT IN OUT-OF-THE-wAY LOCATIONS WHILE THE PAO YUE KONG POOL IS RATHER CLOSE TO TWO OF THE MOST POPULAR BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
♦ IN FACT, THESE THREE S*I MM I NG POOLS OFFER A VERY RELAXING AND PLEASANT SWIMMING ENVIRONMENT^ IT Io HOPED THAT IN FUTURE MORE PEOPLE wILL MAKE USE OF THE THREE DIMMING FACILITIES,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------0---------
MORE YOUTHS JOIN ANT I-DRUGS FIGHT H * * * *
twenty-four ne* recruits of the action committee against fAPANl YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP WILL JOIN IN THE FIGHl AGAHSTCDRUG ABUSE' IN HONG KONG AFTER COMPLETING A TWO-DAY TRAINING COURSE WHICH BEGAN TODAY.
THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM 250 APPLICANTS WHO RESPONDED TO THE RECRUITMENT DRIVE LAUNCHED IN APRIL TH I b YEAR.
AMONG THE 13 NEW MEN AND WOMEN RECRUITS ARE CUSTOMS
XUls’- yNISLA^28P?lNi> fttW THE
AIM OF HELPING IN ANT I-NARCOTICS PREVENTIVE EDUCAiiON AND
PUBLICITY WORK.
THEY WILL RAISE THE STRENGTH OF THE GROUP TO 60 IN ALL.
TMF TRAINING CAMP ORGANISED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, ooverSehtSecretariat,°is beikg meld at xarykhou. house in STANLEY.
THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP HAS ORGANISED SOME 100 ANT I -^RCOT ICS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES b•NCc IT *AS SET UP IN 1981.
-IGhLY MOTIVATED AND ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG WHO USE THEIR LEISURE HOURS IN
ITS MEMBERS ARE ALL
to cwmv OUT the work.
---------C -----------
SATURDAY, JL.E 22, 1985
LANGUAGE TEACHERS’ WORK FOR SHO*/ * * *
AN END-OF-COURSE EXHIBITION OF ^ORK BY PARTICIPANTS OF THE SIXTH REFRESHER COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND THE FIRST REFRESHER COURSE FOR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL TEACHERS OF SgLISH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN MONDAY (JUNE 24) AND THURSDAY
(JUNE 27).
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION AT THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, PARK-IN SmERCIAL CENTRE, 21 FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON, FROM
9 AM TO 5 PM.
THE REFRESHER COURSES FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS ARE ORGANISED EACH YEAR FOR EXPERIENCED TEACHERS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE COURSES ARE RUN BY THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. EACH COURSE LASTS 16 wEEKS, COVERING ABOUT 403 CONTACT HOURS.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE COURSES IS TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH PRESENT TRENDS IN LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODOLOGY AND TO INTRODUCE PARTICIPANTS TO NEw PERSPECTIVES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING.
THE END-OF-COURSE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL COURSE PARTICIPANTS.
EXHIBITION IS A DISPLAY OF PROTOTYPE TEACHING AIDS AND PROJECTS DESIGNED
BY
_---------0-------------
WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH
******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD SIX WORKSHOPS ON TEACHING OF LISTENING COMPREHENSION FOR SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN JULY AND AUGUST.
TWO ONE-AND-A-HALF DAY WORKSHOPS ORGANISED r0R SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND FOUR TWO-DAY WORKSHOPS ORGANISED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, WILL BE HELD AT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 165 MA TAU w_I
ROAD, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON.
THE WORKSHOPS FOR BOTH SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL INCLUDE SHORT TALKS ON THE TEACHING OF LISTENING COMPREHENSION AND DEMONSTRATION OF VARIOUS LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXERCISES.
/PARTICIPANTS WILL .......
I
fcATUixiAi ' NE 22, 198?
- 5 -
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO DESIGN A LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXERCISE SUITABLE FOR USE IN THEIR OWN CLASSES.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE JULY 2 WHILE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE CENTRE BEFORE JUNE 27.
-------o ---------
ROAD WORK TO EASE TRAFFIC X * * *
GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO wIDEN CARPENTER ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AND EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE KOWLOON CITY AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVE WIDENING THE SECTION OF CARPENTER ROAD BETWEEN JUNCTION ROAD AND TAK KU LING ROAD FROM ABOUT FIVE METRES TO 11 METRES IN WIDTH.
OTHER WORKS INCLUDE: RE-ALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF LOK SIN ROAD, ABOUT 60 METRES IN LENGTH, NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH CARPENTER ROAD, CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTWAYS ON BOTH SIDES OF CARPENTER ROAD* CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTWAY AT THE SECTION OF CARPENTER ROAD BETWEEN TAK KU LING ROAD AND KAI TAK ROAD AND AT THE UN-NAMED ROAD NORTH OF KAI TAK ROAD, CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAFFIC ISLAND AT THE JUNCTION OF CARPENTER ROAD AND TAK KU LING ROAD- AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG ;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON ; AND
* THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE AUGUST 20.
-------c----------
/6........
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1935
6
NORTH DISTRICT SwIMMING GALA ENTRIES INVITED
* * * * *
NORTH DISTRICT RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN SWIMMING ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A DISTRICT-WIDE SWIMMING COMPETITION TO BE HELD ON JULY 13 (SATURDAY).
THE FIFTH NORTH DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM.
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE SPORT AS WELL AS UPGRADING THE STANDARD OF LOCAL SWIMMERS, AN RSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS MAY BE ELECTED TO REPRESENT NORTH DISTRICT IN FUTURE COMPETITIONS.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE SWIMMING GALA CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE RSD’S NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT NO. 170 JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, SHEUNG SHU I.
THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD TELEPHONE 0-925529 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
-------o-----------
PEDESTRIAN, CYCLE BRIDGE FOR YUEN LONG * * * * *
A COMBINED PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE WILL BE BUILT IN YUEN LONG. i
WHEN COMPLETED IT WILL PROVIDE A PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE CROSSING OVER THE NORTHERN BYPASS AND WESTERN NULLAH.
THE COMBINED BRIDGE WILL BE AN ESSENTIAL PEDESTRIAN-CYCLE LINK BETWEEN LONG PING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND YUEN LONG TOWN.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT, WHICH ARE BEING INVITED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE SIX METRES WIDE AND 150 METRES LONG AND ASSOCIATED RAMPS AND STAIRCASES.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1985
7
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SAI YING PUN * * * *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE IN SAI YING PUN FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM 8 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 25) TO ALLOW ROAD WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT TO THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETWEEN QUEEN STREET AND WESTERN STREET.
THE ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, ARE:
DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 11 PM:
X VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 10 TONNES GROSS WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL ON THE WESTBOUND TRAM LANE.
* FRANCHISED BUSES AND VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 TONNES GROSS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND WESTERN STREET.
DAILY FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY:
* ALL WESTBOUND VEHICLES EXCEPT TRAMS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND WESTERN STREET.
M VEHICLES LEAVING KO SHING STREET WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, EASTBOUND.
MEANWHILE, THE UP-RAMP LEADING FROM THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG CHUK H^NG ROAD TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM DAILY ON TUESDAY (JUNE 25) AND THURSDAY (JUNE 27) FOR ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG WONG CHUK HANG ROAD HEADING FOR AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE COASTAL ROAD ALONG ABERDEEN RECLAMATION, ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, CHENGTU ROAD AND THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE COASTAL ROAD BEFORE ENTERING AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE.
-----o------
ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN * * * *
THE JUNCTION OF
CHIK LUK LANE WHICH TURNS RIGHT INTO TSUEN NAM ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 25) FOR TWO DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
TRAFFIC ENTERING TSUEN NAM ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO SHING CHUEN ROAD AND SHING WAN ROAD.
KMB ROUTES 72A, 85 AND 88K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHING CHUEN ROAD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GREATER YOUTH CIVIC EFFORT URGED ............................ 1
EDP TRAINING MANUAL PUBLISHED................................ 2
CLOSER LINKS WITH DISTRICT BOARDS URGED ..................... 3
SEARCH GOES ON DAILY FOR PLANT SPECIES ...................... 3
THE RIGHT WAY TO MOVE MEAT................................... 6
APPLICATION SOUGHT FOR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ................ 8
APPRENTICESHIP BRANCH OFFICE MOVES .......................... 10
REPORT ON SOUTHERN DISTRICT PUBLISHED ....................... 11
REFRESHMENT SALES ........................................... 12
NEW MARKET COMPLEX FOR KWUN TONG ............................ 12
FUN IN THE SUN FOR TAI PO YOUTHS ............................ 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAINS LAYING ............................ 13
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ABERDEEN TUNNEL ........................ 13
ROAD CLOSURE................................................. 14
CENTRAL WATER CUT
14
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
1
GREATER YOUTH CIVIC EFFORT URGED * k * *
YOUNG PEOPLE WERE URGED TODAY (SUNDAY) TO JOIN VOLUNTEER GROUP AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH HELPING OTHERS.
0
THE APPEAL CAME FROM MR DONALD LIAO, SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME POLICY COMMITTEE, WHEN HE LAUNCHED THE 1985 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG CAMP THIS MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME ADOPTED THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY) THEME OF +PARTICI PAT ION, DEVELOPMENT, PEACE*.
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE A BALANCE OF ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THIS SUMMER, REVOLVING AROUND THIS THEME.
REMINDING YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THE SPIRIT OF PARTICIPATION GOES BEYOND ENROLMENT IN AN ACTIVITY, MR LIAO SAID, +WHERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHOULD ALSO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN PLANNING THE ACTIVITY AND ASSIST IN THE ORGANISATION OF IT.*
THE ACHIEVEMENT OF OUTSTANDING YOUTH LEADERS WHO CONTRIBUTE THEIR TIME AND SERVICE TO THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS RECOGNISED BY THE AWARD OF THE JOCKEY CLUB’S OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS.
MR LIAO STRESSED THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME UPENDED TO A LARGE EXTENT ON THE SUPPORT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, COMMUNITY LEADERS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, DISTRICT BOARDS, LCCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
+THE JOCKEY CLUB, IN PARTICULAR, HAS PROVIDED UNFAILING SUPPORT FOR THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN THE LAST 16 YEARS,* MR LIAO SAID.
+THIS YEAR, THE CLUB HAS AGAIN MADE A GENEROUS DONATION OF
$5.25 MILLION TOWARDS THE TOTAL PROGRAMME COST OF ABOUT $15 MILLION.*
AFTER THE OPENING ADDRESS, MR WONG CHUNG-HIN, STEWARD OF THE RHKJC, PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR $5.25 MILLION TO MR LIAO.
TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 150 GUESTS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE SYP POLICY AND CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES, CHAIRMEN OF THE 19 DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES, REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE GUESTS, WHO WERE TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR ROUND THE CAMP PRIOR TO THE OPENING CEREMONY, WATCHED 300 YOUTHS TAKING PART IN SPORTS AND GAMES.
/THESE WERE .......
SUNL..1', JUNE 2J, 1985
2
THESE WERE ONLY A FEW OF THE 10 000 OR MORE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR OVER ONE MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE THIS SUMMER. THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES, CAMPS, VISITS AND EXCURSIONS, COMPETITIONS, FUN FAIRS, SPORTS ACTIVITIES, MUSIC CAMPS AND THE SWINGING SUMMER TV SERIES.
THE EVENTS WERE ORGANISED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
TO PUBLICISE THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, A TV ANNOUNCEMENT, RADIO MESSAGES AND A SUPPORTING POSTtR HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. THE POSTER WILL BE DISPLAYED AT GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES, MTR AND KCR STATIONS AS WELL AS OUTLYING FERRY PIERS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS IN ORDER TO REACH THE INTERESTED GROUPS.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO JOIN THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CAN OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
-------0 ---------
EDP TRAINING MANUAL PUBLISHED * * *
THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING OF Trie VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS PUBLISHED A MANUAL OF TRAINING CURRICULA FOR THE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING INDUSTRY.
THE MANUAL IS TO ASSIST THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, EDUCATIONAL BODIES AND EMPLOYERS IN OFFERING SYSTEMATIC TRAINING FOR PRE-ENTRY AND POST-ENTRY EDP PERSONNEL.
IT IS PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF TRAINING COURSE MODULES SPECIFYING THE DURATION OF A TRAINING PROGRAMME TO COVER THE TOPICS, TEXTBOOKS TO BE USED, PRACTICAL WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN AND THE MEANS OF ASSESSING STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AFTER COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AS WELL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THAT A FULLY-TRAINED ENTRANT TO THE EDP PROFESSION WOULD AT LEAST BE FAMILIAR w I TH THE CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY OF ALL THE TOPICS LISTED IN THE CURRICULA AND KNOW WHERE TO SEEK FURTHER KNOWLEDGE CN THE SUBJECT WHEN REQUIRED.
THE MANUAL IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT HK$14.50 A COPY.
-------0
SUNDAY
23, 19&5
CLOSER LINKS WITH DISTRICT BOARDS URGED * * * *
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG TODaY (SUNDAY) URGED RESIDENTS TO USE THE MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS WITH BOARD MEMBERS.
DESCRIBING THE SCHEME AS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARD, LOCAL RESIDENTS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, MR WONG SAID: + IT HELPS BOARD MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES, AND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN.+
HE SAID THAT THE SCHEME, INITIATED IN JANUARY 1983, HAS BEEN wELL RECEIVED.
+OF THE 107 CASES HANDLED IN 51 SESSIONS LAST YEAR, A LARGE PROPORTION WERE DEALT WITH SATISFACTORILY,* HE SAID.
THE MAJORITY OF CASES DEALT WITH HOUSING, WHICH FOCUSED ON APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
+THERE WAS ALSO A COMPARATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS,* HE SAID.
HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE MEET-THE-PUBLIC SESSIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE HELD EVERY THURSDAYS FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM IN THE MAIN OFFICE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, WHERE TWO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD BE ON DUTY.
PEOPLE WISHING TO AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES OR SEEK ADVICE SHOULD BOOK THEIR APPOINTMENT BY PHONING 3-7110171 EXTENSION 52.
- 0 -
SEARCH GOES ON DAILY FOR PLANT SPECIES * * * *
EVERY DAY, RAIN OR SHINE, TWO PERSONS TREK THE COUNTRYSIDE IN SEARCH OF PLANT SPECIES, OR TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF PLANTS FLOWERING IN THEIR HABITATS.
OR THEY MAY COLLECT THE PLANT SPECIMENS OR SEEDS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE RARE, TO BE DRIED AND PRESERVED AS SPECIMENS.
THEY ARE PLANT COLLECTORS FROM THE HONG KONG HERBARIUM, WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1878, UNDERTAKING THE JOE CF COLLECTING, CLASSIFYING AND MAINTAINING PRESERVED PLANT SPECIMENS REPRESENTATIVE OF HONG KONG FLORA.
/THERE ARE
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 198$
THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 34 530 DRIED PLANT SPECIMENS, SOME NEARLY AS OLD AS THE HERBARIUM ITSELF, RESULTING FROM THE CONTINUOUS SEARCH FOR PLANTS IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS SOME OTHERS OBTAINED FROM OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.
LAST YEAR, ABOUT 200 SPECIMENS WERE ADDED TO THE HERBARIUM’S COLLECTION, SAID MR LEUNG HIN-MI NG, ECOLOGIST WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE HERBARIUM’S COLLECTION INCLUDES SOME 2 600 SPECIES AND VARIETIES RECORDED IN HONG KONG, BOTH NATIVE AND INTRODUCED, AND SOME 2 500 OTHER SPECIES FROM ASIAN COUNTRIES.
THE MOST VALUABLE SPECIMENS, MR LEUNG POINTED OUT, ARE TYPE SPECIMENS. THESE ARE THE FIRST SPECIMENS WHICH ARE GIVEN THE PERMANENT NAMES OF PLANT SPECIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED IN LATIN IN TAXONOMIC PAPERS.
THE HERBARIUM, HE SAID, HAS A COLLECTION OF SOME 110 TYPE SPECIMENS.
+T0 CONFIRM WHETHER A PLANT IS A NEW SPECIES, THE HERBARIUM SENDS THE SPECIMEN WITH FLOWERS AND FRUITS AND RELEVANT INFORMATION TO A RECOGNISED AUTHORITY - SUCH AS THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS AT KEW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - FOR IDENTIFICATION,* MR LEUNG SAID.
NEW DISCOVERIES OF PLANT SPECIES WERE USUALLY NAMED AFTER GOVERNORS, BOTANISTS OR PLANT COLLECTORS. THE +BAUHINIA BLAKEANA, FLOwER OF HONG KONG+, WAS DISCOVERED IN 1908 BY FATHERS OF THE FRENCH MISSION AND NAMED AFTER SIR HENRY BLAKE, GOVERNOR FROM 1898 TO 1904.
OTHER NEW SPECIES MIGHT BE NAMED AFTER HONG KONG ITSELF, SUCH AS THE +CAMELLIA HONGKONGENSIS+ AND +RHODODENDRON HONGKONGENSE+.
THE HONG KONG HERBARIUM ALSO DISSEMINATES INFORMATION BY MAINTAINING AN INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES AND ANOTHER INDEX CF CHINESE AND ENGLISH COMMON NAMES OF PLANTS OF HONG KONG.
IT IS ALSO THE ONLY HERBARIUM WHICH HAS AN ENGLISH CATALOGUE OF FLORA THAT IS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT REPRESENTATIVE CF CHINA, ESPECIALLY THAT OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE, MR LE^NG SAID.
WITH ITS VAST COLLECTION OF SPECIMENS, ASSOCIATED FIELD NOTES, PHOTOGRAPHS, COLOUR SLIDES AND BOTANICAL LITERATURE, THE HERBARIUM PROVIDES AN IDEAL RESEARCH PLACE FOR BOTANISTS, TEACHERS AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN LOCAL FLORA.
/IT ALSO .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2J, 1985
- 5 -
IT ALSO OFFERS A PLANT IDENTIFICATION SERVICE TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE HERBARIUM MAINTAINS CONTACT WITH ABOUT 220 HERBARIA AND BOTANICAL INSTITUTIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD, THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL SEED EXCHANGE PROGRAMME. THIS PROGRAMME, NR LEUNG SAID, IS A USEFUL WAY TO INTRODUCE NEW SPECIES INTO HONG KONG.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SEEDS COLLECTED BY THE HERBARIUM ARE SENT TO OVERSEAS BOTANICAL INSTITUTIONS ON REQUEST. AMONG THE POPULAR SEEDS SOUGHT OVERSEAS ARE THOSE OF THE GNETUM AND PITCHER PLANT, HE SAID.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT WORK OF THE HERBARIUM IS TO GIVE ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON CONSERVATION OF VEGETATION. TO CONSERVE RARE NATIVE SPECIES, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP AN ARBORETUM IN SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.
IN THE THREE-HECTARE ARBORETUM, MORE THAN 200 SPECIES REPRESENTATIVE OF HONG KONG FLORA, SUCH AS WATER PINE AND MANGLIETIA HAVE BEEN PLANTED.
THERE IS ALSO A CAMELLIA GARDEN, WITH BEAUTIFUL CAMELLIAS, INCLUDING THE RARE +GRANTHAM’S CAMELLIA* AND +HONG KONG CAMELLIA*.
THE ARBORETUM ALSO FEATURES THE GROWING OF ABOUT AO DIFFERENT BAMBOO SPECIES, MOST OF THEM NATIVE SPECIES, BUT SOME CONTRIBUTED BY CHINESE BOTANISTS.
PLANS ARE BEING MADE FOR THE ARBORETUM TO BE OPENED FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS BY SCHOOLS AND OTHER GROUPS.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ALSO PROPAGATES RARE SPECIES, SUCH AS THE EARLIER MENTIONED GRANTHAM’S CAMELLIA, CRAPNELL’S CAMELLIA AND SOUTH CHINA RHODODENDRON IN THE COUNTRY PARKS, TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL IN THE WILD.
AS HONG KONG IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHERN LIMIT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF TROPICAL ASIAN FLORA, THE PLANTS OF HONG KONG ARE LARGE IN NUMBER AND VARIETY.
WITH THIS RICHNESS IN FLORA, HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME STROLLING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND APPRECIATING THEIR SURROUND INGS.
AND THEY MIGHT EVEN FIND A PLANT THAT MIGHT BE NAMED AFTER THEM, MR LEUNG SAID.
-----0-----
/6........
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
6
THE RIGHT WAY TO MOVE MEAT * * *
MEAT-MOVING IS BIG BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. AT ANY TIME CF DAY FROM JUST BEFORE DAWN TILL LATE AFTERNOON, UP TO 500 TONS OF NEWLY-SLAUGHTERED PIGS WILL BE ON THE ROAD SOMEWHERE IN THE URBAN AREAS. ALSO ON THE MOVE WILL BE ANOTHER 50 TONS OR SO OF NEWLY-ROASTED WHOLE PORKERS.
THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION IS OF COURSE THE CONSUMER’S PLATE. AND, TO ENSURE THAT WHEN THE MEAT ARRIVES THERE IT IS SAFE TO EAT, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS THE TASK OF CHECKING NOT ONLY THAT THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN HYGIENICALLY SLAUGHTERED BUT ALSO THAT THE CARCASE IS HYGIENICALLY HANDLED THROUGHOUT ALL STAGES OF ITS SUBSEQUENT TRANSPORTATION TO RESTAURANTS OR SHOPS.
IN RECENT YEARS, DESPITE STEADILY INCREASING MEAT IMPORTS AND CONSUMPTION, THERE HAS BEEN NO MAJOR OUTBREAK OF FOOD POISONING ATTRIBUTABLE TO BAD MEAT. BUT MORE AND MORE NEAT IS NOW ON THE MOVE, AND THE URBAN COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE THAT IF JUST ONE VANLOAD (ABOUT TWO TONS) OF MEAT WERE TO BE SERIOUSLY CONTAMINATED THROUGH EXPOSURE TO DIRT OR FLIES, THE RESULTS COULD BE GRIM INDEED.
OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN INTENSIFYING THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE THE TRANSPORTING OF MEAT AS SAFE AND HYGIENIC AS POSSIBLE. MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS HAVE NOW BEEN ACHIEVED IN PARTICULAR THERE HAS BEEN A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN THE TYPE OF VEHICLE USED IN THE TRADE.
THE CHANGES ARE BEST DESCRIBED BY THE MAN WHO HAS DONE MOST TO BRING THEM ABOUT IN KOWLOON. HE IS MR NG HON-WING, A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN THE USD WHOSE CONCERN WITH FOOD SAFETY GOES BACK TO 1953 WHEN HE BEGAN WORK AS A HEALTH INSPECTOR. THE DISTRICTS NOW UNDER HIS CARE — INCLUDING MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI, SHAM SHU I PO, CHEUNG SHA WAN AND KOWLOON CITY — MAKE UP THE AREA WHERE THE MEAT TRADE IS BUSIEST AND MOST CONCENTRATED.
MR NG EXPLAINS THAT THERE ARE TWO PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT STAGES IN THE BULK CARRYING OF PORK. +THE FIRST STAGE IS THE MOVING OF CARCASES FROM THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE TO PLACES LIKE MARKETS, RESTAURANTS AND LARGE ROASTING FACTOR IES.
/+THE URBAN
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
♦THE URBAN COUNCIL, WHICH MANAGES THE ABATTOIR AT CHEUNG SHA wAN, ALSO GRANTS PERMITS FOR THOSE VEHICLES THAT CAN ENTER IT TO COLLECT CARCASES. THIS HAS GIVEN US THE LEVERAGE TO PERSUADE THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES TO REPLACE THEIR OLD VEHICLES WITH SPECIALLY-FITTED VANS. THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING AND REPLACING THE TRUCKS IS NOW COMPLETE.
+MANY OF THE OLD VEHICLES WERE OPEN OR HALF-OPEN LORRIES IN WHICH CARCASES USED TO BE PILED ON WOODEN FLOORS. THE NEW PURPOSE-DESIGNED VANS ARE LINED WITH METAL AND ARE FITTED WITH ROLLER RACKS, WELL CLEAR OF THE FLOOR, ON WHICH CARCASES CAN BE LAID. THE IMPROVEMENT, IN TERMS OF CLEANLINESS, IS OBVIOUS.+
THE OTHER IMPORTANT STAGE OF BULK TRANSPORTATION APPLIES TO THOSE CARCASES THAT HAVE TO BE MOVED ON TO RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL OUTLETS AFTER PASSING THROUGH FOOD FACTORIES FOR ROASTING.
+THE SAME SORT OF IMPROVEMENT WAS NEEDED IN THESE OPERATIONS ALSO.+ SAYS MR NG. +THE BASIC NEED WAS FOR CLOSED STEEL-LINED VANS TO REPLACE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF LESS ADEQUATE VEHICLES EMPLOYED PREVIOUSLY.+
THERE ARE EIGHT LICENSED PIG-ROASTING ESTABLISHMENTS IN KOWLOON, WHERE MOST CARCASES ARE ROASTED IN VAST WOOD-FUELLED PITS. ALL THOSE FACTORIES ARE LICENSED BY THE COUNCIL, AND MOST OF THEM USE THEIR OWN VEHICLES TO DELIVER THE COOKED CARCASES TO THEIR CLIENTS.
MR NG ADDS THAT THE USD HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE OPERATORS ABOUT THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW OR IMPROVED VANS WHICH WOULD MEET HYGIENIC STANDARDS. +AS IN OUR DEALINGS WITH THE TRANSPORT FIRMS COLLECTING FROM THE ABATTOIRS, WE HAVE HAD TO INSIST THAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE. BUT GENERALLY WE HAVE GOOD WORKING RELATIONS WITH THE TRADE.
+THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING AND REPLACING THE ROAST-CARCASE DELIVERY VEHICLES IS NOT QUITE COMPLETED YET. BUT THE NEW VANS NOW MAKE UP ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THESE FLEETS.+
MR NG REGARDS THE INTRODUCTION OF BETTER VEHICLES AS A CONSIDERABLE ADVANCE — AS ONE BATTLE wON IN THE ON-GOING WAR AGAINST FOOD HAZARDS. BUT THE CAMPAIGN IS NOT OVER, AND HE STRESSES THAT FURTHER EFFORTS ARE CALLED FOR.
♦ THE FOOD BUSINESS BY-LAwS MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT WE ARE REQUIRED — AND EMPOWERED — TO ACT DECISIVELY TO SEE THAT FOOD IS NOT EXPOSED TO CONTAMINATION WHILE IT IS MOVED FROM PLACE TO PLACE.
/+OUR RESPONSIBILITY .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
8 -
+OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS FIELD IS AS CLEAR AS IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHECKING HYGIENE CONDITIONS IN RESTAURANTS. IN SERIOUS CASES WE HAVE TO PROSECUTE — THERE ..ERE 33 SUCH CASES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS IN KOWLOON. BUT MUCH CAN BE DONE THROUGH PERSUASION AND EDUCATION.+
IT IS NOT JUST PORK THAT HAS TO BE PROTECTED BUT ALL NEAT -- IN FACT ANY FOOD THAT CAN BE CONTAMINATED IN TRANSIT.
+EFFECTIVE ACTION IS NOT ALWAYS EASY,+ MR NG POINTS OUT, +ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF PEOPLE WHO CONVEY FOOD ON A SMALL SCALE.
+FOR EXAMPLE, LET’S SAY THAT I OR ONE OF MY INSPECTORS NOTICE A MAN ON A BICYCLE WHO’S CARRYING A COUPLE CF ROAST DUCKS WHICH ARE UNWRAPPED AND EXPOSED TO DUST AND DIRT. IF wE WARN HIM THAT HE IS PUTTING CUSTOMERS AT RISK, RE IS LIKELY TO REPLY THAT THE DUCKS ARE ONLY FOR CONSUMPTION BY HIS OWN FAMILY.
+PROSECUTION WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME, SINCE THE CASE WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE DISMISSED. NEVERTHELESS, IN SUCH CASES I POINT OUT TO THE OFFENDER THAT IF HE REALLY CARES FOR HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, HE SHOULD WRAP THE FOOD PROPERLY.
+OFTEN THE MESSAGE BEGINS TO SINK IN. BUT SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF FOOD HYGIENE THROUGH ALL LEVELS OF THE TRADE IS A LONG-TERM BUSINESS, REQUIRING PATIENCE AND COURTESY AS WELL AS FIRMNESS AND PERSISTENCE.
+ABOVE ALL, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO RELAX OUR VIGILANCE.
AND wE MUST ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR NEW WAYS OF MAKING FOOD-SAFETY STANDARDS STICK.+
-----o------
APPLICATION SOUGHT FOR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION
*****
SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS, PREPARED TO TAKE UP TEACHING AS A CAREER, ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
THE THREE COLLEGES, THE GRANTHAM AND SIR ROBERT BLACK IN KOWLOON AND THE NORTHCOTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, OFFER A FULL-TIME TwO-YEAR TEACHER TRAINING COURSE IN ENGLISH.
IN ADDITION, NORTHCOTE AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION OFFER A FULL-TIME THREE-YEAR COURSE IN ENGLISH wHILE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION OFFERS A FULL-TIME THREE-YEAR COURSE IN CHINESE.
/THESE INITIAL .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
- 9 -
THESE INITIAL COURSES OF TEACHER EDUCATION ARE TO TRAIN STUDENTS TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO TEACH GENERAL SUBJECTS AT PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL AND TO TEACH TWO ELECTIVE SUBJECTS UP TO FORM 3 LEVEL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
ALL COURSES WILL COMPRISE A COMPULSORY PROGRAMME OF STUDIES AND TwO SUBJECTS ON AN ELECTIVE BASIS WHICH EACH STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW.
APPLICANTS FOR THE THREE-YEAR ENGLISH COURSE SHOULD NORMALLY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR .SECONDARY EDUCATION IN AN ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL. THOSE FOR THE CHINESE COURSE SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN A CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THEY SHOULD BE 17 YEARS OLD BY THE END OF THIS SEPTEMBER.
EACH APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE E IN SIX SUBJECTS AT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) INCLUDING AT LEAST GRADE C IN TWO SUBJECTS AT ONE SITTING, PLUS AT LEAST GRADE D IN ONE OTHER SUBJECT.
IN ADDITION, THE SIX SUBJECTS SHOULD INCLUDE CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THOSE wHO APPLY FOR THE TWO-YEAR COURSE SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED T«O YEARS OF EDUCATION BEYOND THE LEVEL OF FORM 5 IN AN ANGLO-CH I Nc.Sc. SCHOOL AND SHOULD BE 18 YEARS OF AGE BY THE END OF THIS SEPTEMBER.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE E IN SIX DIFFERENT SUBJECTS INCLUDING CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE AT HKCEE LEVEL IN ONE SITTING.
IN ADDITION, THEY SHOULD ATTAIN GRADE E OR ABOVE IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS AT A-LEVEL IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (HKALE) PLUS AT LEAST GRADE D IN ONE OTHER SUBJECT AT HKCEE LEVEL.
APART FROM THAT, APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED PUBLIC EXAM InATI 3 ; RESULTS COMPARABLE TO HKCEE AND/OR HKALE MAY ALSO APPLY FOR ADMISSION IN THE COURSES OFFERED BY THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR ADMISSION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND THE KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT 405, NATHAN ROAD.
THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT APPLICATION FORMS - ONE FOR THE THREE-YEAR COURSE (ENGLISH), ONE FOR THE THREE-YEAR COURSE (CHINESE) AND ONE FOR THE TWO-YEAR COURSE (ENGLISH).
/APPLICANTS MUST .........
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
10
APPLICANTS MUST USE THE APPROPRIATE FORM WHEN MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR ANY COURSE.
APPLICANTS WHO HAVE LEFT SCHOOL MAY OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FORMS FOR ADMISSION AT THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON PERSONAL REQUEST AND PRESENT THE COMPLETED FORMS IN PERSON AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 42-44 GASCOIGNE ROAD, YAU MA TEI, BEFORE 1 PM ON AUGUST 16.
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FORMS FROM THEIR SCHOOLS AND RETURN THE COMPLETED FORMS TO THEIR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WHO WILL SUBSEQUENTLY FORWARD THE APPLICATIONS TO THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY TUITION FEES CF $800 PER ANNUM. NEEDY STUDENTS MAY APPLY FOR INTEREST-FREE LOAN AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS.
GRADUATES OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ARE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THEIR NAMES ENTERED IN THE OFFICIAL REGISTER OF TEACHERS ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT NEITHER THE COLLEGES NOR THE GOVERNMENT COULD GUARANTEE EMPLOYMENT.
-------0---------
APPRENTICESHIP BRANCH OFFICE MOVES
*****
THE KWUN TONG BRANCH OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICESHIP SECTION WILL MOVE TO NEW OFFICE AT NINTH FLOOR, KOWLOON EAST GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 12 LEI YUE MUN ROAD, KWUN TONG, TOMORROW (MONDAY).
IT WILL SERVE BOTH EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICES WITHIN THE KWUN TONG, KOWLOON BAY AND SAI KUNG AREAS.
EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE, TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 19 WITHIN THE 42 DESIGNATED TRADES.
EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING APPRENTICES ATTEND COMPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION EITHER AT THE HONG POLYTECHNIC OR THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
TO
KONG
TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR ENQUIRIES FOR THE NEW OFFICE ARE 3-491109 OR 3-491225.
THERE ARE FOUR OTHER BRANCH OFFICES TO KWA WAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI.
AT WAN CHAI,
TSUEN WA'.,
- 0 ----------
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
11
REPORT ON SOUTHERN DISTRICT PUBLISHED * * * *
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE CHARACTERISTICS, DEVELOPMENT AND AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND OTHER FACILITIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANATOMY REPORT PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION AND STATISTICS ON THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
COMPILED THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PUBLISHED WITH FUNDS FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE REPORT ALSO LOOKS AT VARIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT AND GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO TACKLE THEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND ON A LONG-TERM BASIS.
THERE ARE 17 CHAPTERS COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT, THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, AND AN INTRODUCTION TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS BOUNDARIES.
OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, RECREATION AND SPORTS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, PUBLIC SERVICES, HAWKERS AND MARKETS, LAW AND ORDER, AND THE WORK OF THE ICAC.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DMC, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, SAID SINCE ITS FIRST PUBLICATION IN 1982, THE REPORT HAD PROVIDED USEFUL BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN HELPING TO FORMULATE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
+IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE REPORT SHOULD BE UPDATED EVERY THREE YEARS TO COINCIDE WITH THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE BOARD, SO THAT IT WOULD HELP NEW MEMBERS OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING CF LOCAL AFFAIRS,+ HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 2 OOO COPIES — 800 IN ENGLISH AND 1 200 IN CHINESE — WERE PRINTED AND WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AREA COMMITTEES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
-----0------
/12........
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
12
REFRESHMENT SALES * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENT AT THE ROOF-TOP PLAYGROUND OF SAN HUI MARKET IN TUEN MUN, FOR THREE YEARS FROM SEPTEMBER 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RSD SAID TENDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE RSD AT +TOP COURT+ FIRST FLOOR, 60-70 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON JULY 19 (FRIDAY).
LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE RSD ON TELEPHONE 0-820800 EXT. 301.
-------0 --------
NEW MARKET COMPLEX FOR KWUN TONG
* * * *
A NINE-STOREY MARKET COMPLEX, OCCUPYING A 1 660-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS TO BE BUILT IN KWUN TONG AT THE JUNCTION OF SHU I WO STREET AND FU YAN STREET.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE 331 MARKET STALLS, 20 COOKED FOOD STALLS, LIBRARY AND STUDY ROOMS, A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS HALL AND THREE SQUASH COURTS, A GAMES ROOM AND ONE FLOOR TO BE USED AS OFFICES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1987.
------o-------
FUN IN THE SUN FOR TAI PO YOUTHS
* * *
WITH THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS APPROACHING, A WIDE RANGE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR YOUTHS IN TAI PO BY THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WILL START ON FRIDAY (JUNE 28) WITH A PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET AT THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE.
/A VARIETY
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, DESIGNED NOT ONLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BUT THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.
A BOOKLET CONTAINING DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANY EVENTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFF ICES.
THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VARIOUS SPORTS COMPETITIONS, A SINGING CONTEST, A DRAMA PERFORMANCE, PICNICS, COUNTRY TOURS, TRAINING CAMPS AND MANY OTHER EVENTS.
THE TOTAL COST FOR THE DISTRICT’S PROGRAMME IS MORE THAN 5160 000, OF WHICH $114 000 COMES FROM THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD FUND AND THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WHILE THE REMAINDER OF FUNDS ARE FROM LOCAL DONATIONS.
- - o -----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAINS LAYING
* * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF FRESH WATER PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTION MAINS IN WONG TAI SIN.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE LAYING OF 800 METRES OF MAINS ALONG THE ACCESS ROAD TO LION ROCK PARK AND TWO NEWLY-COMPLETED ROADS BETWEEN CHUK YUEN ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
THEY WILL BE USED TO CHANNEL WATER FROM THE PROPOSED MA CHAI HANG FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR TO HOUSING ESTATES CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN CHUK YUEN AND MA CHAI HANG.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------o-------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ABERDEEN TUNNEL
* * * *
THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR AN HOUR FROM 1 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 26) TO FACILITATE TESTING OF EQUIPMENT.
------o-------
/14......
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1985
14
ROAD CLOSURE * *
THE KERB-SIDE LANE OF THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD IN CHAI WAN KOK, TSUEN WAN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM WEDNESDAY (JUNE 26) FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR CONSTRUCTION
WORK.
-----o------
CENTRAL WATER CUT * * *
cdccu watpp ciippi Y TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED OFF" H PH ON SeDNESm! (JUNE 26) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING day for leakage tests.
thp AFFFCTFD area is bounded by des voeux road central, Jce
STREET AND HOUSE NO. 18-28 OF WYNDHAM STREET.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK GETS BACK TO WORK AS HAL GOES INLAND ........................ 1
AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED AT COMMITTEE STAGE ..................... 2
It 556 LATE APPLICATION RECEIVED ...'............................ 3
OBSERVATORY SEEKS NEW DATA EQUIPMENT .........................
LETTER AGAINST PROTECTIONIST BILL WELCOMED ...................... 5
THIRD PROGRESS REPORT ON OHB MAINTENANCE ........................ 7
PROVISIONAL RC MEMBERS VISIT TSUEN WAN DB ....................... 8
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ........................................ 8
ENROLMENT TO TECHNICAL TEACHERS COLLEGE INVITED ................. 8
PERMIT REQUIRED FOR IMPORTING DOGS, CATS ........................ 9
AMBULANCE crew praised ......................................... 10
FUTURE PLANS FOR SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION....................... 11
MODERN SPORTS GROUND FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN ...................... 11
FOOTBRIDGE FOR TUSK MUN NEW TOWN ............................... 12
LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED ................... 12
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAU KEI WAN ................................ 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ............................................. U
FRESH, SALT WATER OFF ......................................... 1*+
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................ 11*
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
1
HK GETS BACK TO WORK AS HAL GOES INLAND * * * * *
LIFE IN HONG KONG BEGAN RETURNING TO NORMAL TODAY WITH THE LOWERING OF THE NO. 3 SIGNAL AT 10.45 AM, AS TYPHOON HAL WEAKENED TO A TROPICAL STORM AND MOVED NORTHEAST SLOWLY ACROSS SOUTH CHINA.
BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON, HAL HAD WEAKENED INTO AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER SOUTH CHINA.
ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT RESUMED NORMAL SERVICE, EXCEPT FOR THE SHA TIN TO MEISHA HOVERFERRY, WHICH WILL RESUME OPERATIONS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
BUT THE WEATHER AT THE KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CAUSED THE CANCELLATION OF ONE INCOMING FLIGHT FROM MANILA, AND THE DELAY OF ANOTHER FLIGHT FROM TAIPEI, AND ONE DEPARTING FOR TAIPEI.
ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, HOWEVER, WHILE SCHOOLS REMAINED CLOSED, . ALL PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS WERE HELD AS SCHEDULED.
BY 5 PM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD REGISTERED 51 FAMILIES, COMPRISING 197 PERSONS MADE HOMELESS BY THE STORM, ALL OCCUPANTS OF SQUATTER HUTS WHICH HAD COLLAPSED, BEEN FLOODED OR WERE IN DANGER OF BEING AFFECTED BY MUDSLIPS. OF THESE 197 PERSONS, ABOUT 150 WERE STAYING IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND THE OTHERS WITH RELATIVES OR FRIENDS.
SOME 49 TYPHOON SHELTERS WERE KEPT OPEN BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDING SHELTER FOR ABOUT 29 PERSONS.
OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS, 10 PERSONS WERE INJURED IN TYPHOON-RELATED INCIDENTS, AND, EXCEPT FOR A 45-YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO WAS ADMITTED TO QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL WITH A HEAD WOUND FROM A FALLING OBJECT AND WAS IN A SATISFACTORY CONDITION, ALL THE OTHERS WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED.
UP TO THIS MORNING, THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 105 REPORTS OF MINOR FLOODINGS, OF WHICH 80 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 IN KOWLOON AND 10 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. AND DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 14 MINOR MUDSLIPS, THREE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SEVEN IN KOWLOON AND FOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE REPORTED. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE TO CROPS AND LIVESTOCK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TERRITORIES.
HAL HAD FORMED AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION OVER THE ON JUNE 19 AND INTENSIFIED INTO A TYPHOON EAST OF THE' PHILIPPINES ON JUNE 21.
AFTER SKIRTING THE NORTHERN TIP OF LUZON EARLY ON HAL LANDED ABOUT 70 NAUTICAL MILES TO THE EAST OF HONG AT 2 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 24).
PACIFIC
JUNE 22, KONG
/IN HQtIG KONG
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 19&5
2 -
IM HONG KONG THE STAND 9Y SIGNAL MO. 1 WAS HOISTED AT 10 Al' ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22).
THF STRONG WIND SIGNAL !C. 3 AS HOISTED AT 12.40 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 23) AND THE NO. 8 NORTHWEST GALE OR STORM SIGNAL WAS HOISTED 4.15"AM THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY).
AT
OF
THIS WAS REPLACED BY THE NO. 3 SIGNAL AT 8 PM ON MONDAY.
ALL SIGNALS WERE LOWERED AT 1 .45 AM TODAY (TUESDAY).
WHILE THE SIGNALS WERE HOISTED, HAL BROUGHT 219.1 MILLIMETRES RAINFALL.
-------0---------
AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED AT COMMITTEE STAGE
*****
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS WILL BE MOVED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985 TOMORROW.
AND DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE FOLLOWING THREE BILLS PRIOR TO COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING-.
* FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) (REPEAL) BILL 1984 ;
FOREIGN JUDGMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985; AND
*
DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) BILL 1985.
BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS ARE: * REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1985?
ELECTIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1985 ? AND
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985.
BE INTRODUCED -SIR ROGER LOBO, BILL BROWN.
two UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILLS WILL ALSO ROYAL iBANK OF SCOTLAND BILL 1985, BY THE HON THE LLOYDS BANK (MERGER) BILL 1985 BY THE HON
THE
AND
SUCH
UNOFFICIALS WILL BE ASKING SEVEN QUESTIONS DEALING WITH MATTERS AS PROTECTIONISM IN THE UNITED STATES, SUPERVISION OF BANKS, A DEPOSIT INSURANCE SCHEME TO PROTECT SMALL BANK DEPOSITORS, AND THE QUALITY OF WATER FLOWING INTO TOLO HARBOUR FROM RIVERS AND STREAMS.
/3........
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
4 556 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED *****
UP TO 4 PM TODAY (TUESDAY) 4 556 LATE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. AS A RESULT OF THE EARLIER REGISTRATION EXERCISE, 34 531 ELECTORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21.
A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS!
ESTIMATED SIZE OF ELECTORATE NUMBER OF ELECTORS ON PROVISIONAL REGISTER LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
.ELECTORAL COLLEGE 434 428 4
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
COMMERCIAL 1 2 300 681 502
COMMERCIAL II 5 175 1 730 806
INDUSTRIAL 1 707 364 60
INDUSTRIAL II 2 219 913 210 /
FINANCIAL 141 119 8
LABOUR 390 285 9
SOCIAL SERVICES 155 129 9
MEDICAL 4 540 2 109 412
LEGAL 1 500 727 183
TEACHING 49 047 25 337 1 919
ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING 2 500 1 709 434
TOTAL 69 108 34 531 4 556
- o-
A....
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
4
OBSERVATORY SEEKS NEW DATA EQUIPMENT * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO APPROVE FUNDS TOTALLING $7.2 MILLION TO PROVIDE THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WITH ENHANCED DATA PROCESSING FACILITIES.
THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WOULD ENABLE THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO DEVELOP AN IN-HOUSE PROGRAMME TO ANALYSE LONG PERIOD RECORDS AND TO PROVIDE MORE TIMELY AND RELIABLE WEATHER FORECAST AND WARNING SERVICES.
THE ENHANCED SYSTEM WOULD ALSO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE WEATHER INFORMATION SERVICES TO MORE COMPANIES OPERAT NG OFF-SHORE OIL RIGS, THEREBY GENERATING ADDITIONAL REVENUE ESTIMATED AT SOME $2 MILLION A YEAR.
OTHER NEW FEATURES WILL INCLUDE AUTOMATION OF THE LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK AND WEATHER CHART PLOTTING TO PROVIDE MORE ACCURATE AND FASTER WEATHER WARNINGS AND FORECASTS, AS WELL AS FASTER AND BETTER QUALITY CHARTS.
AUTOMATION OF THESE SERVICES IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN STAFF SAVINGS OF SOME $1.4 MILLION A YEAR FROM 1987-88 ONWARDS.
HONG KONG'S CIRCUIT IN THE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE UPGRADED TO FACILITATE FASTER RECEPTION OF OBSERVATIONAL DATA SO THAT FORECASTS AND WARNINGS CAN BE GIVEN MORE PROMPTLY.
ANOTHER NEW FEATURE OF THE ENHANCED SYSTEM WILL BE THE MODELLING FOR A BACKGROUND RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE OPERATION OF THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AT DAYA BAY.
ALSO ON TOMORROW’S FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA IS A PROPOSAL TO INJECT $2 500 MILLION IN EQUITY INTO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BETWEEN NOW AND 1987-88, AND A FURTHER POSSIBLE COMMITMENT OF UP TO $2 500 MILLION IN EQUITY INJECTIONS TO BE MADE ON OR AFTER THE END OF DECEMBER 1989.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDE J
M SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION TO ENGAGE LAWYERS
TO ACT FOR THE CROWN IN AN ARBITRATION
M SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION TO MEET EXPENSES ON COURT FEES
ft A PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO OWNERS OF OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LAND IN THE URBAN AREAS ON SURRENDER OR RESUMPTION
/» REVISED..........
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
5
* REVISED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR LEGAL OCCUPIERS OF DOMESTIC PROPERTIES AFFECTED BY RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE
* PAYMENT OF HONORARIUM AND OFFICE RENT ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL
* FUNDS FOR SENDING A GROUP OF YOUNG MUSICIANS TO VISIT CHINA IN AUGUST THIS YEAR
* TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE FOR PUPILS ATTENDING THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HO CHUNG
* FURTHER INCREASE IN COMMITMENT FOR THE CONTINUED APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF EDA INVESTMENT LTD. AND THE CARRIAN GROUP, AND
M LAUNDRY ALLOWANCE FOR ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE varioiiq WORKS SUBACOMMIT?feTHE ESTABL 1SHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE AND^HE PUBLIC wunro oUB”GUMM ITIce.
-------0--------
LETTER AGAINST PROTECTIONIST BILL WELCOMED * * * *
THE ACTION OF THE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION IN SENDING TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS A STRONGLY-WORDED LETTER OPPOSING THE PROTECTIONIST JENKINS BILL WAS WELCOMED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY HONG KONG’S DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD.
+THIS IS A VERY POSITIVE ACTION AND ADDS WEIGHT TO THE ARGUMENT ALREADY PUT BY HONG KONG AND OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRIES THAT THIS BILL IS IN CONFLICT WITH THE INTERESTS OF THE US CONSUMER AND WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF WORLD TRADE,* MR MACLEOD SAID.
HONG KONG HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN EFFORTS BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO FIGHT THE BILL - THE TEXTILE TRADE AND APPAREL TRADE ENFORCEMENT BILL OF 1985, SAID MR MACLEOD.
IN ADDITION TO DIRECTING THE EFFORTS OF THE NEWLY-APPOINTED LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON, HONG KONG HAS BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN EFFORTS MADE BY DOMESTIC INTERESTS IN THE UNITED STATES TO PUT THE TRUE FACTS BEFORE THE AMERICAN CONSUMER.
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ISSUED A STRONGLY-WORDED STATEMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH CONDEMNING PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND CALLING FOR FURTHER EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM BY FURTHER LIBERALISATION.
/+WE ARE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
6
+WE ARE GIVING THIS MATTER THE HIGHEST PRIORITY*, SAID MACLEOD. +MUCH OF MY TIME AND THAT OF OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS CF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS SPENT ON THE FIGHT AGAINST THIS BILL. IN RECENT WEEKS WE HAVE GIVEN SPECIAL BRIEFINGS TO BODIES SUCH AS THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG AND WE HAVE CALLED ON MAJOR AMERICAN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES WITH BASES IN THE TERRITORY. LOCAL TRADERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS HAVE BEEN KEPT INFORMED OF ALL DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND THROUGH THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.*
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT IT MUST BE RECOGNISED, AND HAD BEEN CONFIRMED BY RECENT US VISITORS, THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD CF FIGHTING THE BILL WAS BY EFFORTS OF DOMESTIC US INTERESTS, SUCH AS RETAILERS. THIS WAS NOT A BILATERAL ISSUE BETWEEN THE US AND HONG KONG AND IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY IN THE TERRITORY’S INTERESTS TO ADOPT A HIGH PROFILE ON THIS ISSUE.
+WE HAVE FOUGHT VERY HARD IN RECENT MONTHS AND A NEW INITIATIVE IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER EXPORTING COUNTRIES IS LIKELY TO FOLLOW SOON,* SAID MR MACLEOD.
HE SAID THAT THE US GOVERNMENT’S ACTION IN SENDING THE LETTER OF OPPOSITION TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WAS A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH.
THE LETTER SAYS THAT THE LEGISLATION, IF ENACTED, WOULD IMPOSE A VERY HIGH COST ON US CONSUMERS, INVITE RETALIATION AGAINST US EXPORTS, SPUR INFLATION, VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND PROVIDE THE DOMESTIC TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF PROTECTION.
THE LETTER IS SIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE, MR GEORGE SHULTZ, SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR JAMES BAKER, SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE, MALCOM BALDRIDGE, SECRETARY FOR LABOUR, MR WILLIAM BROOK, AND DEPUTY US TRADE SECRETARY, MR MICHAEL SMITH.
IT POINTS OUT THAT US EXPORTS TO THE 12 SUPPLIERS WHO WOULD BE MOST IMMEDIATELY AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED IMPORT RESTRICTIONS TOTALLED MORE THAN US$33 BILLION LAST YEAR. THE INTERNATIONAL MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE VIOLATED AS WOULD 34 BILATERAL TEXTILE AND APPAREL AGREEMENTS. MORE THAN 300 QUOTAS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED SINCE 1981 TO PROTECT THE US TEXTILE INDUSTRY. TEXTILE AND APPAREL IMPORTS HAVE BEEN DECLINING - PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM THE LESS-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
+THIS LETTER IS THE CONSIDERED VIEW OF THE RELEVANT MEMBERS CF THE UNITED STATES CABINET,* SAID MR MACLEOD, +AND IT SHOWS THAT THE US ADMINISTRATION FULLY APPRECIATES THE DANGERS INHERENT IN THIS BILL.*
A KEY ROLE IS BEING PLAYED BY THE HONG KONG OVERSEAS OFFICES IN NEW YORK, WASHINGTON AND GENEVA. SENIOR OFFICIALS INCLUDING THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, ARE PERSONALLY CARRYING THE MESSAGE ON VISITS TO THE US.
+THIS IS A BAD BILL - BAD FOR THE UNITED STATES, BAD FOR HONG KONG AND BAD FOR THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM AND WE SHALL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO COUNTER IT,* SAID MACLEOD. ---------------------------------0-------
/?......
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1935
7
THIRD PROGRESS REPORT ON CMB MAINTENANCE * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WITH HELP FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE, CAN INITIATE PROSECUTIONS NEXT MONTH AGAINST CMB AND OTHER FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES FOR MAJOR SAFETY DEFECTS FOUND ON THEIR BUSES DURING SPOT CHECKS.
THIS IS REVEALED IN THE THIRD PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP ON CMB MAINTENANCE SUBMITTED TO TAC MEMBERS FOR DISCUSSION AT THEIR MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD WORKED OUT ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE SO THAT, PENDING THE TRAINING OF ITS OWN STAFF TO TAKE ON PROSECUTION WORK, THE POLICE AND LAY PROSECUTORS WOULD ASSIST.
PROCEDURES HAD BEEN LAID DOWN TO ADVISE MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINERS ON THE COLLECTION AND DOCUMENTATION OF EVIDENCE IN PREPARING CASES FOR PROSECUTION AND A GENERAL PRIORITY LIST ON ITEMS OF SAFETY DEFECTS WHICH WARRANTED PROSECUTION HAD ALSO BEEN DRAWN UP.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW FULLY ESTABLISHED TO CARRY OUT THOROUGH CHECKING AND CLOSE MONITORING CF CMB’S BUS MAINTENANCE WORK AND THAT IT WAS GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE GOOD PROGRESS MADE BY THE BUS COMPANY ON IMPROVEMENTS TO PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.
NEVERTHELESS, THE THE POSITION TO ENSURE
DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SCRUTINISE THAT CMB KEPT UP ITS EFFORTS.
ON CMB’S PART, IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT WITH A CONSULTANT TO DO AN ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT STUDY OF ITS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. THE BUS COMPANY WAS TOLD OF TAG’S CONCERN AT THEIR LAST MEETING OVER ITS LACK OF PROGRESS IN IMPROVING ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT.
CMB STILL REPORTED DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING A CHARTERED ENGINEER WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE TO HEAD ITS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT BUT INDICATED THAT AS A MORE FLEXIBLE ALTERNATIVE, IT WAS HOPEFUL OF FINDING A COMPETENT BUT NON-CHARTERED ENGINEER WITH THE RIGHT BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE SOON. THIS FOLLOWED TAC’S DECISION LAST MONTH NOT TO INSIST ON THE POST BEING FILLED BY A CHARTERED ENGINEER IN VIEW OF CMB’S DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING ONE.
MEANWHILE, THE EFFECTS OF CMB’S QUALITY CONTROL SECTION, SET UP IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, BECAME MORE APPARENT. FLAWS FOUND ON CMB BUSES DURING SPOT CHECKS HAD DROPPED TO AN AVERAGE OF ONE SAFETY DEFECT PER BUS IN MAY, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF THREE AND 1.4 SAFETY DEFECTS PER BUS IN JANUARY AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY.
-------o---------
/8.........
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
8
PROVISIONAL RC MEMBERS VISIT TSUEN WAN DB
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON PAID A VISIT TO THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
THIS WAS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF VISITS BY PROVISIONAL RC MEMBERS TO DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HAU-CHING, AND HIS COLLEAGUES.
THEY THEN HAD AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THE DISTRICT’S NEEDS IN MUNICIPAL SERVICES.
MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WERE INFORMED THAT THE COUNCIL WILL SET UP DISTRICT COMMITTEES IN EACH DISTRICT IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS TO STRENGTHEN LINK BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICTS.
- - o - -
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE REGISTRATION OF LEGARLEON FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WAS REVOKED ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 14(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
-----0------
ENROLMENT TO TECHNICAL TEACHERS COLLEGE INVITED
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN BECOMING QUALIFIED TEACHERS OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE AND TO TEACH SUCH SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE COLLEGE OFFERS A THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE SPECIALISING IN THE TEACHING OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AND ANOTHER THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE ON COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS TO APPLICANTS WHO HAVE REACHED 17 YEARS OLD BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN AT LEAST SIX DIFFERENT SUBJECTS AT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) LEVEL OF WHICH AT LEAST GRADE C IN TWO SUBJECTS, GRADE D IN ONE OTHER SUBJECT AND GRADE E IN THE REMAINING SUBJECTS MUST BE ATTAINED.
/FOK THOSE ......
TOBiaD.'. vlJNE 25, 1985
9
FOR THOSE WHO APPLY FOR THE COURSE ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, THE SIX SUBJECTS MUST INCLUDE CHINESE LANGUAGE, ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B), MATHEMATICS OR A SCIENCE SUBJECT, AND A TECHNICAL SUBJECT SUCH AS DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, METALWORK, WOODWORK, PRACTICAL ELECTRICITY, ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICITY, TECHNICAL DRAWING.
FOR APPLICANTS WISHING TO ATTEND THE COURSE SPECIALISING IN COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS, THE SIX SUBJECTS MUST INCLUDE CHINESE LANGUAGE, ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AND TWO COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS SUCH AS SHORTHAND, TYPEWRITING, PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTS AND COMMERCE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND THE KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BEFORE 5 PM ON AUGUST 16. APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAND IN THEIR FORMS IN PERSON AND TO BRING ALONG THE ORIGINAL OF THEIR HKCEE CERTIFICATES OR RESULT SLIPS FOR VERIFICATION.
CAN
TUITION FEES FOR THE COURSES IS $800 PER ANNUM AND STUDENTS APPLY FOR INTEREST-FREE LOAN AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS.
THE
THE
COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THEIR NAMES ENTERED IN OFFICIAL REGISTER OF TEACHERS UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
COURSE, A +NEITHER
EMPLOYMENT TO
THE GOVERNMENT NOR THE COLLEGE CAN GUARANTEE ANY GRADUATE,+ HE ADDED.
PERMIT REQUIRED FOR IMPORTING DOGS, CATS X * * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES °^RTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED VISITORS THAT THEY SHOULD OBTAIN A ^RMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE BRINGING DOGS OR CATS INTO HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE HAD RECENTLY BEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS ILLEGALLY IMPORTED FROM CHINA.
+IN 1984, TEN PEOPLE INVOLVED aERE PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED, BUT THIS YEAR ALONE PROSECUTION ACTION PEOPLE ALREADY.
IN SUCH ILLEGAL PRACTICES IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF HAS BEEN TAKEN AGAINST TEN
+THIS DRASTIC RISE IM THE NUMBER OF SUCH OFFENCES HAS CAUSED THE DEPARTMENT GRAVE CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WITH MORE AND MORE PEOPLE VISITING CHINA NOWADAYS,+ HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESi • 'E 25, 1985
- 10
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ILLEGALLY IMPORTED DOGS AND CATS POSED A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AS THESE ANIMALS MAY BE POTENTIAL CARRIERS OF RABIES.
+ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO CASE OF RABIES IN HONG KONG DURING THE PAST NINE MONTHS, STRINGENT MEASURES TO PREVENT THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE DISEASE INTO HONG KONG ARE STILL IN FORCE.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BEFORE THE IMPORTING OF DOGS AND CATS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES A PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT WAS REQUIRED AND THE ANIMALS HAVE TO EE SUBJECTED TO QUARANTINE OF SIX MONTHS.
HE WARNED THAT VIOLATION OF THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE COULD RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS.
------0-------
AMBULANCE CREW PRAISED * * *
AMBULANCE CREW OF THE RENNIES MILL FIRE STATION WAS PRAISED TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR THE SERVICE THEY HAD PROVIDED DURING THE PAST 14 MONTHS TO RESIDENTS OF THE REMOTE AREA IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TO SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION, A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT, MR WONG KWOK-YEE, PRESENTED A BANNER TO THE AMBULANCE SUPERINTENDENT OF KOWLOON DIVISION, MR HO WAI-MING, ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS.
MR WONG SAID THE SERVICE WAS INVALUABLE TO PATIENTS IN AN AREA LIKE RENNIES MILL, WHICH WAS INACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE AMBULANCE CREW HAD RESPONDED TO AN AVERAGE OF 1.22 CALLS DAILY DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF A PILOT SCHEME WHICH STARTED IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO IMPROVE SUCH SERVICES.
THE CREW HAD TO USE A TROLLEY TO CONVEY PATIENTS TO THE ROAD LEVEL WHERE AN AMBULANCE TOOK THEM TO HOSPITAL.
--------0 - - - -
11
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
FUTURE PLANS FOR SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION X X X X
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION, MR WONG LUEN-KIN WILL ANNOUNCE FUTURE PLANS FOR 1985-86 AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE VICE-CHAIRWOMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MISS RUTH
ALSO PRESENT A REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DANCING IN THE DISTRICT.
THE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED IN MID-1982 WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN SHA TIN.
IT HAD ORGANISED NUMEROUS PROJECTS INCLUDING A DANCE CAMP, DRAMA COMPETITIONS, CANTONESE OPERA AND SONG CONTESTS.
EFFORTS WERE ALSO MADE TO RECRUIT MEMBERS TO VARIOUS ARTS GROUPS FORMED BY THE ASSOCIATION UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DISTRICT BOAR? SUCH AS THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHILDREN’S CHOIR, THE SHA TIN MODERN DANCE TROUPE AND THE SHA TIN CHINESE ORCHESTRA.
-------0 ---------
MODERN SPORTS GROUND FOR CHEUNG SHA *AN ft ft ft ft
WORK ON THE SECOND STAGE OF THE IS EXPECTED TO BEG I . IN SEPTEMBER.
CHEUNG SHA WAN SPORTS GROwi .0
IT nILL PROVIDE STANDARD ALL-WEATHER TRIPLE JUMP PIT AND
h TURFED SOCCER PITCH, AN EIGHT-LANE OLYMPIC ATHLEtIc TRACK, SHOT PUT BASE, LONG JUMP Ar.u SPECTATOR STAND FOR 1 503 PEOPLE.
OTHER FACILITIES «ILL INCLUDE TOILETS, GARDEN AND A CAR PARK.
CHANGING ROOMS, A «E3T
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS Fv THE CONTRACT.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCT I. CF A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AT SAI ON LANE IN ..ESTERN.
THIS PROJECT COVEPS LOUT E8S SQUARE METRES. FACILITIES i. BE PROVIDED INCLUDE PLAY EQUIPMENT AND BENCHES.
aORK ON THIS PLAYS?OUkD IS TO START IN AUGUST AND IS EXPECTcJ TO BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
-----0------
/12........
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
12
FOOTBRIDGE FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN * * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE AND OTHER RELATED WORKS.
THE PLANNED FOOTBRIDGE WILL SPAN ACROSS A NULLAH IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD. THERE WILL ALSO BE CONNECTING COVERED WALKWAYS.
THREE BUS BAYS IN THE AREA, TOGETHER WITH FOOTWAYS CONNECTING THE BUS BAYS TO THE FOOTBRIDGE RAMPS AND STAIRS, WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
WORK ON THIS CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
0 - -
LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED X X X X
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD WILL CONSIDER THREE APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENCES AT ITS MONTHLY MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE MEETING WILL BE PRESIDED OVER BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PETER C.K. CHAN.
THE PACIFIC LOUNGE AT TAK SHING STREET AND WAH DO BAR AND NIGHTCLUB AT NATHAN ROAD IN KOWLOON ARE APPLYING FOR THE RENEWAL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE LIQUOR LICENCES, WHILE KA WO RECREATIONAL AND GENERAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED AT JAFFE ROAD, WAN CHAI, IS APPLYING FOR THE ISSUE OF A NEW LIQUOR LICENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL START AT 9.30 A.M. TOMORROW.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
13
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAU KEI WAN * * * *
NAM ON STREET, BETWEEN THE EXIT OF THE SHAU KEI WAN BUS TERMINUS AND NAM ON LANE, ALONG WITH THE SECTION OF ALDRICH STREET BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND SHAU KEI aAN ROAD, WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARwAYi FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY FRON 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 28).
NO MOTOR VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD WITHIN THESE ROAD SECTIONS.
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS wILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE:
* NAM ON STREET BETWEEN ALDRICH STREET AND NAM ON LANE WILL BE REOPENED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORK, WHILE THE TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING FACTORY STREET AND NAM ON LANE NORTH OF NAM ON STREET WILL BE CLOSED.
* THE NEW SECTION OF ALDRICH STREET BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC. VEHICLES ON FACTORY STREET MAY USE THE NEW ROAD TO PROCEED TO SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, CHAI WAN ROAD OR SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST. TRAFFIC ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD MAY TRAVEL VIA THE NEW ROAD TO NAM ON STREET AND KAM WAH STREET.
* ALL VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES ON CHAI wAN ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST. THOSE VEHICLES HEADING FOR SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ALDRICH STREET AND KAM WAH STREET.
* VEHICLES ON FACTORY STREET WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO ALDRICH STREET NORTHBOUND FOR ABOUT A MONTH TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
------o-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT * * *
TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR HO KAR YUEN HAS BEEN REDUCED TO SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
0 -------
/14 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1985
14
FRESH, SALT WATER OFF * * * *
FRESH WATER AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO wILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 27) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF KWONG FUK ROAD (KOWLOON BOUND), INCLUDING TAI PO MARKET, KAM SHAN TSUEN, SHEK KwU LUNG, PUN CHUNG, MA WO AND LAI CHI SHAN.
------o-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
K # K
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 56.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 332.789 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 454.669 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 77.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------o-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
..... ......CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
PUBLIC VIEWS CAREFULLY-CONSIDERED.- GOVERNOR.............. 1
CLEAR IDENTITY SOUGHT FOR HONG KONG....................... 1
PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE CONCEPT FAR REMOVED .............. 3
'FUTURE COUNCILLORS MUST KNOW WHERE THEY STAND1 .......... 6
NO FURTHER REASON FOR DEFERRING THIRD READING............. 7
CLAUSE 14(2) POSTULATION BASED ON UNFOUNDED MISGIVINGS ... 10
BILL PASSED IN GOOD CONSCIENCE........................... 14
MARIA TAM MOVES AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 24................... 15
PEOPLE NOT DEPRIVED OF FREEDOM........................... 17
+LAWFULLY+ INSERTED IN CLAUSES .......................... 18
AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE. 14(2) DETAILED .................... 19
AMENDMENTS TO TWO CLAUSES MOVED ......................... 20
REGIONAL COUNCIL DETAILS SET OUT IN.BILL ................ 20
DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL AREAS PROPOSED ................... 23
STATUTORY POWERS SOUGHT FOR CUSTOMS POST ................ 25
TIME RIGHT FOR NOTES BILL................................ 25
'OUTDATED ORDINANCE SHOULD BE REPEALED' ................. 27
UPDATING CF NOTES ORDINANCE URGED ....................... 28
'REPEAL OF FOREIGN NOTES BILL TIMELY' ................... 30
REQUIREMENTS ON BANKS UNDER REVIEW....................... 30
STEPS BEING TAKEN AGAINST PROTECTIONISM.................. 31
ASSISTANCE SCHEME AT ADVANCED PLANNING STAGE ............ 33
/RIVER WATER .....
RIVER WATER REGULARLY MONITORED ............................. 34
TAX WRITTEN OFF.............................................. 35
CONTROL OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS STUDIED.................... 36
TWO BANK BILLS GET SECOND READINGS .......................... 36
' FOUR-BILLS PASSED......................................... 38
FIRST MEETING DATE SET ....................................... 39
FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES MTRC EQUITY INJECTION ............... 39
HONORARIA FOR PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL LUMBERS.............. 40
SWING SCHEME FOR U.S. MARKET ANNOUNCED.......................... 41
5 195 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ............................... 42
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY ................................. 43
LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD TURNS DOWN APPLICATION .................. 46
GOOD RESPONSE IN SALES OF HOS FLATS............................. 46
TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATE INTEREST RATE DOWN ..................... 47
DATE SET OF SECOND YOUTH CONFERENCE............................. 49
DB MEMBERS VISIT PRISONS...................................... 49
BOARD TO DISCUSS TRANSFER OF FACILITIES ........................ 50
BUTE STREET REROUTING .............................. 50
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
1
PUBLIC VIEWS CAREFULLY * * *
CONSIDERED - GOVERNOR *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS
CONSCIENTIOUSLY ANSWERED,
REPRESENTATIONS MADE OVER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL iruwtro AND PRIVILEGES) BILL HAD BEEN VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND VERY CONSCIENTIOUSLY ANSWERED, TO GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR EDWARD SAID THE DEBATE ON THE BILL HAD BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT ONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, A LARGE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIONS HAD BEEN MADE IN RELATION TO THIS BILL,* HE SAID.
+ l HOPE THAT THE SAME WIDE PUBLICITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SPEECHES WHICH WERE MADE THIS AFTERNOON AS WAS GIVEN TO THOSE REPRESENTATIONS BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL THEN BE CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THE REPRESENTATIONS WERE VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND V_RY CONSCIENTIOUSLY ANSWERED.
+AND IN MISS TAM AND TO ALL THOSE
CONCLUSION, I WOULD LIKE JUST TO PAY A TRIBUTE TO FOR ALL THE WORK THEY DID ON THE BILL AND CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS ON IT,* HE SAID.
HER TEAM WHO MADE
-----o------
CLEAR IDENTITY SOUGHT FOR HONG KONG
******
THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL IS TO ESTABLISH A CLEAR IDENTITY FOR HONG KONG AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, AND TO HAVE THAT IDENTITY FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN OUR OWN STATUTE LAW, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
SUPPORTING THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL, SIR DAVID SAID THIS IDENTITY SHOULD NOT BE DIFFUSED IN VARIOUS ORDERS AND ORDINANCES AND THE CASE LAW, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES FOLLOWED BY A PARLIAMENT THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
+WE NEED TO HAVE OUR OWN LAW, HERE, IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
+THE LEGISLATION IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL MEASURES DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH THIS IDENTITY; THIS HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY
AS IT HAS BEEN CALLED IN ANOTHER CONTEXT.*
/THESE MEhSUBES.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
2
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED THE ALTERNATIVE FORM OF OATH ENDORSED EARLIER BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AMENDMENTS TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO ENABLE ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE; LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF ELECTION? ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE ENLARGED AND PARTLY ELcCTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL? AND ARRANGEMENTS TO RECOMPENSE MEMBERS FOR THE LONG HOURS THEY DEVOTE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE, HE SAID.
+THERE IS NO HIDDEN AGENDA, NO CONCEALED MOTIVE, THIS LEGISLATION TODAY IS LINKED IN AN ORGANIC WAY TO THE OTHER MEASURES I HAVE DESCRIBED,+ HE SAID.
THE BILL WOULD SET OUT FOR MEMBERS, IN THEIR NEW, INDEPENDENI COUNCIL CHAMBER, A FRAMEWORK OF LAW DESCRIBING THEIR RIGHTS AND DEFINING THEIR OBLIGATIONS IN THE EXERCISE OF THOSE RIGHTS, HE
SAID(.
I+IT IS THE VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND MEMBERS HAVE ENDORSED THIS VIEW, THAT THE NEW COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE THIS STATEMENT AVAILABLE TO GUIDE IT WHEN IT STARTS WORK.
,+TODAY’S COUNCIL HAS GROWN AND DEVELOPED FROM THE LAWS AND PRACTICES OF THE PAST: TOMORROW’S COUNCIL CALLS FOR A CLEARER AND MORE DEFINED IDENTITY.
+FOR LAST YEAR’S WORDS BELONG TO LAST YEAR’S LANGUAGE. AND NEXT YEAR’S WORDS AWAIT ANOTHER VOICE.
+IF SUBSEQUENTLY THE COUNCIL DECIDES OR THERE IS LEGITIMATE CALL FOR AMENDMENT OR ADDITION TO THIS LAW THIS CAN BE DEBATED BY THE COUNCIL.+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO SPECIFIC DETAILS, SIR DAVID CONFIRMED THAT LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES OF WITNESSES WHEN THEY ATTEND SELECT COMMITTEES WOULD BE ADMITTED.
AS FOR PROCEDURES TO BE ADOPTED BY SELECT COMMITTEES, HE SAID THEY GENERALLY COULD NOT LOOK INTO PRIVATE AFFAIRS AND THAT THE PRIVATE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WERE PROTECTED BY CLAUSES ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE BILL.
+FINALLY THE JURISDICTION OF A SELECT COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL IS DEFINED BY ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE WHICH IN TURN ARE STAMPED WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE ITSELF,+ HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT FEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN RECENT YEARS HAVE HAD THE DETAILED SCRUTINY AND THE BENEFIT OF SO MUCH USEFUL COMMENT AND ADVICE.
/he paid ......
WEE JUNE 26, 1985
HE PAID TRIBUTE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE PATIENT, RESPONSIBLE AND TIRELESS MANNER IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD DISCHARGED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE BILL.
♦ THEY HAVE NOT LOST SIGHT OF THE VITAL OBJECTIVE WHICH IS TO CREATE A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE LEGISLATURE, CAPABLE OF TAKING ITS PLACE IN THE CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG WE ARE ALL SEEKING TO CREATE.
♦ THEY HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO NUMEROUS REPRESENTATIONS FROM MANY QUARTERS.
♦ WHERE THESE SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH THE AIM CF CREATING AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATURE THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT THEY SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
♦ BUT WHERE THESE REPRESENTATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN CONSISTENT WITH THIS AIM THEY HAVE EXPLAINED THEIR REASONS FOR NOT SUPPORTING THEM.+
SIR DAVID ALSO STRESSED THAT THE BILL WAS A GOVERNMENT BILL.
♦ IT wAS A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL THAT WAS PUT TO THIS COUNCIL.
♦ THERE HAS BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO TAKE SHELTER BEHIND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND TO SHUFFLE OFF RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT, OR TO HIDE, AS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, BEHIND THE SKIRTS OF MISS TAM.
♦ TO THAT EXTENT THIS BILL IS A SCARED RESPONSIBILITY.
♦ BUT THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL IS A MATTER FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ONCE IT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL IT WAS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE UP ITS MIND aBOUT IT,+ HE SAID.
--------0 ----------
PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE CONCEPT FAR REMOVED ******
THE AD HOC GROUP OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS SET UP TO STUDY THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL QUICKLY REALISED THAT THE CONCEPT CF PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE WAS FAR REMOVED FROM THE ORDINARY LIFE OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, THE HON MARIA TAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MISS TAM, SPEAKING DURING THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL, SAID THE GROUP HaD AIMED AT RETAINING IN IT WHAT WAS IN FACT NECESSARY FOR THE COUNCIL TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY, AND CAST ASIDE WHAT WAS INHERENTLY UNNECESSARY.
/+THL bill........
WEDNBSi.. , OUS 26, 1985
+THE BILL NOW BEFORE COUNCIL HAS BEEN FURTHER TRIMMED DOWN TO REFLECT THIS PRACTICAL APPROACH,* SHE SAID.
-•■INDEED, wE HAVE RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS ON CLAUSES THREE, FOUR, EIGHT, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 AND 24 OF THE ORIGINAL BILL AND WE HAVE ASKED FOR AMENDMENT TO ALL EXCEPT CLAUSES 3 AND 4 OF THE ORIGINAL BILL,+ SHE ADDED.
CONSIDERING THAT THE POWERS OF THE COUNCIL IN THIS BILL WERE NOw SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW IF REQUIRED AND TRIMMED DOWN IN THE WAY THAT SHE HAD DESCRIBED, MISS TAM SAID IT WAS ACTUALLY SAFE TO GO AHEAD WITH THE THIRD READING NOW, INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE NEXT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+THERE IS NO BETTER EVIDENCE THAT WE DO RESPOND TO PUBLIC OPINION BY INTRODUCING THE ABOVE MENTIONED AMENDMENTS,+ SHE SAID.
+1 TRUST IT IS NOT THE PUBLIC WISH THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MUST RESPOND TO PUBLICISED PRESSURE,* SHE ADDED.
MISS TAM SAID SINCE THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL THE AD HOC GROUP HAD RECEIVED FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS.
SOME HAD MADE SUGGESTIONS OF AMENDMENTS, AND SOME HAD ASKED FOR A DEFERMENT UNTIL ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAD EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON IT, OR UNTIL THERE WERE ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT SESSION.
THE AD HOC GROUP WENT THROUGH ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS AND CONSIDERED EVERY POINT RAISED BY THEM, SHE SAID.
+MY COLLEAGUES SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE HAVE DEALT wITH CLAUSES ON WHICH WE ARE ASKING FOR AMENDMENTS.
+FOR THE CLAUSES WHICH WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR AMENDMENTS, THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ANSWER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN US THEIR HELPFUL COMMENTS.*
CLAUSES FALLING INTO THE LATTER CATEGORY WERE:
CLAUSES 3 AND 4: THE CRITICISM WAS THAT THESE TWO CLAUSES OVERLAPPED AND THERE SHOULD BE SANCTIONS AGAINST ANY MEMBER WHO ABUSED HIS OR HER POSITION BY MAKING DEFAMATORY COMMENTS IN COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE. AFTER CONSIDERING THESE CRITICISMS, THE GROUP WAS SATISFIED THAT CLAUSE THREE STATED THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT THERE SHALL BE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL? AND CLAUSE FOUR GAVE IMMUNITY FROM LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER WHO HAD MADE WRITTEN REPORTS OR PETITIONS, BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, MOTIONS ETC. TO THE COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE AND THERE WAS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TwO.
/CLAUSE 7(2): ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 198$
CLAUSE 7(2)s IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE PRESIDENT’S POWER UNDER THIS CLAUSE WAS TOO WIDE BECAUSE WITHOUT HIS GIVING SPECIAL LEAVE NO PERSON COULD GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT IN RESPECT OF THE CONTENTS OF THE MINUTES OR RECORDS OF EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE. IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ELECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND HE SHOULD BE TRUSTED TO EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION TO GRANT SUCH SPECIAL LEAVE ACCORDING TO THE PRACTICE OF THE COUNCIL UNDER CLAUSE 7(1). IN ANY EVENT HIS ACTS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SCRUTINY OF HIS MEMBERS SO THAT HE WOULD USE HIS DISCRETION REASONABLY AND JUDICIOUSLY. HENCE NO AMENDMENT WAS PROPOSED.
CLAUSE 15: THERE WERE QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT WAS THE +USAGE AND PRACTICE* OF THE COUNCIL AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLAUSE 23 AND THE WORDS + ANY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL*. THE USAGE AND PRACTICE OF THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN ILLUSTRATED BY THE HON ANDREW SO ON MAY 12 THIS YEAR. AS TO THE LATTER POINT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD DEAL WITH IT IN HIS REPLY AT THIRD READING AND SHE WOULD NOT REPEAT IT HERE.
CLAUSE 24: THERE HAD BEEN QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER THE OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE +UNTRAINED OF POLICE DUTIES AND POWERS* AND THEY MAY ABUSE THEIR POWER. SHE TRUSTED THE ANSWER TO THAT MUST BE THAT THE OFFICERS MUST BE TRAINED TO UNDERSTAND THE LIMIT OF THEIR POWER UNDER THE BILL AND WOULD CARRY OUT THEIR DUTY UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE PRESIDENT.
MISS TAM SAID THERE HAD BEEN A DEMAND FOR DEFERMENT BECAUSE THERE MAY STILL BE THE NEED OF FURTHER AMENDMENT.
+FIRSTLY I TRUST IT IS COMMONLY APPRECIATED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS THE POWER TO AMEND OR REPEAL ANY LAW THAT IS IN EXISTENCE IN NOVEMBER , 1985, AND CAN INDEED EXPAND CR NARROW DOWN THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES OF THIS COUNCIL AS THE MEMBERS SEE FIT,* SHE SAID.
SUFFICE TO SAY THAT, WITH THE VERY SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS MADE TO CLAUSE 23 OF THE BILL WHICH NOW SUBJECTED THE COUNCIL, THE COMMITTEE AND THE PRESIDENT’S l*OWER TO JUDICIAL REVIEW, THE AMENDED BILL RETAINED ONLY THE MINIMUM POWERS NEEDED FOR THE COUNCIL TO REGULATE ITS HOUSE MANAGEMENT AND TO EXTEND THE ROLE OF THE SELECT COMMITTEES FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC HAD EXPRESStD THEIR SUPPORT.
+IF THE PILL BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY SHOULD NEED ANY AMENDMENTS IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, NO' DOUBT THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS CAN AMEND THIS BILL AS THEY SEE FIT,* MISS TAM SAID.
I
/she said .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1?85
6
SHE SAID THERE HAD BEEN MANY QUERIES AS TO HOw THE PRESIDENT MAY EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, AND WHETHER IT WAS OPEN FOR HIM TO ABUSE THE POWERS CONFERRED UPON HIM BY THE BILL.
+TO ANSWER THESE QUERIES I BELIEVE WE NEED ONLY LOOK AT THE REAL SITUATION.
+YOUR EXCELLENCY IS THE PRESIDENT OF THIS COUNCIL EXERCISING THE POWERS VESTED IN YOU BY THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT AS THE GOVERNOR.+
BY NOVEMBER, 1985, 24 ELECTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WOULD JOIN THE COUNCIL.
+THE AFFAIRS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER YOUR PRESIDENCY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ELECTED AND APPOINTED MEMBERS AND IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT THERE CAN BE ANY ABUSE OF POWER.
+IN THE MEANTIME, THE SELECT COMMITTEE WILL FUNCTION UNDER THIS NEW ORDINANCE UNDER YOUR PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL.
+IF WE SHOULD THEN LOOK A FEW YEARS FORWARD WHEN A PRESIDENT WILL BE ELECTED BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, THE MEMBERS ELECTED OR APPOINTED WILL HAVE A STRONG INFLUENCE OVER THE PRESIDENT WHO MUST ACT IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER.
+AGAIN, THERE SHOULD BE VERY LITTLE DANGER OF ABUSE OF POWER BY THE PRES I DE NT.+
-----0------
’FUTURE COUNCILLORS MUST KNOW WHERE THEY STAND’
* * * *
WITH A NEW-STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMING INTO EXISTENCE IN OCTOBER THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES OF COUNCILLORS SHOULD BE SET OUT CLEARLY SO THAT MEMBERS KNEW EXACTLY WHERE THEY STOOD.
SPEAKING DURING THE THIRD READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, THE HON S.L. CHEN ALSO SAID THE BILL WOULD SERVE AS A REFERENCE POINT FOR THE NEW LEGISLATURE.
+FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW, I BELIEVE THAT THE PRESENT BILL WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS INCORPORATED IS BOTH SATISFACTORY AND ADEQUATE,* HE SAID.
SHOULD CHANGES OR IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS PROVISIONS BE REQUIRED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE, THE BILL COULD ALWAYS BE FURTHER AMENDED IN FUTURE.
/the laws .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNS 26, 19^5
7
THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WERE NOT STATIC; THEY WERE UPDATED OR AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.
md rucM CAin IT HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE STANDING ORDERSROFHTHE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE REVIEWED BEFORE THE BILL WAS PASSED.
+l WISH TO POINT OUT THAT STANDING ORDERS ARE AT PRESENT UNDER RE?IeSJBUT I DO NOT SEE THE NEED TO DEFER THE BILL TO AwAIT THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW.+
FURTHERMORE, THE STANDING ORDERS COULD ALWAYS BE CHANGED IF IT PROVED TO BE NECESSARY.
HE SAID DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, HONG KONG SHOULD LEARN TO STAND ON ITS OWN TWO FEET AND MANAGE ITS OWN AFFAIRS.
+l FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE BILL IS A RIGHT STEP IN THAT DIRECTION,+ HE ADDED.
EARLIER MR CHEN SAID HE WISHED TO REITERATE THAT HE SUPPORTED THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE AND SPIRIT OF THE BILL.
♦HAVING EXAMINED THE COMMENTS AND VIEWS OF THE LEGAL AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS AND HEARD THE ANSWERS TO THEM IN THIS DEBATE I AM SATISFIED THAT THE AMENDMENTS TABLED TODAY HAVE MET THEIR CRITICISMS,+ HE SAID.
+ | AM THEREFORE CONVINCED THAT T^RE ARE NO COMPELLING GROUNDS FOR DEFERRING THE BILL FOR A FEW WEEKS, AND EVEN LESS FOR DEFERRING IT UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.+
-----o------
NO FURTHER REASON FOR DEFERRING THIRD READING *****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY, STUDIED CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND ANALYSED THOROUGHLY AND HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER REASON FOR DEFERRING THE THIRD READING OF THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL.
THIS WAS THE VIEW OF THE HON ALLEN LEE WHEN HE SPOKE DURING THE BILL’S FINAL READING IN THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEE SAID THERE WERE TWO POINTS WHICH THE PUBLIC OUGHT TO KNOW CLEARLY.
/FIRST, HE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
8
FIRST, HE WAS INVOLVED IN RECEIVING A REPRESENTATION ON HUMAN FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS ON CLAUSE EIGHT WHICH CONCERNS THE REGULATION OF ADMITTANCE TO PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER.
*IT SEEMS THAT THE PEOPLE MAKING THE REPRESENTATION HAD A MISCONCEPTION THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WANTS TO IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS TO LIMIT THE ENTRANCE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER WHICH WOULD BE AN INFRINGEMENT OF HUMAN FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS,+ HE SAID.
+ l IMMEDIATELY RECALLED WHAT THE UMELCO DELEGATION WENT THROUGH LAST MAY IN ENTERING PARLIAMENT IN LONDON.+
FIRSTLY, THEY HAD TO APPLY FOR ENTRANCE AND UPON OBTAINING A TICKET HAD TO GO THROUGH SECURITY CHECKS.
+WE COULD NOT TAKE ANY NOTES DURING THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT CLOSEST TO OUR HEARTS - THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
+THESE ARE THE HOUSE RULES THAT ONE MUST OBEY IF ONE WISHES TO ATTEND THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM PARLIAMENT,* MR LEE SA ID.
+IN MY OPINION, CLAUSE EIGHT IS MERELY HOUSE RULES.
+ l ASKED THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE REPRESENTATION IF IT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THEM IF WE IMPLEMENTED THE RULES OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
+ l WAS MET WITH SILENCE.*
IN ADDITION, PEOPLE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION WERE CONCERNED ABOUT CLAUSE 8(3) THAT THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, AS PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, WERE FAR TOO WIDE IN SCOPE FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER, ENSURING THE PROPER BEHAVIOUR AND DECORUM OF PERSONS THEREIN AND FOR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES.
+WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION, I INVITE THEM TO STUDY THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL AND THE LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, IN PARTICULAR WITH REGARD TO HIS POWER,* MR LEE SAID.
+SIR, IF YOU SHOULD EVER WISH TO EXERCISE THESE IN FULL WHICH YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD BE A DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENT.
+THEREFORE, THERE IS NO NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO CLAUSE 8(3) AND I AM SURE DISCRETION WILL BE USED IN ANY EVENT.*
SECOND, MR LEE REFERRED TO A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE AND SAID HE WAS SHOCKED TO READ THAT A WELL-KNOWN MEMBER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAD SENT A TELEX MESSAGE TO LONDON ASKING FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE.
/IT WAS ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
IT WAS REPORTED THAT IT WAS SENT WITH THE BACKING AND SUPPORT CF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
ON THE SAME DATE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY ISSUED A SEPARATE STATEMENT MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THEY WERE NOT LOOKING TO LONDON FOR SUPPORT, BUT THEY WERE HAPPY TO CONSIDER ALL HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FROM MPS OR ANYONE ELSE.
HOWEVER, THEY BOTH FELT THAT THE ISSUE WAS ONE WHICH COULD BE PERFECTLY ADEQUATELY DEALT WITH IN HONG KONG AND HONG KONG MUST LEARN TO STAND ON ITS OWN FEET.
+THE PRESS REPORT AND THE STATEMENT SEEM TO ME TO BE AMBIGUOUS,+ MR LEE SAID.
+NEVERTHELESS, THE POINT I WISH TO MAKE IS THAT THE LEGAL PROFESSION IS THE VERY PROFESSION THAT, DURING THE 1997 CRISIS CF THE PAST FEW YEARS, MADE IT CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY OF HONG KONG MUST BE MAINTAINED AND THE LAW-MAKING PROCESS MUST BE WITHIN HONG KONG WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM BEIJING.
+NOW, A MESSAGE WAS SENT TO LONDON TO ASK THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE.
+1 HOPE THIS MESSAGE WAS ONLY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OF THIS PROFESS ION.
+OTHERWISE, IT IS A SAD DAY FOR HONG KONG THAT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS PROFESSION, WHICH STANDS TALL IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHICH IS THE VERY CORNERSTONE OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM, WOULD NOW BE ROCKING THE BOAT.
+MAY I COMPLIMENT AND AGREE WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY ON THEIR STATEMENT THAT THE ISSUE IS ONE THAT CAN BE PERFECTLY ADEQUATELY DEALT WITH IN HONG KONG AND IN ANY EVENT HONG KONG HAS TO LEARN TO STAND ON ITS OWN FEET?
+THE LEGISLATURE OF HONG KONG THIS AFTERNOON IS STANDING ON ITS OWN FEET.
♦FINALLY, MAY I REITERATE THAT WE HAVE LISTENED AND LISTENED CAREFULLY, WE HAVE STUDIED AND STUDIED CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND WE HAVE ANALYSED AND ANALYSED THOROUGHLY AND NOW WE ARE MAKING A DECISION THIS AFTERNOON ON THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL?
+1 AM SURE THAT WE WILL ALL LEARN FROM THIS EXPERIENCE.
+1 HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IN SUPPORTING THIS BILL BECAUSE THERE IS NO SINISTER MOTIVE WHICH WAS WRONGLY IMPLIED IN SOME CF THE STATEMENTS MADE BY INDIVIDUALS AND PUBLISHED BY THE PRESS,+ MR LEE SAID.
-----o------
/10 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
10 -
CLAUSE 14(2) POSTULATION BASED ON UNFOUNDED MISGIVINGS *****
THE POSTULATION THAT CLAUSE 14(2) OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POwERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL COULD BE USED TO USHER IN COMPLETE SUBORDINATION OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE EXECUTIVE IS BASED ON UNFOUNDED MISGIVINGS AND ERRONEOUS ASSUMPTIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG AT THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP HAD EXAMINED WITH GREAT CARE THE ARGUMENTS GIVING RISE TO THE CALL FROM THE LEADERS OF THE LEGAL FRATERNITY TO DROP THIS CLAUSE.
+OUR UNANIMOUS CONCLUSION IS THAT WHILST SUCH POSTULATION MAY PROVIDE SOME INTERESTING FOOD FOR THOUGHT, THE CONCLUSIONS SEEM TO HAVE BEEN BASED ON FALSE PREMISES.
+IN THE EMOTIVE SPIRIT UNDER WHICH THIS BILL HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE PAST MONTH, WE FEEL DUTY BOUND FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF HONG KONG, TO TRY OUR BEST TO EXPLAIN FIRST HOW WE PERCEIVE THE INTENTION OF THIS CLAUSE AND SECONDLY TO SOUND A NOTE OF CAUTION AGAINST THE BLIND ACCEPTANCE OF UNFOUNDED MISGIVINGS AND ERRONEOUS ASSUMPTIONS AS GROUNDS FOR REFLECTING THE CLAUSE,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CLAUSE 14(2) WAS INDEED IN A FORMAT THAT HAD BEEN USED TRADITIONALLY IN TERRITORIES WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFENCE AND FOREIGN POLICY LAY WITH THE SOVEREIGN STATE.
+THE AIM IS TO SPELL OUT CLEARLY TO LEGCO MEMBERS WHERE THE LIMIT LIES IN EXERCISING THEIR FUTURE DUTIES.
+LEGCO MEMBERS CANNOT UNILATERALLY COMMAND ACCESS TO FILES CONTAINING WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE FORM OF MINUTES, MEMORANDA, AND LETTERS) ON THE ARMED FORCES, ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG OR ON THOSE SUCH AS FOREIGN POLICY THAT FALL DIRECTLY UNDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HMG AS REGARDS HONG KONG UP TO 1997 AND AFTER 1997 THE DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE PRC FOR THE YEARS BEYOND,+ HE SAID.
IT MUST ALSO BE EMPHASISED THAT THE DOMINANT WORD IS +CORRESPONDENCE+, WHICH MUST BE TREATED IN A MORE CAUTIOUS WAY THAN EVIDENCE, ORAL OR DOCUMENTARY, HE ADDED.
STRESSING THAT THE INTENTION OF THE BILL WAS TO LIMIT THE GOVERNOR’S POWER OF NEGATIVE INTERVENTION UNDER CLAUSE 14(2) TO THE PROTECTION OF FILES RELATING TO DEFENCE, SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY ONLY, MR CHEONG SAID IT WOULD BE GROSSLY UNFAIR AND WRONG TO POSTULATE THAT CLAUSE 14(2) COULD BE USED TO USHER IN COMPLETE SUBORDINATION OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE EXECUTIVE.
/♦SUCH A........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
♦SUCH A POSTULATION IS IN OUR VIEw BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE EITHER NOW OR IN FUTURE WOULD NECESSARILY EE AN AUTHORITARIAN CREATURE AND THAT HE OR SHE WOULD CRAVE FOR A SUBORDINATED LEGISLATURE.
+wE BELIEVE IT WAS FURTHER PRESUMED THAT THE FUTURE ELECTED LEGISLATURE WILL BE QUITE CONTENT TO BE SUBJECTED TO SUCH SUBORDINATION.
+BOTH ASSUMPTIONS, THOUGH UNDERSTANDABLY INTELLECTUALLY, WOULD IN PRACTICE NOT HOLD TRUE IN HONG KONG ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT BOTH CHINA AND BRITAIN HAVE DISPLAYED TREMENDOUS EFFORTS AND SINCERITY IN REACHING AN AGREEMENT TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY,* HE SAID.
+OF COURSE ONE IS ENTITLED TO DOUBT, MAY BE EVEN FOREVER, BRITAIN’S AND CHINA’S TRUE INTENTIONS TOWARDS HONG KONG, YET IF ONE IS REALLY SO SCEPTICAL OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ABOUT HONG KONG THEN NO AMENDMENT OR DELETION OF ANY CLAUSE CAN SATISFY THAT INHERENT STUBBORN DISTRUST,* HE ADDED.
THE ESSENCE OF THE CLAUSE, HE OBSERVED, WAS MEANT TO DEAL WITH SPECIFIC MATTERS SUCH AS DEFENCE, SECURITY OR FOREIGN POLICIES WHICH WERE OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF HONG KONG.
+THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE AND WILL ALWAYS BE SO.
+OF COURSE THE POWERS OF LEGCO ARE LIMITED, BUT THE RESTRICTIVE EFFECT OF THIS CLAUSE BITES INTO A VERY RESTRICTED AREA,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE VALIDITY OF THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD BY THESE PROPHETS OF DOOM NECESSITATED A BIG JUMP FROM A PRESUPPOSITION HAVING A VERY NARROW PERSPECTIVE TO A WIDE SWEEPING CONCLUSION BASED ON A GROUNDLESS PREMISE.
+IT SUPPOSES THAT THE FUTURE LEGCO WILL SUCCUMB TO THE AUTHORITARIAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SAR WHO, ACCORDING TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, WILL BE APPOINTED BY CHINA AFTER 1997.
+IN SHORT, THE NARROW CONTEXT OF THE BILL IS TAKEN OUT TO BE COMPARED WITH THE MUCH WIDER CONTEXT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
+SUCH ARGUMENT ARE MISLEADING AT BEST, AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD DO WELL TO PONDER ON THE POSTULATIONS RATIONALLY AND SHOULD NOT BE PERSUADED BY DRAMATIC AND SENSATIONAL ARGUMENTS TO ACCEPT QUESTIONABLE LOGIC,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, DESPITE THEIR REJECTING THE VALIDITY OF ARGUMENTS FOR DROPPING CLAUSE 14(2), MR CHEONG SAID IT HAD BEEN THOUGHT AND RECOGNISED THAT THE REAL MEANING OF THE CLAUSE ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO THE PHRASE +THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HMG TO HONG KONG* COULD BE OPEN TO MISCONSTRUCTION.
/accordingly, akjndjots
WEBJESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 12 -
ACCORDINGLY, AMENDMENTS w/ERE MADE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND SUCH AMENDMENTS HOPEFULLY WOULD BE REASSURING, HE ADDED.
WHILE STUDYING IN DEPTH CLAUSE 14(2), MR CHEONG SAID IT HAD BROUGHT HOME TO HIM A FEW HOME TRUTHS ABOUT HONG KONG.
+THE TRUTH IS THAT HONG KONG HAS NEVER EXISTED AS A TOTALLY INDEPENDENT TERRITORY.
+SHE WILL NOT AND CANNOT EXIST IN FUTURE AS A TOTALLY INDEPENDENT TERRITORY.
+WE SURVIVED AND THRIVED UNDER BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY AS A COLONY AND WE AIM TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION,+ HE SAID.
OUR LEGISLATURE, HE CONTINUED, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, ELECTED OR APPOINTED, WAS AND WOULD ALWAYS BE SUBJECT TO SOME LIMITATIONS AND WE COULD NOT DEMAND OR EXPECT TO BE GIVEN POWERS WHICH WERE EQUAL TO THOSE ENJOYED BY INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGN STATES.
HE POINTED OUT WE SHOULD NOT AND COULD NOT FOR EXAMPLE INVESTIGATE INTO AREAS OF DEFENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN POL ICY.
+CLAUSE 14(2) STARKLY REMINDS US OF THIS REALITY AND NO ONE SHOULD HARBOUR ANY ILLUSIONS AS TO THE REASONS FOR OUR EXISTENCE AND THE ROUTE ALONG WHICH WE MUST TRAVEL IN ORDER TO ATTAIN STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN THE FUTURE.
+THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD TO BE BLINDED BY IDEALISTIC ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FULL TRAPPINGS OF A WESTERN-STYLE DEMOCRACY,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE UNOFFICIALS WHO HAD TO FACE CONSTANT DILEMMA DURING THE DELIBERATION OF THIS BILL, MR CHEONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP, ESPECIALLY THE CONVENER, WERE UNDER TREMENDOUS MENTAL PRESSURE FROM ALL SIDES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
+WE EVEN HAD TO DISPEL AN UNFOUNDED THEORY THAT THIS BILL *AS BEING USED AS A POLITICAL WEAPON AGAINST THE CONVENER.
+A SHEER FANTASY I MIGHT ADD BUT NEVERTHELESS A DAMAGING ONE.
+IN SHORT, BATTLE TACTICS OF THE JUMPING ON TO THE BANDWAGONERS APPEARED TO HAVE WORKED WELL INTO PUSHING ALL OF US INTO A CORNER,+ HE SAID.
ELABORATING FURTHER ON THEIR DILEMMA, MR CHEONG SAID: +IF WE SUCCUMB TO DEMANDS WHICH ARE NOT BACKED BY ADEQUATE REASONINGS AND WERE TO DELAY THE THIRD READING UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION, WE WOULD RUN A REAL RISK OF SELLING HONG KONG DOWN THE PATH OF INEFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION WITH PRESSURE GROUPS HAPPILY BLARING OUT THEIR SO-CALLED WISHES OF THE PEOPLE IN EVERY SINGLE ISSUE OF THE DAY.
/+IF WE .......
WSDi.JS^' . JUNE 26, 1985
+ |F WE DID NOT CONCEDE TO THE DEMAND THAT THE THIRD READING BE DEFERRED, WE STAND TO BE ACCUSED BY VOCAL AND WELL ORGANISED CAMPAIGNS OF DISCREDIT.
+FOR SURE WE a ILL BE ACCUSED OF ACTING IRRESPONSIBLY AGAINST THE PROCLAIMED wISHES OF THE PEOPLE.+
HE SAID IT «AS WITH A SOMBRE REALISATION OF THIS DIFFICULT DILEMMA THAT THEY DECIDED THEY HAD TO CAST AWAY ALL THEIR EMOTIONAL HANG UPS LIKE PRIDE, FEARS AND PREJUDICES AND THaT THEY HAD TO LOOK AT ALL NE* REPRESENTATIONS COOLLY AND RATIONALLY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT MEMBERS WERE MORE INFLUENCED BY THE CONTENTS OF THE REPRESENTATIONS AND THAT THEY DID NOT MEASURE THE STRENGTH OF ANY REPRESENTATION BY JUST BEING IMPRESSED WITH THE STRENGTH OF THEIR MEDIA COVERAGE AND THE BRILLIANCE OF THEIR TACTICS IN MOBILISING THE MEDIA.
+WE ALLOWED OURSELVES AMPLE TIME TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIONS FROM ANY ONE IN HONG KONG.
+WE DEBATED COLLECTIVELY AMONGST OURSELVES, SOMETIMES Heatedly, and we knew that the final decision had to be made BY MONDAY, JUNE 24.
+THUS, AMID THE THREAT OF GALE FORCE WINDS, WE MET AND DELIBERATED FOR SOME HOURS BEFORE REACHING A FINAL DECISION,* HE SAID.
MEMBERS BELIEVED FIRMLY THAT THEY HAD ACTED WITH A CLEAN CONSCIENCE AND THAT BY ANY STANDARDS THEY HAD DISCHARGED THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS LEGISLATORS FAIRLY, AND HONORABLY, HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG CONCLUDED: +LEST PEOPLE MAY RUN THE RISK OF CONFLICTING THE DUTIES OF LEGISLATORS, BE THEY APPOINTED OR ELECTED, WITH ACCEPTING EXPEDIENTLY, BLINDLY AND TIMIDLY ALL VOCAL REQUESTS, ALLOW ME TO REPEAT WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A SIMPLE MOTTO ADOPTED I AM SURE BY ALL OF US IN THIS CHAMBER AND THAT IS:
IF AND WHEN LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS ARE FIRST SATISFIED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CONSCIENTIOUS AND DELIGENT IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS AND IN SO DOING, SECONDLY, HAVE FULLY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ALL REPRESENTATIONS WHILST TRYING, THIRDLY, TO TAKE STEPS TO AMEND WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WRONG, THEN THEIR DUTIES AS LEGISLATORS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED HONORABLY.*
-----o------
■vEDNEjAY, JUNE 26, 1935
14
BILL PASSED IN GOOD CONSCIENCE
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNOFFICIALS WERE SATISFIED THAT THEY MIGHT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, PASS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985, THE HON SIR ROGER LOBO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS WINDING-UP DURING THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL AT TODAY’S COUNCIL MEETING.
+AS THE HARD-WORKING CONVENER OF OUR AD HOC GROUP HAS POINTED OUT, THERE IS PROBABLY NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT BILL,* HE SAID.
+BUT MANY HOURS AND DAYS HAVE BEEN SPENT PORING OVER ITS PROVISIONS AND THE HELPFUL REPRESENTATIONS WE HAVE RECEIVED.
+A NUMBER OF USEFUL AND DESIRABLE AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND WE ARE SATISFIED THAT WE MAY NOW, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, PASS THE BILL,* HE SAID.
SIR ROGER POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL ENSHRINED POWERS WHICH COUNCILLORS ADJUDGED NECESSARY FOR THE ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT CONDUCT OF THE COUNCIL.
+BUT IT IS NOT HOLY WRIT AND IF OUR SUCCESSORS IT THEY WILL BE AT LIBERTY TO AMEND OR REPEAL IT AS HE SAID.
DO NOT LIKE THEY SEE FIT,*
AS THE OUT-GOING SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, COULD SPEAK WITH SOME OBJECTIVITY.
SIR ROGER SAID HE
ON THE MOST PERSISTENT CALL FOR THE BILL TO BE DEFERRED, HE HAD HEARD NO ARGUMENTS OF SUBSTANCE FOR THIS STEP.
+THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL ON MAY 15 AND IT IS OUR DUTY - THE DUTY OF THE COUNCIL - TO DEAL WITH IT.
+WE ALSO BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW COUNCIL SHOULD KNOW WHERE IT STANDS AND SHOULD HAVE STATUTORY SUPPORT FOR ITS FUNCTIONS FROM THE OUTSET,* HE SAID.
ON THE COMMENT THAT THE PRESIDENT’S POWERS UNDER THE BILL WERE TOO WIDE AND TOO STRONG, SIR ROGER SAID THEY WERE IN FACT IN MANY RESPECTS MORE CONSTRAINED THAN THOSE THE PRESIDENT HAD HITHERTO ENJOYED UNDER THE EXISTING STANDING ORDERS.
MOREOVER, THE ARGUMENT PRESUMED THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAD NO ROLE TO PLAY.
+THE EXERCISE OF OFFICIAL POWERS WILL ALWAYS BE MONITORED BY THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL.
/+ELECTED MWMHKkS ...••••
WED:. -.Jai, JUNE 26, 1985
+ELECTED MEMBERS WILL BE JOINING IN OCTOBER AND IT WILL THE DUTY OF THIS COUNCIL TO ENSURE THE POWERS PROVIDED UNDER BILL ARE NEVER MISUSED,+ HE SAID.
EE THE
LASTLY SIR ROGER REITERATED THAT UNOFFICIALS HAD CAREFULLY EXAMINED THE BILL IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS THcY HAD RECEIVED - AND THEY WERE UNANIMOUS IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR ITS PROVISIONS.
+IT IS A HONG KONG ISSUE; AN ISSUE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KON
+IT IS OUR AVOWED OBJECTIVE THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD BE LEFT TO MANAGE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS AND IT IS REGRETABLE THAT SOME CR ITICS HAVE CHOSEN TO SEEK OUTSIDE SUPPORT FOR THEIR VIEWS.
+IT IS ALSO DEPLORED THAT OTHERS HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE PERSONAL ATTACKS ON INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNC IL WHO GA IN NOTHING FROM RESISTANCE TO VOCAL AND OFTEN EMOTIONAL SECTORAL INTERESTS AND SEEK ONLY TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES IN GOOD FAITH AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
-----o------
MARIA TAM MOVES AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 24 X X * X X
AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 24 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, WHICH WAS PROPOSED BY THE HON JOHN SWAINE AT THE SECOND READING STAGE, WAS MOVED BY THE HON MARIA TAM AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SWAINE HAD PROPOSED THAT THE CLAUSE SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS: +THE COUNCIL, THE PRESIDENT OR ANY OFFICER OF THIS COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT IN RESPECT OF THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF ANY POWER CONFERRED ON OR VESTED IN THE COUNCIL, THE PRESIDENT OR SUCH OFFICER BY OR UNDER THIS ORDINANCE OR THE STANDING ORDERS.*
MISS TAM SAID THE EFFECT OF THIS AMENDMENT WAS TO GIVE ANY PERSON SUMMONED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR BY A COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL UNDER CLAUSES 10(1), 13(1), 13(2), 14(1) OR 16(1), TO GIVE EVIDENCE OR PRODUCE DOCUMENTS TO THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEc THE OPTION TO SEEK A JUDICIAL REVIEW ON WHETHER THE COUNCIL, THE COMMITTEE OR THE PRESIDENT HAD LAWFULLY EXERCISED THEIR POWER BEFORE HAVING TO ANSWER SUCH A QUESTION OR TO PRODUCE SUCH DOCUMENTS.
+IF THE COURT SHOULD RULE IN FAVOUR OF THE WITNESS, AND HOLD THAT THE PRESIDENT, COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE IS ACTING ULTRA VIRES, THAT MEANS OUTSIDE OF THEIR POWERS, THEN HE WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OR TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENT IN ISSUE.
/♦■LIKEWISE WITH.........
WEDJSSDAY, JUNS 26, 19&5
- 16 -
+LIKEWISE WITH CLAUSE 17(A) AND (B) WHICH PROVIDE THE PENALTY OF OFFENCES COMMITTED UNDER CLAUSE 13 THE ORDER MADE BY THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE MUST BE LAWFUL AND THE QUESTION PUT BY THEM TO A WITNESS MUST BE ’LAWFUL’ AND RELEVANT,+ SHE SAID.
MISS TAM SAID THIS AMENDMENT WOULD ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF SUBJECTING THE EXERCISE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S HOUSE-KEEPING AND INVESTIGATORY POWERS TO THE COURT’S SCRUTINY.
IT WAS ALSO THE OVERRIDING CLAUSE UNDER WHICH THE WORDS +USAGE AND PRACTICE* AND THE WORDS +RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL* UNDER CLaUSc 15 MUST OPERATE, SHE ADDED.
MISS TAM SAID ONE OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY WAS THAT THE COMBINED EFFECT OF CLAUSES 15 AND 24 RESULTED IN AMBIGUITY.
IT WAS SAID THAT CLAUSE 24, WHICH OUSTS THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS WHERE THIS COUNCIL HAS EXERCISED ITS POWER +LAWFULLY+, GAVE RISE TO AMBIGUITY AS TO THE POWERS GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE UNDER CLAUSE 15.
+IN FACT, A CAREFUL READING OF BOTH CLAUSES REVEALS NO AMBIGUITY AND NO INHERENT INCONSISTENCY,* SHE SAID.
CLAUSE 15 IS CONCERNED WITH RIGHTS RELATING TO MATTERS OF EVIDENCE. MISS TAM SAID THE INTENTION OF THIS CLAUSE WAS TO ENABLE UNUSUAL QUESTIONS, IF NO SPECIFIC PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE WHICH OFFERED A SOLUTION, TO BE RESOLVED BY LOOKING AT THE USAGE AND PRACTICE OF THE COUNCIL BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
+IF A SITUATION SHOULD ARISE WHERE GUIDANCE IS NEEDED BY REFERENCE BACK TO THE PAST, IT IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT CLAUSE 15 WOULD NOT PERMIT THIS COUNCIL TO ACT, EVEN IF IT DESIRED TO DO SO WHICH IS MANIFESTLY UNLIKELY, ON SOME ALLEGED USAGE AND PRACTICE WHICH NEVER IN FACT EXISTED AT ANY TIME.
+IF THIS COUNCIL SHOULD EVER SEE FIT TO ACT IN THAT FASHION, IT WOULD LEAVE ITSELF OPEN TO CHALLENGE IN THE COURTS ON THE BASIS THAT ITS ACTION WAS NOT ’LAWFUL’ WITHIN THE MEANING OF CLAUSE 24,+ SHE SAID.
MISS TAM SAID THAT THIS WAS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF THE wAY CLAUSE 24 WAS INTENDED TO OPERATE, THOUGH OF COURSE IT APPLIED IN RELATION TO OTHER PROVISIONS AS WELL AS CLAUSE 15.
+THERE IS NO DEGREE OF AMBIGUITY ABOUT THOSE TWO CLAUSES AND THERE IS NO BASIS FOR THE COMMENT MADE IN THAT RESPECT,* SHE REITERATED.
CONCLUDING HER SPEECH, MISS TAM SAID ALTHOUGH TWO OUT OF 16 REPRESENTATIONS SUGGESTED THAT CLAUSE 24 SHOULD BE DELETED ALTOGETHER, UNOFFICIALS FELT THAT THE MORE PRACTICAL APPROACH AND THE MAJORITY VIEW ON THIS POINT SHOULD BE TAKEN AND CLAUSE 24 AMENDED ACCORDINGLY.
- 0 - -
/17
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935
PEOPLE NOT DEPRIVED OF FREEDOM * * * * *
UNOFFICIALS wERE SATISFIED THAT THE AMENDED CLAUSE 8 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL DID NOT POSE A DEPRIVATION OF THE FREEDOM GF HONG KONG PEOPLE FROM ATTENDING OR KNOWING THE PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS, THE HON CHAN YING-LUN SAID TODAY (WENESDAY).
MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 8 OF THE BILL AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR CHAN SAID THEY HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS.
+THE POINTS RAISED INCLUDE RESERVATION OVER THE APPLICATION OF STANDING ORDERS TO REGULATt ADMISSION; CONCERN OVER THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT TO ISSUE ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT BEING SUBJECTED TO RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL; AND WORRY OVER THE WIDE SCOPE OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR ’OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES’,+ HE SAID. ’
MR CHAN SAID UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS STUDYING THE BILL HAD EXAMINED THESE POINTS AND CONSIDERED THAT THE AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 8 HAD ALREADY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THESE RESERVATIONS.
THE REFERENCE TO THE STANDING ORDERS IN REGULATING ADMISSION >.AS AN AMENDMENT MADE AT THE REQUEST OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS, ONE OF WHICH WAS THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION.
+WE DO NOT THEREFORE SUBSCRIBE TO THE SUGGESTION THAT IT SHOULD BE DELETED FROM THE CLAUSE, ALTHOUGH IT IS WIDELY ACCEPTED THEY REQUIRE A TOTAL REVIEW,+ HE SAID.
REGARDING THE SUGGESTION TO RESTRICT THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT TO ISSUE ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITING THE SCOPE OF SUCH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, MF CHAN SAID MEMBERS TOOK THE VIEW THAT THERE WERE ALREADY SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS IN CLAUSE 8 ITSELF AND IN THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE.
♦MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN BE ASSURED THAT CLAUSE 8(1) CLEARLY STATES THAT THE BILL IS NOT AIMED AT EXCLUDING THE PUBLIC FROM SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
♦CLAUSES 8(2) AND 8(3) RESPECTIVELY ARE FOR THE PURPOSES OF ORDERLY CONDUCT OF MEETINGS AND PROPER MANAGEMENT OF THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAMBER.
♦ONLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOOSE TO VIOLATE THE PROVISION OF THIS CLAUSE WILL BE EXCLUDED.
♦MOREOVER, IF THE PRESIDENT WERE TO ISSUE AN INSTRUCTION CONTRARY TO THE WISH OF MEMBERS WITHOUT GOOD REASONS, SUCH AS BARRING THE PUBLIC FROM REGULAR MEETINGS, MEMBERS WOULD CERTAINLY QUESTION AND CHALLENGE HIM ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.
/MH CHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 19©5
- 18 -
MR CHAN SAID CLAUSE 8 AS AMENDED GAVE HONG KONG PEOPLE MORE FREEDOM IN ATTENDING SITTINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM PARLIAMENT.
+ IN THE UK MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CANNOT ENTER PARLIAMENT AS OF RIGHT= ADMISSION IS SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS.
+IN THE STRANGERS’ GALLERY EVEN THE WRITING OF NOTES IS NUT ALLOWED.
+THOSE NOT SITTING PROPERLY WILL EE WARNED AND ANYONE CREATING A DISTURBANCE WILL IMMEDIATELY BE EXPELLED,* MR CHAN SAID.
-----0-----
+LAwFULLY+ INSERTED IN CLAUSES
WWW
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI MOVED THAT CLAUSES 13 AND 14 OF THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES BILL BE AMENDED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
+THE INSERTION OF THE WORD ’LAWFULLY’ IN BOTH CLAUSES IS CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 24 WHICH MY HON COLLEAGUE, THE HON MARIA TAM, HAS JUST MOVED; WHEREAS THE ADDITION OF ’SUBJECT TO SECTION 16’ IN CLAUSE 14(1) IS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS UNDER THESE TwO CLAUSES,* HE SAID.
THE PURPOSE OF ADDING THE PARENTHESIS IN CLAUSE 13 WAS IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CALLS FOR QUALIFYING THE PRESIDENT’S DISCRETIONARY POWER AND GIVING FURTHER PROTECTION TO A WITNESS GIVING EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE, HE EXPLAINED.
+wlTH THIS AMENDMENT, THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE BOUND TO EXCUSE THE WITNESS FROM ANSWERING A QUESTION OR PRODUCING A PAPER WHERE SUCH A QUESTION OR PAPER IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE SUBJECT OF ENQUIRY,* HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE RIGHT OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION, DR HO SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER CLAUSE 14(1) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT A WITNESS SHOULD BE ENTITLED +T0 THE SAME RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE AS BEFORE A COURT OF LAW*.
+THIS RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE ALREADY INCLUDES THAT OF LEGAL representation; hence, no amendment on this point is considered NECESSARY,* HE SAID.
-----0------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
19
AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 14(2) DETAILED
4 * * *
THE NEW CLAUSE 14(2) OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL HAD BEEN ARRIVED AT WITH CAREFUL DELIBERATION AND IT REPRESENTED A CONSCIOUS ATTEMPT TO PUT INTO PROPER CONTEXT HOW THE PHRASE +THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HER MAJESTY GOVERNMENT TO HONG KONG + MIGHT BE INTERPRETED, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY). ।
SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEONG DETAILED THE AMENDED CLAUSE 14(2) AS FOLLOWS:
♦ NO PERSON, OTHER THAN A PUBLIC OFFICER
ACTING WITH THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR, SHALL BEFORE THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE -
(A) GIVE ANY EVIDENCE- OR
(B) PRODUCE ANY PAPER, BOOK, RECORD OR DOCUMENT,
RELATING TO THE CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING
(1) ANY NAVAL, MILITARY OR AIR FORCE MATTER OR OF ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG: OR
(2) THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF HER। MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OTHERWISE THAN WITH RESPECT TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG BY ITS GOVERNMENT, NOR SHALL SECONDARY EVIDENCE BE RECEIVED BY OR PRODUCED BEFORE THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE OF1 THE CONTENTS OF ANY SUCH PAPER, BOOK, RECORD OR DOCUMENT.+ \
+AS WE ARE NOW IN COMMITTEE AND STANDING ORDERS GOVERNING COMMITTEE STAGE PROCEEDINGS ARE RATHER RESTRICTIVE, WITH RESPECT TO THF CONTENTS OF MY SPEECH AND, IN ORDER TO DO JUSTICE TO THIS IMPORTANT CLAUSE, I WISH TO SEEK PERMISSION TO TACKLE THIS CLAUSE IN MORE DETAIL IN THE THIRD READING DEBATE,* MR CHEONG SAID.
-----o-----
/20 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935
- 20 -
AMENDMENTS TO TWO CLAUSES MOVED K k * *
LEGISLATIVE HON MRS
AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 16 AND 19(A) AND (B) OF THE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL WERE MOVED BY THE PAULINE NG DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE PROPOSED THAT CLAUSE 16 CONCERNING THE LIMITATION ON PRIVILEGE AGAINST INCRIMINATION OF SELF OR SPOUSE BE AMENDED, THE ORIGINAL WORDING OF WHICH SHE SAID MIGHT GIVE PEOPLE THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT THE WITNESS GIVING EVIDENCE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ENJOYED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION.
+THIS PROVISION IS NOW AMENDED ALONG THE LINES OF SECTION 44A CF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE,* SHE SAID.
APART FROM MOVING THAT CLAUSE 19(A) BE DELcTtD, MRS NG SAID THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, WHEN COMMENTING ON CLAUSE 19(B), HAD INDICATED THAT THE REGARD +INSULTS+ OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS BY THE PUBLIC AS CRIMINAL OFFENCES WAS LIKELY TO HAMPER FREEDOM CF SPEECH IN HONG KONG.
SHE AGREED WITH THIS COMMENT, AND ACCORDINGLY MOVED THAT CLAUSE 19(B) BE AMENDED SO AS TO DELETE THE WORD +INSULT+ FROM THE CLAUSE.
+IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE MEANING OF THE WORDS ’OR EXPECTED TO BE BROUGHT’ IN CLAUSE 19(B) IS AMBIGUOUS.
+1 ALSO AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT, AND THEREFORE PROPOSE THAT THE WORDS EE DELETED FROM THIS PROVISION,* SHE SAID.
--------o-----------
REGIONAL COUNCIL DETAILS SET OUT IN BILL * * * *
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, LIKE ITS URBAN COUNTERPART, WOULD BE A FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS EXECUTIVE BODY WITH LEGAL AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING SERVICES RELATING TO PUBLIC _ HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE, RECREATION AND CULTURE OUTSIDE THE ELECTORAL JURISDICTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
ITS FUNCTIONS WOULD THUS BE DISTINCT FROM THOSE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MOVING THE........
WEDt.'ESDA JUNS 26, 1985
- 21 -
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL (1935) WHICH HE SAID HAD LARGELY BEEN MODELLED ON THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE, SIR DAVID EXPLAINED IN DETAIL ITS SIGNIFICANT DIVERGENCES FROM THAT ORDINANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE WAS THAT RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP.
+CURRENTLY, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS A TOTAL OF 30 MEMBERS, OF WHOM 15 ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED AND 15 ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL CONSIST OF 36 MEMBERS DRAWN FROM FOUR DIFFERENT SOURCES,+ HE SAID.
TWELVE OF THEM WOULD BE DIRECTLY ELECTED, CONSTITUENCY-BASED MEMBERS, NINE WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS WITHIN THE AREA OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FROM AMONG THEMSELVES AND THREE WOULD BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS - THE CHAIRMAN AND TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
THE OTHER 12 WOULD BE APPOINTED MEMBERS, THREE OF WHOM WILL, AS CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE, BE MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, ESPECIALLY CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THE THREE CONSTITUENCIES CF THE KUK.
+THIS LATTER ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE KUK, AND IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION OF URAL INTERESTS AND IT CAN BE LOOKED AT AGAIN AS TIME GOES ON.
+BUT I SHOULD POINT OUT ThAT, <I TH THE INCLUSION OF THESE THREE MEMBERS, OF THE 24 MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL IT SO HAPPENS THAT ABOUT 14 OF THEM ARE MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK,+ HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID ELECTIONS FOR THE 12 DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD BE CONDUCTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THOSE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL IN MARCH 1986, AND THE FIRST ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD HOLD OFFICE FOR THREE YEARS FROM APRIL 1, 1986.
+ELECTIONS FOR THE NINE REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS wILL BE HELD IN THE YEAR OF AN ORDINARY DISTR ICT BOARD ELECTION.
♦THE NEW TERRITORIES’ DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE ALREADY ELECTED NINE SUCH REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS TO THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE LAW PRESCRIBES TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE PERSONS SHOULD BECOME THE REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL UPON ITS INCEPTION, THUS ENSURING THAT SOME 0*- THE WORKING EXPERIENCE GAINED BY THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL wILL BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE NEw COUNCIL,+ HE SAID.
/SI a DAVID.......
WEDNESDAY JUNE 26, 1985
22
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PRESENT REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS WOULD HOLD OFFICE UNTIL AN ORDINARY DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION IN APRIL 1988.
HE SAID THAT TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, IT IS INTENDED THAT SOME IF NOT ALL OF THE 12 APPOINTED MEMBERS SERVING ON THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE THE APPOINTED MEMBERo OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD YET TO BE DECIDED.
+ONE POSSIBILITY wOULD BE TO MAKE THE INITIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR ONE YEAR ONLY TO MARCH 31, 1987. IF THIS .kcRE DONE, THEN ROUGHLY ONE THIRD OF THE MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL wOJLu BE LIABLE TO BE CHANGED AT THE END OF MARCH EACH YEAR.
+THUS, OF THE ORIGINAL TEA' □ OF OFFICE, THOSE OF APPOINTED NEMBERS WOULD EXPIRE IN MARCH 1.987, THOSE OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS IN MARCH 1988, AND THOoc OF DIRcCTLY ELECTeD HtMBtRs
IN MARCH 1989.
+THIS JOULD ENSURE A DEGREE OF CONTINUITY OF MEMBERSHIP ON THE cSSnCIL 2X: IT IS BELIEVEJ. aILL BE OF PARTICULAR BENEFIT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE COUNCIL’S EXISTENCE,* HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BY THE MEMBERS FROM AMONG THEMSELVES BY SECRET BALLOT ON AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY VOTING SYSTEM WOULD TAKE PLACE AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HELD AFTER MARCH 31 i.N A YEAR THE DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS WERE ELECTED.
+THIS MEANS THAT IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES A CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN vILL BE ELECTED AT THREE-YEARLY INTERVALS, BEGINNING IN ^R.IL 1986.
+HOWEVEP, IP AN OFFICER SO ELECTED IS A DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE DR APPOINTED MEMBER «ITn A LESSER TERM OF MEMBERSHIP REMAINING, HIS CONTINUANCE IN OFF ICE BEYOND HIS TERM OF MEMBERSHIP wlLL DEPEND ON F.c-ELcCTION OR REAPPOINT.IcIvT AS THE CASE MAY BE,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT BOTH CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR RE-ELECTION UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR THREE-YEAR TERM OF OFF ICE.
ON PART V OF THE EILL aHICH SET OUT THE POwERo THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THE DRAFT ONE SIGNIFICANT RESPECT FROM THE URBAN COUNCI-WHIG- ALL TH. URBAN COUNCIL’S POWERS WERE
URBAN AREAS.
ELABORATING AND FUNCTIONS OF EILL DIFFERED IN ORDINANCE, UNDER RESTRICTED TO THE
+THIS HAS EEEK FOUND TO tE UNDULY LIMITING. THERE ARE, ON OCCASIONS, ACTIVITIES -HIGH THE URBAN COUNCIL PROPERLY WISHto Tn ORGANISE OUTSIDE URBAN ARtAS AND IT IS LIKELY THAT THt REGIONAL COUNCIL wlLL ISH T ORGANISE SIMILAR ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS MUSEUM VISITS, FOP ITS CONSTITUENTS.
/+THEttEF‘QR£, UNDER
WEDNESDAY, -TONE 26, 1985
+THEREFORE, UNDER THIS BILL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILI-ONLY BE RESTRICTED TO ITS OWN AREA OF AUTHORITY IN TERMS OF ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC PLACES AND FACILITIES RELATED TO RECREATION AND CULTURE.
+THE INCLUSION OF A SIMILAR PROVISION IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE WILL BE PUT TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
+IF APPROVED, THIS WILL HAVE THE FURTHER ADVANTAGE OF ALLOWING THE TWO COUNCILS TO ACT TOGETHER, FOR INSTANCE IN CONSTRUCTING AND RUNNING A STAFF TRAINING SCHOOL,+ SIR DAVID SA ID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL wAS ADJOURNED.
-----o-----
DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL AREAS PROPOSED
******
FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE AREAS FALLING UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL BE DESIGNATED THE +URBAN COUNCIL AREA* AND THE +REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA+.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, v.HEN MOVING THE SECOND READ I No OF THE ELECTIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1985.
hf HOWEVER THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER
WE ol AN? «UERNA?lvE DESIGNATIONS THAT MIGHT BE SUGGESTED.
EXPLAINING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, MR TSAO SA ID IT SOUGHT Tn pppprT a RANGE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL LEGISLATION TO SovIdI foR tSe RETURN 0? ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN MARCH 1986.
+ALTHOUGH THE AMENDMENTS ARE RESTRICTED IN THE MAIN TO EXTENDING THE PROVISIONS OF EXISTING LEGISLATION TO APPLY TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF SLIGHT CHANGES.
+IN ADDITION. THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO MAKE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS OF A TIDYING UP NATURE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A GREATER DEGREE OF OVERALL CONSISTENCY IN THE LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.
/noting that
WKDSSSDA.X, JUNE 26, 1985
NOTING THAT THE BILL PROVIDED FOR DECLARATION BY DISTRICTS uF THE JURISDICTIONAL AREAS OF THE TwO COUNCILS TO BE MADE BY ORDER CF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, MR TSAO SAID: +FOLLOWING THE 1986 ELECTIONS, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO EXAMINE WHETHER IT WOULD NOT BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SUCH DECLARATION TO BE MADE BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.+
HIGHLIGHTING ANOTHER AMENDMENT, HE POINTED OUT THAT CLAUSE 16(J) PROVIDED THAT THOSE ELECTED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA DISTRICT BOARDS TO SERVE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.
+THE REASON FOR THIS EXEMPTION IS THAT IT IS INTENDED THE ELECTION OF THESE MEMBERS, WHICH WILL BE ON A BOARD-BY-BOARD BASIS, SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL AND THE STANDING ORDERS CF THE BOARDS
OF THE BOARDS
AS IN THE CASE OF THE ELECTION OF THEIR CHAIRMEN.
+GIVEN THAT THESE ELECTIONS WILL BE STRICTLY IN-HOUSE, IT IS FELT UNREASONABLE TO REQUIRE THAT THEY SHOULD ADDITIONALLY BE SUBJECT TO THE MANY FORMALITIES AND PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO A PUBLIC ELECTION,+ HE ADDED.
AMONG OTHER AMENDMENTS EXPLAINED BY MR TSAO WAS THE PROVISION FOR AMENDMENT OF THE ELECTION EXPENSES ORDER TO SET A CEILING ON THE EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES STANDING FOR ELECTION TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS SHOULD BE FIXED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THAT FOR A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION TO THE URBAN COUNCIL.
ON THE LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE FOR THIS BILL, MR TSAO SAID: THc ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS TO COMMENCE ON AUGUST 15.
+IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE BILL BE ENACTED PRIOR TO THE END OF JULY, SO AS TO ENABLE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES THEREAFTER TO BE DECLARED AND APPLICANTS FOR REGISTRATION TO BE ADVISED OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES UPON APPLICATION DURING THE PERIOD COMMENCING MID-AUGUST.+
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
/25........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
25
STATUTORY POWERS SOUGHT FOR k k *
CUSTOMS POST
EXCISE SERVICE (AMENDMENT)
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CUSTOMS AND BILL 1985 IS TO ALLOW MORE THAN ONE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TO CARRY OUT STATUTORY FUNCTIONS UNDER THE
ORDINANCE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON HARNAM GREwAL, WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
MR GREWAL SAID IT WAS ALSO INTENDED THAT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE (DISCIPLINE) RULES SHOULD BE AMENDED TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER TO COMPEL THE RETIREMENT OF CUSTOMS OFFICERS.
CF THE OLD TRADE
♦OPPORTUNITIES HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MAKE A NUMBER OF SMALL AMENDMENTS CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE DEE^DERALISATION ON AUGUST 1, 198^, jr me uuD TRmDZ, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS LAPSING WITH EFFECT FROM THAT DATE,+ HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------o ----------
TIME RIGHT FOR NOTES BILL * * *
THERE WILL NEVER BE A BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO DEAL WITH ♦OUTMODED LEG I SLAT ION+ WHICH MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO USE FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES AS A MEDIUM. OF EXCHANGE IN HONG KONG, THE HON W.C.L. BROWN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BROWN WAS SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) (REPEAL) BILL 1984.
HE SAID IF SOMEONE WHO HAD USED FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES IN HONG KONG WAS TOLD HE wAS A CRIMINAL HE WOULD NOT ONLY FEEL INSULTED BUT WOULD DOUBTLESS CONSIDER THE WHOLE MATTER ABSURD.
♦THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS SIMPLY TO REMOVE AN OUTDATED PIECE OF LEGISLATION FROM THE STATUTE BOOK AND BRING THE LAW INTO LINE WITH WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE MARKET PLACE,+ HE SAIj.
MR BROWN SAID THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1913 TO PREVENT FOREIGN NOTES FROM COMPETING WITH LOCAL NOTES WITH THE ADVANTAGE OF NOT HAVING TO PAY STAMP DUTY AND TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AGAINST A NOTE ISSUE IN RESPECT OF >vHICH GOVERNMENT HELD NO SECURITY AND OVER wHICH IT POSSESSED NO CONTROL.
/♦NOME OF........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 26
+ NONE OF THESE ORIGINAL REASONS FOR THE ORDINANCE REMAINS VALID,* HE SAID.
STAMP DUTY WAS NO LONGER LEVIED ON THE NOTE ISSUE AND IN THIS DAY AND AGE THE POSSIBLE CIRCULATION OF FOREIGN NOTES WITH UNCERTAIN BACKING IN TERMS OF PRECIOUS METAL OR OTHER SECURITY WAS ALSO NO LONGER A PRACTICAL CONCERN.
DURING THE PAST 72 YEARS, MR BROWN SAID, HONG KONG HAD UNDERGONE A SIGNIFICANT FACELIFT BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
FROM A SMALL ENTREPOT, HONG KONG HAD TRANSFORMED INTO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES AND A POPULAR TOURIST RESORT PATRONISED BY OVER THREE MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR.
LAST YEAR ALONE, HONG KONG EARNED AN ESTIMATED $13 700 MILLION FROM THE TOURIST TRADE.
+IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR BUSINESSES TO TAKE PAYMENTS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES, A PRACTICE WHICH IS IN PRINCIPLE ENTIRELY ACCEPTABLE BUT TECHNICALLY UNLAWFUL UNDER THE EXISTING LAW.
+THEREFORE, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A NEED TO LEGALISE THE POSITIONS OF THOSE WHO TAKE PAYMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT FOR MANY YEARS RESOLUTELY ENFORCED THE PROHIBITION.*
MR BROWN SAID SOME STILL FELT THAT THE FREE CIRCULATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES MIGHT AFFECT CONFIDENCE IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
+IF I BELIEVE THAT I WOULD ALSO BE WORRIED, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE IT,* HE SAID.
SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE S I NO-BR IT ISH AGREEMENT, THE LOCAL CURRENCY HAD REMAINED STABLE ANi> aAS GROWING STRONGER EVERY DAY, A SITUATION WHICH WAS UNLIKELY TO BE ALTERED BY THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL.
+ IN ANY CASE, SHOULD HONG KOsmG, IN THE UNLIKLY EVENT,_FACt ANOTHER CURRENCY CRISIS WHICH AMOUNTED TO A COLLAPSE IN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, I VERY MUCH DOUBT THAT THt EXISTENCE OF THIS ORDINANCE COULD DO MUCH TO ALLEVIATE THE SITUATION,* MR EROwN SAID.
IT CERTAINLY HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON THE 1983 CURRENCY CRISIS WHICH WAS ONLY DEFUSED BY PEGGING THE LOCAL CURRENCY TO THE U.S. DOLLAR.
+1 AM SATISFIED THAT THERE ARE ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS IN OUR MONETARY SYSTEM TO PROTECT THE STATUS OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WHICH WOULD, CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, REMAIN THE ONLY LEGAL TENDER OF THE TERRITORY EVEN AFTER THE REPEAL BILL IS PASSED BY THIS COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
/HB SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 27 -
HE SAID WITH THE RATIFICATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION HONG KONG HAD OFFICIALLY ENTERED ITS TRANSITION PERIOD.
THE TIMING ELEMENT WHICH PROMPTED THIS COUNCIL TO DEFER THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL LAST YEAR NO LONGER APPLIED.
+l BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT MOMENT FOR US TO OBJECTIVELY ASSESS THE LOGIC AND RATIONALE BEHIND THIS BILL AND IN MY OPINION THERE WILL NEVER BE A BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO DEAL WITH THIS PIECE OF OUTMODED LEGISLATION,* HE CONCLUDED.
-------0 - - - -
" ’OUTDATED ORDINANCE SHOULD BE REPEALED’
* * * *
SINCE THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) ORDINANCE HAD ALREADY BECOME OUTDATED, IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO REPEAL IT NOW AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE AND FROM THE TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW, THE HON ANDREW SO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) (REPEAL) BILL AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MR SO SAID WE MUST THROW AwAY THAT WHICH WAS USELESS AND OUTDATED.
+HONG KONG IS A DYNAMIC SOCIETY AND A WORLD-RENOWNED FINANCIAL CENTRE. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS VITALITY AND ENHANCE ITS STATUS, CONSTANT ATTENTION HAS TO BE PAID TO ’KEEPING IT FIT’,* HE SAID.
SO HE WISHED TO KNOW HOW MANY OUTDATED BILLS THERE WERE IN HONG KONG.
+TwO MORE? ONE MORE?* HE ASKED.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR SO EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE AND DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE FOREIGN NOTES BILL ENACTED IN 1913 TO PROHIBIT THE CIRCULATION OF FOREIGN NOTES WERE NO LONGER APPLICABLE TO OUR PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY.
UNDER THIS BILL, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN A BANK OR A LICENSED MONEY CHANGER WHO WAS FOUND USING FOREIGN NOTES WOULD BE PROSECUI cd.
THE MAXIMUM FINE WAS $25 AND THE FOREIGN NOTES USED WOULD BE CONFISCATED.
-----0------
/28........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985'
28
UPDATING OF NOTES ORDINANCE URGED * * *
IT HAD YET TO BE PROVED BEYOND ALL DOUBT THAT THE 72-YEAR-OLD FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) ORDINANCE HAD OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE OPPOSED THE MOTION DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) (REPEAL) BILL 1984.
MR CHEONG SAID IF WE CARED TO CAST OUR MEMORIES BACK TO SEPTEMBER 1983, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECALL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DID DRAW THE PUBLIC’S ATTENTION TO THE EXISTENCE OF THE ORDINANCE.
IN THE MIDST OF A SEVERE LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, THERE WERE WIDESPREAD RUMOURS THAT SOME SHOPKEEPERS HERE HAD LOST TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN OUR CURRENCY AND WERE DEMANDING U.S. CURRENCY AS PAYMENT FOR GOODS OR SERVICES RENDERED.
+THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO AVERT A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS SITUATION,+ HE SAID.
+THE ACT OF WIDELY PUBLICISING THE EXISTENCE OF THE ORDINANCE DID HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT IN STABILISING THE THEN CHAOTIC SITUATION.
♦HOWEVER ANTIQUATED THE ORDINANCE MIGHT BE, IT DID SERVE SOME USEFUL PURPOSE.
♦WHY THEN SHOULD WE CHOOSE TO DISCARD IT TOTALLY NOW?
♦COULD WE NOT UPDATE THE ORDINANCE RATHER THAN THROW IT OUT ALTOGETHER?*
’ IF THE SOLE OBJECTIVE OF REPEALING THE ORDINANCE WAS TO CORRECT A PRESENT DAY ANOMALY SO AS TO LEGALISE THE CURRENT PRACTICE ADOPTED BY THOSE INVOLVED IN THE TOURIST TRADE OR TRADES INVOLVING FOREIGN CURRENCIES, SHOULD THE SOLUTION NOT LIE IN SO AMENDING THE ORDINANCE AS TO CORRECT THE ANOMALY WHILE PRESERVING THE SPIRIT OF THE ORDINANCE IN QUESTION? HE ASKED.
MR CHEONG SAID HE BELIEVED THE SPIRIT OF THE ORDINANCE WAS TO PROMOTE AND ESTABLISH WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THE RIGHTFUL RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR CURRENCY.
IF THIS ORDINANCE WAS REPEALED, HE WAS MOST CONCERNED THaT IT MIGHT BE MISREAD THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD, BY CONDONING A TOTALLY FREE CIRCULATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, UNWITTINGLY SOW THE SEEDS OF WEAKENING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR CURRENCY.
/♦ONE MAY.........
f
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
29
♦ONE MAY ASK, WHAT IS TO STOP SHOPKEEPERS AT SOME POINT IN TIME IN FUTURE FROM DEMANDING FROM OUR CITIZENS FOREIGN CURRENCIES FOR WHATEVER SERVICES ARE RENDERED?
+HOW WOULD MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DEAL wI TH SUPER-MARKETS THAT ONLY ACCEPT U.S. DOLLARS FOR DAILY GROCERIES OR THE SNACK SHOP ROUND THE CORNER DEMANDING STERLING FOR THE OCCASIONAL BOWL OF NOODLES?
+l AM TOLD THAT UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES THE OPTIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WOULD BE EITHER TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER SUPERMARKET OR ANOTHER SNACK SHOP OR TO GO TO THE BANK AND EXCHANGE HK DOLLARS FOR U.S. DOLLARS OR STERLING BEFORE SUCH NEEDS CAN BE MET.
♦UNFORTUNATELY, IF AND WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER CONFIDENCE CRISIS ON OUR CURRENCY, BOTH OPTIONS WOULD BE NON-OPTIONS,+ HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID IT MIGHT EE ARGUED THAT IF A SERIOUS EROSION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR OCCURRED RETENTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ALONE COULD NOT PREVENT WHOLESALE PERSISTENT PANIC ACTIONS TAKEN BY OUR PEOPLE THAT WOULD PRECIPITATE A POSSIBLE COLLAPSE OF OUR SYSTEMS.
THIS WAS TRUE, BUT IT WAS EQUALLY TRUE TO SAY THAT CONFIDENCE WAS A DELICATE AND SOMETIMES IRRATIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA.
VERY OFTEN, UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS ON CONFIDENCE COULD BE TRIGGERED OFF BY RUMOURS; AND IN A LOT OF CASES, IN ORDER TO COUNTER THE EVILS OF RUMOUR, A MECHANISM WAS NEEDED TO PROVIDE SOME BREATHING SPACE TO DEFUSE A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS ,‘S ITUAT ION.
THE USE OF THE ORDINANCE BY THE ADMINISTRATION IN 1983 SUCCESSFULLY SERVED TO ILLUSTRATE THIS POINT VIVIDLY, HE SAID.
♦THE ORDINANCE, WITHOUT ANY TEETH THEN, WAS PROVEN TO BE A USEFUL MECHANISM TO PROVIDE THE MUCH-NEEDED BREATHING SPACE.
♦SO FAR NO ARGUMENT FORWARDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONVINCING ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THAT THIS ORDINANCE NEEDS TO BE THROWN OUT ALTOGETHER.
+1 SUBMIT THAT TO UPDATE THE ORDINANCE IS PERHAPS THE MORE ADVISABLE ALTERNATIVE,* MR CHEONG SAID.
-----o-----
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1983
- 30 -
'REPEAL OF FOREIGN NOTES BILL TIMELY’
*****
REPEAL OF THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) ORDINANCE IS TIMELY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CONCLUDING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) (REPEAL) BILL 1984, MR JACOBS THANKED THE HON BILL BROWN AND THE HON ANDREW SO FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
+ AND MR BROWN HAS SAID THAT THE ORDINANCE HAD LITTLE EFFECT IN THE 1983 CURRENCY CRISIS.
+1 AGREE WITH HIS VIEW IN WHICH RESPECT I THINK MR CHEONG IS OVER-STATING THE VALUE OF THIS ORDINANCE AT THAT TIME.
+BUT APART FROM THIS I BELIEVE THE ALTERNATIVE COURSE SUGGESTED BY MR CHEONG OF UPDATING THE ORDINANCE WOULD PRESENT VERY CONSIDERABLE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDED LEG I SLAT ION,+ HE SAID.
-----o------
REQUIREMENTS ON BANKS UNDER REVIEW
* * * *
A REVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS PLACED ON BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WAS EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, AND RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD THEN BE PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO ON GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR BETTER SUPERVISION OF BANKS, MR JACOBS SAID THAT THERE WAS NO DOUET SOME CHANGES WERE NEEDED IN THE REQUIREMENTS PLACED ON BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THE REVIEW OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS HAD ADVANCED TO THE STAGE OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
+WORK IS IN HAND IN THE LIGHT OF THESE CONSULTATIONS AND WE HOPE THAT THE REVIEW WILL BE FINISHED BY THE END OF THE SUMMER SO THAT RECOMMENDATIONS MAY THEN BE PRESENTED TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,+ l*R JACOBS SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT WHILE EXISTING LEGISLATION ALREADY GAVE WIDE RANGING POWERS TO THE BANKING COMMISSIONER, THE PROCESS OF SUPERVISION WAS, AND HAD TO BE, SUBJECT TO CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION AND IMPROVEMENT SO THAT IT WAS CAPABLE OF MATCHING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING SECTORS.
/HE ADDED.......
WKDNB'SDAY, JUNS 26, 1985
- 31 -
HE ADDED THAT THE REVIEW WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM RECENT EVENTS AND, IN “ARTICULAR, POINTS MADE BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS DURING TriE DEBATE ON JUNE 7.
MR JACOBS ALSO RECALLED THAT SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE HAD INFORMED THE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 27, WHEN MOVING TrL APPROPRIATION BILL 1985, THAT A REVIEW OF PRUDENT!SUPER • lb IO'. "* BANKING IN HONG KONG wAS BEING CARRIED OUT FOLLOWING THE EXAMINATION OF A REPORT BY A TEAM FROM THE BANK OF ENGLAND CONCERNING TriE -XI ST I NG SYSTEM.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTIGt BY MR SO, MR JACOBS SAID THAT ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPOSIT INSURANCE SCHEME WERE BEING STUDIED YET AGAIN.
AND THE MATTER WOULD PE DISCUSSED . I TH THE TANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING ADVISORY COMMITTED LATER THIS YEAR, HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS RECALLED THAT THE SUBJECT OF SJCri A DEPOSIT INSURANCE SCHEME HAD BEEN AIRED ON A NUMBER OF ...CAS IONS.
THE MATTER HAD ALSO BEEN BROUGHT Ur tY bIR JOHN BREMRIDGE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK kACQU lbITION) HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE wERE ARGUMENTS
DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE ORDINANCE ON JUNE 7, WHEN BOTH FOR AND AGAINST SUCH
A SCHEME, MR JACOBS SAID.
-----o------
STEPS BEING TAKEN AGAINST PROTECTIONISM
**#***■
HONG KONG IS CONCENTRATING ITS EFFORTS ON ATTEMPTS TO REDUCE SUPPORT FOR THE THURMOND-JENKINS DILL, ’HE •OST IMMEDIATE THREAT TO OUR TRADE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, HE SAID THAT TWO STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO COUNTER THE GROWING TIDE OF PROTECTIONISM IN THE UNITED 5TATE3.
FIRST, HONG KONG SOUGHT . IT*- SOME SUCCESS TO ENCOURAGE AND LIAISE w I TH DOMESTIC U.S. INT- ESTS ..nICH WOULD BE AFFECTED BY INCREASED U.S. PROTECTIONISM THROUG- REDUCED IMPORTS OR THROUGH REDUCED EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES T - ANY COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY SUCH MEASURES.
+A MAJOR EFFORT -BING .-UNITED ACTIVATE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION^ THROUGH THEIR . NCHE. i . >3 rxONG BY DRAWING ATTENTION TO TriE DAMAGING zr . J . . z BILL,-*- MR GREWAL SAID.
WBDNaSDlY, JUNS 26, 198?
+AT THE SAME TIME, KEY MAJOR COMPANIES IN HONG KONG ARE BEING URGED TO INFLUENCE THE SITUATION THROUGH THEIR LOBBYISTS AND HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
+HONG KONG ALSO MAINTAINS DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WI TH KEY U.S. OFFICIALS AND POLITICIANS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MR ERIC HO WAS IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK TO SEE SENIOR OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS WITH A VIEW TO INFLUENCING THEIR THINKING. IN ALL THIS THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR TWO LOBBYISTS AND OUR OFFICES IN NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON ARE CRUCIAL,* HE ADDED.
SECONDLY, HONG KONG PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO STEM THE TIDE, THE LATEST MANIFESTATION OF WHICH WAS A JOINT STATEMENT BY THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AT THE GATT COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 5, CONDEMNING THE THURMOND-JENKINS BILL AS PRESSURE TACTICS APPLIED BY UNITED STATES DOMESTIC TEXTILE INTERESTS ON THE EVE OF MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION WITH UNITED STATES’ COMMITMENTS UNDER THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT, THE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND THE GATT MINISTERIAL DECLARATION.
AS REGARD THE INCREASE IN THE STRENGTH AND EFFECTIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, MR GREWAL SAID THAT ARRANGEMENTS WERE IN HAND TO AUGMENT THE WASHINGTON
OFFICE AT APPROPRIATE LEVEL.
+THE PRINCIPAL DIFFICULTY IN THE WAY OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL STAFF HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE OF FUNDS AS NO PROVISION WAS MADE IN THE CURRENT ESTIMATES.
+HOWEVER, SAVINGS ARE ANTICIPATED ELSEWHERE WHICH SHOULD ENABLc THE NECESSARY STAFF TO BE PROVIDED,* HE SAID.
+AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING RELIEF THROUGH REDEPLOYMENT OF EXISTING RESOURCES FROM OTHER OFFICES IS BEING EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO POSTING STAFF TO WASHINGTON AS SOON AS THIS CAN BE ARRANGED,* HE ADDED.
- 0 ----------
/33........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935
33
ASSISTANCE SCHEME AT ADVANCED PLANNING STAGE
*****
A PROPOSED SCHEME TO MAKE EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME - TAVAS - TO ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIMS DEPRIVED OF LEGAL REDRESS FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF INSURANCE FIRMS HAD REACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PLANNING, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON GERRY HIGGINSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI CONCERNING THE PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME, MR HIGGINSON SAID THAT THE ADVICE OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD BE SOUGHT IN THE NEAR FUTURE ON THE MERITS OF THE PROPOSAL BEFORE THE MATTER WAS SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MR HIGGINSON SAID THAT SINCE 1980 FIVE MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANIES HAD BECOME INSOLVENT AND THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE INDEMNITY CAUSED CONSIDERABLE HARDSHIP FOR PEOPLE INJURED IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING VEHICLES INSURED WITH THESE COMPANIES.
+IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR THOSE AFFECTED WAS, OF COURSE, MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME, KNOWN AS TAVAS,+ HE SAID.
AS MANY OF THE VICTIMS WERE UNABLE TO RECEIVE ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FROM THE INSOLVENT COMPANIES, CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DON- TO HELP THtM hITHOUT Imposing an additional or an unacceptable burden on the general TAXPAYER, HE ADDED.
MR HIGGINSON EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSAL BEING WORKED_UP wAS LIMITED TO THOSE <vHO HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY TH-INSOLVENCY OF THE.FIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
ON ANY POSSIBLE FUTURE INSOLVENCIES, HE SAID, GOVERNMENT HAS ENTERED INTO A PROVISIONAL AGREEMEN’ wITH THE MOTOR INSURERS’ BUREAU OF HONG KONG TO PROVIDE FOR THE BUREAU TO OPERATE AN INSOLVENCY FUND SCHEME TO COVER THIRD PARTY DEATH OR BODILY INJURY CLAIMS AGAINST INSOLVENT INSURERS.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
34
RIVER WATER REGULARLY MONITORED X X X X X X
THE WATER QUALITY OF THE FOUR PRINCIPAL RIVERS DISCHARGING INTO TOLO HARBOUR WAS REGULARLY MONITORED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND COMPREHENSIVE SURVEYS COVERING Ml NOR RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE WERE CARRIED OUT FROM TIME TO TIME, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO, MR CHAMBERS QUOTED THE MOST RECENT SURVEY, COMPLETED IN 1982, COVERING ALL THE 30 STREAMS AROUND TOLO HARBOUR.
THE WATER QUALITY AT 22 PER CENT OF THE SAMPLING POINTS WAS FOUND TO BE 'GOOD', 35 PER CENT ’MEDIUM’ AND 43 PER CENT ’BAD’, HE SAI D.
♦THIS IS NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF, BUT COMPARES QUITE FAVOURABLY WITH THE AVERAGE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH SHOWED THAT ONLY 15 PER CENT OF THE SAMPLING POINTS HAD ’GOOD’ OR ’EXCELLENT’ WATER QUALITY AND 67 PER CENT ’BAD’ OR ’VERY BAD’,+ HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE SITUATION HAD CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE SURVEY WAS COMPLETED.
HOWEVER, MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT REGULAR MONITORING OF THE LAM TSUEN RIVER, TAI PO RIVER FO TAN NULLAH AND SHING MUN RIVER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE SUBJECT TO SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS, WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF POLLUTION DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS AND LOWER LEVELS IN SUMMER, WHEN ABUNDANT RAINFALL DILUTED AND FLUSHED AWAY THE POLLUTANT LOADS.
HE SAID THAT SINCE 1981, THE WATER QUALITY OF THE LAM TSUEN RIVER HAD IMPROVED FROM BEING CONSISTENTLY 'VERY BAD’ TO ’GOOD' OR ’EXCELLENT’, AT LEAST IN THE WET SEASON.
+THIS IS DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT IN THE LOWER CATCHMENT AREA OF HEAVILY POLLUTING SMALL FACTORIES, UNSEWERED HOUSES AND LIVESTOCK INDUSTRIES BY PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT WITH PROPER SEWERAGE,+ HE SAI D.
OVER THIS PERIOD THE OTHER THREE RIVERS, ORIGINALLY CLASSIFIED ’GOOD’ OR ’MEDIUM’, HAD NOT IMPROVED, HE SAID.
IN THE CASE OF THE FO TAN NULLAH AND SHING MUN RIVER, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT THERE WAS SOME EVIDENCE OF A DETERIORATING TREND, PROBABLY DUE TO CONNECTIONS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS TO THE SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, J UNE 26, 1>oj
k* • - 35 -
")
HE SAID THAT ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POLLUTION LOAD ON TOLO HARBOUR CAME FROM INDUSTRY, 48 PER CENT FROM AGRICULTURE, AND 27 PER CENT FROM DOMESTIC SOURCES IN AREAS NOT SERVED BY THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
MR CHAMBERS ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT IN VIEW OF ITS USE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF THE SHING MUN RIVER HAD BEEN CAREFULLY ASSESSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.
+THE STATE OF THE LOWER SHING MUN RIVER IS DEFINITELY UNACCEPTABLE,* HE SAID, AND THEREFORE, SWIMMING WAS DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED.
HE ADMITTED THAT THE CONTINUATION AND INTENSIFICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS ON POLLUTION CONTROL IN THIS AREA WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT.
+DI STRICT WORKING GROUPS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO AND ACTION IS IN HAND TO IMPROVE THE MAIN RIVERS BY THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION DISCHARGES AS WELL AS SUCH REMEDIAL MEASURES AS DESILTING, REFUSE CLEARANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FLOW,* HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE DRAFT WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, WHI 6h HAD RECENTLY BEEN GAZETTED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMENT, WERE INTENDED TO ENABLE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION TO BE CONTAINED IN THE SHORT TERM AND IMPROVED IN THE LONGER TERM, HE SAID.
♦>
+SEPARATE MEASURES ARE ALSO BEING DEVELOPED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF AGRICULTURAL AND TOXIC INDUSTRIAL WASTES,* HE ADDED.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT THESE LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, TOGETHER WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE SEWERAGE NETWORKS, SHOULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION OF THE OVERALL POLLUTION LOAD IN THE AREA, MR CHAMBERS_CONCLUDED.
- - 0 -
TAX WRITTEN OFF * *
TAX WRITTEN OFF AS IRRECOVERABLE IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1984-85 AMOUNTED TO $27.46 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
IN THE THREE PRECEDING FINANCIAL YEARS, THE AMOUNTS WRITTEN OFF WERE $10.22 MILLION, $7.51 MILLION, AND $12.14 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, HE SAID.
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT TAX ASSESSED IN ANY FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE CONSIDERED AS IRRECOVERABLE UNTIL ALL POSSIBLE RECOVERY PROCEDURES HAD BEEN PURSUED.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN.
0 -------
/36.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935
CONTROL OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS STUDIED K * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVlCr' .AS ■. -'KING INTO THE COMPLEX ISSUES INVOLVED IN DETERMINING WHETHER AND HOW SOME ENSURE OF CONTROL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED OVER THE OPERATION OF BILLIARD CENTRES BY SO-CALLED PRIVATE CLUBg, TH- ,HIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, ID । JAY.
SIR DAVID HAD EARLIER SAID, IN REPlY TO h lJESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT EXERCISE SUPERVISION OVER THE OK ’" if'! Cf BILLIARD CENTRES RUN BY PRIVATE CLUBS.
NOR DID THE LICENSING CONDITIONS AP-L TO PUBLIC
CENTRES APPLY TO PRIVATE CLUBS.
< MRS NG HAD ASKED ABOUT SUPERVISION OVER BILLIARD CENTRES RUN BY PRIVATE CLUBS, AND ABOUT SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THAT +SO-CALLED PRIVATE CLUBS* WERE NOT BEING SED TO CIRCUMVENT THE LICENSING CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TC ’u-uiC B Ll-IARD CENTRES.
TWO BANK BILLS GET SECOND READINGS * X * *
A BILL PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF
THE UNDERTAKING OF ,vMP. NY TO THE ROYAL
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PUBLIC LIMITED
BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PUBLIC LIMIT COMPANY WAS GIVEN ITS SECOND
READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SENIOR MEMBER THE HON SIR ROGER LOBO, SAID THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, A UNITED KINGDOM-RECOGNISED BANK AND A LICENSED BANK IN HONG KONG, PROPOSED TO MERGE ITS wuRLDwIDE BUSINESS WITH THAT OF WILLIAMS AND GLYN’S BANK, ALSO A UNITED KINGDOM-RECObNIo;J BANK, BUT WITH NO BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
+BOTH THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND AND THE WILL I AMS AND GLYN’a BANK ARE EXISTING SUBSIDIARIES OF THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP AND IT IS PROPOSED TO EFFECT THE MERGER BY THE TRANSFER OF THE BUSINESSES OF THE KO BANKS TO A THIRD SUBSIDIARY OF THE SAMt GROUP, RBSG PLC - THE NEW BANK,* SIR ROGER SAID.
HE SAID LEGISLATION ..AS BEING PROMOTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO EFFECT THE MERGER THERE AND THE PURPOSE OF THE PRESENT BILL WAS TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER 2>F THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND S
HONG KONG BUSINESS TO THE NEW BANK.
/WHEN THE........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 37 -
WHEN THE MERGER TOOK PLACE, HE SAID, THE NEw BANK WOULD TAKE OVER THE NAME + THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC* FROM THE PRESENT ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. THERE WOULD, THEREFORE, BE NO EFFECTIVE CHANGE IN THE NAME UNDER WHICH THE HONG KONG BANKING BUSINESS TRANSFERRED FROM THE EXISTING ROYAL BANK Of SCOTLAND TO THE NEW BANK WAS CARRIED ON.
+BY EFFECTING THE MERGER IN HONG KONG BY wAY OF LEGISLATION RATHER THAN BY OTHER MEANS, SUBSTANTIAL COST AND TIME SAVINGS WILL BE MADE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE HONG KONG CUSTOMERS OF THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND,* SIR ROGER SAID.
THE SECOND READING wAS ALSO GIVEN TO THE LLOYDS BANK (MERGER) BILL.
THE HON W.C.L. BROWN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO MAKE PROVISION IN HONG KONG FOR THE FUSION OF THE UNDERTAKING OF LLOYDS BANK PLC AND THAT OF LLOYDS BhNK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
LLOYDS BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED -AS A BANK LICENSED UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND WAS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LLOYDS BANK PLC, MR BROWN SAID.
BOTH COMPANIES WERE INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND.
+THE DECISION TO MERGE LLOYDS BANK PLC AND LLOYDS BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED wAS TAKEN SOME WHILE AGO IN LONDON,* HE SAID.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMal PRACTICE, IT wAS DECIDED THAT THE MERGER SHOULD BE EFFECTED BY AN ACT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM PARLI AMENT.
THIS ACT HAD SUESEQUENTLV BEEN PASSED AS THE LLOYDS BANK (MERGER) ACT 1985.
CONSEQUENTLY, LEGAL ADVICE wAS TAKEN IN ALL THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH LLOYDS BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED OPERATED AS TO THE EFFECT OF THE LLOYDS BANK (MERGER) ACT 1985.
IN HONG KONG, THE ADVICE WAS THAT IT WAS BY NO MEANS CERTAIN THAT IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE TO VEST ALL THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES CF LLOYDS BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED IN LLOYDS BANK PLC AND IT WAS THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT A HONG KONG ORDINANCE SHOULD BE ENACTED IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME TERMS AS THE UK ACT.
+THE BILL LAID BEFORE THIS COUNCIL SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECTS TO THIS PROPOSAL,* MR BROWN SAID.
HE SAID THE BILL, IF ENACTED, WOULD BE, IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS, IDENTICAL WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM LLOYDS BANK (MERGEn) ACT 1985.
DEBATE ON THE BILLS, BOTH UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILLS, WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------
/38......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935
- 38 -
FOUR BILLS PASSED * * *
four RIHS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985, THE FOREIGN NOTES (PROHIBITION OF C IRCULATION)(REPEAL) BILL 1984 THE FOREIGN JUDGEMENTS (RESTRICTION ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT) BILL 1985 AND THE DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR)(SAFETy{ BILL 1985 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
FIVE BILLS, INCLUDING TWO UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S ®^*-LS, WERE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1935, THE ELECTIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1985, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND BILL 1985 AND THE LLOYDS BANK (MERGER) dILL 1935.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 10.
- 0 -
/39
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 39 -
FIRST MEETING DATE SET * * *
THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE AGREED THAT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE SI NO—BRITISH LAND COMMISSION wILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG BETWEEN JULY 10-12, 1985.
-----o-----
FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES MTRC EQUITY INJECTION )€ H
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ACCEPTED A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OF $2 500 MILLION IN EQUITY INJECTIONS FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED A FURTHER POSSIBLE COMMITMENT UP TO $2 500 MILLION IN EQUITY INJECTIONS TO BE MADE ON OR AFTER THE END OF 1989.
OF THE INITIAL $2 500 MILLION THE FINANCE COMMITTEE GAVE THE GO AHEAD FOR THE TRANSFER OF $1 500 M1LL 1 °NT°THEM AB STR ANi> IT FUND SO THAT THE FIRST EQUITY INJECTION COULD BE MADE DURING THc CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN APPROVING THE EQUITY INJECTIONS THE FINANCE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE MTRC WOULD ISSUE TO THE GOVERNMENT $5 000 MILLION IN ORDINARY SHARES, $1 500 MILLION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND $1 000 MILLION BY THE END OF MARCH 1988.
UP TO $2 500 MILLION MAY BE PAYABLE ON OR AFTER THE END OF DECEMBER 1989, SUBJECT TO THE MTRC’S CASH FLOW REQUIREMENTS AND THE AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 40 -
HONORARIA FOR PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS * * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED PROPOSED RATES OF HONORARIUM AND OFFICE RENT ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $2.6 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES, EACH MEMBER MAY CLAIM UP TO $7 000 A MONTH IN HONORARIUM AND THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN $28 000 AND $14 000 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO CLAIM AN OFFICE RENT ALLOWANCE OF UP TO $1 750 A MONTH.
THE HONORARIUM IS INTENDED TO COVER SECRETARIAL, CLERICAL, TRAVELLING, ENTERTAINMENT, AND OTHER EXPENSES. THE OFFICE RENT ALLOWANCE WILL ENABLE MEMBERS TO RENT OFFICE ACCOMMODATION FOR COUNCIL WORK. PAYMENT OF THESE ALLOWANCES IS INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE LESS WELL-TO-DO COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT UNDUE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.
THE HIGHER RATES FOR THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN ARE IN RECOGNITION OF THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH WILL BE BORNE BY THEM.
PROVISION FOR THIS EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 1985-86 ESTIMATES OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF THE COUNCIL. HOWEVER IT WILL BE BORNE BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR WHEN IT BECOMES FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS.
IT MAY BE RECALLED THAT ON MAY 8, 1984 THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ORDERED THAT A REGIONAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE SET UP ON APRIL 1, 1986 TO COVER THE AREA OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THAT A PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED ON APRIL 1, 1985 TO ALLOW WORKING EXPERIENCE TO BE GAINED BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL COMES INTO BEING.
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL IS VESTED WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON THE PLANNING, INAUGURAL AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND ON MATTERS RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE, RECRcaTION AND CULTURE IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS.
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSISTS OF 24 MEMBERS, OF WHOM 12 ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, NINE ARE ELECTED FROM AMONG MEMBERS OF EACH DISTRICT BOARD IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS, AND THREE ARE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, I.E. THE CHAIRMAN AND THE TWO VICE-CHAIRMtN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
- 0 - -
WEDNEoi- , JUNE 26, 1935
- 41 -
SWING SCHEME FOR U.S. MARKET ANNOUNCED * * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE OPERATION OF 1985 SWING SCHEME PHASE III STAGE II OF EXPORT CF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO THE UNITED STATES WITH EFFECT FROM FRIDAY (JUNE 28).
SWING MARGIN AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATION IS AS FOLLOWS:
CATEGORY QUANTITY
313 5 692 000 SYD
317 6 424 000 SYD
347 (FROM 348 ONLY) (934 000 DOZ)
348 (FROM 347 ONLY) (527 000 DOZ)
351 12 000 DOZ
369(1) 40 000 LB
605(1) 25 000 LB
633/634 9 000 DOZ
633/634 (FROM 635 ONLY) (4 000 DOZ)
635 29 000 DOZ
635 (FROM 633/634 ONLY) (142 000 DOZ)
636 6 000 DOZ
644 30 DOZ SET
647 5 000 DOZ
652 1 198 000 DOZ
659(2) 41 000 LB
436 5 000 DOZ
443 300 DOZ SET
A COMBINED FREE QUOTA/SwING SCHEME WILL ALSO BE OPERATED WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE.
/quantities available
WBDH4~UA.. .UNE 26, 1985
QUANTITIES AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATION EITHtR AS SwV I NG OR AS FREE QUOTA ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CATEGORY QUANTITY
315 440 000 SYD
319 11 335 000 SYD
359(1) 269 000 LB
359(2) 388 000 LB
359(3) 1 371 000 LB
604 55 000 LB
659(1) 491 000 LB
THE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALL APPLICATIONS UNDER THE ABOVE TWO SCHEMES WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON A DAY-BY-DAY BASIS.
A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE SCHEMES IS BEING ISSUED AND COPIES OF THE NOTICE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE U.S.A. SECTION OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, 15TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
-----0------
5 195 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED * * * *
UP TO 4 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY), 5 195 LATE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. AS A RESULT OF THE EARLIER REGISTRATION EXERCISE 34 531 ELECTORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21.
A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS:
ESTIMATED SIZE OF ELECTORATE
NUMBER OF ELECTORS ON PROVISIONAL
REGISTER
LATE
APPLICATIONS
RECEIVED
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
434
428
5
/mcriOKAL COM STITUENCISS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
- 43 -
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
COMMERCIAL 1 2 300 681 512
COMMERCIAL II 5 175 1 730 819
INDUSTRIAL 1 707 364 65
INDUSTRIAL II 2 219 913 229
FINANCIAL 141 119 8
LABOUR 390 285 9
SOCIAL SERVICES 155 129 12
MED 1 CAL 4 540 2 109 456
LEGAL 1 500 727 196
TEACHING 49 047 25 337 2 385
ENGINEERING, 2 500 1 709 499
ARCHITECTURAL,
SURVEYING AND
PLANNING
TOTAL 69 108 34 531 5 195
-------0 - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY * * * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 3.2 PER CENT AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) BY 3.6 PER CENT BETWEEN MAY 1984 AND MAY 1985, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR MAY 1985 WERE 159.0 AND 159.4 RESPECTIVELY, OR 4.9 POINTS AND 5.5 POINTS RESPECTIVELY HIGHt THAN THOSE FOR MAY 1984. COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, CPI(A) DECREASED BY 0.9 POINT OR 0.6 PER CENT AND CPI(B), BY 0.6 POINT OR 0.4 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CP I(A) AND AVERAGE CP 1(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MAY 1985, BOTH AT 157.1, WERE 5.3 PER CENT AND 5.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MAY 1984.
/DUaDJG THE........
WEE. L..Y JUNE 26, 1985
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MAY 1985, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.5 PER CENT EACH MONTH.
DURING MAY, FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF FRESH VEGETABLES, WERE LOWER.
THE CP I(A) AND CP 1(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS CF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH aERE DERIVED FROM THE 1979-80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CP I (A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1 000 AND 53 499 A MONTH, AND THE CPl(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
THE INDEXES FOR MAY 1985 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/ SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR APRIL 1985 AND MAY 1984.
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION MAY 84 CP 1(A) CPI(B)
APR 85 MAY 85 MAY 84 APR 85 MAY 85
FOODSTUFFS 154.8 157.0 154.5 155.4 157.7 155.6
HOUSING 143.7 154.4 154.8 144.0 153.7 154.2
FUEL AND LIGHT 148.7 146.8 146.8 148.4 146.7 146.7
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 208.0 231.6 233.5 200.7 222.1 223.9
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 156.4 169.4 170.4 157.8 171.9 172.4
DURABLE GOODS 125.8 123.9 123.5 129.5 128.7 128.2
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 150.1 151.6 151.6 147.1 148.6 148.6
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 169.5 181.6 181.8 171.4 182.3 182.4
SERVICES 166.8 180.8 181.6 165.1 176.8 177.4
ALL ITEMS 154.1 159.9 159.0 153.9 160.0 159.4
/COMPARED WITH .......
lEBjjUjA; JNE 26, 1985
- 45 -
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 2.5 POINTS IN CPI(A) AND 2.1 POINTS IN CPI(B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECREASED DUE TO ADEQUATE SUPPLY. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH ALSO WENT DOWN. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUIT ROSE AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF SEASONAL FRUIT, MAINLY, PEARS AND WATER MELONS. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING WENT UP BY 0.4 POINT IN CP I(A) AND 0.5 POINT IN CP 1(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND CHINESE WINES PUSHED UP THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) BY 1.9 POINTS IN CPI(A) AND 1.8 POINTS IN CPI(B).
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ROSE BY 1.0 POINT IN CPI(A) AND 0.5 POINT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS DECREASED BY 0.4 POINT IN CP I(A) AND 0.5 POINT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF LOWER PRICES OF TELEVISION SETS, SOUND EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRICAL CONSUMER GOODS.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.8 POINT IN CP I(A) AND 0.6 POINT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIRDRESSING.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TO 2 DECIMAL PLACES.)
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR MAY 1985, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG- OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BASKERVILLE HOUSE, DUDOtu^ STREET, HONG KONG, FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
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.
/46 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985
LI QUOR LI CENSING BOARD
X
TURNS DOWN APPLICATION X X
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD TURNED DOWN THE APPLICATION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE LIQUOR LICENCE OF THE WAH DO BAR AND NIGHT CLUB IN NATHAN ROAD AT ITS MONTHLY hEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
S,on was REACHED in the light of objections FROM THE POLICE THAT VICE ACTIVITIES WERE STRONGLY SUSPECTED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE ON THE CLUB PREMISES.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD GAVE APPROVAL TO RENEW THE LIQUOR LICENCE OF PACIFIC LOUNGE AT TAK SHING STREET, KOWLOON, FOR SIX MONTHS ON THE CONDITION THAT NO LIQUOR WOULD BE SOLD ON THE PREMISES BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 8 A.M.
AN APPLICATION FOR THE NEW ISSUE OF A CLUB LIQUOR LICENCE BY KA WO RECREATIONAL AND GENERAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED AT JAFFE ROAD, WAN CHAI, WAS ADJOURNED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE APPLICANT.
TODAY’S MEETING WAS PRESIDED OVER BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PETER C.K. CHAN, AND ATTENDED BY MR KWAN LIM-HO, MISS CECILIA YEUNG, MR SAMUEL WONG, MRS MARGARET LI AND MR FAN KAM-PING.
--------o ----------
GOOD RESPONSE IN SALES OF HOS FLATS X X X X
A TOTAL OF 320 FLATS WERE SOLD TODAY UNDER PHASE VI IB OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
+THIS IS A REMARKABLE DAILY SALES RECORD, AND IS THE SECOND HIGHEST NUMBER OF FLATS SOLD IN ONE DAY,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
+ALL THE FLATS SOLD ARE LOCATED AT TWO PRIVATE SECTOR PARTI CIPATION SCHEME PROJECTS - GREENWOOD TERRACE IN CHAI WAN AND PRIME VIEW GARDEN IN TUEN MUN,+ HE ADDED.
OVER 80 PER CENT OF 5 020 FLATS AT FOUR PSPS DEVELOPMENT UNDER PHASE VI IB OF THE SCHEME HAVE SO FAR BEEN TAKEN UP BY APPLI CANTS.
/FLATS AT .......
WEMIBSi t, JW1 26, 1985
- 47 -
FLATS AT THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS, HOLFORD GARDENS IN SHA TIN AND SUN LAI GARDEN IN NGAU CHI WAN, HAVE ALL BEEN SOLD OUT EARLIER TH IS MONTH.
WITH GROSS AREA BETWEEN 48.6 TO 69.4 SQUARE METRES THE REMAINING FLATS AT GREENWOOD TERRACE AND PRIME VIEW GARDEN ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN AT PRICES FROM $104 OOO TO $364 700 EACH.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PHASE VI IB WHO HAVE NOT SELECTED THEIR FLATS WILL STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SELECT THEIR FLATS AT THE CENTRE.
-----0------
TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATE INTEREST RATE DOWN ******
FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE 3.6 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 4.08 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
NOTICE OF THIS WAS PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE YESTERDAY.
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.30 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED TOMORROW (JUNE 27) OR AFTER.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BEFORE JUNE 27 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
10.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 13, 1984;
12.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 13, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 10, 1984;
10.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 10, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 31, 1984;
/9.6 PER C3JT........
WEDNKSull. UNE 26, 1985
9.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 31, 1984 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 5, 1984;
8.52 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 5, 1984 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 1984;
8.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR OCTOBER 31, 1984 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 28, AFTER 198A;
7.56 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR NOVEMBER 28, 1984 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 26 AFTER 1, 1984;
7.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR DECEMBER 28, 1984 AND BEFORE JANUARY 16, AFTER 1985;
6.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JANUARY 16, 1985 AND BEFORE JANUARY 33, AFTER 1985;
5.52 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 30, 1985 AND BEFORE APRIL 3, 1985;
5.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR APRIL 3, 1985 AND BEFORE APRIL 24, 1985 AFTER i
4.56 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR APRIL 24, 1985 AND BEFORE MAY 22, 1985; AFTER AND
4.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR MAY 22, 1985 AND BEFORE JUNE 27, 1985 AFTER
BUT ALWAYS TO ACCRUE PAYMENT OF SUBJECT AFTER 36 TAX. TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR
EXAMPLE;
$1 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JULY 3, 1985, AUGUST 3, 1985 AND SEPTEMBER 3, 1985 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON OCTOBER 2, 1985 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1 000, JULY 3, 1985 TO OCTOBER 2, 1985
THREE C6MPLETE MONTHS AT $3.00 PER MONTH
» 9.00
ON $1 000, AUGUST 3, 1985 TO OCTOBER 2, 1985 ' 6.JO
TWO COMPLETE MONTHS AT $3.00 PER MONTH
ON $1 000, SEPTEMBER 3, 1985 TO OCTOBER 2, 1985 - J 3.03
ONE COMPLETE MONTH AT $3.00 PER MONTH ------
s? 13 • 30
0 --------
/49........
WEDNESD> JUNE 26, 1935
- 49 -
DATE SET FOR SECOND YOUTH CONFERENCE * * * *
THE SECOND STAGE OF THE CONFERENCE ON +YOUTH POLICIES IN PERSPECTIVE* WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON JULY 28 AND 29.
THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE STAGE I YOUTH CONFERENCE HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (CCCIYY) WITH THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS (HKFS).
CO-ORDINATING IN ASSOCIATION
DETAILS OF THE EVENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY (JUNE 28) AT 2.30 PM IN CONFERENCE ROOM L409, LIBRARY BUILDING, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, HUNG HOM.
THE CHAIRMAN OF ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CCCIYY, CHAIRMAN Ur ^AC MR WA|_KW0NG,
THE PRESS-CONFERENCE. ALSO PRESENT WILL BE HKFS ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE STAGE II
NR LO KING-MAN, AND WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONFERENCE, MISS HO
YIM-MING.
DB MEMBERS VISIT PRISONS * * * *
A GROUP OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED TWO PRISONS IN THEIR DISTRICT TO SEE HOW INMATES SPENT THEIR TIME.
LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAM KWOK-KWONG, AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, THE 16-MEMBER PARTY VISITED MA HANG PRISON AND STANLEY PRISON AND SA* PRISONERS AT WORK IN A VARIETY OF TRADES IN THE WORKSHOPS, WHILE SOME WERE ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC SERVICES. A NUMBER OF INMATES WERE ALSO UNDERGOING VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN TELEVISION AND RADIOREPAIRING.
THE PARTY ALSO SAW OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNDERGOING TRAINING AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THE VISIT, THEY MET THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, FOR DISCUSSION.
- - 0 - -
/50
WEDNESDAY, JU < 26, 1985
- 50 -
BOARD TO DISCUSS TRANSFER OF FACILITIES * * *
BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET TOMORROW OF COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE TRANSFER FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATION.
THIS FOLLOWS A RECENT MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, WHICH DECIDED THAT THE MATTER SHOULD BE BROUGHT UP FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL BOARD.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ADOPTION OF THE REVISED DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS AND THE MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS OF DB COMMITTEES, PROGRAMME OF VISITS, APPLICATION OF DB FUNDS AND PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
---------o - - - -
BUTE STREET REROUTING * * * *
THE SECTION OF BUTE STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH NORTHBOUND NATHAN ROAD WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL JULY 20 TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THE SECTION OF BUTE STREET BETWEEN PORTLAND STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL CONTINUE TO BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON BUTE STREET HEADING TOWARDS LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO DIVERT INTO SHANGHAI STREET SOUTHBOUND, MONG KOK ROAD, SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, ARGYLE STREET AND NATHAN ROAD.
--------0 ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO GO ON LEAVE ...................................... 1
SIR DAVID SEES LATEST IN EDUCATION ........................... 1
COUNCIL TO REVIEW POLICIES, SERVICES ......................... 2
THREE APPOINTED TO PROVISIONAL RC ............................ 2
6 570 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ............................. 5
+JENKINS BILL COULD COST HALF A MILLION PER JOB SAVED+........ 4
GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIES ................ 5
LADY YOUDE VISITS INSTITUTIONS ............................... 6
HK PAVILION CHALLENGE FOR DESIGNERS .......................... 7
PROPOSALS TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING U4 THAS .................... 8
FAREWELL PARADE .............................................. 9
EARLY APPLICATION FOR FEE ASSISTANCE URGED.................... 10
S484 000 BOOST FOR SAMARITAN FUND............................. 11
GRANTS, LOANS OFFERED TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS ................ 12
UK TOUR FOR SIX YOUNG AMBASSADORS ............................ 13
SEMINAR TO STRENGTHEN MONG KOK TIES........................... 14
BRIEFING ON AUXILIARY LITTER WARDIM SCHEME ................... 15
SPECIAL MEDICAL SCHEME FOR WONG TAI SIN ELDERS ............... 15
REFRESHER COURSE ON AURAL REHABILITATION BEGINS .............. 16
TUEN MUN MARKS TREE PLANTING DAY.............................. 17
REFUSE BOOMS TO KEEP MORE POPULAR LEACHES CLEAN .............. 17
AWARDS FOR WATER SAFETY CONTEST WINNERS....................... 18
WINNING ENTRIES ON EXHIBITION ................................ 19
NEW OFFICE FOR DISTRICT BOARD ................................ 19
OFFICES ON THE MOVE .......................................... 20
CENTRAL STREET CLOSED......................................... 20
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1935
1
GOVERNOR TO GO ON LEAVE * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, wILL RETURN TO LONDON ON LEAVE NEXT MONTH.
WHILE IN LONDON, SIR EDWARD WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PEET MINISTERS FOR CONSULTATION ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
HE IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (JULY 5) AND TO RETURN IN MID-AUGUST.
------o-------
SIR DAVID SEES LATEST IN EDUCATION * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SPENT THIS AFTERNOON (THURSDAY) AT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS MEETING WITH STAFF INVOLVED IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION WORK.
SIR DAVID, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, NR MICHAEL LEUNG, FIRST WENT TO THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, AND MET MEMBERS OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT TEAMS. THc.SE TEAM MEMBERS ARE SERVING TEACHERS SECONDED FROM SCHOOLS TO WORK FOR A YEAR IN THE DEPARTMENT, OFFERING THEIR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL CURRICULAR PROJECTS FOR KINDERGARTENS, PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
IN THE COMPUTER EDUCATION SECTION, SIR DAVID SAw SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT USED IN SCHOOLS AND WAS ADVISED OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INTENTION TO INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT IN ALL PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS THAT WISHED TO INCLUDE IT.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE OPENING A COMPUTER EDUCmTION_ CENTRE NEXT YEAR WITH A GRANT OF $4 MILLION FROM THE MACLEHOSt FUND, TO PROVIDE COURSES AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS.
COMPUTER STUDIES WAS INTRODUCED AT FORM 4 LEVEL TO 33 SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER 1982. IT wAS TAKEN UP BY 75 MORE SCHOOLS IN THE 1984-85 SCHOOL YEAR. BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 213 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE OFFERING THt SUBJECT.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO VISITED THE CAREERS EDUCATION CENTRE, WHICH WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS IN THE PROMOTION OF CAREERS GUIDANCE AND EDUCATION IN ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
LATER HE VISITED THE SCHOOLS DIVISION, AND LEARNED ABOUT THE WORK OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION, AND THE SERVICES DIVISION WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT GUIDANCE.
/2 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1°>'
2
COUNCIL TO REVIEW POLICIES, SERVICES
******
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DECIDE ON THE COMPOSITION OF ITS SELECT COMMITTEES AND CONSIDER THE FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH ITS FULL COMPLEMENT OF 24 MEMBERS, THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROSPECT OF ASSUMING STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR LIQUOR LICENSING IN THE NON-URBAi\_ AREAS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CATEGORY OF RESTAURANT LICENCc FOR BARS WHICH SELL ONLY DRINKS AND FOOD WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE KITCHEN FACILITIES.
ON THE BASIS OF PREFERENCES BY MEMBERS IN THEIR LAST MEETING ON JUNE 21, THE COUNCIL WILL DECIDE ON THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE WAYS AND MEANS SELECT COMMITTEE, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE. EACH COMMITTEE WILL BE COMPOSED OF TEN TO 13 MEMBERS.
ALSO TO BE DISCUSSED WILL EE WHETHER THE FUTURE FULLY-FLEDGED REGIONAL COUNCIL SHOULD ASSUME LIQUOR LICENSING FUNCTIONS FOR THE NON-URBAN AREAS IN LINE WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL.
COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A NEW CATEGORY OF RESTAURANT LICENCE FOR BARS wHICH SELL ONLY DRINKS AND PRE-PACKED INSTANT FOOD.
THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO STUDY THE RSD’S POLICIES ON HAWKERS AND MARKETS. THE POLICY ON HAWKERS IS GEARED TO THE ERADICATING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HAWKING. THE POLICY ON MARKETS IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF HYGIENE AND CONSTRUCTING MORE MODERN FACILITIES.
• MEMBERS WILL ALSO REVIEW THE RSD’S VARIOUS SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN RESPECT OF CIVIC CENTRES, CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES.
0 - -
THREE APPOINTED TO PRQVISIONAL RC *****
THREE MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK HAVE BEEN APPOINTtD BY Trie GOVERNOR TO SIT ON THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMcwT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE THREE WILL JOIN 21 OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND ATTEND THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
/THE APPOINTEES,
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
THE APPOINTEES, ALL EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS OF THE KUK, ARE MR LAU HON-KIT, AGED 47, FROM THE KUK’S TAI PO CONSTITUENCY, MR TANG CHI-LEUNG, 61, FROM THE YUEN LONG CONSTITUENCY AND MR YOUNG WING-YAU, 76, FROM THE SOUTH CONSTITUENCY.
MR LAU, A MERCHANT, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
MR TANG, ALSO A MERCHANT, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KAM TIN RURAL COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD. H£.rsi*TrJ THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF A NUMBER OF LOCAL SPORTS AND CUlTURaL ORGANISATIONS.
MR YOUNG, AN INDUSTRIALIST, IS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSISTS OF 24 MEMBERS - 12 JR WHOM ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. NINE OF THE OTHER 12 ARE ELECT* BY EACH OF THE NINE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NON-URBAN AREA* WHILE THz REMAINING THREE ARE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WHO ARE THE CHAIRMAN AND THz TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF HEUNG YEE KUK.
ONE OF THE MAIN TASKS OF THE PROVISIONAL RC IS TO PREPARE_FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WHICH WILL BE ESTABLISHtD IN APRIL NEXT YEAR. ANOTHER 12 MEMBERS, WHO WILL BE DIRECTLY ELcCTtD FROM THE CONSTITUENCIES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS IN MARCH NeXT YtAR, WILL JOIN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
------o-------
6 570 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED * * *
UP TO 4 PM TODAY (THURSDAY), 6 570 LATE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION* HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. AS A RESULT OF THE EARLIER REGISTRATION EXERCISE, 34 531 ELECTORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21.
A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS:
ESTIMATED SIZE OF ELECTORATE
NUMBER OF ELECTORS ON PROVISIONAL REGISTER
LATE
APPu ICATI j..u
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
(REVISED)
434
428
/FUNCTIONAL.......
9
THURSDAY, JUKE 27, 1985
I
- 4 -
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
COMMERCIAL 1 2 347 681 537
COMMERCIAL II 5 512 1 730 849
INDUSTRIAL 1 772 364 77
INDUSTRIAL II 2 267 913 252
FINANCIAL 141 119 8
LABOUR 393 285 11
SOCIAL SERVICES 155 129 14
MEDICAL 4 548 2 199 537
LEGAL 1 511 727 204
TEACHING 49 047 25 337 3 567
ENGINEER ING, 2 890 1 709 548
ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING
TOTAL 7'3 017 34 531 6 573
-----0------
♦JENKINS BILL COULD COST HALF A MILLION PER JOB SAVED*
******
PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT IMPORTS OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL PRODUCTS INTO THE UNITED STATES WOULD COST U.S. CONSUMERS HKS514 000 PER DOMESTIC JOB SUPPORTED.
THIS IS THE PUBLICLY EXPRESSED VIEW OF DONALD SEIBERT, CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE RETAIL INDUSTRY TRADE ACTION COALITION (HITAC), WHICH OPPOSES NEW RESTRICTIONS, SAID THE DIRECTOR CF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THAT CALCULATIONS MADE BY THE COALITION HAD SHOaN THAT LEGISLATION NOW BEFORE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE JENKINS BILL, WOULD SUPPORT 36 900 JOBS IN THE DOMESTIC APPAREL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AT AN ANNUAL COST OF U.S.$66 000 (HKS514 000) EACH. AT THE SAME TIME IT NOULu ELIMINATE 58 000 JOBS IN THE AMERICAN RETAIL INDUSTRY.
/H MAJOR .......
THl JUNE 27, 1985
- 5 -
A MAJOR STUDY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED FOR THE COALITION, WHICH IS MADE UP OF 40 LARGE AND SMALL RETAIL CORPORATIONS AND EIGHT RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. IT PREDICTED THAT AVERAGE PRICES OF IMPORTED APPAREL WOULD INCREASE BY 16 PER CENT AND OF TEXTILE IMPORTS BY 33 PER CENT UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
LOWER INCOME CONSUMERS WOULD PAY THE HEAVIEST PENALTY AS MUCH CF THE LESS-EXPENSIVE MERCHANDISE WOULD BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED. BECAUSE OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS, FOREIGN PRODUCERS WOULD CONCENTRATE ON EXPORTING HIGHER-VALUE GOODS. THE COSTS OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS TO THE AMERICAN CONSUMER WOULD BE AN EXTRA HK$18.72 BILLION A YEAR FOR APPAREL AND HK$7.8 BILLION A YEAR FOR TEXTILES. THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE COSTS OF EXISTING TARIFFS AND QUOTAS WHICH ALREADY COST THE AMERICAN CONSUMER HK&179.4 BILLION ANNUALLY.
+THIS STUDY UNDERLINES THE VERY REAL COSTS OF PROTECTIONIST POLICIES SUCH AS TEXTILE QUOTAS, AND IS A VERY HELPFUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE ON THE JENKINS BILL - INDEED IT IS PART OF AN OVERALL AND VITAL ATTEMPT TO GET THE DEBATE ONTO A RATIONAL FOOT I NG,+ SAID PR MACLEOD.
-----0------
GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIES * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY BY ENSURING THAT CONDITIONS ARE CREATED AND AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDED TO ENABLE INDUSTRY TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AND PROFITABLY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR ERIC HO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION CHINESE EXECUTIVES CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, MR HO SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH DIVERSIFICATION, UPGRADING OF PRODUCT RANGE AND INCREASING USE OF AUTOMATED AND OTHER MODERN EQUIPMENT, WE COULD OVERCOME NOT ONLY OUR OWN INTERNAL PROBLEMS BUT THOSE WE FACED WITH INCREASING PROTECTIONISM AND COMPETITION AROUND THE WORLD.
DESPITE THE MANY DIFFICULTIES FACED, HE SAID, HONG KONG EXPERIENCED AN EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN 1984 AND THE EXPORT SECTOR SHOWED IMPRESSIVE GROWTH.
THE TREND TOWARDS THE MANUFACTURE OF HIGH QUALITY, MORE SOPHISTICATED CONSUMER PRODUCTS WAS CONTINUING.
TEXTILES AND GARMENT MANUFACTURE REMAINED DOMINANT AND INDUSTRY WAS DEMONSTRATING ITS WILLINGNESS TO ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIC AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES.
/THE uLECTRuNICS
THUR , "ONE 27, 1985
6
THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY CONTINUED TO GROW AND WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE WORK OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACTIVITIES.
ON GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICY, MR HO SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S BASIC PHILOSOPHY THAT BUSINESS DECISIONS WERE BEST TAKEN BY BUSINESSMEN RATHER THAN BUREAUCRATS AND IT WAS GREATLY TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL IF PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO GET ON WITH THEIR BUSINESS WITH MINIMUM INTERFERENCE.
♦THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER SOUGHT TO INTERVENE IN DECISIONS ON WHAT TYPE OF INDUSTRY SHOULD BE SET UP. THIS HAS GIVEN ENTREPRENEURS COMPLETE FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO MARKET DEMANDS AND TO DEPLOY THEIR RESOURCES AS THEY SEE FIT.
♦CONSISTENT WITH THIS POLICY, THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPAL ROLE IS TO ENSURE THAT CONDITIONS ARE CREATED AND ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDED TO ENABLE INDUSTRY TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AND PROFITABLY,* MR HO SAID.
- - 0 -
LADY YOUDE VISITS INSTITUTIONS * * * *
LADY YOUDE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED TWO INSTITUTIONS FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.
SHE FIRST WENT TO THE KWAI SHING SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND SAW 120 FORMER MENTAL PATIENTS BEING TRAINED IN DIFFERENT TRADES, INCLUDING ASSEMBLY OF TOY-MOTORS, WATCH-BANDS, ELECTRIC COMBS AND BRUSHES.
SHE WAS TOLD THAT APART FROM TRAINING THE WORKERS TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT AND SKILFUL IN THEIR JOB PERFORMANCE, STAFF OF THE WORKSHOP ALSO PROVIDED THEM WITH DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES IN THE CULTIVATION OF GOOD MANNERS AND WORKING HABITS.
FOLLOWING THIS, LADY YOUDE TRAVELLED TO KWUN TONG TO VISIT A HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR WOMEN.
THE HALF-WAY HOUSE, CATERING FOR 20 WOMEN, PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS IN A HEALTHY AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO FACILITATE RECOVERY AND EVENTUAL INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE HELP OF PROFESSIONAL WORKERS.
ACCOMPANYING LADY YOUDE THROUGHOUT THE VISITS WAS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE.
- 0 - -
THUR aY, JUNE 27, 1935
7
HK PAVILION CHALLENGE FOR DESIGNERS * * * *
HONG KONG DESIGNERS ARE BEING INVITED, ALONG WITH THOSE FROM OVERSEAS, TO SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSALS FOR A HONG KONG PAVILION IN EXPO '86, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, FROM MAY 2 TO OCTOBER 13 NEXT YEAR.
THE HONG KONG EXPO '86 CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS ISSUED THE INVITATION, HOPES TO RECEIVE SUFFICIENT OUTLINE PROPOSALS BY JULY 10 FROM WHICH TO DRAW UP A SHORTLIST OF DESIGNERS WHO MAY BE CALLED UPON TO PUT FORWARD DETAILED PLANS.
THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES CF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND THE SING TAO GROUP OF NEWSPAPERS.
A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OUTLINE PROPOSALS FOR THE DESIGN OF THE PAVILION WAS +DELIBERATELY TIGHT+ SO AS TO STIMULATE THE CREATIVE IMPULSE.
+WE HAVE A TERRIFIC IDEA TO PUT OVER AT EXPO ’86,+ HE SAID. +THE IDEA OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S SMALLEST TERRITORIES MAKING ONE CF THE WORLD’S GREATEST IMPACTS.
+IN PARTICULAR, WE WANT TO STRESS THE THEME OF HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELDS OF TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS, TRADE AND FINANCE.
+THE EXPO ORGANISERS ARE VERY ANXIOUS TO HAVE HONG KONG PARTICIPATE IN THIS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENT, AND THEY HAVt RESERVED FOR US ONE OF THE BEST SITES IN THE EXPOSITION GROUNDS.
+THE PAVILION SHOULD FIRST ATTRACT THE CURIOSITY AND THEN STIMULATE THE INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING OF AN IMPORTANT SEGMENT CF THE 16 MILLION OR SO PEOPLE EXPECTED TO VISIT EXPO.
+THIS SEGMENT WILL BE THE BUSINESSMEN AND OPINION-FORMERS WHO HAVE AN EXISTING OR POTENTIAL CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG. SOME OF THEM WILL BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT HONG KONG ALREADY, BUT PERHAPS NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ENOUGH.
+HONG KONG HAS NEVER HAD AN AWARENESS PROBLEM. BUT WE DO PERHAPS HAVE AN IDENTITY PROBLEM. EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF US. EVERYONE THINKS HE KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT US. BUT NOT ENOUGH KNOW JUST HOW FAR WE HAVE COME AND HOW FAR WE ARE STILL PLANNING TO GO. WE HOPE OUR PAVILION IN EXPO '86 WILL ADVANCE THEIR AWARENESS OF OUR KEY ROLE ON THIS SIDE OF THE PACIFIC.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF DESIGNING A PAVILION WHICH WOULD EFFECTIVELY CONVEY HONG KONG’S MESSAGE SHOULD APPLY TO THE EXPO ’86 CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, C/0 TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, 31ST FLOOR, GREAT EAGLE CENTRE, 23 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0 ------
/8
8
Thursday, june 27, 1985
PROPOSALS TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING IN THAS
******
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL RECOMMEND THE OFFER OF LARGER TEMPORARY HOUSING UNITS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SERIOUSLY CONGESTED FAMILIES IN URBAN THAS AS A QUICKER MEANS OF RELIEVING OVERCROWDING.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THE REDUCTION OF THE RESIDENCE CRITERION, FROM 10 YEARS TO SEVEN YEARS, IN TRAWLING EXERCISES FOR THA FAMILIES TO TRANSFER TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (OPERATIONS), MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE OPTIONS AND WOULD SOON MAKE THE PROPOSALS TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S OPERATIONS COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION.
HE SAID THIS TO 15 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT A SCHEDULED, BUT INFORMAL, MEETING AT WHICH VIEWS AND POINTS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIVING CONDITIONS IN THAS WERE EXCHANGED.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING WITH THE 15 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FROM KWUN TONG, SHAM SHU I PO, KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND WONG TAI SIN WERE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY’S OPERATIONS COMMITTEE. THEY WERE MISS LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR CHAN YING-LUN, MR PAO PING-WING, DR JOSEPH CHENG YU-SHEK, MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM AND REV SEAN P. BURKE.
+IN THE FACE OF LIMITED URBAN THA RESOURCES, IMPROVED ACCOMMODATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE A POSITIVE RESOLUTION TO CONGESTION,* MR BARMA SAID.
OF THE PRESENT 40 000 HOUSEHOLDS IN THAS, HE SAID ABOUT 10 PER CENT, OR 4 000 FAMILIES, WERE LIVING AT A DENSITY OF LESS THAN 1.86 SQUARE METRES PER PERSON, MAINLY AS A RESULT OF NATURAL BIRTHS OR ADDITION OF RELATIVES.
THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN THE OLDER THAS WAS RECOGNISED, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO ALLOCATE THESE FAMILIES ADDITIONAL LARGER UNITS IN URBAN THAS AS ALL SUCH VACANT UNITS HAD ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED.
THESE LARGER UNITS, THE MEMBERS POINTED OUT, HAD BEEN RESERVED FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE DISPLACED FROM DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE, AVERAGING 24 000 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING EVERY YEAR, AS WELL AS FOR THOSE MADE HOMELESS IN NATURAL DISASTERS.
UNDER THE PRESENT POLICY, MR BARMA SAID, OVERCORWDED FAMILIES IN THAS WERE ALLOCATED ADDITIONALLY A SMALLER UNIT OF LESS THAN 7.43 SQUARE METRES WHENEVER SUCH STOCK WAS AVAILABLE.
/♦LAST YEAR, .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
- 9 -
♦ LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 700 FAMILIES BENEFITED FROM THIS ARRANGEMENT.+
AT THE MEETING, IT WAS AGREED THAT IF THE ADDITIONAL UNIT WAS NOT THE ADJACENT ONE, A FAMILY COULD SWAP HIS UNITS WITH ANOTHER FAMILY UPON MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
MR BARMA SAID THA FAMILIES COULD HAVE VARIOUS WAYS TO MOVE TO PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING.
♦ APART FROM TRAWLING EXERCISES, THA FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO REGISTER ON THE GENERAL WAITING LIST TO WAIT FOR THEIR TURNS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
♦ IN ADDITION, A PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DRAWN UP TO CLEAR OLDER THAS WHEREBY ELIGIBLE TENANTS ARE REHOUSED TO ESTATE FLATS.*
♦ FOR EXAMPLE, A TOTAL OF 1 498 PEOPLE WERE REHOUSED TO PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE RECENT CLEARANCE OF FORTUNE STREET AND CHAI WAN (II) THAS.+
DB MEMBERS ALSO RAISED THE POINT OF TWO FAMILIES SHARING THE SAME UNIT IN THAS, THE DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK TO CONSIDER *AYS AND MEANS OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.
------o-------
FAREWELL PARADE * * X
A PARADE WILL BE HELD AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO BID FAREWELL TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER 38 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
SEVEN CONTINGENTS, COMPRISING 204 OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PART IN THE PARADE, UNDER THE COMMAND OF SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT FRANCIS
WONG.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A FLY-PAST BY TWO HELICOPTERS AND THREE FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCc.
MR GARNER, WHO HAS BEEN COMMISSIONER FOR 13 YEARS WILL BE PRESENTING SERVICE MEDALS TO 36 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF.
--------o ---------
/10........
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
10
EARLY APPLICATION FOR FEE ASSISTANCE URGED * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED PARENTS NEEDING FEE ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN ATTENDING DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
COPIES OF A LEAFLET CONTAINING AN APPLICATION FORM ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, CHILD CARE CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, AS WELL AS THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN LEE GARDENS, THIRD FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY.
_ ui_A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES PAY THE FEES CHARGED IN DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS. unAKbtu in day
ASSESSMENT OF INCOME ELIGIBILITY PARENTS ARE REQUIRED
^FORMATION SUCH AS THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE FAMILY THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY AND THE RENT PAID. ’
_ amOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYABLE WILL BE CALCULATED ACCORDING TO NET HOUSEHOLD INCOME, I.E. THE TOTAL INCOME FROM ALL FAMILY AMBERS REMAINING AFTER THE RENT HAS BEEN PAID.
APPLICANTS FOR DAY NURSERY OR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FEE ASSISTANCE HAVE TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CARE FOR THEIR CHILD AT HOME DURING THE DAY.
+IN THIS REGARD,ASSISTANCE WILL BE GIVEN TO FAMILIES WHERE BOTH PARENTS HAVE TO WORK, OR THE CHILD BELONGS TO A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY, OR THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WHO ARE DISABLED AND REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE.+ THE SPOKESMAN SaID.
HE SAID THAT A FOUR-MEMBER FAMILY WITH A NET MONTHLY INCOME OF $1 500 MIGHT RECEIVE MAXIMUM FEE ASSISTANCE.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE NEAREST SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT.
APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND A BRIEF INTERVIEW TO WHICH THEY SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
* THE APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD AND THE ID CARD/BIRTH CERTIFICATE NUMBERS OF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS;
* TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF EACH CHILD;
* THE BIRTH CERT IFI CATE(S) OF THE CH ILD/CH ILDREN ;
* EMPLOYERS’ STATEMENTS CONFIRMING THE AMOUNT OF INCOME EARNED BY THE APPLICANT AND HIS FAMILY MEMBERS;
RECHKT........
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
11
* RECENT RENTAL RECEIPT; AND
* SCHOOL FEE RECEIPTS/LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE FROM DAY NURSERY OR KINDERGARTEN IN WHICH THE CHILD IS UNROLLED OR PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST.
APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER OF THE RESULT OF THE APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF FEE ASSISTANCE APPROVED.
THIS CERTIFICATE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF THE CENTRE THE CHILD IS ATTENDING.
FEE ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE DAY NURSERY OR KINDERGARTEN CONCERNED AND NOT TO THE APPLICANT. REGULAR PAYMENTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE CENTRE CERTIFYING THE CONTINUED ATTENDANCE OF THE CHILD.
TO QUALIFY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE IN A DAY NURSERY, A CHILD MUST BE AGED AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND LESS THAN SIX YEARS. TO QUALIFY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE IN A KINDERGARTEN, A CHILD MUST BE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OLD.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR FEE ASSISTANCE MUST BE MADE BY THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD, WHO MUST ALSO BE PREPARED TO ATTEND THE BRIEF INTERVIEW PERSONALLY.
- - 0 ------------
$484 000 BOOST FOR SAMARITAN FUND
* * *
THE SAMARITAN FUND RECENTLY RECEIVED A DONATION OF $484 JOO FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (CHARITIES) LIMITED, BRINGING TO $630 000 THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR.
THE SAMARITAN FUND, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WAS SET UP IN 1950 TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY GRANTS TO NEEDY PATIENTS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS. IT IS DEPENDENT ON DONATIONS FROM VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO PATIENTS INCLUDE PROVISION OF SMALL CASH GRANTS, WHEELCHAIRS, CAPD FLUIDS, CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, HEARING AIDS AND OTHER MEDICAL OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES.
NEEDY PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS MAY APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAL WELFARE OFFICERS WHO WILL ASSESS THE PATIENTS’ FINANCIAL SITUATION BEFORE MAKING RECOMMENDATION TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR GRANTS.
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, MORE THAN 4 000 PATIENTS ANNUALLY RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE SAMARITAN FUND. THE AMOUNT GRANTED TO PATIENTS IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR WAS ABOUT $378 000.
------0-------
/12 .....
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1P35
12
GRANTS, LOANS OFFERED TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS *****
NEEDY STUDENTS ENTERING TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS FOR THE 1985-86 ACADEMIC YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE, WHICH ADMINISTERS GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME OF FINANCIAL HELP FOR NEEDY STUDENTS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL, SAID THAT THE GRANTS ARE FOR FULL-TIME COURS:-. AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG .<OS , THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND THZ HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (FOR POST-ADVANCED LEVEL STUDENTS ONLY).
APPLICANTS, HOWEVER, MUST HAVE RESIDED OR HAVE BEEN DOMICILED I. HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS CONTINUOUSLY UP TO JULY 1935.
STUDENTS WHO SATISFY THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF, AND HAVE APPLIED FOR ADMISSION TO, THE UNIVERSITIES MAY OBTAIN THE SPECIALLf-DESIGNED APPLICATION FORMS AT THE COMMITTEE’S OFFICE AT BASKERVILLi HOUSE, MEZZANINE FLOOR 1, 22 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
♦ THEY MUST BRING ALONG THE RESULT SLIPS OF THEIR ADVANCED-HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION, OR NOTIFICATION FOR PROVISIONAL OFFER (FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ONLY).
+AS REGARDS STUDENTS TO BE ADMITTED TO THE POLYTECHNICS AND THZ BAPTIST COLLEGE, APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED DIRECT FROM THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION,* HE SAID.
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AND STUDENTS TAKING A HIGHER DEGREE OR DIPLOMA COURSE, WHO WILL NOT HAVE EXCEEDED THEIR MINIMUM PRESCRIdcd PERIOD OF REGISTRATION BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1985 AND WHO WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. (THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF REGISTRATION FOR A MASTER DEGREE IS NORMALLY TWO YEARS AND FOR A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE, THREE YEARS).
CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NEW STUDENTS, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG : JULY 15
NEW STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG : JULY 31
NEW POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS, CHINESE UNIVERSITY : JULY 31
OF HONG KONG AND UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
NEW STUDENTS, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC : OCTOBER 1 >
/NEW STUDENTS.........
THURSDkZ, JUNE 27, 1985
NEW STUDENTS, CITY POLYTECHNIC
NE*/ STUDENTS, BAPTIST COLLEGE
OCTOBER U
OCTOBER 8
THE
ALL NEW STUDENTS SHOULD RETURN THEIR COMPLETED APPLICATIONS IN Trit PRESCRIBED FORM TO THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED, EXCEPT STUDENT-a APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, wHJ SHOULD RETURN THEIR COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO THE COMMITTEt S OFi- Iv
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-------o----------
UK TOUR FOR SIX YOUNG AMBASSADORS * * * *
SIX OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATc IN THE 1985 COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, NET THE SIX ENTHUSIASTIC DELEGATES IN HIS OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY) AND DISCUSSED WITH THEM THEIR PLANS FOR THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
THE SIX WILL SET OFF FOR SOUTH GLAMORGAN NEXT TUESDAY (JULY 2) FOR A THREE-WEEK TOUR OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THEIR PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDES VISITS TO MUSEUMS, SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, COMMUNITY CENTRES, GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENTS, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST.
THE YOUNG AMBASSADORS WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND WILL TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY WORK PROJECTS, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME WAS INITIATED IN 1977 TO COMMEMORATE THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE. THE AIM OF THE PROGRAMME WAS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBOURS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO ENCOURAGE THE EXCHANGE AND DISCUSSION OF IDEAS, EXPERIENCES AND CULTURE AMONG PARTICIPANTS.
SINCE 1977, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG HAD TAKEN TURNS HOSTING THE PROGRAMME.
THE SIX, AGED BETWEEN 20 AND 23, WERE SELECTED FROM AMONG AO YOUTHS NOMINATED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, EDUCATION COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/TO gualify .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
14
TO QUALIFY THEY HAD TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITIES IN PEFLECTING HONG KONG CULTURE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS DISCUSSIONS.
THE SIX HONG KONG DELEGATES ALL HAVE LIMITED TRAVELLING EXPERIENCE BUT HAVE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN VOLUNTARY OR COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THEY ARE:
1. MR CHAN YAN-TAT, CHRISTOPHER, AGE 21, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE.
2. MR CHOW CHI-KWONG, WILSON, AGE 20, FORM SIX STUDENT.
3. MISS HO HAU-MAN, CARMEN, AGED 22, CLERK.
4. MISS LEE WING-YEE, ELIZA, AGE 22, CHINESE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE.
5. MR WONG CHAK-SHAM, MICHAEL, AGE 21, LINGNAM COLLEGE STUDENT.
6. MR WONG SEK-WAI, PATRICK, AGE 23, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENT.
-----0------
SEMINAR TO STRENGTHEN MONG KOK TIES
* * * *
A SEMINAR AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP AMONG AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN MONG KOK NORTH AREA wILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AND MONG KOK NORTH AREA COMMITTEE, IS AIMED AT PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON VARIOUS ISSUES.
MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, WILL SPEAK ON WAYS TO IMPROVE TIES BETWEEN LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE PEOPLc. REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ..ILL BE OK HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON DIFFERENT SUBJECTS.
-------o----------
/15........
- 15 -
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1^5
BRIEFING ON AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME ******
A MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, MRS MARGARET LI, WILL GIVE A BRIEFING TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE COUNCIL’S SEVENTH AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 29) AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, 01 KWAN ROAD,WAN CHAI.
ABOUT 800 VOLUNTEERS, MOSTLY STUDENTS, WILL BE TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S SCHEME. THEY WILL PATROL BEACHES AND HELP KEEP THEM CLEAN THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER ThE BRIEFING. FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT MR PAUL LEUNG AT 5-275115 DURING OFF I C HOURS.
-------0----------
SPECIAL MEDICAL SCHEME FOR WONG TAI SIN ELDERS * * * *
SENIOR CITIZENS LIVING IN WONG TAI SIN CAN NOW APPLY FOR bEDICAL TREATMENT AT A REDUCED RATE FROM PRIVATE PRACT ITlONERb
THE DISTRICT.
IN
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT COMMUNITY MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME IS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS, AND RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT AGED 63 OR ABOVE CAN APPLY IN PERSON AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS FOUR SUB-OFFICES DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WILL ENJOY A REDUCTION OF 20 PER CENT OR MORE IF THEY SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM A PARTICIPATING DOCTOR UNDER THE SCHEME BRINGING WITH THEM REFERRAL CARDS ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE. THE REDUCED RATE INCLUDES CONSULTATION FEES AND TWO DAYS’ SUPPLY OF MEDICINE.
+THE SCHEME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, DEMONSTRATES THE BOARD’S CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE MEDICAL SERVICES TO NEEDY RESIDENTS AMONGST THE LOWER INCOME GROUP IN THE DISTRICT,+ WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PHILIP CHOK, SAID.
/+T0 -JNSUKE...........
TUUkoDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
- 16
+T0 ENSURE THAT THE ELDERLY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE SCHEME, THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONTACTED AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH ELDERLY CENTRES, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCaL ORGANISATIONS,* HE SAID.
+PUBLICITY POSTERS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS WERE SENT TO THEM AND DISPLAYED AT THE ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE PUBLIC,* HE ADDED.
MR CHOK ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IF REQUIRED THE DISTRICT OFFICE MAY CONSIDER SENDING STAFF TO ELDERLY CENTRES TO HANDLE APPL ICATIONS.
-------0---------
REFRESHER COURSE ON AURAL REHABILITATION BEGINS
*****
A REFRESHER COURSE ON AURAL REHABILITATION FOR TEACHERS CONDUCTED BY TWO VISITING AUSTRALIAN SPECIALISTS BEGAN TODAY (THURSDAY).
ABOUT 30 TEACHERS OF THE DEAF WITH INITIAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN THE EDUCATION OF DEAF CHILDREN, ATTENDED THE FIVE-WEEK ADVANCED COURSE BEING HELD AT THE PERTH STREET SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE COURSE IS AIMED AT PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PERSPECTIVE OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS RESULTING FROM HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND THE APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES REQUIRED.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF AND FOUR SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF IN HONG KONG.
WITH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF $55 000 FROM THE HONG KONG BANK TRUSTEE LIMITED, THE TWO SPECIALISTS, MRS GILLIAN CLEZY, A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST, AND MRS JANET DOYLE, AN AUDIOLOGIST, CF THE LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, MELBOURNE, ARE NOW IN HONG KONG CONDUCTING LECTURES DURING THE COURSE.
PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE COURSE WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE IN AURAL REHABILITATION BY THE LINCOLN INSTITUTt.
0 --------
/17........
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1^35
TUEN MUN MARKS TREE PLANTING DAY * * *
A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND STUDENTS TODAY (THURSDAY) PLANTED SOME 1OO YOUNG TREES AT AN OPEN SPACE NEAR TAP SHEK KOK STATION IN TUEN MUN TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE TREES - INCLUDING CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLI A, MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON AND ACACIA CONFUSA - WERE PLANTED AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY WHICH WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAU WONG-FAT, SAID THE TREE PLANTING DAY WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE CF BEAUTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH MORE TREES AND VEGETATION.
HE ALSO CALLED ON FELLOW RESIDENTS TO PLANT TREES TO BRING MORE GREENERY TO THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.
MR LAU LATER PLANTED A SAPLING TO MARK THE EVENT. HE WAS ASSISTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, MR TSO SIU-WAI, ANl THE STATION MANAGER OF CASTLE PEAK +A+ POWER STATION, MR J. WOODS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER GF _ TUEN MUN, MR RICKY FUNG; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (LEISURE SERVICtb) - RSD MR DAVID MAK; THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDS , FU KAM-HUNG, AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER,
NR
NR CHOW KA I-Ml NG.
--------0----------
REFUSE BOOMS TO KEEP MORE POPULAR BEACHES CLEAN X X X X
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING TWO REFUSE BOOMS AT STANLEY MAIN BEACH AND DEEP WATER BAY.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SUCCESSFUL TRIAL OF A SIMILAR BOOM AT REPULSE BAY LAST YEAR TO KEEP THE BEACH AND SWIMMING AREA POLLUTION FREE.
RESULTS OF THE TRIAL SHOWED THAT THE BOOM WAS VERY EFFECTIVE IN RETAINING FLOATING RUBBISH, SUCH AS PLASTIC BAGS AND OTHER REFUSE, IN A SPECIFIC AREA ON BOTH SIDEb OF IT THUS MAKING CLEANSING A LITTLE EASIER. IT COULD ALSO _ HELP PREVENT ACCIDENTS BY PROVIDING A VERY CLEAR AND VlbltsLt. BARRIER BETWEEN BOATING AND SWIMMING AREAS.
/EACH boom .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1985
- 18
EACH BOOM COMPRISES A CLOSELY-PACKED STRING OF BUOYS BOUNDED BY MESH NETTING WEIGHTED DOWN TO ABOUT 1.5 METRES BELOW THE SURFACE.
THE COST TO INSTALL THE TWO NEW BOOMS AT STANLEY MAIN BEACH AND DEEP WATER BAY AND TO EXTEND THE EXISTING ONE AT REPULSE BAY IS $700 000^
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID DEEP WATER BAY AND STANLEY MAIN BEACH HAD BEEN SELECTED BECAUSE, LIKE REPULSE BAY, THEY WERE VERY POPULAR BEACHES AND HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF FLOATING REFUSE.
♦OTHER BEACHES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED EITHER BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR SUCH INSTALLATION (FOR INSTANCE, SHEK 0 AND BIG WAVE BAY ARE VULNERABLE TO THE NORTH-EASTERLY WIND WHICH IS MOST LIKELY TO CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO A BOOM) OR BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT MANPOWER TO COPE WITH THEIR INSTALLATION AND RETRIEVAL,* HE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
AWARDS FOR WATER SAFETY CONTEST WINNERS X X X X
FORTY-FOUR WINNERS OF A WATER SPORTS SAFETY QUIZ CONTEST RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES TODAY (THURSDAY) FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE 1985 WATER SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR J.A. FORTUNE.
• THE PRIZES, WHICH INCLUDE HOTEL BUFFET COUPONS, TICKET^ FOR A DAY-LONG SIGHT-SEEING CRUISE, AND FREE LESSONS IN A NUMBER OF LAND SPORT TRAINING COURSES, WERE SPONSORED BY FIVE LEADING HOTELS, THE ADVENTURE SHIP LTD. AND THE OUTWARD BOUND TRUST CF HONG KONG.
THE WINNERS, WHOSE AGES RANGE FROM 11 TO 38, WERE CHOSEN FROM A TOTAL OF 1 500 ENTRIES.
ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, THE QUIZ WAS HELD DURING THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY EARLIER THIS MONTH TO TEST PEOPLE’S SAFETY KNOWLEDGE OF AQUATIC ACTIVITIES.
-------o - -
/19........
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1965
- 19 -
WINNING ENTRIES ON EXHIBITION
* * *
MORE THAN 300 WINNING ENTRIES OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT AN EXHIBITION IN THE CITY HALL LOW BLOCK STARTING SATURDAY (JUNE 29).
THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION FEATURES OUTSTANDING PIECES OF CALLIGRAPHY, CHINESE AND WESTERN PAINTINGS, POSTERS, CHINESE ESSm/5 AND TRANSLATION WORKS BY WINNERS OF THE COMPETITIONS.
ABOUT 7 000 PARTICIPANTS WERE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS TYPES CF PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE COMPETITIONS, SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
BESIDES THE EXHIBITION, VIDEO-TAPES OF THE SPEECH COMPETITION AND THE FINAL OF THE NEWS AND ACADEMIC QUIZ WILL EE SHOWN TO VISITORS.
WELL-KNOWN CALL I GRAPH I STS AND PAINTERS WILL BE INVITEE TO SHOW THEIR SKILLS AT AN IMPROMPTU DEMONSTRATION, THE RESULTS GF WHICH WILL BE GIVEN BY BALLOT TO VISITORS.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) OF THE CNTA, MR GREGORY LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION.
-----o------
NEW OFFICE FOR DISTRICT BOARD * * * *
THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD OFFICE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE NEW OFFICE, LOCATED IN THE SAME BUILDING AS THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF THE HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE, AT 490-492 NATHAN ROAD.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BOWEN LEUNG, ACCOMPANIED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
AFTER THE CEREMONY THERE WILL BE A RECEPTION IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
------o-------
/20........
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1935
20 -
OFFICES ON THE MOVE
*****
TUC nicTPirT OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S WOMEN AND rt I XTH^FLOOR OFHcS. NLE , Tu?' U,
KOWLOON, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
mE
umurKinsp™§rc for general enquiries,
AnS IN THE KWUN TONG WEST DISTRICT OFFICE THE NEW TELEPHONES ARE 3-490774 FOR SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR AND FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES.
- 0 ----------
CENTRAL STREET CLOSED * * *
BANK STREET IN CENTRAL w ILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FGg 1W0-AND-A-HALF HOURS FROM 5 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 30) TO FACILITAT. THE INSTALLATION OF WINDOW-CLEANSING EQUIPMENT AT THE HONGKONG
AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES • .
...BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
. ‘ V. •/ ■ ■j., -' . jcj.]:;
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GATT, MFA AMONG FIRST JIG TASKS, GOVERNOR SAYS................. 1
♦VOTER REGISTRATION GOING VERY MUCH BETTER+ ................... 2
GOVERNMENT PRINTING NOTED FOR HIGH STANDARD ................... 4
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY 1985 ........................ 6
IMMUNITIES FOR CHINESE MEMBERS PROPOSED ....................... 9
PROVISIONAL COUNCIL SETS OUT BUDGET FORECAST .................. 9
SELECT COMMITTEES SET UP ..................................... 10
REGIONAL COUNCIL TO ASSUME LIQUOR LICENSING JOB .............. 11
PENALTIES PROPOSED FOR JOB CONTRACT OFFENCES ................. 12
BILL TO CLARIFY EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ...................... 13
WOMEN'S COUNCIL FORMED ....................................... 14
'NO UK PRESSURE ON BILL' ..................................... 15
EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL SURVEY GOING ON ........................ 15
ELIGIBLE ELECTORS URGED TO SIGN UP ........................... 16
8 017 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ............................. 17
YOUTHS URGED TO DISCUSS YOUTH MATTERS ........................ 18
LICENCE IDEA ENDORSED ........................................ 19
FAREWELL FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHIEF ..................... 19
MONG KOK KAIFONG PRAISED ..................................... 20
IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS IN CENTRAL PLANNED ..................... 20
VALUE OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES STRESSED ........................... 21
AMENDMENTS TO TWO DRAFT PLANS ................................ 21
COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL ......................... 22
LANGUAGE COURSES FOR JOURNALISTS ............................. 24
FESTIVAL TO LAUNCH EASTERN YOUTH PROGRAMME ................... 24
PICTORIAL DATESTAMP INTRODUCED ............................... 25
SEMINAR ON ECOLOGICAL METHODS, TECHNIQUES .................... 25
/CLEARWAY .......
«
CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS TO BE LIFTED ............................ 26
TUEN MUN ROAD CLOSURE .......................................... 27
PROHIBITED ZONE SUSPENDED ...................................... 2?
SHAU KEI WAN TAPS OFF ........................................ 28
FUNDS APPROVED FOR TWO MINOR WORKS PROJECTS .................... 28
FRIDAY, j'JNE 28, 1985
1
GATT, MFA AMONG FIRST * *
JLG TASKS, GOVERNOR SAYS * * *
HONG KONG’S FUTURE POSITION IN MFA WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST LIAISON GROUP, THE GOVERNOR, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG
THE NEED TO SECURE QUICKLY SUCH BODIES AS THE GATT AND THE TASKS OF THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT SIR EDwARD YOUDE TOLD MEMBERS OF INDUSTRIES TONIGHT.
SIR EDwARD WAS SPEAKING AT THE FEDERATION’S SILVER JUBILEE DINNER.
REFERRING ALSO TO WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS +A LEGITIMATE CONCERN+ OF THE FEDERATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF LABOUR AND POLLUTION LEGISLATION ON INDUSTRY, THE GOVERNOR SAID:
+1 CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES AND WILL CONTINUE TO WEIGH VERY CAREFULLY THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH LEGISLATION BEFORE ITS INTRODUCTION.+
THE FEDERATION, SIR EDWARD SAID, FACED A NEW CHALLENGE, AS IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.
THIS UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANT ROLE WHICH THE FEDERATION WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
+1 HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THE FEDERATION, WITH ITS SOLID 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE,+ HE SAID, WISHING IT EVERY SUCCESS.
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO CELEBRATE THE SILVER JUBILEE WITH MEMBERS OF ONE OF THE OLDEST AND LARGEST INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THE FEDERATION WAS TO BE CONGRATULATED ON ITS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY DURING THE 25 YEARS.
+TO QUOTE ONLY A FEW EXAMPLES — THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG PACKAGING COUNCIL, AND THE HONG KONG +Q-MARK+ QUALITY ASSURANCE SCHEME.
+IT IS ALSO AN EFFECTIVE AND RESPECTED VOICE FOR INDUSTRY,* HE SAID.
THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, HE SAID, REMAINED THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY, DESPITE THE EXPANSION AND GROWING IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S SERVICES SECTOR.
THERE HAD BEEN A PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG, AND A SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION OF THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE — FROM THE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PRODUCTS OF THE SIXTIES TO THE TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE, HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS CF TODAY.
/TEIS HAD .......
FRIDAY, /UNE 28, 1985
2
THIS HAD MEANT MORE HONG KONG CONTENT IN MANUFACTURES, MANIFESTED IN THE VERY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE VALUE-ADDED PER MANUFACTURING WORKER IN THE LAST DECADE.
THE ENVIRONMENT UNDER WHICH HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS HAD TO OPERATE HAD NOT ALWAYS BEEN CONGENIAL, SIR EDWARD SAID.
+RIS ING COSTS, COMPETITION FROM COUNTRIES WITH LOWER LABOUR COSTS, THE FICKLENESS OF FASHION ARE CHALLENGES WHICH OUR MANUFACTURERS FACE EVERY DAY.
+AND THEY HAVE ALSO TO OPERATE UNDER THE EVER-PRESENT THREAT OF PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES IN SOME OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS.
+ ALL THIS MEANS THAT OUR INDUSTRY MUST ALWAYS BE SEEKING TO DIVERSIFY AND TO UPGRADE NOT ONLY ITS PRODUCTS, BUT ALSO ITS MARKETS,* HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THIS REQUIRED REGULAR INVESTMENT AND REINVESTMENT IN NEW PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, SIR EDWARD SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE SLACKNESS IN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND REINVESTMENT OF 1982 AND 1983 HAD NOw BEEN REVERSED.
IN 1984, THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY INCREASED BY 26.3 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS COMPARED WITH THE YEAR BEFORE.
THE GOVERNMENT, SIR EDWARD SAID, INTENDED TO CONTINUE THE *ELL PROVEN POLICIES ON WHICH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAD BEEN BASED OF PROVIDING INDUSTRY WITH AN EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THEN ALLOWING IT TO FUNCTION WITH MINIMUM INTERFERENCE.
AND, IN DRAWING UP ITS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, IT ALSO PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, LIKE THE FEDERATION, TO ENSURE THAT THE NEEDS CF INDUSTRY WERE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, HE SAID.
- - - - O -----
+VOTER REGISTRATION GOING VERY * * * *
MUCH BETTER*
TODAY THAT THE FINAL
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID .........
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION WAS GOING VERY MUCH BETTER, AND H^ HOPED THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WOULD PARTICIPATE.
+PEOPLE HAVE UNTIL MONDAY EVENING IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THEIR REGISTRATION,* HE SAID, +1 HOPE WE SHALL HAVE A LAST— MINUTE RUSH BECAUSE THESE ELECTIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
/♦WE HAVE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
+wE HAVE AFTERALL NOW GOT ALL THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE ELECTIONS ALL IN PLACE AND I AM HOPING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE * ILL PARTICIPATE.+
HE wAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT'S NEW PREMISES IN QUARRY BAY TODAY.
ASKED IF THE ELECTIONS wOULD BE A MAJOR TOPIC OF HIS DISCUSSION WITH BRITISH MINISTERS IN LONDON, SIR EDWARD SAIDs +l DON’T THINK THAT WILL BE A MAJOR TOPIC OF DISCUSSION, BECAUSE AFTERALL WHAT HAPPENS NOW IN THE ELECTIONS IS UP TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS.+
ASKED WHAT EXACTLY HE WOULD BE DOING IN LONDON, SIR EDWARD SAID, +l SHALL BE DOING QUITE A LOT OF NOTHING FOR AS MUCH OF THE TIME AS I CAN.
+l SHALL CALL IN AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
+l SHALL REVIEW QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THEM. BUT I SHAN’T BE SPENDING VERY LONG THERE AT THE BEGINNING BECAUSE I AM HOPING TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF HOLIDAY.
+AND BEFORE I COME BACK, I WILL CALL IN AGAIN AND I WILL SEE HOW THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS GOT ON, AND I SHALL SEE HOW THEIR THINKING IS DEVELOPING ON ALL THE OTHER ISSUES WHICH ARE RAISED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.+
REPLYING TO A QUESTION ON wHY IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HIM TO EE IN LONDON WHEN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD THEIR FIRST NEETING, SIR EDWARD SAID THE ONLY REASON HE WOULD BE IN LONDON WAS BECAUSE HE WAS GOING ON HOLIDAY.
+IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. IF I WASN’T ON HOLIDAY, I WOULDN’T BE IN LONDON AT THAT TIME.+ HE SAID.
ASKED wHY IT WAS NECESSARY TO GIVE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMMISSION, SIR EDWARD SAID THESE WERE PERFECTLY NORMAL WAYS OF CONDUCTING THIS KIND OF BUSINESS.
+wHEN THERE ARE COMMISSIONS AND GROUPS OF THIS KIND, IT IS PERFECTLY NORMAL TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WHO COME HERE FROM OTHER PLACES CERTAIN IMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY CAN CONDUCT THEIR WORK EFFICIENTLY.
+THERE IS NOTHING SURPRISING OR UNUSUAL.+
ASKED WHETHER IT MEANT THAT THE LAND COMMISSION HAD BEEN UPGRADED TO A DIPLOMATIC BODY, HE SAID, +NO, I DON’T THINK IT IS CALLED A DIPLOMATIC BODY. IT’S GOT A VERY SPECIFIC FUNCTION WORKING ON LAND MATTERS.
/+BUT THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNL 28, 1985
+EUT THE CHINESE SIDE NATURALLY * ILL FACILITIES IN ORDER TO CONDUCT THEIR WORK UNUSUAL ABOUT GIVING IT TO THEM.*
NEED CERTAIN
AND THERE IS NOTHING
ASKED IF IT WOULD VIOLATE THE JOINT DECLARATION, HE SAID, +ON THE CONTRARY IT’S IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION THAT »E SHOULD MAKE THE WHOLE ARRANGEMENT WORK AS EFFICIENTLY AS WE CAN.+
ASKED WHETHER IT WAS NECESSARY TO AMEND THE JOINT DECLARATION, SIR EDWARD SAID, +NO. THE JOINT DECLARATION IS NOW IN FORCE. IT IS RATIFIED. IT IS REGISTERED. IT IS THERE.+
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THIS MEANT THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE aOULD HAVE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES IN HONG KONG SINCE SOME CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMMISSION ARE HONG ^ONG PEOPLE HE SAID +l AM NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY HONG KONG PEOPLE. IT USUALLY DEFENDS ON THESE OCCASIONS WHAT KIND OF PASSPORT THEY HAVE.*
-----0------
GOVERNMENT PRINTING NOTED FOR HIGH STANDARD * * * *
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT, ALTHOUGH WORKING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE GOVERNMENT, HAD EARNED A REPUTATION BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS HIGH STANDARDS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
AND IT WAS UNIQUE AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THAT IT WAS A LEADING EMPLOYER IN SUCH AN INDUSTRY.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S NEW PREMISES, COVERING EIGHT FLOORS IN CORNWALL HOUSE, 28 TONG CHONG STREET, QUARRY BAY, SIR EDWARD SAID: +THE DEPARTMENT PRODUCES MANY FINE PUBLICATIONS AND ALSO A WIDE RANGE OF STATIONERY WITHOUT WHICH THE CONDUCT OF MUCH OF OUR EVERYDAY BUSINESS WOULD NOT BE
POSSIBLE.*
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNMENT’S NEED FOR MORE AND BETTER QUALITY PRINTED MATERIAL WOULD INEVITABLY CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS THE LOCAL POPULATION GREW.
SIR EDWARD REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S +IMPRESSIVE RECORD IN MEETING CHALLENGE*, AND SAID ITS STAFF COULD BE PROUD OF THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS LAST YEAR, WHEN IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS, +THEY PRODUCED AT HIGH SPEED AND EFFICIENTLY ENORMOUS NUMBERS OF COPIES OF THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND OF
THE ASSESSMENT REPORT.*
/♦THE DEPARTMENT
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
5
+THE DEPARTMENT NOW HAS PLANS TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE ITS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND IN PARTICULAR TO ARRANGE FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPESETTING, TO BE COMPUTERISED. I AM SURE THAT WHEN COMPLETED THESE MEASURES WILL GREATLY ENHANCE THE DEPARTMENT’S ABILITY TO COPE EVEN MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH THE DEMANDS ON THEIR SERVICE,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
THE NEED FOR NEW PREMISES WAS RECOGNISED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND ITS COMPLETION WOULD PROVIDE STAFF WITH BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE ITS SERVICE.
IN HIS SPEECH WELCOMING THE GOVERNOR, THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HARRIS MYERS, SAID THAT SINCE THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT IN 1Q52 IT HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH PRODUCING ALL THE PRINTING REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT WITH TWO NOTABLE EXCEPTIONS - POSTAGE STAMPS AND BANK NOTES.
HE SAID THAT AS A MEASURE OF OPERATING EFFICIENCY, THE DEPARTMENT HAD EXPANDED ITS STAFF FROM 121 IN 1952 TO THE PRESENT 383.
♦ THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TONNES OF MATERIALS PROCESSED EACH YEAR HAS BEEN REMARKABLE, GROWING FROM 190 TONNES IN 1952 TO OVER 4 600 LAST YEAR, WITH AN INCREDIBLE INCREASE IN OUTPUT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF 41 PER CENT PER PERSON EMPLOYED,* NR MYERS SAID.
THE NEW PREMISES, MR MYERS SAID, WAS DECIDED UPON OVER 30 OTHER SITES AT A TIME WHEN THE QUESTION OF WHETHER GOVERNMENT SHOULD RETAIN ITS OWN PRINTING FACILITY wAS BEING SERIOUSLY EXAMINED.
+GOVERNMENT WAS HOWEVER COMPLETELY SATISFIED wITH THE MERITS OF HAVING CONTROL OF ITS OWN PRINTING FACILITIES, A DECISION DEMONSTRABLY PROVED RIGHT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS WHEN THE DEPARTMENT MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORIC EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
THE NEW PREMISES WOULD NOT ONLY BRING THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER WITH ITS SUPPORTING SERVICES, WHICH HAD BEEN SEPARATED EARLIER BY A LACK OF SPACE, BUT WOULD PROVIDE ROOM TO PRODUCE MORE EFFICIENTLY THE EVER-CHANGING AND GROWING NEEDS OF GOVERNMENT.
-----0------
/6........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
6
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY 1985 K * * K
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) IN MAY 1985, AT $20 144 MILLION, GREW BY $1 775 MILLION OR NEARLY 10 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MAY 1984, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
WITHIN TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY $896 MILLION OR 7.7 PER CENT, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY $2 671 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, AT $19 216 MILLION IN MAY 1985, WAS TWO PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1984.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS EQUIVALENT TO FIVE IMPORTS WAS RECORDED IN MAY 1985, COMPARED
PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF WITH A VISIBLE TRADE GAP NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE MAY 1984.
(THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF TOTAL EXPORTS) OF THREE PER CENT IN
TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT
PUTTING THE MONTH’S .....
SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1985 WAS $93 752 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $49 451 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $44 301 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1984, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AND OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 16 PER CENT AND 45 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL BY TwO PER CENT.
A VISIbEEVTRLAUDEOSUR?LUSTEQSiv!iENVTETOHO 8EpeRECENT00F9T„F1i4nic1’ZrN’ IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR THE FIRST F?ve^™s OF T^EAR^ °F
OF SIX PER CENT IN THE SAME
COMPARED WITH A VISIBLE TRADE GAP PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS. AFTER PEAKING IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984, SLOWED DOWN DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR, AND THIS TREND CONTINUED INTO THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1985.
,__ THE SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE UNITED STATES
ECONOMY IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND THE RELATIVE STRENGTH OF THE WNG KONG DOLLAR BOTH CONTRIBUTED TO THE RELATIVELY POOR PERFORMANCE CF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF TH IS YEAR
/RE-EXPORTS, ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
- 7 -
RE-EXPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONTINUED TO EXPAND.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY 1985:
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $13 816 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : $ 9 328 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $20 144 MILLION
IMPORTS : $19 216 MILLION
COMPARATIVE FIGURES TRADE BALANCE : $ ( 928 MILLION IN SURPLUS)
MARCH - MAY MARCH - MAY INCREASE OR
LATEST 3 MONTHS 1985 1984 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 28 906 32 662 - 3 756 - 11.5
RE-EXPORTS 27 906 19 400 + 8 506 +43.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 56 812 52 062 + 4 7 50 + 9.1
IMPORTS 58 930 55 532 + 3 398 +6.1
TRADE BALANCE - 2 118 - 3 470 + 1 352
MAY MAY INCREASE OR
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1985 1984 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 10 816 11 712 - 896 - 7.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (53.7%) (63.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 9 328 6 657 + 2 671 + 40.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 144 18 369 + 1 775 + 9.7
IMPORTS 19 216 18 867 + 349 + 1.3
TRADE BALANCE + 928 498 + 1 426 /LAST-MONTH \
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 198?
8
LAST MONTH MAY 1985 APRIL 1985 INCREASE OR DECREASE
— $ MN. %
$ MN. $ MN.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 10 816 (53.7%) 9 660 (50.4%) + 1 156 + 12.3
RE-EXPORTS 9 328 9 499 - 171 - 1.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 144 19 159 + 985 ♦ 5.1
IMPORTS 19 216 19 799 583 - 2.9
TRADE BALANCE + 928 640 + 1 568
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JANUARY - MAY 1985 JANUARY - MAY 1984 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. 3 MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 49 451 (52.7%) 50 275 (62.3%) 824 - 1.6
RE-EXPORTS 44 301 30 469 +13 832 + 45.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 93 752 80 744 +13 008 + 16.1
IMPORTS 93 014 86 179 + 6 835 + 7.9
TRADE BALANCE + 738 - 5 435 + 6 173
LAST 12 MONTHS JUNE 1984 TO MAY 1985 JUNE 1983 TO MAY 1984 INCREASE OR DECREASE
3 MN. 3 MN. 3 MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 137 113 120 439 +16 674 + 13.3
RE-EXPORTS 97 336 67 177 +30 159 + 44.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 234 449 187 616 +46 833 + 25.3
IMPORTS 230 205 200 026 +30 179 + 15.1
TRADE BALANCE + 4 244 - 12 410 +16 654
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
9
IMMUNITIES FOR CHINESE MEMBERS PROPOSED X * * X
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO ACCORD APPROPRIATE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO EXPERTS DESIGNATED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, TO CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMMISSION, AND TO THE SUPPORTING STAFF OF BOTH BODIES.
THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF THE TWO BODIES WHEN THEY MEET IN HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSAL FOLLOWS DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS AND IS CONTAINED IN A BILL TO AMEND THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (JOINT LIAISON GROUP) ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED ON MAY 2 TO PROVIDE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES FOR CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
RECIPROCAL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES WILL BE GRANTED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO THE BRITISH SIDE.
THE FIRST READING OF THE AMENDMENT BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES) AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0-------
PROVISIONAL COUNCIL SETS OUT BUDGET FORECAST *****
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY EXAMINED THE FORECAST OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE FIVE YEARS FROM 1985/86 TO ^89/90, PREPARED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE FORECAST BASED ON EXPERIENCE IN PAST YEARS, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE BRANCH NEXT MONTH FOR CONSIDERATION.
.c THE RFCIONAL COUNCIL WILL BECOME FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS ON APR 11 ? Ifxt year the forecast has taken into account aspects not APPLICABLE TO NORMAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS STAFF ON-COSTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY AND TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ArrncniMO TO THE FORECAST THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF THE DcrinMM rmiNCII AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR B86/?? WILL IeABoJt 882? MILLION, RISING TO ABOUT 8913 MILLION AT THE END OF THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.
THE REVENUE TO BE COLLECTED wILL AMOUNT TO $99 MILLION IN 1986/87 RISING TO $139 MILLION IN 1989/90.
THE FORECAST, HOWEVER, DOES NOT INCLUDE EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A SEPARATE PAPER.
/THE FORECAST ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
10
THE FORECAST EXPENDITURE FOR CAPITAL WORKS FOR THE PERIOD 1986/87 TO 1989/90 WILL RANGE FROM $364 MILLION TO $612 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTS THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO CONTRACTORS FOR THE COUNCIL’S CAPITAL PROJECTS, AS ESTIMATED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
ON TOP OF THIS, 16 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT PAID WILL HAVE TO BE ADDED AS ON-COSTS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT, IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS WITH URBAN COUNCIL. THIS WILL RANGE FROM $58 MILLION IN 1986/87 TO $98 MILLION IN 1989/90.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ALSO AGREED TO RETAIN THE EXISTING PROCEDURE WHEREBY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL, ON RECEIPT OF FORECASTS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, CONSIDER THE LATEST FORECASTS OF GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL FINANCES, TAKE A VIEW ON OVERALL EXPENDITURE LIMITS FOR THE FORECAST PERIOD AND DECIDE ON THE PROVISIONAL ACCEPTABLE LEVEL FOR THE FINANCIALYEAR 1986/87 FOR EACH DEPARTMENT TO OBSERVE IN PREPARING ITS BUDGET FOR THAT YEAR.
THE EFFECT OF DOING THIS WOULD BE THAT THE ANNUAL BUDGET WOULD BE PREPARED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE PAL FIGURE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
------0-------
SELECT COMMITTEES SET UP
XXX
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY APPOINTED THREE SELECT COMMITTEES FOR THE BETTER DISCHARGE OF ITS FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
THEY ARE THE WAYS AND MEANS SELECT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE HEADED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG-1HE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE TO BE CHAIRED BY DR HO MAN-WUI, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE TO BE CHAIRED BY DR PANG HOK-TUEN.
THE SELECT COMMITTEES WILL ADVISE THE COUNCIL ON POLICY ISSUES AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP IS RESTRICTED TO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THE RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE THREE SELECT COMMITTEES ARE FOR
- THE WAYS AND MEANS SELECT COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION AND CAPITALS!
- THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION AND HYGIENE, AND
- THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURE, INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF RELATED FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
/THE MEMBERSHIP........
FRIDA!/ JUNE 28, 1985
11
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SELECT COMMITTEES ARE-.
- THE wAYS AND MEANS SELECT COMMITTEE WITH 13 MEMBERS:
MR MA NING-HEI MR CHAU CHUN-WING, MR CHONG KAM-NING, LAU KIN-YEE, , AND MR WAN YUET-KAU.
THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG (CHAIRMAN), (VICE CHAIRMAN), MR CHAN LAU-FONG, MR CHEUNG HON-KAU, MR CHEUNG KUEN, DR HO MAN-WUI, MR HO SUN-KUEN, MRS MR LAU wONG-FAT, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG
- THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE WITH 11 MEMBERS:
DR HO MAN-WUI (CHAIRMAN), MRS LAU KIN-YEE (VICE CHAIRMAN), MR MA NING-HEI, MR CHAU CHUN-WING, MR CHEUNG KUEN, MR CHONG KAM-NING, MR LAM KIN-MING, MR LAU HON-KIT, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG, MR TANG NAI-MA&, AND MR TANG PUl-TAT.
- THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE WITH 13 MEMBERS:
DR PANG HOK-TUEN (CHAIRMAN), MR TANG NAI-MAN (VICE CHAIRMAN), MR CHAN LAU-FONG, MRS CHAN HO ON-NEI, MR CHEUNG HON-KAU, MR FONG LOI, MR LAU WONG-FAT, MR TANG CHI-LEUNG, MR YOUNG WING-YAU, MR TANG PUl-TAT, MR TSANG LIN, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, AND MR WAN YUET-KAU.
-------0---------
REGIONAL COUNCIL TO ASSUME LIQUOR LICENSING JOB ******
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD ASSUME STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR LIQUOR LICENSING IN THE NON-URBAN AREA, IT WAS DECIDED AT THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
THE DECISION WAS MADE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL WAS OF THE OPINION THAT LIQUOR LICENSING WAS SUFFICIENTLY RELATED TO THE FUTURE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SINCE UNDER PRESENT POLICY THE ISSUE OF LIQUOR LICENCES IS TIED UP WITH THE ISSUE OF RESTAURANT LICENCES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL SAID.
THE REASON FOR THE PROVISIONAL RC TO MAKE A DECISION AT THIS STAGE IS DICTATED BY THE FACT THAT STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FUNCTION IS WRITTEN INTO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL TO BE ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY. THE PROVISION COULD BE DELETED FROM THE BILL AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD THE MEMBERS SO DECIDE.
THE PRESENT LIQUOR LICENSING REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1954 AND HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED SINCE THEN IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. IN THE URBAN AREAS, THE URBAN COUNCIL ASSUMED THE FUNCTION IN 1973.
/FOR THE .......
FRIDA JUNE 28, 1985
- 12 -
FOR THE GRANTING OF A LIQUOR LICENCE, FOUR BASIC CONSIDERATIONS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. THESE ARE :
(A) PUBLIC OPINION - ANY AFFECTED MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN OBJECT TO THE ISSUE OF A LIQUOR LICENCE. THE APPLICANT OR 20 PERSONS RESIDING WITHIN A RADIUS OF 400 METRES FROM THE PREMISES LICENSED OR TO BE LICENSED MAY APPEAL BY WAY OF PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE BOARD TO REFUSE AN APPLICATION OR TO GRANT IT CONDITIONALLY.
(B) SUITABILITY OF PREMISES - THIS CONSIDERATION RELATES TO THE LOCATION AND SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES FOR USE AS A BAR/RESTAURANT, ETC.
(C) SUITABILITY OF OPERATOR - THIS IS BASICALLY A LAW AND ORDER MATTER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPERATOR IS, FOR INSTANCE, NOT A TRIAD MEMBER OR PERSON WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD.
(D) HYGIENE - THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH MATTER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PREMISES CONFORM TO PROPER HYGIENE STANDARDS IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC WHO USE THE PREMISES. THE MAIN CRITERIA TO BE MET IN THIS REGARD ARE ADEQUATE VENTILATION, ADEQUATE PROVISION OF TOILETS AND THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE WASHING FACILITIES IN THOSE TOILETS.
-----0------
PENALTIES PROPOSED FOR JOB CONTRACT OFFENCES * * * *
THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE OFFENCES AND PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE AND TO CHANGE ITS TITLE, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT A FINE OF $50 000 BE PRESCRIBED AGAINST AN EMPLOYER OR HIS AGENT IN HONG KONG FOR FAILURE TO PRESENT A CONTRACT FOR ATTESTATION AND FOR INDUCEMENT TO EVADE THE ORDINANCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS MEANS THAT AN EMPLOYER OR HIS AGENT COMMITS AN OFFENCE IF HE FAILS TO OBTAIN A WRITTEN CONTRACT OR FAILS TO PRESENT A CONTRACT FOR ATTESTATION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR3 OR INDUCES A WORKER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE, OR TO DEPAR I FROM HONG KONG TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT BEFORE THE CONTRACT IS
ATTESTED.
/THE MAXIMUM .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
13
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR EACH OFFENCE IS A FI NE OF «5O □□□.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE FROM +CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE* TO +CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE* SO AS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE ORDINANCE APPLIES TO A CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT AS A MANUAL WORKER ANYWHERE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, WHETHER OR NOT OVERSEAS*.
OTHER PROPOSALS INCLUDE AN AMENDMENT TO THE SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH REFERS TO THE QUALIFICATION OF REPATRIATION CF WORKER TO ENSURE THAT A WORKER IS ENTITLED TO REPATRIATION IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ON THE TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT TO WHICH THE ORDINANCE APPLIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND HAS AGREED TO THEM.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND READING ON JULY 10 AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON JULY 24.
-------0 ---------
BILL TO CLARIFY EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION
******
tuc fmpi OYFFS’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1985, uMICmSffKS TO CLARIFY THE INTENTION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IN ASSESSING COMPENSATION CASES, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, COMPENSATION FOR SCHEDULED INJURIES IS BASED ON DEGREE OF LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE Ob int ORDINANCE.
FOR UNSCHEDULED INJURIES, THE DEGREE OF LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY IS ASSESSED BY AN APPOINTED EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION BOARD, HE SAID.
THE SYSTEM IS APPLICABLE WHETHER THE INJURED WORKER COULD FIND A JOB AT A SALARY EQUIVALENT TO WHAT HE WAS EARN I NG BEFORE THE INJURY, WHICH IMPLIES THAT HE MAY LOSE HIS ENTITLED COMPENSATION IF HE COULD.
tuc SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO CLAkIFY THAT LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY INCLUDES BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE REDUCTION OF EARNING CAPACITY OF THE WORKER AT THE TI ME OF htS INJURY SO THAT LOSS OF POTENTIAL AS WELL AS ACTUAL EARNING CAPACITY CAN BE COVERED.
/THE bill........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
14
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT IN ASSESSING THE LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY, THE ASSESSMENT BOARD MAY - BUT DOES NOT HAVE TO - GIVE WEIGHT TO ANY ACTUAL EARNINGS OF THE INJURED WORKER AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS TO PROVIDE THAT A COMBINATION OF UNSCHEDULED INJURIES, OR A COMBINATION OF SCHEDULED AND UNSCHEDULED INJURIES, RESULTING IN AN AGGREGATE PERCENTAGE LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY OF 100 PER CENT OR MORE SHALL BE DEEMED TO RESULT IN PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY.
HE ADDED THAT OTHER AMENDMENTS IN THE BILL ARE MAINLY TECHNICAL RE-ARRANGEMENTS OF PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR GREATER DRAFTING CLARITY.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING ON JULY 10, 1985.
------0 ------
WOMEN’S COUNCIL FORMED
*****
A CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR ALL YIN NGA I SOCIETIES HAS BEEN FORMED TO PROVIDE BETTER CO-ORDINATION FOR THE 25 YIN NGA I SOCIETIES AND THEIR 3000 MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE YIN NGA I CENTRAL COUNCIL TONIGHT (FRIDAY), THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID: +THE CONCEPT OF YIN NGA I WAS TO SET UP WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, IN PARTICULAR IN THE NEW TOWNS, WHERE HOUSEWIVES WERE FACING BOREDOM AND INVOLUNTARY ISOLATION IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT WITH UNFAMILIAR NEIGHBOURS.+
+AN ASSOCIATION WOULD PROVIDE AVENUES FOR HOUSEWIVES TO GET TOGETHER, EXCHANGE VIEWS IN HOUSECRAFT, HELP ONE ANOTHER AND BETTER USE THEIR SPARE TIME,+ HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT +YIN+ REPRESENTED ALL THAT WAS GOOD IN THE PAST, AND +NGAI+ REPRESENTED DRIVE AND DETERMINATION INTO THE FUTURE.
+TOGETHER THEY MAKE UP THE QUALITIES OF A MODERN DAY WOMAN,+ HE ADDED.
SINCE THE YIN NGA I MOVEMENT BEGAN, IT HAD SPREAD FROM THE NEW TOWN INTO THE OLDER URBAN AREA, AND THE CENTRAL COUNCIL HAD BEEN SET UP TO MAINTAIN THE SOLIDARITY OF THE YIN NGA I SOCIETIES AS THE ORGANISATION GREW.
1 miUat.‘NAUGURATl0N CEREMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ^MINISTRATION MR DONALD LIAO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPOINTMENT TO THE OFFICE BEARERS OF THE YIN NGA I CENTRAL COUNCIL.
/the Twelve .........
FRIDAY JUNE 28, 1985
15
THE TWELVE OFFICE BEARERS OF THE CENTRAL COUNCIL WERE ELECTED FROM THE VARIOUS YIN NGA I SOCIETIES. THE CHAIRWOMAN AND VICECHAIRWOMAN OF THE CENTRAL COUNCIL ARE MRS SO CHIU LAI-CHING AND MRS YUEN LAI LAI-PING.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE FUNCTION WERE MRS CHRISTINE LIAO- THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOwLOON, MR ALBERT LAM- THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG- AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MRS FANNY LAW.
-----0------
’NO UK PRESSURE ON BILL’ * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY) THAT THERE HAD BEEN +N0 PRESSURE AT ALL+ FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO CONSULT LAWYERS WHO WERE OPPOSED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, 1985.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE YIN NGA I CENTRAL COUNCIL INAUGURATION CEREMONY, SIR DAVID SAID THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE HAD ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO ARRANGE FOR A MEMBER OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO SEE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
ASKED IF HE CONSIDERED IT AN UNUSUAL THING TO DO, SIR DAVID SAID: +NOT AT ALL REALLY. IT BRINGS THE QUESTION QUITE RIGHTLY BACK TO HONG KONG WHICH IS WHERE OF COURSE, MR TISDALL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAW SOCIETY, SAID THAT IT BELONGED.+
- - 0 -
EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL SURVEY GOING ON KO*
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE JUNE 1985 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET.
THE SURVEY COVERS 140 000 ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN AT RANDOM FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING, ELECTRICTY AND GAS) AND SERVICES SECTOR STORAGE
AND COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES). THOSE IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
/QUESTIONNAIRES .......
FRI .T7NE 28, 1985
16
QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982(LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
+RESPONDENTS WHO FIND IT DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE THE FORMS SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS-. 5-436551, 5-444301, 5-455661 AND 5-455668,+ HE SAID.
+ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE APRIL-JUNE SURVEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
+FIELD OFFICERS BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS FOR INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED. IN CASE OF ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-444364,+ HE ADDED.
------0--------
ELIGIBLE ELECTORS URGED TO SIGN UP * * * *
ELIGIBLE ELECTORS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD TO REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION IN SEPTEMBER, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
+THIS WEEKEND WILL BE THE LAST FEW DAYS IN THE LATE VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE,* HE ADDED.
+DI STR I CT ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN ROOT IN HONG KONG, AND WE ARE NOW PREPARING FOR A NEW ERA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WHICH REQUIRES THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
MR GARCIA MADE THE REMARKS DURING A COURTESY CALL ON MEMBERS OF THE WAN CHAI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.
HE NOTED THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT AND CONTRIBUTED MUCH IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
HE ALSO THANKED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS SUPPORT IN THE MANY EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
FOLLOWING THE VISIT, MR GARCIA OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SUMMER FREE MEDICARE SERVICE SCHEME SPONSORED BY THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.
THE ANNUAL SCHEME, PROVIDES FREE CHINESE HERBAL MEDICARE SERVICE TO NEEDY RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
----0-------
/17......
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
8 017 LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED * * * *
UP TO 4 PM TODAY (FRIDAY), 8 017 LATE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. AS A RESULT OF THE EARLIER REGISTRATION EXERCISE 34 531 ELECTORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21.
A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS;
ESTIMATED SIZE OF ELECTORATE NUMBER OF ELECTORS ON PROVISIONAL REGISTER LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
(REVISED)
ELECTORAL COLLEGE 434 428 5
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
COMMERCIAL I 2 347 681 560
COMMERCIAL II 5 512 1 730 868
INDUSTRIAL I 772 364 93
INDUSTRIAL II 2 267 913 269
FINANCIAL 141 119 10
LABOUR 393 285 11
SOCIAL SERVICES 155 129 17
MEDICAL 4 548 2 109 663
LEGAL 1 511 727 211
TEACHING 49 047 25 337 4 738
ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING 2 890 1 709 572
TOTAL 70 017 34 531 8 317
/18.......
-------0----------
FRIDAY. JUNE 28, 1985 '
18
YOUTHS URGED TO DISCUSS YOUTH MATTERS
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE WILL NOW HAVE THE CHANCE TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO THEMSELVES AND TO COMMENT ON VIEWS EXPRESSED BY EXPERTS RECENTLY ON TOPICS THAT CONCERN THEM.
ABOUT 270 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WILL TAKE PART IN THE SECOND STAGE OF THE CONFERENCE ON +YOUTH POLICIES IN PERSPECTIVE*, TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON JULY 28 AND 29.
THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (CCCIYY) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS (HKFS), IS A FOLLOW-UP EVENT TO THE FIRST CONFERENCE HELD IN APRIL.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE EVENT TODAY (FRIDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CCCIYY, MR LO KING-MAN, SAID A PRELIMINARY REPORT SUMMARISING THE DISCUSSIONS AMONG SOME 80 REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS, DURING THE FIRST CONFERENCE WILL SERVE AS THE GROUNDWORK FOR STAGE II DISCUSSIONS.
MR LO SAID AFTER EXAMINING THE EXISTING PROVISIONS AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN HONG KONG, THE GROUP OF EXPERTS HAD MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, AND NOW WAS THE TIME FOR YOUTH AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 28 TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
+T0 FACILITATE THEIR DISCUSSIONS, SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE STAGE I CONFERENCE WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO GIVE INTRODUCTORY TALKS ON THE VARIOUS TOPICS TO SERVE AS A LINK BETWEEN THE TWO STAGES AS WELL AS TO STIMULATE THE THOUGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS,* HE SAID.
THE MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE STAGE II CONFERENCE WILL BE SELECTED FROM A RANGE OF NOMINATING ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING VARIOUS YOUTH BODIES AND STUDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS.
+A PROPORTION OF NOMINATIONS WILL BE OPEN TO INTERESTED PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOLS OR ANY REGISTERED BODIES,* MR LO SAID.
A DISTINCT FEATURE OF THE SECOND STAGE CONFERENCE IS THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HKFS IN THE PLANNING AND ORGANISATION PROCESS.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HKFS, MR FUNG WAI-KWONG, SAID THAT THE FUNCTION OF THE CONFERENCE WAS +T0 STIMULATE DISCUSSIONS AND CREATE A DRIVING FORCE AMONG THE YOUTH*.
+THE YEAR 1985 MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD FOR HONG KONG,* HE SAID. +THE ROUTE TAKEN BY TODAY’S YOUTH WILL CERTAINLY HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.*
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 18 GROUPS AND THE TOPICS TJ BE DISCUSSED * ILL INCLUDE +FAMILY+, +EDUCATION+, +WORK AND EMPLOYMENT*, +COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION*, +POLITICAL PARTICI PAT I UN* AND +THE MASS MEDIA*. ____________. _______
/19......
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
19
LICENCE IDEA ENDORSED
******
A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A NEW CATEGORY OF RESTAURANT LICENCE, KNOWN AS A BEVERAGE RESTAURANT LICENCE, FOR BARS WHICH SELL ONLY DRINKS AND PRE-PACKED INSTANT FOOD, WAS ENDORSED IN PRINCIPLE TODAY BY THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE NEW CATEGORY ENTITLES THE OPERATOR TO SELL DRINKS AND LIGHT FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS POTATO CHIPS OR PEANUTS, BUT FORBIDS PREPARATION OF FOOD ON THE PREMISES.
AN RSD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BEVERAGE RESTAURANT LICENCE WOULD NOT ABSOLVE THE OPERATOR FROM THE NEED TO OBTAIN A LIQUOR LICENCE UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (LIQUOR) REGULATIONS.
THE LICENCE FEE FOR A BEVERAGE RESTAURANT WOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT FOR A LIGHT REFRESHMENT RESTAURANT, BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION COSTS INCURRED WOULD BE SIMILAR.
----0------
FAREWELL FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHIEF
******
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HELD A PARADE TODAY TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE COMMISSIONER, MR THOMAS GARNER, WHO WILL BE RETIRING NEXT MONTH.
SEVEN CONTINGENTS, COMPRISING MORE THAN 200 OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TOOK PART IN THE PARADE HELD aT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
AFTER INSPECTING THE PARADE, MR GARNER PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL CLASPS TO 36 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF FOR LONG SERVICE.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A MARCH PAST OF THE CONTINGENTS, AND A PERFORMANCE BY THE TAI TAM GIRLS’ PIPERS AND PRECISION MARCHING TEAM.
ADDRESSING THE PARADE AFTERWARDS, MR GARNER SAID THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES WAS +SECOND TO NONE,+ AND THAT THE HONG KONo GOVERNMENT STOOD OUT AS A WORLD LEADER IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTION^, ENSURING THAT ALL THE HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES IN THE CARE AND CUSTDuI OF OFFENDERS HAD BEEN FULLY MET.
HE THANKED THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND MEMBERS OF VARIOUS OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND BODIES FOR THEIR UNFAILING SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
AFTER THE ADDRESS, MR GARNER WAS PRESENTED WITH A COMMISSIONER’.; BATON BY THE PARADE COMMANDER, ON BEHALF OF THOSE ON PARADE.
THE FAREWELL INCLUDED A FLY-PAST BY TWO HELICOPTERS AND THREE FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
MR GARNER WILL BE RETIRING IN HONG KONG WITH HIS WIFE, AFTER 37-1/2 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT, 13-1/2 OF THEM AS COMMISSIONER.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
20
MONG KOK KAIFONG PRAISED * * *
MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL TO THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION IN CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR CHO SHIU-CHUNG, SHE SAW VARIOUS FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE CENTRE AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES OFFERED BY THE ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING DAY-CARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE YOUTHS AND THE CHILDREN.
THE ASSOCIATION WAS PRAISED FOR ITS CONTINUAL EFFORTS IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND IN LOOKING AFTER THE WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS.
------o------- --
IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS IN CENTRAL PLANNED
* * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT ROADWORKS IN CENTRAL TO IMPROVE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFF IC.
WORK IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL INVOLVES IMPROVEMENT TO THE JUNCTIONS OF WYNDHAM STREET, ICE HOUSE STREET AND PEDDER STREET.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME IS IMPROVEMENT TO THE JUNCTIONS OF ALBANY ROAD AND UPPER ALBERT ROAD- AND GLENEALY, WYNDHAM STREET AND LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
THE FOOTPATH ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF GLENEALY WILL BE WIDENED AND A NEW FOOTPATH WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SOUTHEAST OF wYNDHAM STREET.
A TAXI STAND WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AT PEDDER STREET.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PLANS TO RELOCATE SIX TRAM STOPS IN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, IN THE SECTION BETWEEN BANK STREET AND WING WO STREET AND TO ADD A NEW STOP AT BANK STREET.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES IMPROVEMENT TO PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, THE REALIGNMENT OF TRACKS AT PEDDER STREET, AND THE WIDENING OF THE SECTION STREET SOUTH OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
CROSSING
TRAM
OF PEDDER
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG-DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CEm. HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSALS MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 27.
0
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
21
VALUE OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES STRESSED
* * * *
PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES AND KEEN CIVIC AWARENESS WERE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO WERE THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, NR THOMAS CHAN, SAID TONIGHT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, HE SAID YOUNG PEOPLE COULD DEVELOP THEIR TALENT AND LEADERSHIP BY TAKING PART IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE DISTRICT’S CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, HE SAID, HAD ADOPTED THE IYY THEME +PARTICI PAT ION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE* IN ORGANISING THE MORE THAN 140 ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS.
THE PROGRAMME WAS A VERY MEANINGFUL SCHEME, WHICH PROVIDED HEALTHY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS, AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR SPARE TIME.
+THEY CAN ENRICH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND AT THE SAME TIME SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATION,* HE SAID.
A PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET MARKED THE OPENING OF THE TAI PO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
------0-------
AMENDMENTS TO TWO DRAFT PLANS
******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS FOR WANG TAU HOM AND TUNG TAU.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE WANG TAU HOM, LOK FU, TUNG TAU AND LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATES.
ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPMENT LAYOUT PLAN, WANG TAU HOM ESTATE WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARDS AND A SITE OF ABOUT 2.8 HECTARES AT LOK FU IS RESERVED FOR OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT.
THE EXISTING SITE FOR A HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF QUARTERS AT THE JUNCTION OF TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD AND TAI SHING STREET IS TO BE INTEGRATED WITH ADJOINING SITES FOR A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITH OPEN SPACE AND MARKET FACILITIES.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE INCORPORATION OF THE WESTERN ACCESS, A NEW ELEVATED ROAD ACROSS LUNG CHEUNG ROAD CONNECTING JUNCTION ROAD AND THE REALIGNED FU MEI STREET IN THE SOUTH WITH ROADS IN THE MA CHAI HANG AND CHUK YUEN AREAS ; AND ALSO A REVISIO. OF THE LAND USE PROPOSALS IN THE AREA TO THE NORTH OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
/.ANT PERSON ......
FF’MY. JUNE 28, 1985
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS SHOULD SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY Or TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 18.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE AT 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 FOR UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR COLOURED ONE.
------0 ------
COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL
* * * * *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, WHICH INCORPORATES THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PREVIOUSLY CONTAINED IN THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 GAZETTED IN AUGUST 1984.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION EXPLAINED THAT THE 1984 BILL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LTD TO REORGANISE ITS SHAREHOLDING AND MANAGEMENT, AND TO ALLOW TRADING IN STOCK INDICES AND FINANCIAL FUTURES. THESE AMENDMENTS TOGETHER WITH SOME FURTHER AMENDMENTS OF A TECHNICAL NATURE ARE IN THE PRESENT BILL.
THE MAJOR NEW PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE PRESENT BILL ARE RELATED TO THE COMPENSATION FUND.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT COMPENSATION FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1977, TO PROVIDE SOME COMPENSATION TO CLIENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE FORMER HK COMMODITY EXCHANGE LTD WHO SUFFER PECUNIARY LOSS THROUGH THE DEFAULT OF A SHAREHOLDER.
HOWEVER DEFICIENCIES IN THE EXISTING COMPENSATION FUND PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, MOST SERIOUSLY IN RELATION TO UNCERTAINTIES AS TO THE MEANING OF SOME KEY PROVISIONS. IT ALSO APPEARS LIKELY THAT THE FUND MAY BE EXHAUSTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION HAS THEREFORE UNDERTAKEN A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE COMPENSATION FUND PROVISIONS AND RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE REVISION OF THE METHOD OF FUNDING AND OF THE METHOD FOR PROCESSING CLAIMS AGAINST THE FUND.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSALS NOW BEING MADE WERE AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE NEW FUND WOULD BE LARGELY SELF-SUSTAINING.
+THIS IS TO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH A NEW FUND BEING CREATED FROM DEPOSITS OF $50 000 IN RESPECT OF EACH SHAREHOLDER OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY.
/+T0 ASSIST
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
- 25 -
+T0 ASSIST IN BOTH BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE FUND THE PROPOSALS ENVISAGE THE RETENTION OF PROFITS FROM INVESTMENT OF THE FUND AND ALLOW FOR A LEVY TO BE COLLECTED IN RESPECT OF EACH BUY OR SELL CONTRACT TRADED ON THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
+THIS LEVY WILL BE SET BY THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION FROM TIME TO TIME AND CAN BE VARIED TO MEET THE NEED FOR MONIES IN THE FUND. THE COMMISSION HAS PROPOSED THAT INITIALLY THE LEVY WILL BE SET AT 50 CENTS FOR EACH BUY AND EACH SELL CONTRACT, THAT IS AT Si PER TRANSACTION.
+ IF CLAIMS ARE SUCH THAT THE FUND IS INADEQUATE AT ANY TIME, THE EXCHANGE MAY BE LIABLE TO PAY A FURTHER $50 000 PER SHAREHOLDER, IF THE COMMISSION REQUIRES,* HE SAID.
THE COMMISSION HAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE MAXIMUM PAYOUT ON ANY DEFAULT BY A MEMBER OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY SHOULD BE INCREASED TO S2 MILLION, IN LINE WITH THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE.
+FURTHER, THE PROPOSALS ENVISAGE A STREAM-LINED PROCEDURE FOR THE LODGING AND PROCESSING OF CLAIMS AND MAKE NEW PROVISIONS FOR APPEAL'S AGAINST THE DISALLOWANCE OF CLAIMS.
+THE PROPOSALS ALSO CLEARLY DEFINE THE TYPE OF TRADING FOR WHICH COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE. THIS WILL NOW BE CONFINED TO FUTURES TRADING EXECUTED ON THE FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE. COMPENSATION WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE CLIENTS OF A DEFAULTING MEMBER, WHETHER THEY ARE RESIDENT IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACCEPTS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEW FUND WOULD COME INTO OPERATION UPON THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE COMPLETING ITS INTERNAL REORGANISATION WITH WIDENED MEMBERSHIP AND COMMENCING TRADING OF NEW CONTRACTS.
+THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THE PROVISIONS, WHEN OPERATED IN CONDUCTION WITH THE REGULAR MONITORING AND CONTROL OF MEMBERS BY THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE, SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE NEW COMPENSATION FUND WILL PROVIDE A CONTINUING AND ADEQUATE SOURCE OF COMPENSATION FOR USERS OF THE EXCHANGE,* HE SAID.
OTHER AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE BILL INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT CF A SEPARATE APPEALS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE EMPOWERED TO HEAR APPEALS ARISING THROUGH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, AND WHICH SHOULD ALSO ALLOW A QUICK AND INEXPENSIVE AVENUE OF APPEAL FOR DISSATISFIED CLAIMANTS.
THE BILL WILL RECEIVE ITS FIRST READING ON JULY 10. ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - c - - - -
/2*........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
2k
LANGUAGE COURSES FOR JOURNALISTS * * *
WORKING JOURNALISTS WISHING TO IMPROVE THEIR PUTONGHUA AND TRANSLATION SKILLS ARE INVITED TO JOIN COURSES OFFERED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
TWO COURSES - CHINESE ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR JOURNALISTS AND TRANSLATION FOR JOURNALISTS - ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL’S JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AS PART OF A SERIES OF COURSES TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF JOURNALISM.
LECTURES IN THE PUTONGHUA COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS BETWEEN AUGUST 12 AND SEPTEMBER 2.
THE TRANSLATION COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS BETWEEN AUGUST 12 AND SEPTEMBER 23. BOTH COURSES WILL BE HELD IN THE MORNING.
FEES FOR THE COURSE WILL BE $900 FOR CHINESE ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND $920 FOR TRANSLATION, BUT SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS NEED ONLY PAY A NOMINAL FEE OF $150, THE BALANCE BEING BORNE BY THE COUNCIL.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF VTC, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION WILL BE JULY 26.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSE COULD BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD, MR FRANK NG, AT 5-8932341 EXT. 283 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----o------
FESTIVAL TO LAUNCH EASTERN YOUTH PROGRAMME ******
A PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED FESTIVAL WILL LAUNCH THE 1985 EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY’S ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME WILL BE TWO 1ELEMATCH GAMES, ONE ON LAND AND THE OTHER IN WATER, FOR BOTH PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED YOUTHS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR Lu I HAU-TUEN, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG.
-----0------
/25........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
25
PICTORIAL DATESTAMP INTRODUCED ******
A PICTORIAL DATESTAMP BEARING THE WORDS +PHILATELIC BUREAU HONG KONG+ WILL BE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG AND BE AVAILABLE AT PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF SIX POST OFFICES ON MCN1-(JULY 1).
THE DATESTAMP, DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND PRODUCED BY THE POST OFFICE IN RESPONSE TO '^CREASING PUBLIC INTEREST IN PICTORIAL IMPRESSIONS, IS A SINGLE RING STEEL HAND-• DEPICTING A CHINESE JUNK WHICH IS A WELL-KNOWN HONG KONG SYMBOL.
IT WILL BE USED FOR POSTMARKING SOUVENIR COVERS PURCHASED FROM Phil ATELIC COUNTERS ITEMS POSTED AT THE PHILATELIC POSTING BOX AND FIRST DAY COVER& COLLECTED FROM T^pORARY POSTING BOXES OR PHILATELIC POSTING BOXES OF THE GENERAL POST OFFI$E, PEAK POS. OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE, TSIIM SHA TSU I POS C AIRPORT POST OFFICE AND GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE.
COLLECTORS WISHING TO OBTAIN AN IMPRESSION OF THE NEW PICTORIAL DATESTAMP SHOULD POST THEIR COVERS AT THE PHILATELIC POSTING BOZES AT ANY ONE OF THE SIX OFFICES FROM MONDAY.
_ _ 0 - -
SEMINAR ON ECOLOGICAL METHODS, TECHNIQUES * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON ECOLOGICAL METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR HIGHER LEVEL AND ADVANCED LEVEL BIOLOGY TEACHERS.
THE SEMINAR IN AUGUST WILL BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S FIELD STUDIES CENTRE OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE IN SAI KUNG.
THE AIMS OF THE SEMINAR ARE TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH THE ECOLOGICAL METHODS AND TECHNIQUES USED IN FIELD STUDIES, AND TO FAMILIARISE THEM WITH FACILITIES AND RESOURCES OF THE FIELD STUDIES CENTRE.
THERE WILL BE TALKS ON ECOLOGICAL METHODS AND TECHNIQUES ON MANGROVE HABITAT AND FIELD WORK ON MANGROVE HABITAT.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE INSPECTOR, FIELD STUDIES CENTRE, PAK KONG, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, BEFORE JULY 5.
-----0------
/26........
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
26
CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS TO BE LIFTED
*****
CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, AT VARIOUS SECTIONS OF ELECTRIC ROAD AND JAVA ROAD IN NORTH POINT WILL BE LIFTED AS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
RESTRICTIONS ON SOME SECTIONS OF KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND WILL ALSO EE REMOVED FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PLBS.
A SENIOR TRANSPORT OFFICER, MR LOUIS HUNG, SAID THAT THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AT SECTIONS OF ELECTRIC ROAD, JAVA ROAD, NGAN MOK STREET AND TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD WOULD BENEFIT THE PLB TRADE.
+TRAFFIC FLOW IN NORTH POINT HAS CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED SINCE THE OPENING OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
+ABOUT 1 000 VEHICLES IN EACH DIRECTION HAVE BEEN DIVERTED TO THE IEC DURING EACH PEAK HOUR. JOURNEY SPEEDS ALONG KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND HAVE INCREASED BY SEVEN KILOMETRES PER HOUR WHILE THOSE ALONG ELECTRIC ROAD, JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND HAVE INCREASED BY TWO KILOMETRES AN HOUR,+ HE SAID.
+THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS NOW SUBSTANTIAL SPARE CAPACITY ALONG THESE ROADS AND THE PEAK HOUR STOPPING RESTRICTIONS ON GENERAL TRAFFIC AT MANY SECTIONS ARE NO LONGER NECESSARY.+
THE RELAXATION PROPOSALS WERE ENDORSED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD EARLIER THIS YEAR.
+0N KING’S ROAD, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS WILL INCREASE TRAFFIC VOLUME AT KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND, THUS IT IS ADVISABLE TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT PLB ROUTING ON WESTBOUND JOURNEYS, WHICH IS ALONG TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD,+ MR HUNG SAID.
+THE LIFTING OF PLB RESTRICTIONS ALONG TWO STRETCHES OF KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND AND CHAI WAN ROAD WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A LATER STAGE,+ MR HUNG ADDED.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL VEHICLES AT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE LIFTED FROM MONDAY (JULY l)s
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD BETWEEN HEALTHY STREET EAST AND HEALTHY STREET WEST.
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OF NGAN MOK STREET BETWEEN YACHT STREET AND LAU LI STREET.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM 35 METRES TO 70 METRES EAST OF POwER STREET.
/• THE NORTHERN ......
FRIDAY, JUNE £fii.
- 27 -
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF JAVA ROAD FROM 45 METRES EAST OF NORTH POINT ROAD TO 55 METRES EAST OF TIN CHIU STREET.
IN ADDITION, CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ON THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL ALSO BE LIFTED:
* KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM 10 METRES EAST OF MANSION STREET TO 40 METRES EAST OF HEALTHY STREET WEST.
* KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM 20 METRES WEST OF TIN CHIU STREET TO 50 METRES WEST OF KAM HONG STREET.
* KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM 60 METRES EAST TO 40 METRES WEST OF NORTH VIEW STREET.
* KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM 65 METRES WEST OF FORTRESS HILL ROAD TO 35 METRES EAST OF OIL STREET.
* KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM TSI NG FUNG STREET TO 30 METRES WEST OF LAU LI STREET.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF JAVA ROAD FROM 70 METRES EAST OF POWER STREET TO 45 METRES EAST OF NORTH POINT ROAD.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM FOOK YUM ROAD TO 35 METRES EAST OF POWER STREET.
------0-------
TUEN MUN ROAD CLOSURE
******
THE KOWLOON BOUND SECTION OF TUEN MUN ROUNDABOUT AND SIU LAM INTERCHANGE IN TUEN BETWEEN 12.45 AM AND 5.30 AM ON MONDAY AND TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
ROAD BETWEEN ROAD D9 MUN WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY (JULY 1-2)
TRAFFIC TO TSUEN WAN WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE ROAD D9 AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
KMB ROUTE 59S WILL ALSO OPERATE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, j
-----0------
PROHIBITED ZONE SUSPENDED
******
THE PROHIBITED ZONE ON THE KERBSIDE LANE OF JUNCTION ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN DUMBARTON ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 1) FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TO ALLOW ROAD RESURFACING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE OTHER LANE OF THIS SECTION OF ROAD.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1985
28
SHAU KEI WAN TAPS OFF * X *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 2) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOW I
NG
DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
SHU I MA TAU VILLAGE
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY SHAU KEI WAN ROAD FROM SUN SING STREET TO CHURCH STREET, NAM ON STREET, NAM HONG STREET, _ NAM ON LANE, ALDRICH STREET, INCLUDING TSIN AND ALDRICH VILLAGE.
- - 0----------
FUNDS APPROVED FOR TWO MINOR WORKS PROJECTS
* * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS TO SPEND $700 000 UNDER THE MINOR PROJECTS BLOCK VOTE TO MEET THE COSTS OF TWO PROJECTS IN KOWLOON.
THE FIRST PROJECT INVOLVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 210-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF BATTERY STREET AND SAIGON STREET INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA.
THE SITE IS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY BUILDINGS WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CLEARED LATER THIS YEAR. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE A PAVILION, ARBOURS, BENCHES, CHESS TABLES AND STOOLS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK, ESTIMATED TO COST $480 000, IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1986 AND BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1987.
THE SECOND PROJECT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT 292-294 RECLAMATION STREET AT A COST OF $220 000. IT WILL SERVE THE CATCHMENT AREA BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, FERRY STREET AND DUNDAS STREET.
WORK IS DUE TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
+LDC BEST ANSWER TO URBAN RENEWAL PROBLEMS*- ................. 1
HONG KONG TRADE POTENTIAL STRESSED ........................... 3
NEW SOCIAL PACTS EROM FIGURES ................................ 3
LATE APPLICATIONS ............................................ 6
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR WORK........................ 7
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR................................... 7
MONG KOK PLANS SURVEY ON PORNOGRAPHY ......................... 8
NEW CENTRE FOR TUEN KUN YOUTHS ............................... 8
"WARD OFFICES SERVE UNDER-PRIVILEGED AND UNDER-DOG' .......... 9
YOUTHS IN FUN, GAMES FESTIVAL ................................ 9
SINGING CONTEST FOR YOUTHS ................................... 10
SPEEDPOST GOES TO CYPRUS ..................................... 11
STUDENTS' WORKS FOR SHOW ..................................... 11
SCHOOL BEING BUILT ........................................... 12
POOL OPENING EARLIER.......................................... 12
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR DUCT WORK ................................. 12
TO KWA WAN TRAFFIC CHANGE..................................... 13
ROAD TO REOPEN IN SHEUNG WAN ................................. 13
FIRING PRACTICE
14
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
1
+LDC BEST ANSWER TO URBAN RENEWAL PROBLEMS*
* * * *
THE PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) WAS THE BEST SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS OF URBAN RENEWAL WHICH IN RECENT YEARS HAD SLOWED DOWN BY AN ANNUAL RATE OF 10 PER CENT.
THIS WAS THE VIEW EXPRESSED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR JOHN TODD, AT A SEMINAR ON +URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMMUNITY* ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
MR TODD SAID THE MAIN CRITERION BEHIND THE LDC WAS THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE THE MAIN DRIVING FORCE BEHIND REDEVELOPMENT.
HOWEVER, PRIVATE DEVELOPERS FACED SEVERAL PROBLEMS IN URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES. THESE INCLUDED THE HIGH COST OF SITES IN URBAN AREAS, THE DIFFICULTY IN ASSEMBLING LARGE SITES BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBERS OF PROPERTY OWNERS INVOLVED, RESISTANCE TO SITE PURCHASE BY THE OWNERS AND THE NEED TO REHOUSE PEOPLE LIVING ON SITES TO BE REDEVELOPED.
THESE DIFFICULTIES LED TO +PENCIL DEVELOPMENT* IN TOWN CENTRES, THAT IS HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL SITES BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THEY ALSO LED TO A LACK OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES ON THE SITES BECAUSE THESE WERE NOT PROFITABLE TO THE DEVELOPERS.
MR TODD TOLD THE SEMINAR THAT THE LDC WOULD PERFORM THE ROLE OF A DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AS A BUSINESS CONCERN. AS A STATUTORY BODY WITH AN UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMAN AND A MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE BOARD, IT WOULD BE SIMILAR IN STRUCTURE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THE ACTING SECRETARY SAID: +THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE CORPORATION WOULD BE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION OF SUITABLE AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THE PRODUCTION OF PLANS FOR THESE AREAS.*
IT WOULD ACQUIRE LAND OR PROPERTY THROUGH NEGOTIATION WITH THE OWNERS AND IF NECESSARY SEEK GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE IN RESUMING PROPERTY.
ONCE A DEVELOPMENT PLAN HAD BEEN AGREED AND THE PROPERTY ACQUIRED, THE LDC WOULD SET UP A SUBSIDIARY COMPANY JO DEVELOP THE AREAS. THIS COMPANY WOULD RAISE ITS OWN FINANCE FROM PRIVATE SOURCES, UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT AND DISPOSE OF THE PROPERTY ONCE IT WAS DEVELOPED.
/WHEN THE .......
JUNE 29, 1985
2
WHEN THE SITE UNDER DEVELOPMENT WAS BEING CLEARED, THE LDC WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REHOUSING AND RESETTLING THOSE AFFECTED BY THE SCHEME.
MR TODD SAID THE LDC WOULD NOT BE A LARGE ORGANISATION BUT WOULD HAVE A SMALL PERMANENT STAFF. IT WOULD HAVE A DEVELOPMENT SECTION, WORKING MAINLY THROUGH CONSULTANTS, A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SECTION AND A REHOUSING SECTION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SO FAR AS INITIAL PLANNING WAS CONCERNED THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPROVING DEVELOPMENT SITES AND ENSURING THAT SCHEMES WERE WELL DESIGNED WOULD CONTINUE TO REST WITH THE
TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE DESIGNATION OF SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS WOULD BE PUBLISHED UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THESE PROPOSALS.
THAT OWNERS OF PROPERTY TO BE SELLING THEIR PROPERTY OUTRIGHT IN THE SUBSIDIARY COMPANY
MR TODD TOLD THE SEMINAR RESUMED WOULD HAVE A CHOICE OF OR SURRENDERING IT FOR SHARES
UNDERTAKING DEVELOPMENT.
IF THEY TOOK THE LATTER CHOICE, THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS TO BUY FLATS IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT.
THE AIM IN REHOUSING WOULD BE TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SAME AREA AS THE REDEVELOPMENT.
MR TODD SAID: +THESE PROVISIONS aDULD, I BELIEVE, MEET THE NEED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE OWNERS AND THE TENANTS AND ALLOW FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE -LANNING PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT COMMUNITY NEEDS WERE NOT OVERLOOKED.+
HE CONTINUED: +TO ESTABLISH THE LDC ON A SOUND FINANCIAL BASIS IT WOULD BE NECESSARY INITIALLY FOR THE CORPORATION TO UNDERTAKE PROJECTS WHICH WERE POTENTIALLY PROFITABLE.
♦HOWEVER, IN THE LONGER TERM PROFITS MADE BY THE LDC WOULD BE USED TO FUND PROJECTS WHICH WERE NON-PROFI TABLE BUT DESIRABLc IN TERMS OF URBAN REDEVELOPMENT.+
-----0------
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
HONG KONG TRADE POTENTIAL STRESSED * * * *
THE POTENTIAL FOR THE EXPANSION OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY EXPORTS TO HONG KONG AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE TERRITORY’S OPEN ECONOMY WERE STRESSED ON THURSDAY (JUNE 27) WHEN MR DEREK JONES, MINISTER FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE EEC AND MEMBER STATES, AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BRUSSELS MET MR JEAN-THOMAS NORDMANN WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.
MR NORDMANN, WHO IS AT PRESENT DRAFTING A REPORT ON THE FUTURE OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, BELONGS TO THE LIBERAL GROUP OF THE EEC PARLIAMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH RADICAL PARTY.
DURING THE MEETING, MR JONES EXPLAINED HONG KONG'S FREE ECONOMY AND ITS ABSENCE OF IMPORT BARRIERS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE.
COMMENTING ON THE VISIT, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD SAID: +IT WAS IMPRESSED ON MR NORDMANN THAT THERE WAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR THE EEC NATIONS TO INCREASE THEIR EXPORTS TO HONG KONG. THERE IS PARTICULAR OPPORTUNITY FOR FRENCH CONCERNS AND, OF COURSE, THE TERRITORY IS A VALUABLE BASE FOR TRADE WITH CHINA.
+IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG MUST EXPORT TO PAY FOR THE IMPORTS IT NEEDS AND THAT THE TERRITORY USUALLY RUNS A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT.+
-----o------
NEW SOCIAL FACTS FROM FIGURES ******
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF CHINESE-SPEAKING nf-Tlloll
BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 29 ARE ILLITERATE, MORE RESIDENTS RETURN WITH DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS FROM CANADA THAN FROM ANY OTHER OUTSIDE PLACE AND LESS PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 15 ARE SMOKING THESE DAYS.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE DATA COLLECTED ON VARIOUS SOCIAL TOP I Co BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE ON-GOING GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, AND PRESENTED IN A JUST-PUBLISHED SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT III NOW ON SALE.
/ILLITERACY
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
ILLITERACY
THE ENQUIRY ON ILLITERACY «AS CONDUCTED DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1984. IT SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ILLITERATE PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 459 OOO, REPRESENTING 12 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION AGED 15 AND OVER.
THE SURVEY SHOWED ALSO THAT THE ILLITERACY RATE WAS HIGHER AMONG THE OLDER PEOPLE, AND FAR GREATER AMONG WOMEN THAN MEN — IN THE RATIO OF FIVE TO ONE. IN THE 50 TO 59-YEAR-OLD GROUP, ILLITERACY AMONG MEN WAS ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT AND AMONG WOMEN ABOUT 42 PER CENT.
AND FROM THE AGE OF 60 AND ABOVE, THE ILLITERACY RATE AMONG hEN WAS 15 PER CENT AND AMONG WOMEN 65 PER CENT.
GEOGRAPHICALLY, THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD THE HIGHEST ILLITERACY RATE OF ABOUT 13 PER CENT, AND AS FAR AS WORKERS IN GENERAL WERE CONCERNED, THE HIGHEST RATE OF ILLITERACY WAS AMONG AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND FISHERMEN.
HIGHER EDUCATION
AS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINED OUTSIDE HONG KONG BY LOCAL RESIDENTS, A SURVEY CARRIED OUT BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE LAST YEAR SHOWED A TOTAL OF 50 000 -- OR 1.4 PER CENT -- RESIDENTS AGED 18 AND OVER WHO HAD UNDERGONE SOME FORMAL EDUCATION PREVIOUSLY IN HONG KONG WERE ESTIMATED TO HAVE RETURNED AFTER RECEIVING HIGHER EDUCATION.
OVER ONE-QUARTER OF THESE RESIDENTS OBTAINED THEIR QUALIFICATIONS IN CANADA, ABOUT ONE-FIFTH EACH FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES, AND ABOUT ONE-EIGHTH EACH FROM CHINA AND TAIWAN.
AMONG ALL PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG, ABOUT 15 PER CENT OF THEM WERE THOSE RESIDENTS WHO HAD RETURNED AFTER RECEIVING HIGHER EDUCATION ABROAD. THESE PERSONS ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR SOME NINE PER CENT OF ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGERIAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG.
SMOKING PATTERNS
THE ENQUIRY INTO SMOKING PATTERNS, CARRIED OUT IN JULY 1984, WAS THE THIRD SUCH STUDY UNDERTAKEN.
/FROM IHB
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
- 5 -
FROM THE SURVEY, IT WAS ASCERTAINED THAT LESS THAN ONE IN EVERY FIVE PERSONS AGED 15 AND OVER IN HONG KONG WAS A DAILY CIGARETTE SMOKER.
THIS COMPARES WITH THE RATIOS OF ONE IN EVERY FIVE IN 1983, AND ALMOST ONE IN EVERY FOUR IN 1982.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF SMOKERS WAS 744 OOO.
SOME OF THE OTHER DATA OBTAINED FROM THE SURVEY SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:
* SOME 101 200 HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG WERE REPORTED TO HAVE PRIVATE CARS AVAILABLE, WHICH COULD BE USED BY THE HOUSEHOLDS AT ANY TIME DURING THE TWO WEEK REFERENCE PERIOD BEFORE ENUMERATION (DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1984) REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP.
* ONE-SEVENTH OF EMPLOYEES IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY WERE OFFERED PAID OVERTIME WORK, WITH 96 PER CENT OF THEM ACCEPTING THE OFFER, WORKING AN AVERAGE OF 14.5 HOURS OVERTIME EACH A MONTH.
ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THESE PEOPLE DID SO TO EARN MORE MONEY, 23 PER CENT DID SO TO MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH EMPLOYERS AND 17 PER CENT CLAIMED THAT OVERTIME WORK WAS MANDATORY.
THE DATA ON VARIOUS SOCIAL TOPICS COLLECTED ARE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR PLANNING THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF SOCIETY.
THE SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT III IS NOW ON SALE AT $12 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
IT CONTAINS MANY MORE FINDINGS AND DETAILED TABLES ON THE SUBJECTS SURVEYED.
\
- - 0 - -
/6
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
6
LATE APPLICATIONS * X X
IIP Tn 11 AM TODAY 9 195 LATE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION A' FACTORS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN ^ ELECTORS IN 1HE Ltb^LAn EARL(ER rEG|stRATION EXERCISE, 34 531 ELECTORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21.
A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS:
estimated SIZE OF ELECTORATE NUMBER OF ELECTORS ON PROVISIONAL REGISTER LATE APPLICATIONS
(REVISED)
ELECTORAL COLLEGE 434 428 5
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
COMMERCI AL 1 2 347 681 574
COMMERCI AL 11 5 512 1 730 998
INDUSTRI AL 1 772 364 100
1NDUSTRlAL 11 2 267 913 275
FINANCI AL 141 119 10
LABOUR 393 285 13
SOCIAL SERVICES 155 129 18
MEDI CAL 4 548 2 109 699
LEGAL 1 511 727 219
TEACHI NG 49 047 25 337 5 696
ENGINEERING, architectural, SURVEYING AND PLANNI NG 2 890 1 709 588
total 70 017 34 531 9 195
0 —
/7 .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
- 7 -
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR WORK * * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS PRAISED RECENTLY FOR ITS +PROFESSIONALISM+ BY THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL, SIR SHRIDATH RAMPHAL.
FEW COUNTRIES, IF ANY, COULD MATCH HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS, SIR SHRIDATH SAID, IN A LETTER REPRODUCED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED TODAY.
SIR SHRIDATH ALSO SAID THAT DELEGATES ATTENDING THE FIRST MEETING OF COMMONWEALTH CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS HELD HERE IN MARCH HAD BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE HIGH MORALE AND PROFESSIONALISM OF HONG KONG’S CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMISSIONER, MR THOMAS GARNER, WHO WILL BE RETIRING NEXT MONTH AFTER 38 YEARS’ SERVICE, IN HIS FOREWORD TO THE ANNUAL REPORT, SAID THAT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES RANKED HIGH IN ITS FIELD OF WORK ON A WORLD-WIDE BASIS.
THE REPORT STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRISONERS +AS ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH MEANING COULD BE GIVEN TO THEIR LIVES+.
EDUCATION HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM, AND THE DEPARTMENT ENSURED THAT ALL MEN AND WOMEN SERVING SENTENCES HAD ACCESS TO EDUCATION FACILITIES.
-----o------
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR
* * *
MORE THAN 130 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE JORDAN ROAD AREA WILL ATTEND A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT EXCHANGING VIEWS AMONG MAC’S, OC’S AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROBLEMS.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, THE ICAC AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM IN YAU MA TEI WILL ALSO ATTEND THE SEMINAR, WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE JORDAN AREA COMMITTEE AND THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE.
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
8
MONG KOK PLANS SURVEY ON PORNOGRAPHY
XXX
A SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT THE EFFECTS CF PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS ON YOUNG PEOPLE IN MONG KOK DISTRICT.
YOUTHS UNDER 19 WHO ARE STUDYING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE SELECTED TO COMPLETE A COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONNAIRE ON TOPICS, RANGING FROM THEIR READING HABITS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS AS TO THEIR SEX KNOWLEDGE.
ADULTS WHO HAVE CLOSE CONTACT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE ASKED FOR THEIR OPINIONS ON THE INUNDATION OF SUCH PUBLICATIONS.
THE SURVEY, FUNDED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, IS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE GROUP INCLUDE DISTRICT BOARD FEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
+MORE THAN 1 500 RESPONDENTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED TO OBTAIN RELIABLE DATA FOR THE SURVEY,* THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, ,'R CHAN LAI-SAND SAID.
+PROPOSALS ON MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD’S CONSIDERATION AS SOON AS RESULTS ARE TABULATED,* HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF AUGUST.
*
NEW CENTRE FOR TUEN MUN YOUTHS
XXX
YOUTH CENTRES PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO FACE THE INEVITABLE PRESSURES AND TEMPTATIONS ARISING FROM TODAY’S FAST-PACED, COMPETITIVE AND COSMOPOLITAN SOCIETY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS’ BUTTERFLY YOUTH CENTRE IN TUEN MUN, SHE SAID THAT OVER 35 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION IN TUEN MUN WERE UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE, AND YOUTH CENTRES WERE A MUCH NEEDED FACILITY.
+AT THE SAME TIME, THROUGH THE BONDS OF COMMON INTERESTS OR ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BE ENCOURAGED TO FORM NEW CONTACTo AND FRIENDSHIPS, TO EXCHANGE VIEW-POINTS AND EXPERIENCES AND TO LEARN TO UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES AND THEIR PERSONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES,* SHE SAID.
/TO ATTRACT .......
SATURDAY, JUNK 29, 198)
9
TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUTH CENTRES MUST BE PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE AND +FUN+ TO BE IN, AND THE PROGRAMMES PROVIDED MUST BE IMAGINATIVE, WELL-ORGANISED AND GEARED TO MEET THE SOCIAL WORK OBJECTIVES WHICH WERE THE MAIN RATIONALE FOR THE PROVISION OF YOUTH CENTRES.
MRS CHAN SAID THE BUTTERFLY YOUTH CENTRE ££S A +TESTAMENT TO THE CONTINUING COMMITMENT OF THE HONG KONG ^DERATION 0 YOUTH GROUPS TO EXPAND ITS ACTIVITIES, AND TO DEVELOP NE APPROACHES IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE .
SHE ALSO CONGRATULATED THE FEDERATIONONITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, AND THANKED ALL THOSE CONNECTED WITH ITS WORK FOR THEIR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.
- - 0 - -
’WARD OFFICES SERVE UNDER-PRIVILEGED AND UNDER-DOG’ X X * X
SINCE 1965 THE URBAN COUNCIL’S WARD OFFICES HAVE HELPED NUMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REDRESS THEIR GRIEVANCES, THEREBY FILLING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TAKING UP A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES ON BEHALF OF THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED AND THE UNDER-DOG. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SAID THIS TODAY WHEN PERFORMING THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW WARD OFFICE OF LONG-SERVING COUNCILLOR MISS CECILIA YEUNG, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NO 91, FUNG TAK .ROAD, FUNG WflNG SUN TSUEN IN WONG TAI SIN.
-----o------
YOUTHS IN FUN, GAMES FESTIVAL X X X X
THE EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (SATURDAY) IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF FRIENDSHIP AND FUN, AS PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED YOUTHS COMPETED IN A SPECIAL FESTIVAL AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN POKFULAM.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF TODAY’S FESTIVAL WAS TWO TELEMATCH GAMES — ONE HELD ON LAND AND THE OTHER IN WATER — IN WHICH BOTH PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED YOUTHS TOOK PART.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SYP INCLUDED AN ORIENTAL DANCE PERFORMANCE BY STUDENTS OF THE KI ANGSU AND CHEKIANG COLLEGE, A BAND PERFORMANCE AND A DISPLAY ON THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME EVENTS.
/speaking at........
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1/.
3PEAMNG AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, EASTERN DISTRICT OFFI Ed HAU-TUEN SAID THIS YEAR’S 3YP WAS PLANNED IN LINE WITH .
I’.TERN AT | On AL YOUTH YEAR’S THEME OF 'PARTICIPATION, . ... - .ENT , AND PEACE’ .
-YOU .u PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT SHOULD SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNE ■j DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL BY ACTIVELY PART I CiPATI NG IN THE 3- : R YOUTH PROGRAMME,+ MR LUI SAID.
+THIS YEAR, ABOUT 190 EVENTSHAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR BOTr ; jDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
ABOUT S180 000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FUND HAT <EN ALLOCATED TO EASTERN DISTRICT FOR THIS YEAR’S 3YP, OF .vri) CH •-0 non had BEEN EARMARKED FOR ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY VOLUNT-, ' AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT.
A LEAFLET ON THE VARIOUS EVENTS IN THE EASTERN SYP HAS 'BEEN 'Ll ShED AND 13 AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION AT THE EASTERN A
OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR SHUM CH61-SANG. ■'_SC OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S CEREMONIES.
- - 0 - -
SINGING CONTEST FOR YOUTHS * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKt PART IN A SI NG IN. CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
THE CONTEST, ONE OF MANY EVENTS IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), AIMS AT PROMOTING MUSI. ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
ANYONE WHO LIVES, WORKS OR STUDIES IN TAI PO CAN ENTER THE CONTEST WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO T*0 GROUPS - FOR CHILDREN AGcj BETWEEN SIX AND 13, AND YOUTHS BETWEEN 14 AND 25.
PARTICIPANTS CAN CHOOSE TO ENTER AS SOLOISTS OR IN GROUPS.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TU PO LION’S CLUE YOUTH CENTRE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFift ALL ITU * -,,SH OFFICES. THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JULY 15 (MONDAY;.
/11 ..
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
11
SPEEDPOST GOES TO CYPRUS
IIX
SPEEDPOST SERVICE ILL BE EXTENDED TO CYPRUS FROM MONDAY (JULY 1), BRINGING TO 32 THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN THE SPEEDPOST NETWORK SERVED FROM HONG KONG.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SPEEDPOST ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES IN CYPRUS: NICOSIA, LARNACA, LIMASSOL, PAPHOS AND FAMAGUSTA.
+ITEMS POSTED IN HONG KONG WILL BE DELIVERED TO ADDRESSEES IN CYPRUS ON THE SECOND WORKING DAY,+ HE SAID.
+CONTRACT+ AND +ON DEMAND* SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT PER ITEM IS 20 KILOGRAMMES AND THE POSTAGE RATES ARE:
ITEMS WEIGHING UNDER 250 G : $70
ITEMS WEIGHING BETWEEN 250 G AND 500 Gs $80
EACH SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONAL 500 G : $20
+CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE SHOULD CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-2671108,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
STUDENTS’ wORKS FOR SHOW * X *
A SIX-DAY EXHIBITION OF WINNING ENTRIES OF A RECENT COMMERCE PROJECTS COMPETITION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD FRO-MONDAY TO SATURDAY (JULY 1 TO 6), AT THE C0LEEGE HALL. OF THc HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE ANNEX AT VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 25-27, WOOD ROAD, 2ND FLOOR, WAN CHAI.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE THE WORKS OF SOME 150 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE FORM OF MODELS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS ENTERED FOR THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECTS COMPETITION HELD EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE SHOW IS ORGANISED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE (COMMERCE SUBJECTS SECTION) AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE CF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND SPONSORED BY THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY.
IT WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM G A.-i TO 11.45 AM ON SATURDAY, AND THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME.
- 0 -
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
- 12
SCHOOL BEING BUILT
* * *
TnE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE TAI WAI PLAYGROUND IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JULY 1) FOR WORK TO START ON CONSTRUCTION OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
--------0 ----------
POOL OPENING EARLIER
*****
thrfc PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS .ILL HALF IS hS6r EARL IER AT 6.30 AM FROM JULY 1 (MONDAY) UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
TUPY ARP THF KWAI SHING SWIMMING POOL, NORTH KWAI CHUNG JOCKEY CLUB JuBL IC L WING POOL m SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
--------o ----------
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR DUCT WORK * * *
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CF A DUCT NETWORK FOR THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
SHAU KEI WAN, WILL TO A CONTROL
RUNNING FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO
THE NETWORK, .......
CARRY CABLES LINKING TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT MrtlllTrtD .. . CENTRE IN CENTRAL. THE CENTRE WILL COORDINATE AND MONITOR ALL TRAFFIC-SIGNAL-CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS IN THE SYSTEM.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS MUST REACH THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BY NOON ON
JULY 19.
--------o-----------
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
13
TO KVmA WAN TRAFFIC CHANGE * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TO KWA wAN FROM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (JULY 2 TO 5), BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM, TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS:
* ON TUESDAY (JULY 2) SUNG WONG TOI ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN KOwLOON CITY ROAD AND THE AIRPORT TUNNEL EXIT, AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN SUNG WONG TOI ROAD AND MOK CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KOWLOON CITY ROAD AND MA TAU KOK ROAD.
H ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 3), KOWLOON CITY ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN SUNG WONG TOI ROAD AND MOK CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KOWLOON CITY ROAD AND MA TAU KOK ROAD.
H ON THURSDAY (JULY 4), KOWLOON CITY ROAD SOUTHBOUND AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SUNG WONG TOI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SUNG WONG TOI ROAD AND TAM KUNG ROAD.
* ON FRIDAY (JULY 5), TO KWA WAN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN MA TAU KOK ROAD AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN TO KWA WAN ROAD AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD, AND THE SLIP ROAD LINKING EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TO KWA WAN ROAD AND MA TAU KOK ROAD.
- - 0 - -
ROAD TO REOPEN IN SHEUNG WAN * * * *
KO SHING STREET BETWEEN LI SHING STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAj. .~jT IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE REOPENED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC FRO; ID AM ON MONDAY (JULY 1), FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD wOxK.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING LI SHING STREET WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, EAST OF KO SHING STREET, wILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
- - 0 -
/14
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1985
- 14 -
FIRING PRACTICE * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR 11 DAYS IN JULY.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE AS FOLLOWS*
DATE TIME
— —
JULY 2 (TUESDAY) 6 PM - 11.30 PM
JULY 3 (WEDNESDAY) 4.30 AM - 11 PM
JULY 4 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 4 PM
JULY 8 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 1 PM
JULY 9 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 11 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 12 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 23 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 24 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 31 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JENKINS BILL THREAT STILL TO SINK HOME........................ 1
RENT AMENDMENTS TAKE EFFECT MONDAY ...........................
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR MEN BORN 1933-1936 ........................ 2
TWO MORE CENTRES SERVE PUBLIC ................................ 3
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO HOUSING AUTHORITY'S COMMITTEES............ 4
WORK TO PAVE WAY FOR LRT PROPOSED............................. 5
REVISED KOWLOON PARE PLAN SPARES OLD BANYANS ................. 6
HIRING CHARGES FOR YUEN LONG STADIUM INCREASED ............... 8
DB TO BE BRIEFED ON NEV ESTATE PROJECT .......................
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR FIELD STUDY COURSE...................... 10
HOCKEY, BASEBALL COURSES FOR YOUTHS .......................... 11
SWIMMING COMPETITION IN YUEN LONG............................. 12
NEW REST GARDEN FOR RENNIE'S MILL............................. 12
AMENITY AREA FOP. CENTRAL .................................... 13
HEUNG YIP ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGES ............................... 13
SUNDAY, JUNE 30,
1985
1
JENKINS BILL THREAT STILL TO SINK HOME
* * * *
the threat to American corporations in sectors removed from TEXTILES AND APPAREL THAT IS REPRESENTED BY THE JENKINS BILL HAS NOT YET SUNK HOME, ACCORDING TO HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER FOR COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN NEW YORK, MR BILL DORWARD.
A LETTER HAS BEEN SENT BY MR DORWARD TO 1 000 HIGH LEVEL CONTACTS IN THE UNITED STATES WARNING OF THE AWFUL ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF PROTECTIONISM AND DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE JENKINS BILL WHICH SEEKS TO RADICALLY REDUCE TEXTILE AND ZkPPAREL IMPORTS.
+ THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS OF THE BILL IS HARD TO PREDICT,* HE WROTE, +BUT THE TRADE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS CALLED HEARINGS ON JULY 15.
+ONE ASSUMES THAT ON THIS AND SIMILAR OCCASIONS THE VOICES CF U.S. CORPORATIONS *H0 STAND EVENTUALLY TO LOSE SUBSTANTIALLY IN TERMS OF EXPORT MARKETS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROPOSED ACTION *ILL BE HEARD IN OPPOSITION, FOR IT IS ONLY THEY WHO CAN EFFECTIVELY SWAY THE OUTCOME.
♦THE RETAIL INDUSTRY, THE IMPORTERS AND THE GRAIN EXPORTERS ARE ALREADY EXERCISED, BUT THERE IS AS YET LITTLE INDICATION THAT THE wIDER IMPLICATIONS HAVE SUNK HOME IN INDUSTRIES, SERVICE AND MANUFACTURING, FAR REMOVED FROM TEXTILES AND APPAREL. THEIR MARKETS ARE, HOWEVER, BECOMING VERY CONCERNED.*
MR DORWARD SAID THAT THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL TRADE ENFORCEMENT BILL, +IS PROGRESSING LIKE A JUGGERNAUT, FUELLED BY A U.S.5 500 □□□ A MONTH LOBBYING CAMPAIGN WHICH APPARENTLY REPRESENTS AN ATTEMPT ON THE PART OF INDUSTRY AND UNIONS TO TURN BACK A TIDE OF WORLD OPINION MOVING TOWARD GREATER LIBERALISATION IN THIS MANUFACTURING oECTOR WHICH HAS ALREADY ENJOYED, FOR 25 YEARS, GREATER PROTECTION THAN ANY OTHER SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.*
THE BILL WOULD CYNICALLY LEAVE THE MAIN SOURCE OF THE GROwTri IN IMPORTS, DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, UNSCATHED WHILE HITTING AT THIRD wORLD SUPPLIERS. IT wOULD CONTRAVENE THE MFA. IT WOULD INVITE RAPID AND DAMAGING RETALIATION. IT WOULD THREATEN WORLD TRADE GENERALLY. IT wOULD NOT FURTHER THE WISH OF THE U.S. TO SEE A MAJOR NEw ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO HALT AND REVERSE THE SPREAD OF PROTECTIONISM AND TO ACHIEVE GREATER LIBERALISATION CF TRADE AND SERVICES, SA ID MR DCRwARD.
♦MEMORIES OF THE AWFUL ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF PROTECTIONISM in the thirties prompt one to recall Santayana’S aphorism that THOSE •■•HO DC NOT LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT THEM,* HE SAID.
SUNDAY, JUNE' 30, 1935
2 -
•CMC-----
RENT AMENDMENTS TAKE EFFECT MONDAY
XXX
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1985, GAZETTED ON JUNE 14, COMES- INTO OPERATION TOMORROW (MONDAY, july’i).
HOWEVER, THE
■H.UXURY+ PREMISES
PROVISIONS EXCLUDING FROM PART II CONTROLS WITH AN OL‘D RATEABLE VALUE (AS AT JUNE 10, 1983) CF $30 000 OR MORE AND ALSO 'THE RAISING OF THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT IN THE RENT INCREASE MECHANISM FROM 45 PER CENT TO 55 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT WILL NOT BECOME OPERATIVE.
UNTIL DECEMBER 19.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE MORE IMPORTANT OF THE AMENDMENTS TO TAKE EFFECT ARc. THE RAISING OF THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES FROM 21 TO 27 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF FEti FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE FEES AFFECTED INCLUDE APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW OF RENT INCREASE CERTIFICATES, APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW OF DECISIONS ON TRANSFER OF TENANCIES FROM PART II TO PART IV, AND APPLICATIONS TO LET DOMESTIC PREMISES PREVIOUSLY REPOSSESSED FOR SELF-OCCUPATION OR FOR REBUILDING.
UPDATED EXPLANATORY PAMPHLETS ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED. THESE ARE NOW AVAILABLE, FREE OF CHARGE, FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, 17TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, OR DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANYONE HAVING ENQUIRIES ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE CAN OBTAIN ASSISTANCE FROM RENT OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 5-7957888) OR THE STAFF OF DISTRICT OFFICES.
--------0 ---------
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR MEN BORN 1933-1936
XXX
MEN BORN IN 1933, 1934, 1935 AND 1936 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY
FOR NEW I.D. CARDS BETWEEN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND AUGUST 3.
DURING THE FIVE-WEEK PERIOD, ABOUT 120 000 APPLICATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE RECEIVED BY THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
/THESE OFFICES .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1?85
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, +THE APf- ICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS wriEN THEY APPLY FOR NEW ONES.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS CARRIED THE AGE OF THE HOLDER, AND NOT THE BIRTH DATE.
+BECAUSE OF THIS,* HE SAID, +WE HAVE RECENTLY COME ACROSS CASES WHERE THE APPLICANT WAS UNABLE TO TELL OUR COUNTER-STAFF THE EXACT YEAR IN wHICH HE WAS BORN, THUS CAUSING SOME SLIGHT DELAY IN THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE.
+IT WOULD HELP NOT ONLY OUR STAFF BUT ALSO THE APPLICANT HIMSELF IF HE COULD ASCERTAIN THE YEAR OF BIRTH BEFORE HE VISITS OUR OFFICE.
+AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR EXACT YEARS OF BIRTH IT .vOULD BE ADVISABLE FOR THEM TO BRING ALONG THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, SUCH AS PASSPORTS OR CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY.*
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED APPLICANTS THAT THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF A NEw PHASE ARE USUALLY THE BUSIEST, AND IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE TO AVOID THE RUSH.
+THOSE WHO wISH TO VISIT A PARTICULAR OFFICE AT A SPECIFIC TIME CAN MAKE USE OF THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SERVICE,* HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND IMMIGRATION OFF ICES.
+DULY COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE ISSUE OFFICE CF ONE’S CHOICE AT LEAST 13 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE PHASE,* hE SAID.
TWC MORE CENTRES SERVE PUBLIC
* X X
TWO MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRES (PESC) HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE NETWORK OF PESO’S, PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE TwC NEw CENTRES, THE CHEUNG WAH ESTATE PESC IN FANLINl (TEL: 3-939547) AND THE SIU HONG COURT PESC IN TUEN MUN (TEL: 0851925), BRING TO 65 THE NUMBER OF PESO’S SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
PUN BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE PESO’S *-E CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN DISTRICT OFFICES AND ThEIR BRANCH OFFICES AS WELL AS THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
+THJS CHJTHES ......
JONE X), 1985
+THE CENTRES PROVIDE VARIOUS SERVICES SUCH AS ANSWERING ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES, ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATION, FREE LEGAL ADVICE AND OTHER MATTERS,* A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID.
, + THE PESO’S HANDLED MORE THAN FIVE MILLION CASES AND ENQUIRIES IN THE PAST FINANCIAL YEAR,* HE ADDED.
THE FIRST CENTRE WAS SET UP IN 1961, BUT WITH THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC DEMAND AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN RECENT YEARS, THE PESC NETWORK EXPANDED STEADILY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
+THEY ALSO HELP IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE TWO-WAY FLOW OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+ALTHOUGH THE CENTRES HAVE NO EXECUTIVE POWER, COMPLAINTS AND PUBLIC OPINION ARE REFERRED TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES FOR FOLLOW UP ACTION,* HE ADDED.
THE CENTRES ALSO DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 250 DIFFERENT TYPES CF GOVERNMENT FORMS, FACT SHEETS, PAMPHLETS, LEAFLETS AND BOOKLETS. LAST YEAR, THE PESO’S DISTRIBUTED NEARLY 9.5 MILLION SUCH FORMS.
DURING TYPHOONS AND HEAVY RAINSTORMS, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE SECTION IN CNTA HEADQUARTERS OPERATE A 24-HOUR TtLEPHONc SERVICE, ANSWERING ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WEATHER CONDITION. OFFICcRo MANNING THE TELEPHONE AT 3-692255 HANDLE AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 1 000 CALLS A DAY.
WHO WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES OF THE TELEPHONE OR APPROACH THE PESC OF THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS ROAD, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CITY, : 3-692255).
ANYONE CENTRES MAY AT 7 CANTON KOWLOON (TEL
--------o----------
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO HOUSING AUTHORITY’S COMMITTEES
X X * X
UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATION ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S COMMITTEES IS BEING FURTHER STRENGTHENED WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF FOUR NEW CO-OPTED MEMBERS EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID THE NEW APPOINTMENTS COMPRISED THREE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT.
/THEY AfU!.......
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1985
THEY ARE MR CHAN KAM-CHEUNG WHO IS APPOINTED TO THE BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR JACOB CHAN LAI-SANG TO THE APPEALS COMMITTEE, MR LAM HOI-HAM TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND MR LAI KAM-CHEUNG TO THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THE NEW APPOINTMENTS REPRESENT AN INJECTION OF NEW BLOOD WHICH WILL FURTHER BROADEN THE BASE OF EXPERIENCE AND REPRESENTATION IN THE COMMITTEES.
♦THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND CONTACTS WITH THE PUBLIC WILL ENSURE A CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT IN THE FORMULATION OF EFFECTIVE AND BALANCED POLICY DECISIONS.+
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE BRIEF biographies OF the FOUR NEW APPOINTMENTS:
CHAN LAI-SANG, JACOB - MR CHAN, 34, IS A SOCIAL SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR. HE IS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD FOR 1982-85 AND FOR 1985-88. HE HAS GOOD WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL WORK AND HAS CONNECTIONS WITH MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
CHAN KAM-CHEUNG - MR CHAN, 39, IS A SOLICITOR. HE IS AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD. HE LIVES IN THE home ownership scheme sui wo court in sha tin, and is a MULT I-A ID-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. MR CHAN IS ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY WORK IN SHA TIN.
LAM HOI-HAM - MR LAM, 46, IS A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT. HE HAS PROMOTED AND CONTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN HONG KONG
LAI KAM-CHEUNG - MR LAI, 40, IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME, TAI PO. HE IS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD. SELECTED AN +OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSON+ IN 1981 HE IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN SOCIAL WELFARE MATTERS.
- - 0 -----------
wORK TO PAVE wAY FOR LRT PROPOSED * * *
A SERIES OF ROAD WORKS IS PROPOSED IN YUEN LONG TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THE WORK INVOLVES SITE FORMATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE CARRIAGEWAYS ALONG THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG CORRIDOR TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
/IT *LSC........
SUNDAY, JUNE JO, 1985
6
IT ALSO INCLUDES THE REALIGNMENT OF THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN PING SHAN AND A MODIFIED JUNCTION WITH THE
YUEN LONG NORTHERN BYPASS.
AN INTERCHANGE wILL BE BUILT ADJACENT TO THE EASTERN END OF THE YUEN LONG NORTHERN BYPASS WHILE THE EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD wILL ALSO BE REALIGNED.
IN YUEN LONG ITSELF, THE WIDTH OF THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE REDUCED IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOWN CENTRE. THE FOOTPATH IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL ALSO BE NARROWED.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF EXISTING BRIDGES, CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGES AND THE EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING SUBWAY AT HUNG SHU I KIU.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MA N ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH - 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES; AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS CFFICE AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, 201 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF
THE
ROAD
TUEN
OBJECTIONS TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 27.
-----o------
REVISED KOWLOON PARK PLAN SPARES OLD BANYANS * * * * * *
HONG KONG’S BIGGEST BANYAN TREE, STANDING FOR ABOUT 250 YEARS AT THE NORTHERN END OF KOWLOON PARK, IS TO BE SAVED FROM THE BULLDOZERS - THANKS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL’S DECISION TO REVISE THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE PARK.
THE TREE MEASURES ABOUT 40 METRES BY 40 METRES AND THE DIAMETER OF ITS TRUNK IS ABOUT FIVE METRES. IT HAS A HIGH AMENITY VALUE AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND HISTORICAL SIGN IFICANCE.
/ANOTHEH TWO .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1985
ANOTHER TWO BANYAN TREES IN THE VICINITY, ABOUT 80 AND 150 YEARS OLD RESPECTIVELY, WILL ALSO BE PRESERVED, ENABLING LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ENJOY THE NATURAL SHADE OF THESE GRACEFUL TREES DURING THEIR LIFETIME.
THE REVISED PLAN, WHICH HAS JUST BEEN APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEES, INVOLVED EXCHANGING THE LOCATION OF THE FUN POOLS IN THE PARK’S SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WITH THAT OF THE INDOOR swimming pools.
THE FUN POOLS WILL NOW BE SHAPED ACCORDING TO THE PARK’S NATURAL CONTOURS WHILE THE INDOOR POOLS WILL EE BUILT ON THE MORE LEVEL PART OF THE SITE, THUS REDUCING SITE FORMATION COSTS AND IMPROVING SERVICE ACCESS.
IN ADDITION, THE REVISED PLAN WILL PROVIDE LARGER AREAS FOR THE FUN POOLS, WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND TO BE BUILT BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, AND FOR THE INDOOR POOL COMPLEX, WHICH IS SET TO BECOME A VENUE FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN LATE 1986 AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1989.
THE PROPOSED INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL BE MOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL SITE TO THE SOUTH-WESTERN CORNER OF THE PARK NEAR HAIPHONG ROAD TO GIVE A BETTER SPREAD OF THE BUILDING ELEMENTS OF THE PARK AND RENDER THE ENVIRONMENT AESTHETICALLY MORE ATTRACTIVE.
WORK ON THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL NOT START UNTIL. THE TEMPORARY MUSEUM OF HISTORY, WHICH NOW OCCUPIES CONVERTED BARRACKS BUILDINGS IN THE PARK, IS REPROVISIONED.
ALSO TO BE RELOCATED TO THE SOUTH-WESTERN SECTION WILL BE THE SPORTS AND GAMES AREA. THE SITE SO RELEASED WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A PASSIVE RECREATION AREA TO FORM A BARRIER AGAINST TRAFFIC NOISE FROM NATHAN ROAD, THEREBY ENHANCING THE TRANQUILITY OF THE PARK AREA.
THE 14-HECTARE KOWLOON PARK, ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS THE SIZE OF VICTORIA PARK ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR OF MORSE PARK IN KOWLOON, WAS HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT IN 1969 AFTER BEING VACATED BY THt BRITISH ARMY.
SINCE THEN, KOWLOON PARK HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED IN PHASES INTO A COLOURFUL BEAUTY SPOT, CONTAINING BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
/TCWQAT£.........
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1985
8
TO THE
D1I6I Z° AB0UT 8-5 hectares OF THE SITE ARE OPEN caatIa,' EX*st,ng FACILITIES include a rose garden, a ™°JBALL PITCH, THREE BASKETBALL COURTS, AN AVIARY A JOGGlNo TRACK, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, A REST GARDEN
GARDEN FEATURING LOTUS PONDS, AN ORNATE
AND A
TRADITIONAL CHINESE ISLAND PAVILION AND
A ZIG-ZAG STONE BRIDGE.
PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE PARK INCLUDE A SUNKEN GARDEN AND A FITNESS TRAIL.
THE SUNKEN GARDEN, MEASURING ABOUT 850 SQUARE METRES IS BEING BUILT NEXT TO THE AVIARY. IT WILL CONSIST OF A ’ FOUNTAIN, FLOWER BEDS, PATHS, A PAVILION AND A SUN SHELTER THt SURROUNDING AREAS WILL BE LANDSCAPED WITH DECORATIVE cJocZ-!-cn'-r^C^STRUCTI0N W0RK’ ESTIMATED AT $1.3 MILLION, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
AS FOR THE 1 OOO-METRE FITNESS TRAIL, IT WILL HAVE 10 ™eCTDA?r F,TNESS EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT SIX STATIONS ALONG 21 h,ll,on- it ",LL 86 ™
ANOTHER PROJECT, A SITTING-OUT AREA AT THE JUNCTION OF AUSTIN ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD, WILL BE BUILT NEXT YEAR. MAJOR FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A WATER FEATURE PERGOLAS WITH SEATING, A PAVILION, A TODDLERS PLAY AREA PLANTERS AND A LANDSCAPED AREA.
♦WHEN THE PARK IS FULLY DEVELOPED IT WILL BECOME A MOST POPULAR RECREATIONAL ESCAPE FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE KOWLOON PENINSULA,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
-----0------
HIRING CHARGES FOR YUEN LONG STADIUM INCREASED * * * * *
HIRING CHARGES FOR THE YUEN LONG STADIUM FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMERCIAL AND CHARITABLE FUNCTIONS AND CERTAIN SPORTS WILL BE INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 27 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JULY 1), THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
BUT THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE REVISED SCALE OF CHARGES FOR SCHOOLS, CLUBS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WOULD BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 1, 1986.
AN RSD SPOKESMAN SAID SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THESE ORGANISATIONS, WHICH NORMALLY PLAN THEIR ACTIVITIES ON A YEARLY BASIS, TO BUDGET FOR THE INCREASE.
/THE REVISED .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1?8>
THE REVISED CHARGES WILL MEAN THAT A TYPICAL HIRER OF THE STADIUM WILL ONLY HAVE TO PAY MARGINALLY MORE, E.G. $50 FOR AN ATH-ETIC MEET, $20 FOR A FOOTBALL MATCH. THE CHARGING METHOD IS AT THE SANE TIME SIMPLIFIED AND A HIGHER PERCENTAGE ON THE GATE RECEIPT IS AIMED FOR, WHERE GATE RECEIPT IS CHARGED.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE REVISION IS NECESSITATED BY THE FACT THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF FEES COULD ONLY RECOVER ABOUT TwO PER CENT OF THE OPERATING COSTS, RESULTING IN A DEFICIT OF CLOSE TO $1 MILLION A YEAR.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT STADIUM FEES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED FOR 11 YEARS. BUT IT WILL FROM NOW ON BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW.
THE YUEN LONG STADIUM CURRENTLY HAS A USAGE RATE OF 55 PER CENT AND IT IS NOT ANTICIPATED THAT THIS WOULD BE AFFECTED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT DEGREE BY THE NEW CHARGES.
WHEN IMPLEMENTED, THE NEW CHARGES ARE EXPECTED TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $17 000 IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1985/86 AND $24 000 FROM 1986/87 ONwARDS, EXCLUDING ANY REVENUE GENERATED FROM GATE RECEIPTS.
INTERESTED PARTIES WHO WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE REVISED SCALE OF CHARGES SHOULD CONTACT THE RSD’S DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER FOR YUEN LONG, MR T.K. LAM, AT TELEPHONE 0-753674.
- - - - 0 ----------
DB TO BE BRIEFED ON NEW ESTATE PROJECT * X * * *
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW HOUSING ESTATE IN JORDAN VALLEY NORTH AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
SENIOR ARCHITECT OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR DENNIS KO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO INFORM MEMBERS OF THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES, DESIGN CONCEPT AND GENERAL LAYOUT OF THE JORDAN VALLEY NORTH PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATE PROJECT.
THE ESTATE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED TO COINCIDE WITH THE DEMOLITION OF THE MARK I AND MARK II BLOCKS IN THE EXISTING JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE BY 1990.
AT THE MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE REVISED STANDING ORDERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE BOARD’S PLANS FOR 1985-86.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS FROM THE CHAIRMEN CF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS, AND FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, ..ILL ALSO ATTEND THE BOARD MEETING.
-------o----------
/10........
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 19:.
10
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR FIELD STUDY COURSE
******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT 16 RESIDENTIAL GEOGRAPHY COURSES FOR FORM SIX STUDENTS DURING THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDY AND ENJOYMENT IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
THE ACADEMIC CONTENT OF THE COURSES WILL BE BASED ON THE HO!'. ONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION AND THE HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION GEOGRAPHY SYLLABUSES RESPECTIVELY.
ALL COURSES, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE FIELD STUDIES CENTRE, SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.
OF THE 16 COURSES, 13 ARE FOUR-DAY COURSES FOR LOWER AND UPPER SIX STUDENTS WHILE THE REMAINING THREE TWO-DAY COURSES FOR MIDDLE AND FORM SIX STUDENTS DURING TERM-TIME IN THE 1985-86 SCHOOL YEAR STARTING OCTOBER.
EACH ADVANCED LEVEL COURSE, WHICH INCLUDES RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WILL START ON TUESDAY AND END ON FRIDAY OF THE SAME WEEK.
EACH OF THE HIGHER LEVEL COURSES WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY AND END ON WEDNESDAY OR FROM THURSDAY TO FRIDAY.
THE COURSES WILL ACCOMMODATE 643 STUDENTS AND THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLACES WILL BE 40 STUDENTS FOR EACH COURSE.
AT LEAST ONE TEACHER FROM EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL WILL ; EXPECTED TO STAY IN THE CAMP WITH THE STUDENTS AND TO ASSIST IN CONDUCTING THE COURSES.
NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED BUT ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AT 590 FOR ADVANCED LEVEL COURSE AND $38 FOR HIGHER LEVEL COURSE PER STUDENT OR TEACHER.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING THEIR STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN THE COURSES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE INSPECTOR, FIELD STUDIES CENTRE, SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, TUI MIN HOI, NEW TERRITORIES, ON OR BEFORE JULY 10.
--------0----------
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1985
11
HOCKEY, BASEBALL COURSES FOR YOUTHS
* * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HOCKEY AND BASEBALL MAY NOW ENROL IN ELEMENTARY COURSES BEING OFFERED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE DIVISION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
A MSB SPOKESMAN SAID PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN THE BASICS OF THE SPORTS AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL FOR ONLY $10.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HOCKEY HAD NOT ATTRACTED A BIG FOLLOWING PARTLY BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO MASTER THE SKILLS WITHOUT EXPERT INSTRUCTIONS, AND ALTHOUGH BASEBALL WAS BECOMING MORE POPULAR, MANY YOUNGSTERS HAD NOT YET TRIED IT.
+APART FROM INTRODUCING THE SPORTS TO MORE PEOPLE, OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO DISCOVER TALENT AT A YOUNG AGE,+ HE SAID.
THE HOCKEY TRAINING COURSES ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE HONG KONG HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.
EIGHT CLASSES, EACH OF EIGHT SESSIONS, ARE TO BE HELD AT THE KING’S PARK HOCKEY GROUND AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE STARTING MID-JULY. THOSE WHO ARE AGED 14 OR ABOVE ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
TWO LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL COURSES, JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE HONG KONG LITTLE LEAGUE, ARE OPEN TO CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF EIGHT AND 14.
CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE PERTH STREET SPORTS GROUND FROM JULY 18 UNTIL AUGUST 10.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE DIVISION, MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AT 14TH FLOOR, RUTTONJEE HOUSE, 11 DUDDELL STREET, CENTRAL. '
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE RING 5-224415.
-----0------
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1985
- 12 -
SWIMMING COMPETITION IN YUEN LONG * * *
SWIMMERS IN YUEN LONG WILL HAVE SKILL IN A DISTRICT-WIDE COMPETITION
AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEST THEIR TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH (JULY).
THE THIRD YUEN LONG DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE YUEN LONG DI STR I CT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, WILL BE HELD AT THE YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL ON JULY 20 (SATURDAY) FROM 1 PM.
THE ANNUAL ACTIVITY IS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE SPORT AS WELL AS BOOSTING THE STANDARD OF LOCAL SWIMMERS, AN RSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION ARE INVITED AND ANYONE WHO EITHER LIVES, WORKS OR STUDIES IN YUEN LONG DISTRICT IS ELIGIBLE.
ENROLMENT FORMS CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT NO. 8 TAI YUK ROAD, OR THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE RSD ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS FRIDAY (JULY 5).
ENQUIRIES ON THE SWIMMING GALA SHOULD BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 0784342 OR 0-785768, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----o------
NEW REST GARDEN FOR RENNIE’S MILL * * * * *
A REST GARDEN, PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED LEISURE FOR RENNIE’S MILL RESIDENTS, WAS OPENED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING, MR HO SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD DONE MUCH TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
HE SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO UPGRADE THE LIVING STANDARD IN RENNIE’S MILL.
MR HO ALSO URGED RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTLY OR THROUGH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE REST GARDEN WAS BUILT WITH FUNDS FROM THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS FUND OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WHICH ALSO CONSTRUCTED A BASKETBALL COURT AT THE SAME SITE LAST YEAR.
- 0 -
/13
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1^35
- 13 -
AMENITY AREA FOR CENTRAL * * *
A 2 650-SQUARE-METRE AMENITY AREA IS TO BE PROVIDED AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN CENTRAL.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CONCRETE BENCHES, RAILINGS PLANTERS AND WATER POINTS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY NEXT FEBRUARY.
MEANWHILE, A SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE FOR TWO CHANGING ROOMS WITH SHOWER FACILITIES, TOILETS, A TOILET FOR THE DISABLED AND A STOREROOM IS TO BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SHEK KIP MEI PARK AT NAM CHEONG STREET.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o-----
HEUNG YIP ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGES * X * *
ILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT
AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 3):
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS W HEUNG YIP ROAD IN WONG CHUK HANG FROM 10
* HEUNG YIP ROAD BETWEEN NAM LONG SHAN ROAD AND OCEAN PARK ROAD WILL BE AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY. NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED PERIODS.
X THE ENTIRE HEUNG YIP ROAD WILL BECOME TWO WAYS.
- - 0 ------------