DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DROP IN DELINQUENT INCIDENTS IN SCHOOLS .................. 1
DIRECT RADIO BROADCAST TO VIETNAM ........................ 2
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1988 ...................... 2
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR JULY... 6
LARGE-SCALE ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL IN SHA TIN ........... 9
FUNDS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS ....................... 9
ANTI-NOISE POLLUTION POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION .......... 10
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONTINUES ...................... 11
CANTONESE OPERATIC SONG CONCERT AT TIN WAN ESTATE........ 11
STUDENTS BEING RECRUITED FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME.................................................. 12
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN SHAM SHUI PO.................. 12
TEMPORARY LINE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY
13
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
DROP IN DELINQUENT INCIDENTS IN SCHOOLS t * » t ♦
THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR REPORTED BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE SCHOOL YEAR 1986-87 DROPPED BY 11.3 PER CENT FROM 14,866 TO 13,186 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE FIGURES ARE RESULTS OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE STANDING COMMITTER ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS.
OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR REPORTED, POSSESSION OF PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS REGISTERED THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DROP OF 18.7 PER CENT FROM 817 TO 664 INCIDENTS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY INVOLVEMENT IN GAMBLING (-16.2, PER CENT) FROM 2,637 TO 2,209, INTIMIDATION (-11.5 PER CENT) FROM 835 TO 739, AND ACTS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE FROM 5,677 TO 5,050 (-11 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A 32 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LESS SERIOUS INCIDENTS OF UNRULY BEHAVIOUR.
THE RISE IS DUE LARGELY TO A THREE-FOLD INCREASE FROM 13,701 TO 54,591 INCIDENTS OF HABITUAL FAILURE TO HAND IN ASSIGNMENTS AND TO BRING TEXTBOOKS OR STATIONERY TO SCHOOL.
THESE INCIDENTS WHICH WERE REPORTED PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CATEGORY OF ’’OTHER INCIDENTS”, WERE TREATED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A SEPARATE CATEGORY IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE OF THE 1986-87 SURVEY. ♦
IN ACCOUNTING FOR THE THREE-FOLD RISE IN THIS CATEGORY OF INCIDENTS OF UNRULY BEHAVIOUR, THE REPORT STATED: "THIS CHANGE IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED SOME OVER-REACTION FROM SCHOOLS AND SHARP INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF SUCH INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED FOR EACH OF THE THREE ROUNDS OF THE 1986-87 SURVEY OVER THE CORRESPONDING ROUNDS OF THE 1985-86 SURVEY."
IF THIS CATEGORY OF UNRULY BEHAVIOUR WAS EXCLUDED, THE OVERALL FIGURE IN INCIDENTS FOR UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN 1986-87 (AT 127,934) WOULD SHOW A DECREASE OF ABOUT ONE PER CENT WHEN CMPARED WITH 1985-86 (AT 129,110).
THE CHANGE IN PERCENTAGE OF OTHER MORE COMMON TYPES OF UNRULY BEHAVIOUR WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING SURVEY ARE HABITUAL LATENESS (+20.4 PER CENT), INSOLENT OR REBELLIOUS BEHAVIOUR (-7.1 PER CENT) AND OFFENCES TO ATTRACT DISCIPLINE (-21.9 PER CENT).
/THE SURVEY .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
- 2 -
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT STUDENTS IN SECONDARY 1 TO 3, IN PARTICULAR THOSE IN SECONDARY 2, REMAINED MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COMMITTING UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE CONTINUED TO BE A NEED FOR MORE INDIVIDUAL CARE AND GUIDANCE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS AND FOR MORE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO TRY TO PREVENT THE MISBEHAVIOUR FROM DEVELOPING.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON TEACHERS TO REFER TO THE GENERAL GUIDELINES ON MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND THE MORAL EDUCATION REFERENCE MATERIALS ISSUED TO SCHOOLS.
TO ASSIST SCHOOLS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GIVING ADVICE TO SCHOOLS ON WAYS OF ORGANISING GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SYSTEMS WITHIN SCHOOLS.
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DIRECT RADIO BROADCAST TO VIETNAM » » * t »
HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) STARTS DIRECT RADIO VIETNAM.
THE PROGRAMME, PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION 7290 KHZ, WILL BE BROADCAST ON A DAILY BASIS FROM 6 VIETNAM TIME (7 AM TO 9 AM HONG KONG TIME) AND WILL BE 6 PM TO 8 PM VIETNAM TIME IN THE EVENING.
BROADCASTS TO
HONG KONG ON
AM TO 8 AM REPEATED FROM
WTrpfl *HB PR0GRAMME WILL INITIALLY CONSIST OF MUSIC INTERSPERSED WITH MESSAGES IN VIETNAMESE EXPLAINING HONG KONG'S NEW SCREENING POLICY FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAS APPLIED TO THE INTERNATIONAL FREQUENCY REGISTRATION BOARD FOR THE USE OF THE FREQUENCY AND THE CURRENT BROADCASTS ARE BEING DONE ON A TRIAL BASIS.
THE NEED FOR THE PROGRAMME WILL Bis REVIEWED NEXT SUMMER.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1988 ♦ * t ♦
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS AFFAIRS BRANCH, HONG KONG DOLLAR WITH JULY.
PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE MONETARY
DEPOSITS FELL IN AUGUST COMPARED
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS? ON THE OTHER HAND
GROW DURING THE MONTH. ’
CONTINUED TO
/IN LINE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
- 3 -
[N LINE WITH THE DECLINE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HKSM2 AND HK$M3 FELL MODERATELY IN AUGUST, AND HK$M1 GREW ONLY MODERATELY.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN AUGUST THAN IN THE PRECEDING MONTH, MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PICKING UP IN THE GROWTH RATES OF OFFSHORE LOANS AND LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG IN AUGUST COMPARED WITH JULY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE SHOWED SOME MODERATION IN GROWTH RATE, HOWEVER.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR AUGUST 1988 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS FELL BY 0.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST FOLLOWING DECLINES OF 0.3 PER CENT IN JUNE AND 0.1 PER CENT IN JULY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, SAVINGS DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 4.7 PER CENT, WHILE DEMAND AND TIME DEPOSITS GREW BY 2.0 PER CENT AND 2.1 PFR CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 12.7 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 1.1 PER CENT IN AUGUST FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.3 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, US DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.1 PER CENT WHILE NON-US DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW SLIGHTLY FASTER BY 1.2 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 26.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS CONTINUED TO INCREASE BY 7.3 PER CENT IN AUGUST, AFTER INCREASES OF 10.6 PER CENT AND 6.3 PER CENT IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.4 PER CENT TN AUGUST AND BY 12.2 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND BY 28.5 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR. f' t-
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS AND WITH DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES BOTH INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN AUGUST.
HOWEVER, DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1988, THE GROWTH RATE OF DEPOSITS WITH BANKS, AT 21.7 PER CENT, WAS FASTER THAN THAT WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, AT 7.9 PER CENT.
/Money supply
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
- 4
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1 GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT WHILE HK$M2 AND HK$M3 BOTH DROPPED BY 0.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST.
THEIR RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES IN JULY WERE -1.0 PER CENT, -0.3 PER CENT AND 0.0 PER CENT. DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 28.1 PER CENT, 16.6 PER CENT AND 14.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HK$M2 GREW BY 0.4 PER CENT WHILE HK$M3 ROSE BY 0.3 PER CENT IN AUGUST. OVER THE YEAR, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 15.6 PER CENT AND 13.7 PER CENT.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 1.3 PER CENT, 0.5 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN AUGUST.
IN JULY, THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE -0.8 PER CENT, 1.6 PER CENT AND 1.9 PER CENT. DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 27.8 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 22.0 PER CENT AND M3 BY 20.3 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 3.5 PER CENT IN AUGUST, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.4 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 4.3 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 6.2 PER CENT IN AUGUST, AFTER A FALL OF 0.5 PER CENT IN JUNE AND AN INCREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT IN JULY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 39.5 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.8 PER CENT IN AUGUST FOLLOWING GROWTH RATES OF 1.9 PER CENT AND 1.3 PER CENT IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 24.5 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 1.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 6.8 PER CENT AND 2.5 PER CENT IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 23.7 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTlTUTIONS-
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 158
RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING DECREASED FURTHER BY TWO TO 222.
LICENSED
AND 35
COMPANIES
/MONETARY STATISTICS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
5 -
MONETARY STATISTICS - AUGUST 1988
(HKtar,)
Aug 1988 (X Earlier months
cnange to august 1 300 J
Money Supply Jul 1988 May 1988 Aug 1987
Ml - HKS 73.834 73,188 ( 0.9 %) 71,539 ( 3.2 X) 57,619 ( 28.1 X)
Foreign currency 9,298 8,863 ( 4.9 X) 8,282 ( 12.3 X) 7,415 ( 25.4 X)
Total 83,132 82,051 ( 1.3 X) 79,822 ( 4.1 X) 65,033 ( 27.8 X)
M2 - HK$ 322,016 323,217 ( -0.4 X) 325.720 ( -1.1 X) 276,144 ( 16.6 X)
Foreign currency 422.576 418,010 ( 1.1 X) 399,001 ( 5.9 X) 334.270 ( 26.4 X)
Total 744,591 741,227 ( 0.5 %) 724,721 ( 2.7 X) 610,415 ( 22.0 X)
M3 - HK$ w rj o w cr> 4* VJ I O 4» X) 357.020 ( -0.5 X) 310,387 ( 14.4 X)
Foreign currency 455,163 450,064 ( 1.1 X) 429,682 ( 5.9 X) 363,351 ( 25.3 X)
Total 810,367 806,521 ( 0.5 X) 786,702 ( 3.0 X) 673i737 ( 20.3 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 30,899 30,977 ( -0.3 X) 30,241 ( 2.2 X) 25,381 ( 21.7 X)
of which held by public 26,930 27,213 ( -1.0 X) 26,489 ( 1.7 X) 22,158 ( 21.5 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits Total Savings deposits Total Time deposits with banks Total Time deposits with dtcs HK$ deposits USS deposits Other foreign currency deposits All deposits Foreign currency swap deposits Total Loans and advances 56,202 164,770 483,227 63,701 316,687 240,324 210.890 767,900 38,267 54,838 168,740 477.123 63,402 317.819 237,791 208,492 764,102 35,662 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 2.5 X) -2.4 X) 1.3 X) 0.5 X) -0.4 X) 1.1 X) 1.2 X) 0.5 X) 7.3 X) 53,333 176,199 455,027 59,955 319,066 227,991 197,455 744,513 30,324 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 5.4 -6.5 6.2 6.2 -0.7 5.4 6.8 3.1 26.2 X) X) X) X) X) X) X) X) X) 42,875 142,313 393,612 59,029 280,927 222,099 134,804 637,830 35,546 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 31.1 15.8 22.8 7.9 12.7 8.2 56.4 20.4 7.7 X) X) X) X) X) X) X) X) X)
To finance U.K.’s visible trade 52,694 51,959 ( 1.4 X) 47,451 ( 11.0 X) 42,584 ( 23 7
To finance merchandising trade 6,352 5,464 ( 16.3 X) 5,180 ( 22.6 X) 5,564 ( 14 2
not touching H.K.
Other loans for use in H.K. 409,458 402,034 ( 1.8 X) 389,431 ( 5.1 X) 328,855 f 24 5 %)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 346,210 325,953 ( 6.2 X) 326,624 ( 6.0 X) 248,258 ( 39 5
Other loans where the place of 54,736 54,616 ( 0.2 X) 60,081 ( -8.9 X) 43,588 ( 25.6 X1
use is not known
Loans in HK$ 365,012 356,373 ( 2.4 X) 340,919 ( 7.1 X) 299,173 ( 22 0 X)
Loans in foreign currencies 504,438 483,653 ( 4.3 X) 487,848 ( 3.4 X) 369,677 ( 36 5
Total loans and advances 669,450 840,026 ( 3.5 X) 828,767 ( 4.9 X) 668 ’, 849 ( 30.0 X)
_ _ _ * 0 /6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1,
1988
- 6
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR JULY
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY 1988, ESTIMATED AT $8,451 MILLION, WAS 24 PER CENT HIGHER THAN TN JULY 1987 WHILE THEIR VOLUME WAS 14 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING JULY 1988 WITH JULY 1987, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS WENT UP BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" AND "CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS" ROSE BY 41 PER CENT AND 27 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 31 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT ONLY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES AND "MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS” ROSE BY 45 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND BY 33 PER CENT AND 23 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
SUPERMARKETS SALES ROSE BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, HOWEVER, FELL BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO JULY 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME. ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, FUELS WENT UP BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" ROSE BY 38 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 28 PER CENT IN VOLUME. "CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS" AND CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT AND 21 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE AND 14 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 54 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 40 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WERE 40 PER CENT AND 27 PER CENT.
/SUPERMARKETS SALES........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
- 7
SUPERMARKETS SALES ROSE BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR JULY 1988 INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT TN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT TN VOLUME.
FUELS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VALUE AND ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED INCREASES OF 4 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND HAD A NEGLIGIBLE CHANGE TN SALES VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JUNE 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JULY 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN JUNE AND JULY 1988 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISON OF JULY 198R RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JUNE 1988 AND WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1987 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO JULY 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANAYLSIS OF THE JULY 1988 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234941.
/TABLE 1 .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1t 1988
- 8 -
TABLE I : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Salts for Julv I988 (Provisional Figure) ■ KKI8.45I million
• for June 1988 (Revised Figure) « HKI8.292 aillion
TABLE 2 J VALUE ANO VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JUNE 1988 AND JULY 198B
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Seot. 85 « 100>
1 1 Itea 1 1 Index of 1 Retail I Sales 1 • 1 • June 1988 : Juiv : 1 1988 1 Julv comoar June 1988 ed with 1988 1 Julv ! compare 1 July 1988 : with : 1987 J Jan. - Jul. 1988 compared with Jan. - Jul. 198
1 । : (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES • • । 1 I » i 1 1 • (Revised figures) 1 (Provisional ! figures) ! t • 1 Points X 1 Points 1 1 1 x : 1 Points I
• a 1 Value 148 151 3 2 1 29 24 1 28 24
1 : 1 (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS 1 Volume 1 : 1 1 I I 122 125 : 1 । ■ । । 3 3 1 16 1 • 1 14 1 1 13 14
1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic 1 Value 120 128 1 7 6 : 12 11 1 7 6
1 drinks and tobacco 1 Volume I I 105 110 5 5 : 1 1 ; -3 -2
1 Fuels 1 Value 101 • 110 9 9 1 13 < 13 5 6
a I Volume 1 • 108 1 117 1 10 9 1 11 10 : 1 1
1 ! Clothing, footwear 1 Value 1 1 1 156 1 158 2 1 • 34 1 27 J 33 25
1 and allied oroducts • 1 Volume 1 1 1 121 126 : a • 4 4 1 16 15 1 1 16 14
1 Consumer durables 1 Value 156 1 160 1 3 2 14 10 I 27 21
। • Volume 1 1 • • 124 1 1 126 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 • 13 12
1 Other consumer goods 1 Value • 165 1 165 ! -1 1 48 <1 1 44 38
I 1 1 (C) BY SELECTED TRADES ! (see note 1 below! I Volume 1 1 1 1 z ! • 1 1 1 133 ! • • 1 135 : 1 I 1 1 • I a • 1 I 32 31 1 • । • « । 29 28
I Supermarkets^ । । 1 Value J Volume 166 1 143 1 169 I 145 I 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 25 11 17 1 8 1 20 15 9 7
1 Motor vehicles 1 Value 247 1 1 258 1 11 1 • 4 : 65 34 : 64 40
1 and parts • ' Volume 175 1 । 182 : a 7 4 1 34 23 : 54 27
' Consumer durables 1 Value 128 1 d 129 1 1 । 1 : -2 -1 1 15 13
1 other than motor 1 vehicles and parts ' Volume 1 I 1 । 108 1 1 109 I 1 » 1 1 : 1 -9 -7 1 < 7 7
I Department stores 1 1 Value 1 1 Volume 1 1 178 1 140 1 179 1 144 1 1 5 1 1 3 1 56 35 l 45 1 33 J 63 54 1 42 40 1
NOTES : 1. In order Co analyse (he sales of certain trades NTTHIN major trade groups. the value and volume indexes
in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(al ‘Supermarkets’ • a trade ia the ’Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco* group.
(b) ’Motor vehicles and parts’ - a trade in the 'Consumer durables* group.
(cl ’Consumer durables other than aotor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consumer durables’ group.
(d) ’Department stores* - a trade in the ’Other cnnsueer goods’ group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3. ’I’ denotes a figure within 10.5.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
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LARGE-SCALE ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL IN SHA TIN
* « » » *
A LARGE-SCALE ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL, FEATURING MORE THAN 20 EVENTS, WILL BE HELD IN SHA TIN BETWEEN OCTOBER 8 AND 21.
THE FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY OF ITS KIND EVER ORGANISED AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL. IT IS CHIEFLY AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS AGAINST THE ABUSE OF "SOFT" DRUGS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE *240,000 CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE, ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), RTHK, SHA TIN ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SCHOOLS AS WELL AS OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS, A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 3).
SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LEE KWONG; DB CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; REPRESENTATIVE OF ACAN, MR AUGUSTINE POON WILL BE PRESENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 3) AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON 6/F., KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
- 0 - -
FUNDS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS
* * « »
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG WISHING TO ORGANISE CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS CAN NOW APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS UNDER THE 'KWUN TONG CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS SCHEME’.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN INITIATED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION, WHICH WAS FORMED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN KWUN TONG.
/"A TOTAL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
10 -
"A TOTAL OF $45,000 IS AVAILABLE UNDER THE SCHEME TO SUBSIDISE INNOVATIVE CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS WHICH AIM AT SERVING PEOPLE WHO EITHER LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN KWUN TONG," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY.
"ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR FUNDS CAN RECEIVE UP TO $4,500 FOR A SINGLE PROJECT. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THEIR PROJECTS BEFORE JANUARY 15 NEXT YEAR AND SUBMIT A DETAILED RECORD TO THE WORKING GROUP BY JANUARY 23 FOR DISPLAY LATER AT AN EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP," HE ADDED.
LOCAL BODIES SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED APPLICATION FORMS SENT OUT BY THE SECRETARIAT OF THE WORKING GROUP, BUT MORE FORMS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS OCTOBER 24 AND APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS BY EARLY NOVEMBER.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 3-416315 EXT. 451.
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ANTI-NOISE POLLUTION POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION
» » ♦ * »
A POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION WHICH AIMS AT DRAWING PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THE NOISE POLLUTION PROBLEM IS NOW OPEN IN MONG KOK DISTRICT.
THE THEME OF THE DESIGN SHOULD FOCUS ON THE NUISANCES CAUSED BY NOISE POLLUTION AND PROMOTE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE NEED TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS: THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION FOR STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT AND THE OPEN SECTION FOR PEOPLE AGED 18 AND ABOVE.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE HANDED IN AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT GROUND FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON. ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 15.
THE FUNCTION IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THIS YEAR’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN, THE MAIN THEME OF WHICH IS NOISE POLLUTION. THE CAMPAIGN IS SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
- O -
/11
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
11
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONTINUES * « « * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1988.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD; VISITS TO COUNTRY PARKS; HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT; HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS WORKING IN CHINA AND EMPLOYMENT OF DOMESTIC HELPERS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE QUARTER OF OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1988.
SOME 5,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
------O-------
CANTONESE OPERATIC SONG CONCERT AT TIN WAN ESTATE » » » » ♦
RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO JOIN A mHCW OF CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 8 PM AT THE BASKETBALL COURT TN BLOCK 10 OF TIN WAN ESTATE.
SPONSORED BY JOINTLY PRESENTED ASSOCIATION AND THE AND RECREATION CLUB
THS SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE PERFORMANCE IS BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE URBAN COUNCH. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CULTURE OF THE TIN WAN ESTATE.
SIN WAN
TO STAGE
PERFORMING AT THE CONCERT WILL BE THE RENOWNED CANTONESE OPERATIC SONG TROUPE WHICH IS INVITED FREQUENTLY OPEN PERFORMANCES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND RI UK.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE PERFORMANCE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS.
-_____0 ------- /12....................
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
1?
STUDENTS BEING RECRUITED FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME ♦ ♦ * t l
PRIMARY ONE TO FORM THREE STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO PLAY WESTERN AND CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO JOIN THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE CURRENT RECRUITMENT EXERCISE, WHICH IS THE SECOND SO FAR THIS YEAR, WILL BE RESTRICTED TO STUDENTS LIVING OR STUDYING ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CITY, YAU MA TEI, HO MAN TIN AND SHA TIN.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL ATTEND TRAINING SESSIONS FOR VIOLIN, VIOLA, ERHU, PIPA AND SHENG.
THE SESSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR AN HOUR PER WEEK AT THE MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. MONTHLY TUITION FEES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE $20 AND $40 RESPECTIVELY.
APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUESTED TO GO THROUGH A HANDS AND MOUTH INSPECTION TO ASSESS SUITABLE FOR INSTRUMENTS AND A SIMPLE VOICE TEST LATER THIS MONTH. THE FIRST TRAINING LESSON WILL START IN NOVEMBER.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS OCTOBER 14 AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235326.
------0-------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN SHAM SHUI PO ♦ t » * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHAM SHUT PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 5 AM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 1) TO FACILITATE THE ERECTION OF A GANTRY SIGN ON WESTBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WEST OF CHEUNG LAI STREET.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WEST OF TAI NAN WEST STREET, AND THE SECTION OF CHEUNG LAI STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHUN STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON CHEUNG.SHA WAN ROAD HEADING FOR MEI FOO OR KWAI CHUNG ROAD WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, TAI NAN WEST STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
AS FOR THOSE ON CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD HEADING FOR CAS ILE PEAK ROAD, THEY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, TAI NAN WEST STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, U-TURN AT MEI FOO, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND THE SLIP ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT LAI CHI KOK INTERCHANGE.
IN ADDITION, MOTORISTS ON CHEUNG SHUN STREET HEADING FOR MEI FOO OR KWAI CHUNG ROAD VIA CHEUNG LAI STREET WILL HAVE TO USE CHEUNG SHUN STREET, TAI NAN WEST STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
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/15........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
- 15 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY
» » * » *
TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR MA WO (SECTION BETWEEN ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE AND SHUI WAI INTERCHANGE) BETWEEN OCTOBER 3 (MONDAY) AND 7 (FRIDAY).
THE OUTER-MOST LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON OCTOBER 3 TO 5 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
FROM 7 PM ON OCTOBER 5 (WEDNESDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING, THE INNER-MOST LANE AND CENTRE LANE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
THE INNER-MOST LANE WILL AGAIN BE CLOSED FROM 6 AM ON OCTOBER 6 (THURSDAY) TO 5 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH CARE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RENEWED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CREDIT UNIONISM................... 1
PUBLICITY PAMPHLET ON TRAFFIC SCHEME ........................ 2
NORTHWEST NT GEOLOGICAL MAP PUBLISHED........................ 2
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS IN HOUSING BLOCKS ............. 3
LIAISON OFFICERS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO RESIDENTS ............... ‘t
FIRST FUNCTION FOR NEW NORTH DO.............................. 5
EMPLOYERS WARNED TO PAY FULL WAGES .......................... 6
TENDERS INVITED FOR LAND LEASE IN YUEN LONG ................. 7
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1963-64 .................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FLYOVER RECONSTRUCTION ............. 9
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR HAPPY VALLEY RACE MEETINGS ................. 10
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
1
RENEWED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CREDIT UNIONISM » » » t »
THE DIRECTOR OF ARGICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (SUNDAY) CALLED ON LOCAL CREDIT UNIONISTS TO MAKE A RENEWED EFFORT IN PROMOTING THE CREDIT UNION CONCEPT IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE.
HE SAID: "THE HORIZONTAL GROWTH OF THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG, IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF CREDIT UNIONS, HAS LEVELLED OFF IN RECENT YEARS.
"THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR RENEWED EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE CREDIT UNION CONCEPT SO THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM IT. "
DR LEE SAID THIS WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE CREDIT UNION WALK AT THE YUEN WO PLAYGROUND IN SHA TIN IN THE CAPACITY OF REGISTRAR OF CREDIT UNIONS.
TODAY’S CREDIT UNION WALK WAS THE FOURTH ORGANISED BY THE CREDIT UNION LEAGUE OF HONG KONG SINCE 1983 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ITS PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING EXISTING SERVICES AND INTRODUCING NEW ONES.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE WALK, TO HIM, WAS MORE THAN JUST A FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN BECAUSE IT CARRIED WITH IT TWO IMPORTANT MESSAGES.
"FIRSTLY, THE WALK REMINDS CREDIT UNION MEMBERS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE OF MUTUAL SELF-HELP WHICH IS VITAL FOR THE STRENGTH AND CONTINUING EXISTENCE OF THE MOVEMENT.
"SECONDLY, YOUR DEMONSTRATION OF COMMITMENT TO SUCH PRINCIPLE WILL NO DOUBT AROUSE THE INTEREST OF THE WIDER COMMUNITY IN THE TERRITORY IN THE PHILOSOPHY, IDEALS AND SOCIAL GOALS OF THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT," HE ADDED.
THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG CAME INTO BEING IN FEBRUARY 1970 WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 36 REGISTERED CREDIT UNIONS FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE CREDIT UNIONS ORDINANCE. THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP WAS THEN 5,500 AND SAVINGS ONLY AMOUNTED TO $860,000.
THE NUMBER OF CREDIT UNIONS INCREASED TO 66 IN 1986 WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 33,000 AND SAVINGS AMOUNTING TO $110 MILLION.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER Z, 19B8
- 2
PUBLICITY PAMPHLET ON TRAFFIC SCHEME * * * * »
AN EXPLANATORY PAMPHLET WHICH AIMS AT HELPING RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE NEWLY-INTRODUCED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA IN KWUN TONG HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE PAMPHLET IS PUBLISHED BY THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TO PUBLICISE THE INDUSTRIAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 27.
THE NEW SCHEME HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA AND TO REDUCE THE CONFLICT IN ROAD USAGE BETWEEN PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY ALONG HOI YUEN ROAD.
"AS THE SCHEME INVOLVES A NUMBER OF NEW TRAFFIC MEASURES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN UNDERSTANDING THE SCHEME AT ITS EARLY STAGE, A POSTER-SIZE EXPLANATORY PAMPHLET IS THEREFORE PRODUCED FOR THEIR EASY REFERENCE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE PAMPHLET, DESIGNED IN AN EASY-TO-READ FORMAT, LISTS THE VARIOUS NEW MEASURES, INCLUDING TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING AND DIVERSIONS, BANNING OF TURNING MOVEMENTS, DESIGNATION OF A BUS-ONLY LANE AND URBAN CLEARWAYS IN BRIEF EXPLANATORY NOTES, ALONG WITH GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS.
COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
-------o ---------
NORTHWEST NT GEOLOGICAL MAP PUBLISHED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF LARGE-SCALE GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF AREAS IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WHERE MARBLE BEDROCK EXISTS.
THIS AREA, WHICH IS REFERRED TO AS THE ’DESIGNATED AREA’ COVERS SOME 6,400 HECTARES EXTENDING FROM TUEN MUN TO NEAR MAN KAM TO.
F
THE NEW GEOLOGICAL MAP "YUEN LONG SHEET 6-NW-B, MARBLE IN THE DESIGNATED AREA - NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES" COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,100 HECTARES, INCLUDING YUEN LONG TOWN.
/IT HAS ......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
IT HAS BEEN PREPARED ON THE DETAILED SCALE OF 1: 5,000. COPIES OF THIS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE.
LATER IN THE YEAR, ALL THE NEW MAPS FOR THE DESIGNATED AREA WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MAP SALES OUTLETS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, DR E. W. BRAND, SAID THE NEED FOR DETAILED GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AROSE BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF CAVERNOUS MARBLE BEDROCK BENEATH THE ALLUVIAL PLAINS OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
"IN PLACES, THE MARBLE IS COVERED BY MANY METRES OF SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS," HE SAID.
DR BRAND SAID THE NEW MAPS ARE BASED ON A DETAILED INTERPRETATION OF GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION, AND THESE WILL PROVE INVALUABLE FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
IN THE YUEN LONG AREA, HE EXPLAINED, CAVITIES IN THE MARBLE HAVE BEEN FOUND IN BOREHOLES AND IN EXCAVATIONS FOR DEEP PILES.
SOME OF THE CAVITIES ARE LARGE, AND THEIR LOCATIONS MAY HAVE AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES, HE SAID.
TO ASSIST THE HONG KONG GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WITH THE GEOLOGICAL MAPPING WORK IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE SERVICES OF DR D.V. FROST HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD UNDER A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH THE BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
THE PUBLICATION OF THE YUEN LONG MAP SHEET WILL BE FOLLOWED OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS BY . PUBLICATION OF THE OTHER LARGE-SCALE GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF ADJACENT AREAS IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS IN HOUSING BLOCKS * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS SAFETY ASPECTS ARISING FROM THE DEMOLITION OF SOME OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE BLOCKS IN THE DISTRICT WHICH WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN ASBESTOS MATERIALS.
A BOARD MEMBER MISS YEUNG CHUI-CHUN WILL ASK WHAT SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND WORKERS IN THE VICINITY WHEN DEMOLITION WORK IS CARRIED OUT IN BLOCK 2 OF SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE AND BLOCK 9 OF WONG C^HUK HANG ESTATE.
/SHE WILL ......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2| 1988
k
SHE WILL ALSO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE MEANS USED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN DETERMINING WHETHER OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS CONTAIN ASBESTOS MATERIALS.
OFFICIALS FROM THE HOUSING, THE LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENTS WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER THE QUERIES.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS FOR IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE UPPER KAI LUNG WAN VILLAGE WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 370 IN POKFULAM.
THE PROPOSAL IS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT SCHEME BEING CARRIED IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT WORKS INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC WATER-PIPES, THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY FACILITIES AS WELL AS A SPECIAL CLEAN UP OPERATION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME IN OTHER SQUATTER AREAS OF THE DISTRICT.
ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE 1988/89 MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (OCTOBER 3) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
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LIAISON OFFICERS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO RESIDENTS * ♦ ♦ t t
THE LIAISON OFFICERS IN-CHARGE AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE MAIN OFFICE WILL MOVE TO DIFFERENT SUB-OFFICES WITH A VIEW TO STRENGTHENING LIAISON WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS.
STARTING FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE OFFICE OF LOI/C OF SOUTH WEST REGION, MR ROMAN WONG WILL MOVE TO THE BUTTERFLY/WU KING SUB-OFFICE; THE LOI/C OF NORTH WEST REGION, MR POON CHI-HUNG TO THE TAI HING SUB-OFFICE; AND THE LOI/C OF SOUTH EAST REGION, MRS ROSANNA WONG TO THE ON TING/YAU OI SUB-OFFICE.
/THE LOI/C
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
THE LOI/C OF NORTH WEST REGION, MR JACOB AU WILL REMAIN IN THE MAIN OFFICE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SUB-OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN A PLAZA NEARBY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
A COMMUNITY BUILDING TEAM HEADED BY LOI/C, MRS ANGIE LI WILL STAY AT THE HEAD OFFICE TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AND A LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMME.
GENERALLY, THE LIAISON OFFICERS IN-CHARGE ARE DISCHARGED WITH OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THEIR REGIONS WITH RESPECT TO LIAISING WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
IN ADDITION TO COLLATE PUBLIC OPINIONS AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE RELAYED TO RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS PROMPTLY, THEY CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS BY RESIDENTS AND ENSURE APPROPRIATE FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS.
DURING INCIDENTS SUCH AS NATURAL DISASTERS, TYPHOONS, EMERGENCIES OR ACCIDENTS, THEY ATTEND TO THEM TO ENSURE APPROPRIATE RELIEF FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS.
OTHER DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS INCLUDE THE RECRUITMENT OF COMMUNITY ORGANISERS AND ACTING AS COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS.
TO MARK THE MOVING-IN OF THE LOS TO THEIR SUB-OFFICES, A RECEPTION WILL BE HELD IN THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5).
REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, VILLAGES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS* INCORPORATIONS OF RELETED REGIONS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TAKE PART.
FIRST FUNCTION FOR NEW NORTH DO ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
THE NEWLY APPOINTED NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI, THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING OFFICIATED AT HIS FIRST OFFICIAL FUNCTION IN THE DISTRICT.
TOGETHER WITH CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU TIN-FUK, MR HUI OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHA TAU KOK RECREATION GROUND.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR LAU. SAID THE RECREATION GROUND WAS THE FIRST RECREATIONAL FACILITY BUILT BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN SHA TAU KOK.
HE NOTED THAT THE GROUND MEASURED 1.27 HECTARES AND 1 HE CONSTRUCTION WORK COST ABOUT $3.2 MILLION.
/OTHER FACILITIES .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
6
OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS SITTING-OUT AREAS, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, OPEN PLACES AND WATERFRONT PARKS WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN FIVE YEARS.
MR LAU SAID THE GROUND AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BEING CONSTRUCTED OR PLANNED WOULD MEET RESIDENTS' DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROVIDE A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM.
FACILITIES AT THE RECREATION GROUND INCLUDE A FLOODLIT HARD SURFACED MINI-SOCCER PITCH, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AND A SITTING-OUT AREA.
BEFORE THE CEREMONY, CHILDREN’S GAMES AND AN INVITATION FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, NORTH DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE AND POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE (FRONTIER) WERE HELD.
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EMPLOYERS WARNED TO PAY FULL WAGES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) WARNED EMPLOYERS OF OVERSEAS DOMESTIC HELPERS TO PAY THEIR MAIDS FULL WAGES ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY BOTH PARTIES.
THIS FOLLOWED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYER WAS FINED $5,000 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS ON PAYMENT OF WAGES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE CASE REVEALED THAT THE EMPLOYER HAD BEEN PAYING HIS MAID BETWEEN $400 AND $550 LESS THAN THE CONTRACTUAL AMOUNT THROUGHOUT HER PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT.
IN ADDITION, HE ALSO FAILED TO PAY HIS MAID SEVEN DAYS’ ANNUAL LEAVE PAY IN RESPECT OF THE 12 MONTHS’ SERVICE THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE CONTRACT WAS TERMINATED.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, WAGES DUE AT THE END OF THE WAGE PERIOD MUST BE PAID AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE BUT IN ANY CASE NOT LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS THEREAFTER.
SIMILARLY, WAGES AND OTHER SUM DUE MUST BE PAID WITHIN SEVEN DAYS ON THE COMPLETION OR TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR FAILING TO PAY WAGES WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE WAGE PERIOD OR ON COMPLETION OF CONTRACTS IS $20,000 AND THAT FOR FAILING TO PAY THE ANNUAL LEAVE PAY WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF CONTRACTS IS $10,000.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE '"CONDITION OF SERVICE FOR OVERSEAS DOMESTIC HELPERS CAN BE MADE AT THE FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT 5-8523537.
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/7
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
- 7 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR LAND LEASE IN YUEN LONG ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LEASE FOR A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN YUEN LONG IS BEING OFFERED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR SALE BY TENDER FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING A PETROL FILLING STATION.
LOCATED ON KAM TIN ROAD NEAR KAM TIN CLINIC, THE 1,300-SQUARE-METRE SITE SHOULD BE OCCUPIED AND USED BY THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FOR THE SPECIFIED PURPOSE ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1990.
THE ANNUAL RENTAL WILL BE $1,000 UP TO JUNE 30, 1997 AND THEREAFTER, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THREE PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE FOR THE TIME BEING OF THE LET.
LEASE TERM FOR THE STATION, WHICH MAY ALSO PROVIDE LUBRICATING AND RELATED SERVICES, IS 21 YEARS.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN 12 NOON, OCTOBER 28, 1988.
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NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1963-61 ♦ t ♦
WOMEN BORN IN 1963 OR 1961 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS FROM OCTOBER 3 TO NOVEMBER 12.
WOMEN IN THIS AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT
NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES WHICH ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY
EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "IT IS
ANTICIPATED THAT THE ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE VERY CROWDED IN THE
EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS."
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG k : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. NO. *5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. NO. 3-7553679
/WEST KOWLOON .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1988
- 8 -
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON HOAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
TEL. NO. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : SHATIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK
STREET.
TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 0-793291
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
TEL. NO. 0-927191
"APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING I.D. CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE »»» SYMBOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT'S I.D. CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE »** SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ASSESSMENT OF HER RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AND SUBSEQUENTLY HER ELIGIBILITY FOR A PERMANENT I.D. CARD.
"THE DOCUMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT, HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, ETC," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
- 9 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FLYOVER RECONSTRUCTION ♦ » ♦ » »
TO FACILITATE THE CONTINUING RECONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HO MAN TIN DAILY BETWEEN 10 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FROM OCTOBER 3 (MONDAY) TO OCTOBER 7 (FRIDAY):
* PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN ARGYLE STREET AND PERTH STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN PUI CHING ROAD AND ARGYLE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
» DUNBAR ROAD BETWEEN PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND GULLANE ROAD WILL BE CONVERTED TO A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC WITH ACCESS ONLY FROM GULLANE ROAD.
* ALL VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND ON TO ARGYLE STREET WESTBOUND.
♦ VEHICLES ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND GROUND-LEVEL CARRIAGEWAY AND ARGYLE STREET WESTBOUND HEADING FOR PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WATERLOO ROAD, PUI CHING ROAD AND SHEUNG HING STREET TO REJOIN PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WHILE THOSE HEADING FOR DUNBAR ROAD AND PERTH STREET WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA WATERLOO ROAD, PUI CHING ROAD, SHEUNG SHING STREET AND SHEK KU STREET.
* VEHICLES ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR WATERLOO ROAD WILL HAVE TO USE THE SLIP ROAD TO PUI CHING ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD.
» KMB ROUTE NO. 7B ON ITS JOURNEY TO HUNG HOM WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WATERLOO ROAD, PUI CHING ROAD AND FAT KWONG STREET.
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/10........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
10
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR HAPPY VALLEY RACE MEETINGS
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY ON RACE DAYS THROUGHOUT THE 1988/89 RACING SEASON FOR BOTH DAY AND EVENING MEETINGS.
THE FIRST MEETING IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5) NIGHT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED AFTER THE RACE MEETINGS.
REROUTEING AND ROAD CLOSURES
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL COME INTO EFFECT TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE FIRST RACE:
* MORRISON HILL ROAD BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHEASTBOUND, AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN WAN CHAI ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES. ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ENTERING FROM WAN CHAI ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO HENNESSY ROAD VIA TIN LOK LANE.
» LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN MORRISON HILL ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND LINK ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY EASTBOUND. HOWEVER, BETWEEN THE END OF THE FIRST RACE AND ONE HOUR BEFORE THE LAST RACE, VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL DOWNHILL ALONG BROADWOOD ROAD TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
* SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN KING KWONG STREET AND VILLAGE ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. VEHICLES CAN TURN RIGHT TO YIK YAM STREET UNTIL NORMAL ROUTEING OF SHAN KWONG ROAD IS RESUMED.
* VILLAGE ROAD BETWEEN SHAN KWONG ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. ON COMPLETION OF THE LAST RACE, ALL TRAFFIC ON VILLAGE ROAD WILL BE HELD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD. TRAFFIC WILL RESUME WHEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD IS CLEAR OF RACEGOERS.
/* WONG NAI
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
11
* WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN VILLAGE ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. THE UP RAMP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD OUTSIDE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (RHKJC) LEADING TO ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED AND TRAFFIC HEADING FOR ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER. ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FINAL RACE, THE DOWN RAMP FROM ABERDEEN TUNNEL LEADING TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES. AFTER THE LAST RACE, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN SING WOO ROAD AND MORRISON HILL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IF NECESSARY. ON COMPLETION OF THE LAST RACE AND AFTER THE MAJORITY OF RACEGOERS HAVE CLEARED THE RACE COURSE, NORMAL TRAFFIC ROUTEING ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL RESUME.
♦ SPORTS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE RHKJC CLUBHOUSE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) (RHKR) AND HONG KONG
FOOTBALL CLUB. SUCH VEHICLES WILL ENTER SPORTS ROAD FROM THE WEST. ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FINAL RACE, TRAFFIC FLOW ON SPORTS ROAD WILL BE ROUTED WESTBOUND BUT THE ROAD WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
» 01 KWAN ROAD CIRCUIT EXCEPT ITS SECTION BETWEEN WING CHEUNG STREET AND TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL, WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE.
* CANAL ROAD FLYOVER:
(I)
TRAFFIC FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL USE THE DOWN RAMP LEADING TO MORRISON HILL ROAD AND TURN RIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF SPORTS ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
(II) TRAFFIC HEADING FOR THE JOCKEY CLUB SHOULD USE THE CANAL ROAD EAST RAMP, TURN LEFT INTO LEIGHTON ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
(Ill) TRAFFIC FROM QUEEN'S ROAD EAST OR WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, CENTRAL AND NORTH POINT WILL USE THE UP-RAMP AT THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WITH MORRISON HILL ROAD.
(IV) TRAFFIC FROM QUEEN’S ROAD EAST HEADING FOR WAN CHAI AND HAPPY VALLEY WILL TURN LEFT TO MORRISON HILL ROAD.
(V) TRAFFIC FROM ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THE DOWN RAMP INTO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD UNTIL ONE HOUR BEFORE THE, LAST RACE, BUT WILL BE RESTRICTED TO TURN LEFT INTO QUEEN’S ifoAD EAST. HOWEVER, FRANCHISED BUSES AND GREEN MINIBUSES ARE NOT UNDER THE RESTRICTION.
/(VI) THIRTY MINUTES .........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
- 12 -
(VI) THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LAST RACE, THE SOUTHBOUND DOWN RAMP TO QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC. SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FOR QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE DOWN RAMP TO CANAL ROAD EAST AND THEN VIA LEIGHTON ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD TO QUEEN'S ROAD EAST.
» BLUE POOL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN VENTRIS ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» EXCEPT DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE END OF THE FIRST RACE AND ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FINAL RACE, NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM VENTRIS ROAD TO BROADWOOD ROAD WESTBOUND.
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE LAST RACE UNTIL THE RACEGOERS HAVE DISPERSED AFTER THE RACE MEETINGS.
» THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND MORRISON HILL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, AND EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON QUEEN'S ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN LEFT INTO MORRISON HILL ROAD VIA THE SLIP ROAD.
» YIU WAH STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
« MATHESON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND THE ACCESS TO THE LEIGHTON CENTRE CAR PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED. VEHICLES LEAVING THE CAR PARK WILL BE ALLOWED UNDER POLICE CONTROL AND DIRECTED VIA MATHESON STREET AND SHARP STREET EAST TO CANAL ROAD EAST.
LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITIONS
THE FOLLOWING MOVEMENTS BY LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE BANNED ON DAY MEETINGS BETWEEN 11 AM AND 4.30 PM AND BETWEEN 7.30 PM AND 11 PM WHEN EVENING MEETINGS ARE HELD:
* LEFT-TURNING FROM CAROLINE HILL ROAD OUTSIDE PO LEUNG KUK TO LEIGHTON ROAD;
» ENTERING SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN YIK YAM STREET AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD;
* ENTERING^VILLAGE ROAD BETWEEN ITS UPPER AND LOWER JUNCTIONS WITH SHAN KWONG ROAD; r
» ENTERING PERCIVAL STREET BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD;
/• ENTERING CANAL........
SONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
« ENTERING CANAL ROAD BAST;
*
ENTERING THE SERVICE ROADS LEADING TO CANAL ROAD FLYOVER FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD.
PARKING
PARKING SPACES ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD, SPORTS ROAD, YIU WaH STREET, AND SECTIONS OF VILLAGE ROAD AND 01 KWAN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 AN TO 7 PM FOR DAY MEETINGS AND BETWEEN 5 PM AND MIDNIGHT FOR EVENING MEETINGS.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
BUS SERVICES
» THE BUS STOP OPPOSITE THE RHKJC MAIN ENTRANCE WILL BE SUSPENDED ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE FIRST RACE AND WILL BE REINSTATED 15 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST RACE. THE BUS STOP WILL BE SUSPENDED AGAIN 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE LAST RACE AND REINSTATED WHEN TRAFFIC FLOW RESUMES NORMAL.
» STARTING FROM THE FOURTH RACE, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTES 101R AND 102R WILL START OPERATION UNTIL APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER THE LAST RACE.
(I) BUSES ON ROUTE 101R (HAPPY VALLEY RACE COURSE TO KWUN TONG) WILL ENTER SPORTS ROAD FROM THE EASTERN END AND QUEUE UP EAST OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE RHKR PREMISES.
(II) BUSES ON ROUTE 102R (HAPPY VALLBY RACE COURSE TO MEI FOO) WILL WAIT FOR PASSENGERS ON THB SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SPORTS ROAD.
* CMB ROUTE NO. IM WILL BB OPERATED BETWEEN ADMIRALTY MRT STATION (EAST) AND HAPPY VALLEY TWO > HOURS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRST RACE AT A FREQUENCY OF 15 MINUTES. STARTING FROM THE FOURTH RACE, BUSES ON THIS ROUTE WILL WAIT IN MORRISON HILL ROAD OUTSIDE THE RHKR AND WILL DEPART WHEN FULLY LOADED.
ROUTEINGS OF CMB ROUTES NO. 5B, 10, 38, 42, 72, 75, 76, 90, 92j 97, 260 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES NO. 101, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112,
113, 116 AND 170, AS WELL AS GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 4A, 4B, 4C, 6,
7, 25, 25A, 28, 28> AND -35M WILU-BE DIVERTED.
THE TRAM STOP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD OUTSIDE COLONIAL CEMETERY WILL BE SUSPENDED ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE FIRST RACE UNTIL TRAFFIC ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD RESUMES NORMAL.
/AS FOR
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1988
14
AS FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (PLBS), THEY-WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING HAU TAK LANE, CHEUNG WOO LANE, AND THE SECTION OF WAN CHAI ROAD BETWEEN TIN LOK LANE AND BOWRINGTON STREET TWO HOURS BEFORE Tf}R START OF THE FIRST RACE.
ALSO FROM 4.30 PM IN THE CASE OF DAY RACING AND 9.30 PM IN THE EVENT OF EVENING RACING, NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROA AND VILLAGE ROAD.
PLBS PROCEEDING SOUTH ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED ALONG BLUE POOL ROAD AND BE DIRECTED TO THE TEMPORARY PF-B STAND ON VILLAGE ROAD VIA SING WOO ROAD TO PICK UP PASSENGERS. F • •
MOREOVER, ONE HOUR BEFORE THE LAST RACE AND UNTIL THE RESUMPTION OF NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOV, ALL EMPTY TAXIS WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROAD AND VILLAGE ROAD, SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN VILLAGE ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND EASTBOUND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST BEWEEN STUBBS ROAD AND MORRISON FULL ROAD.
A TAXI STAND WILL BE DESIGNATED AT 01 KWAN ROAD NEAR THE JUNCTION OF SUNG TAK STREET.
HOWEVER, THE TAXI STAND AT BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM FOR DAY MEETINGS AND FROM 5 PM TO 12 MIDNIGHT FOR EVENING MEETINGS.
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, OCTOBER J, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FURTHER UK DONATION TO UNHCR WELCOMED ....................... 1
COUNTERFEIT COMPUTER SOFTWARE: SHOP OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON ........................................................ 2
GOVERNOR VISITS SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ................... 3
LADY WILSON OPENS TRAINING CENTRE FOR HANDICAPPED ADULTS ... U
SECOND CHOLERA CASE CONFIRMED ............................... 5
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR QE FOUNDATION PROJECT GRANTS ....... 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................ 6
FARMERS' VIEWS ON EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES SOUGHT ............... 6
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE ......... 7
"MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" HELPS COMMUNICATION ................ 7
SHA TIN TO HOLD LARGE-SCALE ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL ......... 8
MUSIC OFFICE HOLDS EXHIBITION IN TSUEN WAN .................. 9
NO STOPPING RESTRICTION IN WING LOK STREET .................. 10
SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY ............................ 10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
1 FURTHER UK DONATION TO UNHCR WELCOMED *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) WELCOMED AN ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE UK GOVERNMENT THAT IT WAS GOING TO CONTRIBUTE A FURTHER ONE MILLION POUNDS STERLING (HKS13.2 MILLION) TOWARDS THE UNHCR’S PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE," HE SAID. "WE HOPE THAT OTHER DONOR COUNTRIES WILL FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE."
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT UNDER THE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING RECENTLY CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UNHCR, THE UNHCR HAD CONFIRMED THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO MEET THE COSTS OF THE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES REQUIRED BY ALL ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES, AND PERSONS FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
"THESE INCLUDE THE COSTS OF FOOD, WATER, FUEL, TRANSPORT, RELIEF ITEMS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND LEGAL ADVICE.
"THE UNHCR HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, MEDICAL SERVICES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES FOR REFUGEES,” HE SAID.
IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE UK GOVERNMENT EARLIER TODAY, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMEDIATE CONTRIBUTION OF A FURTHER ONE MILLION POUNDS STERLING WAS MADE IN ORDER TO HELP MEET THE INCREASING COSTS OF THE UNHCR’S RAPIDLY EXPANDING PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
THE DECISION FOLLOWS A RECENT VISIT TO CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BY MR CHRIS PATTEN, MINISTER FOR OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AND BRINGS THE UK GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNHCR SO FAR THIS YEAR TO JUST OVER 21 MILLION POUNDS STERLING.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT ADDED THAT THIS FURTHER ONE MILLION POUNDS STERLING REPRESENTED AN INITIAL CONTRIBUTION BY THE UK GOVERNMENT, AND THAT CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO WHAT FURTHER HELP MIGHT BE PROVIDED FOR THIS IMPORTANT UNHCR PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
- 2 -
COUNTERFEIT COMPUTER SOFTWARE: SHOP OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON « « * * *
A COMPUTER SHOP OWNER WAS TODAY (MONDAY) SENTENCED TO 10 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR POSSESSING FOR SALE INFRINGING COMPUTER MANUALS AND DISKETTES WORTH ABOUT $360,000.
THE DEFENDANT, HWA YUI-WAI, SOLE PROPRIETOR OF VICTOR BOOK OMPANY IN THE GOLDEN SHOPPING ARCADE, SHAM SHUI PO, WAS CHARGED WITH 19 COUNTS OF POSSESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRADE OR BUSINESS INFRINGING COPIES OF A WORK, NAMELY COMPUTER MANUALS, IN WHICH COPYRIGHT SUBSISTED UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE.
HE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH 12 COUNTS OF POSSESSING FOR SALE COMPUTER MANUALS AND DISKETTES TO WHICH A FORGED TRADE MARK WAS APPLIED, AND ANOTHER SIX COUNTS INVOLVING FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE.
ACTING ON COMPLAINTS BY FOREIGN PUBLISHERS AND COMPUTER PRODUCERS, OFFICERS FROM THE CUSTOMS TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU RAIDED THE DEFENDANT'S SHOP IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, AND AGAIN SEARCHED THE SHOP AND A STORAGE PLACE IN NOVEMBER.
IN THE OPERATIONS, OFFICERS SEIZED A TOTAL OF 6,056 COMPUTER MANUALS AND 214 COMPUTER DISKETTES VALUED AT $360,660, WHICH CUSTOMS BELIEVED THE DEFENDANT HAD PURCHASED FROM TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE FOR SALE IN HIS SHOP.
COMMENTING ON THE CASE CONCLUDED TODAY IN THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT COURT, THE DEPUTY HEAD OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR JOHN LAM, SAID TRADERS SHOULD NOT GET THEMSELVES INVOLVED IN COUNTERFEITING ACTIVITIES, OR ELSE THEY MIGHT FACE HEAVY PENALTIES.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD KEEP UP SURVEILLANCE ON COMPUTER PIRACY AND ALL SORTS OF COUNTERFEITING ACTIVITIES WITH A VIEW TO ERADICATING THEM.
"THE PENALTY FOR POSSESSION OF EACH INFRINGING COPY IS A FINE OF $1,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE, WHILE COUNTERFEITERS ARE ALSO LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
- 3 -
GOVERNOR VISITS SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
*****
SOCIAL WORKERS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN CREATING A MORE CARING SOCIETY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER PAYING A VISIT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE GOVERNOR BEGAN HIS VISIT AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, EXPLAINED TO SIR DAVID THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS SERVICE AREAS, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME FOR PRIVATE ELDERLY HOMES, THE REVIEW OF PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES, AND THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPROVED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
SHE ALSO BRIEFED HIM ON THE CURRENT MANPOWER SITUATION AND THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE RECRUITMENT TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES IN BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED SECTORS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SHORTFALL OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND THAT ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SUITABLE NON-SOC1AL-WORK-TRAINED GRADUATES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RECRUITED AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO MEET THIS SHORTFALL.
IN ADDITION, MORE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES IN SPECIALISED SERVICES WERE BEING HELD TO RAISE STANDARDS.
MRS WONG THEN ACCOMPANIED THE GOVERNOR ON A TOUR OF THE HONG KONG REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE, WHERE SIR DAVID SAW THE WORK OF THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE, THE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE AND THE ADOPTION UNIT.
THE GOVERNOR COMMENDED THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS, FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK IN THE FACE OF THE TIGHT MANPOWER SITUATION.
’’THE COMMUNITY OWES A DEBT OF GRATITUDE," HE SAID, "TO ALL THOSE WHO DEVOTE THEIR WORKING LIVES TO HELPING THOSE IN NEED."
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A ...
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
- 4 -
LADY WILSON OPENS TRAINING CENTRE FOR HANDICAPPED ADULTS » * » * »
BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS HAVE WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE THE CONSTANT IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE HANDICAPPED, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OPENING THE SHAN KING ADULT TRAINING CENTRE IN TUEN MUN OF THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED, LADY WILSON DESCRIBED THE CENTRE AS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE CO-OPERATION THAT EXISTED, AND THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN IT.
SHE SAID THE PROJECT WENT SOME WAY TOWARDS ALLEVIATING THE PRESSING PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF DAY PLACEMENT FOR SEVERELY AND MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE SOCIETY’S AIM WAS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HANDICAP, SO THAT THEY COULD ENJOY LIFE IN THE SAME WAY AS EVERY ONE ELSE.
"IT IS RECOGNISED THAT SOUND AND MEANINGFUL PROGRAMMES OF REHABILITATION AT TERTIARY LEVEL CAN IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF THOSE WHO ARE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO LIVE IN A NORMAL ENVIRONMENT.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE THE REQUISITE NUMBER OF TRAINED STAFF, AS INTENSIVE TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND ALLOW EACH PERSON TO BECOME AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE," LADY WILSON SAID.
LADY WILSON PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
AFTER SHE UNVEILED A PLAQUE, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC EPISCOPAL VICAR FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, FATHER ANTHONY TSANG, BLESSED THE CENTRE, WHICH IS THE SOCIETY’S TENTH SERVICE UNIT.'
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 198H
- 5 -
SECOND CHOLERA CASE CONFIRMED
*****
A WOMAN WAS CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM CHOLERA BY TH I MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
THIS IS THE SECOND CHOLERA CASE REPORTED SO FAR THIS YEAR. THE FIRST PATIENT - A 75-YEAR-OLD MAN - WAS CONFIRMED AS AN IMPORTED CASE ON SEPTEMBER 27.
THE SECOND PATIENT IS A 30-YEAR-OLD PREGNANT WOMAN WHO LIVES IN KOWLOON CITY. SHE DEVELOPED SYMPTOMS OF DIARRHOEA ON SEPTEMBER 2' ON THE SAME DAY, SHE ATTENDED THE ANTE-NATAL CLINIC AT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL WHERE SHE TOLD THE ATTENDING DOCTOR THAT SHE HAD DIAPRHOBA.
A STOOL TEST WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE HOSPITAL AND THft feESi T WHICH WAS AVAILABLE LAST SATURDAY INDICATED THAT SHE WAS SUFFER’NG FROM CHOLERA.
THE WOMAN WAS IMMEDIATELY REFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARE ’ HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION AND FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
RESULTS OF FURTHER TESTS CONFIRMED THAT THE PATIENT ’ SUFFERING FROM EL TOR CHOLERA. THE WOMAN WAS IN A SATISFACTORY CONDITION TODAY.
THE DEPARTMENT CLASSIFIED THE CASE AS LOCAL BECAUSE THE WOMAN HAD NOT TRAVELLED OUTSIDE HONG KONG RECENTLY.
HEALTH STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT HAD VISITED THE PATIENT’S HOME IN KOWLOON CITY WHERE SHE LIVES WITH HER HUSBAND. IN ADDITION, THEY CHECKED THE HOME OF THE PATIENT’S MOTHER, WHOM SHE HAD FREQUENTLY VISITED. A TOTAL OF SEVEN HOME CONTACTS WERE EXAMINED AND GIVEN MEDICATION. THE TWO PREMISES WERE ALSO DISINFECTED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE PERSONAL AND FOOD HYGIENE TO AVOID CONTRACTING THE DISEASE.
"CHOLERA IS ENDEMIC IN THIS REGION. THE DETECTION OF THE PRESENT CASE IS DUE TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE DISEASE.
"AS CHOLERA CAN OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, IT IS ALWAYS ADVISABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE DISEASE AT ALL TIMES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
f-
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/6........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
- 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR QE FOUNDATION PROJECT GRANTS ♦ * * * «
THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MEN: ,LY HANDICAPPED TODAY (MONDAY) INVITED APPLICATIONS FROM BONA-FIDE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF PROJECT GRANTS.
THE GRANTS ARE AIMED AT FINANCING PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF WELFARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN HONG KONG AND THE PROMOTION OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS.
COPIES OF A GUIDE TO APPLICATION CAN BF OBTAINED FROM THE COUNCIL’S SECRETARY AT THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, ON THE 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT OF THE FOUNDATION NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 15.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 4 4.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 262.051 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 424.183 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 72.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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FARMERS' VIEWS ON EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES SOUGHT
*****
LIVESTOCK FARMER REPRESENTATIVES WILL CONSOLIDATE THEIR ON THE GOVERNMENT’S NEXT REVIEW OF THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FARMERS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
VIEWS FOR
THE REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS' TIME.
AT THE LATEST MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE. FARMER REPRESENTATIVES AGREED THAT THEY WOULD SET OUT THEIR VIEWS IN A PAPER FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT AD HOC WORKING GROUP MEETING.
‘ * r-
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP, MR LEO KWAN, SAID FARMERS VIEWS WOULD BE CONSOLIDATED AND REFLECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
o - -
/7........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS » t * ♦
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO THE NEEDY, PARTICULARLY THE SENIOR CITIZENS AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5) AFTERNOON.
BOARD MEMBERS, MR CHING CHEUNG-YING AND MR LI PO-MING WILL ASK THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHY THE LEVEL OF INCREASE OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THAT OF MEAL CHARGES IN SUBSIDISED INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY.
THEY ALSO WANT TO KNOW THE PROPORTION OF EXPENSES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES IN THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN THE 1987-88 FINANCIAL YEAR.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER, MR JOHN YOUNG WILL ASK ABOUT GOVERNMENT CONTINGENCY PLANS IN CASE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENTAL RELEASE OF RADIOACTIVITY FROM THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT NOW BEING BUILT.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER SEVEN • APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AND REPORTS FROM THE WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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"MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" HELPS COMMUNICATION
*****
BOARD’S "MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" HAS
WHICH LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN AIR THEIR
OR SEEK ASSISTANCE THROUGH DISTRICT
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BECOME A CHANNEL THROUGH COMPLAINTS, MAKE SUGGESTIONS
BOARD MEMBERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD’S
SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (MONDAY)
DURING THE’LAST QUARTER ENDING IN SEPTEMBER, DUTY BOARD MEMBERS ?HE SCHeJI HANDLED MORE THAN 80 APPLICATIONS FOR INTERVIEWS AND
OF MET
250 RESIDENTS.
/THE SCHEME
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
THE SCHEME NOW OPERATES WEEKLY FROM MONDAY TO THURSDAY, FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM.
IT TAKES THE FORM OF EITHER INTERVIEW SESSIONS AT FOUR CENTRES AT THE TOWN CENTRE, NGAU TAU KOK, LAM TIN AND SAU MAU PING, OR VISITS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. THE CENTRES OPEN ON A ROTATION BASIS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE INTERVIEW/VISIT SESSIONS SERVED AS A CHANNEL FOR TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION THROUGH WHICH DISTRICT PROBLEMS WERE REFLECTED TO DUTY BOARD MEMBERS, WHO AT THE SAME TIME TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO THE PUBLIC.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MEET KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS EITHER BY PHONE ON 3-416315 OR 3-421443, OR IN PERSON AT ANY. PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE OR SUB-OFFICES.
"THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME BETWEEN THE DAY OF APPOINTMENT AND -THE DAY OF INTERVIEW IS ABOUT ONE WEEK. FOR URGENT CASES, THE WAITING PERIOD MAY BE SHORTENED," HE ADDED.
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SHA TIN TO HOLD LARGE-SCALE ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL * » t « *
ALTHOUGH THE FAST-GROWING NEW TOWN OF SHA TIN DOES NOT HAVE A SERIOUS DRUG PROBLEM, IT WILL LAUNCH AN ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL THIS MONTH.
THE FESTIVAL WILL BE AMONG THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER ORGANISED AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL WERE GIVEN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE (STDAC), MR LEE KWONG.
MR LEE SAID THE FESTIVAL, RUNNING FROM OCTOBER 8 TO 21, WAS IN LINE WITH THE AIM OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DANGER THAT SOFT DRUGS CAN POSE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN SHA TIN.
/TO SPREAD
MONDAY, OCTOBER J, 1988
9 -
TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE AMONG RESIDENTS, THE $240,000 CAMPAIGN WILL INVOLVE SEVERAL GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE STDAC, ACAN, SHA TIN ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, ALL AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SCHOOLS, OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AND ALSO RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
THE OPENING EVENT, A ’SPORTS SPECTACULAR’ AT SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WILL FEATURE A DEMONSTRATION BY POLICE DOGS, DEMONSTRATIONS OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL AND RUGBY, AND COMPETITIONS BETWEEN THE RTHK AND SHA TIN SOCCER TEAMS AS WELL AS COMPETITIVE EVENTS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 20 EVENTS RANGING FROM EXHIBITIONS AND SPORTS COMPETITIONS TO CARNIVALS AND DESIGN CONTESTS.
THEY WILL BE STAGED IN DIFFERENT AREAS SO THAT THE 'GOOD HEALTH’ THEME WILL REACH ALL RESIDENTS.
TO GIVE THE DISTRICT EVENT A TERRITORY-WIDE EFFECT, RTHK WILL BROADCAST LIVE THE CLOSING VARIETY SHOW ON OCTOBER 21 EVENING.
THIS WILL FEATURE POP STARS AND DISC JOCKEYS, DANCING, DRAMA, CANTONESE OPERA AND CHOIR SINGING.
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, BEGINNING AT 7 PM.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANT 1-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL IS FUNDED BY $120,000 FROM THE ACAN, AND $40,000 EACH FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND PRIVATE SPONSORS.
IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT, THE ACAN HAS ALSO PROVIDED MORE THAN 10,000 ITEMS OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
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MUSIC OFFICE HOLDS EXHIBITION IN TSUEN WAN * » ♦ t »
MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS WERE TREATED TO AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC BY MUSICIANS FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PERFORMANCE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AN EXHIBITION OF MUSIC1AL INSTRUMENTS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN THE TOWN HALL’S EXHIBITION GALLERY.
K 1*
• r
/THE AIM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988
10 -
THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION, WHICH BEGAN ON SATURDAY AND WILL END TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IS TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN MUSIC AMONG THE PUBLIC.
THE MUSIC OFFICE EXPERTS DEMONSTRATED PLAYING TECHNIQUES AND EXPLAINED THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF EACH KIND OF INSTRUMENT SUCH AS VIOLIN, ERHU AND SHENG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID THE EXHIBITION HAS RECEIVED A FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY STUDENTS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD IN OTHER DISTRICTS AS PART OF EFFORTS BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROMOTE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST IN MUSIC.
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NO STOPPING RESTRICTION IN WING LOK STREET ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET, IN SHEL’NG WAN, BETWEEN HOUSE NO’S 156 AND 180, WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 6) FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
0
SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO AND WONG TAI SIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR WATER WORKS LATER THIS* WEEK.
IN TAI PO, THE SUPPLY TO PREMISES ALONG THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN MEI WOON SAN TSUEN AND ST CHRISTOPHER’S HOME WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5).
IN WONG TAI SIN, THE SUPPLY TO MORSE PARK AND BLOCK NO. 28 -32 LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG, TEL: 5-8428777
'TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIFEBOAT FACILITIES GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG FUTURES GUARANTEE CORPORATION ....................... 1
GOVT SECURITIES CONSULTANT OUTLINES ROLE OF REGULATOR ....... 2
WORKING GROUP SETS LOCALISATION TARGETS ..................... 5
FULL WATER SUPPLY FOR COMING DRY SEASON ..................... 7
CHIEF SECRETARY TOURS LANTAU CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ...... 8
57 MORE VIETNAMESE REQUEST REPATRIATION ..................... 9
NEW GUIDELINES ADOPTED ON AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES ........... 9
TWO BY-ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY ................................ 11
NEW HANDBOOK ON TRADE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED .................. 12
AUCTION OF SPEC La CAR NUMBERS .............................. 15
RE-ALIGNMENT OF ISLAND HOUSE MONUMENT BOUNDARY ANNOUNCED ... 14
URBAN CLEARWAY, RIGHT-TURN BAN .............................. 15
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIFEBOAT FACILITIES GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG FUTURES GUARANTEE CORPORATION
THE GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG FUTURES GUARANTEE CORPORATION (HKFGC) AND THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE) HAVE ANNOUNCED AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE TO A PACKAGI FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE LIFEBOAT FACILITIES GRANTED TO THE HKFGC FOLLOWING THE STOCK MARKET CRASH IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE PROPOSED PACKAGE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR THE HANG SENG INDEX FUTURES MARKET UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 1989. THAT SUPPORT WILL BE PROVIDED BY WAY OF A RESIDUAL REVOLVING FACILITY OF $100 MILLION MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT. SUBJECT TO THAT, THE EXISTING FACILITIES WILL BE CRYSTALLISED AT THE LEVEL OF CURRENT DRAWINGS. BY OCTOBER 31, 1989, A NEW RESERVE FUND OF NOT LESS THAN $100 MILLION WILL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE HKFE IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEARANCE OF TRANSACTIONS ON THE HKFE.
AS PART OF THE PACKAGE, GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO THE ADVANCEMENT IN REPAYMENT TO THE BROKER-LENDERS AND SHAREHOLDER-LENDERS OF PART OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS DRAWN UNDER THEIR EXISTING FACILITY TO THE EXTENT OF $200 MILLION. THE PRIORITY FOR THE REPAYMENT TO GOVERNMENT OF THE DRAWINGS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT FACILITY WILL BE RESUMED THEREAFTER. THE OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE LIFEBOAT WILL REMAIN ESSENTIALLY UNCHANGED.
"AS A RESULT OF THESE PROPOSALS, GOVERNMENT’S CONTINGENT LIABILITY WILL BE REDUCED FROM $428.5 MILLION TO $100 MILLION," SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN. "THE ADVANCED REPAYMENT TO THE BROKER-LENDERS AND SHAREHOLDER-LENDERS HAS BEEN AGREED IN PRINCIPLE FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, THE CONCESSION IS MADE IN RETURN FOR THE REDUCTION IN GOVERNMENT’S CONTINGENT LIABILITY. SECONDLY, THE EARLIER REPAYMENT TO THE BROKER-LENDERS AND SHAREHOLDER-LENDERS UNDER THE WAIVER WILL ASSIST THE BROKER-LENDERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A NEW RESERVE FUND FOR THE CLEARING HOUSE OF THE HKFE AND THE BROKER-LENDERS AND SHAREHOLDER-LENDERS TO INCREASE THE CAPITALISATION OF THEIR FUTURES SUBSIDIARIES, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO ADEQUATE LEVELS. THE RECAPITALISATION EXERCISE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE HKFE AND HENCE THE CONTINUATION OF A SOUND FUTURES MARKET IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HKFE SAID, "THE PACKAGE WILL ENABLE THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE HKFE TO PROCEED. AS PART OF THE RECONSTITUTION, NEW CLEARING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED. A RESERVE FUND OF $100 MILLION WILL BE FULLY ESTABLISHED BY OCTOBER 31, 1989 THROUGH DEPOSITS IN INSTALMENTS COMMENCING OCTOBER 31, 1988 BY THE BROKER-LENDERS AND OTHER CLEARING MEMBERS OF THE EXCHANGE. IN ADDITION, THE BROKER-LENDERS AND SHAREHOLDER-LENDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO RECAPITALISE THEIR FUTURES SUBSIDIARIES, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO ADEQUATE LEVELS. TO DATE, SOME SH48 MILLION HAS BEEN SO COMMITTED IN THE RECAPITALISATION EXERCISE BY THESE MEMBERS." "I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THIS PACKAGE HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE BROKER-LENDERS AND THE SHAREHOLDER-LENDERS," HE SAID.
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/2........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
- 2 -
GOVT SECURITIES CONSULTANT OUTLINES ROLE OF REGULATOR t * » t »
THE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES CONSULTANT, MR ROBERT OWEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT BEING A REGULATOR, ESPECIALLY IN HONG KONG, REQUIRED A CONTINUAL BALANCING ACT - IN FACT SEVERAL AT ONCE.
SPEAKING AT A CONFERENCE ON INCREASED REGULATION OF HONG KONG'S SECURITIES MARKETS, ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH, MR OWEN SAID THE REGULATOR WAS REQUIRED TO BALANCE:
* THE BENEFITS TO INVESTORS OF TIGHTER REGULATION AGAINST THE COSTS;
» THE NEEDS AND WISHES OF LOCAL PARTICIPANTS (BROKERS AND INVESTORS) AGAINST THOSE OF INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS AND LARGE INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS;
* THE NEED FOR STRONG POWERS TO COMBAT FRAUD AND MARKET ABUSES AGAINST THE NEED TO PRESERVE CIVIL LIBERTIES IN A UNIQUE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT;
» SHORT-TERM MARKET FACTORS AGAINST THE NEED FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY AND CONFIDENCE;
t THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-REGULATION AGAINST THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION BY THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY;
* THE NEED FOR CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE RULES AGAINST THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY AND SPEED OF REACTION TO MARKET CHANGES;
* THE DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF MARKETS AGAINST THE NEED TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL;
» CLOSE LINKS WITH THE MARKETS AND EFFECTIVE INFORMATION CHANNELS AGAINST THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATE DISTANCE FROM INDIVIDUAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS; AND
t A DESIRE TO RESPECT LOCAL ETHNIC AND CULTURAL SENSITIVITIES AGAINST THE NEED TO BRING HONG KONG’S REGULATORY PRACTICES MORE INTO LINE WITH STANDARDS APPLYING IN OTHER FINANCIAL CENTRES.
THE REGULATOR WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO COMBINE AN UNDERSTANDING OF MARKETS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AND PROCEDURES, HE SAID.
MR OWEN SAID EACH OF THESE ACTS WAS INDIVIDUALLY QUITE DIFFICULT AND THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) WOULD ATTEMPT TO PERFORM THEM ALL.
/"IT IS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1988
"IT IS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED IN THIS AND, EVEN IE IT DID, IT WOULD STILL BE BOUND TO DISPLEASE SOME ELEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"IE IT ENDED UP PLEASING EVEN HALF THE PEOPLE HALF THE TIME IT WOULD BE A MIRACLE," HE ADDED.
ON THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME QUARTERS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE NEW POWERS WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED THE SFC SHOULD HAVE, MR OWEN
SAID THAT IN ALL BUT ONE OF THE AREAS (THE EXCEPTION BEING SOME OF
THE POWERS TO GIVE DIRECTIVES TO THE EXCHANGES) THE POWERS PROPOSED FOR THE SFC WERE SIMILAR TO AND NO MORE AUTHORITARIAN THAN THOSE OF
REGULATORS IN MOST OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR DEMOCRACIES WITH
WELL-DEVELOPED FINANCIAL MARKETS.
HE SAID THAT CHECKS AGAINST MISUSE OF THE PROPOSED REGULATORY POWERS WERE ALSO EXTENSIVE.
MR OWEN SAID ONE MAIN TASK HE AND THE SPECIAL UNIT OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH HAD BEEN WORKING ON DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS WAS THE DRAFT BILL WHICH WOULD BRING THE SFC INTO BEING.
HE SAID THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE PRESENT DRAFT BILL DEALT WITH THE FOLLOWING MATTERS:
* THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF THE SFC.
» THE SFC WILL HAVE NEW RESERVE POWERS, IN LINE WITH THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, TO GIVE DIRECTIVES TO THE EXCHANGES OR CLEARING HOUSES. THESE POWERS ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE SFC, WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE "NUCLEAR DETERRENT" OF CLOSING AN EXCHANGE, TO ENSURE THAT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL OR MANAGEMENT OF THAT EXCHANGE WHEN THE COMMISSION IS
CONVINCED SUCH ACTION IS NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THE COMMISSION IS REQUIRED TO CONSULT THE FINANCIAL
SECRETARY BEFORE USING THESE POWERS.
» WITHOUT INTRODUCING A COMPREHENSIVE NEW LICENSING SYSTEM, THE BILL MAKES CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PRESENT REGISTRATION PROCEDURES, DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE SFC TO UNDERTAKE A MORE THOROUGH REVIEW OF .APPLICATIONS FOR NEW REGISTRATIONS OR RENEWALS, AND TO REQUIRE THE APPLICANT TO SATISFY IT THAT HE IS A "FIT AND PROPER" PERSON TO CONDUCT THE RELEVANT BUSINESS.
» THE DRAFT BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE SFC TO MAKE RULES REQUIRING FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES (REGISTERED PERSONS) TO MAINTAIN PRESCRIBED LEVELS OF CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY.
A THE BILL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
» THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS A NEW SECTION GIVING POWER TO THE SFC TO INTERVENE IN THE BUSINESS OF ANY REGISTERED PERSON EITHER TO REQUIRE HIM TO TAKE, OR TO PREVENT HIM TAKING, PARTICULAR ACTIONS, OR TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS, IF THE COMMISSION BELIEVES SUCH INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT INVESTORS. THE NEW INTERVENTION POWER IS A MORE SOPHISTICATED INSTRUMENT WHICH PERMITS CAREFULLY PIN-POINTED INTERVENTION TO PROTECT INVESTORS WITHOUT THE NEED EFFECTIVELY TO CLOSE DOWN THE BUSINESS OF THE INTERMEDIARY CONCERNED.
* THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS NEW PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE INVESTIGATIONS INTO BREACHES OF THE ORDINANCES, INCLUDING FRAUDS, MARKET MANIPULATION, CRIMINAL DECEPTION AND INSIDER TRADING.
» THERE IS A SECTION IN THE BILL PROVIDING FOR A NEW BOARD OF APPEAL TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF EXECUTIVES OF THE COMMISSION IN RELATION TO SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENCES OR USE OF THE INTERVENTION POWERS.
♦ FINALLY, THERE IS A SECTION DEALING WITH THE FUNDING OF THE SFC.
MR OWEN SAID HE AND THE SPECIAL UNIT OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH HAD BEEN WORKING TOWARDS A TARGET OF HAVING THE SFC OPERATIONAL BY EARLY 1989.
"THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE SFC WILL BE TO PROMOTE THE INTEGRITY, EFFICIENCY AND ORDERLY CONDUCT OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS IN HONG KONG, AND OF PARTICIPANTS IN SUCH MARKETS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST DISHONEST PRACTICES AND MARKET ABUSES.
"CONSISTENTLY WITH THIS OBJECTIVE, THE SFC WILL AIM TO MAINTAIN AND PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A LOCAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, INCREASINGLY SERVING THE NEEDS OF CHINA AND THE PACIFIC RIM," HE SAID.
MR OWEN SAID THAT PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING THE SFC WOULD BE TO RECRUIT AND MOTIVATE THE STAFF NEEDED TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY.
HE SAID THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING (OCS) CONTAINED MANY CAPABLE AND EXPERIENCED STAFF WHO HE HOPED WOULD FORM THE NUCLEUS OF THE SFC.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
5 -
HE SAID THAT BECAUSE THE SFC WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, A BASIS HAD TO BE ESTABLISHED ON WHICH APPROPRIATE OCS STAFF WHO WISHED TO JOIN THE SFC COULD MAKE THE TRANSFER.
"THE PRESENT UNCERTAINTY OVER THEIR FUTURE, WHICH IS UNAVOIDABLE UNTIL THE BILL IS PASSED, IS HAVING AN UNDERSTANDABLY NEGATIVE EFFECT ON MORALE.
"IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL CONCERNED TO BRING THIS UNCERTAINTY TO AN END AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. HIGH PRIORITY IS THEREFORE BEING GIVEN TO WORKING OUT PRACTICAL TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS,’’ HE SAID.
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WORKING GROUP
SETS LOCALISATION TARGETS
» » » « t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL MEASURES TO QUICKEN THE PACE OF LOCALISATION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FURTHER LOCALISATION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS (AGC) ARE CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR FRANK STOCK, QC.
IN ITS REPORT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE WORKING GROUP FOUND THAT EXISTING MEASURES FOR LOCALISATION WERE INSUFFICIENT TO COUNTER INCENTIVES TO LEAVE GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO EFFECT A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN PROSPECTS FOR LOCAL COUNSEL.
ONE OF THE GROUP’S KEY RECOMMENDATIONS IS THE INTRODUCTION, ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, OF A "DOUBLE-LADDER" OF PROMOTION FOR LOCALS FROM CROWN COUNSEL (CC) TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL (SCC). THE AIM IS TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL COUNSEL TO REMAIN IN THE DEPARTMENT.
THE GROUP HAS ALSO SET A TARGET DATE OF 1992, BY WHICH TIME IT IS HOPED TO HAVE 30 PER CENT OF DIRECTORATE POSTS AND 50 PER CENT OF SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL POSTS FILLED BY LOCALS.
AT PRESENT OUT OF 250 COUNSELS EMPLOYED IN THE DEPARTMENT 99 ARE LOCALS AND OF THE 44 DIRECTR^TE POSTS THREE ARE HELD BY LOCALS.
/THE WORKING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
6
THE WORKING GROUP FOUND THAT LOCAL COUNSEL WERE LEAVING AGO BEFORE THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION TO THE DIRECTORATE.
THE PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES OF THE SPECIAL MEASURES ARGUED FOR IN THE REPORT ARE THE LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL WITH LESS THAN THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, IT IS HOPED THAT THE ’’DOUBLE-LADDER" SCHEME WILL RE INTRODUCED BY THE END OF 1988.
UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THERE WOULD BE TWO STREAMS OF PROMOTION WITHIN THE AGC FROM THE CC RANK TO THE SCC RANK.
THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF PROMOTION TO SCC ON THE BASIS OF MERIT AND EXPERIENCE WOULD CONTINUE.
AT THE SAME TIME THERE WOULD BE A SYSTEM OF PROMOTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS WITH LIMITED QUALIFIED EXPERIENCE, BUT OTHERWISE SUITABLE ON THE BASIS OF ABILITIES AND POTENTIAL.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS SECOND-LADDER OF PROMOTION ARB THAT SPECIAL POSTS AT THE SCC LEVEL WOULD BE CREATED AND THAT LOCAL OFFICERS PROMOTED ON THIS LADDER WOULD RECEIVE THE PAY AND ENTITLEMENTS OF SCC WHILE CONTINUING TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF CC.
FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, INCLUDING HISTORICAL FACTORS, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE FEW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN WHICH THERE REMAINS A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS.
THE WORKING GROUP FOUND THAT THE PRINCIPAL LOCALISATION PROBLEM CONFRONTING THE DEPARTMENT IS ITS FAILURE TO RETAIN LOCAL COUNSEL, OR TO ATTRACT COUNSEL FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR BECAUSE OF BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO LAWYERS OF COMPARABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A SCHEME SHOULD HELP REDUCE WASTAGE AND MAY ALSO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL LOCAL LAWYERS OF QUALITY TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT. *
THE RETENTION OF MORE LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL IN THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD ENLARGE THE POOL OF QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED LOCAL COUNSEL READY FOR PROMOTION TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL AND THEREBY WORK TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE LOCALISATION TARGET FOR SCC.
THE WORKING GROUP CONCLUDED THAT WHILE THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO QUICKEN THE PACE OF LOCALISATION IN AGC, OVERSEAS LAWYERS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE Aty IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
/•’THE WORKING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
- 7 -
’’THE WORKING GROUP IS CONSCIOUS THAT THERE IS A BALANCING ACT TO PERFORM,” THE REPORT SAID.
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR LOCAL COUNSEL EARLY IN THEIR LEGAL CAREER TO FULLFIL ALL THE GOVERNMENT’S NEEDS IN, FOR INSTANCE, MAJOR PROSECUTIONS, COMMERCIAL CRIME, EXTRADITION, DRAFTING, AND ADVICE ON BANKING AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, IT ARGUED.
OF THE 99 LOCAL LAWYERS PRESENTLY EMPLOYED, ONLY 22 HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.
THE REPORT SAID THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HIS LAW OFFICERS HAVE ADVISED THE WORKING GROUP THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR THE LONG-TERM RETENTION OF KEY OVERSEAS COUNSEL.
HOW THIS REQUIREMENT MIGHT BE FULFILLED AND OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES, SUCH AS THE LOCALISATION OF THE DIRECTORATE WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE NEXT STAGE OF THE WORKING GROUP’S DELIBERATIONS.
-----0-----
FULL WATER SUPPLY FOR COMING DRY SEASON ♦ ♦ t 1 t
FULL SUPPLY OF WATER WOULD BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE COMING DRY SEASON, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG. SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE DECISION FOLLOWED A POSITIVE REPLY FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG’S REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL WATER AND CAREFUL ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION.
MR WONG NOTED CHINA HAD STATED IN THE REPLY IT WOULD DO ITS BEST TO MAINTAIN THE ADDITIONAL SUPPLY OF 280,000 CUBIC METRES OF WATER PER DAY TILL THE END OF NEXT FEBRUARY.
CHINA WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY WATER DURING THE NORMAL SHUTDOWN PERIOD IN MARCH AND APRIL NEXT YEAR BUT WOULD ADVANCE THE SHUTDOWN PERIOD OF 1990 TO NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER NFXT YEAR, HE NOTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CHINA IS CURRENTLY SUPPLYING AN AVERAGE OF 1.8 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER TO THE TERRITORY DAILY.
’’AFTER ASSESSING THE SITUATION VERY CAREFULLY, WE CONSIDER FULL SUPPLY CAN CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE COMING DRY SEASON,” MR WONG SAID.
HOWEVER, THE DIRECTOR REMINDED THE PUBLIC OF THE NEED TO BE VIGILANT IN CONSERVING WATER.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
8
CHIEF SECRETARY TOURS LANTAU CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ♦ » * ♦ *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAW FOR HIMSELF THE MODERN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ON LANTAU WHEN HE VISITED SHEK PIK PRISON AND SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, WHO SHOWED HIM AROUND THE INSTITUTIONS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY PRAISED THE DEPARTMENT FOR BUILDING UP A MODERN PENAL SYSTEM WHICH PLACES INCREASING IMPORTANCE ON CORRECTING AND REHABILITATING INMATES. HE ALSO ENCOURAGED ITS STAFF TO CONTINUE FURTHER DEVELOPING PROGRAMMES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF PRISONERS.
WHEN TOURING THE WORKSHOPS IN SHEK PIK PRISON, WHICH IS A MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION TO HOUSE PRISONERS SERVING LONG SENTENCES, SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT ALL PRISONERS WERE ENGAGED IN VARIOUS TRADES.
THESE TRADES INCLUDED GARMENT MAKING, CARPENTRY, PRINTING, LEATHER WORK, KNITTING AND BOOK BINDING.
SIR DAVID ALSO VISITED THE CONTROL ROOM, HOSPITAL AND DORMITORIES BEFORE PROCEEDING TO SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE.
AT SHA TSUI, THE CHIEF SECRETARY TOURED THE AFTERCARE SECTION, THE SICK BAY, THE KITCHEN, THE DINING ROOM AND THE REMAND SECTION.
HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE DETENTJ ON CENTRE'S PROGRAMME WHICH CATERS FOR YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 24.
THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMME EMPHASISES STRICT DISCIPLINE, HARD WORK AND COUNSELLING, WITH THE AIM OF TEACHING DETAINEES RESPECT FOR THE LAW AND SELF DISCIPLINE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING SUFFICIENT AND POSITIVE TRAINING.
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/9........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
- 9 -
57 MORE VIETNAMESE REQUEST REPATRIATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ANOTHER 57 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 16 THIS YEAR HAVE REQUESTED VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM OVER THE PAST FIVE DAYS.
’’THIS BRINGS TO 311 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCREENING POLICY AND WHO HAVE ASKED TO BE SENT BACK,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
”IN THE FIRST HALF OF SEPTEMBER, THERE WERE SOME 80 SIMILAR REQUESTS.
”IN AUGUST, 69 SUCH REQUESTS WERE RECEIVED.
”OF THE LATEST 57 REQUESTS, MOST HAVE COME FROM VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE STAYING IN THE HEI LING CHAU DETENTION CENTRE AND SOME OTHERS FROM THE ERSKINE TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTRE.
’’THEIR DETAILS HAVE BEEN PASSED TO THE UNHCR FOR PROCESSING.”
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PASSED TO THE UNHCR THE NAMES OF 17 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BEFORE JUNE 16 THIS YEAR AND WHO ASKED FOR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION.
SINCE 1978, A TOTAL OF 26 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HAVE VOLUNTARILY RETURNED TO VIETNAM.
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NEW GUIDELINES ADOPTED ON AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES * ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, HE WAS ADOPTING NEW GUIDELINES IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES (AGC'S) LICENCES UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE.
"UNDER THE NEW GUIDELINES, WHICH WILL BE APPLIED WHEN CONSIDERING ANY NEW APPLICATION FOR AN AGC LICENCE RECEIVED AFTER TODAY, APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY FOR CENTRES IN BUILDINGS USED SOLELY FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/’•LICENCES WILL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
10 -
"LICENCES WILL NOT NORMALLY BE GRANTED FOR PREMISES IN BUILDINGS IN WHICH THERE IS ALREADY A LICENSED GAMES CENTRE OR AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION; NOR IF THE PROPOSED CENTRE IS WITHIN A RADIUS OF 100 METRES FROM AN EXISTING CENTRE OR THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.
"THESE NEW GUIDELINES ARE BEING ADOPTED IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CONCERN AT THE RECENT GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF AMUSEMENT GAMES MACHINES.
"THE NUMBER OF NEW MACHINES HAS INCREASED BY OVER 140 PER CENT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ABOUT NEW CENTRES."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AGC TRADE HAD ALSO EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION.
"IN SOME CASES, LOCATIONS WHICH APPEAR TO MEET THE PRESENT CRITERIA ARE REFUSED A LICENCE BECAUSE OF PUBLIC OPPOSITION," HE SAID.
"BY ADOPTING THE NEW GUIDELINES, WE SHALL BE PUTTING THE TRADE ON NOTICE THAT THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO GAIN LICENCES IN PLACES WHERE PUBLIC OPPOSITION CAN BE EXPECTED.
"DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE NEW GUIDELINES OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE DB’S, THESE GUIDELINES CAN BE ADJUSTED AND CHANGES MADE TO THE LICENCE CONDITIONS FOR ADULT AND CHILDREN’S AGC’S.
"WE HAVE BEEN OBLIGED TO ADOPT THE NEW GUIDELINES IMMEDIATELY SO AS TO AVOID BEING INUNDATED WITH APPLICATIONS TRYING TO BEAT THE THREE MONTHS’ CONSULTATION PERIOD DEADLINE.
"HOWEVER, WE INTEND TO TAKE THE VIEWS OF THE DB’S FULLY INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE FINALISING OUR POLICY."
IN ADDITION TO THESE GUIDELINES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING HAS PROPOSED THAT LICENCE CONDITIONS BE CHANGED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM AGE FOR ADMISSION TO AN ADULT GAMES CENTRE FROM 16 TO 18 YEARS.
"THIS WILL BRING THE AGE LIMIT FOR GAMES CENTRES INTO LINE WITH THAT ADOPTED IN OTHER LEGISLATION”, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS EXISTING LICENCES ARE RENEWED, THE 18-YEAR AGE LIMIT WILL BE INCORPORATED SO THAT BY EARLY 1990, A UNIFORM AGE LIMIT OF 18 YEARS WILL APPLY TO ALL ADULT GAMES CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY.
r
”AS AT PRESENT, WE SHALL MAINTAIN THE POLICY OF ENSURING THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED EVEN IF ALL OTHER CRITERIA IN THE GRANTING OF NEW LICENCES HAVE BEEN MET.
"EACH NEW APPLICATION WILL BE REFERRED TO DISTRICT OFFICES FOR THEIR ADVICE ON ACCEPTABILITY BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE VIEWS OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES WILL BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY NEW LICENCE IS GRANTED."
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1988
11
TWO BY-ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY t * t «
ELECTORS IN THE YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE TSUEN WAN EAST (NORTH) CONSTITUENCY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD ARE URGED TO VOTE IN THE BY-ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 6).
THE BY-ELECTION FOR THE YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IS BEING CONTESTED BY THREE CANDIDATES -- MS WOO YAN-YUE, MR EDMUND CHOW WAI-HUNG AND MS .JULIANA LI WING-NA.
THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL SEAT, VACATED BY MR KWAN LIM-HO, WILL RUN UNTIL MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
THERE WILL BE SEVEN POLLING STATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL BY-ELECTION. HOWEVER, ELECTORS MAY ONLY VOTE AT THE POLLING STATION SPECIFIED ACCORDING TO THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
THE SEVEN POLLING STATIONS ARE:
(A) ANGEL’S CATHOLIC KINDERGARTEN,
52 UNIVERSAL MANSION, OBSERVATORY COURT, OBSERVATORY ROAD.
(B) ACTIVITIES CENTRE,
YAU TSIM DISTRICT CULTURAL AND ARTS ASSOCIATION, 33 SALISBURY ROAD.
(C) THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MORSE HOUSE, 9 COX’S ROAD.
(D) TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS LO YU CH IK PRIMARY SCHOOL, 51 PITT STREET.
(E) JORDAN ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, IB NANKING STREET.
(F) HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, G/F, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET; AND
(G) PING AN CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 2/F, 43-47 MAN CHEONG BUILDING, FERRY POINT.
THE BY-ELECTION FOR THE TSUEN WAN EAST (NORTH) CONSTITUENCY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD IS BEING CONTESTED BY TWO CANDIDATES --MR LAW KAM-SING AND MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG.
/THE TERM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
- 12
THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR THE SEAT, VACATED BY MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG WILL RUN UNTIL MARCH 31, 1991.
THE ONLY POLLING STATION FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION WILL BE AT THE TSUEN WAN PUBLIC HO CHUEN YIU MEMORIAL COLLEGE IN SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE.
POLLING FOR BOTH BY-ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 10.30 PM.
ELECTORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND THE POLL CARDS TO THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION DURING THE POLLING HOURS.
SINCE THERE IS ONLY ONE VACANCY IN EACH OF THE CONSTITUENCIES, ELECTORS SHOULD SIMPLY MARK ON THE BALLOT PAPER A CROSS IN THE BOX ALONGSIDE THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.
ANY ELECTORS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BY-ELECTIONS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION ON TEL. 5-270369 OR 5-270380.
-------O----------
NEW HANDBOOK ON TRADE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR TRADERS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS, TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE WORK AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER TRADE RELATED ORGANISATIONS.
THE NEWLY PUBLISHED ”1988 TRADE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK” - THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER PUBLISHED BY TRADE DEPARTMENT - OUTLINES THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE RANGE FROM CERTIFICATION, TEXTILES IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENSING, LICENSING OF STRATEGIC AND NON-STRATEGIC COMMODITIES, TO ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS AS WELL AS INFORMATION' AVAILABLE TO TRADERS.
IT ALSO EXPLAINS THE ORGANISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND GIVES DETAILS ON LICENCE APPLICATION FORMS AND FEES AND CHARGES PAYABLE.
"THE HANDBOOK SEEKS TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. WE INTEND TO UPDATE IT REGULARLY," THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
/"WE HOPE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER U,
- 13 -
"WE HOPE THAT THIS BOOKLET WILL MAKE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO TRADERS."
THE HANDBOOK ALSO LISTS ALL THE VARIOUS INFORMATION BROCHURES CURRENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND ADVISES ON WHO TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE AVAILABLE SERVICES.
IN ADDITION, IT ALSO GIVES INFORMATION ON TRADE RELATED SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS.
THESE INCLUDE SERVICES RELATED TO BUSINESS REGISTRATION, COMPANY AND FACTORY REGISTRATION, INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION, EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE, TRADE DECLARATIONS, TRADE CLASSIFICATION AND TRADE PROMOTION.
THE HANDBOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE ENQUIRY COUNTER OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN OCEAN CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CANTO*' ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
------o ------
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE :
AD9876 BJ3339 DW 139 DW9398
DK 929 DW 918 DU 732 BR 87
AC 973 DW 777 1129 DW 233
AW 750 AB 663 DW 308 DX1389
CL 819 DX 180 DW 315 828
DD1133 DX 289 DX 993 DX 983
CP 192 DX1212 DX 881 CF 172
DU 785 AA 285 162 DY1111
DX3282 •DX 328 DW 688 BR 189
DW 10 DX 911 BG 677 DU 735
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
14
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 130TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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RE-ALIGNMENT OF ISLAND HOUSE MONUMENT BOUNDARY ANNOUNCED
*****
THE ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED THAT THE MONUMENT BOUNDARY OF ISLAND HOUSE, YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO, HAS BEEN RE-ALIGNBD.
BUILT IN 1905, THE ISLAND HOUSE WAS DECLARED AS AN HISTORICAL BUILDING IN MARCH 1983 UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOLO HIGHWAY, THE TOPOGRAPHY OF YUEN CHAU TSAI HAS BEEN ALTERED. THE MONUMENT BOUNDARY OF ISLAND HOUSE, THEREFORE, NEEDS TO BE RE-ALIGNED ACCORDINGLY.
A PLAN NUMBERED NTM 39 SHOWING THE REVISED BOUNDARY IS KEPT IN THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
------O--------
/15
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1988
- 15 -
URBAN CLEARWAY, RIGHT-TURN BAN
* * t * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE EXTENSION OF A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN WONG TAI SIN FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 7).
THE EXISTING 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON EASTBOUND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO ST JOSEPH’S HOME FOR THE AGED TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARDS FOR ABOUT 25 METRES.
THE MEASURE IS INTENDED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW. NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN SHAM SHUI PO, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM WESTBOUND NAM CHEONG STREET ONTO YU CHAU STREET.
MOTORISTS ON WESTBOUND NAM CHEONG STREET HEADING FOR YU CHAU STREET WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA KI LUNG STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET AND YU CHAU STREET.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE INITIATIVE IN COMBATING TRIADS ............ 1
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING OUTLINED ..................... 2
PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION AMENDMENT BILL IN THE PIPELINE ... 4
TAI PO DB STUDY GROUP LEAVES FOR CHINA ......................... 5
UPHOLDING OF TEXTILES BILL VETO WELCOMED ....................... 6
TAC CHAIRMAN TO VISIT LRT ..................................... 6
LADY WILSON VISITS SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ....................................................... 7
ANTI-CORRUPTION EDUCATION FOR INDUSTRIALISTS .................. 7
SHAM SHUT PO DB TO DISCUSS FORMATION OF WORKING GROUP.......... 8
MAC SUBSIDIES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........................... 8
PERMANENT CENTRE FOR TRAINING BANKING STAFF .................... 9
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ON CIVIL SERVICE PaY MOVES OFFICE ........ 10
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SOUGHT ................. 10
WAN CHAI NORTH BUS DIVERSION SCHEME............................ 10
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON .................................... 11
\
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE INITIATIVE IN COMBATING TRIADS ♦ * * * ♦
A MORE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH IS BEING ADOPTED FOR THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN AS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE URGED TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO FIGHT AGAINST TRIADS.
NOT ONLY ARE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ADVISED TO KEEP AWAY FROM TRIAD MEMBERS, THEY ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY TRIAD Activities they come Across.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, sir david Ford, said this today (Wednesday) at a press conference to LAUNCH THE 1988/89 FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
SIR DAVID SAID THE THREE THEMES FOR THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN WERE ANTI-TRIAD, ANTi-SHOPTHEFT AND HOME SECURITY.
"SINCE THE GOVERNMENT EMBARKED ON ITS FIRST ANTI-TRIAD PUBLICITY DRIVE LAST YEAR, THE PUBLIC HAS CLEARLY BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE TRIAD MENACE," SIR DAVID SAID.
he said the Message of the campaign was "report triad ACTIVITIES", TARGETTING AT BOTH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR PARENTS, TO URGE THEM TO TAKE INITIATIVE TO REPORT TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
FULL USE OF THE MEDIA WILL BE MADE TO DISSEMINATE ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGES, AND THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE TO EXPOSE TRIAD METHODS AND THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO STRIP AWAY THE FALSE GLAMOUR THAT SURROUNDS THEM.
"THIS, WE HOPE, WILL BUILD UP A GROWING SENSE OF RESENTMENT AND REJECTION OF TRIADS IN OUR COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN IN THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN IS SHOPTHEFT, A CRIME which Has been on the increase in the past few years.
QUOTING STATISTICS, SIR DAVID SAID IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN 4,122 REPORTED CASES- OF SHOPTHEFT, WHICH WAS BETTER THAN THE NUMBER OF 4,463 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"WE BELIEVE OUR PUBLICITY is HAVING A REAL IMPACT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL WORRYING.
"OUR MAIN THEME tS TO STRESS THAT SHOPTHEFT IS NOT A GAME, THAT IT IS A CRIME AND IT CAN HAVE DEVASTATING RESULTS ON THE FUTURE OF THE OFFENDERS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ONE OF THE CAMPAIGN’S HIGHLIGHTS WOULD BE AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFT DAY IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR WHEN MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS WOULD BE MOBILISED TO DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS IN SHOPPING CENTRES.
/Home security, .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
2 -
HOME SECURITY, FOR THE FIFTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR, REMAINS ONE OF THE MAJOR THEMES OF THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
AFTER FOUR YEARS OF CONCERTED EFFORTS, PUBLIC VIGILANCE TOWARDS HOME SECURITY HAS BEEN FOSTERED. SIR DAVID ATTRIBUTED THE ENHANCED AWARENESS TO THE WELL-RECEIVED NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME WHICH, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1985, HAS SO FAR ATTRACTED A TOTAL OF 92,615 FAMILIES IN 497 BUILDINGS TO FORM ALTOGETHER 8,893 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH UNITS.
PHASE VI OF THE SCHEME IS UNDERWAY AND PHASE VII WILL BE LAUNCHED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
"BY THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR, NO LESS THAN 110,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN SOME 600 BUILDINGS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME," SIR DAVID SAID.
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TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING OUTLINED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, YESTERDAY DESCRIBED IN SAN FRANCISCO THE STEPS BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINS ADEQUATE TO COPE WITH DEMAND BOTH INTERNALLY AND FROM CHINA.
MRS CHAN WAS ADDRESSING AN AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND BANKERS AT A RECEPTION ARRANGED BY THE ASIAN BUSINESS LEAGUE AND SPONSORED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO-BASED PACIFIC BANK (WHICH IS OPENING AN OFFICE IN HONG KONG THIS WEEK).
"TO CATER FOR INCREASING FLOWS OF GOODS AND PEOPLE TO AND FROM CHINA, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING IN HONG KONG HAS INCREASINGLY TO TAKE THE CHINA DIMENSION INTO ACCOUNT," MRS CHAN SAID.
"HONG KONG IS PRESENTLY SERVICING A GREATER AREA OF CHINA THAN MAY SEEM SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG RUN," SHE SAID, AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IN THE LONGER TERM PORTS SUCH AS SHANGHAI AND THOSE FURTHER NORTH ARE LIKELY TO IMPROVE THEIR EFFICIENCY.
MRS CHAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE CHINESE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT HONG KONG WILL REMAIN THE LEADING PORT OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
/DESCRIBING PLANS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
DESCRIBING PLANS FOR THE CONTAINER PORT AND RECENT GROWTH OF THE AIRPORT, MRS CHAN SAID THAT OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING OR PROJECTS COMPLETED INVOLVED THE UPGRADING OF THE ROAD AND RAIL NETWORK, INCLUDING THE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, A NEW ROAD-RAIL HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE LATTER TWO PROJECTS WERE BEING UNDERTAKEN BY CONSORTIA INCLUDING JAPANESE, CHINESE, BRITISH AND LOCAL BUSINESS INTERESTS AT A TOTAL COST OF $5.1 BILLION.
MRS CHAN CITED THIS AS DEMONSTRATING THE CONTINUING CONFIDENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY \S THE CONSORTIA WOULD NOT RECOVER THEIR COSTS UNTIL WELL BEYONG THE YEAR 2000.
TURNING TO ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, MRS CHAN SAID THAT THESE HAD UNDERGONE RAPID GROWTH SINCE 1978 WHEN CHINA EMBARKED ON ITS ’OPEN DOOR’ POLICY.
"HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE NOW EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS. HONG KONG ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER OF CHINA’S TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE, WHILST HONG KONG/CHINA TRADE AS A PERCENTAGE OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE HAS INCREASED FROM 9.27 PER CENT IN 1978 TO 27.17 PER CENT IN 1987," MRS CHAN SAID.
CHINA CONTINUED TO RUN A LARGE SURPLUS ON ITS TRADE WITH HONG KONG.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE CONCEPT OF A ’PORT-HINTERLAND RELATIONSHIP’ MIGHT BE USED TO DESCRIBE THE RAPID GROWTH IN TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA.
"TRADE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA ARE PARTICULARLY CLOSE.
"SINCE 1986, GUANGDONG HAS BECOME THE TOP EXPORTING PROVINCE IN CHINA. NEARLY 70 PER CENT OF ITS EXPORTS CAME TO HONG KONG WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF US$3 BILLION," MRS CHAN SAID.
A....
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION AMENDMENT BILL IN THE PIPELINE
*****
AN AMENDMENT BILL, WHICH SEEKS TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCEDURES IN THE RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE STREETS IN HONG KONG, WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 20.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN HONG-TSUNG, AFTER VISITING KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT, MR LAN POINTED OUT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS REQUIRED TO SERVE NOTICE TO EVERY PERSON WHO HAS A SHARE IN THE OWNERSHIP OF A PRIVATE STREET EITHER BY HAND OR BY REGISTERED MAIL.
THIS REQUIREMENT IMPOSED A VERY LONG LEAD TIME ON THE PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION PROGRAMME BECAUSE HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF OWNERS MIGHT BE INVOLVED, RESULTING IN A VERY SUBSTANTIAL WORKLOAD IN ESTABLISHING OWNERSHIP AND IN PREPARING AND SERVING NOTICES, HE NOTED.
MR LAN SAID ONE OF THE MAJOR PROPOSALS WAS TO AMEND THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE SO THAT RESUMPTION NOTICES WERE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN SERVED ON ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ONCE THEY WERE GAZETTED AND AFFIXED TO THE CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE LAND IN QUESTION.
HE WAS CONFIDENT OF THE RESUMPTION PROGRAMME BEING SPEEDED UP ONCE THE BILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW.
EARLIER, MR LAN, ACCOMPANIED BY KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG, TOURED PRIVATE STREETS AND RESUMED PRIVATE STREETS IN TO KWA WAN TO SEE THE DIFFERENCES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ROAD SURFACE AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SANITARY CONDITIONS.
HE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNSATISFACTORY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, ILLEGAL STRUCTURES' AND OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE UNRESUMED PRIVATE STREETS.
DURING THE TOUR, MR LAN WAS BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF THE PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION PILOT SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1983.
UNDER THE SCHEME, 10 PRIVATE STREETS IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT HAD SO FAR BEEN RESUMED.
A FURTHER THREE STREETS HAD BEEN REVERTED TO GOVERNMENT THROUGH VOLUNTARY SURRENDER AND UPON EXPIRY OF THE LEASE.
/NR LAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
5 -
MR LAN BEGAN HIS VISIT TO KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WITH A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE LUNG SHING AREA FROM THE ROOFTOP OF THE HOLY FAMILY CANOSSIAN SCHOOL AT JUNCTION ROAD.
HE WAS TOLD BY MR FONG THAT THE SIX-HECTARE URBAN COUNCIL CARPENTER ROAD PARK, WHICH WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WOULD PROVIDE VARIOUS FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS, INCLUDING JOGGING, CYCLING TRACKS, VOLLEYBALL COURTS, BASKETBALL COURTS AND A ROCK GARDEN.
FROM THE OLDER PART OF THE DISTRICT, THE PARTY DROVE TO THE NEWLY-DEVELOPED PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE, WHAMPAO GARDEN, TO VISIT A FAMILY AND SEE SOME OF THE RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTS.
THEY THEN WALKED TO THE HUNG HOM WATERFRONT TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF THE HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION WHICH WILL PROVIDE 36 HECTARES OF LAND ON COMPLETION IN 1993.
FINALLY, ON THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING IN TO KWA WAN MR LAN WAS BRIEFED BY MR FONG ON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DISTRICT, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO THE METROPLAN.
-----0------
TAI PO DB STUDY GROUP LEAVES FOR CHINA
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR GROUP LEFT FOR BEIJING THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING FOR A NINE-DAY VISIT TO CHINA.
THE STUDY GROUP, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG, COMPRISES 13 BOARD MEMBERS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT AND STAFF OF THE DB SECRETARIAT.
THE GROUP WILL VISIT BEIJING, QINGDAO AND SHANGHAI TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN THOSE PLACES.
IN BEIJING THE GROUP WILL CALL ON THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE WHERE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS.
THEY WILL ALSO SEE THE NUCLEAR REACTOR IN THE QINGHUA UNIVERSITY AND MUNICIPAL WORKS OF THE BEIJING CITY.
IN QINGDAO MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WILL TOUR A NUMBER OF FACTORIES WHILE IN SHANGHAI THEY WILL VISIT SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE GROUP WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 13.
- O
/6
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
- 6 -
UPHOLDING OF TEXTILES BILL VETO WELCOMED ♦ t * i ♦
’’THE TEXTILES BILL IS DEAD” SAID THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE WHEN COMMENTING ON THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTE YESTERDAY TO SUSTAIN PRESIDENT REAGAN’S VETO OF THE BILL.
’’BUT WE CAN EXPECT NEW PROTECTIONIST LEGISLATION TO BE TABLED IN THE US CONGRESS EARLY NEXT YEAR” HE ADDED.
’’THE TEXTILES LOBBY IS NOT GOING TO GIVE UP," MR SZE SAID.
”IT WILL BE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MAKE PROTECTION FOR THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY MORE PALATABLE TO US LEGISLATORS.
’’THIS COULD SERIOUSLY THREATEN HONG KONG’S TRADING INTERESTS AND WE WILL BE WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE US VERY CLOSELY, HE SAID.
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TAC CHAIRMAN TO VISIT LRT ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE CHAIRMAN OE THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MISS MARIA TAM, TOGETHER WITH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, WILL VISIT TUEN MUN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO SEE THE OPERATION OF THE LIGHT RAIL IRANS 11 SYSTEM.
THEY WILL ARRIVE AT THE TUEN MUN FERRY PIER AT 9 AM WHERE THEY WILL BE MET AND BRIEFED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, MR PETER QUICK, AND THE LIGHT RAIL DIRECTOR, MR JOE WADE.
THE VISIT WILL LAST ABOUT TWO HOURS.
- - 0 -
/?
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
- 7 -
LADY WILSON VISITS SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN t ♦ » ♦ »
LADY WILSON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED TWO SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WHICH OPERATES 12 SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS OF VARYING GRADES OF MENTAL HANDICAP THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
SHE FIRST WENT TO THE LIONS MORNINGHILL SCHOOL AT BLUE POOL ROAD, WHICH CATERS FOR 200 MILD DEGREE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AND THEN TO THE WAH FU MORNINGLIGHT SCHOOL IN WAH FU ESTATE, WHICH HAS A CAPACITY FOR 100 MODERATE DEGREE STUDENTS.
THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WAS FORMED IN 1964 BY A FEW DEDICATED PARENTS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
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ANTI-CORRUPTION EDUCATION FOR INDUSTRIALISTS ♦ ♦ » * ♦
A SPECIAL PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED IN KWUN TONG SOON TO EDUCATE LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, INDUSTRIALISTS AND WORKERS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION LAWS AND TO FURTHER ENHANCE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRUPTION PREVENTION.
THE "KWUN TONG BUSINESS WITHOUT CORRUPTION PROGRAMME ’88" IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE AND THE KOWLOON EAST/SAI KUNG REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE ICAC, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED ON OCTOBER .15 WITH "STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE MANAGEMENT GAME" FOR BUSINESS EXECUTIVES. EACH COMPANY OR FACTORY MAY FIELD A TEAM OF THREE TO TAKE PART IN A CASE STUDY OF PROBLEMS INVOLVING CORRUPTION IN AN ORGANISATION.
THE TEAMS WHICH PRODUCE THE BEST ANALYSIS, BEST RECOMMENDATION, BEST REPORT, AND BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES.
ON NOVEMBER 5 AND 6, A WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD SPECIALLY FOK WORKERS IN KWUN TONG.
THERE WILL BE TALKS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND WAYS OF RELIEVING STRESS. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS, A DRAMA COMPETITION AND TELEMATCHES.
BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND WORKERS IN KWUN TONG WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE TWO ACTIVITIES MAY APPLY EARLY TO THE KOWLOON EAST/SAI KUNG REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE ICAC AT SHOP NO. P5-P7, PODIUM, TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON BAY (TEL. 3-7563939).
------o ------ /8.....................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
8
SHAM SHUI PO DB TO DISCUSS FORMATION OF WORKING GROUP
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND COMPOSITION OF THE WORKING GROUP ON LIBERALISATION OF THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOSED CENTRE AT THE BOARD’S MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS CARRIE YAU, WILL BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING TO ANSWER MEMBERS' QUERIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES, PRESENTED BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM IS THE REVISED STANDING ORDERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.
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MAC SUBSIDIES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
* * * *
SUBSIDIES GIVEN TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’S) AND PROPERTY OWNER ORGANISATIONS WILL BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
A BOARD MEMBER, MR WONG FUK-WAH, WILL ASK IF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FACILIATE THE WORK OF MAC’S AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES.
HE WILL ALSO ASK IF THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL CONSIDER PROVIDING OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND OWNERS COMMITTEES FORMED UNDER THE DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT THE SAME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS GIVEN TO THE MAC’S.
/THE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
9 -
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS SIX APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TOTALLING $69,900 AND REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT I PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
0
PERMANENT CENTRE FOR TRAINING BANKING STAFF
*****
THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WHICH BEGAN ITS ACTIVITIES AT A TEMPORARY LOCATION EARLIER THIS YEAR, HAS NOW MOVED TO PERMANENT PREMISES AT ROOM 601-604 VICWOOD PLAZA, 199 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE 600-SQUARE-METRE OFFICE HAS FIVE CLASSROOMS, A SIMULATED BANK BRANCH WITH 10 ON-LINE TELLER TERMINALS AND A LECTURE HALL FOR UP TO 150 PEOPLE.
ITS COMPUTER INSTALLATION IS DESIGNED TO TRAIN BANKING EMPLOYEES IN ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTION.
"SINCE THE CENTRE BEGAN OPERATIONS IN BORROWED CLASSROOMS THIS APRIL, IT HAS ACCEPTED MORE THAN 2,500 APPLICATIONS MADE THROUGH EMPLOYERS FROM BANKING STAFF.
"ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF THESE APPLICANTS HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED FULL-TIME COURSES OF UP TO EIGHT DAYS’ DURATION," THE MANAGER OF THE CENTRE, MR LYLE DAVISON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE COURSES OFFERED NOW INCLUDE IMPORT AND EXPORT DOCUMENTATION, BANKING LAW AND PRACTICE, ACCOUNTANCY, CREDIT ANALYSIS AND INTRODUCTORY COURSES FOR NEWCOMERS IN BANKING.
A NUMBER OF COURSES ARE ALSO BEING DEVELOPED. THESE INCLUDE TELLERS’ DUTIES AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE' AS WELL AS VARIOUS PROGRAMMES FOR MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY STAFF, MR DAVISON ADDED.
THE CENTRE’S COURSES ARE OPEN TO ALL EMPLOYEES OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES PROVIDED THEY CAN OBTAIN NOMINATIONS FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS.
FULL DETAILS OF THE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OR BY CALLING THE CENTRE ON 5-447163.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
- 10 -
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY MOVES OFFICE t ♦ * ♦ t
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY HAS NOW MOVED TO WING ON CENTRE, 11/F., Ill CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG. TELEPHONE NO. FOR ENQUIRY IS 5-421306.
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CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK AN ORDER FOR THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT A BUILDING IN KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLAT B, 14TH FLOOR, 12 MAN FUK ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 21 THIS YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 7 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
------o-------
WAN CHAI NORTH BUS DIVERSION SCHEME
*****
A BUS DIVERSION SCHEME, AIMED AT IMPROVING THE JOURNEY TIME OF CROSS HARBOUR BUSES AND BUSES USING EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI NORTH FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THIS SCHEME, A BUS GATE WILL BE PROVIDED ON HUNG HING ROAD FOR CROSS HARBOUR BUSES TO ENTER THE TUNNEL PORTAL VIA THE LESS BUSY ROADS IN WAN CHAI NORTH.
CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES 104, 105 AND A2 WILL BE DIVERTED FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND TO FLEMING ROAD, HARBOUR ROAD, TONNOCHY ROAD, HUNG HING ROAD AND TO JOIN THE TUNNEL TRAFFIC VIA THE BUS GATE.
/THIS ROUTEING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1988
11
THIS ROUTEING WILL BE EFFECTIVE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. A BUS STOP FOR THESE CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN HARBOUR ROAD NEAR HARBOUR CENTRE.
"THE ROUTE DIVERSION AND THE PROVISION OF A BUS GATE WILL ALLOW THESE CROSS HARBOUR BUSES TO BYPASS THE QUEUE OF TUNNEL TRAFFIC ON GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THEIR JOURNEY TIME BETWEEN THE BUS STOP NEAR THE O'BRIEN ROAD FOOTBRIDGE AND THE TUNNEL PORTAL CAN BE REDUCED BY FIVE TO 10 MINUTES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.
CMB ROUTES IDA, 20, 21, 22, 80, 81M, 720, 721, 722, 780 AND 781 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND TO FLEMING ROAD, CONVENTION AVENUE, HUNG HING ROAD FLYOVER AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD.
A NEW BUS STOP FOR THESE ROUTES WILL BE DESIGNATED ON CONVENTION AVENUE IN FRONT OF THE WAN CHAI FERRY PIER.
THE DIVERSION OF THESE CMB BUS ROUTES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING PEAK HOURS ONLY (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) SO THAT THESE BUSES CAN BYPASS VEHICLE QUEUES ON EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD.
"IT WILL ALSO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF BUS PASSENGERS IN WAN CHAI NORTH AND HELP PASSENGERS TO INTERCHANGE BETWEEN FERRIES AND BUSES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT UPON REQUEST OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (PLB) OPERATORS, AN EXISTING PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN HAI TAN STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 7) .
THE AFFECTED PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IS CURRENTLY ENFORCED DURING PEAK HOURS ONLY ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HAI TAN STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PEI HO STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 85 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN YAU MA TEI, SECTIONS OF CANTON ROAD AND CHEUNG SHUI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO‘ TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF RESIDENTIAL REDEVELOPMENTS ON THESE TWO ROADS.
AFFECTED ROAD SECTIONS ARE CANTON ROAD BETWEEN PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND CHEUNG SHUI STREET, AND CHEUNG SHUI STREET FROM HOUSE NO. 56 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH CHING PING STREET.
IN ADDITION, CANTON ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG SHUI STREET AND TUNG KUN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY OPERATION.
THE SECTION OF CHEUNG SHUI STREET FROM HOUSE NO. 56 TO CANTON ROAD, CURRENTLY ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, WILL ALSO BECOME TWO-WAY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JP'S REPORT ON HEI LING CHAU PUBLISHED ....................... 1
SCHOOL AND EMPLOYMENT FOR VBP AT ERSKINE CAMP ................ 2
SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ON VBP.................................. 4
DB TO DISCUSS LIBERALISATION OF VR CENTRES.............>...... 4
POLLING IN BY-ELECTIONS BEGIN',*.............................. 5
APPOINTMENTS TO PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ............... 6
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ............................... 6
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION VARIETY SHOW....................... 10
SEPTEMBER SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES. AND PAYROLL ....... 11
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FOURTH QUARTER PAYMENT........... 12
WONG TAI SIN DB MEMBERS VISIT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT............ 1?
SPECIAL TRAFFIC PLAN FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL................. 14
CASE WRITING WINNERS SELECTED ................................ 16
FOOTDRILL COMPETITION FOR CAS CADETS ......................... 17
YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS NEXT MONTH ............... 18
1
J P’S REPORT ON HEI LING CHAU PUBLISHED t « t * i
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED THE REPORT BY TWO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST MONTH TO LOOK INTO COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE FOLLOWING DISTURBANCES AT THE HEI LING CHAU DETENTION CENTRE ON JULY 18 AND 19 THIS YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
’’THE TWO JUSTICES HAVE CARRIED OUT A VERY THOROUGH AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED AT HEI LING CHAU ON JULY 18 AND JULY 19. THEIR REPORT CLEARLY RECOGNISES THAT OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE OPERATING UNDER CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND COMMENDED THEM FOR THEIR SUCCESS IN EVACUATING THE TWO HALLS IN WHICH DISTURBANCES HAD TAKEN PLACE THE NIGHT BEFORE.
BUT THE JUSTICES HAVE ALSO CONCLUDED THAT UNNECESSARY FORCE WAS USED BY UNIDENTIFIED CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ON JULY 19. THE JUSTICES ALSO RAISED QUESTIONS OVER THE ACTION OF THE DOCTORS INVOLVED AND POINTED TO SOME DEFICIENCIES IN THE OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANDLING THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE."
"CLEARLY THERE WERE SOME LAPSES OF DISCIPLINE AMONGST CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS AND IF THE HIGH REPUTATION WHICH THE DEPARTMENT ENJOYS IS TO BE SUSTAINED, ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID. "IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE OTHER MATTERS RAISED BY THE JUSTICES BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED," THE SPOKESMAN CONCLUDED.
AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT, THE GOVERNOR HAS DIRECTED THAT:
(A) IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SHOULD EXAMINE THE RELEVANT OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, STANDING ORDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AT HEI LING CHAU AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW THEY CAN BE IMPROVED;
(B) THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES TQGETHER WITH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS SHOULD EXAMINE THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT AND CONSIDER WHAT DISCIPLINARY ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT STAFF INVOLVED; AND
(C) THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE ACTIONS OF THE MEDICAL OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT AND THE SYSTEM OF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AT HEI LING CHAU AND LAI CHI KOK AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.
- 0
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
- 2 -
SCHOOL AND EMPLOYMENT FOR VBP AT ERSKINE CAMP * t t t t
HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN ERSKINE CAMP, SAI KUNG, .ARE CONTINUING WITH THE OPENING OF A SCHOOL AT THE CAMP AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF SOME INMATES IN SUITABLE JOBS.
QUALIFIED SCHOOL TEACHERS AMONG THE BOAT PEOPLE ARE BEING EMPLOYED TO TEACH CHILDREN IN THEIR OWN CLASSROOMS. LAUNDERERS ARE AT WORK IN' THE CAMP LAUNDRY; A BARBER SHOP HAS BEEN SET UP.
SIGNS ARE EMERGING THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE ARE ADAPTING FAVOURABLY TO THEIR UNFORTUNATE SITUATIONS AT ERSKINE.
TWO MONTHS SINCE IT OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE BOAT PEOPLE THE CAMP HAS QUICKLY BECOME ORGANISED AS A CENTRE OF FIRM YET FAIR DISCIPLINE.
DISTURBANCES SO FAR HAVE BEEN MINOR AND MOST OF THE BOAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCEPTED THEIR RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENT.
COMMANDANT OF THE CAMP SUPERINTENDENT VIANNEY WILLY-FURTH SAID: "OUR APPROACH TO THE SITUATION IS NOT A SOFT APPROACH BUT IT IS A BALANCED APPROACH AND IT IS ALREADY BEARING POSITIVE RESULTS."
SINCE IT OPENED IN EARLY AUGUST THE CAMP HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM A GROUP OF DERELICT NISSEN HUTS IN AN OVERGROWN JUNGLE IN SAI KUNG TO AN ORDERLY AND HABITABLE CAMP.
IT IS THE ONLY CAMP IN THE TERRITORY TO BE RUN UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
WITH THE PRELIMINARY WORK COMPLETE IN HOUSING AND FEEDING THE NEW ARRIVALS EFFORTS ARE NOW BEING MADE TO IMPROVE THEIR DAILY LIVES AT THE CAMP. HYGIENE AND THE SEPARATION OF SINGLE WOMEN AND FAMILY GROUPS HAVE BEEN AMONG THE PRIORITIES.
AFTER THE FIRST INTAKE OF 1,200 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT THE HASTILY PREPARED CAMP A FURTHER 400 ARRIVED AT THE END OF AUGUST. THERE HAVE BEEN SIX BIRTHS SINCE THE CAMP OPENED.
SAID MR WILLY-FURTH: "THE VIETNAMESE HAVE BEHAVED IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, APART FROM TWO BRIEF PERIODS OF TENSION WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVED AND WHEN WE HAD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ARRIVAL OF A FURTHER 400 PEOPLE.
"WE HAD TO MOVE SOME TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEWCOMERS AND THEY WERE VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEM.
"BUT THINGS QUICKLY RETURNED TO NORMAL."
/EARLY DISTURBANCES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1^88
- 3 -
EARLY DISTURBANCES GENERALLY WERE MINOR FIGHTS BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS AND PETTY THEFTS.
BUT THEN KNIVES AND SCISSORS IMPROVISED FROM SCRAPS OF METAL FOR POSSIBLE USE AS WEAPONS BEGAN BEING SURRENDERED BY THE INMATES THEMSELVES TO PREVENT A GROWTH IN THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE AMONG THEM.
"ALL THESE BLADES, KNIVES AND SCISSORS HAVE BEEN VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED BY THE BOAT PEOPLE," SAID MR WILLY-FURTH. "SOME HAVE BEEN IMPROVISED FROM PIECES OF METAL LEFT BEHIND BY CONTRACTORS.
"THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HERE ARE LAW ABIDING AND PEACEFUL. THEY DON’T WANT THESE THINGS LYING ABOUT."
\ CLOSELY SECURE PLACE HAS NOW BEEN SET ASIDE AT THE CAMP AS A KNIFE STORE WHERE CUTTING IMPLEMENTS ARE ISSUED AND RETURNED UNDER STRICT SUPERVISION.
IMPLEMENTS USED AT THE CAMP BARBER SHOP ARE ALSO USED UNDER RESTRICTION.
"WE HAVE FOUND PEOPLE WITH USEFUL SKILLS, SUCH AS TEACHERS, BARBERS AND LAUNDERERS," SAID MR WILLY-FURTH.
FAMILY GROUPS ARE NOW ACCOMMODATED SEPARATELY AND SINGLE WOMEN ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN DORMITORY.
ONE INMATE WHO HAS OBSERVED THE VALUE OF THE HUMANITARIAN APPROACH BY POLICE OFFICERS, BOTH OFFICIALLY AND INFORMALLY, IS THE CAMP INTERPRETER MISS' PHAN THI BICH NGAN, WHO ARRIVED LIKE HER FELLOW INMATES ABOARD A RAMSHACKLE AND CROWDED MOTOR BOAT FROM VIETNAM.
"THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE BEING VERY KIND," SAID NGAN, A CHEMISTRY GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HUE. "THEY HAVE GIVEN THE CHILDREN SWEETS AND CLOTHS AND OFFERED THEIR FRIENDSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IN THE CAMP."
"THEY HAVE TAUGHT THE INMATES FROM THEIR OWN BEHAVIOUR. THE PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO QUEUE FOR FOOD AND OTHER SERVICES AT THE CAMP. THEY NEVER SAW AN ORDERLY QUEUE IN VIETNAM.
"I THINK THE FIRM APPROACH HAS ALSO TAUGHT PEOPLE THAT IF YOU MAKE TROUBLE YOU WILL GET TROUBLE.
"IT’S A MIXTURE OF FRIENDLINESS AND DISCIPLINE."
NGAN WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL, WHICH WOULD OCCUPY ALL CHILDREN - AROUND 250 AGED FROM THREE TO 15.
"IT WILL KEEP THEM BUSY, INSTEAD OF JUST RUNNING AROUND AND GETTING INTO TROUBLE CLIMBING TREES. I WOULD LIKE TO TEACH MY KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH TO THE CHILDREN."
/ASKED IF .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
4
ASKED IF SHE SAW ANY SIGNS OF TENSION CONTINUING AMONG THE HUMAN TRAGEDY AT ERSKINE CAMP, NGAN SAID: "IF THERE WAS THEY WOULD NOT BE AS THEY ARE NOW.
'YOU SHOULD COME HERE IN THE EVENINGS AND SEE THEM ALL SINGING AND DANCING IN THEIR OWN WAY.
'IT IS A REFLECTION OF THE POLICE HUMAN APPROACH TO THEIR UNWELCOME JOB."
- - 0
SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ON VBP *****
THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS WITH VIETNAM ON THE PROBLEMS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 11 AND 12 IN LONDON.
THE JOINT UK/HK TEAM AT THE TALKS WILL BE LED BY MR ROBIN MCLAREN, ASSISTANT UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AND WILL INCLUDE THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR RICHARD CLIFT, AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES.
- 0 -
DB TO DISCUSS LIBERALISATION OF VR CENTRES
*****
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) THE POLICY OF LIBERALISING CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE DELETION OF TWO BUILDINGS FROM, AND INCLUSION OF THREE OTHERS IN, THE LIST OF TARGET BUILDINGS FOR MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT; AND A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE DISTRICT BOARD’S BUDGET IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES WILL ALSO BE* PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
POLLING IN BY-ELECTIONS BEGIN » * t » *
POLLING IN BY-ELECTIONS TO FILL ONE VACANCY IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND ONE IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD BEGAN AT 7.30 AM TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SEATS WERE VACATED BY MR KWAN LIM-HO IN THE YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, AND BY MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG IN THE TSUEN WAN EAST (NORTH) CONSTITUENCY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD.
POLLING IS TAKING PLACE AT SEVEN POLLING STATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL SEAT, WHICH IS BEING CONTESTED BY THREE CANDIDATES.
THE CANDIDATES ARE MS WOO YAN-YUE, MR EDMUND CHOW WAI-HUNG, AND MS JULIANA LI WING-NA.
POLLING FOR THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD SEAT, CONTESTED BY MR LAW KAM-SING AND MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG, IS TAKING PLACE AT ONE POLLING STATION.
THE POLLING STATIONS WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 10.30 PM TODAY.
URBAN COUNCIL BY-ELECTION RESULT
MS LI WING NA, JULIANA WAS ELECTED TO THE YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL THE BY-ELECTION.
THE FOLLOWING ARE POLLING RESULTS:
CANDIDATES VOTES
1. CHOW WAI-HUNG, EDMUND 1,002
2. LI WING-NA, JULIANA 1,380
3. WOO YAN-YUE, ALIAS WOO LAI-MAN 332
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION RESULT
YEUNG FUK-KWONG WAS ELECTED TO THE TSUEN WAN EAST (NORTH) CONSTITUENCY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD IN THE BY-ELESTION.
THE FOLLOWING ARE POLLING RESULTS
CANDIDATES
1. LAW KAM-SING
2. YEUNG FUK-KWONG
VOTERS
1,385
2,705
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
APPOINTMENTS TO PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR DENIS CHANG KHEN-LEE AND DR CHRISTOPHER LEONG KA-CHEONG AS MEMBERS TO THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (PHA).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE TWO APPOINTMENTS COMPLETED THE LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE PHA AND, IN ADDITION TO THE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED LAST FRIDAY, BROUGHT TO 27 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PHA MEMBERS.
THE PHA, WHICH CAME INTO EXISTENCE ON OCTOBER 1, 1988, IS EXPECTED TO HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING LATER THIS MONTH.
- - 0 -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE LATEST GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THE E. COLI DATA USED FOR GRADING ARE BASED ON THE MEDIAN VALUES OF THE MOST RECENT FIVE RESULTS, OBTAINED OVER A TWO AND A HALF MONTH PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE USUAL SAMPLING FREQUENCY.
THE GRADES FOR SOME BEACHES MAY FLUCTUATE. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF THE BEACHES IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE SWIMMING AREAS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES, AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST OF BEACH WATER QUALITY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
’A’ GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN 0-99 PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD.
/'B' GRADE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
'B' GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN 100-999 PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE.
'C GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS 1,000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED B> THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A ’C’ GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO REOPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A ’B’ GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, FIVE BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS’, CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY. THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE FIVE BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN ’X’ IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH LAST GRADING PRESENT GRADING
HONG KONG SOUTH (AS AT 22.9.88) (AS AT 6.10.88)
BIG WAVE BAY A A
CHUNG HOM KOK A A
DEEP WATER BAY B B
HAIRPIN A A •
MIDDLE BAY • C B
REPULSE BAY C C
SHEK 0 B B
SOUTH BAY B B
ST. STEPHEN’S A A
/TURTLE COVE ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER b, TJtt#
8
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN A A
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B B
DISCOVERY BAY* A B
HUNG SHING YEH A A
KWUN YAM WAN A A
TONG FUK B A
LO SO SHING A A
PUI 0 A A
SILVERMINE BAY X X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B B
TUNG O» A A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH B B
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH B A
HAP MUN BAY A A
KIU TSUI A A
PAK SHA CHAU A A
SILVERSTRAND C C
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) B A
/TSUJN WAN .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
- 9 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS' X X
APPROACH B B
CASAM B B
GEMINI B B
HOI MEI WAN B B
LIDO B B
TING KAU C C
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA C B
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE c c
BUTTERFLY c c
NOTE: ’X’ THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
TONG FUK, CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN), FROM ’ B’ TO ’A'; DISCOVERY BAY, FROM ’A’ TO ’B’; MIDDLE BAY AND NEW CAFETERIA, FROM ’C* TO ’B’.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT DR CATHERINE LAM, ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, AT 3-7211044.
- - 0------------
/10........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
10 -
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION VARIETY SHOW « t t » t
AN EXHIBITION CUM VARIETY SHOW TO PUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE ISLANDERS WILL BE HELD AT THE PUI 0 PLAYGROUND ON LANTAU THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8).
"ALL RESIDENTS ON LANTAU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE EVENT WHERE ADMISSION IS FREE AND THE EXHIBITION WILL START AT 4 PM," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"WINNING ENTRIES OF A PHOTO CONTEST HELD LAST MONTH FEATURING THE PROBLEM SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT THAT CALL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION," HE SAID.
"A VARIETY SHOW WITH POP SONGS AND DANCING WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE THEME TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION," HE ADDED.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN.
SIMILAR ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE HELD ON THE ISLANDS OF CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA RESPECTIVELY ON THE THREE CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS STARTING OCTOBER 15.
THE VENUES OF THE THREE EXHIBITIONS CUM VARIETY SHOWS WILL BE THE PAK TEI PLAYGROUND ON CHEUNG CHAU, THE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO THE FERRY PIER ON PENG CHAU AND THE BASKETBALL COURT AT SOK KWU WAN, LAMMA.
"THE IDEA FOR HOLDING THE EVENT ON ALL FOUR ISLANDS IS TO ALLOW MORE ISLANDERS TO JOIN SO THAT THEY WILL BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TO COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THE BATTLE AGAINST POLLUTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0-----
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
11
SEPTEMBER SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT. VACANCIES AND PAYROLL
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE SEPTEMBER 1988 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 94,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS.
THESE INCLUDE THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
THERE IS FULL ENUMERATION IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS).
QUESTIONNARIES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNARIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982) ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNARIES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1988 FOR EACH SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD JULY-SEPTEMBER 1988.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS) WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO FURTHER PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE MAJOR KIND OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS HAVE DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 5-8235076 .
-----0-----
/12........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
12 -
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FOURTH QUARTER PAYMENT « t « t »
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE SHOULD APPLY FORTHWITH FOR A COPY AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, HONG KONG;
» THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
» THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON OCTOBER 31, 1988 AND UNLESS SO PAID RATEPAYERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING 'PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY AUTOPAY’ IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON OCTOBER 31, 1988. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DATE IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE BY AN ARROW-HEAD IN THE 'TOTAL AMOUNT DUE’ BOX.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
/UNDER SECTION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 19-88
UNDER SECTION 30(1A) AND (2A) HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON GF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS XRE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
-------o ---------
WONG TAI SIN DB MEMBERS VISIT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT t t * t t
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED TWO SECTIONS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE ORGANISATION AN: DAILY OPERATIONS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
TODAY’S VISIT IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
LED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL LEE, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, THE GROUP FIRST VISITED THE DEPARTMENTS TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE DIVISION IN NATHAN ROAD.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR C.C. CHAN, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE KOWLOON REGION.
AT THE KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE THEY WERE SHOWN A WALL MAP, COMPUTER TERMINALS AND CLOSE CIRCUIT TELEVISION MONITORS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS UPDATE ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT PRESENTLY SOME 300 TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN KOWLOON WERE UNDER THE KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.
OPERATORS IN THE CONTROL ROOM, ON RECEIVING THE INFORMATION FROM THE COMPUTERS AND MONITORS, WOULD CHANGE COMPUTER-SELECTED SIGNAL TIMINGS TO MEET UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC DEMANDS, AND MONITOR EQUIPMENT FAULTS TO ENSURE SPEEDY REPAIRS.
THE GROUP ALSO LEARNED THAT THE KOWLOON CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD EVENTUALLY BE EXPANDED TO COVER EAST KOWLOON, AND EVENTUALLY THE ENTIRE KOWLOON REGION IN THE EARLY 90*S.
AFTER VISITING THE CONTROL CENTRE, MEMBERS PROCEEDED TO THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY TO SEE THE OPERATION OF AUTOMATED INSPECTION EQUIPMENT IN THE EXAMINATIONS OF GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
------0-------
/14......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
14
SPECIAL TRAFFIC PLAN FOR t t t »
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM SUNDAY (OCTOBER 9) FOR THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE ROAD CLOSURES AND THE STRENGTHENING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR GRAVE-SWEEPERS.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 4 AM AND 8 PM ON OCTOBER 9 (SUNDAY), 16, 19 23, 30 AND NOVEMBER 6:
» KIU TAU ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES (INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES) EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND HEARSES.
» THE SECTION OF ROAD L100 WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 LEADING TO FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES (INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES) EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FRANCHISED BUSES AND TAXIS CARRYING PASSENGERS.
* ROAD B200, THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM WO HOP SHEK ROAD TO WO HOP SHEK VILLAGE, WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED:
» ROAD L100 EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL PRIVATE CARS (INCLUDING THOSE ACCOMPANYING HEARSES) EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FRANCHISED BUSES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND COACHES CARRYING PASSENGERS.
* ROAD A100 WEST OF ROAD D6 WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC . (INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES) EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES. %
FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE FANLING KCR FORECOURT AT ITS ACCESS FROM ROAD D5 WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
IN TSUEN WAN, THE SECTION OF LO WAI ROAD BETWEEN LO WAI BUS TERMINUS AND YUEN YUEN HOK YUEN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM ON OCTOBER 9, 16, 19 AND 23.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE LO WAI END TERMINATING POINT FOR GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81 AND 81M WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LO WAI BUS TERMINUS.
/IN ADDITION, ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 198$
IN ADDITION, IN THE VICINITY OE TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY POLICE OFFICERS ON OCTOBER 16, 19, 22, 23 AND 30.
» WING SHUN STREET BETWEEN TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HEI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC, EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES, BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM ON THESE FIVE DAYS. THE CLOSURE MAY ALSO BE ENFORCED ON ANY OTHER DAYS IF NECESSARY.
» ROAD CLOSURE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT WING KIN ROAD JUNCTION WITH KWAI HEI STREET. A ONE-WAY SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED AND VEHICLES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER WING KIN ROAD FROM WING KEI ROAD.
t A ONE-WAY SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED ON THE SECTION OF WING KEI ROAD BETWEEN KWAI HEI STREET AND WING KIN ROAD. VEHICLES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER VIA KWAI HEI STREET.
* WING LAP STREET AND WING CHONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» THE ROAD UNDER TSING YI NORTH BRIDGE FROM RIVIERA GARDEN ONTO WING SHUN STREET IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. NO VEHICULAR OR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED.
» NO PARKING WILL BE ALLOWED ON ALL APPROACH ROADS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM.
» TEMPORARY TAXI STANDS WILL BE ERECTED ON WING KEI ROAD AND KWAI HEI STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH WING SHUN STREET.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIODS, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE MTR AND GET OFF AT KWAI FONG STATION. DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED AT THE STATION TO GUIDE GRAVE-SWEEPERS THE PEDESTRIAN ROUTE LEADING TO TSUEN WAN CEMETERY.
AS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED AND OPERATE AT FANLING AT A FIVE-MINUTE INTERVAL FROM 7 AM TO 9 AM AND FROM 5 PM TO 7 PM ON OCTOBER 16, 19 AND 23. BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE TRAIN SERVICES WILL OPERATE AT A FREQUENCY OF EIGHT TO NINE MINUTES.
ON THE SAME DAYS, A SPECIAL BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70S, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS AND WO HOP SHEK VIA TOLO HIGHWAY. THIS SPECIAL SERVICE WILL OPERATE AT ABOUT SIX-MINUTE INTERVAL AT A FARE OF $4.5.
ANOTHER SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70R, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND WO HOP SHEK AT ABOUT THREE-MINL'TE INTERVAL ON OCTOBER 9, 16, 19, 23 AND 30. THE FARE WILL BE $1.2 FOR SINGLE JOURNEY.
/MEANWHILE, SERVICES ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
- 16 -
MEANWHILE, SERVICES OF KMB ROUTES 70, TOK, 70X, 73 AND 73A WILL ALSO BE STRENGTHENED. GRAVE-SWEEPERS WISHING TO GO TO SANDY RIDGE CAN TAKE THE REGULAR BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 73K, PLYING BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND SAN UK LING, OR THE TRAIN SERVICE FO LO WU.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, TAXIS AND COACHES CARRYING PASSENGERS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS, AND WAITING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GO TO THE CEMETERIES AS THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE LN THE VICINITY OF WO HOP SHEK. PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING (IN ON LOK TSUEN) AND AROUND TSUEN WAN CEMETERY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED.
PRIVATE CARS, PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES AND PRIVATE COACHES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SET DOWN OR PICK UP PASSENGERS ON THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS:
♦ ROAD D6 BETWEEN ROAD D3 AND WO HOP SHEK ROAD.
t WO HOP SHEK ROAD BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT AND ROAD D6.
t THE SLIP ROAD AT WO HOP SHEK CONNECTION FROM NORTHBOUND NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD LEADING TO WO HOP SHEK
MINI-ROUNDABOUT.
t TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK
MINI-ROUNDABOUT AND A POINT ABOUT 300 METRES SOUTH OF KIU TAU ROAD.
-----0-----
CASE WRITING WINNERS SELECTED t t * t *
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW AT THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (MDC ) OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EFFORTS OF FOUR CASE WRITERS WHOSE PRESENTATIONS WILL BECOME VALUABLE MATERIALS FOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING.
THE HONG KONG CASE STUDY GROUP AND THE MDC, THE ORGANISERS OF THE "CASE WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD", TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT MR SO KAM-HO OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AND MR DANIEL HUI OF CITY POLYTECHNIC WERE THE WINNERS OF THE CASE-WRITING COMPETITION.
THE CASES PRESENTED BY MR ALFRED Sil OF LINGNAN COLLEGE AND MRS LORETT HO OF BAPTIST COLLEGE WERE ALSO HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE JUDGING PANEL IN THE COMPETITION.
/A TOTAL ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
A TOTAL OF 28 SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. ^^E^WERE^FJIGH
QUALITY AND WOULD BE KEPT HOUSE OF HONG KONG AT MDC COUNCIL SAID.
IN THE SOON TO
BE
FOR PUBLIC REFERENCE,
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE
WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT WHICH MR HORACE KNIGHT, AND TRUSTEE OF
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, MR GAGE
THE CASE-WRITING WINNERS CERTIFICATES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN A THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VTC, THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MCAFEE, WILL OFFICIATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COVER THE PRESENTATION
(FRIDAY) AT 17TH FLOOR,
YOU ARE INVITED TO .. „„„„„„
3 PM AT THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
CEREMONY TOMORROW
OF HONG KONG
-------0--------
FOOTDRILL COMPETITION FOR CAS CADETS t « * » *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES CADET CORPS WILL HOLD A FOOTDRILL COMPETITION ON OCTOBER 9 (SUNDAY) AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE.
TWENTY-FOUR TEAMS FROM CADET UNITS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING ONE GIRL CADET UNIT, WILL COMPETE.
THE COMPETITION WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM AND FINISH AT 5 PM WHEN A PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD.
THE CHAMPION TEAM WILL BE AWARDED THE 'NORMAN LEUNG SHIELD', TO BE PRESENTED BY THE SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR LEUNG NAI-PANG.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL INCLUDE WARRANT OFFICER II OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS), MR AU KAM-CHUEN, AND STAFF SERGEANT OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS, MR KWAN CHEL’K-FOR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMPETITION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM, FOLLOWED BY A PRESENTATION CEREMONY, AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET.
-----0 - - - -
/18
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1988
_ 18 -
YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS NEXT MONTH
*****
CHINESE MUSIC FANS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG AND TALENTED MUSICIANS DURING THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 5 TO 13.
FEATURING A SERIES OF CONCERTS, MASTER CLASSES, LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS, THE NINE-DAY FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED ANNUALLY BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND AIMED AT IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS STIMULATING GREATER PUBLIC INTEREST IN CHINESE MUSIC.
THE FESTIVAL'S OPENING CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 8 PM ON NOVEMBER 6 DURING WHICH PIECES OF NEW COMPOSITION SUCH AS ’RESEVILLE’, ’TURMOIL IN THE NORTHERN FRONTIER’ AND ’THE GENESIS’ WILL BE PRESENTED.
FOUR GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, LI XIAO-GANG (YANG-QIN), QU AN-HUA (ERHU), XIAO JIAN-SHENG (SAN-XIAN) AND SUN GUI-SHENG (DONG-XIAO) HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO GIVE DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCES AND TO CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES AT VARIOUS MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL, THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL ORGANISE A CONCERT, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, AT 8 PM ON NOVEMBER 9 AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL'S PROGRAMMES.
THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL ALSO PERFORM AT THE CONCERT.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, TWO OTHER CONCERTS, THE JING YING AND THE INTERFLOW CONCERTS, WILL BE STAGED AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 8 PM ON NOVEMBER 10 AND AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 2 PM ON NOVEMBER 13.
THE JING YING CONCERT, FEATURING THE GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL BE THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES WOULD MEET WITH THE NEEDS OF CHINESE MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"APPRECIATION SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE YUET WAH MUSIC COMPANY AND THE HANG SENG BANK FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP TOWARD OUR ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
TICKETS FOR THE CONCERTS ON NOVEMBER 6, 9 AND 10 AT $10, $15, $20 AND $30 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7962893.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE FOR HK OF HIGHER EDUCATION .... 1
28,000 REGISTER AS VOTERS ..................................... 3
LEGISLATION CW PUBLIC BUS SERVICES TO BE AMENDED............... 4
SASI MEET PRIVATE SECTOR GROUPS ............................... 5
PRISON RULES AMENDED....................................«... 5
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY.............. 6
APPROVED SHA TIN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN GAZETTED .............. 12
SPORTS SPECTACULAR TO LAUNCH ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVE ....... 13
UPDATING OF LANDLORD aND TENaNT LAW PROPOSED.................. 14
PARENTS REMINDED TO RETUFN jJ’PLICi.TION FORMS................ 15
SCS MEETS WITH TDD STaFF ..................................... 16
YUEN LONG DELEGATION VISITING U£U .iND CANADA ................. 17
USE OF CnSE STUDIES IN MANAGEMENT TRAINING .................... 18
REPLACEMENT OUTFALL AT REPULSE BAY PROPOSED ................... 19
SECTION OF HIRAM'S HIGHWAY TO BE WIDENED....................... 19
RECONSTRUCTION ,JJD WIDENING OF FOOTPATHS ON PENG CELJJ..... 20
EMPLOYMENT aGENCY LICENCE REVOKED............................ 21
TWO NEW FOOTBRIDGES FOR FUNG TAK ESTATE........................ 22
TEMPORARY LaNE CLOSURES CW LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD............... 23
APPLICATIONS FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SHORT COURSES INVITED . 23
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN MONG KOK REARRANGED............. 24
WAN CHAI NORTH BUS DIVERSION SCHEME ........................... 24
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE FOR HK OF HIGHER EDUCATION » * ♦ » *
HIGHER EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY AREA IN GOVERNMENT PLANNING, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG NEEDED TO PRODUCE MORE GRADUATES TO MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY AND VITALITY.
"WE NEED ALSO TO PRODUCE GRADUATES WHO ARE VERSATILE AND CAPABLE OF MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF AN INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY AND AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE WORLD,” HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS A SMALL PLACE WITH FEW NATURAL RESOURCES, IT DID HAVE EXCELLENT HUMAN RESOURCES. "WE MUST USE - AND TRAIN - THEM TO THE FULL,” HE SAID.
NOTING THAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE HAD GONE ABROAD FOR THEIR TERTIARY EDUCATION BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT PLACES HERE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH SEEKING EDUCATION OVERSEAS.
“BUT WE NEED TO DEVELOP OUR SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY MORE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO SO TO GO ON TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, HERE IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WERE WIDELY CONFLICTING VIEWS ON HOW THIS SHOULD BEST DE DONE.
’’BUT WHEN WE DEBATE THIS ISSUE WE NEED TO KEEP CONSTANTLY IN MIND THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
"HOW BEST CAN WE GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY SEEK? HOW BEST CAN WE HELP THEM DEVELOP INTO THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW? HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER?”
THESE WERE NOT EASY QUESTIONS, AND THEY HAD IMPLICATIONS AND REPERCUSSIONS FAR BEYOND ANY SINGLE INSTITUTION.
“BUT THEY ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONSIDER WHEN ASSESSING THE PUBLIC'S COMMENTS ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION'S PROPOSALS,” HE ADDED.
/SIR DAVID
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
2 -
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED THE AMALGAMATION OB' THREE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES TO CONSTITUTE THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN 1963 AS A POSITIVE RESPONSE BY THE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS MEETING AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
"IT WAS ALSO AN INNOVATIVE ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSITY THAT COMBINES A CHINESE CULTURAL HERITAGE, AN INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK, AND A KEEN INTEREST IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH OF THE UNIVERSITY IN THE PAST 25 YEARS WAS A REFLECTION OF THE REMARKABLE PROGRESS MADE IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
“THIS UNIVERSITY HAS ALREADY PRODUCED MORE THAN 20,000 GRADUATES. ITS STUDENT POPULATION TODAY IS FIVE TIMES AS LARGE AS IT WAS IN 1963,” HE SAID.
”A FOURTH COLLEGE, SHAW COLLEGE, HAS NOW BEEN ESTABLISHED. NEW DEGREE COURSES IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, MEDICINE, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO BROADEN THE ORIGINAL EMPHASIS ON ARTS AND SCIENCE.
”THE UNIVERSITY HAS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED THE FIRST PART-TIME DEGREE COURSES IN HONG KONG TO CATER TO THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF WORKING ADULTS.”
SIR DAVID ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO SIX DISTINGUISHED PERSONS WHO WERE BEING HONOURED AT THE DINNER AFTER RECEIVING HONORARY DEGREES FROM THE UNIVERSITY YESTERDAY IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY.
THE SIX ARE: SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, DR PETER POON WING-CHEUNG, DR ESTHER LI, PROFESSOR PAUL CHU, PROFESSOR ZHAO ZHONG-XIAN AND DR YU ZHEN-FEI.
SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, DR POON AND DR LI ‘HAD IN THEIR VARIOUS WAYS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE INTELLECTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF PROFESSOR CHU AND PROFESSOR ZHAO AND THE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE OF DR YU HAD ENRICHED THE CULTURAL AND ACADEMIC LIFE OF AN EVEN WIDER CIRCLE, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
-----0------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 3 -
28,000 REGISTER AS VOTERS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
MORE THAN 28,000 PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF REGISTRATION BETWEEN AUGUST 15 AND SEPTEMBER 30.
’’ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THEM ARE NEW APPLICATIONS," THE REGISTRATION OFFICER OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, SAID.
"THEY WILL BE PROCESSED FOR INCLUSION IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER 22,000 APPLICATIONS ALREADY RECEIVED BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD."
APPLICATIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED UNTIL NOVEMBER 21 FOR INCLUSION IN THE FINAL REGISTER, MR LAI SAID.
ONCE REGISTERED, AN ELECTOR WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS FOR THE TWO COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
ANY PERSON WHO IS OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE BY DECEMBER 31, 1988 AND WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY A RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF APPLICATION WILL BE ENTITLED TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND ALL BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG BANK AND THE HANG SENG BANK.
REGISTERED ELECTORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO SUBMIT FRESH APPLICATIONS SO LONG AS THEIR ENTRIES REMAIN ON THE REGISTER.
"THEY ARE, HOWEVER, URGED TO NOTIFY THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION OF ANY CHANGE OF REGISTERED PARTICULARS, ESPECIALLY THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS," MR LAI SAID.
"AN OUT-DATED ADDRESS MAY RESULT IN UNDELIVERY OF POLL CARDS AND THE OMISSION OF AN ELECTOR’S NAME FROM THE REGISTER."
ELECTORS MAY USE THE APPLICATION FORM .TO REPORT ANY SUCH CHANGES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION ON 5-270369 AND 5-270380.
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A....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
LEGISLATION ON PUBLIC BUS SERVICES TO BE AMENDED * t * * ♦
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED, IN PRINCIPLE, AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE BETTER REGULATION OF PASSENGER CONDUCT ON BUSES AND APPROPRIATE PENALTIES FOR BREACHES OF CONDUCT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH SIMILAR LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS GOVERNING OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
IN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZETTED TODAY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT STAFF OF BUS COMPANIES SHOULD BE GIVEN THE POWER TO ENFORCE BOTH REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS GOVERNING PASSENGER CONDUCT.
A NEW PROVISION ALLOWS REGULATIONS OR BY-LAWS TO BE MADE REQUIRING PASSENGER COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY BUS COMPANIES’ STAFF.
THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES A MINOR AMENDMENT TO THE OPERATION OF THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME WHEREBY THE INTEREST EARNED ON THE DEPOSITS FOR SELF-INSURANCE SHOULD BE TREATED AS OPERATING RECEIPTS OF THE BUS COMPANIES.
THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988 INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF POWER FOR BUS COMPANIES’ STAFF TO ASK FOR PROOF OF IDENTITY FROM ANY PASSENGER BELIEVED TO HAVE CONTRAVENED THE REGULATIONS.
NEW REGULATIONS STIPULATING THE PASSENGER CONDUCT OFFENCES AFFECTING PUBLIC OR PASSENGER SAFETY ARE ALSO PROPOSED.
THESE INCLUDE PROVISIONS TO FORBID PASSENGERS OR INTENDING PASSENGERS FROM WILFULLY DISTRACTING THE DRIVER’S ATTENTION OR OBSTRUCTING HIS LINE OF VISION; TO FORBID PASSENGERS FROM INTERFERING WITH THE WORKINGS OF BUS; TO PROHIBIT PASSENGERS FROM THROWING OR DROPPING ANYTHING FROM A BUS; AND TO FORBID PASSENGERS FROM STANDING ON THE UPPER DECK OF A BUS OR IN AREAS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF PASSENGERS.
A TWO-TIER PENALTY SYSTEM IS ALSO SUGGESTED IN ORDER TO BE CONSISTENT WITH LEGISLATION REGULATING OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONS.
UPPER-TIER PENALTIES OF MAXIMUM FINES OF $3,000 AND/OR SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ARE PROPOSED FOR RELATIVELY SERIOUS OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC OR PASSENGER SAFETY, INCLUDING BUS DRIVERS DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND PASSENGERS WILFULLY INTERFERING WITH THE WORKINGS OR ANY DEVICE OF A BUS.
AS FOR LESSER OFFENCES RELATING TO THE IMPROPER PROVISION OF BUS SERVICES SUCH AS NON-DISPLAY OF DESTINATION SIGNS OR NOTICES ON BUSES, AND DRIVERS NOT WEARING UNIFORMS, A LOWER-TIER PENALTY OF A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 IS PROPOSED.
------o ------ /5.....................
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 5 -
SASI MEET PRIVATE SECTOR GROUPS
*****
REPRESENTATIVES FROM 10 PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON ATTENDED A MEETING ON EMIGRATION MATTERS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AT THE REQUEST OF THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION.
THE ORGANISATIONS WERE THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG, CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND THE EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION OF HONG KONG.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS TO OBTAIN THE VIEWS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES ON HOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS BEING AFFECTED BY THE CURRENT LEVELS OF EMIGRATION, TO LEARN WHETHER THERE ARE ANY PARTICULAR AREAS BEING HARD HIT BY LOSSES OF SKILLED PERSONNEL AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON WHAT ACTIONS THEY THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT TAKE TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION," SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.
"THE MEETING WAS VERY USEFUL, THE PRESENT SITUATION WAS FULLY EXAMINED AND FRANKLY DISCUSSED AND A NUMBER OF IDEAS PUT FORWARD.
"THESE WILL NOW BE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE TASK FORCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-------o---------
PRISON RULES AMENDED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE PRISON (AMENDMENT) RULES 1988.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE BOARD OF REVIEW, LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES RELATING TO THE REVIEW OF LONG TERM SENTENCES. ‘
UNDER THE AMENDED PRISON RULES, THE BOARD OF REVIEW, LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES WOULD REVIEW CASES OF THOSE IMPRISONED FOR A DETERMINATE SENTENCE OF 10 YEARS OR MORE AFTER FIVE YEARS AND EVERY TWO YEARS THEREAFTER.
/CASES OF
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
CASES OF THOSE IMPRISONED FOR LESS THAN 10 YEARS WOULD NOT BE REVIEWED, EXCEPT THOSE OF YOUNG PRISONERS.
THE CASES OF YOUNG PRISONERS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE REVIEWED AFTER ONE YEAR AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER UNTIL THE AGE OF 21 AND THEREAFTER EVERY TWO YEARS.
MOREOVER, WHEN THE MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL IS ESTABLISHED, THE BOARD OF REVIEW WOULD CEASE TO REVIEW CASES OF PRISONERS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY BUT INSANE AND DETAINED UNTIL HER MAJESTY’S PLEASURE BE KNOWN.
THE BOARD OF REVIEW, LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1959 TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR THE REVIEW 01' CASES OF LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES, INCLUDING CASES OF PRISONERS DETAINED UNDER HER MAJESTY’S PLEASURE.
AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE BOARD.
THE PRISON RULES ARE YLSO AMEND TO CLARIFY THE PROVISIONS IN RELATION TO THE GRANTING OE REMISSION TO PRISONERS COMMITTED TO PRISON FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT AND TO REGULARIZE THE PRACTICE OF APPLYING TO THESE PRISONERS THI PRIVILEGES FOR PRISONERS AWAITING TRIAL.
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PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 8 PER CENT AND 42 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING 10 STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
/AS REGARDS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. AS TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BOTH ROSE BY 3 PER CENT, A RESULT, THE TERMS OF EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF JULY 1988 WITH JULY 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT AND 43 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 22 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR JULY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN JULY 1988 COMPARED WITH JULY 1987, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-43 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-14 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-11 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-10 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-10 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-9 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-9 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-5 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (-3 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, THESE DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE MORE THAN OFFSET BY INCREASES RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+40 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+26 PER CENT); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+6 PER CENT).
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/8........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
8
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JULY 1988 COMPARED WITH JULY 1987. THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+4 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+4 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+4 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+3 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+2 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+2 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-1 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-1 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-1 PER CENT); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-1 PER CENT). PRICES OF TEXTILE FABRICS REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JULY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN JULY 1988 COMPARED WITH JULY 1987. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN SUGAR; AND TEA AND COFFEE. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR WHEAT AND FLOUR; AND LIVE POULTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 33 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; FOOTWEAR; AND PASSENGER MOTOR CARS. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 25 PER CENT IN JULY 1988 COMPARED WITH JULY 1987. THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS; IRON AND STEEL; AND SILK FABRICS.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; COTTON YARN AND THREAD; AND WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 45 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN JULY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1987.
/IN THE........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT IN JULY 1988 OVER JULY 1987.
THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY OTHER THAN TEXTILE AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; AND OFFICE MACHINES. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN TEXTILE MACHINERY.
IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN JULY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1987, RANGING FROM 4 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 5 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. HOWEVER, PRICES OF IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JULY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN JULY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1987, RANGING FROM 2 PER CENT FOR FUELS TO 52 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN JULY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1987.
RE-EXPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS AND CONSUMER GOODS BOTH ROSE BY 2 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 11 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE JULY 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND OCTOBER 10 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234918).
/TABLE 1:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
10 -
«*
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP.
COMPARING JUL\ 1988 COMPARING JAN-JUL 1988
WITH JULY 1987 WITH JAN-JUL 1987
COMMODITY GROUP UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING -2 1 -3 ♦ 3 -3
TEXTILE FABRICS 10 * -10 -1 3 -4
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 12 -1 -11 -6 2 -8
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -4 2 ▼ -5 -2 5 -7
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS 44 • -1 -43 -30 3 -32 V
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 38 . -1 40 38 -1 39
FOOTWEAR -6 4 -9 2 4 -2
METAL MANUFACTURES 31 4 26 28 5 21
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -7 2 -9 27 5 20
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 9 3 6 25 3 21
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 11 -1 -10 -8 2 -10
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ALL COMMODITIES 10 6 4 2 -14 4 4 10 2 3 2 8
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3: • • •
♦ INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
PERCENTAGE CHANGES DECIMAL PLACES. THEY MAY ARE DIFFER CALCULATED FROM TRADE FROM THE PERCENTAGE INDEXES CHANGES WITH TO BE
COMPUTED DIRECTLY FROM THE ROUNDED FIGURES IN THE PUBLICATION "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
/TABLE 2: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JULY 1988 COMPARING JAN-JUL 1988 WITH JAN-JUL 1987
WITH VALUE % JULY 1987 UNIT
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 22 4 17 22 3 18
CONSUMER GOODS 38 4 33 33 3 29
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 31 4 25 28 5 22
FUELS 39 -4 45 3 1 2
CAPITAL GOODS 35 5 28 35 6 27
ALL COMMODITIES 33 4 28 30 4 24
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JULY 1988 WITH JULY 1987 COMPARING JAN-JUL 1988 WITH JAN-JUL 1987
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 56 2 52 45 1 43
CONSUMER GOODS 47 2 44 45 2 42
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 47 4 42 48 5 42
FUELS -9 -11 2 • 20 -5 27
CAPITAL GOODS 44 5 37 49 3 44
ALL COMMODITIES 47 3 43 47 3 42
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/12........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
12
APPROVED SHA TIN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN GAZETTED ♦ * * *
THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR SHA TIN, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,790 HECTARES MAINLY COMPRISING THE BOTTOM OF THE SHA TIN VALLEY IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
EXTENSIVE RECLAMATION AND CUTTINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE BELOW THE HILLS SINCE THE EARLY 1970’S FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON JULY 5 THIS YEAR, IS TO ENFORCE STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA VIDE LAND USE ZONINGS.
SUCH CONTROL WILL HELP INTEGRATE DEVELOPMENTS TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE SHA TIN AREA.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4/F, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14/F., MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE PRICE IS $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED VERSION AND $50 FOR A COLOURED PRINTED VERSION.
-------0----------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7,
1988
- 13 -
SPORTS SPECTACULAR TO LAUNCH ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
A SPORTS SPECTACULAR WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE TWO-WEEK LONG ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL IN SHA TIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND IN YUEN WO ROAD.
A HOST OF EVENTS, INCLUDING AMERICAN FOOTBALL, RUGBY, WOMEN'S HOCKEY AS WELL AS GYMNASTICS AND TABLE TENNIS DEMONSTRATION BY HONG KONG'S OLYMPIC TEAMS WILL BE STAGED.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A SOCCER MATCH BETWEEN RTHK AND SHA TIN REPRESENTATIVES' TEAMS AND 100-METRE, 200-METRE AND 100-METRE RACES AMONG REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT'S AREA COMMITTEES.
TO CREATE ATMOSPHERE FOR THE EVENT, THE POLICE AND GURKHA BANDS WILL PERFORM WHILE POLICE DOGS WILL DEMONSTRATE DETECTING AND ATTACKING SKILLS.
A SPORTS COMMENTATOR FROM RTHK, MR HO KAM-KONG WILL BE THE MASTER OF CEREMONY.
SOME 4,000 SPECTATORS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE EVENT.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG; MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR J.P. LEE; SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; AND SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LEE KWONG.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS AGAINST THE TAKING OF PROHIBITED DRUGS, ESPECIALLY AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO SERVE AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE BY PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFE AMONG THE POPULATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENINp CEREMONY-CUM-SPORTS SPECTACULAR OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND, YUEN WO ROAD.
-------0----------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
14
UPDATING OF LANDLORD AND TENANT LAW PROPOSED t ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO REFINE AND UPDATE THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER, 20.
THE MAIN PROPOSAL IS THE RAISING OF THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES FROM 35 TO 39 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT RENTS OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES ARE CONTROLLED BY REFERENCE TO THOSE PAYABLE AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941 TERMED THE ’’STANDARD RENT”.
WHEN MULTIPLIED BY A FACTOR, THIS GIVES THE PERMITTED RENT, PROVIDED THAT IT DOES NOT EXCEED THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
THE PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE FACTOR FROM LAST YEAR’S 35 TO 39 IS IN LINE WITH THE ESTABLISHED POLICY OF GRADUALLY BRINGING PERMITTED RENTS CLOSER TO PREVAILING MARKET LEVELS.
’’THE RAISING OF THE FACTOR WOULD AFFECT SOME 1,700 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC UNITS EFFECTIVELY UNDER CONTROL.
"THIS WOULD RESULT IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT OR $229 PER MONTH, ON CURRENT PERMITTED RENTS, BRINGING SUCH RENTS TO ABOUT 76 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET LEVEL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE PROPOSALS COULD TAKE EFFECT WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, IF THE BILL WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO FACILITATE THE ADMINSTRATION OF PART II OF THE ORDINANCE.
THESE INCLUDE CLARIFICATION OF THE BASIS OF RATEABLE VALUES CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE, HIS POWER TO DETERMINE THE DATE OF INCREASE IN REVIEWING A CERTIFICATE OF INCREASE IN RENT AND THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPEAL TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE PROPOSALS CAN MAKE ENQUIRIES TO THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.
0 -
/15
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 15 -
PARENTS REMINDED TO RETURN APPLICATION FORMS * t ♦ t ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED PARENTS WHO WANT TO APPLY FOR A PRIMARY 1 PLACE FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN GOVERNMENT OR AIDED SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR THAT THEY MUST RETURN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS BETWEEN NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 10) AND FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
PARENTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR A DISCRETIONARY PLACE IN A PARTICULAR GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL SHOULD RETURN THEIR COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO THAT SCHOOL DIRECT DURING SCHOOL HOURS, A SPOKESMAN FOR Till- EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
IF PARENTS DO NOT WISH TO APPLY FOR A DISCRETIONARY PLACE IN ANY PARTICULAR SCHOOL, THEY SHOULD RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM DURING OFFICE HOURS TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING COLLECTION CENTRES FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:
1. LUI REE EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE (269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, SECOND FLOOR, HONG KONG).
2. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE (KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, SIXTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON).
3. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
(TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EIGHTH FLOOR, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON).
4. SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE (FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NT).
5. TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE (TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, NT).
6. TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE (TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NT).
7. TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE (SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NT).
8. YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE (GROUND FLOOR, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NT).
9. NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, CHEUNG WAH SUB-OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE
(UNIT 115, CHEUNG CHUNG HOUSE, CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING, NT) .
/PARENTS ARE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
16
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY CAN SUBMIT ONLY ONE APPLICATION FORM.
IF PARENTS ARE FOUND TO HAVE APPLIED TO MORE THAN ONE GOVERNMENT OR AIDED SCHOOL, THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY FORFEIT THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCRETIONARY PLACE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-------0----------
SCS MEETS WITH TDD STAFF ♦ * t t t
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR H.S. GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) HELD AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GRADES OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THEY EXCHANGED VIEWS ON TRAINING PROVISIONS, WORKING CONDITION AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO STAFF WELFARE AND BENEFIT.
THE MEETING TOOK PLACE DURING MR GREWAL'S VISIT TO TDD HEADQUARTERS WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR KENNETH KWOK, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS, WHO ALSO BRIEFED HIM ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
TDD WAS FORMED IN 1986 BY AMALGAMATING THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
IT COMPRISES A SMALL HEADQUARTERS AND SEVEN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICES, EACH STAFFED BY MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS OF ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, TOWN PLANNERS, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL OFFICERS LED BY A PROJECT MANAGER.
MR GREWAL ALSO TOURED SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICES AND WAS BRIEFED ON THEIR RESPECTIVE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AND SOME OF THE MAJOR CURRENT WORKS NOW UNDERWAY.
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/17........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 17 -
YUEN LONG DELEGATION VISITING USA AND CANADA
*****
A 25-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS LEFT THE UNITED STATES FOR CANADA ON THE FINAL LEG OF A TWO-WEEK NORTH AMERICAN STUDY TOUR.
THE GROUP, WHICH LEFT HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 26, WAS EXAMINING FIRST-HAND A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES AFFECTING RESIDENTS IN HONOLULU, LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO AND VANCOUVER.
THE PROGRAMME OF BRIEFINGS FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS, ARRANGED THROUGH THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, COVERED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, TOWN PLANNING AND THE PROVISION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN THESE US CITIES.
IN SAN FRANCISCO DELEGATION LEADER, MR TAI KUEN, CHAIRMAN OF YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, SAID THAT BOARD MEMBERS FOUND THE TOUR MOST INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE.
HE ADDED THAT THE VISIT HAD ENABLED MEMBERS TO COMPARE HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT RELATED ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONTED MANY NORTH AMERICAN CITIES.
WITH HONOLULU THE FIRST STOP ON THE ITINERARY, THE DELEGATION WAS BRIEFED BY THE MAYOR’S OFFICE ON THE CITY’S TRANSPORTATION, PLANNING, PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS POLICIES.
IN LOS ANGELES THE BOARD MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING MATTERS, WHILE IN SAN FRANCISCO THE DELEGATION TOURED THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT AND WERE BRIEFED ON THE BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A COURTESY CALL TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE AND A DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE AND WORK OF THE OVERSEAS OFFICES.
THE VISIT TO VANCOUVER, WHICH CONCLUDES THE TOUR, INCLUDES A BRIEFING BY THE VANCOUVER SCHOOL BOARD ON THE CITY’S EDUCATION SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OUTLINES ON THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, TOWN PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION PLANS.
YUEN LONG IS THE SECOND DISTRICT BOARD TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD HAVING VISITED IN AUGUST 1987.
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/18
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 18 -
USE OF CASE STUDIES IN MANAGEMENT TRAINING t * * » ♦
MANAGEMENT CASE STUDIES ARE AN IMPORTANT AS WELL AS AN EFFECTIVE COMPONENT IN MANAGEMENT LEARNING AND TEACHING FOR BOTH BUSINESS STUDENTS AND PRACTISING MANAGERS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR HORACE KNIGHT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO HONOUR FOUR WINNERS OF A CASE WRITING CONTEST, MR KNIGHT SAID: "THE USE OF MANAGEMENT CASE STUDIES HELPS TO DEVELOP NEW MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES.
"CASE STUDIES CAN ALSO FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF IN-COMPANY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, AND CAN BE USED BY INDIVIDUAL MANAGERS FOR THEIR OWN SELF-DEVELOPMENT."
THE "CASE WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARDS", ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG CASE STUDY GROUP AND THE COUNCIL’S MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (MDC), IS TO PROMOTE THE USE OF CASE STUDIES IN MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND TO FACILITATE THE CREATION OF THE MANAGEMENT CASE CLEARING HOUSE - A CASE STUDY DATA BANK TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE LIBRARY.
A TOTAL OF 28 SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. CASES WERE OF HIGH QUALITY AND WILL BE KEPT IN THE SHORTLY OPENED CASE CLEARING HOUSE FOR PUBLIC REFERENCE.
MR KNIGHT SAID THAT THE PROVISION OF WIDE-RANGING INFORMATION AND ADVISORY SERVICES AT MDC IS VERY VALUABLE FOR THE TEACHING AND BUSINESS COMMUNITIES.
"THE INFORMATION CONCERNING DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT LEARNING METHODOLOGIES SUCH AS ACTION LEARNING, COMPUTER BASED AND INTERACTIVE VIDEO TRAINING, DISTANCE LEARNING AND UP-TO-DATE DATA ON MANAGEMENT COURSES HAS BEEN SELECTED BY MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEEDS OF LOCAL BUSINESS.
"MOREOVER, THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF MDC . HAVE PUBLISHED MANY REPORTS AND HAVE WORKED WITH HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES TO ENSURE THEIR WORK IS PRACTICAL AND RELEVANT TO THE SITUATIONS OF HONG KONG," MR KNIGHT ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE AWARD-WINNING CASES, MR MICHAEL CUMBERS, DIRECTOR OF MDC, SAID, "ALL FOUR CASES ARE BASED ON ACTUAL COMPANIES IN HONG KONG AND ARE ESSENTIALLY RELATED TO LOCAL SITUATIONS."
"THESE CASES CAN BE USED IN LEARNING SITUATIONS BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES WHICH MANAGERS FACE TODAY."
THE FOUR WINNERS ARE MR SO KAM HO OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, MR DANIEL HUI OF CITY POLYTECHNIC, MR ALFRED SIU OF LINGNAN COLLEGE AND MRS LORETT HO OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.
PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED BY MR GAGE MCAFEE, TRUSTEE or THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, WHICH SPONSORED AND PROVIDED THE PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS.
------0------- /19......................
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 19 -
REPLACEMENT OUTFALL AT REPULSE BAY PROPOSED
♦ * * * *
GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW SUBMARINE OUTFALL AT REPULSE BAY TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE.
IT WILL BE PARALLEL TO THE EXISTING OUTFALL AT THE REPULSE BAY CHLORINATION PLANT WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 2.67 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
DREDGING AND BACKFILLING OF THE SEABED WITHIN THE LIMITS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED.
THE WORK WILL COMMENCE IN JANUARY 1989 AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE. 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, < 11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG; AND THE STANLEY SUB-OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 88 STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 6, 1988.
-----o------
SECTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY TO BE WIDENED
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO WIDEN A SECTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AT ITS JUNCTION WITH PIER ACCESS ROAD TO.PROVIDE A RIGHT TURN LANE TO THAT ROAD.
REFUGE ISLANDS WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO GUIDE AND HELF IHE PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE ROAD.
AT PRESENT, THAT PARTICULAR JUNCTION IS LOCATED ON A SHARP BEND WITHOUT PROVISION FOR RIGHT TURNING TRAFFIC NOR ROAD CROSSING FACILITY FOR PEDESTRIANS.
/APART FROM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7» 1988
- 20 -
APART FROM THIS, THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IN PAf( SHA WAN WILL INCREASE THE TURNING TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS THERE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME ON THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, ON OR BEF DECEMBER 6, 1988.
--------o----------
RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF FOOTPATHS ON PENG CHAU
* * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT ROAD WORKS ON PENG CHAU TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE SITES FOR THE RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, VARIOUS COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF TWO EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF PEDESTRIAN WAYS RECLAIMED LAND NEAR THE FERRY PIER AND NEAR THE BRIDGE TO TAI LEI ISLAND.
SECTIONS OF CERTAIN EXISTING FOOTPATHS WITHIN THE SITE FOR THE FUTURE RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN EARLY 1989 AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1990.
/DETAILS OF
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 21 -
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE. A NOTICE, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAS ALSO BEEN POSTED NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF 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; AND ISLANDS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, AND ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 6, 1988.
-----o------
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENCE REVOKED *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS REVOKED THE LICENCE OF QUEENSLAND PERSONNEL SERVICES IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO OPERATE AN EMPLOYMENT
AGENCY.
THIS FOLLOWS A COURT CASE IN WHICH THE LICENSEE OF THE AGENCY WAS FINED $2,000 BY A WESTERN MAGISTRATE FOR CHARGING TWO FILIPINA JOB-SEEKERS EACH $103 ON FIRST REGISTRATION.
RECORDS ALSO SHOWED THAT THE DEFENDANT HAD BEEN CHARGED FOR A SIMILAR OFFENCE IN APRIL 1985 WHEN SHE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY BOUND OVER IN THE SUM OF $500 FOR 12 MONTHS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, THE AMOUNT OF FEE THAT CAN BE CHARGED TO JOB-SEEKERS FOR FIRST REGISTRATION AND SUBSEQUENT RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF $5.
THE MAXIMUM COMMISSION CHARGEABLE TO A JOB-SEEKER BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AFTER SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT IS TEN PER CENT OF HIS FIRST MONTH SALARY.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATORS THAT UNDER THF EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MAY REFUSE TO ISSUE OR RENEW A LICENCE, OR MAY REVOKE A LICENCE IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS WHEN THE NAME OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY IS IDENTICAL WITH OR RESEMBLES THE NAME OF ANOTHER EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, OR WHEN THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY IS BEING OR LIKELY TO BE USED FOR UNLAWFUL OR IMMORAL PURPOSES.
HE ADVISED JOB-SEEKERS TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS OPERATORS AND TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED UNLICENSED EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTRATION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT EITHER IN PERSON OR ON TELEPHONE 5-8523543.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 22 -
TVo NEW FOOTBRIDGES FOR FUNG TAK ESTATE I * * I ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD TWO FOOTBRIDGES TO FACILITATE SEGREGATED PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT AT FUNG TAK ESTATE, DIAMOND HILL NORTH.
WHEN COMPLETED IN OCTOBER, 1991, THE ESTATE WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 22,000.
THE FIRST FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH IS THREE METRES WIDE WITH AN ACCESS STAIRCASE AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, WILL BE LINKED TO THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM AT THE JUNCTION OF FUNG TAK ROAD AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
PEDESTRIANS USING THIS FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH THE ENTRANCE PLAZA OF FUNG TAK ESTATE COMMERCIAL CENTRE VIA A LINK BRIDGE.
THE SECOND FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH IS 1.7 METRES WIDE WITH ACCESS STAIRS AND RAMPS AT BOTH ENDS, WILL SPAN FUNG TAK ROAD AND CONNECT LUNG POON COURT WITH THE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT FUNG TAK ESTATE.
DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN BRIDGE DECK OF THIS FOOTBRIDGE, TEMPORARY SUPPORTS WILL BE ERECTED IN THE MIDDLE OF FUNG TAK ROAD CARRIAGEWAY FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME ON THE PROPOSAL CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
♦ DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
♦ WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 6, 1988.
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/23
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 25 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORK, SECTIONS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN OCTOBER 10 (MONDAY) AND 15 (SATURDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED DAILY FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON OCTOBER 10 AND 11.
DURING THE SAME TIME ON BOTH OCTOBER 13 (THURSDAY) AND 14, THE SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
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APPLICATIONS FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SHORT COURSES INVITED » » * * ♦
THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ARE NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR 128 SHORT COURSES WITH THE AIM OF UPDATING THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF WORKING PEOPLE.
THE SHORT COURSES COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
THESE ARE IN THE AREAS OF APPLIED SCIENCE, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
THESE 10 TO 60 HOUR SHORT COURSES WILL BE HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND MARCH.
CLASSES WILL NORMALLY MEET IN THE EVENING FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME COURSES CONDUCTED IN THE DAY-TIME.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN TOMORROW’S NEWSPAPERS. APPLICATION FORMS AND A GUIDE TO APPLICANTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY OF THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22.
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/24........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1988
- 2^ -
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN MONG KOK REARRANGED ♦ ♦ T ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS ON SHANTUNG STREET IN MONG KOK WILL BE RE-ARRANGED PROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 10) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON SHANTUNG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH WILL BE LIFTED.
HOWEVER, A NEW 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLE RWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON SHANTUNG STREET BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 26 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH.
IN ADDITION, THE CURRENT 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE ON SHANTUNG STREET BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND SAI YFUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARDS FOR ABOUT 26 METROS.
NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THIS RESTRICTED ZONE.
------0 ------
WAN CHAI NORTH BUS DIVERSION SCHEME
* * ♦ ♦ ♦
A BUS DIVERSION SCHEME, AIMED AT IMPROVING THE JOURNEY TIME OF CROSS HARBOUR BUSES AND BUSES USING THE EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI NORTH FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED BUS PASSENGERS.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, A BUS GATE WILL BE PROVIDED ON HUNG HING ROAD FOR CROSS HARBOUR BUSES TO ENTER THE TUNNEL PORTAL VIA THE LESS BUSY ROADS IN WAN CHAI NORTH.
CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES 104, 105 AND A2 WILL BE DIVERTED FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND TO FLEMING ROAD, HARBOUR ROAD, TONNOCHY ROAD, HUNG HING ROAD AND TO JOIN THE TUNNEL TRAFFIC VIA THE BUS GATE.
THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. A BUS STOP FOR THESE CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN HARBOUR ROAD NEAR HARBOUR CENTRE.
CMB ROUTES 10A, 20, 21, 22, 80, 81M, 720, 721, 722, 780 AND 781 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND TO FLEMING ROAD,CONVENT ION AVENUE, HUNG HING ROAD FLYOVER AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD.
A NEW BUS STOP FOK THESE ROUTES WILL BE DESIGNATED ON CONVENTION AVENUE IN FRONT OF THE WAN CHAI FERRY PIER.
THE DIVERSION OF THESE CMB BUS ROUTES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING PEAK HOURS ONLY (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) SO THAT THESE BUSES CAN BYPASS VEHICLE QUEUES ON EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD.
------O-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT TEAM TO PRESS FOR VBP REPATRIATION ................... 1
AWARDS FOR DEDICATED SOCIAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS ............. 2
DISABLED URGED TO REGISTER NEED FOR SERVICES ............... J
DIRECT ACCESS FOR DISABLED AT SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX............ 4
WORK ON REPROVISIONING OF DOLPHINS AUTHORISED............... 4
UC CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND COMPLEX BENEFIT WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS.............................................. 5
PUBLICITY PARADE TO KEEP DISTRICT CLEAN .................... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TaI PO.................... 7
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON TAI PO ROaD FANLING.............. 7
SPECImL CmR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ........................ 8
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
JOINT TEAM TO PRESS FOR VBP REPATRIATION * * * * *
THE JOINT UK/HK TEAM WILL PRESS FOR THE REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS WITH VIETNAM NEXT WEEK, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING FOR LONDON, MR BARNES SAID THE UK/HK SIDE WOULD ALSO BE PRESSING THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES TO STOP THE OUTFLOW OF PEOPLE LEAVING VIETNAM FOR HONG KONG.
"AND THIRDLY, WE SHALL BE PRESSING THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES ALSO TO ACCEPT THE EARLY REPATRIATION OF THOSE VIETNAMESE IN HONG KONG WHO HAVE REQUESTED A RETURN TO VIETNAM," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THESE AIMS WOULD BE VERY MUCH THE SAME AS WHAT THE UK/HK SIDE HAD DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS.
HE ADDED THAT BOTH SIDES WOULD ISSUE A JOINT STATEMENT AT THE END OF THE TALKS.
ASKED WHETHER THE QUESTION OF FINANCIAL AIDS FOR HANOI WOULD BE DISCUSSED DURING THE TALKS, MR BARNES SAID THE QUESTION OF ANY FINANCIAL AIDS WAS LIKELY TO COME UP DURING THE COURSE OF THE TALKS.
"1 THINK WE WOULD SEE IT AS BEING VERY MUCH A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE WHICH INCORPORATED THE REPATRIATION IMMIGRANTS TO VIETNAM," HE SAID.
PART
OF A
OF ILLEGAL
MR BARNES SAID THE TALKS WOULD BE HELD AT THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK.
THE JOINT UK/HK TEAM WILL BE LED BY MR ROBIN MCLAREN, ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE, SUPPORTED BY FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS.
THE HONG KONG SIDE WILL INCLUDE THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR RICHARD CLIFT; MR BARNES AND A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FUR SECURITY, MR ALAN FUNG.
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/2........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
- 2
AWARDS FOR DEDICATED SOCIAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
*****
FIFTEEN SOCIAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS HAVE WON THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICE AWARD FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
EACH WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION, A TROPHY AND A BOOK COUPON IN A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL IN AP LEI CHAU.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SEMINAR ON "VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE". THE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MR HUI YIN-FAT, HAS BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK ON "THE MEANING OF VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE".
HIS SPEECH WILL FOCUS ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY VOLUNTARY WORKERS.
ABOUT PAST 60 WINNERS OF THE AWARD SCHEME WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR AND THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE.
THE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE LED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS FROM FIVE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND VIEWS WILL BE CONSOLIDATED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER.
ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE SOUTHERN DISTICT SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME HAS BEEN HELD SUCCESSFULLY SINCE 1983/84.
IT AIMS TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO THOSE WHO HAVE RENDERED COMMENDABLE VOLUNTARY SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S SCHEME WERE CHOSEN FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS COMPRISING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
APART FROM MR HUI, OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ARE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MRS JUDY MAULDON; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR KO TAM-KAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICE AWARD SCHEME AND SEMINAR ON "VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICES" WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------o--------- /?.......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
- 5 -
DISABLED URGED TO REGISTER NEED FOR SERVICES *****
DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THEIR NEEDS FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES, A SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (REHABILITATION), MR LAU KAI-CHUEN, SAID THAT TWO SPECIAL UNITS WERE SET UP BY THE DEPARTMENT EARLY THIS YEAR TO HELP IN THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR PRE-SCHOOL DISABLED CHILDREN AND DISABLED ADULTS.
INPUTS ABOUT THE DEMAND AND THE PLACEMENT SITUATION OF THESE CLIENT GROUPS ARE PROCESSED AND KEPT AT THE TWO UNITS, KNOWN AS THE CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED PRE-SCHOOLERS AND THE CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED ADULTS.
"SUCH DATA ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES AS WELL AS FOR PLANNING PURPOSE," MR LAU SAID.
HE NOTED THAT ESTIMATES OF DEMAND FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES HAD ALWAYS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT TASK IN THE ABSENCE OF RELIABLE DATA, ADDING THAT PROJECTIONS DERIVED FROM OVERSEAS PREVALENCE RATES HAD BEEN PROVED TO BE NOT REALISTIC FOR THE LOCAL SITUATION.
"WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE TWO SYSTEMS, THE DEPARTMENT CAN ADOPT A MORE PRAGMATIC APPROACH BY USING THE ACTUAL ENROLMENT IN EXISTING SERVICES, THE NUMBER OF DISABLED PERSONS ON THE WAITING LISTS, AS WELL AS AN ARBITRARY ADDITIONAL 30 PER CENT OF THIS 'EXPRESSED DEMAND’ TO PROJECT THE 'HIDDEN DEMAND’," HE SAID.
"THE SYSTEMS CAN PRESENT US WITH A MORE ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND SITUATION AND HELP PREVENT DOUBLE OR EVEN MULTIPLE-WAITLISTING WHICH MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST.
"THEY ALSO ALLOW FREQUENT UPDATING OF THE CHANGING NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF APPLICANTS TO EFFECT A CHANGE OF ’QUEUE’ FROM ONE SERVICE TO ANOTHER WHEN NECESSARY AND ENABLE THE ADOPTION OF UNIFORMITY IN REFERRAL PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION CRITERIA AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WITH PRIORITY FOR URGENT REFERRALS ON THE BASIS OF NEEDS,” HE SAID.
HE URGED DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO COME FORWARD TO REGISTER THEIR NEEDS FOR ANY REHABILITATION SERVICES OR ANY CHANGE IN SERVICE REQUIRED.
"IN MAKING THEIR NEEDS KNOWN, THEY WILL NOT ONLY HELP THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, BUT WILL ALSO HELP THE GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE BETTER PLANNING FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES," HE ADDED.
THEY CAN CONTACT ANY OF THE SWD FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICES UNITS OR THE OFFICES OF WELFARE AGENCIES PROVIDING REHABILITATION SERVICES OR TELEPHONE THE SWD HOTLINE 3-432255.
- - 0 -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
4 -
DIRECT ACCESS FOR DISABLED AT SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX « » » « »
DISABLED PEOPLE CAN HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO EVERY CORNER INSIDE THE 14-STOREY URBAN COUNCIL SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX, MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS & TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WERE TOLD TODAY.
THE MEMBERS WERE TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED AT THE COMPLEX BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED INCLUDE RAMPS AT ALL ENTRANCES, SPECIALLY-DESIGNED CONTROL PANELS INSIDE LIFTS, DIRECT ACCESS FROM LIFTS TO ALL VENUES AND TOILETS FOR THE DISABLED ON EVERY FLOOR.
COVERING A SITE OF 3 670 SQUARE METRES, THE $192 MILLION COMPLEX WILL HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF MARKETING, SPORTS, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES. IT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ADVISES THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR HENRIETTA IP ON ACCESS AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH ALSO JOINED THE VISIT THIS MORNING.
CAPTION: PHOTO SHOWS MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS & TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED AT '1 HE 14-STOREY URBAN COUNCIL SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX.
- - 0 -
WORK ON REPROVISIONING OF DOLPHINS AUTHORISED » » * » ♦
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT NEW DOLPHINS AND REMOVE TWO EXISTING DOLPHINS NEAR THE SOUTH EASTERN END OF THE AIRPORT RUNWAY AT KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER.
THIS WILL INCREASE THE TYPHOON SHELTER’S CAPACITY IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY ALONG ITS PERIMETER.
THE WORK WILL COMMENCE IN JANUARY 1989 AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 10 MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NO!ICE CF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
/THE NOTICE,
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
- 5 -
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, DISTRICT GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, 3RD FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY DELIVER TO ’1 HE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 6, 1989.
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UC CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND COMPLEX BENEFIT WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS * * * » »
THE $59.34 MILLION CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND COMPLEX PROVIDE RETAIL MARKETING FACILITIES, A COOKED-FOOD CENTRE, AND BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY BY URBAN COUNCILLOR MRS NELLIE FONG WHEN SHE OFFICIALLY OPENED THE CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND CHOI HUNG ROAD COMPLEX.
THIS FOUR-HECTARE PROJECT WILL BE USED BY THE MORE THAN 100 000 RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT INCLUDING SAN PO KONG, TUNG TAU, LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, DIAMOND HILL AND CHOI HUNG ESTATES AS WELL AS THE LUNG POON COURT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
MRS FONG SAID THE CHOI HUNG ROAD COMPLEX HAD A TWO-STOREY MARKET ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE 75 LARGE MARKET STALLS.
"HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE EXISTING MARKET FLOOR AREA, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED ALTERATION TO THE LARGE-SIZED VEGETABLE AND SOME DRY GOODS STALLS."
"THE ALTERATION, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1989, WILL PROVIDE AN INCREASE OF 28 STALLS, MAKING A TOTAL OF 103 MARKET STALLS TO ACCOMMODATE THE 74 LICENSED FIXED PITCH HAWKERS TRADING A'l SHUNG LING STREET AND KAM WING STREET, THEREBY IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA AS WELL AS ENHANCING THE VIABILITY OF THE MARKET," SHE SAID.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT THE COMPLEX INCLUDED A MULTI-PURPOSF HALL FOR BADMINTON, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL Willi A SEATING CAPACITY 01 800, FOUR AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS AUD THREE GAMES ROOMS FOR MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES.
/TURNING TO
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
- 6 -
TURNING TO THE PLAYGROUND, MRS EONG SAID THAT IT WAS DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES. PHASE 1, COMPLETED IN 1985, HAD TWO 5-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCHES, A 400-METRE JOGGING PATH, A CHILDREN’S LIBRARY AND A LANDSCAPED GARDEN. PHASE II, COMPLETED IN LATE 1987, PROVIDED A BADMINTON CENTRE, VOLLEYBALL COURTS, BASKETBALL COURTS, TENNIS COURTS, A HANDBALL COURT, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, A REST GARDEN AND A COMPLEX.
IN ADDITION TO THIS MAGNIFICENT PROJECT, MRS FONG SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS PLANNING MORE RECREATIONAL, MARKETING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE FACILITIES FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS, NAMELY THREE SQUASH COURTS AT KAI TAK EAST INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING NEXT MONTH.
’’THE HAMMER HILL ROAD SPORTS GROUND WILL BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR WHILE THE SHATIN PASS ROAD PLAYGROUND PHASE II PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE SAME TIME. MEANWHILE, THE SHEUNG FUNG STREET MARKET IS EXPECTED TO START OPERATIONS IN MID-1989.
’’OTHER PROJECTS UNDER ACTIVE PLANNING INCLUDE A LEISURE POOL WITH INNOVATIVE AND ATTRACTIVE PLEASURE FACILITIES AT THE HAMMER HILL,THE SHATIN PASS ROAD PLAYGROUND PHASE III PROJECT, A DISTRICT LIBRARY AND AN OFF-STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT SHUNG LING STREET.
’’THESE DEMONSTRATE THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION OF MODERN RECREATION, MARKET AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR URBAN RESIDENTS IN ORDER TO UPGRADE THEIR LIVING STANDARD,” MRS FONG SAID.
-------0 -
PUBLICITY PARADE TO KEEP DISTRICT CLEAN
* t t * ♦
A KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN PUBLICITY PARADE WILL BE LAUNCHED IN EASTERN DISTRICT TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PARADE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
A PARADE COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL TOUR AROUND THE DISTRICT ON A DECORATED OPEN-TOP DOUBLE-DECKER. THEY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REFUSE COLLECTION TEAM.
THE PARADE WILL STOP AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO BROADCAST THE ’PITCHING-IN’ THEME SONG AND TO DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS AND LEAFLETS PUBLICISING THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGE.
/AN OPENING
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1988
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM IN THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 230 CHAI WAN ROAD BEFORE THE PARADE.
TO ENHANCE THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGE, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD PLANS TO LAUNCH A CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN AND A CLEAN PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AWARD SCHEME TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
- 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI PO
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TAI PO FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11) TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK AT THE JUNCTION OF ON CHEE ROAD AND ON CHEUNG ROAD.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM ON CHEE ROAD EASTBOUND INTO ON CHEUNG ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTE NO. 64K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO TAI WO ROAD, WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH TING KOK ROAD, ON CHEE ROAD AND ON CHEUNG ROAD. ALSO, IT WILL NOT OBSERVE THE EXISTING BUS STOPS OUTSIDE AND OPPOSITE EIGHTLAND GARDEN.
THE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.
- 0 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON TAI PO ROAD FANLING
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON TAI PO ROAD FANLING (FANLING BY-PASS) FROM OCTOBER 11 TO 13 AND FROM OCTOBER 25 TO 27 FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD FANLING SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE AND KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN OCTOBER 11 (TUESDAY) AND 13 (THURSDAY).
FROM OCTOBER 25 TO 27, THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD FANLING SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT AND SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
- 0 -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8,
1988
- 8 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION t * ♦ ’ ♦
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $3,225,700 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 162 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $2,000,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER 828 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $550,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,500 FOR DU735.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY'S AUCTION 1:
AD9876 $ 4,000 BJ3339 $ 5,500 DW139 $ 13,000 DW9398 $ 5,100
DK929 15,000 DW918 8,000 DU7 32 3,500 BR87 38,000
AC973 3,000 DW777 50,000 1129 50,000 DW233 24,000
AW750 3,500 AB663 39,000 DW308 16,000 DX1389 7,000
CL819 3,500 DX180 12,000 DW315 2,500 828 5 50,00.0
DD1133 25,000 DX289 16,000 DX993 6,000 DX983 5,500
CP192 4,500 DX1212 23,000 DX881 7,000 CF172 4,500
DU785 4,000 AA285 12,000 162 2,000,000 DY1111 100,000
DX3282 10,000 DX328 32,000 DW688 33,600 BR189 10,000
DW10 50,000 DX911 25,000 BG677 3,500 DU735 1,500
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 130TH ORGANISED BY THE . TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $67,212,332.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CS PRAISES SPIRIT OF DISABLED ATHLETES ......................... 1
FAREWELL PARADE FOR AMS COMMISSIONER ........................... 1
SERVICES TO DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS FURTHER IMPROVED .............. 2
NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED .................................... 4
HIGH LEVEL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR TAI PO ...................... 4
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL BELOW NORMAL ................................ 5
DRAFT PTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON COMMITTEE AGENDA ............ 8
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UNSCRUPULOUS TAXI DRIVERS ......... 9
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF SHA TIN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE 10
•
CHAI WAN TO GET ITS FIRST IGH ................................. 10
APA ACCREDITATION PANEL HOLDS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW .......... 11
RENOWNED FLAUTIST TO GIVE MASTERCLASS ......................... 12
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
1
CS PRAISES SPIRIT OF DISABLED ATHLETES
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (SUNDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR HONG KONG SPORTSMEN WHO WILL TAKE PART IN THE 1988 SEOUL PARALYMPIC.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN SPORT GENERALLY, AND IN INTERNATIONAL SPORT IN PARTICULAR, EPITOMISED THE SPIRIT IN THE MOTTO OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED: "IT’S ABILITY, NOT DISABILITY, THAT COUNTS."
"THE HARD WORK OF THE HONG KONG TEAM AND THEIR EXCELLENT RESULTS IN WINNING 17 MEDALS IN THE 1984 PARALYMPIC ARE FINE EXAMPLES OF THAT SPIRIT IN ACTION," SIR DAVID NOTED.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ARRANGING TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE SPORTSMEN AND THAT OF ALL THE SPONSORS FOR HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ' SPORTS EVENTS.
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FAREWELL PARADE FOR AMS COMMISSIONER * * * *
MORE THAN 2,500 OFFICERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING ATTENDED THE COMMISSIONER PARADE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK AND TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID FAREWELL TO DR K.L. THONG, THEIR OUT-GOING COMMISSIONER.
THE AMS HAS BEEN UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DR THONG SINCE 1977 WHO IS RETIRING AFTER 12 YEARS IN OFFICE.
FORMED IN 1950, THE AMS HAS GROWN FROM A MEAGRE MEMBERSHIP OF 2,000 INTO A VERY LARGE FORCE WITH OVER 6,000 MEMBERS.
IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE PARADE, DR THONG RECALLED THAT AT THE BEGINNING THE AMS COULD JUST PROVIDE FIRST AID SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, BUT TODAY SERVICES ARE GREATLY EXTENDED COVERING THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME, LIFE SAVING SERVICE AND AMBULANCE SERVICE IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.
"IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY FOR THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, OUR MEMBERS ARE ALSO DEPLOYED TO WORK IN DETENTION CENTRES AND RECEPTION CENTRES TO PROVIDE ROUND-THE-CLOCK MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR THE BOAT PEOPLE," HE SAID.
/THE COMMISSIONER .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER % 1988
2
THE COMMISSIONER TOLD MEMBERS THAT PILING WORK FOR THE HEADQUARTERS AND TRAINING CENTRE AT HOMANTIN HILL WILL COMMENCE MONTH, AND MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FACILITIES AFTER BUILDING IS COMPLETED IN 1991.
AMS THIS
THE
DR THONG ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL MEMBERS OF THE FORCE FOR THEIR STAUNCH SUPPORT IN THE PAST YEARS.
AFTER THE PARADE, HE PRESENTED THE CIVIL DEFENCE LONG MEDALS AND CLASPS TO 31 AMS MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR
SERVICES DEDICATED
EFFORTS.
THE COMMISSIONER’S SHIELD WAS PRESENTED TO WESTERN DISTRICT D TEAM, THE OVERALL CHAMPION TEAM COMPETITION, AND DR K.L. THONG’S SHIELD WAS ALSO SHATIN DISTRICT TEAM, THE BEST TEAM ON THE PARADE.
THE CENTRAL AND IN INTER-REGIONAL PRESENTED TO THE
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SERVICES TO DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS FURTHER IMPROVED
*****
THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY INSTALLED THREE SETS OF TELEVISION MONITORS AND VIDEO-RECORDERS TO FURTHER IMPROVE ITS SERVICES TO DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS.
THE EQUIPMENT, COSTING SOME $30,000, WERE DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WITH THE INSTALLATION OF SUCH EQUIPMENT, VIDEO TAPES ON REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND OTHER COUNTRIES, CAREERS CHOICE, CAUSES AND TYPES OF DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE COULD BE SHOWN READILY TO BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS, THEIR PARENTS, AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.
"ALSO, THE SHOWING OF VIDEO FILMS ON REHABILITATION AND RELATED SUBJECTS ENABLES DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE RANGE OF JOBS AVAILABLE TO THEM, AND THEIR PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE NEEDS OF THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN SO AS TO GIVE THEM APPROPRIATE CARE AND SUPPORT," HE SAID.
/IN FACT, ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
TN FACT THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, THE DEPARTMENT COULD ALSO MAKE USE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT TO ENRICH PLACEMENT OFFICERS’ KNOWLEDGE ON THE Ses? DEVELOPMENT IN REHABILITATION SERVICES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE SELECTIVE PHYSICALLY DISABLED,
PLACEMENT DIVISION OFFERS FREE ASSISTANCE TO MENTALLY RETARDED AND EX-MENTALLY ILL PERSONS
SEEKING OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
THE NUMBER OF DISABLED HAD INCREASED FROM 113 IN 1980 LAST YEAR. OF THESE, ABOUT 60
PEOPLE PLACED IN JOBS BY THE WHEN THE SERVICE STARTED, PER CENT FOUND JOBS IN
DIVISION
TO 1,030
PRODUCTION
RELATED WORK.
MANY EMPLOYERS HAVE IN
FACT
BEEN TAKING ON DISABLED
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL FIRST BECAUSE THEY RECOGNISE THAT THE ABILITIES OF MANY DISABLED FAR OUT-WEIGH THEIR DISABILITIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REGULARLY THROUGH THE DIVISION
EMPLOYEES
PLACEMENT
PERSONS
IN RECOGNITION OF THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE community BY THESE EMPLOYERS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ORGANISES ANNUALLY A PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIRS TO THOSE WHO TAKE ON THE LARGEST NUMBER OF DISABLED PEOPLE DURING THE YEAR.
FIRMS WHICH HAVE MADE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO RE-ARRANGE DUTIES AND RE-DEPLOY STAFF IN A BID TO ACCOMMODATE DISABLED EMPLOYEES WILL AL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION.
(OCTOBER
THIS YEAR THE PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 11) AT HOTEL VICTORIA IN SHUN TAK CENTRE, CENTRAL, WHEN COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS CERTIFICATES TO SOME 20 LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO ALL EMPLOYERS TO BETTER UTILISE RELATIVELY UNTAPPED SOURCE OF MANPOWER - DISABLED PERSONS. THE CONTACT THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION EITHER IN PERSON TELEPHONE 5-291974, 3-7554835 OR 0-4988444.
THE AND
THE
CAN
OR
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE ALSO INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT She VICTORIA BALLROOM, HOTEI. VICTORIA, SHUN 1AK CENTRAL, AT 4 PM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11).
TO BF CENTRE,
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * * « *
A 150-ROOM HOTEL WAS AMONG 50 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN JULY.
OF THE PLANS, 17 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE WERE FOR KOWLOON AND 24 WERE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 21 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS; FIVE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND EIGHT FOR FACTORY, GODOWN, WAREHOUSE AND WORKSHOP PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT TO START WORK ON 44 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 304,891.8 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 210,772 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $784 MILLION, WITH USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES BEING ABOUT 60,500 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 261,300 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 55 OCCUPATION PERMITS, 16 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 FOR KOWLOON AND 29 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 36 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 73 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 696 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 905 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 105 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 457 BUILDINGS, 177 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 210 IN KOWLOON AND 70 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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HIGH LEVEL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR TAI PO *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT A HIGH LEVEL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AT TAI PO EAST TO PROVIDE FRESH WATER TO DEVELOPMENTS IN AREAS 30, 55 AND 57 TO THE NORTH OF TING KOK ROAD.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER SERVIC: RESERVOIR WITH A CAPACITY OF 2,200 CUBIC METRES, A PUMPING STATION AND THE LAYING OF A TOTAL OF 2,040 METRES OF WATER MAIN OF 250 TO 600 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR THEIR SUBMISSION IS NOON ON OCTOBER 28.
-------o -------- /5..........................
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
- 5 -
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL BELOW NORMAL *****
ALTHOUGH TYPHOON KIT POSED A THREAT TO'HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER AND NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL NO. 3, IT DID NOT BRING ANY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RAIN.
THE RAINFALL AMOUNT OF 109.9 MILLIMETRES RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER WAS 66 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 320.4 MILLIMETRES.
SINCE JANUARY 1, THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL WAS 1,491.0 MILLIMETRES, 27 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 2,043.5 MILLIMETRES.
WITH THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON PREVAILING OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, THE WEATHER IN HONG KONG WAS MAINLY CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL SHOWERS FOR THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF SEPTEMBER.
AN APPROACHING TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FROM THE NORTH BROUGHT HEAVIER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 4.
ALTHOUGH SHOWERS CONTINUED TO AFFECT THE TERRITORY ON SEPTEMBER 5 AND 6, THE WEATHER BECAME GENERALLY FINE ON SEPTEMBER 7 AS THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON GRADUALLY WEAKENED.
APART FROM SOME MORNING SHOWERS, THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12.
ON THAT DAY, SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS TOGETHER WITH PLENTIFUL SUNSHINE BROUGHT THE DAYTIME TEMPERATURE TO A MAXIMUM OF 32.6 DEGREES, WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
EARLY ON SEPTEMBER 13, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED AS WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE EAST. HOWEVER, GENERALLY FINE WEATHER RETURNED THAT AFTERNOON AND CONTINUED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15.
WINDS THEN BECAME NORTHERLY EARLY ON SEPTEMBER 16 BUT TURNED EASTERLY AGAIN THAT NIGHT. THE EASTERLIES FRESHENED AND BROUGHT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WHICH CONTINUED INTO THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER, THE WEATHER IMPROVED AND BECAME FINE DURING THE DAY.
OTHER THAN A FEW MORNING SHOWERS, GENERALLY FINE WEATHER PREVAILED ON SEPTEMBER 18 AND 19.
THE CIRCULATION ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL STORM KIT WHICH WAS OVER THE ISLAND OF LUZON BEGAN TO AFFECT THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND THE WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY.
/THE WEATHER
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, ">988
THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE DURING THE DAY BUT TURNED CLOUDY THAT EVENING. AS KIT CONTINUED TO MOVE CLOSER, WINDS BEGAN TO STRENGTHEN EARLY ON SEPTEMBER 21.
THE INCREASED THREAT OF KIT NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO. 1 AT 8.45 AM ON SEPTEMBER 21. WINDS CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN DURING THE DAY AS KIT MOVED CLOSER TO THE SOUTH CHINA COAST. THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS HOISTED AT 9 PM.
KIT MADE LANDFALL BETWEEN SHANWEI AND SHANTOU DURING THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 22, AND IN HONG KONG, ALL SIGNALS WERE LOWERED AT 9.10 AM.
ALTHOUGH KIT WAS ABOUT 170 KM NORTHEAST AT ITS CLOSEST APPROACH, IT DID NOT BRING MUCH RAIN TO THE TERRITORY. THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY TO OVERCAST ON SEPTEMBER 22.
JUST BEFORE KIT MADE LANDFALL, AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE TO THE SOUTH OF X1SHA DEVELOPED INTO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION NAMED MAMIE ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 21.
IT MOVED TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON A NORTHWARD COURSE AND BROUGHT OVERCAST SKIES AND PERIODS OF RAIN TO HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 23.
ENHANCED BY THE NORTHEAST MONSOON, WINDS BECAME STRONG OFFSHORE THAT EVENING. RAIN CONTINUED INTO THE NEXT MORNING EVEN AFTER MAMIE WEAKENED INTO AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE TO THE NORTHEAST OF HONG KONG.
THE REMNANTS OF MAMIE REMAINED ALMOST STATIONARY AND THE WEATHER IN HONG KONG WAS CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 26.
A DRIER AND COOLER NORTHERLY AIRSTREAM THEN REACHED HONG KONG THAT EVENING. THE SKY BEGAN TO CLEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE THE NEXT MORNING FELL TO 21.9 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH.
OTHER THAN SOME LIGHT RAIN OVERNIGHT, THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FINE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 29.
MEANWHILE, AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF LUZON WAS MOVING STEADILY WESTWARDS. CLOUD BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AREA OF LOW PRESSURE BROUGHT SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES TO HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 30.
DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 1, 4, 5, 13, 15, 16, 17, 23 AND 24 .
/A TOTAL
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
A TOTAL OF 10 TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING SEPTEMBER. SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
TYPHOON 1 SEPTEMBER 21 8.45 AM SEPTEMBER 21 9.00 PM
KIT
3 SEPTEMBER 21 SEPTEMBER 22
9.00 PM 9.10 AM
THE MONTH'S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 176.8 HOURS J 11.7 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 16.21 MJ/SQ.M ; 0.52 MJ/SQ. M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 109.9 MM ; 210.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 70 PER CENT ; 8 PER CENT NORMAL MORE THAN
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 77 PER CENT } 2 PER CENT NORMAL LOWER THAN
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 29.8 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.7 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 27.6 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.1 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS ABOVE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 25.6 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.4 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS ABOVE
MEAN DEW POINT 23.1 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.1 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
TOTAL EVAPORATION 141.4 MM J 14.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
- 8 -
DRAFT PTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON COMMITTEE AGENDA * * * * *
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT 1989/90 PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT.
A SENIOR TRANSPORT OFFICER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MISS LUI YING, WILL BE PRESENT TO INTRODUCE THE DOCUMENT AND LISTEN TO MEMBER'S VIEWS.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL OF USING CHUNG HOM KOK ROAD AND CAPE ROAD AS THE CONSTRUCTION ACCESS FOR SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR THE PHASE I OF THE MA HANG REDEVELOPMENT IN STANLEY.
AS THE PROPOSED ACCESS ROUTE WILL PASS THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS ALONG THE TWO ROADS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO ADOPT A NUMBER OF SPECIAL MEASURES TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE THAT MAY ARISE.
A CIVIL ENGINEER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR K.K. MAK, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MVA CONSULTANCY WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED TO STUDY THE ACCESS ROUTE, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER RELATED QUESTIONS.
OTHER ASPECTS THAT WILL BE RAISED BY MEMBERS INCLUDE THE TRAFFIC ISSUE IN BAYS AREAS AND THE PROVISION OF SHELTERS AND RAILINGS TO ALL BUS-STOPS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE EXTENSION OF OPERATING HOURS OF BUS ROUTE NO. 73 AND THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO DETER JAY-WALKING IN ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD WILL ALSO BE RAISED AT THE MEETING.
ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
- 9 -
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UNSCRUPULOUS TAXI DRIVERS * * * * *
THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME UNSCRUPULOUS TAXI DRIVERS WILL BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11) MORNING.
BOARD MEMBER, MR WONG FUK-WAH WILL ASK ABOUT GOVERNMENT MEASURES AGAINST SUCH TAXI DRIVERS WHO DISPLAY "OUT OF SERVICE" SIGNS OR SIGNS TO SPECIFY THEIR CHOICE OF DISTRICT DESTINATION WHILE CRUISING IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOWN CENTRE IN EVENING HOURS.
HE WILL ALSO WANT TO KNOW HOW THE GOVERNMENT ENSURES SATISFACTORY PUBLIC BUS SERVICES IN NEW TOWNS SUCH AS SHA TIN.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER, MR CHAN TAO-YEUNG WILL ASK IF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL AT HENG ON ESTATE IN MA ON SHAN HAS BEEN CONTRACTED OUT AND WHETHER CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES WILL ENTER THE ESTATE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION.
BOARD MEMBER, REV FUNG CHI-WOOD WILL RAISE THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY LEARNER DRIVERS AND REQUEST THAT A ZEBRA CROSSING BE PROVIDED ON A SECTION OF CHE KUNG MIU ROAD ADJACENT TO HIN KENG ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSED SCHEME TO INSTALL 177 PARKING METRES AND PROPOSED CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN SHA TIN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROGRESS REPORT FROM 1HE ROAD SAFETY WORKING GROUP, EMERGENCY INFORMATION BROADCASTING SERVICES AND THE PROVISION OF TRAFFIC AIDS IN TIN SUM STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 11) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON 6/F, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN.
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/1O .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
10 -
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF SHA TIN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE SHA TIN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE SERVICES FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS AT THE FOLLOWING NEW ADDRESS
CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, SHOP 8A, 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
TEL.: 0-6059108
THE OPERATION HOURS OF THE OFFICE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
’’APPLICANTS SHOULD COLLECT THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS AT THE NEW OFFICE ADDRESS AFTER OCTOBER 16,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE THE INFORMATION OFFICE AT 3-7333111 FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES.
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CHAI WAN TO GET ITS FIRST IGH *****
CHAI WAN SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY VARIOUS TYPES OF INDOOR SPORTS AND FULL-SCALE GYMNASTIC ACTIVITIES UNDER ONE ROOF WHEN THE $31 MILLION URBAN COUNCIL CHAI WAN INDOOR GAMES HALL OPENS IN EARLY 1989.
"COVERING A SITE OF 5 100 SQUARE METRES, THE IGH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE OPERATED BY THE COUNCIL IN CHAI WAN," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR SAMUEL WONG, SAID TODAY.
"ITS MODERN FEATURES INCLUDE A MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA WHICH CAN BE READILY USED AS THREE BASKETBALL CUM VOLLEYBALL COURTS, 12 BADMINTON COURTS OR ONE HANDBALL COURT.
"OTHER FACILITIES IN THE IGH COMPRISE THREE SQUASH COURTS, A DANCING ROOM AND A FITNESS ROOM, WHICH ARE ALL FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED."
THE PROJECT IS BUILT ON TOP OF THE THREE-STOREY YUE WAN MARKET CUM CARPARK BUILDING WHICH IS CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE CHAI WAN DISTRICT.
/ADDITIONALLY, AN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
11
ADDITIONALLY, AN ANNEX BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED AT AN ADJOINING SITE WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS A BOOKING SHROFF OFFICE, A COFFEE CORNER AND STOREROOMS.
’’THE BUILDING ALSO SERVES AS AN ACCESS TO THE IGH FROM THE GROUND LEVEL,” SAID MR WONG.
’’THE PROJECT, BOUNDED BY YEE SHUN AND YEE FUNG STREETS, IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A FOCAL POINT OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN CHAI WAN AS IT IS LOCATED AMIDST SEVERAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND FACTORY BUILDINGS.”
------0-------
APA ACCREDITATION PANEL HOLDS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW
* » ♦ t *
THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED ACCREDITATION PANEL FOR THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS (APA) WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) MORNING.
WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1, 12 PANELISTS WERE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR A SIX-MONTH TERM TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES ON ACCREDITING THE COURSES OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
THE PANEL’S BROAD TERMS OF REFERENCE WERE : "HAVING REGARD TO THE APPROVED CURRICULA OF THE MUSIC, DRAMA, DANCE AND TECHNICAL ARTS SCHOOLS, TO CONDUCT AN INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW OF THE APA AS TO ADVISE ON THE APA’S CURRENT AND POTENTIAL PLACE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF HONG KONG AND ITS COMPARABILITY WITH OTHER RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.”
THE REVIEW WILL INCLUDE AN EVALUATION OF THE APA’S ABILITIES TO ACHIEVE ITS APPROVED OBJECTIVES.
THIS WILL COMPRISE A STUDY OF THE APA’S .ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT; THE APPROPRIATENESS AND UTILISATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDED; ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN IMPLEMENTING ACADEMIC PLANS; AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RELEVANT LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.
AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE REVIEW PART WILL BE TO ASSESS THE ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING CURRICULA FOR THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES IN ACHIEVING THE APPROVED OBJECTIVES, AND TO CONFORM THE ACADEMIC ARRANGEMENTS AWARDED BY THE APA.
THE REVIEW WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY THE APA’S OVERALL LEVEL OF ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT AND ANY MEASURES, BOTH ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL, NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE INSTITUTION’S PERFORMANCE IN MEETING ITS STATED AIMS.
/THE FINDINGS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988
- 12
THE FINDINGS OF THE REVIEW WILL ALSO FORM THE BASIS FOR DETERMINING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE APA WITHIN THE EXISTING EDUCATION SYSTEM.
THE 12 PANEL MEMBERS ARE PERSONS OF STANDING HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS OF INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM IN VARIOUS FIELDS. THE PANEL CHAIRMAN IS DR RAYSON HUANG, FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE MR JAMES HAWTHORNE, A FORMER DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING; MS MARTHA HILL, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL, DANCE DIVISION; MR LU YI-SHEN, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE BEIJING DANCE ACADEMY; SIR DAVID LUMSDEN, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC; MR JOHN G. PAINTER, DIRECTOR OF THE CANBERRA SCHOOL OF MUSIC; MR FRANCIS REID, FORMER HEAD OF THEATRE DESIGN, CENTRAL SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN, LONDON; MR HAROLD STONE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL, DRAMA DIVISION; MR WANG GUO-TONG, HEAD OF THE CHINESE TRADITIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF THE CENTRAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC; MR EDWARD HO, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR-DESIGNATE; DR RICHARD HO, REGIONAL COUNCILLOR; AND DR MA LIN, FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
--------0----------
RENOWNED FLAUTIST TO GIVE MASTERCLASS
*****
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A MASTERCLASS BY A WORLD RENOWNED FLAUTIST, MR JAMES PELLERITE, AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15), FROM 10 AM TO 12 NOON.
MR PELLERITE HAS HELD DISTINGUISHED POSITIONS SUCH AS SOLO FLAUTIST WITH A NUMBER OF FAMOUS ORCHESTRAS, INCLUDING THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND THE DETROIT SYMPHONY, IN PAST YEARS.
IN 1986, MR PELLERITE WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA FOR PERFORMANCES AT THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
AS SOLOIST AND MASTER CLASS SPECIALIST, HE HAS APPEARED AT MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITE STATES.
HE HAS TOURED AUSTRALIA AND COUNTRIES IN ASIA AS A SOLOIST AND ARTIST TEACHER, AND HAS PRESENTED RECITALS AND MASTERCLASSES IN JAPAN, TAIWAN, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG AND MOST RECENTLY AT THE CENTRAL CONSERVATORY IN PEKING.
AT HIS MASTERCLASS ON SATURDAY, MR PELLERITE WILL LECTURE ON VARIOUS TECNIQUES OF FLUTE PLAYING.
ADMISSION TO THE MASTERCLASS IS FREE, AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7226240.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO BEGINS NEW SESSION ON WEDNESDAY ....................... 1
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS BY STEERING GROUP ON HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER NEXT YEAR .................................. 5
NINE TO COMPETE IN LAB ELECTION ............................. 5
CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH LABOUR RELATIONS '88 ................... 7
DB JOINT BODY TO REVIEW ON LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM ........ 8
GOVT BUILDING ON MONG KOK STATION PODIUM .................... 8
CHINA YOUTH FEDERATION GROUP VISITS SWD ..................... 9
DESIGN COMPETITIONS ON ANTI-TRIAD THEME ..................... 9
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA ................ 10
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................ 11
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS.............. 11
CHILDREN'S CHOIR TO PERFORM ................................. 12
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG SHUI ..................... 12
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN KING'S ROAD ..................... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE......................................... 13
DISRUPTIONS TO WATER SUPPLY
13
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
1 LEGCO BEGINS NEW SESSION ON WEDNESDAY » » * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL REVIEW THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG WHEN HE GIVES HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE 1988-89 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12).
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
RTHK RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH), TVB PEARL AND JADE CHANNELS, ATV DIAMOND AND GOLD CHANNELS, WILL BROADCAST THE MEETING LIVE.
AFTER THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS, THE COUNCIL WILL ADJOURN UNTIL OCTOBER 20 (THURSDAY).
A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS WILL BE MOVED AT A MEETING TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 9. MOST MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICIALS WILL SPEAK ON THE MOTION THAT DAY, AND ON THE FOLLOWING DAY (NOVEMBER 10).
OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THE MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 16.
PROVISIONAL DATES OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
SITTINGS FOR THE 1988-89 SESSION
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 1988
THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 1988
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26, 1988
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 1988
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 1988
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 1988
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 1988
OPENING OF THE 1988-89 SESSION (GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS)
REGULAR SITTING
DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS (MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICIALS
SPEAK)
DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS (OFFICIALS SPEAK)
/WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1988 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1?88
- 2 -
• WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23, 1988 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30, 1988 f »
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 1988 » j
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14, 1988 (CHRISTMAS » i AND NEW YEAR RECESS)
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 1989 > >
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25, 1989 (LUNAR NEW f » YEAR RECESS)
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 1989 » »
WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 1989 • 1ST BUDGET SITTING (FINANCIAL SECRETARY PRESENTS BUDGET)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 8, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MARCH 15, 1989 > f
(SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 20 1989)
(EASTER RECESS)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY APRIL 19, 1989 2ND BUDGET SITTING
THURSDAY APRIL 20, 1989 (MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICIALS
SPEAK)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 26, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 3, 1989 3RD BUDGET SITTING
(OFFICIALS SPEAK)
WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
(4TH BUDGET SITTING: COMMITTEE STAGE AND 3RD READING OF APPROPRIATION BILL)
/WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 198?
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
- 5 -
WEDNESDAY MAY 17, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 1989 t i
WEDNESDAY MAY 31, 1989 t t
(TUEN NG FESTIVAL AND QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECESS)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 21, 1989 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 1989 > >
WEDNESDAY JULY 5, 1989 > >
WEDNESDAY JULY 12, 1989 9 I
WEDNESDAY JULY 19, 1989 1 »
WEDNESDAY JULY 26, 1989* i »
* - IF NECESSARY
-------0 ---------
BY STEERING GROUP REGISTER NEXT YEAR ♦ ♦
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON HONG KONG SHIPPING t * *
ON THE HONG KONG
“X beconhendatxons to NEXT YEAR, THE STEERING GROUP CHAIRMAN, MR
SHIPPING REGISTER THE GOVERNMENT SOME TONY CLARK, SAID
WILL
TIME TODAY
(MONDAY).
„IU.,
NEXT YEAR," MR CLARK SAID.
AND OF
THEY WILL THEN BE PUT INTO TERMS
PROCEDURES WITH A VIEW TO
Hui imv TERl'.G OF LEGISLATION, HIJLES OPENING THE NEW REGISTER IN LATE 1990,
AND
REPORTING interim progress on irs steerin™ X"p had examined VARIOUS REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, MARITIME procedures for registration.
WORK, AREAS
LIENS
MR CLARK INCLUDING
SAID
THE
FINANCE,
AND MORTGAGES
AND
/"NOW THE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
’’NOW THE STEERING GROUP, WHICH WAS SET UP EARLY LAS I YEAR CONTINUING ITS WORK THROUGH ITS COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS,
IS
HE
SAID.
"IT IS CONSIDERATIONS CERTIFICATION.
NOW GETTING
ON SUBJECTS
DOWN TO VERY DETAILED AND TECHNICAL
SUCH AS CREW QUALIFICATIONS AND
IN THE AREA OF FINANCE, MR CLARK RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ANNUAL
SAID THE STEERING GROUP TONNAGE CHARGE FOR EACH
SHIP.
"THIS WOULD SUPPLEMENT AN INITIAL REGISTRATION FEE AND SHIP SURVEY FEES AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE," HE SAID.
"THE AIM WOULD BE TO EVEN OUT INCOME YEAR ON YEAR AND BETTER FORECASTING AND MORE CERTAINTY FOR BOTH SHIPOWNERS REGISTER."
LEAD TO
AND THE
ON REGISTRATION FLEXIBLE ENOUGH FOR THE OF REGISTERING HIS SHIP GENUINE LINK BETWEEN
REQUIREMENTS, MR CLARK SAID THESE MUSI BE SHIPOWNER TO TAKE BEST COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGE IN HONG KONG, AND ALSO TIGHT ENOUGH FOR THE EACH SHIP AND HONG KONG AS REQUIRED BY
INTERNATIONAL LAW.
HE SAID THE STEERING GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED THAT BE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG IF IT WAS OWNED BY A HONG EITHER INCORPORATED OR ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG UNDER
A SHIP COULD KONG COMPANY, THE COMPANY
ORDINANCE.
IS
”TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF MODERN SHIPPING PRACTICES, IT THAT OWNERSHIP IN THIS CONTEXT MAY MEAN THAT THE SHIP IS AT
PROPOSED
LEAST
PER CENT OWNED BY THAT COMPANY, OR THAT THE VESSEL IS CHARTERED THAT COMPANY AND OPERATED AS THOUGH IT WERE OWNED B REGISTRATION WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED,' HE SAID.
50
BY DUAL
"A SHIP CAN ALSO BE REGISTERED IF IT IS RESIDENT OF HONG KONG. THIS RECOMMENDATION REGISTRATION OF PLEASURE CRAFT IN HONG KONG.
OWNED BY AN INDIVIDUAL
IS TO CATER FOR THE
/MR CLARK
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
- 5 -
MR CLARK SAID THAT TO GO WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, STEERING GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED A PACKAGE OF ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY REGISTRAR OF SHIPS COULD REFUSE REGISTRY OR DEREGISTER SHIPS WHOSE CONDITIONS FELL BELOW REQUIREMENTS.
"PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION WILL ALSO BE RECOGNISED AS A RIGHT, RATHER THAN A PRIVILEGE, FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS SHOULD HELP ’N REGISTERING SHIPS QUICKLY PENDING FORMAL SURVEY," HE SAID.
ON LIENS AND MORTGAGES, MR CLARK SAID THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE BUT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED 1’0 TAKE ACCOUNT OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.
AS TO THE PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION, HE SAID THAT WHILE WORK REMAINED TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA, ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED WERE INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT ALL NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS WERE MAINTAINED AND THAT BUREAUCRACY COULD BE REDUCED TO THE BARE MINIMUM.
IN OTHER AREAS, HE ADDED, THE STEERING GROUP HAD MADE A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE ON SHIPS’ EQUIPMENT AND STANDARDS.
"ESSENTIALLY WHAT IS PROPOSED IS THAT STANDARDS SHOULD BE BASED ON THE APPROPRIATE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. IN GENERAL, WE WOULD BE GOING FOR STANDARDS SET BY APPROPRIATE INTERNATIONAL BODIES, HE SAID.
-----0------
NINE TO COMPETE IN LAB ELECTION ♦ * * * *
REPRESENTATIVES to
THE ELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’
ADVISORY BOARD WILL TAKE PLACE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH
SCHOOL
THE LABOUR IN KOWLOON
ON OCTOBER 22.
OUT OF THE NINE CANDIDATES NOMINATED BY REG^TERED TRADE UNIONS, FIVE WILL BE ELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE TWO YEARS STARTING FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
EMPLOYEES’
BOARD FOR
/THE NINE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
THE NINE CANDIDATES ARE:
* MR HO KWOK-KIN
HONG KONG MEDICINE WORKERS GENERAL UNION (YEE-SHING)
» MR CHAN YUN-CHE
HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MOTOR CAR DRIVERS GENERAL UNION
» MR PETER MOK KA-WING
HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS GENERAL UNION
* MR CHEUNG PAK-CHI
CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LTD. STAFF ASSOCIATION
♦ MS LI FUNG-YING
HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES' GENERAL UNION
* MR MARK LI KIN-YIN
HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS' GENERAL UNION
* MISS LAM SHUK-YEE
HONG KONG AND KOWLOON METAL INDUSTRY WORKERS GENERAL UNION
* MR WILLIAM MONG WAI-MING
LABOUR INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION
* MR LEE CHEUK-YAN
CLOTHING INDUSTRY WORKERS GENERAL UNION
EARLIER, MR LEUNG CHAU-TING OF THE CLERICAL GRADE CIVIL SERVANTS GENERAL UNION HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE NOMINATION.
MEANWHILE, MORE THAN 260 EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS HAVE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN CALLED ON AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE UNIONS TO ARRIVE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION BEFORE 2.30 PM ON ELECTION DAY.
THEY MUST PRODUCE THEIR HONG KONG ‘ IDENTITY CARDS FOR INSPECTION BEFORE ADMISSION TO THE ELECTION HALL.
-----0------
/7........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10,
1988
- 7 -
CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH LABOUR RELATIONS '88 *****
THE TERRITORY-WIDE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 WILL BE LAUNCHED ON NOVEMBER 3 WITH THE OPENING OF A LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE FOR SOME 500 PEOPLE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
THE EVENT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS AS WELL AS PROVIDING A FORUM FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF MANAGEMENT, TRADE UNIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON CURRENT LABOUR RELATIONS ISSUE.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SUI-KAU, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND.
IT WILL FEATURE TALKS, WORKSHOPS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS REVIEW OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, LABOUR RELATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY, LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN A MULTINATIONAL FIRM, AND THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN ESTABLISHING POSITIVE LABOUR RELATIONS.
MORE THAN 20 GUEST SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO DELIVER TALKS AND CHAIR PANEL DISCUSSIONS.
THEY INCLUDE MR M. HAMADA, AN EXPERT IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION; MR TAM YIU-CHUNG, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR; MR CHENG YIU-TONG, CHAIRMAN, HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS; DR NG SEK-HONG, SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND DIRECTORS AND GENERAL MANAGERS OF SEVERAL PROMINENT ESTABLISHMENTS.
PARTICIPATION FEES ARE $300 FOR EMPLOYERS, MANAGEMENT STAFF AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS, AND $200 FOR OFFICIALS OF TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO TAKE PART IN THE CONFERENCE SHOULD ENROL WITH THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 OFFICE, -12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL, BEFORE OCTOBER 28.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-8523511 OR 5-8523509.
- - O-----------
/8.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10,
1988
- 8 -
DB JOINT BODY TO REVIEW ON LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM ♦ * * » ♦
THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FIVE PAPERS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS ON THE LRT OPERATION.
THE PAPERS WILL GIVE COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE LRT SERVICE THAT MIGHT REQUIRE IMPROVEMENTS.
THESE INCLUDE VENTILATION INSIDE VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS, PLATFORM WIDTH, PEAK HOUR FREQUENCY AND ADEQUACY OF DIRECTION SIGNS AND OF HANDRAILS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REQUEST FOR IMPROVEMENT OF FEEDER BUS SERVICES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE LIFTING OF BOARDING AND ALIGHTING RESTRICTIONS WITHIN THE LRT SERVICE AREA FOR KOWLOON-BOUND BUSES TRAVELLING FROM TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG, AND THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING LRT LEGISLATION IN PROTECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LRT TO BEGIN AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
------0-------
GOVT BUILDING ON MONG KOK STATION PODIUM ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
A GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK IS TO BE BUILT ON THE PODIUM OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S MONG KOK STATION.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
THE PROJECT ARCHITECT, MRS ALICE SO, SAID THE PROPOSED 13-STOREY BUILDING WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 10,000 SQUARE METRES OFFICE SPACE WITH A POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF 1,250 SQUARE METRES.
"IT WILL BE USED TO ACCOMMODATE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, INCLUDING A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT," MRS SO SAID.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY AND BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 1991.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT WORKS MUST BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 4 THIS YEAR.
------o-------- /9......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
- 9 -
CHINA YOUTH FEDERATION GROUP VISITS SWD ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (MONDAY) EXCHANGED VIEWS ON THE PROVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES WITH A GROUP OF VISITORS FROM CHINA.
THE 15-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE ALL CHINA YOUTH FEDERATION WAS BRIEFED ON THE RANGE OF YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDED IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES, YOUTH GROUPS, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, AS WELL AS REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR WAYWARD YOUTHS.
’’YOUNG PEOPLE ARE VERY IMPORTANT RESOURCES TO THE SOCIETY AND EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BECOME MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY,” MRS WONG SAID.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION AND LEADER OF THE DELEGATION, MR WU YINGFU, SAID THAT THE FEDERATION WAS THE LARGEST YOUTH ORGANISATION IN CHINA, WITH BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
HE ADDED THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE WITH YOUTH WORKERS IN HONG KONG.
"I LOOK FORWARD TO STEPPING UP THIS CONTACT WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
-----0-----
DESIGN COMPETITIONS ON ANTI-TRIAD THEME » ♦ ♦ » *
MUN DISTRICT IS
STUDENTS AGAINST IN ANTI-TRIAD
THE FIGHT CRIME ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF TUEN ORGANISING TWO DESIGN COMPETITIONS TO WARN SHOPLIFTING AND TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE
ACTIVITIES.
COMPETITION WITH A THEME OF ’’SHOPLIFTING WILL OPEN FOR ALL STUDENTS OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT.
A POSTER DESIGN DESTROY YOUR FUTURE” IS
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTIONS.
ANOTHER CARICATURE COMPETITION IS NOW INVITING ENTRIES YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT WITH A THEME PERTAINING TO THE FIGHT CAMPAIGN.
FROM
CRIME
/IT IS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
10 -
IT IS DIVIDED INTO A JUNIOR SECTION FOR YOUTHS UNDER 16 AND A SENIOR SECTION FOR THOSE OF 16 AND ABOVE.
PARTICIPANTS CAN MAKE USE OF ALL SORTS OF COLOUR TO COMPLETE THEIR WORKS WHICH SHOULD BE PUT ON DRAWING PAPER MEASURING 29.5 CM BY 38 CM.
A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING ART INSPECTORS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL SELECT THE WINNER, FIRST RUNNER-UP AND SECOND RUNNER-UP FROM EACH SECTION OF THE TWO COMPETITIONS.
THE JUDGES WILL ALSO CHOOSE SPECIAL WORKS FOR OUTSTANDING AWARDS.
SUBMISSIONS WITH PARTICULARS OF CONTESTANTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31 (MONDAY).
RESULTS OF COMPETITIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 15 WHILE A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED FOR EARLY 1989.
------o-------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA
*****
TO FACILITATE THE OPERATIONS OF A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE PLYING BETWEEN KWUN TONG FERRY AND SAU MAU PING ESTATE, SECTIONS OF WAI YIP STREET AND CHA KWO LING ROAD IN KWUN TONG WILL BE OPENED FOR ENTRY BY PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 13).
HOWEVER, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON KING YIP STREET, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF KING YIP STREET BETWEEN WAI YIP STREET AND HUNG TO ROAD AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES OPERATING DAILY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE THE SECTION OF WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN CHA KWO LING ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE, AND THE SECTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND WAI YIP STREET.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED ’FROM SETTING DOWN OR PICKING UP PASSENGERS WITHIN THESE RESTRICTED ZONES.
IN ADDITION, THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE EXISTING PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON CHA KWO LING ROAD BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND YAU SHING STREET WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE SECTION OF YAU SHING STREET BETWEEN KING YIP STREET AND CHA KWO LING ROAD WILL ALSO BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THESE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
------o------- /11......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
11
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNER'S CORPORATIONS IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION UNDER THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL BE PRESENT TO HEAR MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF FAMILY LIFE OF RESIDENTS.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ORGANISATION OF AN ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT AND REVIEW THE COMMITTEE’S BUDGET FOR 1988-89.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT.
-------0---------
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS
*****
SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL AT ITS MEETING ON
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND CONSIDER TWO REVISED APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS
WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12) MORNING.
ONE IS FROM THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION, FOR
DRAWING AND CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS, AND THE OTHER IS FROM THE SHA FESTIVE LIGHTING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, FOR $261,000 FOR CHRISTMAS AND CHINESE NEW YEAR LIGHTING DECORATIONS.
FOR TIN THE
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROGRESS REPORTS FROM TIN ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS -THE SHA UN LIGHTING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE SHA FESTIVE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED AND SPORTS COMMITTEE (OCTOBER 12) AT THE DB SHA TIN STATION.
TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE,
O
/12
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
- 12 -
CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO PERFORM * * * *
RESIDENTS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE ANNUAL CONCERT OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 8 PM IN THE THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CITY HALL.
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE CHOIR WAS FORMED FIVE YEARS AGO UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE CHOIR IS FREQUENTLY INVITED TO STAGE PERFORMANCES AT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
-------o --------
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG SHUI » » t * t
A NUMBER OF NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHEUNG SHUI FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 13) IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELOCATION OF A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND FROM TSUN FU STREET TO SAN FAT STREET.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER SAN FAT STREET BETWEEN FU HING STREET AND LUNG SUM AVENUE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SAME ROAD SECTION, CURRENTLY ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND, WILL BECOME ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
IN ADDITION, BOTH THE WESTERN AND EASTERN KERBSIDE LANES OF SAN FAT STREET BETWEEN FU HING STREET AND LUNG- SUM AVENUE WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS STANDS ON THIS ROAD SECTION WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THIS RESTRICTION.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1988
- 13 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN KING’S ROAD
» » ♦ » *
KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAIKOO SHING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES WEST OF THAT JUNCTION WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 13), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
------0--------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
» t » ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 44.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 259.452 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 418.353 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 71.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0 -------
DISRUPTIONS TO WATER SUPPLY
* ♦ t » *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING DISRUPTIONS TO WATER SUPPLY DUE TO WATER WORKS:
* SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY TAT CHEE AVENUE, BEGONIA ROAD, CASSIA ROAD, DIANTHUS ROAD, MAGNOLIA ROAD, MARIGOLD ROAD, OSMANTHUS ROAD AND FA PO STREET IN YAU YAT CHUEN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
» FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, KWAI HAU STREET, KWAI LUEN ROAD AND KWAI HOP STREET, INCLUDING KWAI SHING WEST ESTATE AND KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 9 PM TOMORROW TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
» FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO NOS 485 - 487 KWUN TONG ROAD AND TSUI PING ROAD, INCLUDING KWUN TONG TSUI PING ROAD ESTATE, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
ALSO, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY CHEUNG WAH STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KOM TSUN STREET, KING LAM STREET, WING MING STREET, YU CHAU WEST STREET, WING HONG STREET AND PO ON ROAD IN CHEUNG SHA WAN WILL EXPERIENCE WEAK WATER PRESSURE FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
•
GOVERNOR TO GIVE SUMMARY OF ADDRESS CW TV ................... 1
HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1988 ....... 1
U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO HK ON RISE...................... 10
MORE SKILLED PRINTERS TO MATCH EXPORT-LED GROWTH ............ 10
SUBURBAN PLAN NEEDED FOR NORTH AND WEST NEW TERRITORIES .... 11
NEW NURSING SCHOOL OPENS IN KOWLOON HOSPITAL ................ 12
EMPLOY DISABLED TO EULFIL MANPOWER NEEDS .................... 15
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ESSENTIAL FOR YOUTH SERVICES .............. 15
BETTER POLICE SERVICE TO TSING YI RESIDENTS ................. 16
ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT IN WONG TAI SIN ...................... 18
LOCAL AND VIETNAMESE CHILDREN SHARE TENNIS FUN .............. 18
"MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" EXTENDED TO JUNK BAY RESIDENTS .... 19
LADY WILSON VISITS SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN 20
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL AND QUARRY BAY .............. 20
NEW URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS DESIGNATED .................. 21
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEnRW.iYS IN WESTERN ....................... 21
URBAN CLEARWAY TO BE LIFTED.................................. 22
CSD CLUB, MESS SPONSOR KUK CHILDREN
22
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
GOVERNOR TO GIVE SUMMARY OF ADDRESS ON TV
* * * » «
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL APPEAR ON TELEVISION TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) EVENING TO GIVE A SUMMARY OF HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS DELIVERED EARLIER IN THE DAY AT THE OPENING OF THE 1988-89 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROGRAMME, PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST BY THE RADIO SECTION OF RTHK AND COMMERCIAL RADIO ENGLISH CHANNEL.
ATV GOLD WILL BROADCAST THE PROGRAMME AT 6.55 PM, TVB JADE AT 7 PM, TVB PEARL AT 8 PM AND ATV DIAMOND AT 8.30 PM.
RTHK RADIO 1 (CHINESE), RADIO 3 (ENGLISH) AND COMMERCIAL RADIO ENGLISH CHANNEL WILL BROADCAST THE SUMMARY AFTER THEIR 5.30 PM NEWSCASTS.
-----o------
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1988 *****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN AUGUST 1988, AT $89,928 MILLION, GREW BY 35 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON VALUE OF TRADE IN AUGUST 1988 RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT TO $20,669 MILLION IN AUGUST 1988, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 57 PER CENT TO $25,431 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN AUGUST 1988 TO $46,100 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 33 PER CENT OVER AUGUST 1987.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 37 PER CENT TO $43,829 MILLION IN AUGUST 1988.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA (+58 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+48 PER CENT)' AND SINGAPORE (+41 PER CNET).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ALSO WENT UP, BY 25 PER CENT, 18 PER CENT, 15 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/HOWEVER, DOMESTIC
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
r»
2
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., HONG KONG’S
LARGEST DOMESTIC EXPORTS MARKET, DECREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN AUGUST 1988 OVER AUGUST 1987, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+76 PER CENT), JAPAN (+40 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+38 PER CENT), CHINA (+35 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+31 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+31 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, CHINA, THE U.S.A., AUSTRALIA, TAIWAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON BY 108 PER CENT, 71 PER CENT, 58 PER CENT, 57 PER CENT, 49 PER CENT,49 PER CENT, 47 PER CENT AND 45 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED, BY 34 PER CENT.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988, AT $613,059 MILLION, INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT TO $136,423 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 48 PER CENT TO $166,725 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT TO $303,147 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT TO $309,912 MILLION.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
THE MARKETS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED SINGAPORE (+38 PER CENT), CHINA (+34 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+23 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22 PER CENT), FRANCE (+19 PER CENT), JAPAN (+14 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+13 PER CENT) AND AUSTRALIA (+12 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, THE U.S.A., DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM I’HE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+52 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+35 PER CENT), SWITZERLAND (+33 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+31 PER CENT), CHINA (+29 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+28 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+ 27 PER CENT). THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ALSO INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT.
/DURING THE........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
- 3 -
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, TAIWAN, AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE U.S.A. INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 91 PER CENT, 59 PER CENT, 53 PER CENT, 49 PER CENT, 48 PER CENT, 46 PER CENT AND 42 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED, BY 35 PER CENT AND 33 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1988.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE MORE NOTABLE ONES WERE OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $3,059 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,286 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,062 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNCIATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,340 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING DECREASED BY $54 MILLION IN VALUE
TERMS OR LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT. DECREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY$265 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $260 MILLION OR 1 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $10,477 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $7,133 MILLION OR 106 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $5,461 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $4,550 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $2,841 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $367 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); AND OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $78 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $7,681 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $6,160 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ETHERS AND ETHERS (BY $4,270 MILLION OR 214 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $4,046 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $3,229 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $98 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT); AND PROCESSED ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS, AND WAXES OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE ORIGIN (BY $2 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE AVAILABLE IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE AUGUST 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND OCTOBER 15, 1988, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $9.50 PER COPY.
/A MORE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS LN AUGUST 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-OCTOBER 1988 AT $17.50 PER COPY.
MAY
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 5-8428802____________AND
ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO (TEL. NO.: 5-8234915).
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
DEPARTMENT
TABLE 1: MAJOR MARKET DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
AUG • 1988 (HKD MN.) AUG 88 OVER AUG 87 (%) JAN-AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG OVER JAN-AUG (%)
U.S.A. 6,601 - 8 45,135 ’ - 4
CHINA 3,816 + 58 23,151 + 34
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,592 + 9 10,672 + 13
U.K. 1,506 + 25 9,579 + 22
JAPAN 1 ,114 + 18 6,724 + 14
CANADA 570 + 1 3,856 + 6
SINGAPORE 484 + 41 3,228 + 38
NETHERLANDS 553 + 48 3,166 + 23
FRANCE 381 + 3 2,781 + 19
AUSTRALIA 416 + 15 2,571 + 12
/TABLE 2: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY AUG AUG 88 JAN-AUG JAN-AUG 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
AUG 87 JAN-AUG 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,590 - 1 41,528 - ♦
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,015 1 19,043 1
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,712 + 21 ■> 11,827 + 24
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,597 + 23 11,320 + 22
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,673 + 29 10,796 ♦ 14
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,275 5 - 9,890 3
* LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
/TABLE J: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) AUG 88 OVER AUG 87 (%) JAN-AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG OVER JAN-AUG (%) 88 87
CHINA 14,066 + 35 94,221 + 29
JAPAN 7,808 + 40 57,355 4- 25
TAIWAN 3,959 + 31 27,654 + 31
U.S.A. 3,628 + 38 26,646 + 35
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,250 + 76 16,147 + 52
SINGAPORE 1,742 + 29 11,525 + 27
U.K. 1,111 + 8 8,382 + 11
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 , 144 + 31 8,224 + 28
SWITZERLAND 612 + 22 5,899 + 33
ITALY 775 + 18 5,030 + 25
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) AUG 88 OVER AUG 87 (%) JAN-AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG OVER JAN-AUG (%) 88 87
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,315 + 10 39,896 + 8
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,808 + 59 4 32,512 + 48
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,002 + 20 19,072 + 14
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
8
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,066 + 73 18,780 + 41
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,863 + 44 17,564 + 35
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS * 2, 145 + 37 16,984 + 32
TABLE 5: RE -EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) AUG 88 OVER AUG 87 (%) JAN-AUG 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG OVER JAN-AUG (%) 88 87
CHINA 8,767 + 71 55,914 + 53
U.S.A. 4,631 + 58 29,530 + 42
JAPAN 1,595 + 108 10,462 + 91
TAIWAN 1,250 + 49 8,930 + 49
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,012 + 34 7,790 + 33
SINGAPORE 813 + 45 5,500 + 35
F.R. OF GERMANY 841 + 49 5,100 + 59
U.K. 710 + 47 3,905 + 46
MACAU 338 + 22 2,592 + 19
AUSTRALIA 437 + 57 2,552 + 48
/Table ..........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
9
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-AUG 88 OVER JAN-AUG 87 (%)
COMMODITY DIVISION (I AUG 1988 HKD MN.) AUG 88 OVER AUG 87 (%) JAN-AUG 1988 (HKD MN.)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,004 + 23 21,421 + 18
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,637 + 88 17,307 + 80
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,145 + 65 16,801 + 58
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,287 + 46 14,945 + 23
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,912 + 70 11,034 + 58
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 961 + 51 6,363 + 21
-------0----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
10 -
U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO UK ON RISE * * * *
HONG KONG IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO AN OPEN MARKET POLICY AND IS A MAJOR EXPORT MARKET FOR U.S. GOODS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, TOLD A GROUP OF 50 SENIOR EXECUTIVES INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE AND ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES.
SPEAKING LAST WEEK IN MODESTO, LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL VALLEY AND A CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, MR JOHNSON SAID THAT WITH HONG KONG’S LACK OF TARIFF BARRIERS OR IMPORT DUTIES, ITS AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS.
"LAST YEAR U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO THE TERRITORY ROSE BY 35 PER CENT TO TOTAL US$525 MILLION," HE SAID.
"IN FACT DESPITE ITS SMALL POPULATION HONG KONG NOW BUYS MORE THAN ONE-FIFTH OF TOTAL U.S. EXPORTS OF FRESH PRODUCE."
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING FRUIT, GRAPES, VEGETABLES AND NUTS WERE CALIFORNIA’S FIFTH MAJOR EXPORT TO HONG KONG IN 1987, VALUED AT US$120 MILLION.
REFERRING TO THE FUTURE, MR JOHNSON SAID THAT ECONOMIC PROSPECTS WERE BRIGHT FOR THE RUN UP TO 1997 ADN BEYOND, AND HE BELIEVED HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET PLACE FOR QUALITY PRODUCTS.
--------0 ---------
MORE SKILLED PRINTERS
*
TO MATCH EXPORT-LED GROWTH » t * *
THE PRINTING INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO GROW AND NEED MORE WELL-TRAINED WORKERS TO COPE WITH INCREASING SOPHISTICATION IN THE INDUSTRY, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY REPORT RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE COUNCIL IN MARCH, SHOWED THAT MANPOWER IN THE INDUSTRY HAS INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF 3.6 PER CENT FROM 23,700 IN 1986 TO 25,500.
IT WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE RISE OF THE EXPORT OF PRINTED PRODUCTS TO WORLD MARKETS, THE UNITED STATES IN PARTICULAR.
/THE BOARD
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 111 1988
11
THE BOARD FORECAST THAT THE NUMBER OF WORKERS WOULD CONTINUE TO RISE IN COMING YEARS TO CORRESPOND WITH THE EXPORT-LED GROWTH, WHICH WOULD BE SUSTAINED IN THE YEARS AHEAD BY THE COMPETITIVE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND BY IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCT QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THE 2,100 VACANCIES RECORDED IN THE MARCH SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS EXPERIENCED A LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.
THE BOARD NOTED THE SHORTAGE WOULD REMAIN UNLESS LOCAL PRINTERS MAKE SERIOUS EFFORTS TO TRAIN FOR THEIR MANPOWER NEEDS.
IT ESTIMATED THAT PRINTERS SHOULD TRAIN AN ADDITIONAL 240 TECHNICIANS AND 830 CRAFTSMEN A YEAR IN ORDER TO MEET MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS.
THE REPORT CONTAINS FURTHER DETAILED MANPOWER STATISTICS ON THE PRINTING INDUSTRY AND IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $10.50 A COPY.
------O-------
SUBURBAN PLAN NEEDED FOR NORTH AND WEST NEW TERRITORIES
*****
HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR
DAVID AKERS-JONES,
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE -------
TODAY MADE A PLEA FOR PROPER SUBURBAN PLANNING FOR THE NORTH AND PLAINS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PREVENT THOSE AREAS TURNING
TURNING
WEST INTO
IRREVERSIBLE SLUMS.
SPEAKING AT A DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTS WAS NICELY SURROUNDED VERY FEW BLEMISHES.
LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING ASSOCIATION, HE SAID THAT SHA TIN ON THE EAST BY HILLS AND WATER AND AS A RESULT CONTAINS
WEST NEW
OVER THE
BUT THE SAME COULD NOT BE SAID FOR THE NORTH AND TERRITORIES "WHERE THE OUTCOME OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FORCES PAS? IS JRrS HAS MEANT THAT OUR BRAVE NEW TOWNS AND HOSING ESTATES LOOK OUT OVER AGRICULTURAL WASTELAND AND A GROWING SPREAD OF USED CAR
DUMPS.
"A LOOK AT AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF ANY OF THESE AREAS, VIEW OF THE PAT HEUNG PLAIN FROM TWISK WILL SHOW YOU ONLY TOO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 30 YEARS AND IS NOW TAKING PLACE
OR THE CLEARLY
AT AN
ACCELERATING RATE.
/"WE HAVE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
12
"WE HAVE CLEARLY GOT TO THINK AGAIN AND MORE REALISTICALLY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, OTHERWISE IN THE SPACE OF A FEW YEARS THE EDGE OF THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NORTH AND WEST WILL STAND CHEEK BY JOWL WITH SLUMS SIMILAR TO THOSE WE ARE CLEARING FROM THE URBAN AREA.
"MORE RADICAL SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD RECOGNISE WHAT IS ALREADY THERE AND WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK TO AGRICULTURAL USE."
SIR DAVID SAID WHAT WAS NEEDED FOR THE WHOLE AREA WAS A FAIRLY DETAILED COMPLETE SUBURBAN PLAN INVOLVING A MIXTURE OF MEDIUM AND LOW DENSITY THAT WOULD GUIDE DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLAN. GRADUALLY OVER THE COURSE OF 10 OR 20 YEARS A SUBURBAN ROAD AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM COULD BE EXTENDED AND DEVELOPED.
TOUCHING ON THE TERRITORY’S HOUSING PROGRAMMES AND STRUCTURES, HE SAID OUR HOUSING FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS HAD BEEN BUILT IN RESPONSE TO SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FORCES.
HE SAID IT WAS OF INTEREST TO SPECULATE AND ANALYSE WHY IT WAS THAT THE NORTH POINT AND SO UK ESTATES - BUILT BY THE FORMER HOUSING AUTHORITY - HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME SO MUCH BETTER THAN MANY OF THE ESTATES WHICH HAVE BEEN BUILT SINCE.
SIR DAVID SAID: "THESE ESTATES ARE, AFTER ALL, ABOUT 30 YEARS’ OLD AND WILL PROBABLY LAST ANOTHER 30 YEARS. THEY WERE IN ADVANCE OF THEIR TIME, BUT NOW, WHEN FAR YOUNGER ESTATES ARE BEING PULLED DOWN AND REBUILT AT VAST EXPENSE AND CONSIDERABLE DISTURBANCE, SO UK AND NORTH POINT SEEM TO PROVE THE REAL VALUE IN BUILDING JUST A BIT IN ADVANCE OF THE MORE PRACTICAL RESOLUTION OF THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL PRESSURES OF THE TIME.
"WE SHOULD BE CONSTANTLY EXAMINING WHAT WE ARE BUILDING NOW AND MAKING SURE IT, TOO, WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME."
- - 0------------
NEW NURSING SCHOOL OPENS IN KOWLOON HOSPITAL
*****
A NEW NURSING SCHOOL WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED AI THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG.
THE NEW PREMISES, WHICH REPLACES THE OLD SCHOOL ESTABLISHED SINCE 1964 IN THE SINGLE IMPROVISED CLASSROOM AT M BLOCK OF THE HOSPITAL, IS ONE OF THE BEST EQUIPPED NURSING SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
/THE SCHOOL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
THE SCHOOL OF GENERAL NURSING IS HOUSED IN A SIX-STOREY BUILDING. FACILITIES INCLUDE A LECTURE THEATRE, TWO CLASSROOMS, A LIBRARY, TWO DEMONSTRATION ROOMS AND QUARTERS FOR THE TRAINEES.
THE SCHOOL PROVIDES TRAINING FOR GENERAL ENROLLED NURSES AND HAS A CAPACITY FOR THREE INTAKES OF PUPIL NURSES TOTALLY 180 EACH YEAR.
SINCE IT OPENED IN 1964, A TOTAL OF 1,492 ENROLLED NURSES GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS, DR THONG SAID THAT IN LINE WITH THE RECENT RAPID EXPANSION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG, HIS DEPARTMENT HAS MADE TREMENDOUS STRIDES IN ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE HIGH QUALITY OF NURSING SERVICE THROUGH A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON NURSES’ TRAINING.
IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THREE NEW NURSING SCHOOLS WERE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION, HE SAID.
THESE SCHOOLS ARE AT KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
THE NUMBER OF TRAINEES HAS INCREASED STEADILY FROM 1,500 EACH YEAR TO 2,400 BY THE END OF 1987.
DR THONG WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW SCHOOL, WITH ITS EXCELLENT FACILITIES, WILL CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY "NOT ONLY IN PROVIDING THE MUCH-NEEDED SUPPLY OF NURSES BUT ALSO IN IMPROVING ULTIMATELY THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE."
--------------------0------- EMPLOY DISABLED TO FULFIL MANPOWER NEEDS *****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TOLD EMPLOYERS TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THEIR SUPPORT IN TAKING ON DISABLED PERSONS NOT ONLY GIVES THIS PARTICULAR GROUP THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR CAPABILITIES AT WORK, BUT ALSO FULFILS THEIR OWN MANPOWER NEEDS IN TIMES OF LABOUR SHORTAGE.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIRS TO THE TOP EMPLOYERS WHO EMPLOY THE LARGEST NUMBER OF DISABLED PERSONS, MR HAMMOND NOTED THAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN SEVERAL AREAS DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE THIS YEAR.
/"FIRST, OF .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
14
"FIRST, OF THE TOP 11 EMPLOYERS, SEVEN DID NOT APPEAR ON LAST YEAR’S LIST WHICH INDICATES THAT A GROWING NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS ARE WILLING TO EMPLOY THE DISABLED IN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS.
"SECONDLY, THE TOP 11 EMPLOYERS COME FROM A GOOD MIXTURE OF BACKGROUNDS, AND THE EMPLOYER WHO TOPS THE LIST THIS YEAR COMES FROM THE CATERING INDUSTRY.
"THIRDLY, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE PLACEMENT FIGURE FOR THE EX-MENTALLY ILL. THIS SHOWS THAT EMPLOYERS ARE BECOMING MORE OPEN AND RECEPTIVE TOWARDS THE EMPLOYMENT OF THIS PARTICULAR GROUP," MR HAMMOND SAID.
HE SAID THAT DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, 493 EMPLOYERS TOOK ON DISABLED PERSONS COMPARED TO 434 IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
THE 11 EMPLOYERS AWARDED SOUVENIR PLAQUES THIS YEAR HIRED AMONG THEMSELVES A TOTAL OF 190 DISABLED PERSONS. THEY INCLUDED 30 BY MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS (HK) LTD., 27 BY LO’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD. AND 20 BY WING HANG METAL AND WATCH DIAL FACTORY.
THE OTHERS WHICH EMPLOYED BETWEEN 12 AND 19 DISABLED PERSONS, ARE SECURITY ALLIANCE LTD., WONG’S INDUSTRIAL (HOLDINGS) LTD., MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, RELIANCE SERVICES CO. LTD., ORIENTAL PRINTED CIRCUITS LTD., EAST ASIA SECURITY LTD., PICOTRONICS INDUSTRIES LTD., AND TIM FUNG STEAM LAUNDRY CO. LTD.
ANOTHER EIGHT FIRMS WHICH HAD DONE MUCH TO RE-ARRANGE DUTIES AND RE-DEPLOY STAFF IN A BID TO ACCOMMODATE DISABLED EMPLOYEES, WERE ALSO PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION BY MR HAMMOND.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY TODAY WERE MR JAMES CHU, GENERAL MANAGER AND VICE PRESIDENT OF MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS (HK) LTD., WHO SPOKE ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE IN EMPLOYING DISABLED WORKERS, AND MISS WONG YUK-CHING, A BLIND TELEPHONE OPERATOR, WHO TALKED ABOUT OVERCOMING THE HANDICAPPING EFFECTS OF HER DISABILITY AND ESTABLISHING HERSELF AT WORK.
--------0 ---------
/15........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
- 15 -
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ESSENTIAL FOR YOUTH SERVICES *****
SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM THE COMMUNITY HAVE AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUTH SERVICES, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON "SERVICE POLICY FOR THE YOUTH” ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR KWOK NOTED THAT YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE ENABLED YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITIES AND POTENTIALS THROUGH SOCIAL WORK METHODS AND WELFARE SERVICES.
THIS ALSO GIVES RECOGNITION THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE RESOURCES OF OUR SOCIETY, HE SAID.
MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT YOUTH SERVICES RENDERED IN SOCIAL WELFARE COULD BE CLASSIFIED INTO FOUR TYPES, NAMELY DEVELOPMENTAL, PREVENTIVE, PROTECTIVE AND REMEDIAL.
UNDER THE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES WERE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND OTHER YOUTH GROUPS WHILE PREVENTIVE SERVICES COMPRISED OUTREACHING SCHOOL WORK AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK.
"THERE IS ONE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE FOR EVERY DISTRICT WITH 20,000 TO 30,000 POPULATION AND THERE ARE NOW 231 SUCH CENTRES WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF SOME 275,000," MR KWOK SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MORE THAN 70,000 MEMBERS IN THE UNIFORM GROUPS AND SOME 10,000 PEOPLE ARE BEING SERVED BY OUTREACHING SERVICE AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK," HE SAID.
"THESE FIGURES ALONE CAN TELL THE EXTENT AND INFLUENCE OF YOUTH WORK.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THERE ARE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO GIVE INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS EVERY NECESSARY GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE.
"IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THESE SERVICES EXCEEDS $240 MILLION, REPRESENTING ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF WELFARE EXPENDITURE," HE ADDED.
STRESSING THAT DEVELOPMENTAL YOUTH WORK COULD NOT ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE WITHOUT THE RESPONSE, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE OF THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY, MR KWOK SAID THAT IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
ON PREVENTIVE SERVICES, HE SAID THAT SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO EVERY SCHOOL WHILE OUTREACHING WORK WAS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS.
/ON THE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988 -
16
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR KWOK NOTED THAT WHEN CHILDREN WERE IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION OF SOCIAL WORKERS EITHER BECAUSE OF THEIR BEHAVIOURAL OR FAMILY PROBLEMS, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD GIVE THEM ASSISTANCE.
’’VERY OFTEN, THESE CASES ARE ASSIGNED BY THE COURT TO BE PUT UNDER THE COUNSEL AND SUPERVISION OF SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND SOME CASES MAY EVEN REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND TRAINING.
"AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SOME 2,000 YOUNGSTERS RECEIVING THE CARE AND PROTECTION RENDERED MOSTLY BY CASEWORKERS," HE SAID.
REMEDIAL SERVICES, COMPRISING PROBATION, INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING AND AFTER-CARE, WOULD BE NEEDED TO REHABILITATE YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY BROKE THE LAW, HE SAID.
"THE PROBATION OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER SOCIAL WORKERS ARE NOW SERVING ABOUT 35,000 CLIENTS WITH LONGER TERM REMEDIAL COUNSELLING SERVICE," HE ADDED.
MR KWOK COMMENDED THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAIN YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME TO DEVELOP THEIR SENSE OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
-----O -
BETTER POLICE SERVICE TO TSING YI RESIDENTS * ♦ * ♦ »
THE OPENING OF THE TSING YI POLICE STATION SHOWS THE DETERMINATION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE TO PROVIDE A BETTER POLICE SERVICE TO PEOPLE LIVING ON THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING ISLAND.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR LI KWAN-HA, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW TSING YI POLICE STATION TODAY (TUESDAY).
WITH THE COMPLETION OF A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND PRIVATE HOUSING PROJECTS AND THE OPENING OF TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, MR LI ANTICIPATED THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD MOVE TO THE ISLAND WHERE THE POPULATION WOULD REACH 164,000 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND NEARLY 200,000 BY 1990.
/OBSERVING THAT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
17 -
OBSERVING THAT THE CRIME RATE IN TSING YI WAS LOW BUT WAS NEVERTHELESS INCREASING, MR LI SAID IT WAS ALMOST INEVITABLE TO SEE AN UPSURGE IN CRIME FOLLOWING SUCH A SHARP RISE OF POPULATION.
HOWEVER, HE SAID: "IT IS THE AIM OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE TO CURB THIS AND KEEP THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL."
NOTING THAT THE POLICING OF THE ISLAND WAS PREVIOUSLY PART OF <(HE RESPONSIBILITY OF KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATION, AND ONLY LIMITED REPORTING FACILITIES EXISTED ON THE ISLAND, MR LI STRESSED THAT TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN DEMAND, IT WAS NECESSARY TO EXPAND POLICE MANPOWER IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE POLICE COVERAGE.
HE SAID THAT THE OPENING OF MODERN FACILITIES AND ACCOMMODATION THAT THEY COULD SERVE THE PEOPLE OF AND EFFICIENTLY.
"THE POLICE BUILDING HAS THE CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE AND WILL, IN DISTRICT," MR LI ADDED.
THE POLICE STATION WOULD PROVIDE TO THE OPERATIONAL OFFICERS SO TSING YI ISLAND MORE EFFECTIVELY
CAPACITY TO EXPAND FURTHER AS DUE COURSE, BE UPGRADED TO A
SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED SIMPLY AS
POINTING OUT THAT THE STATION
ANOTHER NEW POLICE STATION PROVIDED FOR THE TERRITORY, HE SAID IT WAS, IN FACT, A SYMBOL OF THE DETERMINATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG IN THESE CHANGING TIMES.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LI URGED ALL OFFICERS WORKING POLICE STATION TO DO THEIR BEST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
IN THE NEW
MR LI LATER UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING POLICE STATION. ALSO PRESENT WERE REGIONAL COMMANDER, NEW MR RICHARD SMALLSHAW; DISTRICT OFFICER, KWAI TSING, MR CHAIRMAN, TSING YI RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHAN TIN-SUNG; CHAIRMAN, TSING DISTRICT BOARD, MR LEE WING-TAT; AND CHAIRMAN, KWAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHOI HING-SHUN.
OF THE NEW TERRITORIES,
BRIAN
COAK;
KWAI TSING
-------0 --------
/18........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
18
ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT IN WONG TAI SIN * * * * *
WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A LUNCH HOUR ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE EAST KAI TAK PLAYGROUND, SAN PO KONG, ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 13).
THE CONCERT IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE.
THE FREE LUNCH HOUR CONCERT WILL FEATURE LIVE PERFORMANCE BY POPULAR SINGERS AND A QUIZ COMPETITION CARRYING THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE.
THE CEREMONY WILL START WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY TO BE OFFICIATED BY A MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MRS PEGGY MIU LEE; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, AND WONG TAI SIN DEPUTY POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR P.J. THOMPSON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN ANTI-NARCOTICS LUNCH HOUR CONCERT TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 13) AT THE EAST KAI TAK PLAYGROUND. THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 12.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
LOCAL AND VIETNAMESE CHILDREN SHARE TENNIS FUN * * * » *
PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT AND CHILDREN OF THE KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE WILL TAKE PART IN A TENNIS AND MINI-TENNIS DEMONSTRATION TO BE HELD AT KWAI CHUNG’S O.R. SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
AN INTERNATIONAL TENNIS TEAM, THE PETER BURWASH INTERNATIONAL TENNIS SPECIALISTS, AND MEMBERS OF THE KWAI TSING MINI-TENNIS CLUB WILL PERFORM AT THE DEMONSTRATION, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE SPORT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE TENNIS AND MINI-TENNIS PLAYERS WILL ALSO TEACH CHILDREN IO PLAY DURING THE FREE PLAY SESSION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TENNIS AND MINI-TENNIS DEMONSTRATION ORGANISED BY KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE TO BE HELD Al 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT KWAI CHUNG’S O.R. SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL.
/19
- - 0 -
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
- 19 -
"MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" EXTENDED TO JUNK BAY RESIDENTS
*****
RESIDENTS IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WILL BE ABLE TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS OR COMPLAINTS THROUGH THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S "MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" STARTING FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE "MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE NEW TOWN IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
EVERY WEDNESDAY, BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 4.30 PM, ONE OR TWO SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE STATIONED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL TO ANSWER RESIDENTS’ QUERIES AND OFFER ASSISTANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD’S SECRETARIAT SAID THE SCHEME HELPS TO SERVE AS A CHANNEL FOR MUTUAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
"WITH A RAPID INTAKE OF POPULATION AND WITH CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEW TOWN STILL GOING ON, IT IS ONLY NATURAL THAT MANY OF THE NEW RESIDENTS WILL FACE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DISRUPTION IN THEIR FIRST FEW MONTHS.
"IN VIEW OF THIS, ANY COMPLAINTS, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS FROM RESIDENTS ARE WELCOMED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE ALWAYS READY TO OFFER THEIR ASSISTANCE AND HELP RESOLVE ANY DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE RESIDENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS FOR THE EXISTING "MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME" OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD IN THE SAI KUNG TOWN CENTRE, IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL-RECEIVED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS.
THE SCHEME OPERATES EVERY MONDAY, BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 4.30 PM, AND BETWEEN 6.30 PM AND 8.30 PM, AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING.
DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN APRIL 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR, SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 43 CASES, OF WHICH 29 CASES WERE ACCEDED TO AND 14 CASES ARE STILL BEING HANDLED BY RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THESE CASES WERE MAINLY MATTERS RELATING TO LAND, HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, LAW AND ORDER, HAWKERS AND MARKET, MARICULTURE ZONE, POSTAL SERVICES AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO MEET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THE TWO VENUES ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS RESPECTIVELY.
ANY PERSON WHO WANTS TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS OR MEET ANY PARTICULAR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER CAN PHONE MR ROBERT LAI ON 3-7923087 FOR APPOINTMENTS.
-------O----------
/2O........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
20 -
LADY WILSON VISITS SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN *****
LADY WILSON TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED TWO SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO LEARN ABOUT VARIOUS FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMES PROVIDED FOR MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN.
SHE FIRST WENT TO THE JOCKEY CLUB SCHOOL AT WOOD ROAD, WHICH CATERS FOR 90 MODERATE DEGREE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AND THEN TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND WEST MORNINGHOPE SCHOOL IN CHAI WAN, WHICH HAS A CAPACITY FOR 300 MILD AND MODERATE DEGREE STUDENTS.
THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WAS FORMED IN 1964 BY A FEW DEDICATED PARENTS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE ASSOCIATION OPERATES 12 SCHOOLS FOK STUDENTS OF VARYING GRADES OF MENTAL HANDICAP THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
- - 0 ----------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL AND QUARRY BAY
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND TO GILMAN STREET FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
AT THE SAME TIME, NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE
EASTBOUND SECTION OF THE TRAM TRACK ON KING’S ROAD IN QUARRY BAY
BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAIKOO SHING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 110
METRES TO THE WEST OF THE JUNCTION.
THE NO-ENTRY MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO
FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
--------o----------
/21
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
- 21 -
NEW URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS DESIGNATED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR NEW URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN YAU MA TEI, TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THE NEW RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING DESIGNATED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
SECTIONS OF MAN SING STREET IN YAU MA TEI AND AN UNNAMED ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM.
THEY ARE THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF MAN SING STREET BETWEEN MAN CHEONG STREET AND MAN WUI STREET, AND THE UNNAMED ROAD OVER CHUNG HANG NULLAH BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
IN TUEN MUN, A SECTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (LAM TEI SECTION) WILL ALSO BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
THE AFFECTED ROAD SECTION RANGES FROM A POINT OPPOSITE TO THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO SHUN FUNG WAI TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHERN ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO YICK YUEN.
THE EXTENT AND OPERATING HOURS OF THESE URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE INDICATED BY APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS DURING THE RESTRICTED HOURS.
------o-------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14 ) :
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 160 AND 185 WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WATER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, AND A 10-METRE STRETCH ALONG WATER STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BECOME URBAN CLEARWAYS
ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1988
- 22 -
URBAN CLEARWAY TO BE LIFTED
♦ ♦ ♦ * *
AN EXISTING 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE RESTRICTION IS CURRENTLY IMPOSED ON THE NORTHERN CARRIAGEWAY OF HAMMER HILL ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KING TUNG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 180 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
-------0--------
CSD CLUB, MESS SPONSOR KUK CHILDREN
* ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LADIES SECTION OF THE OFFICERS’ CLUB AND THE SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PO LEUNG KUK’S CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME.
A CHEQUE FOR $13,200, PROVIDING FOR SPONSORSHIP FOR 22 CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF THE KUK, WAS PRESENTED TO THE KUK THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE CHEQUE WAS PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE LADIES SECTION, MRS FRANSC1A CHAN, TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KUK’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1988-89, MR CHAO KING-LIN.
’’THE DONATION FORMS PART OF THE SERVICES THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS AND OFFICERS’ CLUB RENDER TO THE COMMUNITY,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TWO BODIES SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THIS DONATION WILL HELP AROUSE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE PO LEUNG KUK’S MEANINGFUL CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME.”
THE DONATION ALSO COMMEMORATED THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POLICY ON IMPORT OP SKILLED STAFF EXPLAINED ................ 1
JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON VBP TALKS IN LONDON .................... 2
ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY SUCCESS ATTRIBUTED TO MANUFACTURERS ... J
FINANCIAL ADVISERS APPOINTED ............................... h
DISPLAY ON FISHING INDUSTRY ................................ 5
CHINESE-STYLE FOOTBRIDGE OPENS IN FANLING .................. 6
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS ISSUE............. 6
ROAD SAFETY SEMINAR IN TUEN MUN ............................ 7
DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ............. 8
ROAD OPENING AND TRAFFIC CHANGES ........................... 8
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ................... 9
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY ON FW-HNG ROaD..................... 9
NO MAIL DELIVERY ON OCTOBER 19 ............................. 9
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
1
POLICY ON IMPORT OF SKILLED STAFF EXPLAINED » * ♦ *
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER, EXPLAINED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE IMPORT OF SKILLED STAFF FROM OVERSEAS.
HE WAS RESPONDING TO A NUMBER OF PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT POLICY ON THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR.
"UNDER THE PRESENT POLICY, FOREIGN WORKERS MAY BE ADMITTED TO HONG KONG ON CONDITION THAT THEY PROVIDE SKILLS NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN THE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET PLACE," MR CARTER SAID.
"PEOPLE ADMITTED UNDER THIS POLICY COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SKILLED WORKERS RANGING FROM TOP MANAGERS TO ARTISANS AND TECHNICIANS."
MR CARTER POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 4,749 MIDDLE MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONAL, AND TECHNICAL STAFF FROM OVERSEAS WERE ALLOWED TO COME AND WORK IN HONG KONG.
THE FIGURE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS 1,091.
"THE AVERAGE REFUSAL RATE IN CONSIDERING THESE APPLICATIONS IS 9 PER CENT," HE SAID. "BUT THIS FIGURE IS DISTORTED BECAUSE MANY OF THE REFUSALS ARE A RESULT OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION OR SPONSORSHIP."
THESE OVERSEAS EMPLOYEES
ACCOUNTANTS, ARCH ITECTS, ART
CONTROLLERS, HYDROMETALLURG I STS, DESIGNERS, QUANTITY SURVEYORS, ETC
INCLUDE PROFESSIONALS DES IGNERS, ENGINEERS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS,
SUCH AS FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE
OVERSEAS TECHNICAL STAFF ALLOWED TO WORK IN HONG KONG HAVE INCLUDED DREDGERS, PRODUCTION AND SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS, TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS, CHEMISTS, TRAINING OFFICERS AND FASHION
DESIGNERS.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGERIAL STAFF GIVEN PERMISSION TO WORK HERE INCLUDE BANK MANAGERS, COMPANY DIRECTORS, HOTEL EXECUTIVES, MARKETING MANAGERS, PROJECT MANAGERS, REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES, AND SHIPPING MANAGERS.
THEY COME FROM A WIDE RANGE OF COUNTRIES INCLUDING JAPAN, THE U.S.A., AUSTRALIA, CANADA, FRANCE, GERMANY, INDIA, KOREA, MALAYSIA, THE NETHERLANDS, SINGAPORE, THE PHILIPPINES, AND SWITZERLAND.
THE FIGURE OF 4,749 DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE WHO CAME FROM CHINA UNDER THE ONE-WAY PERMIT SCHEME. MORE THAN 27,000 PERMANENT IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA ENTER HONG KONG LEGALLY EACH YEAR; MANY OF THEM JOIN THE LABOUR MARKET.
/’’IT IS...........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
2
"IT IS CLEAR FROM THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS BEING RECEIVED AND APPROVED AND THE WIDE VARIETY OF POSTS BEING FILLED FROM OVERSEAS THAT MANY EMPLOYERS ARE ALREADY WELL AWARE OF THE CURRENT POLICY AND HOW IT IS APPLIED," MR CARTER ADDED.
"BUT THE SECURITY BRANCH AND WE ARE STUDYING THE APPLICATION OF THIS POLICY AND WHETHER THIS CAN BE IMPROVED."
--------o----------
JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON VBP TALKS IN LONDON t * » * *
THE FOLLOWING IS A JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12, LONDON TIME) BY THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM:
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS AND OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM MET IN LONDON ON OCTOBER 11 AND 12, 1988 FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ON SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TRYING TO ENTER HONG KONG SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S NEW POLICY ON JUNE 16, 1988.
THE DISCUSSIONS TOOK PLACE IN A FRIENDLY AND CONSTRUCTIVE ATMOSPHERE.
THE TWO SIDES REVIEWED PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT REACHED AT THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS IN HANOI ON AUGUST 3 AND 4 THAT REALISTIC AND EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO BRING THE OUTFLOW OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM TO AN END WERE URGENTLY REQUIRED.
THEY AGREED THAT SOME PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN STEMMING THE OUTFLOW BUT THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO PERSIST IN THESE EFFORTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TO REINFORCE THEM IN ORDER THAT THEY SHOULD BE FULLY EFFECTIVE.
THE TWO SIDES RECOGNISED THE VALUE OF THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME AS THE MAIN CHANNEL FOR VIETNAMESE WHO WISH TO LEAVE VIETNAM IN ORDER TO SETTLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
THEY CALLED ON OTHER COUNTRIES TO INCREASE THEIR EFFORTS TO ACCEPT VIETNAMESE ELIGIBLE FOR RESETTLEMENT FROM HONG KONG.
/THE TWO........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
THE TWO SIDES ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 15, 1988 WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR RESETTLEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES. BOTH SIDES AGREED TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE START ON PHASED RETURNS TO VIETNAM OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO RETURN.
THE BRITISH SIDE HANDED OVER A LIST OF THOSE WHOSE DOCUMENTATION HAD BEEN PROCESSED BY UNHCR.
IT WAS ALSO RECOGNISED THAT COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD POSE PROBLEMS OF A PRACTICAL NATURE FOR THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT. THE BRITISH SIDE WAS READY IN PRINCIPLE TO EXTEND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE ORGANISATION OF REPATRIATION TO, AND RESETTLEMENT IN VIETNAM.
THE TWO SIDES INVITE UNHCR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE BASIS THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN A HUMANITARIAN WAY.
BOTH SIDES AGREED TO STAY IN CLOSE TOUCH IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT QUICKLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY THE AGREEMENTS RECORDED IN THIS STATEMENT.
DURING HIS STAY IN LONDON, MR VU KHOAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM, HAD A MEETING WITH MR TIM EGGAR, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
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ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY SUCCESS ATTRIBUTED TO MANUFACTURERS * * * * *
THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY IS A TRIBUTE TO THE CONSTANT EFFORTS MADE BY OUR MANUFACTURERS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1988 HONG KONG ELECTRONICS FAIR ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID MANUFACTURERS HAD MANAGED TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST MARKET TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND TO PRODUCE WELL-DESIGNED PRODUCTS OF A HIGH QUALITY AT COMPETITIVE PRICES.
"LIKE OTHER INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, IT OPERATES WITHOUT SPECIFIC GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OR DOMESTIC PROTECTION.
/"THE GOVERNMENT,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
"THE GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, SEEKS TO PROVIDE A FAVOURABLE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WITH GOOD INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENABLE OUR INDUSTRIES TO FLOURISH," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID ELECTRONICS WAS HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST EXPORTING INDUSTRY, EMPLOYING OVER 110,000 WORKERS AND ACCOUNTING FOR OVER ONE-FIFTH OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
"THE INDUSTRY IS, AS EVERYONE WILL AGREE, THE FASTEST GROWING AND MOST DYNAMIC INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG IN TERMS OF PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS," SHE SAID.
"LAST YEAR, HONG KONG EXPORTED OVER $42 BILLION WORTH OF ELECTRONIC GOODS, REPRESENTING A 26 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1986. IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THIS ENCOURAGING GROWTH HAS CONTINUED AT OVER 30 PER CENT," SHE SAID.
TO SUSTAIN FURTHER GROWTH OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, SHE SAID, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS MUST CONTINUE TO UPGRADE THEIR TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTIVITY AND PRODUCT DESIGN.
IN THIS REGARD, SHE CONGRATULATED THE FAIR COMMITTEE FOR ORGANISING THE FIRST HONG KONG ELECTRONICS DESIGN COMPETITION.
"I ALSO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION, WHOSE INGENUITY WILL NO DOUBT HELP ENHANCE THE INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVENESS WORLDWIDE," SHE SAID.
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FINANCIAL ADVISERS APPOINTED * * * »
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HANG LUNG BANK LIMITED HAVE APPOINTED MORGAN GRENFELL (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS THEIR FINANCIAL ADVISERS TO ADVISE AND ASSIST IN THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE HANG LUNG BANK AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
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/5
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12,
1988
DISPLAY ON FISHING INDUSTRY ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED PREPARATIONS FOR A PERMANENT DISPLAY TO DEPICT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S FISHING INDUSTRY AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE LOCAL FISHING FLEET.
THE PROJECT, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG, IS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PRIMARY PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES AND NATURE CONSERVATION.
WITH THE THEMES OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION OF THE FISHING FLEET, THE DISPLAY WILL FEATURE SCALED MODELS, OF VARYING SIZES, OF ALL MAJOR TYPES OF FISHING VESSELS. RANGING FROM THE TRADITIONAL FISHING JUNKS, WHICH HAVE NOW BECOME OBSOLETE, TO THE MOST ADVANCED STEEL-HULL FISHING VESSEL WHICH IS BEING EXPERIMENTED FOR ITS FISHING EFFICIENCY.
THESE EXHIBITS WILL SOON BE PUT ON DISPLAY TO THE PUBLIC BY ROTATION AT THE COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRES AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SHING MUN AND ABERDEEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PREVIEW OF THE DISPLAY WILL BE ORGANISED FOR THE MEDIA TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 2.30 PM AT THE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN FISHERIES OFFICES, 100A, SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, ABERDEEN (NEXT TO THE FMO ABERDEEN WHOLESALE MARKET).
THE PREVIEW WILL BE PRECEDED BY A BRIEFING BY THE SENIOR FISHERIES OFFICER, DR PAUL MAK, AND THE FISHERIES OFFICER (FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY), MR JOSEPH SHAM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
CHINESE-STYLE FOOTBRIDGE OPENS IN FANLING
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD AN OPENING CEREMONY OF A TRADITIONAL CHINESE-STYLE FOOTBRIDGE AND TREE PLANTING EXERCISE AT FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THE FOOTBRIDGE, THE DESIGN OF WHICH BLENDS WELL WITH THE ADJACENT AREAS, HAS A GREEN-TILED ROOF SUPPORTED BY RED COLUMNS WITH PEDESTRIAN PARAPETS.
IT WILL PROVIDE A DIRECT AND SAFE PEDESTRIAN LINK TO THE WO HOP SHEK VILLAGE, WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY, WAH MING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND THE PROPOSED TOWN CENTRE IN THE FANLING SOUTH AREA WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY ACCOMMODATE 50,000 PEOPLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THE FUNCTION IS ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATION’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPECTED THAT THE FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE WELL USED BY GRAVE-SWEEPERS DURING THE COMING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL PERIOD.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI; PROJECT MANAGER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR TOM ARMOUR; AND DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER, MRS AMY WONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A FOOTBRIDGE AND TREE PLANTING EXERCISE TO MARK THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 AT FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14) AT 11 AM.
- - 0 -
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS ISSUE *****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS HAZARDS CAUSED BY ASBESTOS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (AIR CONTROL), MR F. TROMP, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ISSUE.
/M HUBERS WILL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 121 1988
- 7
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE REFUSE PROBLEM AT PAR SHA WAN AND WAYS OF ALLEVIATING IT.
ANOTHER ITEM FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE THE CLEARANCE OF VACATED STALLS IN SEE CHEUNG STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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ROAD SAFETY SEMINAR IN TUEN MUN t t t t ♦
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR FOR DRIVERS OF PRIVATE LIGHT SCHOOL BUSES IN THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON THE ROAD SAFETY ASPECTS OF THEIR OPERATIONS IN VIEW OF THE INCEPTION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM.
ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR DANIEL AU; TUEN MUN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDWARD YAU; AND SENIOR CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER OF THE LRT DIVISION, MR SUNNY CHOI.
HANDOUTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE OPERATORS AND A VIDEO ON THE SAFE USE OF LRT WILL BE SHOWN TO THEM DURING THE SEMINAR.
THE SEMINAR IS ONE IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ON ROAD SAFETY FOR DIFFERENT ROAD USERS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR SCHEDULED FOR 9.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
0-------- /8........................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 8 -
DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
*****
FUNDS FOR FIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A TOTAL OF $28,635 WILL BE REQUESTED FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE PROJECTS WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
TWO OF THE PROJECTS ARE OUTINGS FOR THE ELDERLY. THE OTHERS ARE A STUDENT CIVIC EDUCATION SPEECH COMPETITION, A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY WRITING AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, AND ANTI-THEFT COMPETITIONS.
THE PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP AND THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PREFERENTIAL SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL REPORT TO THE MEETING ON THE PROGRESS OF THEIR WORK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMMTTTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET, SHAM SHUI PO. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
0 - -
ROAD OPENING AND TRAFFIC CHANGES *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF AN UNNAMED ROAD OVER CHUNG HANG NULLAH BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING, PAK TIN PAR STREET LINKING SHA TSUI ROAD AND THE NEW ROAD SECTION WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC INTO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
IN ADDITION, THE NEW ROAD SECTION WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM.
MEANWHILE, IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE SECTION OF SHUN NING ROAD BETWEEN TONKIN STREET AND WING LUNG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY INTO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF PRATAS STREET BETWEEN PO ON ROAD AND SHUN NING ROAD, CURRENTLY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, WILL ALSO BECOME ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
------0-------- /?...................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY REPAIRS OF WATERWORK INSTALLATIONS, A SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
THE AFFECTED ROAD SECTION WILL BE 80 METRES OF THE NORTHBOUND MIDDLE LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES NORTH OF THE TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
SPECIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL MEASURES MAY ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE TUNNEL IF NECESSARY.
------0-------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY ON FLEMING ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT NORTHBOUND IN WAN CHAI BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM (OCTOBER 14).
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FLEMING ROAD BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD WILL DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT NINE WEEKS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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NO MAIL DELIVERY ON OCTOBER 19 *****
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY AND ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 WHICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
SUPPLEMENT
POLICY ADDRESS B Y THE GOVERNOR
TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
GOVERNOR OUTLINES FAR-REACHING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES...... 1
GOVERNOR WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS TO LEGCO......................... 5
GOVERNOR CONFIDENT OF BRIGHT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK ................. 4
QUALITY OF HK PRODUCTS TO BE STRESSED.......................... 6
NO PLaN TO IMPORT WORKERS ..................................... 9
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE ..ND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE ... 10
HK MUST PRESERVE FINANCIAL CENTRE POSITION ................... 11
APPROACH ON MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES OUTLINED......... 1J
DECISION CW NEW AIRPORT NEXT YEAR............................. 15
INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE OUTLINED............... 17
NEW STRATEGY TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN RURAL NT ............... 18
DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON CONTINUING WATER SUPPLY ............ 20
HOUSING FOR ,JLL URBaN SQUaTTERS BY 1994-95 .................. 20
SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR CTV EXPECTED NEXT YEAR.................. 22
GOVERNOR OUTLINES MEASURES .xGaINST POLLUTION ................ 25
PROGRESS MADE IN TACKLING POLLUTION, GOVERNOR .............. 26
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW POLICY BRANCHES . ..................... 27
ASSURANCE GIVEN ON MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER................ 29
MEASURES AG..INST CRIME STEPPED UP, GOVERNOR ................. 50
PRACTICAL WAYS TO DEaL WITH EMIGRATION ....................... 52
CONTINUING VIGILANCE aGaINST Il’S ............................ 54
•FaIR AND FIRM’ TREATMENT FOR VBP’S .......................... 56
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL ENSURE RESOURCES ARE USED EFFICIENTLY.................................................. 58
BETTER WELFaRE FOR THE NEEDY.................................. 40
LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ON HOMES FOR ELDERLY PLANNED.............. 42
EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD AT aFFORD/'jBLE COST ............... 45
PRIORITY FOR EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION ................... 46
foundation for training of sportsmen ......................... 48
GOOD PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING JOINT DECLaiL.TION ............. 50
BLUEPRINT FOR a PROSPEROUS FUTURE............................. 52
SUMMARY OF POLICY SPEECH TaPED FOR BROADCAST.................. 54
19 NEW LEGCO MEMBERS SWORN IN .............................. 57
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
GOVERNOR OUTLINES FAR-REACHING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED A PACKAGE OF MEASURES AND POLICY INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO STEER HONG KONG INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS DETERMINED TO THINK LONG TERM AND GIVE AN ENERGETIC LEAD TO THE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF THIS COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE 1988-89 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THE TERRITORY NEEDED A STRONG ECONOMY TO PAY FOR ITS AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR ITS PEOPLE.
TO KEEP PACE WITH HONG KONG’S TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN ITS ECONOMY, SIR DAVID POINTED TO THE NEED TO BUILD UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND BUILD MORE AND BETTER ROADS; TO DEVELOP THE AIRPORT AND CONTAINER TERMINALS; AND TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN MAJOR PROJECTS.
THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES AND INITIATIVES INCLUDES:
* A NEW POLICY BRANCH FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;
* A NEW POLICY BRANCH FOR SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT AND BROADCASTING;
* A "THINK TANK” TO BE KNOWN AS THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT TO HELP DEAL WITH COMPLEX POLICY ISSUES;
* A NEW DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT A $10 BILLION SEWAGE DISPOSAL PROGRAMME;
* TWO MORE WATER CONTROL ZONES AT JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER;
* DECISIONS TO BE MADE ON THE SECOND AIRPORT AND THE LOCATIONS OF CONTAINER PORT TERMINALS 8 AND 9;
* HIGHER RATE OF DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE PERSONS AGED 16 AND ABOVE;
* A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, AT JUNK BAY;
* A CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY;
* THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD SCHEME FOR INDUSTRY TO BE EXPANDED;
* FEASIBILITY STUDY TO ESTABLISH A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE;
/• 'GREEN PAPER..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
2 -
* GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT PLANNING UP TO 2001;
* HOUSING FOR ALL URBAN SQUATTERS BY MID-’90S;
» NEW STRATEGY TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN RURAL AREAS;
* ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO BE ESTABLISHED;
* NEW LEGISLATION TO STRIKE AT THE FINANCIAL ROOTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
* NEW LEGISLATION TO CURB ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND REDUCE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY VICE ESTABLISHMENTS;
HE ALSO SAID THAT HIGH PRIORITY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN TO EXPANDING HIGHER EDUCATION, MOTHER TONGUE TEACHING WOULD ENCOURAGED, AND A GRADUAL PROGRAMME TO PHASE OUT BISESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS WAS BEING DRAWN UP.
THE OPENING OF THE BIG HOSPITAL AT TUEN MUN AND THE EXTENSION TO QUEEN MARY NEXT YEAR WOULD HELP REDUCE THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN EXISTING HOSPITALS.
ON THE SO-CALLED "BRAIN DRAIN", HE SAID: "WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE, AND ONE TO WHICH THEY WANT TO RETURN."
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NO PLAN AT PRESENT TO CHANGE EXISTING POLICY AND ALLOW THE IMPORT OF SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF WORKERS INTO HONG KONG.
GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND HELPFUL HIGH LEVEL VISITS WERE BEING MADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
IN DEALING WITH VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE BOTH FAIR AND FIRM; AND CONSCIOUS BOTH OF HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES AND THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED THAT HONG KONG HAD A REMARKABLE RECORD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND AN ABILITY TO CONFRONT PROBLEMS.
"WHAT MATTERS IS NOT THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS - NO SOCIETY IS WITHOUT THEM - BUT THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO FACE THEM HONESTLY AND TACKLE THEM REALISTICALLY."
GIVEN ITS ENERGETIC, SKILLED AND PRAGMATIC POPULATION, HE WAS CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG HAD THE ABILITY AND THE WILL TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES IN THE IMPORTANT YEARS AHEAD.
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/3........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 5 -
GOVERNOR WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS TO LEGCO *****
THE NEW SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS AN IMPORTANT EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS, AND THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS OPENING THE 1988-89 SESSION OF THE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID WELCOMED MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAD JUST JOINED, AND EMPHASISED THAT THE BODY PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID ONE BY-PRODUCT OF THE EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES HAD BEEN MORE LIVELY PUBLIC DEBATE ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY, AND DURING THE LAST SESSION IT WAS CLEAR THAT WIDER MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL HAD BROUGHT WITH IT A GREATER DIVERSITY OF VIEWS AND A CLOSER SCRUTINY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SHRINK FROM SCRUTINY," HE SAID. "NOR, AS A COMMUNITY, SHOULD WE SHRINK FROM THE EXPRESSION OF DIFFERENT VIEWS.
"WE MUST, HOWEVER, TRY TO ENSURE THAT DIVERSITY REMAINS A FORCE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE. IT IS THE TASK OF THE COUNCIL TO TRY TO RECONCILE DIFFERING VIEWS IN A WAY WHICH ACTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THOSE WHO JOINED THE COUNCIL MADE A MAJOR COMMITMENT OF THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO PUBLIC SERVICE, AND HOWEVER ARDUOUS THE TASK HE FELT SURE THAT THEY WOULD ALSO FIND IT REWARDING.
EXPANDING ON THE COUNCIL’S EVOLUTION, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THREE YEARS AGO, 24 ELECTED MEMBERS JOINED THE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME.
"THIS YEAR THE PROPORTION OF ELECTED MEMBERS HAS BEEN FURTHER INCREASED. WE HAVE WITH US TODAY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND WE HAVE TWO FEWER APPOINTED MEMBERS," HE SAID.
"THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE. IN 1991 WE SHALL WELCOME TO THIS COUNCIL 10 MEMBERS WHO WILL BE DIRECTLY ELECTED TO REPRESENT GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES.
"THERE WILL THEN BE FURTHER CHANGES IN STORE AS WE MOVE TOWARDS A SYSTEM IN WHICH ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE ELECTED, BY ONE FORM OR ANOTHER."
/SIR DAVID........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
SIR DAVID SAID THESE CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EVOLUTION OF OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE YEARS UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
"AS OUR SOCIETY DEVELOPS, OUR INCREASINGLY WELL EDUCATED AND PROSPEROUS POPULATION BOTH SEEK, AND DESERVE, TO PLAY A GREATER PART IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND HAVE MORE SAY IN THE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR OWN LIVES," HE SAID.
"IT IS RIGHT THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. IT IS A TREND WHICH I WELCOME. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO IT."
SIR DAVID OBSERVED THAT THE WORK DONE BY THE COUNCIL DURING THE LAST SESSION HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIAL, AND HE SAW NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE ANY LESS SO IN THE NEW SESSION.
HE SAID: "THE POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT WHICH I SHALL PUT BEFORE YOU THIS AFTERNOON WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK FROM THE ADMINISTRATION; AND FROM THIS COUNCIL.
"I KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE WELL SERVED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WORKING WITH THE COMMON GOAL OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ITS PEOPLE.
"I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOU TO ACHIEVE THESE AIMS."
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GOVERNOR CONFIDENT OF BRIGHT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK * * * * *
HONG KONG MUST INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A MORE OPEN WORLD TRADING SYSTEM, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEALING WITH THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS OPENING THE 1988-89 SESSION OF THE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THE ECONOMY HAD CONTINUED TO GROW THIS YEAR, AND OVER THE LONGER TERM HE REMAINED CONFIDENT THAT THE OUTLOOK WAS BRIGHT.
AND HE POINTED TO THE GROWTH OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA AS A KEY ELEMENT OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC FUTURE, WITH THE TWO NOW BEING EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER.
/SIR DAVID ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 5 -
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED A HEALTHY AND GROWING ECONOMY AS THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION FOR ALL EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE.
AFTER VERY RAPID ADVANCES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE ECONOMY WAS CONSOLIDATING THIS YEAR AND OVERALL IT WAS EXPECTED THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WOULD INCREASE BY ABOUT SIX PER CENT IN REAL TERMS A SLOWER RATE OF GROWTH BUT ONE THAT WAS STILL REMARKABLY HIGH BY WORLD STANDARDS.
"IT WOULD GIVE US AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 10 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.”
A SLOWER BUT STILL SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF SIX PER CENT WAS EXPECTED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY — THIS YEAR BY ABOUT 35 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
’’THESE CONTINUING HIGH INCREASES IN OUR RE-EXPORT TRADE OVER 250 PER CENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS -- SHOW THAT HONG KONG IS RESUMING ITS HISTORICAL ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT FOR TRADE WITH CHINA AND THE REST OF EAST ASIA,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT WITH THE ECONOMY OPERATING CLOSE TO CAPACITY, THE TWO MAIN DOMESTIC WORRIES WERE INFLATION AND A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR.
"CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION IS NOW RUNNING AT SLIGHTLY OVER SEVEN PER CENT,” HE SAID. ’’THIS IS TOO HIGH. BUT AS THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND BEGINS TO SLACKEN, INFLATIONARY PRESSURE SHOULD ALSO GRADUALLY DECREASE.”
HONG KONG HAD PROSPERED OVER THE PAST DECADES BY MAINTAINING AN OPEN ECONOMY, BY WELCOMING COMPETITION, AND BY ENCOURAGING THE FREE FLOW OF GOODS, CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY, SIR DAVID EMPHASISED.
NOW IT WAS INVESTING HEAVILY IN ITS PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES SO AS TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUING GROWTH.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT WE ARE DEPENDENT NOT JUST ON OURSELVES BUT ON THE ’ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF OUR MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS AND ON OUR CONTINUED ACCESS TO THEM, AS WELL AS ON GLOBAL EXCHANGE RATE MOVEMENTS,” HE SAID.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WE MUST INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND CONTINUE IO FIGH3 FOR A MORE OPEN WORLD TRADING SYSTEM."
TURNING TO "THE CHINA DIMENSION", THE GOVERNOR SAID: "CHINA IS THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS; I’HE LARGEST SUPPLIER AND MARKET FOR OUR RE-EXPORTS; AND THE SECOND LARGEST SOURcI OF OUR RETAINED IMPORTS.
/’’HONG KONG .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
’’HONG KONG IN TURN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ALL THE EXTERNAL INVESTMENT.”
HE SAID ACCESS TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES IN CHINA HAD BEEN MAJOR FACTORS IN SUSTAINING THE RAPID GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, GUANGDONG PROVINCE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART, WITH AN ESTIMATED 1.5 MILLION TO TWO MILLION PEOPLE THERE BEING EMPLOYED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY HONG KONG BUSINESSES.
’’WITH THE CONTINUATION OF THE OPEN DOOR POLICY, CHINA’S ECONOMY SEEMS SET TO BECOME INCREASINGLY EXTERNALLY ORIENTED,” SIR DAVID SAID.
’’THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION IN PARTICULAR SHOWS ALL THE SIGNS OF CONTINUING TO BE AN AREA OF HIGH GROWTH. HONG KONG ALREADY HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA AND, MORE WIDELY, OF CHINA AS A WHOLE.
”1 HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE NOT ONLY A SOURCE OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT BUT ALSO AN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CENTRE LINKING CHINA WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD. THIS WILL BENEFIT BOTH OURSELVES AND CHINA."
- 0 - -
QUALITY OF HK PRODUCTS TO BE STRESSED *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE PROPOSED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD SCHEME FOR INDUSTRY, TO ENCOURAGE THE FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS OPENING THE 1988-89 SESSION OF THE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY AN AWARD FOR DESIGN, WHICH HAD HELPED ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTS.
”WE PLAN TO INTRODUCE NEW AWARDS NEXT YEAR IN OTHER KEY AREAS SUCH AS QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND INNOVATION,” HE SAID.
AND, STARTING FROM NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MOUNT A QUALITY CAMPAIGN AIMED AT THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
/’’IN OUR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
"IN OUR MODERN, COMPETITIVE WORLD, QUALITY IS VITAL. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LAG BEHIND OUR COMPETITORS," HE STRESSED.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT INITIATIVE WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HONG KONG’S FIRST TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, FOR WHICH CONSULTANTS WERE CARRYING OUT A DETAILED FEASIBILITY STUDY.
"IF WE DECIDE TO PROCEED, AS I HOPE WE WILL, THIS CENTRE WILL BECOME THE FOCAL POINT OF OUR EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
"IT WILL PROMOTE THE COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION OF NEW IDEAS AND TECHNOLOGIES AND WILL HAVE ACCESS TO TECHNICAL AND RESEARCH FACILITIES.
"IT WILL ALSO HELP TO REINFORCE THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND THOSE IN ACADEMIC CIRCLES WHO ARE ENGAGED IN PRACTICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT."
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY REMAINED A KEY ELEMENT IN HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY, BUT THE TERRITORY FACED STIFF COMPETITION FROM OTHER ECONOMIES WITH LOWER PRODUCTION COSTS AND FROM ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES WHERE THERE WAS A STRONG THRUST TOWARDS HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, BETTER QUALITY AND INNOVATION.
"IN ORDER TO STAY COMPETITIVE, IT IS CLEAR THAT WE MUST CONTINUE TO MOVE TOWARDS HIGH VALUE-ADDED, TECHNOLOGY BASED, PRODUCTION AND REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE LABOUR INTENSIVE SECTOR," HE SAID.
REAFFIRMING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE A HIGH PRIORITY TO PROVIDING LAND AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR INDUSTRY, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS RECOGNISED THAT TRADITIONAL FLATTED FACTORY BUILDINGS WERE NOT ALWAYS SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF THE NEW GENERATION OF MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES.
TO HELP MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS, A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WAS PLANNED FOR JUNK BAY, WITH THE FIRST PART OF SITE FORMATION TO BE COMPLETED IN 1992 AND LAND TO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM 1993. THE ABOUT 90 HECTARE SITE WOULD INCREASE THE SIZE OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES BY 50 PER CENT.
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MORE LAND WITH WATERFRONT ACCESS WAS NEEDED, AND THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR THIS, PARTICULARLY FROM CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRIES. AN AREA IN TUEN MUN WHICH COULD PROVIDE THE RIGHT FACILITIES HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED THE CAPABILITY OF THE WORKFORCE AS ONE OF THE MOST CRUCIAL FACTORS IN KEEPING UP WITH CHANGE.
/"NEW PROGRAMMES .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 8
’’NEW PHOGRAMMES IN MANPOWER TRAINING ARE NOW BEING INTRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND OUR TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,” HE SAID.
’’THESE WILL PROVIDE MORE TRAINED STAFF IN AREAS SUCH AS COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AS WELL AS MANUFACTURE, PRECISION TOOLING AND METAL WORKING."
AUTOMATION WAS A KEY ELEMENT IN MOVING TOWARDS HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, AND IT COULD ALSO HELP IN TACKLING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM, SIR DAVID SAID.
THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS INCREASING ITS EFFORTS i'O PROMOTE GREATER AUTOMATION, FOR EXAMPLE IN COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO FUNDING A RESEARCH PROJECT IN THIS FIELD AT THE UNIVERSITIES, AT A COST OF ABOUT $4 MILLION.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG NEEDED TO ATTRACT A HIGH IEVEL OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT THAT WOULD BRING WITH IT MODERN PROCESSES AND NEW TECHNOLOGY.
"OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE DONE WELL," HE SAID. "MORE THAN 150 FOREIGN FIRMS HAVE INVESTED IN MANUFACTURING FACILITIES SINCE 1984. THE MAJORITY HAVE BROUGHT WITH THEM NEW OR IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY.
’’WE NEED TO KEEP THIS UP AND TO MAKE SURE THAT MORE INVESTORS ARE AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITIES AND PROSPECTS IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE THEREFORE UPGRADING AND STRENGTHENING OUR INWARD INVESTMENT PROGRAMME.
"THIS WILL INCLUDE IMPROVING THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUR INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICES IN NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE AND JAPAN, AND TARGETTING THEIR OPERATIONS MORE PRECISELY ON KEY SECTORS AND INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES."
ON TRADE, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO ARGUE FOR FREER TRADE HAD BEEN STRENGTHENED SINCE IT BECAME A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY OF THE GATT, AND IT WAS, FOR INSTANCE, AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE CURRENT URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT GIVEN HONG KONG’S RELIANCE ON TRADE, PROTECTIONISM IN MAJOR MARKETS WAS A CONSTANT THREAT.
HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT RECENT OMNIBUS TRADE LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES WAS LESS PROTECTIONIST THAN EARLIER DRAFTS FORESHADOWED, AND HE WELCOMED PRESIDENT REAGAN'S VETO OF THE RECENT PROTECTIONIST TEXTILE BILL.
/’’BUT WE..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 9 -
"BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE AWARE OF, AND GUARD AGAINST, PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS," HE SAID.
"THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERSEAS OFFICES ARE CONSTANTLY ALERT FOR THE EMERGENCE OF PROTECTIONISM IN NEW FORMS AND IN NEW PLACES," HE SAID.
"SO FAR THEIR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN REWARDED WITH QUIET SUCCESS AND THEY HAVE EARNED RESPECT AND INFLUENCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING COMMUNITY.
"BUT OUR EFFORTS MUST NOT FLAG. WE HAVE RECENTLY SET UP A NEW ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TOKYO.
"WE ARE ALSO EXPANDING THE PROGRAMME OF SPONSORED VISITS TO HONG KONG BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, SO THAT THEY CAN SEE FOR THEMSELVES OUR FREE TRADE SYSTEM AND ECONOMIC POTENTIAL.
"WE SET A GOOD EXAMPLE IN OUR TRADING PRACTICES. WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS FACT IS WIDELY KNOWN."
- - 0 ---------
NO PLAN TO IMPORT WORKERS
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT AT PRESENT PLAN TO CHANGE EXISTING POLICY AND ALLOW THE IMPORT OF SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF WORKERS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN CALLS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE ITS POLICY AND ALLOW CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO IMPORT WORKERS FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
IT HAD BEEN ARGUED THAT MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN TO EASE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE WOULD NOT RELIEVE THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THE INDUSTRY WAS VERY LABOUR INTENSIVE AND THE COMPACTNESS OF MOST CONSTRUCTION SITES LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER MECHANISATION, HE NOTED.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE ALSO STRONG ARGUMENTS AGAINST ANY SCHEME TO IMPORT WORKERS FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
/"IT WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
10 -
"IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE NORMAL ADJUSTMENT PROCESS WITHIN THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD ALSO CONFLICT WITH OUR AIM OF ALLOWING THE WORKFORCE TO SHARE THE BENEFITS IN GOOD YEARS AS THEY SHARE THE DIFFICULTIES IN LEAN YEARS."
SIR DAVID SAID THE LONG TERM SOLUTION TO THE LABOUR SHORTAGE LAY IN INCREASED AUTOMATION, GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVED WAGES AND CONDITIONS.
"HONG KONG HAS ALREADY MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THESE AREAS IN RECENT YEARS. BUT MORE CAN BE DONE," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE EXCESS OF LABOUR DEMAND OVER SUPPLY HAD CREATED DIFFICULTIES IN SOME SECTORS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY TAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO TRY TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM.
"WE HAD RELAXED RESTRICTIONS ON OVERTIME WORK BY WOMEN; EXAMINED WAYS OF INDUCING MORE PEOPLE TO ENTER THE LABOUR MARKET; AND EXPANDED THE ADVISORY SERVICES OF THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
"IN ADDITION, WE ARE NOW CARRYING OUT A THOROUGH REVIEW OF OUR PRESENT POLICY ON ENTRY FOR EMPLOYMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND FULLY USED."
SIR DAVID SAID THESE MEASURES HAD HELPED TO EASE THE PROBLEM, BUT MORE COULD BE DONE IN RESPECT OF AUTOMATION, PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVED WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS.
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FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO DEVELOP FURTHER THE ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AS A SOURCE OF INNOVATIVE IDEAS ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IN A WORLD WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPING AT A TREMENDOUS PACE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE IN HONG KONG KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS GOING ON ELSEWHERE AND TURN IT TO OUR OWN BENEFIT," HE SAID.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1?, 1988
THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP SIX MONTHS AGO UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, TO SEEK OUT AND DEVELOP NEW SCIENTIFIC IDEAS WHICH MIGHT BE OF USE TO HONG KONG AND ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT HOW THESE MIGHT BEST BE APPLIED.
THE COMMITTEE HAD STARTED ITS WORK BY GIVING PRIORITY ATTENTION TO AREAS THAT WERE ESSENTIAL IN ENHANCING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS INCLUDING, IN PARTICULAR, THE WIDER APPLICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO AIMED TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE COMMITTEE’S EXPERTISE, FOR EXAMPLE BY ENCOURAGING IT TO ORGANISE EXHIBITIONS, CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, AND TO ENGAGE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS TO WORK IN AREAS OF PARTICULAR VALUE TO HONG KONG.
"WE ARE NOW WORKING OUT HOW TO GIVE THE COMMITTEE THE BACK-UP FACILITIES IT NEEDS TO ENABLE IT TO OPERATE MORE EFFECTIVELY," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
-------o ---------
IIK MUST PRESERVE FINANCIAL CENTRE POSITION * * * * *
AS HONG KONG HAS BECOME A LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE IT MUST MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE THE INTEGRITY, AND THE EFFICIENCY, OF ITS MARKETS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REFERRING TO THE REGULATION OF FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE DO NOT WISH TO OVER-REGULAIE. Bl. I WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS."
ONE OF THE MAIN LESSONS LEARNT FROM LAST OCTOBER’S STOCK MARKET CRASH IN WHICH HONG KONG, LIKE OTHER MARKETS AROUND THE WORLD, WAS SEVERELY AFFECTED, WAS THAT HONG KONG WAS PART OF A GLOBAL MARKET, AND THE FINANCIAL WORLD WAS INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED AND INTERNATIONAL.
"THIS CALLS FOR MORE CO-ORDINATION AND MORE UNIFORMITY OF STANDARDS OF REGULATION IN THE MAIN FINANCIAL CENTRES, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID AN EXCELLENT JOB HAD BEEN DONE BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT HE HAD APPOINTED FOLLOWING THE CRASH TO EXAMINE THE POWERS, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE STOCK ANI FUTURES EXCHANGES AND OF THE VARIOUS REGULATORY BODIES.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1?88
- 12
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE GENERAL THRUST OF THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, AND LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR TO ALLOW A NEW REGULATORY AUTHORITY -- THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION -- TO BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
HE NOTED THAT THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE HAD ALSO RECOMMENDED FUNDAMENTAL REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT OF BOTH THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
"THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE WHICH HAS, TO ITS GREAT CREDIT, TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO IMPLEMENT THEM. THE FUTURES EXCHANGE WILL BE PUTTING PROPOSALS TO ITS MEMBERS IN A FEW WEEKS TIME," HE SAID.
ACTION WAS ALSO BEING TAKEN IN LINE WITH THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION THAT FOR SETTLEMENT OF STOCK TRANSACTIONS THERE SHOULD BE A CENTRAL CLEARING SYSTEM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF A NEW STATUTORY CLEARING HOUSE, AS WELL AS AN EXTENSION OF THE SETTLEMENT PERIOD.
"THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING A NUMBER OF MAJOR BANKS, ARE NOW WORKING ON THE DETAILED DESIGN OF A NEW SYSTEM WHICH SHOULD BE IN PLACE BY EARLY 1990,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"IN THE MEANTIME, INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE EXCHANGE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.
"THUS, WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD, HONG KONG HAS MADE GREAT EFFORTS TO LEARN FROM THE WEAKNESSES WHICH WERE REVEALED LAST OCTOBER AND TO PUT MORE DURABLE STRUCTURES IN THEIR PLACE."
SIR DAVID SAID ANOTHER PROBLEM AREA THAT NEEDED TO BE TACKLED WAS INSIDER DEALING, AN ABUSE WHICH UNDERMINED THE FAIRNESS OF THE MARKET.
"WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO SEE THAT IT DOES NOT OCCUR. LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED THIS SESSION TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE RANGE OF SANCTIONS WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED BY THE INSIDER TRADING TRIBUNAL. THESE MEASURES ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE A MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT THAN WE HAVE NOW."
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/15
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
APPROACH ON MANAGEMENT
*
OF PUBLIC FINANCES OUTLINED * * t *
THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN AIM IN MANAGING THE PUBLIC FINANCES IS TO ENSURE THAT THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE DOES NOT OUTSTRIP THE UNDERLYING GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ABOUT SIX PER CENT A YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS HE OUTLINED A NUMBER OF AREAS IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO EXPAND OR IMPROVE SERVICES IN THE COMING YEAR, WITHIN THE PARAMETERS PROVIDED BY THE UNDERLYING GROWTH RATE.
HE SAID THAT IN EXPANDING ITS SERVICES THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE CAREFUL THAT PUBLIC SECTOR DEMANDS DID NOT UNDERMINE THE ABILITY OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO GENERATE THE ECONOMIC GROWTH ON WHICH HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY DEPENDED.
"OUR ECONOMY IS NOW RUNNING VERY CLOSE TO FULL CAPACITY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"IN EXPANDING PUBLIC SERVICES WE MUST NOT ACT IN A WAY WHICH ACCELERATES INFLATION OR PUTS FURTHER PRESSURES ON THE LABOUR MARKET.
"THIS MEANS THAT PUBLIC SECTOR GROWTH MUST BE BOTH GRADUAL AND RESTRAINED."
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, SIR DAVID SAID MUCH MORE WOULD HAVE TO BE SPENT ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TERRITORY’S TRANSPORT, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAN IN THE PAST.
"THIS EXPENDITURE HAS TO BE PLANNED CAREFULLY AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF OTHER IMPORTANT AND CONTINUING CAPITAL PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE TO ADJUST OUR PRIORITIES WITHIN A GRADUALLY INCREASING CAPITAL BUDGET IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE OVERALL PROGRAMME MATCHES THE DEVELOPING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. INEVITABLY THIS MEANS DIFFICULT CHOICES."
THE GOVERNOR ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD NOT BE CROWDED OUT OF THE LABOUR MARKET.
HE NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAD GROWN, OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, BY AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 1.7 PER CENT.
/ALTHOUGH THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
14
ALTHOUGH THIS RATE OF INCREASE WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WORRYING, THERE WERE SIGNS THAT THE RATE OF GROWTH WAS ACCELERATING AND THIS COULD RESULT IN THE GOVERNMENT ABSORBING A GREATER PROPORTION OF MANPOWER THAN WAS DESIRABLE, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT TO KEEP THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS RIGHT, THE CIVIL SERVICE MUST DO ALL IT COULD TO RAISE PRODUCTIVITY; TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY; AND TO IMPROVE THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXISTING SERVICES.
"WE MUST ALSO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT THAT ENCOURAGES MANAGERS TO GET MORE FROM THE RESOURCES THEY ARE CONSUMING: THAT IS, TO SEEK BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN MAKING MAJOR CHANGES IN ITS ANNUAL PLANNING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES.
"THESE ARE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO ENCOURAGE POLICY SECRETARIES TO TAKE A CLEARER VIEW OF PRIORITIES AND A MUCH CLOSER INTEREST IN WHAT IS BEING ACHIEVED BY THE PROGRAMMES CARRIED OUT BY BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS."
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT IN BOTH THE FORMAL ESTIMATES AND IN DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PLACING MUCH GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE RESULTS IT INTENDED TO ACHIEVE RATHER THAN SIMPLY THE VOLUME OR VIGOUR OF ITS ACTIVITIES.
"IT IS GIVING PRIORITY TO EXPLOITING ADVANCES IN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.
"AND IT CONTINUES ACTIVELY TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH BODIES OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT WHERE THERE ARE CLEAR ADVANTAGES IN TERMS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THESE REFORMS, TAKEN TOGETHER, REPRESENTED A MAJOR MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.
"THEY PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TO SHOW THAT IT IS EQUAL TO THE IMPORTANT MANAGERIAL DEMANDS PLACED UPON IT.
"THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY WHICH I BELIEVE THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL SEIZE WITH BOTH ENTHUSIASM AND CONFIDENCE," HE ADDED.
-----0-----
/15........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- -DECISION ON NEW AIRPORT NEXT YEAR *****
FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH, HONG KONG HAS REACHED THE STAGE WHERE DECISIONS MUST BE TAKEN ON THE FUTURE OF ITS AIRPORT AND ON THE LOCATION OF A NEW GENERATION OF PORT FACILITIES.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN OUTLINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
DECISIONS WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE TAKEN ON THE SUPPORTING ROAD NETWORKS AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED BY AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENTS.
’’THESE MAJOR ISSUES ARE BEING CONSIDERED IN A RANGE OF STUDIES GROUPED UNDER THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY,” SIR DAVID SAID. ’’THEY ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT AN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTRE SUCH AS HONG KONG MUST HAVE AN AIRPORT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD WITHIN ITS OWN BOUNDARIES.
KAI TAK WAS NOW THE SECOND BUSIEST IN ASIA: OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS HAD INCREASED BY ALMOST 40 PER CENT AND, IN THE SAME PERIOD, AIRCRAFT MOVEMENT AND FREIGHT TRAFFIC HAD EACH RISEN BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT.
RECENT STUDIES HAD SHOWN THAT, WITHOUT CONSTRAINTS, KAI TAK WOULD REACH CAPACITY BEFORE THE END OF THE NEXT DECADE, AND IT WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT A NEW AIRPORT WOULD BE NEEDED.
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED THIS AS A DECISION OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG, INVOLVING THE QUESTION OF WHERE AND WHEN AN AIRPORT SHOULD BE BUILT, AND ALSO ENSURING THAT THE PROJECT WAS FINANCIALLY VIABLE.
"BUILDING A NEW AIRPORT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG, COSTING TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD REQUIRE MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN LAND FORMATION, ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.
"WHEREVER IT WAS SITED, IT WOULD ATTRACT INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE SAME AREA."
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 16 -
SIR DAVID SAID THAT AS THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF SUCH A PROJECT WOULD GIVE A MAJOR BOOST TO CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG *S FUTURE, IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO GET THE DECISION RIGHT.
’’THIS MEANS HAVING ALL THE FACTS CLEAR BEFORE WE TAKE IT. IT DOES NOT MEAN ALLOWING ANY UNNECESSARY DELAY. I INTEND THAT A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IT WOULD TAKE BETWEEN SEVEN AND 12 YEARS TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT, DEPENDING ON THE SITE CHOSEN.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, KAI TAK WOULD BE EXPANDED TO COPE WITH TRAFFIC UNTIL A NEW AIRPORT WAS AVAILABLE.
’’LATER THIS YEAR, PASSENGER HANDLING CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED FROM 12 MILLION TO 20 MILLION PER YEAR. ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT PARKING WILL BE PROVIDED IN 1989 AND IMPROVEMENTS TO CARGO HANDLING AND OTHER FACILITIES IN 1991.
"THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE COSTLY; BUT THEY ARE ESSENTIAL IF KAI TAK IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP UNTIL THE NEW AIRPORT IS BUILT,” HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE PORT, SIR DAVID SAID AS DOMESTIC TRADE HAD FLOURISHED AND TRADE WITH CHINA HAD BOOMED, THE PORT HAD BECOME BUSIER THAN EVER.
CITING FIGURES, HE SAID THAT LAST YEAR MORE THAN 70 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO WERE LOADED AND DISCHARGED IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG --DOUBLE THE AMOUNT HANDLED IN 1980.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, CARGO TONNAGE HAD INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. KWAI CHUNG WAS NOW THE BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT IN THE WORLD IN THROUGHPUT. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN RAPID INCREASES IN THE SHIPMENT OF NON-CONTAINERISED CARGO.
"CONTINUED GROWTH AT A SIMILAR RATE WILL REQUIRE MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN NEW PORT INFRASTRUCTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF KWAI CHUNG AND THE CONTAINER PORT THERE WILL BE EXHAUSTED ONCE TERMINAL 7 IS BUILT. DECISIONS ON THE LOCATION OF TERMINALS 8 AND 9 WILL BE TAKEN AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR WE SHALL NEED TO DECIDE WHERE AND HOW THE NEXT GENERATION OF PORT FACILITIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED, IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STUDIES."
-----0 ---------
/17........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 17 -
INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE OUTLINED *****
HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO INVEST HEAVILY IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO COPE WITH AN ENORMOUS INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC USING THE ROADS DUE TO THE RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID.
’’THAT IS WHY WE SHALL BE SPENDING $1.9 BILLION ON NEW ROADS THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH $1.6 BILLION IN 1987-88,'’ SIR DAVID TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
APART FROM PROJECTS BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE COMPANIES ALSO DEMONSTRATED THEIR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE BY INVESTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, "PROJECTS WITH PAYBACK PERIODS EXTENDING WELL BEYOND 1997," SIR DAVID NOTED.
RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH HAD LED TO AN ENORMOUS INCREASE IN THE VOLUME 01 COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC USING OUR ROADS, SIR DAVID SAID, AND PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP HAD RISEN SHARPLY SINCE EARLY LAST YEAR.
HE SAID: "IN RECENT YEARS, THE OPENING OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE UPGRADING OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HAVE HELPED TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE ROAD SYSTEM."
A NUMBER OF MAJOR FACILITIES WERE CURRENTLY BEING BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS, ROUTE 5 LINKING SHA TIN WITH TSUEN WAN, THE FINAL STAGES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AND THE JUNK BAY ROAD TUNNEL, THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ROAD TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD INCREASED EIGHTFOLD SINCE 1981. "THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 300,000 VEHICLE TRIPS ACROSS THE BORDER EACH MONTH."
ROAD LINKS WERE BEING IMPROVED TO MEET THIS EVER INCREASING DEMAND, SIR DAVID SAID.
STAGE I OF THE NEW LOK MA CHAU BRIDGE WOULD BE OPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, AND THE SECOND STAGE BY THE END OF 1990 WHILE THE UPGRADING OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD WOULD START IN 1989.
OTHER MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS AND RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS BEING PLANNED FOR THE LONGER TERM INCLUDED ROUTE 3, FORMERLY CALLED ROUTE X, LINKING THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND HONG KONG ISLAND VIA TSING Y1 AND THE PROPOSED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
A DETAILED ENGINEERING STUDY WOULD BEGIN SHORTLY TO IDENTIFY THE BEST ALIGNMENT.
/•'EARLY NEXT.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 18
"EARLY NEXT YEAR, WE WILL BE IN A POSITION TO DECIDE WHETHER IT IS FEASIBLE TO BUILD A RAIL LINK BETWEEN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA, AS WELL AS THE BEST ROUTE FOR '.JCH A LINK," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXTENDING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO JUNK BAY ARE ALREADY BEING DISCUSSED WITH THE MTR CORPORATION.
"IN ADDITION, CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ADVISE ON THE PROPOSED KCR FREIGHT YARD EXPANSION AT HUNG HOM BAY AND THE ASSOCIATED MARSHALLING YARD AT LO WU; WE INTEND TO TAKE DECISIONS ON THESE PROJECTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR."
HOW HONG KONG DEALT WITH THE LONGER TERM PROJECTS WOULD BE DECIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY WHICH WOULD EXAMINE THE POLICY AND PLANNING OPTIONS INVOLVED IN MAINTAINING AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF MOBILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT UP TO THE YEAR 2001, SIR DAVID ADDED.
A GREEN PAPER ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT POLICY SETTING OUT THE MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY AND THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 AS A BASIS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, HE SAID.
"IT IS ALREADY CLEAR THAT TRANSPORT DEMAND WILL RISE SUBSTANTIALLY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE CENTURY. WE WILL GO ON BUILDING UP OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
"BUT INEVITABLY THERE ARE ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT CAN BE FURTHER EXPANDED, PARTICULARLY IN THE URBAN AREAS."
ROAD CONGESTION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM, HE ADDED.
-------o----------
NEW STRATEGY TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN RURAL NT
*****
THE NEED FOR A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES WAS STRESSED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WHILE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE NEW TOWNS WERE GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, HE SAID THE SITUATION IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES WAS NOT SO GOOD.
/MANY VILLAGES........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 19 -
MANY VILLAGES STILL LACKED BASIC AMENITIES SUCH AS PROPER ACCESS ROADS, DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.
"OVER THE YEARS, SOME IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON A PIECEMEAL BASIS, THROUGH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMME. THESE MUST CONTINUE," HE SAID.
"BUT, IN ORDER TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS, THERE IS A NEED FOR A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY."
THIS WAS BEING WORKED OUT AND DETAILS WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE STRATEGY WOULD BE THE IMPROVED PLANNING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AND THE TIGHTENING OF CONTROL OVER LAND USE, "SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE IMPROVEMENTS ACHIEVED ARE SUSTAINABLE".
TURNING TO FUTURE URBAN DEVELOPMENT, SIR DAVID SAID A KEY ISSUE FOR CONSIDERATION WAS HOW TO IMPROVE THE METROPOLITAN AREA AROUND THE HARBOUR SO AS TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
THIS WAS BEING EXAMINED IN METROPLAN, A STUDY STARTED IN LATE 1987 .
THE AIM WAS TO BRING LIVING CONDITIONS AND AMENITIES IN THE OLDER URBAN DISTRICTS, SUCH AS YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK, UP TO THE SAME STANDARD AS IN THE NEW TOWNS.
"THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ALL HAVE IMPORTANT ROLES TO PLAY IN ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE," HE SAID.
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOULD SOON BEGIN TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE REVITALISATION OF THE OLDER URBAN DISTRICTS.
"SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, IT HAS PUT FORWARD PLANS FOR 16 URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, FIVE OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD," HE SAID.
"PROPERTIES ARE NOW BEING BOUGHT AND WORK ON THE FIRST PROJEC1 SHOULD BEGIN BY THE END OF 1989."
-----0------
/20........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON CONTINUING WATER SUPPLY
*****
DISCUSSIONS HAVE STARTED WITH CHINA WITH THE AIM OF RENEWING AN EXISTING AGREEMENT AND ENSURING SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLIES TO MEET HONG KONG’S REQUIREMENTS WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WATER SHORTAGE HAD ONCE BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD REMEMBER THE 1963-1964 DROUGHT, WHEN ONLY FOUR HOURS OF WATER WAS SUPPLIED EVERY FOUR DAYS, SIR DAVID SAID.
YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE UNFAMILIAR WITH SUCH HARSH CONDITIONS.
"IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO RECEIVING A 24-HOUR SUPPLY" HE SAID.
"THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASED PURCHASES FROM CHINA WHICH NOW SUPPLIES 70 PER CENT OF THE WATER CONSUMED IN THE TERRITORY."
THE PRESENT AGREEMENT WOULD EXPIRE IN 1994.
AS A RESULT OF THE UNUSUALLY DRY WEATHER IN THE EARLIER PART OF THIS YEAR, THE STORAGE LEVEL IN RESERVOIRS HAD FALLEN TO 32 PER CENT OF CAPACITY AT THE END OF JULY, WHILE RAINFALL IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER PROVIDED SOME RELIEF.
"IN ADDITION, THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE RECENTLY AGREED TO SUPPLY EXTRA WATER," SIR DAVID SAID.
WATER RESTRICTIONS SHOULD NOT NOW BE NECESSARY DURING THE COMING DRY SEASON.
NEVERTHELESS, MORE WATER HAD BEEN REQUESTED FROM CHINA TO GUARD AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF LOW RAINFALL NEXT YEAR, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HOUSING FOR ALL URBAN SQUATTERS BY 1994-95
*****
THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT IT ACHIEVES ITS TARGET OF PROVIDING HOUSING FOR ALL URBAN SQUATTERS BY 1994-95, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT SQUATTER HOUSING IN THE URBAN AREA WAS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM WHICH HAD PROVED DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE, SIR DAVID SAID REAL PROGRESS WAS NOW BEING MADE.
/"THIS YEAR,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
21
"THIS YEAR, 32,000 RESIDENTS OF THE TWO LARGEST REMAINING URBAN SQUATTERS AREAS, AT SHAU KEI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL, WILL BE REHOUSED."
IN ADDITION, A GOOD START HAD BEEN MADE ON THE CLEARANCE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, HE SAID.
"SO FAR 4,200 OF THE ORIGINAL 33,000 RESIDENTS HAVE ACCEPTED OFFERS OF REHOUSING. CLEARANCE AND DEMOLITION WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1992 AND THE SITE WILL BE DEVELOPED AS A PUBLIC PARK.
"A MAJOR EYESORE AND HEALTH HAZARD WILL THEN HAVE BECOME A MUCH NEEDED PUBLIC AMENITY."
ON PUBLIC HOUSING, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A NUMBER OF STEPS IN THE PAST YEAR TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING ADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.
WITH THE REORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN APRIL THIS YEAR, IT WAS GIVEN GREATER FINANCIAL AUTONOMY TO IMPLEMENT THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT AS PART OF THE STRATEGY, THE AUTHORITY HAD DRAWN UP A PROGRAMME TO REDEVELOP OVER 500 OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE CENTURY.
"ABOUT 500,000 TENANTS OF THESE BLOCKS WILL BE ALLOCATED FLATS IN MODERN ESTATES WITH LOWER POPULATION DENSITIES AND A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT."
IN ORDER TO MEET PUBLIC DEMAND, HE SAID THE AUTHORITY WAS PROVIDING GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME PURCHASE, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
THIS YEAR, 12,500 HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME FLATS HAD BEEN SOLD, AND 2,500 LOANS HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE PURCHASE OF PRIVATE SECTOR FLATS THROUGH THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME.
REFERRING TO THE SHORTFALL OF HOUSING PRODUCTION IN THE 1987-88 FINANCIAL YEAR DUE TO LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE DELAYED PROJECTS WOULD, HOWEVER, BOOST PRODUCTION IN 1988-89 TO 54,200 FLATS.
"THIS WILL BE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FLATS EVER COMPLETED IN A SINGLE YEAR AND MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO OFFSET LAST YEAR’S SHORTFALL.
"BUT I EMPHASISE THAT THIS HIGH FIGURE IS MAINLY THE RESULT OF DELAYS IN THE PROGRAMME.
"FOR THE FUTURE, THE LABOUR SHORTAGE CASTS A WORRYING SHADOW OVER PROSPECTS FOR KEEPING THE BUILDING PROGRAMME ON TRACK."
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
22 -
SIR DAVID ALSO MENTIONED THAT A NEW GENERATION OF BLOCK DESIGN - THE HARMONY BLOCKS - WAS BEING INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF PUBLIC HOUSING, WHICH WOULD BE READY IN THE EARLY 1990'S.
TURNING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK WHICH WOULD GIVE OWNERS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THEIR BUILDINGS EFFECTIVELY.
’’LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE BEING DRAFTED WHICH WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO FORM OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AND TO IMPROVE THE WAY IN WHICH THESE BODIES OPERATE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE EXPECTED THE LEGISLATION TO COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IN ADDITION, A NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WAS BEING ESTABLISHED, HE SAID.
THE COMMITTEE, COMPRISING A MAJORITY OF NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS AND CHAIRED BY ONE OF THEM, WOULD ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT FURTHER MEASURES WERE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
NOTING THAT THE DEMAND FOR CHEAP TOURIST ACCOMMODATION HAD LED TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GUEST-HOUSES, SIR DAVID SAID: ”WE MUST ENSURE THAT THESE ARE SAFE.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION HAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO LICENSE THE OPERATION OF THESE PREMISES SO AS TO ENSURE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF FIRE SAFETY, STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE. WORK ON THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION IS ALREADY IN HAND.”
--------0 - -
SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR CTV EXPECTED NEXT YEAR
*****
AS HONG KONG HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT THE LARGEST CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK IN THE WORLD, THERE IS LIKELY TO BE SUBSTANTIAL COMMERCIAL INTEREST IN BUILDING IT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVITED PROPOSALS LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW NETWORK, AND IT EXPECTED TO HAVE IDENTIFIED A SUCCESSFUL BIDDER, OR BIDDERS, FOR THE LICENCES BY MID-1989.
/"ONE OF ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 25 -
’’ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S AIMS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEW SERVICE WILL QUICKLY BECOME AVAILABLE IN HOMES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
"A CONDITION FOR THE TENDER IS THAT AT LEAST 750,000 HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE SERVICE IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS AND AT LEAST 1.5 MILLION, THAT IS 75 PER CENT OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS, AFTER 10 YEARS."
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG’S CONTINUED GROWTH AS A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE REQUIRED THAT IT KEPT PACE WITH THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
"WE HAVE BEEN WELL SERVED BY OUR TELEPHONE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS," HE SAID. "BUT, IN THIS AREA AS IN OTHERS, COMPETITION CAN ACT AS A SPUR TO INNOVATION AND CAN MAKE A WIDER VARIETY OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO DOMESTIC AND BUSINESS SUBSCRIBERS."
IN MAKING A DECISION TO INTRODUCE CABLE TELEVISION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD THEREFORE DECIDED TO ALLOW THE NEW CABLE NETWORK TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TRANSMISSION FACILITIES FOR COMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES SUCH AS DATA AND FACSIMILE.
"THESE SERVICES ARE OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY’S PRESENT EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE, WHICH COVERS THE CONVENTIONAL LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE," HE SAID.
"CONSUMERS, PARTICULARLY BUSINESS USERS, WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM A WIDER CHOICE AT COMPETITIVE PRICES IN A FIELD WHICH OFFERS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION."
-----O------
GOVERNOR OUTLINES MEASURES AGAINST POLLUTION ♦ » ♦ ♦ *
A DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR TO IMPLEMENT A 10-YEAR PROGRAMME, COSTING ABOUT $10 BILLION, TO IMPROVE THE TERRITORY’S SEWERAGE FACILITIES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
STATING THAT HE WAS INCREASINGLY CONVINCED THAT A MAJOR PRIORITY MUST BE TO DO MORE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, SIR DAVID ALSO OUTLINED PLANS TO COMBAT WATER POLLUTION AT BEACHES, INCLUDING THE DESIGNATION OF TWO MORE WATER CONTROL ZONES - AT JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER.
/SIR DAVID........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12/1988
24 -
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CARRYING OUT A MAJOR REVIEW OF SEWERAGE FACILITIES, AND THE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWAGE COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES HAD ALREADY BEEN MAPPED OUT.
THE NEW DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD BRING TOGETHER FUNCTIONS AT PRESENT CARRIED OUT BY A NUMBER OF EXISTING DEPARTMENTS, HE SAID.
"IT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SEWERS, DRAINS AND SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
"IT WILL ALSO HAVE AN IMPORTANT ENFORCEMENT ROLE IN ENSURING THAT SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT ARE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.”
CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTS COSTING ABOUT $2 BILLION HAD EITHER STARTED ALREADY OR WOULD START DURING THE NEXT YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID.
THESE INCLUDED THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK SEWER AND A SCHEME TO PUMP TREATED EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN FOR DISCHARGE INTO THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
"THIS IMAGINATIVE PROPOSAL WILL REDUCE THE POLLUTION OF TOLO HARBOUR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH," HE SAID.
"A START IS BEING MADE ON THE DETAILED DESIGN OF NEW SEWERAGE SYSTEMS FOR EAST KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND (SOUTH), AS WELL AS THE PREPARATION OF MASTER PLANS FOR TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG, NORTH WEST KOWLOON, TOLO HARBOUR AND PORT SHELTER.
"WE SHALL NEED MORE TREATMENT FACILITIES AND NEW OUTFALLS CONSTRUCTED SUFFICIENTLY FAR OUT TO SEA."
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AS AN UNFORTUNATE BY-PRODUCT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND POPULATION GROWTH.
WATER QUALITY AT GAZETTED BEACHES HAD DETERIORATED, DISCHARGES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE WERE AN INCREASING THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE HARBOUR WAS NOW HEAVILY POLLUTED.
HALTING THIS DECLINE AND DOING MORE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT WOULD REQUIRE BETTER PLANNING, MAJOR INITIATIVES TO CONTROL POLLUTION DISCHARGES AND LARGE SCALE INVESTMENT IN FACILITIES FOR THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE AND MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES.
/*WORK HAS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 25 -
"WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN ON ALL THESE AREAS. MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND FAR REACHING PLANS ARE NOW REQUIRED," SIR DAVID SAID AS HE PROCEEDED TO OUTLINE THE AMBITIOUS NEW PROGRAMME FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE INADEQUACY OF HONG KONG’S SEWERAGE SYSTEM, WHICH HAD BEEN BUILT PIECEMEAL OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS, HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY EVIDENT.
THE VOLUME OF INDUSTRIAL AND HUMAN WASTE HAD INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AND MAJOR RECLAMATIONS HAD ALSO AFFECTED WATER FLOWS IN THE HARBOUR AND THE SEA’S NATURAL CAPACITY TO ASSIMILATE AND DISPERSE SEWAGE.
ON THE POLLUTION PROBLEM AT BATHING BEACHES, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG’S SECOND WATER CONTROL ZONE, DESIGNATED ON AUGUST 1 AND COVERING THE AREA TO THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG AND LANTAU ISLANDS, WOULD CONTROL SEWAGE DISCHARGED FROM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES.
"IT SHOULD HALT THE DETERIORATION OF WATER QUALITY AT MANY BEACHES DURING THE NEXT BATHING SEASON AND PAVE THE WAY FOR A GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
ON WATER CONTROL ZONES, SIR DAVID SAID THE JUNK BAY ZONE WOULD CONTROL WASTE DISCHARGES FROM THE NEW TOWN, WHILE THE PORT SHELTER SCHEME WOULD PROTECT THE WATERS AROUND SAI KUNG WHICH WERE MUCH USED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
HE ADDED THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, ALL HONG KONG WATERS WOULD BE PROTECTED IN A SIMILAR WAY.
CAREFUL THOUGHT MUST ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MARICULTURE, WHICH WAS ANOTHER SOURCE OF WATER POLLUTION, SIR DAVID SAID.
"ALTHOUGH IT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR ECONOMY, IT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO ADD TO THE POLLUTION OF THE WATER AROUND OUR SHORES."
ON REFUSE COLLECTION, SIR DAVID NOTFD THAT THE 22 VESSELS NOW ENGAGED ON THE COLLECTION OF FLOATING REFUSE RETRIEVED WELL OVER 4,000 TONNES OF RUBBISH LAST YEAR, WHILE GREAT EFFORTS WERE ALSO MADE TO CLEAR RUBBISH FROM THE COUNTRY PARKS AND BARBECUE SITES.
STATING THAT MORE STILL NEEDED TO BE DONE, SIR DAVID CALLED ON INDIVIDUALS TO DO THEIR PART AS IT WAS PART OF EVERYBODY’S PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.
"I AM PLEASED THAT SOME MAJOR PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS ARE EAGER TO PLAY THEIR PART IN TACKLING THE POLLUTION PROBLEM. I HOPE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW SUIT," HE SAID.
-----0-----
/26 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 26 -
PROGRESS MADE IN TACKLING POLLUTION, GOVERNOR ******
PROGRESS MADE IN DEALING WITH LIVESTOCK WASTE, WASTE DISPOSAL AND NOISE POLLUTION WAS OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID IN HIS ADDRESS THAT HE HAD DEVOTED A GOOD DEAL OF TIME TO THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ADDED: ’’THIS IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH WE LIVE, LIKE THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY, ARE ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF MAKING HONG KONG WHAT WE WANT IT TO BE -- A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO GO ON WORKING AND LIVING.”
ON THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT FOR MANY YEARS INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IN STREAMS AND WATERCOURSES HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF POLLUTION.
IN JUNE, THE KEEPNG OF LIVESTOCK WAS BANNED IN THE URBAN AREA AND IN THE NEW TOWNS; AND CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED TO COVER TOLO HARBOUR, ANGLERS BEACH AT TSUEN WAN, AND SILVERMINE BAY ON LANTAU.
MOST OF THE LIVESTOCK FARMS IN THE PROHIBITED AREAS HAD NOW CEASED BUSINESS, AND THE REMAINDER WOULD SOON FOLLOW.
THERE WERE SOME 300 FARMS IN THE NEWLY CONTROLLED AREAS: AROUND 200 OF THESE WOULD GIVE UP LIVESTOCK FARMING AND THE OTHERS INTENDED TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTROLS.
"DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ARE NOW BEING SET UP ON PRIVATE FARMS TO SHOW FARMERS HOW TO DISPOSE OF TH1ER LIVESTOCK WASTE IN AN ACCEPTABLE AND ECONOMIC MANNER," HE SAID.
"OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS, THE CONTROLS WILL BE EXTENDED GRADUALLY TO OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY. WE CANNOT EXPECT AN INSTANT, OVERALL IMPROVEMENT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS BEING TACKLED.
"IN TIME, CLEANING UP THE WATERCOURSES WILL LEAD TO A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE POLLUTION OF OUR COASTAL WATERS, PARTICULARLY IN TOLO HARBOUR."
TURNING TO WASTE DISPOSAL, SIR DAVID SAID PROPER DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC REFUSE WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT, AND GOOD PROGRESS WAS NOW BEING MADE IN IMPLEMENTING A LONG-TERM STRATEGY.
THE DESIGN OF TWO HUGE LANDFILL SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE, AND IN DECEMBER A CONTRACT WOULD BE AWARDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND PRIVATE OPERATION OF HONG KONG’S FIRST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION, IN KOWLOON BAY.
/"AS MORE........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 27 -
"AS MORE TRANSFER STATIONS ARE BUILT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO CLOSE DOWN THE MUNICIPAL INCINERATORS WHICH ARE THEMSELVES A SOURCE OF AIR POLLUTION," HE SAID.
"THIS PROGRAMME WILL START WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE LAI CHI KOK ’B’ PLANT AROUND THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE REMAINING LAI CHI KOK AND THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATORS WILL BE CLOSED BY THE EARLY 1990'S AND THE ONE IN KWAI CHUNG AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SOME 100,000 TONNES OF CHEMICAL WASTE WERE PRODUCED IN HONG KONG EVERY YEAR, AND MUCH OF IT WAS DUMPED INTO THE NEAREST DRAIN OR NULLAH TO BECOME A MAJOR SOURCE OF POLLUTION.
"WE MUST PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR ITS PROPER DISPOSAL," HE SAID. "EARLY NEXT YEAR A CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE CONSTRUC1TON OF A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE AT TSING YI.
"IT WILL PROVIDE A MEANS FOR INDUSTRY TO DISPOSE OF CHEMICAL WASTES IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER. IT WILL NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THOSE WHO LIVE ON THE ISLAND.”
ON NOISE CONTROL, SIR DAVID SAID THE ENVIRONMENT COULD ALSO BE IMPROVED THROUGH THE CONTROL OF EXCESSIVE NOISE, AND HE NOTED THAT AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF PREPARATION THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JULY.
THE ORDINANCE CONSOLIDATED EXISTING LEGISLATION AND EXPANDED CONSIDERABLY THE SCOPE OF CONTROL, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
"THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION SHOULD BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
"THESE MEASURES ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE HONG KONG A QUIET CITY. IT IS FAR TOO DYNAMIC A PLACE FOR THAT. BUT THEY WILL HELP KEEP NOISE TO A MORE TOLERABLE LEVEL."
------O-------
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW POLICY BRANCHES
* * * *
TWO NEW POLICY BRANCHES WILL BE CREATED AND A CENTRAL POLICY UNIT WILL BE FORMED TO ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATION TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO NEW DEMANDS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY CARRIED OUT AN EXAMINATION OF THE TOP MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
/THE REVIEW
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
28 -
THE REVIEW HAD SHOWN THAT THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE ADMINISTRATION REMAINED SOUND AND THERE WAS NO NEED FOR MAJOR RE-ORGANISATION.
’’BUT SOME RE-ADJUSTMENTS ARE NOW NEEDED TO PROVIDE A BETTER BALANCE OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN BRANCH SECRETARIES AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING NEEDS AND PRIORITIES,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE ALSO NEED TO BRING IN SOME NEW IDEAS TO SUPPORT POLICY MAKING AND POLICY MAKERS.”
HE SAID ONE IMPORTANT ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE WOULD BE TO CREATE A NEW POLICY BRANCH SPECIFICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS NEW BRANCH WOULD REQUIRE SOME REGROUPING OF THE FUNCTIONS PRESENTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS.
AN INTERNAL STUDY WOULD BE CARRIED OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO WORK OUT THE BEST ANSWERS TO THESE ORGANISATIONAL QUESTIONS.
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGE WOULD BE THE CREATION OF A NEW POLICY BRANCH RESPONSIBLE FOR SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT AND BROADCASTING, SIR DAVID SAID.
THE NEW BRANCH, UNDER A SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, WOULD BE ABLE TO DEVOTE MORE TIME TO ENSURING THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE FIELDS OF SPORTS AND CULTURE WERE WELL CO-ORDINATED.
A SMALL ’’THINK TANK”, TO BE KNOWN AS THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT, WOULD BE SET UP EARLY NEXT YEAR TO CONSIDER AND ADVISE ON COMPLEX POLICY ISSUES, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"IN A FAST DEVELOPING SOCIETY SUCH AS OURS, COMPLEX POLICY ISSUES ARISE WHICH REQUIRE CONCENTRATED STUDY IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THE BEST SOLUTIONS. MANY CUT ACROSS THE BOUNDARIES OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
’’WITH THEIR DAY TO DAY PRE-OCCUPATIONS, SECRETARIAT BRANCHES MAY NOT ALWAYS BE BEST PLACED TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES. IN ANY CASE, IT IS OFTEN VALUABLE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT A PROBLEM FROM THE OUTSIDE.”
SIR DAVID SAID HE EXPECTED THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT TO PRODUCE IMAGINATIVE SOLUTIONS TO DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. "IT WILL HAVE BOTH FULL TIME AND PART-TIME MEMBERS, FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT. THE UNIT WILL WORK DIRECTLY TO ME, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.”
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
SIR DAVID ALSO ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR JUSTICE GARCIA AS THE FIRST COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS.
”MR GARCIA HAS SERVED AS A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT SINCE 1979. HE WILL RETIRE FROM THE JUDICIARY AND TAKE UP HIS NEW ASSIGNMENT IN EARLY 1989.”
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT HOWEVER GOOD THE CIVIL SERVICE, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RELIABLE AND INDEPENDENT MEANS OF INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF MALADMINISTRATION.
FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION, LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IN JULY THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
- - 0 - -
ASSURANCE GIVEN ON MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER
*****
LOCAL SERVICES ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO ENSURE THAT ALL COMMITMENTS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 CAN BE MET, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CITING AN EXAMPLE, SIR DAVID SAID A NEW UNIT WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE WAS BEING ESTABLISHED AND THAT STARTING IN 1990, IT WOULD PROGRESSIVELY TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREVENTING ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO HONG KONG.
”1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE POLICE WILL BE CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING THIS NEW TASK WITH THE SAME DEDICATION AND EFFECTIVENESS AS THE GARRISON FORCES.”
HE SAID THE WITHDRAWAL OF BRITISH TROOPS WOULD BE PLANNED ON A PRUDENT AND GRADUAL BASIS WITH NO SUDDEN CHANGES AND THAT HE DID NOT EXPECT ANY SIGNIFICANT WITHDRAWALS BEFORE 1992.
THE GOVERNOR RECALLED THAT A NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT, COVERING THE PERIOD UP TO 1997, WAS SIGNED IN JULY AFTER LONG AND SOMETIMES DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS.
”OUR OBJECTIVE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WAS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT PAID BY HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN THE GARRISON DURING A PERIOD WHEN WE SHALL BE SPENDING MORE ON BUILDING UP OUR OWN SECURITY FORCES,” SIR DAVID SAID.
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS A RESULT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, HONG KONG’S SHARE OF THE COST OF THE GARRISON HAD BEEN REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY.
’’EVEN ALLOWING FOR THE EXPANSION OF OUR OWN SECURITY FORCES, DEFENCE EXPENDITURE IS UNLIKELY TO EXCEED 0.5 PER CENT OF GDP IN THE PERIOD UP TO 1997," HE SAID.
"BY WORLD STANDARDS OUR EXPENDITURE ON DEFENCE IS SMALL."
ON THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AS A LIBERALISING MEASURE.
"NEVERTHELESS SECTION 27 WAS SEEN BY SOME AS PLACING EXCESSIVE RESTRICTIONS ON PRESS FREEDOM, THROUGH THE PROVISION FOR DEALING WITH ’FALSE NEWS’.
"IN JANUARY, THE GOVERNMENT UNDERTOOK TO REVIEW THIS PROVISION.
"THE REVIEW WILL BEGIN SHORTLY. IT WILL TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC VIEWS," HE SAID.
-----0------
MEASURES AGAINST CRIME STEPPED UP, GOVERNOR
*****
FURTHER MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR TO COMBAT CRIME AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EFFORTS AGAINST TRIADS WOULD BE STEPPED UP, AND IT WAS ALSO PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE DONE TO DISCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BECOMING INVOLVED IN CRIME, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, TO STRIKE MORE EFFECTIVELY AT THE FINANCIAL ROOTS OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS TRADE, THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARING NEW LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD GIVE THE COURTS POWERS TO CONFISCATE THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.
SIR DAVID SAID RECENT FIGURES SHOWED THAT OVERALL REPORTED CRIME HAD DECREASED SLIGHTLY THIS YEAR, AND THE FALL IN THEFT CASES, INCLUDING A RECENT SHARP DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF SHOPTHEFT OFFENCES, WAS PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGING.
/BUT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 19^8
BUT THE LEVEL OF VIOLENT CRIME, SUCH AS WOUNDINGS AND SERIOUS ASSAULTS, CONTINUED TO GIVE RISE TO CONCERN.
AS PART OF STEPPED UP ACTION AGAINST TRIADS, SIR DAVID SAID THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WOULD BE LAUNCHED AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND WOULD GIVE TRIAD MEMBERS A CHANCE TO RENOUNCE THEIR MEMBERSHIP AND MAKE A FRESH START IN SOCIETY.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO PROPOSE LEGISLATION TO CURB ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND REDUCE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
"I HOPE THESE MEASURES WILL HELP BREAK UP THE ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES BEHIND THESE ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
"WE SHALL ALSO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF LEGISLATION AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES AND THE FORMATION OF SPECIAL TASK FORCES TO ENFORCE SUCH LEGISLATION."
REFERRING TO THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM GETTING INVOLVED IN CRIME, SIR DAVID SAID WAYS TO IMPROVE THE REHABILITATION OF YOUNG OFFENDERS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE EXAMINED.
"THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER ADVICE ON APPROPRIATE SENTENCES FOR JUVENILES; SPECIAL OUTWARD BOUND COURSES WILL BE RUN FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS; AND THE SUPERINTENDENTS’ DISCRETION SCHEME WILL ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE, WHEN OTHERWISE THEY WOULD BE BURDENED WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD WHICH COULD TAINT THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES," HE SAID.
ON DRUG ABUSE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN REASONABLY SUCCESSFUL IN CONTAINING THE PROBLEM AND THE NUMBER OF NEW ADDICTS REPORTED TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY HAD AGAIN DECLINED IN THE PAST YEAR.
THERE HAD ALSO BEEN SUCCESS IN TACKLING DRUG TRAFFICKING, AND THE QUANTITY OF NO. 3 HEROIN SEIZED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR EXCEEDED THE TOTAL AMOUNT SEIZED IN THE WHOLE OF LAST YEAR.
"CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED STATES, HAS BEEN VERY PRODUCTIVE," HE SAID. "AS A RESULT, SOME MAJOR INTERNATIONAL DRUG SYNDICATES HAVE BEEN NEUTRALISED."
HOWEVER, PEOPLE MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT; DRUG TRAFFICKING COULD PRODUCE HUGE ILLICIT PROFITS, AND A LARGE PROPORTION OF THIS WAS OFTEN RECYCLED INTO THE DRUG TRADE OR USED TO FINANCE OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
SIR DAVID SAID THE NEW LEGISLATION BEING PREPARED TO STRIKE HARDER AT THE FINANCIAL ROOTS OF THE TRADE WOULD ALSO CONTAIN PROVISIONS AIMED AT PREVENTING DRUG TRAFFICKERS FROM BENEFITTING FROM THEIR ILLEGAL PROFITS.
/"THE DRAFT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 52 -
"THE DRAFT LEGISLATION IS NOW IN THE FINAL STAGE OF PREPARATION. IT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL SHORTLY," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CORRUPTION, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NUMBER OF CORRUPTION COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCLUDING THE POLICE, HAD CONTINUED TO DECLINE.
THERE HAD, HOWEVER, BEEN A RISE IN REPORTS RELATING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IS DEVOTING INCREASED RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATING MAJOR CORRUPTION-RELATED FRAUD," HE SAID.
"ONE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IS THAT MORE BUSINESSMEN ARE MAKING USE OF THE FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL CORRUPTION PREVENTION ADVICE PROVIDED BY THE ADVISORY SERVICES GROUP OF THE ICAC."
-----o------
PRACTICAL WAYS TO DEAL WITH EMIGRATION
*****
EMIGRATION IS NOT A SHORT TERM PHENOMENON AND MUST BE DEALT WITH IN PRACTICAL WAYS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE MORE WE DO TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN, BY MAINTAINING OUR BUOYANT ECONOMY, BY IMPROVING EDUCATION, HOUSING, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE, THE LESS LIKELY PEOPLE ARE TO WANT TO CUT THEMSELVES OFF FROM THEIR ROOTS AND LEAVE THIS REMARKABLE TERRITORY TO WHICH THEY ARE SO DEEPLY - AND RIGHTLY -ATTACHED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID RECENT INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LEAVING HONG KONG MUST BE SEEN AGAINST THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND OF POPULATION MOBILITY.
"ADDED TO THE TRADITIONAL REASONS FOR MOVEMENT IS A DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE AND THE SEARCH FOR SOME SORT OF INSURANCE POLICY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT A GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE WAS SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT EMIGRATION.
/THE TASK .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
“ 55 -
THE TASK FORCE ESTIMATED THAT SOME 30,000 PEOPLE LEFT IN 1987 WHILE AT THE SAME TIME 3,000 FORMER EMIGRANTS RETURNED USING THEIR OLD HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
IT ALSO ESTIMATED THAT SOME 45,000 PEOPLE WOULD EMIGRATE THIS YEAR WITH NO CERTAINTY ON HOW MANY FORMER EMIGRANTS WOULD RETURN IN THE YEAR, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT EMIGRATION FROM HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS FLUCTUATED A GREAT DEAL.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE MID-1970’S THE AVERAGE OUTFLOW WAS ABOUT 38,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.
’’THE LATEST FORECASTS SHOULD BE SET AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND ALTHOUGH THEY DO OF COURSE REPRESENT AN INCREASE COMPARED WITH THE PERIOD 1981 TO 1986, WHEN IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ON AVERAGE 20,000 PEOPLE A YEAR EMIGRATED.
"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ESTIMATES I HAVE QUOTED INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, FROM THE ELDERLY TO THE VERY YOUNG," SIR DAVID SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT ONLY JUST OVER HALF OF THOSE EMIGRATING WERE IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, SIR DAVID SAID LESS THAN HALF OF THOSE EMPLOYED WERE IN PROFESSIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE OR MANAGERIAL POSITIONS.
"IT IS THEREFORE NOT CORRECT TO ASSUME THAT 45,000 PROFESSIONALS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
THE TRUE FIGURE WAS LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THAT, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTOR WAS THAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMIGRATION WERE PROBABLY HIGHER NOW THAN THEY HAD EVER BEEN.
"DESTINATION COUNTRIES WITH A GLOBAL QUOTA SYSTEM HAVE INCREASED THEIR OVERALL NUMBER OF PLACES, THUS MAKING MORE ROOM FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE," HE EXPLAINED.
"MOREOVER, THE POINTS SYSTEMS OPERATED BY SOME DESTINATION COUNTRIES GIVE STRONG PREFERENCE TO THE BETTER EDUCATED AND IN HONG KONG WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WELL EDUCATED," SIR DAVID ADDED.
SIR DAVID ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF INTERFERING IN ANY WAY WITH THE FREEDOM OF PEOPLE TO TRAVEL AND SETTLE ELSEWHERE.
"THIS FREEDOM IS FUNDAMENTAL.
/’•ITS CONTINUATION.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
"ITS CONTINUATION AFTER 1997 IS ALSO GUARANTEED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION," HE SAID,
STRESSING THE NEED TO OBTAIN AS MUCH PRACTICAL INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THOSE LEAVING, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG COULD THEN MAKE SURE THAT ITS EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES PROVIDED A SUFFICIENT FLOW OF QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO FILL THE GAPS.
HE SAID PRESENT EVIDENCE SUGGESTED THAT THE OVERALL NUMBER OF NEW UNIVERSITY GRADUATES EACH YEAR EXCEEDED THE NUMBER LOST TO EMIGRATION.
"WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THIS CONTINUES TO BE THE CASE AND THAT THE NEW GRADUATES HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS WE NEED, ALTHOUGH OF COURSE A FRESH GRADUATE GAINED DOES NOT EQUATE IMMEDIATELY WITH AN EXPERIENCED PERSON LOST," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NEXT THING THAT NEEDED TO BE CONSIDERED WAS WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO RETURN.
"FOR A START, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NEED FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS TO CATER SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN WHO RETURN FROM OVERSEAS WITH THEIR PARENTS," HE SAID.
SUCH SCHOOLS WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR CHILDREN WHO HAD STARTED THEIR EDUCATION ABROAD TO CONTINUE IT IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT HOW TO IMPROVE CONTACT WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED OVERSEAS AND WHO MAY BE THINKING OF RETURNING.
"WE NEED TO KEEP FORMER RESIDENTS UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CONTINUED ATTRACTIONS OF LIVING AND WORKING HERE," SIR DAVID ADDED.
------o ------
CONTINUING VIGILANCE AGAINST Il’S t * t * »
ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP DROP IN THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED ON ENTRY AT THE BORDER, HONG KONG MUST MAINTAIN ITS VIGILANCE AND CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE IN DETERRING WOULD-BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN DESCRIBING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MEASURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT TOOK IN MAY AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
/SINCE THEN, .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
SINCE THEN, GROUPS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED AT THEIR PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS EMPLOYERS FOUND AIDING AND ABETTING THEM, HAD BEEN PROSECUTED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PROSECUTION ACTION WAS TAKEN WHEN EARLIER THIS YEAR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WAS REACHING SERIOUS LEVELS.
”IN MAY WE WERE RETURNING AN AVERAGE OF 100 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS A DAY TO CHINA," HE SAID. "SUCH LARGE NUMBERS REPRESENT A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO CAN NEVER LEGITIMISE THEIR POSITION ARE ALL TOO EASY A PREY FOR CRIMINAL ELEMENTS AND MAY TURN TO OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES."
SIR DAVID OBSERVED THAT IMMIGRATION, BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL, WAS A LONG STANDING HISTORICAL PHENOMENON, JUST AS EMIGRATION WAS.
FOR LEGAL TRAVELLERS, WHO WERE OF COURSE THE* MAJORITY OF THE HUGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO ENTERED AND LEFT HONG KONG EVERY DAY, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS WERE IN HAND TO SIMPLIFY AND SPEED UP IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES.
COMPUTERISED IMMIGRATION CONTROL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED AT KA TAK ON AUGUST 1, AND HAD RESULTED IN A WELCOME INCREASE IN THE SPEED WITH WHICH HONG KONG RESIDENTS COULD BE PROCESSED.
"IT HAS ALSO BEEN POSSIBLE TO REDUCE THE WAITING TIME FOR VISITORS TO THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
"BUT THE SITUATION IS STILL FAR FROM IDEAL FOR A MAJOR CENTRE OF BUSINESS AND TOURISM SUCH AS HONG KONG."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT TWO NEW IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS, AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL AND THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING, WOULD BE COMPUTERISED IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND IN MID-1989 RESPECTIVELY.
"ADULT HONG KONG RESIDENTS WILL THEN BE ABLE TO USE THESE DEPARTURE POINTS WITHOUT HAVING TO CARRY HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL BENEFIT THE MANY RESIDENTS WHO VISIT CHINA — SOME 16 MILLION JOURNEYS A YEAR AT PRESENT."
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
" 56 "
’FAIR AND FIRM* TREATMENT FOR VBP’S
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE BOTH ’FAIR AND FIRM’ IN DEALING WITH THE INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE MUST BE CONSCIOUS BOTH OF HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES AND THE NEEDS OF OUR OWN COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
FOR 13 YEARS, HONG KONG HAD HAD TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. "WE HAVE A RECORD TO BE PROUD OF," HE SAID.
THE CENTRAL ELEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY MUST REMAIN THE SEARCH FOR DURABLE SOLUTIONS — TO REPATRIATE THOSE SCREENED AS ECONOMIC MIGRANTS, AND TO FIND RESETTLEMENT PLACES OVERSEAS FOR THOSE FOUND TO BE GENUINE REFUGEES, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SINCE 1975, 133,000 BOAT PEOPLE HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, WITH ALMOST 69,000 IN 1979 ALONE. NONE OF THEM HAD BEEN TURNED AWAY, HE SAID.
"BUT, AS THE YEARS HAVE PASSED, OUR COMMUNITY HAS FOUND IT INCREASINGLY HARD TO ACCEPT THAT THIS PHENOMENON HAS TURNED OUT TO BE NOT A SHORT TERM EMERGENCY BUT A CONTINUING OUTFLOW."
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT AT THE UNHCR-ORGANISED CONFERENCE ON REFUGEES IN GENEVA IN 1979 THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL BOAT PEOPLE LEAVING VIETNAM WOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES. THE PLACES WHERE THEY ARRIVED WOULD GIVE THEM TEMPORARY SHELTER: COUNTRIES OF RESETTLEMENT WOULD PROVIDE A LONG TERM HOME.
"WE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO PLAY OUR PART BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY SHELTER ON THE BASIS THAT OTHER COUNTRIES WERE PREPARED TO OFFER PERMANENT RESETTLEMENT," HE SAID.
"IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THIS COMPLEMENTARY ARRANGEMENT HAS BROKEN DOWN."
LAST YEAR THE NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE RESETTLED FROM HONG KONG FELL BY 42 PER CENT WHILE THE NUMBERS ARRIVING INCREASED BY 65 PER CENT.
THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ARRIVING ALSO CHANGED AND THEY WERE NOW ALMOST ALL ETHNIC VIETNAMESE, MOST OF THEM FROM WHAT WAS FORMERLY NORTH VIETNAM.
SIR DAVID SAID: "MANY OF THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES HAVE QUESTIONED WHETHER THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT ECONOMIC MIGRANTS RATHER THAN REFUGEES AS DEFINED UNDER ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL CRITERIA: THEY HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO PROVIDE RESETTLEMENT PLACES FOR THEM."
/MOST VIETNAMESE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
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MOST VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DID NOT WANT TO STAY IN HONG KONG, HE STRESSED.
"THE TRAGEDY IS THAT DOORS ARE NO LONGER OPEN FOR THEM. THEY ARE PEOPLE ON A JOURNEY TO NOWHERE."
IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED A CHANGE IN POLICY ON JUNE 16 AND SINCE THEN ALL BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM VIETNAM HAD BEEN CAREFULLY SCREENED.
THOSE WHO WERE IDENTIFIED AS GENUINE REFUGEES COULD REMAIN IN HONG KONG UNTIL THEY WERE RESETTLED OVERSEAS, AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT MUST BE RETURNED TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, "AS IS THE CASE WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD", SIR. DAVID SAID.
HONG KONG FOLLOWED UNHCR GUIDELINES IN DECIDING REFUGEE STATUS.
IN ADDITION, UNDER A RECENTLY CONCLUDED UNDERSTANDING, UNHCR WAS INVITED TO MONITOI? THE PROCEDURES AND TO PROVIDE ADVICE TO PEOPLE WHO WISHED TO APPEAL AGAINST DECISIONS TO REFUSE THEM REFUGEE STATUS.
THE UNHCR ALSO AGREED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CARE OF ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE LN HONG KONG, WHATEVER THEIR STATUS.
THIS WOULD REDUCE THE COST BORNE BY HONG KONG BY SOME $150 MILLION A YEAR.
HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR MORE GENEROUS TREATMENT FROM RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES, SIR DAVID SAID.
THERE WERE 15,000 BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAD ARRIVED HERE BEFORE THE MID-JUNE CHANGE OF POLICY IN ADDITION TO THOSE WHO ARRIVED AFTER THAT DATE AND WERE FOUND TO BE GENUINE REFUGEES.
"WHILE WE AWAIT THE RETURN OF ECONOMIC MIGRANTS TO VIETNAM AND THE TRANSFER OF REFUGEES TO RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES, WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF BOAT PEOPLE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE ARE DOING THIS TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY IN THE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OF A GREATLY INCREASED INFLOW.
"IT HAS PLACED A HEAVY BURDEN ON OUR FACILITIES AND ON THOSE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHO DEAL WITH THE BOAT PEOPLE. ALL CONCERNED HAVE RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY TO THE CRISIS."
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO RECORD HIS APPRECIATION OF THE WORK OF THE UNHCR AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHO CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE WELFARE OF THESE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE.
ON THE LIBERALISATION OF CONDITIONS OF THOSE DEFINED AS REFUGEES AND AWAITING RESETTLEMENT AS PART OF THE POLICY CHANGE ON JUNE 16, SIR DAVID SAID THIS WOULD BE A GRADUAL PROCESS.
/"IT WILL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
"IT WILL RESULT IN THE UNHCR TAKING OVER EULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CAMPS. IT WILL ENABLE REFUGEES TO ACQUIRE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK SKILLS WHICH WILL MAKE THEM MORE ACCEPTABLE TO RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES.
"JOB PLACEMENT LOCALLY WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITH CARE BY THE UNHCR. THERE WILL BE NO SUDDEN FLOODING OF THE LABOUR MARKET, OR THE STREETS, BY PEOPLE WHO WERE FORMERLY IN CLOSED CAMPS."
THE NEW CENTRES, ONCE THEY WERE OPENED, WOULD BE PROPERLY MANAGED. SIR DAVID ADDED THAT THEIR EXISTENCE WOULD NOT AFFECT THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO LOCAL PEOPLE. "WHERE EXTRA POLICING IS REQUIRED, THIS WILL BE PROVIDED."
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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL ENSURE RESOURCES ARE USED EFFICIENTLY ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING PUBLIC HEALTH WILL NOT IN ANY WAY BE REDUCED WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"OUR AIM IS SIMPLY TO ENSURE THAT THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO THE MEDICAL PROGRAMME ARE USED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE MANNER," HE SAID.
CONCERNING THE WORKING CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF SERVICE OF GOVERNMENT DOCTORS, SIR DAVID SAID A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENT MEASURES WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED.
URGENT ADVICE FROM THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAD BEEN SOUGHT, AND HE HOPED FIRM PROPOSALS WOULD BE MADE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE REASON FOR SETTING UP A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS THAT THE ENORMOUS EXPANSION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS HAD MADE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE THEIR DELIVERY THROUGH THE NORMAL GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE.
A PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, CHAIRED BY SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED EARLIER THIS MONTH TO DEVELOP PROPOSALS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS UNDER A NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE.
/"THE NEW ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 39
"THE NEW AUTHORITY WILL BENEFIT FROM HAVING ACCESS TO MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR; IT WILL ENJOY GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF RESOURCES; AND, VERY IMPORTANTLY, ITS EXISTENCE WILL ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN AN AREA WHICH IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID STAFF OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT COULD BE ASSURED THAT THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT UNDER THE NEW HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WOULD BE NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN AT PRESENT AND THAT THEY WOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ANY CHANGES WERE MADE.
AS FOR STAFF IN THE SUBVENTED HOSPITAL SECTOR, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THEY HAD GENERALLY WELCOMED THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND SAW IT AS A MEASURE WHICH WOULD ENSURE A MORE EQUITABLE SHARING OF RESOURCES.
"FOR THEIR PART, THEY CAN BE ASSURED THAT THEIR SEPARATE TRADITIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS WILL NOT BE JEOPARDISED,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE PERIOD OF WAITING WAS NOT EASY FOR THOSE WHO WERE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES, BUT STRESSED THAT "IN SUCH AN IMPORTANT FIELD WE MUST TAKE THE TIME NECESSARY TO GET THE BEST SOLUTION, BOTH FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND FOR THOSE DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO WORK SO HARD IN OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES."
TURNING TO GOVERNMENT DOCTORS’ WORKING CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF SERVICE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS CLEARLY ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE ARE EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING MORE SENIOR POSTS, WHICH WOULD INCREASE PROMOTION PROSPECTS, AND OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL REMUNERATION FOR DOCTORS WHO WORK UNUSUALLY LONG HOURS," HE SAID, IN REFERRING TO THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES NOW BEING CONSIDERED.
"IN ADDITION, WE SHALL BE LOOKING AT POST-QUALIFICATION TRAINING FOR DOCTORS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FORTHCOMING REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON POST GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING."
SIR DAVID SAID URGENT ADVICE ON THESE MATTERS HAD BEEN SOUGHT FROM THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH HAD A LONG-TERM INTEREST IN THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG’S DOCTORS, AND HOPED THAT FIRM PROPOSALS WOULD BE MADE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
ON THE MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IT CONTINUED TO EXPAND WITH THE EXPECTED COMPLETION OF THE 1,600-BED TUEN MUN HOSPITAL BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR, THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSION IN 1989 AND THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL IN EASTERN DISTRICT IN 1991.
"THESE WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY A MORE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE TERRITORY, BUT ALSO A LARGE MEASURE OF RELIEF FOR THE SEVERE OVERCROWDING IN OUR EXISTING HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
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Ao
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
40 ~
BETTER WELFARE FOR THE NEEDY *****
AS A PROSPEROUS AND CARING SOCIETY, HONG KONG MUST DO ITS BEST TO ENSURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, CANNOT FEND FOR THEMSELVES, ARE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE RISING STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE ALL COME TO EXPECT.
THIS WAS EMPHASISED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID ENSURING THAT WELFARE SERVICES WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR THE POOR AND THE VULNERABLE WAS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES.
THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF SERVICES HAD BEEN IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS, IN STEP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG GENERALLY AND THE CHANGING NEEDS OF ITS PEOPLE.
HONG KONG’S THRUSTING CAPITALIST SOCIETY REWARDED HARD WORK, INITIATIVE AND SUCCESS, AND NOTHING THAT WAS DONE IN EXPANDING SOCIAL SERVICES SHOULD UNDERMINE THAT.
"BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE IN SOCIETY WHO, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, CANNOT FEND FOR THEMSELVES," HE SAID.
"OUR EXPANDING SERVICES FOR THE VERY YOUNG, THE ELDERL1 AND THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED RECOGNISE THIS. THERE IS INCREASING PRESSURE TO DO MORE FOR THESE GROUPS."
SIR DAVID SAID AN IMPORTANT SAFETY NET FOK THOSE IN NEED WAS PROVIDED BY THE NON CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. THIS GAVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE COSTS OF FOOD, ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER ESSENTIALS, AND ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES WERE PAYABLE TO THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY.
FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR’S ANNOUNCEMENT LAST YEAR OF INCREASED LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RANGE OF BENEFITS, MOST OF THESE HAD BEEN INTRODUCED ON APRIL 1.
THE GRADUAL EXTENSION OF THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO PERSONS AGED OVER 65 BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER; THOSE AGED 68 AND 69 WERE NOW ELIGIBLE, AND PEOPLE AGED 67 WOULD BECOME ELIGIBLE NEXT APRIL.
"THE SCOPE OF THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE WILL ALSO BE SIGNIFICANTLY EXTENDED," HE SAID.
"THE HIGHER RATE FOR PEOPLE REQUIRING CONSTANT CARE AND ATTENDANCE, WHICH IS NOW PAYABLE TO THOSE AGED OVER 60, WILL FROM NEXT APRIL BE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AGED 16 AND ABOVE.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
41 -
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN HELPING THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES."
TURNING TO PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES, SIR DAVID SAID SUCH SCHEMES AND PROVIDENT FUNDS MADE A USEFUL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS MEETING THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.
AT PRESENT THESE SCHEMES OPERATED WITHOUT OFFICIAL SUPERVISION OR REGULATION, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD, IN JUNE, PUBLISHED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT PROPOSING THE INTRODUCTION OF A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.
THE AIM WAS TO ENSURE THAT ASSETS HELD UNDER THESE SCHEMES FOR THE FUTURE BENEFIT OF EMPLOYEES WERE GIVEN PROPER PROTECTION.
"THERE HAS BEEN GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED SCHEME, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE DIVERGENT VIEWS ON SOME ISSUES SUCH AS THE QUALIFICATIONS OF TRUSTEES AND THE NEED FOR INVESTMENT GUIDELINES," HE SAID.
"DETAILS OF THE SCHEME ARE NOW BEING FINALISED AND LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ARE BEING DRAFTED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THIS COUNCIL DURING THE CURRENT SESSION.
"I HOPE THAT THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION WILL ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES SO AS TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO OUR WORKFORCE."
ON THE SUBJECT OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, SIR DAVID SAID SUCH LEGISLATION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE IMPROVED.
GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE TOWARDS THE AIM OF ACHIEVING A LEVEL OF STATUTORY BENEFITS AND CONTROLS GOVERNING SAFETY, HEALTH AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BROADLY COMPARABLE TO THE BEST PREVAILING IN THE REGION.
IN THE PAST YEAR THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE A SAFER AND HEALTHIER WORKING ENVIRONMENT; THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME WAS EXTENDED TO COVER RESIGNATIONS ON GROUNDS OF OLD AGE OR ILL HEALTH; AND NEW CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED OVER THE USE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES IN FACTORIES.
"IN THIS SESSION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROPOSE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION IN DEFAULT CASES; TO IMPOSE A GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY ON EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE WORK PLACE; AND TO INTRODUCE CUSTODIAL SENTENCES FOR SERIOUS LAPSES IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
42 -
LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ON HOMES EOR ELDERLY PLANNED t * * t *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BRING THE OPERATION OE HOMES EOR THE ELDERLY UNDER LEGISLATIVE CONTROL BY 1990, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF PRIVATE HOMES IN THE OVERALL PROVISION OF CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY, SIR DAVID SAID.
THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE VARIABLE STANDARDS OF SERVICE THEY OFFERED WAS ONE AREA OF CONCERN.
"THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS JUST INTRODUCED A VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME: HOMES WHICH MEET APPROVED STANDARDS WILL BE ISSUED WITH A REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE," HE SAID.
"THROUGH THIS SCHEME THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A MEASURE FOR THE STANDARD OF EACH REGISTERED HOME.
"IT WILL ENCOURAGE THOSE WHICH ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICES."
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PLANNED TO BUILD A HOLIDAY CENTRE TO CATER FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE TO ENJOY FRESH AIR, EXERCISE, AND A COMPLETE CHANGE OF SURROUNDINGS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTRE WOULD BE FUNDED FROM THE GOLD COIN ACCOUNT.
ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS SUCH AS STREET SLEEPERS, SIR DAVID SAID EXISTING HOSTELS GENERALLY PROVIDED ONLY SHORT STAY ACCOMMODATION.
"WE THEREFORE NEED TO LOOK AT THE PROVISION OF PERMANENT HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION IN Till URBAN AREA," HE SAID.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SOI I \L WEI,FAKE DEPARTMENT, I HE SALVATION ARMA' WOULD OPEN A HOSTEL IN YAU MA TEI NEXT MONTH AS A PILOT PROJECT SO AS TO TEST THE PRACTICABILITY' OF THIS APPROACH.
SIR DAVID SAID SERVICES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABI,ED HAD DEVELOPED RAPIDLY SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF' THE WHITE PAPER IM 1977 AND ACHIEVEMENTS HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE.
"BUT A GREAT DEAL STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE. APART FROM MEETING QUANTITATIVE TARGETS, WE NEED ALSO TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF OUR SERVICES," HE SAID.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE INTEND GRADUALLY TO IMPROVE THE STAFFING LEVELS OF DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES; EXTEND THE REHAB BUS SERVICE; AND FURTHER DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
/"PARAMEDICAL AND
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1?, 1988
- -
"PARAMEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES FOR DISABLED ADULTS WILL ALSO BE IMPROVED.'
THE PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED WAS ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN.
"WE PLAN TO EXPAND THE SHELTERED WORKSHOP PROGRAMME AND INCREASE FACILITIES FOR SKILL TRAINING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO MAKE EMPLOYERS AWARE OF THE CAPABILITIES OF DISABLED PEOPLE, SO AS TO INCREASE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT.
"WORK ON REHABILITATION NEEDS TO BE ASSOCIATED CLOSELY WITH POLICIES ON SOCIAL WELFARE.
"IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE BETTER CO-ORDINATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL SHORTLY ADD REHABILITATION TO HIS SCHEDULE OF RESPONSIBILITIES," HE SAID.
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EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD AT AFFORDABLE COST ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
EDUCATION HOLDS THE KEY BOTH TO THE UPWARD MOBILITY WHICH IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF HONG KONG SOCIETY AND TO THE TERRITORY’S CONTINUING PROSPERITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE AIM OF OUR EDUCATION POLICY IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY CHILD, ACCORDING TO HIS OR HER ABILITIES, AT A COST WHICH BOTH PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO DO STILL MORE IN THE FUTURE."
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IN DESCRIBING THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME A YEAR AGO HE HAD SAID THAT THE EMPHASIS IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN ON THE PROVISION OF AS MANY SCHOOL PLACES AS POSSIBLE TO MEETING RISING DEMAND, AND THAT "INCREASINGLY WE WOULD NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON IMPROVING QUALITY".
HE SAID LANGUAGE TRAINING WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN A CITY WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY CHINESE, BUT WHICH WAS ALSO AN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
/"WE MUST.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
44
"WE MUST CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE TEACHING OF BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH," HE SAID.
"NEXT YEAR EACH SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH 18 CLASSES OR MORE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER OF CHINESE."
A TWO-YEAR PILOT SCHEME TO PROVIDE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKING TEACHERS RECRUITED OVERSEAS HAD BEEN STARTED IN SEPETEMBER LAST YEAR.
"PERHAPS INEVITABLY, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TEETHING PROBLEMS WITH THIS AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING.
"THE SCHEME IS BEING MONITORED CAREFULLY THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL PERIOD BEFORE WE TAKE A DECISION ON ITS FUTURE.
"MEANWHILE, THE NUMBER OF LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS TO BE TRAINED IN BOTH HONG KONG AND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL BE DOUBLED: SOME 150 TEACHERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE SCHEME NEXT YEAR."
SIR DAVID SAID MOTHER TONGUE TEACHING ENABLED MANY PUPILS TO MAKE BETTER PROGRESS IN SUBJECTS WHERE THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE DIFFICULTY, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS THEREFORE ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS TO SWITCH TO MOTHER TONGUE TEACHING.
"OVER 100 SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE OPTED TO INCREASE THE USE OF CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
"A FURTHER 270 ARE EXPECTED TO DO SO NEXT YEAR.
"IN SUPPORT OF THIS CHANGE, PUBLISHERS ARE BEING HELPED TO PRODUCE GOOD QUALITY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS AND TEACHERS ARE BEING TRAINED IN HOW TO MAKE GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN THE CLASSROOM."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IN SWITCHING TO GREATER USE OF CHINESE, SIGHT MUST NOT BE LOST OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A HIGH STANDARD OF ENGLISH. SO THESE SCHOOLS WERE BEING PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AND EXTRA ENGLISH TEACHERS.
PRESSURES ON SPACE MEANT THAT ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE B1SESSIONAL, SIR DAVID SAID.
SOME CHILDREN ATTENDED ONLY IN THE MORNING AND OTHERS IN THE AFTERNOON; 460,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS WERE TAUGHT IN THIS WAY, UNDER A SYSTEM THAT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE 1950’S.
"IT HAS OBVIOUS DISADVANTAGES FROM THE EDUCATIONAL VIEWPOINT," HE SAID. "OUR AIM IS GRADUALLY TO PHASE OUT BISESSIONAL SCHOOLS. WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING HOW, AND BY WHEN, THIS CAN BE DONE."
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
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SIR DAVID SAID EXPERIENCE IN MANY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAD SHOWN THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL STANDARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THEY ALLOWED A GREATER VARIETY OF CURRICULUM AND PARENTAL CHOICE THAN WAS POSSIBLE IN A PURELY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
"UNFORTUNATELY MANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE USEFULLY FILLED A GAP IN OUR SYSTEM, ARE NOT OF A SUFFICIENTLY HIGH STANDARD TO MAKE SUCH A CONTRIBUTION, HE SAID.
"THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS NOW PUT FORWARD A RANGE OF PROPOSALS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE SITUATION.
"THESE SEEK TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHERE GOVERNMENT BUYS PLACES AND ULTIMATELY TO REPLACE THE PRESENT BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WITH A SYSTEM OF DIRECT SUBSIDIES TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH ATTAIN A GOOD STANDARD.
"THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE A STRONG PRIVATE SECTOR TO SUPPLEMENT OUR EXITING SYSTEM OF AIDED AND GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.
"IN DECIDING HOW TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF WHAT IS SAID DURING THE CURRENT PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IN AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING THE STANDARD TWO-YEAR SIXTH FORM COURSE.
THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR A MORE VARIED AND BROADENED CURRICULUM, GIVING STUDENTS A GREATER CHOICE AND PROVIDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A COMMON ENTRY POINT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION.
"IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A SEPARATE LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR STUDENTS WHO ADVANCE BEYOND THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION," HE SAID.
"A WORKING GROUP, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL TYPES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HAS NOW STARTED WORK ON IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS."
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
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PRIORITY FOR EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ACCORD A VERY HIGH PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION WITH TERTIARY EDUCATION GROWING AT A RATE OF FIVE PER CENT A YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOREOVER, HE SAID, 3,000 STUDENTS WERE EXPECTED TO ENROL IN THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE IN THE AUTUMN OF 1989, WITH THE NUMBER INCREASING TO 20,000 BY THE MID-1990’S.
THE NUMBER OF PLACES PROVIDED BY TECHNICAL INSTITUTES UNDER THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WOULD ALSO INCREASE.
ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S RECENT REPORT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED, WHILE BEARING IN MIND THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF HOW TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE FORM OF EDUCATION MOST SUITED TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT AS HONG KONG CONTINUED TO GROW AND PROSPER, THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR WELL EDUCATED YOUNG PEOPLE TO FILL PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL POSITIONS. THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO REPLACE THOSE WHO EMIGRATED.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT 36,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES IN HONG KONG’S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, PROVIDING FIRST DEGREE COURSES FOR ABOUT 6.5 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP, AND NON-DEGREE STUDIES FOR ANOTHER FOUR PER CENT.
THESE PERCENTAGES WERE LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, HE SAID, AND THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THEREFORE NEEDED TO BE EXPANDED STEADILY.
"WE AIM TO PROVIDE 40,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES IN 1991; OVER 48,000 IN 1994; 58,000 IN 1997; AND OVER 62,000 BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY," HE SAID.
"IN OTHER WORDS, TERTIARY EDUCATION WILL BE GROWING AT A RATE OF FIVE PER CENT A YEAR.
"BY THE YEAR 2000, MORE THAN 14 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE BRACKET WILL BE ABLE TO PURSUE FIRST DEGREE COURSES AND SIX PER CENT TO PURSUE STUDIES AT THE NON-DEGREE LEVEL."
SIR DAVID SAID THIS WOULD BE AN IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENT, MADE POSSIBLE LARGELY THROUGH THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN 1991.
/MEANWHILE, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- <t7 -
MEANWHILE, THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE WOULD CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO HAD NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM HIGHER EDUCATION, AS WELL-AS THOSE WHO NEEDED TO LEARN NEW SKILLS,
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE INSTITUTE, APPOINTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, HAD ALREADY MADE GOOD PROGRESS.
"A DIRECTOR WILL BE RECRUITED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE INSTITUTE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THIS COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
"WE EXPECT THAT 3,000 STUDENTS WILL ENROL IN THE AUTUMN OF 1989, AND THAT THIS WILL INCREASE TO 20,000 STUDENTS BY THE MID-1990’S."
TURNING TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OPERATED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL PROVIDED 62,000 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME PLACES AT BOTH CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS, WITH MORE THAN 19,000 STUDENTS GRADUATING EACH YEAR.
"THREE OF THESE INSTITUTES ARE NOW BEING EXPANDED SO THAT ANOTHER 3,000 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED BY 1990," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL OPERATES 16 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES WITH 20,000 PLACES.
"A NEW TRAINING CENTRE OFFERING COURSES IN WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES WILL OPEN IN 1990."
SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED EMPLOYERS WOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THESE TRAINING FACILITIES AND WOULD TELL THE COUNCIL IF THEY HAD SPECIFIC TRAINING NEEDS WHICH WERE NOT BEING CATERED FOR AT PRESENT.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SPOKE ON THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AS DISCUSSED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION'S RECENT REPORT.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDED A COMMON ENTRY POINT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION AFTER TWO YEARS’ SIXTH FORM EDUCATION AND THAT THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES AT ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD IN PRINCIPLE BE THE SAME FOR ANY GIVEN SUBJECT, REGARDLESS OF THE INSTITUTION WHERE IT WAS BEING STUDIED.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT DURING THE FOUR-MONTH PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD WHICH BEGAN IN MID-JUNE AND ENDED THIS WEEK, FEW PEOPLE HAD CHALLENGED THE IDEA OF A COMMON ENTRY POINT, AND ATTENTION HAD FOCUSSED ON WHETHER THE IDEAL LENGTH FOR UNDERGRADUATE COURSES WAS THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
/"IN ITS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1?88
"IN ITS REPORT THE COMMISSION MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT DID NOT BELIEVE AN ABSOLUTE CASE COULD BE MADE OUT EITHER FOR THREE OR FOUR YEAR COURSES, OR INDEED FOR ANY PARTICULAR COURSE LENGTH," HE SAID.
"INSTITUTIONS OFFERING BOTH THREE AND FOUR YEAR COURSES HAVE PROVED THEMSELVES ABLE TO PRODUCE GRADUATES OF A GOOD STANDARD.
"THE COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED THAT WHETHER PARTICULAR COURSES SHOULD LAST THREE, FOUR OR MORE YEARS SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS.
"IT HAS ALSO GIVEN A CLEAR RECOMMENDATION THAT, IN GENERAL, WHERE MORE RESOURCES FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE, THE FIRST PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENTERING TERTIARY EDUCATION EACH YEAR."
NOTING THAT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAD REQUESTED A DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF ALL THE POINTS MADE IN THAT DEBATE AND DURING THE PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
"THE DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN ARE IMPORTANT ONES. THE CENTRAL ISSUE IS HOW WE CAN BEST USE OUR RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE FORM OF EDUCATION MOST SUITED TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS NOW AND IN THE MEDIUM TERM FUTURE," HE SAID.
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FOUNDATION FOR TRAINING OF SPORTSMEN
*****
A SPORTS AID FOUNDATION HAS BEEN SET UP, WITH A $10 MILLION DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMISING PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR PARTICULAR SKILLS AND POTENTIALS.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND NOTED THAT THE FIRST SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED IN JUNE.
AFTER MANY YEARS OF CONCENTRATION ON ENCOURAGING MAXIMUM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AND RECREATION, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD ENABLE PROMISING SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN TO SPEND MORE TIME ON THEIR TRAINING AND SO REACH HIGHER STANDARDS.
"EXCELLENCE OF THIS SORT NOT ONLY BENEFITS THE INDIVIDUAL; IT SPREADS OUT TO RAISE STANDARDS IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
49
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ALSO TIME TO TAKE STOCK AND TO MAKE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE IN THE FIELDS OF RECREATION AND SPORT.
POINTING OUT THAT A CONSULTANCY REVIEW OF SPORTS ADMINISTRATION WAS PUBLISHED IN MAY, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS STUDYING THE PROPOSALS IN THE LIGHT OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS THEY HAD GENERATED.
HE SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO MAXIMISE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
"WE AIM ALSO TO ENSURE THAT PERFORMANCES OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO WATCH THEM.
"THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE ATTACH TO THESE AIMS IS SHOWN BY THE CREATION OF THE NEW POLICY BRANCH TO WHICH I HAVE ALREADY REFERRED."
SIR DAVID SAID THE NEW POLICY BRANCH TO BE CREATED WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, WHICH MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION BOTH TO THE ARTS AND TO THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION AND SPORTS.
"I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THIS CONTRIBUTION HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXTENDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL TAKING ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC, A MOVE WHICH WILL ENSURE THE ORCHESTRA’S FINANCIAL FUTURE."
SIR DAVID ALSO NOTED THAT MORE THAN 21,000 SEATS IN THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITH THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE AT THE END OF 1989.
"THIS IS MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THE NUMBER AVAILABLE IN 1978, A RATE OF GROWTH PROBABLY UNMATCHED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
"WE MUST NOW ENSURE THAT THESE SEATS ARE FILLED. THIS MEANS ORGANISING HIGH QUALITY PERFORMANCES BY BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ARTISTS."
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE SOME OF THE PROPOSALS MADE BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR THE ARTS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"BUT IT IS WRONG FOR PERFORMING GROUPS TO RELY TOO HEAVILY, OR TOO COMPLETELY, ON PUBLIC FUNDS," HE SAID.
"WE THEREFORE AIM TO ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO INCREASE ITS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS."
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WAS BEING ASKED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO ACHIEVE THIS, DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE PRIVATE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS HAD PROVED REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL, SIR DAVID ADDED.
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/50........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 50 -
GOOD PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING JOINT DECLARATION » ♦ * * ♦
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE LAND COMMISSION HAVE BOTH CONTINUED TO MAKE GOOD PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION AND HAVE REGISTERED A STEADY STREAM OF PRACTICAL ACHIEVEMENTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IODA: (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID CONTACTS WITH CHINA CONTINUED TO BE BUILT UP AND DEVELOPED AT ALL LEVELS, AND HE ALSO REFERRED TO THE IMPORIANCE OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
ON RELATIONS WITH CHINA, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HE HAD VISITED PEKING, GUANGDONG AND SHANGHAI AT THE END OF LAST YEAR; THE CHIEF SECRETARY WENT TO PEKING AND CHENGDU IN MAY; AND LATER I HIS YEAR HE HIMSELF WOULD BE MAKING A FURTHER VISIT TO PEKING AND WOULD ALSO GO TO FUJIAN.
IN JUNE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR JI PENGFEI, HAD BEEN WELCOMED ON A SECOND VISIT TO HONG KONG, AND EARLIER VICE PREMIER TIAN JIYUN, THE MOS 1 SENIOR CHINESE LEADER TO VISIT THE TERRITORY SINCE 1949, HAD SPENT FIVE DAYS HERE.
"I SEE SUCH HIGH LEVEL VISITS AS BEING HELPFUL TO BOTH SIDES,” SIR DAVID SAID. ’’THEY ENABLE CHINESE LEADERS TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW HONG KONG WORKS; AND THEY ENABLE MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TO MEE I SENIOR CHINESE LEADERS PERSONALLY.”
RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS IN BOTH GUANGDONG AND THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE HAD CONTINUED TO DEVELOP.
"I VISITED SHENZHEN IN MARCH THIS YEAR AND THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN ACCEPTED MY INVITATION TO PAY A RETURN VISIT TO HONG KONG IN MAY,” HE SAID.
’’BOTH OFFICIAL CONTACTS, AND THE MULTITUDE OF PRIVATE CONTACTS WHICH ARE NOW A REGULAR PART OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAINLAND OF CHINA, ARE IMPORTANT IN BUILDING GREATER UNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES AND LAYING LASTING AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOUNDATIONS FOR I HF FUTURE.”
ON THE BASIC LAW, THE FIRST DRAFT OF WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN APRIL, STR DAVID SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE TWO-YEAR DRAFTING PROCESS CONCERNING THIS LONG AND COMPLEX DOCUMENT.
/THE CHINESE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND MAINLAND MEMBERS OF THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE HAD VISITED THE TERRITORY TWICE.
"THEY HAVE SHOWN A WELCOME WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO VIEWS ON THE FIRST DRAFT AND TO TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT WHEN IT IS REVISED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE SECOND DRAFT WOULD BE PUT TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS NEXT YEAR AND WOULD THEN BE PUBLISHED FOR FURTHER CONSULTATION, WITH THE FINAL VERSION SCHEDULED FOR PROMULGATION IN 1990.
THE BASIC LAW WOULD SET OUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION FOR THE 50 YEARS AFTER 1997 .
"BUT BEFORE THAT DATE - INDEED AS SOON AS IT IS PUBLISHED - IT WILL BE A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS," HE SAID.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE LOOKING TO THE BASIC LAW TO STATE IN CLEAR AND WORKABLE TERMS THE DETAILS OF THE POLICIES SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ITS ANNEXES, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY UNDER THE FORMULA OF 'ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS’.
"SO TOO WILL THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHOSE INVESTMENTS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG."
IN LISTING WHAT HAD BEEN DONE BY THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS NOW AGREEMENT ON TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL HONG KONG TRAVEL AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS, THUS ALLOWING DOCUMENTS ISSUED BEFORE 1997 TO BE USED AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
AGREEMENT HAD ALSO BEEN REACHED ON HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AFTER 1997 IN EIGHT MORE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY AND INTERPOL.
AS A RESULT OF AGREEMENT REACHED AT THE JLG, HONG KONG H\D CONCLUDED ITS OWN AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH SWITZERLAND AND CANADY, AND OTHER SEPARATE AGREEMENTS WERE BEING NEGOTIATED.
"BOTH SIDES HAVE ALSO REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS, AND ON IMPROVEMENTS TO Till' TERMS OF SERVICE OF THE JUDICIARY, WHICH HAVE IMPLICATIONS BEYOND 1997," HE SAID.
/"THEY HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 52 -
"THEY HAVE ALSO AGREED THAT A NEW UNIT OF THE POLICE FORCE, TO WHICH I HAVE REFERRED EARLIER, SHOULD IN FUTURE TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREVENTING ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO HONG KONG."
SIR DAVID SAID ONE IMPORTANT NEW AREA THAT THE JLG HAD BEEN CONSIDERING WAS THE LOCALISATION OF UK LEGISLATION WHICH NOW APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
"CHANGES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE SO THAT HONG KONG WILL HAVE ITS OWN LAWS COVERING THE SAME GROUND AS THE EXISTING UK LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
"AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED ON THE PRINCIPLES WHICH SHOULD GOVERN THE LOCALISATION PROCESS.
"MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED SOON TO CONSIDER THE FIRST ITEM OF THIS LOCALISED LEGISLATION, WHICH DEALS WITH ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION."
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BLUEPRINT FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE * ♦ ♦ * *
AS A SOCIETY, AND AS A GOVERNMENT, HONG KONG’S HORIZONS NOT LIMITED BY 1997: THEY EXTEND WELL INTO THE NEXI CENTURY, GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ARE
THE
COUNCIL,
CONCLUDING HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE DAVID SAID HE HAD TRIED TO PAINT A PICTURE OF HONG KONG DYNAMIC, BUSTLING SOCIETY WITH A REMARKABLE RECORD OF ECONOMIC AND AN ABILITY TO CONFRONT THE PROBLEMS WHICH FACED IT.
AS IT
WAS:
SIR A
GROWTH
POLICY
TERM
"IN LOOKING AHEAD 1 HAVE PUT BEFORE YOU A RANGE OF INITIATIVES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DEAL NOT JUST WITH THE SJJ^r OR THE MEDIUM TERM, BUT THE LONG TERM AS WELL, HE TOLD COUNCILLORS.
"1 HAVE TRIED TO PAINT THE PICTURE AS IT IS, WARTS AND ALL."
SIR DAVID THEN LISTED THE PROBLEMS THAT HONG KONG MUST„ TACKLE, RANGING FROM TRAFFIC CONGESTION TO THE SO-CALLED "BRAIN DRAIN".
"WHAT MATTERS IS NOT THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS -- NO SOCIETY IS WITHOUT THEM -- BUT THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO FACE THEM HONESTLY AND TACKLE THEM REALISTICALLY,' HE SAID.
THE NEXT FEW YEARS WERE IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG, AND IT HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT ITS ECONOMY REMAINED DYNAMIC AND PROSPEROUS.
/•’WITHOUT THIS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
55 -
’’WITHOUT THIS WE CANNOT ACHIEVE OUR OTHER OBJECTIVES, WHETHER SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC," HE SAID.
’’WE MUST BUILD UP OUR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES SO THAT WE CAN STAY IN THE FRONT RANK OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE AND TRAIN THE GENERATIONS WHO WILL BE RUNNING THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AFTER 1997.
"WE NEED TO DEVELOP OUR SOCIAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES SO THAT WE HAVE A SOCIETY WHICH IS BOTH HEALTHY AND CARING.
"WE MUST IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT, FROM THE CROWDED OLD URBAN CENTRES TO OUR BEACHES AND COUNTRYSIDE.
"WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LINKS AND OUR OPEN ECONOMY, TO BENEFIT OURSELVES AND TO BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE WESTERN WORLD.
’’AND WE MUST DEVELOP AND CONSOLIDATE OUR GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS SO THAT THEY CAN TACKLE EFFECTIVELY OUR IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS, BE READY FOR THE CHANGES WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN 1997 AND PROVIDE A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR A PROSPEROUS, STABLE AND LIVELY HONG KONG SAR IN WHICH THE ENERGY AND INITIATIVE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL HAVE FULL SCOPE."
SIR DAVID SAID THE LONGER HE WAS HERE THE MORE HE WAS CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG HAD THE ABILITY, AND THE WILL, TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.
"WE HAVE AN ENERGETIC, SKILLED AND PRAGMATIC POPULATION," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT BOTH BRITAIN AND CHINA ARE DETERMINED TO WORK FOR THE FULL AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"AND FINALLY, I HOPE I HAVE DEMONSTRATED TODAY THAT WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS DETERMINED TO THINK LONG TERM AND GIVE AN ENERGETIC LEAD TO EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF THIS COMMUNITY — AN OBJECTIVE WHICH MEANS SO MUCH BOTH TO ME AND TO ALL OF US."
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/%.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
- 54 -
SUMMARY OF POLICY SPEECH TAPED FOR BROADCAST * ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SUMMARY DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, ON HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH WAS TAPED FOR BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING:
THIS AFTERNOON 1 GAVE MY ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I SHOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU AT A MUCH SHORTER LENGTH SOME OF THE POINTS 1 MADE IN IT.
THE STARTING POINT OF MY SPEECH WAS THAT WE NEED A STRONG ECONOMY. ONLY THEN CAN WE PAY FOR OUR AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. SO AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ECONOMY REMAINS SUCCESSFUL. GROWTH THIS YEAR HAS BEEN SLOWER THAN LAST. BUT AT 6 PER CENT WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO WELL. 1 SEE EVERY REASON FOR LONG TERM CONFIDENCE.
ONE OF THE THEMES OF MY SPEECH THIS AFTERNOON WAS THE NEED TO BUILD UP OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN OUR ECONOMY.
WE NEED MORE AND BETTER ROADS. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM. THIS YEAR WE WILL BE SPENDING ALMOST $2 BILLION ON ROADS - $300 MILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR.
WE NEED TO TACKLE THE QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT. KAI TAK IS NOW THE SECOND BUSIEST AIRPORT IN ASIA. PASSENGER TRAFFIC HAS ALMOST DOUBLED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT WE WILL NEED A NEW AIRPORT. IT WILL BE A HUGE PROJECT - THE BIGGEST EVER IN HONG KONG. SO WE MUST GET THE DECISION RIGHT ON WHERE AND WHEN TO BUILD IT. THAT IS A DECISION WHICH WILL BE TAKEN BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THE PORT IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE HAVE TO CATER FOR A HUGE INCREASE IN DEMAND. BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR WE WILL BE TAKING THE DECISION ON WHERE THE NEXT IWO CONTAINER TERMINALS SHOULD GO. AND WE ARE PLANNING AHEAD FOR FURTHER MAJOR GROWTH.
IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT WAS ANOTHER THEME OF MY SPEECH. THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH AFFECTS EVERYBODY. WE CANNOT EXPECT INSTANT SUCCESS BUT WE CAN - AND WE ARE - PUTTING MORE EFFORT INTO TACKLING I HE PROBLEM. TAKE SEWERAGE FOR EXAMPLE. OUR FACILITIES ARE SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR A MODERN CITY. OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS WE SHALL BE SPENDING $10 BILLION ON SEWAGE ALONE. AND WE ARE NOW DEALING WITH 0'1 HER ASPECTS OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM LIKE ANIMAL WASTE AND BETTER WAYS OF GETTING RID OF DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL RUBBISH.
/THESE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
THESE ARE AL'L LONG TERM PROJECTS. WE ALSO HAVE TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OR LIVING IN THE SHORTER TERM. HOUSING FOR INSTANCE. THIS YEAR A RECORD NUMBER OF FLATS WILL BE BUILT BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. AND A NEW DESIGN WILL BE INTRODUCED, GIVING MORE SPACE AND A BETTER LAYOUT TO MEET A GROWING DEMAND FOR HIGHER STANDARDS.
LAST YEAR J ANNOUNCED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES. MOST OF THESE ARE NOW' IN PLACE. NEXT APRIL THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WILL BE EXTENDED TO PEOPLE AGED 67: AND THE HIGHER RATE OF DISABILITY ALLOWANCE - THAT IS FOK THOSE WHO NEED CONSTANT CARE AND ATTENTION - WILL BE GOING TO ALL AGED 16 AND OVER.
EDUCATION WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT AREA IN MY SPEECH. AS A CHINESE CITY - AND AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING CENTRE - WE HAVE TO HE GOOD AT BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE. BOTH WILL BE GIVEN MORE RESOURCES. AND AS A BOOMING ECONOMY SHORT OF SKILLED MANPOWER, WE NEED TO PRODUCE MORE GRADUATES HERE IN HONG KONG. OUR PLAN IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PLACES EACH YEAR BY 5 PER CENT. THIS MEANS THAT BY THE YEAR 2000, A YOUNG PERSON WILL HAVE TWICE AS GOOD A CHANCE AS NOW TO STUDY FOR A DEGREE HERE IN HONG KONG. AND AT THE OTHER END OF THE SCALE WE ARE DRAWING UP A PROGRAMME TO PHASE OUT B1SESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOLING.
MEDICAL FACILITIES WAS ANOTHER AREA 1 DEALT WITH. THESE MUST BE, AND WILL BE, INCREASED. TWO BIG NEW HOSPITALS OPEN NEXT YEAR, AT TUEN MUN AND THE EXTENSION TO QUEEN MARY. ALL THIS WILL HELP REDUCE THE VERY REAL PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDI NG IN OUR EXISTING HOSPITALS. WE ALSO NEED TO GET THE ORGANISATION OF OUR HOSPITALS RIGHT TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF OUR RESOURCES. THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS NOW IN PLACE. IT IS ALREADY AT WORK ON LONGER TERM PLANNING.
ONE PROBLEM THAT HAS BECOME ACUTE DURING THE YEAR HAS BEEN THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. OVER 17,000 HAVE ARRIVED THIS YEAR. WE CANNOT SIMPLY GO ON ACCEPTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO HOPE OF GETTING WHERE THEA REALLI WANT TO BE - THE UNITED STATES, CANADA OR WHEREVER. THE NEW POLICY INTRODUCED IN JUNE MEANS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GENUINE REFUGEES AND THOSE LEAVING ESSENTIALLY FOR ECONOMIC REASONS. FOR GENUINE REFI GEES WE WILL SEEK RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS. THOSE WHO ARE MOVING FOR ECONOMIC REASONS WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM: AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE NOW TALKING TO THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ABOUT.
/THERE HAS.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL Ob' DISCUSSJON RECENTLY EMIGRATION - THE SO-CALLED “BRAIN DRAIN". WE WILL NEVER PREVENT ANYONE LEAVING HONG KONG IF THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. BUT WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE, AND ONE TO WHICH THEY WANT TO RETURN. AS FOR THE NUMBERS LEAVING, WE MUST CONFRONT THE PROBLEM SQUARELY - WITHOUT SHYING AWAY FROM IT AND WITHOUT EXAGGERATION. WE ARE NOW GETTING A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE NUMBERS AND THE SORT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LEAVING, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT ENOUGH TRAINED REPLACEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO FILL THE GAPS.
I MADE THE POINT IN MY SPEECH TODAY THAT HONG KONG’S LINKS WITH CHINA CONTINUE TO GROW, BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY. WE ARE NOW EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. MORE PEOPLE WORK FOR HONG KONG BUSINESSES IN GUANGDONG ALONE THAN IN THE WHOLE OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE WELCOMED A NUMBER OF TOP-LEVEL VISITORS FROM CHINA. THESE VISITS ARE IMPORTANT. THEY HELP TO BUILD THE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE MAINLAND OF CHINA WHICH WE NEED TO ESTABLISH SENSIBLE AND WORKABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE. THEY HAVE ALSO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR CHINESE OFFICIALS TO HEAR FOR THEMSELVES THE COMMENTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW IN A REMARKABLY OPEN PROCESS OF CONSULTATION.
HONG KONG IS A DYNAMIC, BUSTLING, SUCCESSFUL SOCIETY WITH A REMARKABLE RECORD OF DEALING WITH CHANGE. DURING MY FIRST 18 MONTHS HERE AS GOVERNOR I HAVE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME MEETING AND TALKING TO PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. WHAT 1 HAVE SEEN - AND WHAT I HAVE HEARD - MAKES ME MORE AND MORE CONVINCED THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY - AND THE WILL - TO OVERCOME THE DIFFICULTIES WE FACE. WE HAVE A HARD WORKING, SKILLED AND PRAGMATIC POPULATION. AND 1 HOPE THAT MY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON WILL HAVE SHOWN THAT WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS DETERMINED TO THINK LONG-TERM AND DETERMINED TO GIVE AN ENERGETIC LEAD TO IMPROVING THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BOTH NOW AND WELL INTO THE FUTURE.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988
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19 NEW LEGCO MEMBERS SWORN IN * » » * *
NINETEEN NEW MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ELECTED AND APPOINTED, WERE SWORN IN AT THE START OF THE 1988-89 SESSION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE NEW MEMBERS, 13 TOOK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OATH AND SIX MADE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFFIRMATION.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF NEW MEMBERS AT THE SWEARING-IN:
MR RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI OATH
MR MARTIN GILBERT BARROW OATH
MR PAUL CHENG MING-FUN OATH
MR MICHAEL CHENG TAK-KIN OATH
MR DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG OATH
MR RONALD CHOW MEI-TAK OATH
MRS NELLIE FONG WONG KUT-MAN OATH
MRS PEGGY LAM OATH
MR DANIEL LAM WAI-KEUNG AFFIRMATION
MRS MIRIAM LAU KIN-YEE OATH
MR LAU WAH-SUM OATH
DR EDWARD LEONG CHE-HUNG AFFIRMATION
MISS LEUNG WAI-TUNG AFFIRMATION
MR JAMES DAVID MCGREGOR OATH
MR KINGSLEY SIT HO-YIN AFFIRMATION
MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING OATH
MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN AFFIRMATION
MRS ELSIE TU OATH
MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN AFFIRMATION
TWRT.VR OTHER COUNCILLORS, APPOINTED AND ELECTED, ^AD
SERVED PREVIOUSLY WERE ALSO SWORN IN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
SITTING THIS MORNING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXPO PROPOSAL: RESERVATIONS OVER PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES ... 1
HK AN ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR TELECOM SERVICES ................. 5
PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - FINANCING AND INSTITUTIONAL STUDY ......................................... 6
OVERALL WASTAGE rates in GOVERNMENT NOT nearly as high as IN PRIVATE SECTOR........................................... 6
COMMISSIONER HEARS VIEWS FROM TAXI REPRESENTATIVES.......... 8
$534 MILLION SCHEME TO SAVE TOLO HARBOUR........................ 9
SAFETY RECORD OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT CREDITABLE ................ 10
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE TO AUGUST 1988 ................................................. 11
HONG KONG RECOGNISES WORLD STANDARDS DmY....................... 13
30,000 VACANCIES RECORDED IN CLOTHING INDUSTRY................. 13
HK STUDENTS WIN PRIZES IN ESSAY COMPETITION.................... 14
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLuJID FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL............................................... 17
publicity campaign on high risk of hill fires ................. 21
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER................................... 21
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HOLD 41GM z.ND SEMINAR ...................... 22
ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE AT LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT................... 23
VARIETY SHOW CONCLUDES CLEANLINESS CjJJPaIGN .................. 24
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN Y/.U TSIM ............... 24
WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS REDEVELOPMENT MATTERS ................ 25
PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE MiiN KAM TO RO,.D TRAFFIC.................. 26
REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1963-64............................. 26
VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY BUILDING .................... 28
PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ........................... 29
TliMPOItkRY Lrti4E CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD........... 29
BUS SERVICES IN EASTERN DISTRICT TO BE ADJUSTED................ 30
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC ON IIOK YUEN STREET EAST....................... 30
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
EXPO PROPOSAL: RESERVATIONS OVER PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES * * * * »
AFTER DETAILED CONSIDERATION OF THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ON THE PROPOSAL THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HOLD A WORLD EXPOSITION IN 1997, THE ADMINISTRATION’S WORKING GROUP, WHILE NOTING THE POSITIVE FEATURES IDENTIFIED, STILL HAS CERTAIN RESERVATIONS OVER PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES.
THESE RESERVATIONS INCLUDE WHETHER RESOURCES SHOULD BE DIVERTED FROM ESSENTIAL PROJECTS IN ORDER TO STAGE EXPO AND THE ECONOMIC EFFORT OF DOING SO, IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANNED PROJECTS AT THE SITES SUGGESTED BY THE CONSULTANTS; AND THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BEAR IN MIND THAT IN THE PERIOD UP TO AND BEYOND 1997, HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO BE HEAVILY COMMITTED TO A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WHICH WOULD BE OF LONG-LASTING BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
THESE PROJECTS ARE:
- THE NEW AIRPORT.
- MAJOR NEW PORT FACILITIES.
- THE TRUNK ROAD, BRIDGES AND TUNNELS NECESSARY TO SERVE THE NEW FACILITIES.
- THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 15-YEAR PLAN TO BUILD 960,000 NEW HOMES BY THE YEAR 2001.
- MAJOR NEW RECLAMATIONS AROUND THE HARBOUR.
- A MAJOR ROAD ROUTE FROM THE CHINESE BORDER TO HONG KONG ISLAND VIA WEST KOWLOON.
- SUBSTANTIAL WORKS FOR SEWAGE AND FLOOD PROTECTION AS PART OF A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
"THESE PROGRAMMES WILL FULLY STRETCH THE MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT AND LABOUR RESOURCES OF THE TERRITORY.
"WHILE EXPO IS AN ATTRACTIVE IDEA IN PRINCIPLE, THE MAJOR QUESTION WHICH MUST BE ASKED IS WHETHER IT WOULD BE TO THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO DIVERT FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES FROM THESE ESSENTIAL PROJECTS TO AN EXPO WHICH, HOWEVER DESIRABLE, COULD NOT BE REGARDED AS ESSENTIAL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/ON THE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
ON THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF BUILDING AN EXPO THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, "IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING LAND FORMATION, CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURAL AND SERVICE SUPPORT INCLUDING HOTELS WOULD BE IN THE REGION OF SEVEN BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS.
"THIS EXPENDITURE COULD PUT CONSIDERABLE STRAIN ON SPECIFIC SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SUCH AS THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES INDUSTRIES, ESPECIALLY IF THE ECONOMY WERE ALREADY OPERATING CLOSE TO FULL EMPLOYMENT.
"EVEN IF THERE WERE SPARE CAPACITY AT THE TIME, THE EXTRA SPENDING COULD BE MORE USEFULLY EMPLOYED TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE GEARED TO HONG KONG’S LONG TERM NEEDS."
AS FOR THE POSSIBLE SITES SUGGESTED BY THE CONSULTANTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE INSURMOUNTABLE DIFFICULTIES IN FITTING EXPO INTO THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR CENTRAL OR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATIONS.
HE SAID THE MAIN PLANNED PERMANENT USES OF THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION WOULD BE THE SALE OF COMMERCIAL LAND SITES FOR WHICH THERE WOULD BE VIRTUALLY NO OTHER SOURCES.
"IN WEST KOWLOON, MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO LIVING CONDITIONS IN ADJACENT DENSELY CROWDED AREAS WOULD HAVE TO BE POSTPONED.
"IN NEITHER OF THESE AREAS WOULD THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM BEING PLANNED BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE HEAVY INCREASE IN TRAFFIC GENERATED BY AN EXPO," HE SAID.
AS FOR JUNK BAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO BRING FORWARD THE TIMING OF THE ENTIRE RECLAMATION PROJECT IN ORDER TO MAKE AVAILABLE AN EXPO SITE.
"THIS WOULD MEAN BRINGING FORWARD THE WHOLE OF THE JUNK BAY PHASE II DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING AN MTR LINK, LAND FORMATION AND PUBLIC HOUSING.
"THE EXPO WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THE MTR AND THE MTR WOULD NOT BE VIABLE UNLESS THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL POPULATION IN RESIDENCE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EXPO.
"THE COSTS OF A CRASH PROGRAMME TO ACHIEVE THIS RESCHEDULING WOULD BE VERY LARGE AND IN ORDER TO FIT IT INTO THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, OTHER ITEMS WITH A CONSIDERABLY HIGHER PRIORITY SUCH AS ROADS AND SEWAGE PROGRAMMES WOULD HAVE TO BE DEFERRED," HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT AS CONCEIVED BY THE CONSULTANTS.
HE SAID THE CONSULTANTS ASSUMED THAT 85 PER CENT OF THE LOCAL POPULATION WOULD PAY AN AVERAGE OF 2.5 VISITS TO EXPO PER PERSON.
"THIS FIGURE IS BASED ON THE AVERAGE LOCAL ATTENDANCE FIGURE FOR EXPOS HELD ELSEWHERE, BUT TAKES NO ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WORK A SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER WEEK THAN THOSE IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND THAT THEIR LEISURE TIME IS CORRESPONDINGLY REDUCED.
"THIS TOGETHER WITH AN AVERAGE COST OF ENTRY OF HK$80 PER PERSON CASTS DOUBT ON THE ATTENDANCE FIGURE FOR LOCAL VISITORS PUT FORWARD BY THE CONSULTANTS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE CONSULTANTS ALSO ASSUMED THAT NEARLY THREE MILLION VISITORS WOULD COME TO HONG KONG FROM CHINA FOR EXPO AND THAT EACH OF THEM WOULD VISIT EXPO 2.5 TIMES.
"WE HAVE RESERVATIONS AS TO WHETHER THE IMMIGRATION FACILITIES AT THE BORDER CAN COPE WITH A DAILY AVERAGE OF AROUND 15,000 CHINESE VISITORS ENTERING FROM CHINA, BEARING IN MIND THAT AT PRESENT THE FACILITIES ARE DESIGNED TO COPE WITH AN AVERAGE OF 200 VISITS PER DAY ON TWO-WAY PERMITS AND ARE SEVERELY STRETCHED IF THAT NUMBER REACHES 250.
"IT IS ALSO UNCERTAIN WHETHER SUCH VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF VISITORS WOULD COME TO HONG KONG FROM CHINA IN 1997.
"IF THE NUMBER OF VISITORS SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED THE PROJECT WOULD NOT BE VIABLE. A HEAVY FINANCIAL BURDEN POSSIBLY RUNNING INTO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WOULD FALL ON THE SAR IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ITS EXISTENCE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK AIRPORT WOULD BE FULLY UTILISED BY THE MID-90’S AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN ANY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL OVERSEAS VISITORS.
"THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A NEW AIRPORT FULLY OPERATIONAL BY 1997," HE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THESE CONSTRAINTS, HE SAID THE IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL ELEMENT OF AN EXPO MIGHT BE LOST.
"INDEED, IF A LARGE NUMBER OF REGULAR VISITORS AND BUSINESSMEN WERE PREVENTED FROM COMING TO HONG KONG BECAUSE AN EXPO WAS BEING HELD, THE PUBLIC RELATIONS IMPACT COULD BE QUITE NEGATIVE."
/THIS IN .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
THIS IN TURN MIGHT ERODE THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS TO TRADE AND CULTURAL LINKS WHICH THE CONSULTANTS HAVE IDENTIFIED, HE POINTED OUT.
AS FOR SUGGESTIONS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD REGISTER A BID WITH THE BIE BY NOVEMBER 20 AND THEN CONDUCT A FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WOULD BE A RATIONAL WAY TO PROCEED IF THE DOUBTS OVER THE PROPOSAL TO HOLD AN EXPO COULD BE RESOLVED BY FURTHER STUDY.
"BUT IN THE VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS WHETHER PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EXPO AHEAD OF OTHER ESSENTIAL PROJECTS. THIS IS A QUESTION OF OVERALL JUDGEMENT AND CANNOT BE ANSWERED BY FURTHER STUDIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO REGISTER A BID UNLESS THE PROJECT IS IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG."
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT NO DECISION HAD YET BEEN TAKEN ON WHETHER OR NOT TO REGISTER A BID WITH THE BIE.
"THE FINAL DECISION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AFTER WEIGHING UP ALL THE MANY FACTORS INVOLVED." FULL ACCOUNT WILL BE TAKEN OF POINTS MADE DURING THE LEGCO DEBATE, HE ADDED.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE INITIATIVE OF THOSE CONCERNED IN BRINGING SUCH AN IMAGINATIVE PROPOSAL FORWARD WHICH HAS GENERATED MUCH ENTHUSIASM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
APART FROM THE POSITIVE FEATURES OF THE PROPOSAL AS IDENTIFIED BY THE CONSULTANTS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD SEE FURTHER POSITIVE RESULTS WHICH MIGHT FLOW FROM HOLDING SUCH AN EVENT.
THESE ARE:
- THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS WORLD ATTENTION ON HONG KONG AT A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN ITS HISTORY.
- HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE ITS HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY THROUGH ITS ABILITY TO STAGE A WORLD EVENT ON ITS OWN.
- THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROJECT HONG KONG AS A DYNAMIC, PROSPEROUS AND EFFICIENT CITY.
"BUT IN THE INTERESTS OF BALANCED DISCUSSIONS ON THE SUBJECT, THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED SHOULD ALSO BE PUT TO THE PUBLIC," HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
5
HK AN ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR TELECOM SERVICES
*****
HONG KONG’S GOOD STRATEGIC LOCATION, ITS CLOSE ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA, AND ITS POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING CENTRE MAKE IT AN IDEAL MARKET PLACE TO LAUNCH AND EXPAND INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AT THE OPENING OF THE BRITISH TELECOM FAR EAST REGIONAL OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY).
AS A RAPIDLY GROWING MARKET FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES, HONG KONG HAD BEEN WELL SERVED BY ITS OWN TELEPHONE AND TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SIR DAVID SAID.
BUT A HEALTHY DOSE OF COMPETITION COULD SPUR INNOVATION AND PROVIDE A WIDER RANGE OF SERVICES FOR BOTH THE DOMESTIC SUBSCRIBERS AND BUSINESS CONSUMERS.
"IT IS FOR THIS MAIN REASON THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INTRODUCE A NEW CABLE NETWORK TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TRANSMISSION FACILITIES FOR COMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AS WELL AS A NEW SOURCE OF TV ENTERTAINMENT IN THE FORM OF CABLE TV," HE SAID.
"COUPLED WITH OUR HIGH POPULATION DENSITY AND UNIQUE CONCENTRATION OF DENSE HOUSING IN SMALL AREAS, WE OFFER A POTENTIALLY COST-EFFECTIVE AND PROFITABLE MARKET IN CABLE TV AND OTHER COMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES."
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE A DETERMINED EFFORT TO ENGAGE THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL FIRMS.
"THERE ARE ALREADY SERIOUS EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST AND WE HOPE THESE WILL LEAD TO FORMAL TENDERS IN DUE COURSE."
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS ALREADY THE MAJOR PRODUCER AND EXPORTER OF TV PROGRAMMES TO CHINESE COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
"WE HAVE A WELL-RECOGNISED POOL OF LOCAL TALENT IN TV PRODUCTION," HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FINANCING AND INSTITUTIONAL STUDY *****
A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT HAS RECENTLY BEEN SIGNED BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND SCHRODERS ASIA LTD.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, SCHRODERS WILL PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH FINANCIAL ADVICE ON IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS) STUDY, WHICH IS DUE TO REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"SCHRODERS WILL FORMULATE A FINANCING PLAN FOR THE PADS RECOMMENDATIONS, SEEK TO IDENTIFY THE OPTIMAL DIVISION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN FUTURE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT, AND ADVISE ON SUITABLE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PADS RECOMMENDATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS THE PADS STUDY WILL PRODUCE PROPOSALS OF THE VERY GREATEST SIGNIFICANCE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON HOW THESE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS CAN BEST BE FUNDED, SO AS TO MAXIMISE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT AND MINIMISE THE BURDEN ON GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES."
THE FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS WILL WORK UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
THEIR STUDY WILL BE A 10-MONTH ONE, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE PADS CONSULTANTS AND AIMING TO REPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, CONCURRENT WITH PADS, IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
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OVERALL WASTAGE RATES IN GOVERNMENT NOT NEARLY AS HIGH AS IN PRIVATE SECTOR * * ♦ * ♦
THE OVERALL WASTAGE RATES IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE NOT NEARLY AS HIGH AS THEY ARE UNDERSTOOD TO BE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SAID THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, MR GREWAL CITED FIGURES WHICH HE SAID WERE ON THE LOW SIDE WHEN COMPARED WITH THOSE FOR LARGE COMPANIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"TAKING THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE, THE ANNUAL RESIGNATION RATE 10 YEARS AGO WAS ABOUT THREE PER CENT. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN TWO PER CENT DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS," HE SAID.
/’’AT THE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
"AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL, THE RATE IS MUCH LOWER. THE NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WAS 13 IN 1985/86, THREE IN 1986/87 AND SEVEN IN 1987/88.
"THIS IS ABOUT SEVEN OFFICERS A YEAR OR, AGAINST A TOTAL DIRECTORATE STRENGTH OF ABOUT 1,000, 0.7 PER CENT PER ANNUM."
AT THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND SENIOR PROFESSIONAL LEVEL WHICH HAS A TOTAL STRENGTH OF ABOUT 1,800, MR GREWAL SAID, THE FIGURES WERE 24 IN 1985/86, 18 IN 1986/87 AND 28 IN 1987/88, OR ABOUT 23 OFFICERS OR 1.3 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
"ALTHOUGH THERE TEND TO BE MORE RESIGNATIONS FROM THE LOWER RANKS, THE NUMBER IS STILL FAR FROM BEING SIGNIFICANT," HE SAID.
"THE TOTAL HAS AVERAGED ABOUT 3,000 PER YEAR OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AND REPRESENTS 1.7 PER CENT OF TOTAL STRENGTH.
"THE OVERALL WASTAGE RATE, I.E. INCLUDING RETIREMENTS, ETC, HOWEVER, WAS JUST OVER FOUR PER CENT AT 7,400 IN 1987/88."
HOWEVER, MR GREWAL POINTED OUT THAT FOR CERTAIN GRADES THE GOVERNMENT’S WASTAGE PROBLEM WAS MORE SERIOUS THAN THE AVERAGES SUGGESTED AND HE CITED REPORTS IN THE CASE OF DOCTORS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND LOCAL COUNSEL.
"WE TAKE THESE PROBLEMS VERY SERIOUSLY AND NEED TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO FIND PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS TO THEM," HE SAID.
MR GREWAL SAID THAT SO FAR THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A BASICALLY STABLE CIVIL SERVICE WITH LOW OVERALL WASTAGE RATES.
"VACANCIES CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT OF A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS AT THE SENIOR LEVELS HAVE GENERALLY BEEN FILLED WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY BY SUITABLE CANDIDATES THROUGH PROMOTION," HE SAID.
"THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT THEREFORE BEEN AFFECTED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT."
ON PAY RELATED ISSUES, MR GREWAL SAID THE INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY, APPOINTED TO LOOK INTO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE STAFF OVER THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY AND THE 1988 PAY ADJUSTMENT, WOULD BEGIN ITS WORK THIS MONTH.
"IT IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE 1988 PAY ADJUSTMENT TOWARDS THE END OF NOVEMBER, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A FINAL REPORT ON THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY IN SPRING 1989," HE SAID.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, APPOINTED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN MARCH, IS ALSO EXPECTED TO PUBLISH ITS FINAL REPORT ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORKLOAD OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES EARLY NEXT MONTH, HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
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COMMISSIONER HEARS VIEWS FROM TAXI REPRESENTATIVES
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (THURSDAY) ATTENDED THE REGULAR CONFERENCE ON URBAN TAXI OPERATIONS TO HEAR TAXI REPRESENTATIVES’ VIEWS ON PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST MALPRACTICES OF TAXI DRIVERS AND THE TRADE’S APPLICATION FOR A FARE INCREASE.
AT THE MEETING, MR SO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICES AND INVITED THE REPRESENTATIVES’ VIEWS ON WHAT THE TRADE COULD DO AND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD AND LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICES.
MR SO SAID THAT THE PUBLIC COULD NOT TOLERATE SUCH MALPRACTICES AND UNLESS IMPROVEMENTS WERE FORTHCOMING, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING NEW MEASURES AND TO STEP UP PROSECUTION AGAINST SUCH MALPRACTICES.
THE REPRESENTATIVES ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM OF REFUSING HIRES AND SELECTING PASSENGERS MAINLY TO LOW FARES, CONGESTION AND HIGH OPERATING COSTS.
THEY CALLED FOR PUBLICITY EFFORTS TO EDUCATE TAXI DRIVERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A REASONABLE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW AND PASSENGERS ABOUT THE RESTRICTIONS FACED BY TAXI DRIVERS.
THE REPRESENTATIVES ALSO HOPED THAT RESTRICTED AREAS POSING NO TRAFFIC PROBLEMS COULD BE RELAXED SO THAT TAXIS COULD PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE.
THE POLICY ON THE ISSUE OF TAXI LICENCES WAS ALSO DISCUSSED, THOUGH REPRESENTATIVES RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS NO EASY SOLUTION.
MR SO SAID HE APPRECIATED THE DIFFICULTIES TAXI DRIVERS HAD, BUT POINTED OUT THAT IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES THEY SHOULD NOT RESORT TO ILLEGAL PRACTICES.
THE REPRESENTATIVES GENERALLY FELT THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF TAXI FARES WAS ON THE LOW SIDE AND STRONGLY ADVOCATED AN EARLY APPROVAL OF THEIR FARE APPLICATION.
NR SO SAID HE WOULD REFLECT ALL THEIR VIEWS TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETING NEXT TUESDAY (OCTOBER 18).
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/9........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
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$534 MILLION SCHEME TO SAVE TOLO HARBOUR
*****
THE $534 MILLION EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME TO SAVE TOLO HARBOUR COMMENCED TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH THE SIGNING OF A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DR NIP KAM-FAN.
SIGNING ON BEHALF OF THE CONSULTANT WAS MR TERRY ROGERS, DIRECTOR OF BALFOURS INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) WHO WILL BE WORKING IN ASSOCIATION WITH CHARLES HASWELL AND PARTNERS (FAR EAST).
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, VALUED AT $22 MILLION, THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DESIGN AND SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE EXPORTING EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN AND TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO KAI TAK NULLAH IN ORDER TO TOTALLY REMOVE ONE OF THE SOURCES OF NUTRIENT LOAD TO TOLO HARBOUR.
’’DETERIORATION OF WATER QUALITY IN T0LO HARBOUR HAS REACHED A POINT WHEN ACTION IS REQUIRED URGENTLY TO PREVENT AN IRREVERSIBLE CONDITION BEING REACHED,” DR NIP SAID.
DESIGN WORK WILL START IMMEDIATELY AND THE TUNNELLING CONTRACT FOR THE 7.5 KILOMETRES BY 2 METRES DIAMETER TUNNEL UNDER TATE’S CAIRN WILL START IN 18 MONTHS’ TIME.
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE PUMPING STATIONS AT TAI PO AND SHA TIN, A SUBMARINE PIPELINE FROM TAI PO TO SHA TIN, A PUMPING MAIN TO THE SHA TIN TUNNEL PORTAL INCLUDING A PIPE BRIDGE OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER AND A CULVERT FROM THE DIAMOND HILL TUNNEL PORTAL TO KAI TAK NULLAH.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT WILL BE BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE TARGET DATES FOR COMMISSIONING THE SCHEME ARE LATE 1992 FOR THE EXPORT OF EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN AND MID 1994 FOR THE EXPORT OF EFFLUENT FROM TAI PO.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
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SAFETY RECORD OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT CREDITABLE ♦ * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (THURSDAY) DESCRIBED THE SAFETY RECORD OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT CONTROLLED UNDER THE EXISTING LAW IN HONG KONG AS “CREDITABLE’’.
HE SAID THE HIGH STANDARD COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE OF OTHER COUNTRIES AND HOPED THAT IT WOULD NOT ONLY BE MAINTAINED BUT WOULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 4TH RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION, MR HAMMOND REVEALED THAT THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE WAS CURRENTLY BEING AMENDED.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD BRING THE ORDINANCE UP-TO-DATE AND INTO LINE WITH CURRENT ENGINEERING PRACTICES.
"I AM SURE THAT AS A RESULT OF THESE AMENDMENTS, THE SAFETY RECORD OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT IN HONG KONG WILL IMPROVE STILL FURTHER,” HE SAID.
MR HAMMOND NOTED THAT THE FORMS OF CONTROL EXERCISED UNDER THE ORDINANCE WERE IN LINE WITH THE CONCEPT OF SELF-REGULATION WHICH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS TRYING TO PROMOTE IN SEVERAL AREAS.
HE SAID THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY APPOINTED EXAMINERS AND INDEPENDENT INSPECTION AUTHORITIES WERE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND ENSURING SAFETY IN THE USE OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT.
“I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS RESPONSIBILITY IS DISCHARGED WITH THE EFFICIENCY, INTEGRITY AND CONSCIENTIOUSNESS THAT IT DESERVES,” HE ADDED.
ANOTHER SPEAKER AT THE SEMINAR WAS THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION, MR M.M. MIRZA.
HE SAID THERE ARE A PRESENT 20,700 BOILERS AND 51,000 PRESSURE RECEIVERS REGISTERED FOR USE IN SOME 36,000 FACTORIES AND OTHER PLACES IN HONG KONG.
DURING 1987, ONLY TWO ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN ONE INJURY WERE REPORTED.
“THIS RECORD COMPARES MOST FAVOURABLY WITH THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY,” MR MIRZA SAID.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE CONTROL AND PROPER EXAMINATION OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS, ABOUT 50 EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS EXAMINERS.
/THEY ARE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1}, 1988
11
THEY ARE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ADVISING OWNERS OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND OTHER SAFETY MATTERS.
THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR IS BEING ATTENDED BY SOME 30 PEOPLE INCLUDING APPOINTED EXAMINERS AND STAFF FROM THE LABOUR AND MARINE DEPARTMENTS.
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE, IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR FURTHER REDUCING THE ACCIDENTS TO FIRE-TUBE BOILERS, AND ADMINISTRATIONS AND INTER-DIVISIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION.
-----0------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE TO AUGUST 1988 « » » » *
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED LOW DURING THE PERIOD JUNE - AUGUST 1988, WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE DECLINED FURTHER, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED VERY TIGHT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1988 WAS 1.8 PER CENT, WHICH WAS HIGHER THAN THE 1.7 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1988 BUT WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN JUNE - AUGUST 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 49,100, COMPARED WITH 47,700 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1988 AND 50,500 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1987.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1988 WAS 0.6 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.8 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1988.
THE RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1987 WAS 1.0 PER CENT. THE DECREASES OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD AND 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
/THE ESTIMATED
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
12 -
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR JUNE AUGUST 1988 WAS 16,500 COMPARED WITH 22,600 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1988 AND 27,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1987.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE MONTHS PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS 1.6 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.6 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 49,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL 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 HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF 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 SEPTEMBER 1988 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND DECEMBER 20, 1988 AT $10 PER COPY.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
- 13 -
HONG KONG RECOGNISES WORLD STANDARDS DAY
*****
HONG KONG WOULD JOIN MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TOMORROW IN RECOGNISING WORLD STANDARDS DAY WHICH MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDISATION, SAID ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ERNEST EVANS, TODAY (THURSDAY).
HONG KONG IS A CORRESPONDENT MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO) AND A SUBSCRIBING MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC).
NOTING THAT THESE TWO INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE ALL ALONG BEEN ACTIVE IN DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT STANDARDS AND WORKING TOWARDS COMPATIBILITY OF SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH MANUFACTURERS AND CONSUMERS, MR EVANS SAID THAT HONG KONG S MAJOR MARKETS ARE PLACING INCREASING EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND CONSUMER SAFETY.
"TO FURTHER PROMOTE STANDARDISATION AND THE AWARENESS OF QUALITY, THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT COLLECTS AND DISSEMINATES INFORMATION ON STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"IT MAINTAINS A REFERENCE LIBRARY WITH A GOOD COLLECTION OF STANDARDS PUBLISHED BY THE ISO, THE IEC AND PROMINENT STANDARDS BODIES OF COUNTRIES SUCH AS USA, UK, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND AUSTRALIA," MR EVANS SAID.
MR EVANS ALSO ADDED THAT THE BUREAU PROVIDES AN ENQUIRY SERVICE ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF PRODUCT STANDARDS AND ADVISES MANUFACTURERS ON SUCH REQUIREMENTS.
-------0----------
30,000 VACANCIES RECORDED IN CLOTHING INDUSTRY
*****
A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL WORKFORCE IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAS DROPPED SLIGHTLY AS A RESULT OF LABOUR SHORTAGE, PARTICULARLY AT THE OPERATIVE LEVEL.
THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE COUNCIL’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR RECORDED THAT THE INDUSTRY EMPLOYED 259,000 WORKERS AS COMPARED WITH 262,000 IN 1985.
/THE 50,000 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 19«»
14
THE 30,000 REPORTED VACANCIES - MORE THAN TWICE THE NUMBER REPORTED IN THE 1985 SURVEY - CONFIRMED THE BOARD’S OBSERVATION THAT THE MANPOWER DECLINE WAS MAINLY THE RESULT OF LABOUR SHORTAGE, RATHER THAN A SET-BACK IN BUSINESS.
IN THE SURVEY, EMPLOYERS ALSO FORECAST THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD NEED A WORKFORCE OF 291,000 IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
IN VIEW OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, THE INDUSTRY MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY IN ACHIEVING THIS FIGURE WITHIN A YEAR. HOWEVER, THE FORECAST ILLUSTRATED THE URGENT DEMAND FOR SKILLED WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY, THE BOARD SAID.
UNLESS THERE WERE DRASTIC CHANGES IN WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC SITUATIONS AND FURTHER MEASURES OF PROTECTIONISM IMPOSED BY MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES, THE BOARD WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY WOULD MAINTAIN A STEADY GROWTH IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD TRAIN AT LEAST 130 TECHNOLOGISTS, 930 TECHNICIANS, 410 CRAFTSMEN AND 15,000 OPERATIVES A YEAR IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED TECHNICAL PERSONNEL UP TO 1993.
THE 1987 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY IS PUBLISHED AND IS ON NOW SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CENTRAL, AT $16 A COPY.
- - 0 - -
HK STUDENTS WIN PRIZES IN ESSAY COMPETITION * * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, HAS PRAISED A GROUP OF STUDENTS FOR THEIR RESOUNDING SUCCESS IN THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION HELD EARLY THIS YEAR.
HONG KONG STUDENTS WON 14 AWARDS FROM THEIR 22 ENTRIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH ESSAY CONTEST.
THE AWARDS INCLUDED A SECOND PRIZE, A THIRD PRIZE, A SPECIAL COMMENDATION, FOUR HIGH COMMENDATIONS AND SEVEN COMMENDATIONS.
/A RECEPTION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1}, 1988
A RECEPTION WAS HELD AT LEE GARDENS HOTEL YESTERDAY IN HONOUR OF THE WINNERS OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION IN HONG KONG, HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LONDON-BASED CONTEST.
MR LI SAID THE 14 AWARDS WON BY HONG KONG STUDENTS WERE A VERY REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT BY ANY STANDARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUCH AN ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS ATTAINED IN A COMPETITION WHICH ATTRACTED NEARLY 3,000 ENTRIES FROM 40 COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, MANY OF WHICH WERE PREDOMINANTLY ENGLISH-SPEAKING.
MR LI ALSO TOLD THE WINNERS AND THEIR PARENTS AND TEACHERS THAT THE WINNING ENTRIES THIS YEAR WERE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD.
’’THE WINNERS HAVE DISPLAYED EVIDENCE OF A GOOD COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND A PROFESSIONAL FLAIR IN PRESENTATION BASED ON EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND CAREFUL SELECTION OF MATERIAL,” MR LI SAID.
’’THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED NOT ONLY IN IMPRESSING THE JUDGES OF THE CONTEST TN HONG KONG, BUT ALSO IN WINNING COVETED PRIZES IN THE COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION IN LONDON.”
THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION IS HELD ANNUALLY TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH AMONG STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 19.
WINNING ENTRIES IN EACH OF FOUR CLASSES OF THE LOCAL COMPETITION WERE SELECTED.
THE HONG KONG CONTEST ATTRACTED MORE THAN 100 ENTRIES FROM 22 SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
WINNERS OF THE LOCAL COMPETITION WERE AWARDED BOOK PRIZES AMOUNTING TO $7,250 DONATED BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THE FIRST PRIZE OF $1,000 IN CLASS A FOR CANDIDATES AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 19 WENT TO WENDY WING-SEE TSUI OF SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE.
SHE ALSO WON THE SECOND PRIZE IN THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION IN LONDON.
/WENDY ALSO .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
- 16 -
WENDY ALSO EARNED A ROUND-TRIP TO KUALA LUMPUR, PLUS TWO NIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION IN A HOTEL AND HKS5OO SPENDING MONEY DONATED BY THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN HONG KONG.
THIS PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO A LOCAL STUDENT IN CLASS A DECIDED BY THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN LONDON.
IN CLASS B OF THE LONDON CONTEST FOR STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 16, YEUNG MAN-KIT OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY COLLEGE WON THE THIRD PRIZE.
OTHER HONG KONG WINNERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION WERE:
CLASS A - CINDY KIT-MING CHAN OF SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE (SPECIAL COMMENDATION), PHYLLIS CHEUNG OF DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND EVELINA FAI-YEE YEUNG OF ST. PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE (HIGH COMMENDATIONS)
CLASS B - ELAINE YIN-LING CHAN AND LUCY TANG OF ST. MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE AND KAISER KAI-SZE FUNG OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE (COMMENDATIONS)
CLASS C - (FOR CANDIDATES AGED 12-14) AMY NG OF DIOCESAN GIRL’S SCHOOL (HIGH COMMENDATION), ASTER YING-YING CHAN AND JOANNA TUEN-WING KEE OF SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, AND BONNIE WAI-CHE PANG OF ST. MARY’S CANOSSIAN (COMMENDATIONS)
CLASS D - (FOR CANDIDATES UNDER THE AGE OF 12) PIK-CHU LAW OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL (HIGH
COMMENDATION) AND KATIE KWAN OF MARYMOUNT
SECONDARY SCHOOL (COMMENDATION)
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY AND PRESENTING PRIZES TO THE WINNERS WERE BRIGADIER IAN CHRISTIE, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND MRS OPHELIA CHEUNG-MACPHERSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN HONG KONG.
0 -------
/17........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
- 17 -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON
HONG KONG ISLAND FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ♦ * ♦ * ♦
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND FOR THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON OCTOBER 19 (WEDNESDAY) THIS YEAR.
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON OCTOBER 16 AND 19. THE SAME ARRANGEMENTS MAY ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED ON OCTOBER 15, 22 AND 23 IF
NECESSARY.
CHAI WAN AREA
ROAD CLOSURES
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
» CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EAST OF LIN SHING ROAD EXCEPT FOR HEARSES.
» THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE AND CREMATORIUM FROM CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EXCEPT FOR HEARSES AND VEHICLES CARRYING PASSENGERS TO SERVICES AT THE
CREMATORIUM.
♦ THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO CHAI WAN CHINESE PERMANENT
CEMETERY.
♦ CAPE COLLINSON ROAD AND LIN SHING ROAD MAY BE CLOSED DEPENDING ON THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
RE-ROUTEING
♦ CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK O ROAD.
* LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM WAN TSUI ROAD TO CAPE COLLINSON ROAD.
* THE EASTERN SECTION OF WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM CHAI WAN ROAD TO FEI TSUI ROAD.
/PARKING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
- 18 -
PARKING
NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ON OCTOBER 16, 19 AND 23 IN WAN TSUI ROAD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD AND SHEK O ROAD BETWEEN CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE AND TAI TAM ROAD.
BUS SERVICES
SPECIAL SERVICES
ROUTE 89 FROM SHAU KEI WAN BUS TERMINUS TO CHAI WAN CEMETERY (CIRCULAR) VIA CHAI WAN MTR STATION WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM ON OCTOBER 19 AT A FREQUENCY OF EIGHT TO NINE MINUTES.
BUS STOPS
THE BUS STOP ON WAN TSUI ROAD WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHAI WAN ROAD (NEAR WAN TSUI ESTATE) WILL BE SUSPENDED.
THE BUS STOP ON WAN TSUI ROAD WEST OF LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE RESITED APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES TOWARDS THE JUNCTION OF FEI TSUI ROAD.
A TEMPORARY BUS STOP WILL BE PROVIDED ON CHAI WAN ROAD EAST OF HONG MAN STREET FOR ALL EASTBOUND BUSES OF THE AFFECTED ROUTES.
BUS RE-ROUTEING
CMB ROUTES 80, 82, 83, 84, 780 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 106 ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO CHAI WAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD OMITTING WAN TSUI ROAD.
CMB ROUTES 81 AND 81M, AFTER LEAVING THEIR TERMINAL POINTS AT HING WAH ESTATE, WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA THE WESTERN SECTION (INSTEAD OF EASTERN SECTION) OF WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN FEI TSUI ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD ONTO CHAI WAN ROAD.
CMB ROUTES 81 AND 81M ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO HING WAH ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHAI WAN ROAD AND THE WESTERN SECTION OF
WAN TSUI ROAD.
/GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1?88
- 19 -
GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES
ROUTE 16M ON ITS JOURNEYS TO THE CHAI WAN MTR STATION WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE ALONG TAI TAM ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD OMITTING SHEK O ROAD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD.
ROUTE 18M ON ITS JOURNEYS TO THE CHAI WAN MTR STATION WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, SHEK O ROAD, TAI TAM ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD OMITTING LIN SHING ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD.
POK FU LAM AREA
RE-ROUTING
CONSORT RISE WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO BISNEY ROAD.
SPECIAL BUS SERVICES
ON OCTOBER 19, BUS ROUTE 57 FROM CENTRAL (EXCHANGE SQUARE) TO CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY (CIRCULAR) WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 5.52 PM AT A FREQUENCY OF SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES.
ABERDEEN AREA
ROAD CLOSURE
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
♦ PEEL RISE IN THE VICINITY OF ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY.
» THE SLIP ROAD FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD LEADING TO ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY.
/PEAK AREA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1}, 1988
20 -
PEAK AREA
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON OCTOBER 19:
ROAD CLOSURE
MT AUSTIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT VEHICLES FOR ACCESS TO PREMISES ON THIS ROAD.
RE-ROUTEING
THE SECTION OF PEAK ROAD OUTSIDE THE UPPER PEAK TRAM
CAR PARK AND THE ACCESS ROAD WITHIN THE CAR PARK WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE.
PARKING
ALL PARKING SPACES AT PEAK GARDEN WILL BE SUSPENDED.
ALL PARKING FACILITIES EXCEPT THE DESIGNATED FRANCHISED OMNIBUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES AND TAXIS Al PEAK TRAM TERMINUS WILL BE SUSPENDED.
SPACES FOR
THE UPPER
ALL METERED PARKING SPACES IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE UPPER PEAK TRAM TERMINUS WILL BE SUSPENDED.
BUS SERVICES
ROUTE 15B BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE PEAK WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 7.40 PM AT AN INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES.
ROUTE 15M BETWEEN ADMIRALTY MTR STATION (EAST) AND THE PEAK WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 7.12 PM AT A PEAK FREQUENCY OF 12 MINUTES.
HAPPY VALLEY AREA
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON OCTOBER 19:
♦ THE BUS STOP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR HAU TAK LANE WILL BE SUSPENDED.
♦ THE TRAM STOP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND OPPOSITE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL BE RESITED NORTHWARDS FOR ABOUT 30 METRES.
/& ......
- 0 - -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
- 21
PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON HIGH RISK OF HILL FIRES
*****
A MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BY THE GOVERNMENT TO WARN THE PUBLIC OF AN INCREASINGLY HIGH RISK OF HILL FIRES IN THE EXCEPTIONAL DRY SEASON WHICH IS FAST APPROACHING.
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE GIVEN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 11 AM AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.
PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU; THE DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JAMES HO; AND FLIGHT LIEUTENANT DON SMITH OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A HELICOPTER FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION BY THE RHKAAF AND THE AFD FIRE CREW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EVENT, TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AS PUBLIC VEHICULAR ACCESS IS RESTRICTED INSIDE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE AFD INFORMATION UNIT AT 3-7332176 BEFORE 5 PM TODAY.
-----0----------
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER » t ♦ * ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON OCTOBER 19 IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 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.
/HOLIDAY PAY .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
22 -
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.
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 AND 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.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-------0 ---------
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HOLD AGM AND SEMINAR
*****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ LIAISON COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS THIRD TERM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND A SEMINAR ON "CAUSALITY BETWEEN EMIGRATION FLUX AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG" TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SEMINAR, SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM IN THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN.
GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR SZETO WAH, AND THE VICE-MANAGING EDITOR OF THE MIRROR, MR LEUNG TAK-BIU.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN OPEN DISCUSSION TO BE CONDUCTED BY DR WALTER WOU, MODERATOR OF THE SEMINAR.
THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN 1985 WITH THE PRIME OBJECTIVES OF PROVIDING A FORUM FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO MEET, DISCUSS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF COMMON CONCERN, AND PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIP AMONG PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS.
IT IS ALSO A LOCAL CONSULTATIVE BODY DEALING WITH MATTERS REGARDING SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND YOUTHS.
/THE COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1J, 1988
- -
THE COMMITTEE ALSO CO-ORDINATES AND ASSISTS IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
KOWLOON CITY HAS MORE THAN 200 SCHOOLS, THE HIGHEST AMONG THE 19 ADMINISTRATION DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY. ABOUT 100 SCHOOLS HAVE JOINED THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SCHOOL PRINCIPALS* LIAISON COMMITTEE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN.
-----O------
ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE AT LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT
*****
HUNDREDS OF WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS, MOST OF THEM WORKERS, TODAY (THURSDAY) HEARD THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR WHEN THEY ATTENDED A FREE LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT AT THE EAST KAI TAK PLAYGROUND IN SAN PO KONG.
THE CONCERT WAS ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT, SAID TODAY’S CONCERT WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE AWARENESS OF LOCAL WORKERS ON THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE USE OF MANDRAX.
HE SAID THAT THE CONCERT WAS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME PRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ACAN.
’’OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A TELE-MATCH DAY, CROSS-WORD PUZZLE AND QUIZ COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS A POP CONCERT, ALL OF WHICH UNDERLINE THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS AS THE THEME,” MR CHAN ADDED.
THOSE ATTENDING THE LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT WERE TREATED TO PERFORMANCE BY POPULAR SINGERS AND GIVEN A PUBLICITY PAMPHLET HIGHLIGHTING THE DANGERS OF MANDRAX.
ALSO ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE AN ACAN MEMBER, MRS PEGGY MIU LEE; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH AND DEPUTY DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR P.J. THOMPSON.
/24......
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13,
1988
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- r
VARIETY SHOW CONCLUDES CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN
» * t t » U .,.!/• • . 1 I
• t;IT 31 . 6TWC-M8 UM/ J. Z(‘ J • • .r»
THE MONTH-LONG CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN AT WONG TAI SIN SQUATTER AREAS WILL COME TO A CLOSE WITH A VARIETY SHOW ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15). ' 1 i h I ‘ i ) i ' i
♦ tfaTTlMMO’J MH T
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, A HOST OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A QUIZ COMPETITION, A COLOUR SHADING COMPETITION AND A CLEANEST HOUSEHOLD COMPETITION, WERE ORGANISED TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AT SQUATTER AREAS.
TO MARK THE CONCLUSION^OF THE. CAMPAIGN/ A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY EVENING- AT THE REST; GARDENi NEXT' TO ICHTNG HONG HOUSE, TZE CHING ESTATE. ■ 7 AHTHA |f
PROGRAMMES OF THE NIGHT INCLUDE SINGING, A MAGIC SHOW AND A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE PRECEDED BY A CLOSING CEREMONY TO BE OFFICIATED BY WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH; CHAIRPERSON OF THE DISTRICT BOARD'S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE, MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM; CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN IN SQUATTER AREAS, MR LI YUK-WAH; AND TWO URBAN COUNCILLORS, MISS YEUNG LAI-YIN AND MS FOK PUI-YEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN SQUATTER AREAS CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN BEGINNING AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) AT THE REST GARDEN NEXT TO CHING HONG HOUSE, TZE CHING ESTATE.
- - - 0-------
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN YAU TSIM ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
A FOUR-MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WILL START ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15).
THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM IN THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
/AT THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1}, 1988
AT THE CEREMONY, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A SLOGAN CONTEST HELD EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A DEMONSTRATION ON DRAINAGE CLEANSING.
FOCUSING ON DRAINAGE PROBLEMS, ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDE THREE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS FOR RESTAURANT WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT, A MARKET STALLS CLEANLINESS CONTEST, A BUILDINGS CLEANLINESS CONTEST, AN OPERATION TO CLEAR ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS AND A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) IN THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
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WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS REDEVELOPMENT MATTERS
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT WILL HOLD ITS SECOND MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE MEETING WILL FOLLOW UP ON PROPOSALS FOR REVIEWING THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE RATES AND THE RESTRICTED TENDER POLICY, AS WELL AS THE EXPANSION OF THE "ENCOURAGEMENT FOR EARLY VOLUNTARY REHOUSING SCHEME".
THESE ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING ASBESTOS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN WONG TAI SIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT IN WONG TAI SIN BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13,
1988
PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE MAN KAM TO ROAD TRAFFIC
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL STUDY, AT A SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A MEMBER’S PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON MAN KAM TO ROAD.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A PROPOSED SCHEME TO IMPROVE LUK KENG ROAD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED RELAXATION OF "CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS" ON JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, AND A COMPLAINT ABOUT VEHICLES NOT STOPPING AT THE ZEBRA-CROSSINGS AT LUNG YEUK TAU AND KWAN TEI, FANLING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1963-64 *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1963 OR 1964 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE NOVEMBER 13.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: "TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR I.D. CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
/"THE ISSUE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1}, 1988
- 27 -
"THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND THE AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TEL. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, 2ND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2ND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI. TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET. TEL. NO. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : BEFORE OCTOBER 15 - SHATIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK STREET. TEL. NO. 0-6059108 AFTER OCTOBER 16 - SHOP 8A, 2/F, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHATIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-793291
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN. TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-927191
"APPLICANTS RESIDING IN SHA TIN SHOULD NOTE THAT THE SHA TIN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE WILL SOON MOVE TO SHOP 8A, 2/F, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHATIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN.
NEW OFFICE WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL FROM OCTOBER 17, 1988. THE
TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PERSONS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR OR COLLECT NEW IDENTITY CARDS ON OR AFTER THAT DATE ARE REQUIRED TO GO TO THE NEW OFFICE," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
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VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY BUILDING
*****
RESIDENTS OF YUEN LONG TOWN EAST ARE BEING INVITED TO A FREE VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD FROM 8 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE BASKETBALL COURT OF THE YUEN LONG ESTATE.
ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG TOWN EAST AREA COMMITTEE, THE SHOW IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES INITIATED BY THE AREA COMMITTEES TO PROMOTE MUTUAL CARE AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONGST RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME IN THE DISTRICT, SIMILAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE AREA COMMITTEES FOR THE TOWN SOUTH AND WEST AREAS ON THE EVENINGS OF OCTOBER 22 AND OCTOBER 28 RESPECTIVELY.
FEATURING POP SINGING, DANCE, MAGIC AND ACROBATIC PERFORMANCE, TOMORROW’S VARIETY SHOW WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN EAST AREA COMMITTEE, MR CHAN YAT-TUNG AND THE YUEN LONG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TANG WAI-CHUNG.
IN VIEW OF THE PROXIMITY OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRACKS TO THE YUEN LONG TOWN EAST AREA, MR TANG WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO REMIND LOCAL RESIDENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LRT SAFETY.
STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ALSO DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS AND BROADCAST A TAPE MESSAGE ON THE LRT SAFETY ASPECTS DURING THE VARIETY SHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG TOWN EAST AREA COMMITTEE AT 8 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
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PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED A BUILDING AT 252 YU CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, TO BE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE THREE STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING, BUILT OF TIMBER ROOF AND CONCRETE FLOORS ON LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS, HAD BEEN UNDER PERIODICAL SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1966.
"THE VERANDAH IS APPROXIMATELY 75 MM OUT OF UPRIGHT AND ONE OF THE PIERS EXHIBITS A VERTICAL FRACTURE WHICH HAS EXTENDED SLIGHTLY DURING THE RECENT MONTHS INDICATING UNARRESTED LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE VERANDAH TOWARDS THE STREET.
"THE VERANDAH BEAMS AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FIRST FLOOR SLAB ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF CONCRETE DETERIORATION. THE BRICKWORK TO THE REAR ELEVATION IS VERY BADLY ERODED."
HE SAID THE BUILDING AS A WHOLE WAS CONSIDERED BEYOND REASONABLE REPAIR.
"ALSO, THERE IS A RISK OF SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF THE VERANDAH DUE TO CONTINUED VIBRATION OR UNEXPECTED EXTERNAL FORCE FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC PASSING THE STREET. IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING," HE SAID.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 8, 1988, WAS POSTED TODAY.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
SECTIONS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM OCTOBER 16 TO 20 AND FROM OCTOBER 23 TO 27 FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORK, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
A 350-METRE LONG SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA WILL BE CLOSED DAILY FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON OCTOBER 16 (SUNDAY), 17, 19 AND 20.
FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING ON OCTOBER 23 (SUNDAY), 24, 25 AND 27, A 350-METRE LONG SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTH OF HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1988
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BUS SERVICES IN EASTERN DISTRICT TO BE ADJUSTED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT BUS SERVICES IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE RATIONALISED FROM SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) TO MAKE BETTER USE OF BUS RESOURCES.
CMB ROUTE 84 OPERATING FROM SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE EXTENDED TO TERMINATE AT HENG FA CHUEN INSTEAD OF ON YIP STREET IN CHAI WAN.
AT THE SAME TIME, BUS ROUTE 88M BETWEEN HENG FA CHUEN AND CHAI WAN MTR STATION WILL BE WITHDRAWN.
IN ADDITION, BUS ROUTE 85 PLYING BETWEEN NORTH POINT FERRY AND A KUNG NGAM WILL BE OPERATED VIA LEI KING WAN TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND THERE.
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ONE-WAY TRAFFIC ON HOK YUEN STREET EAST
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15), HOE YUEN STREET EAST BETWEEN MAN LOK STREET AND HUNG HOM ROAD IN HUNG HOM WILL BE CONVERTED FROM THE EXISTING TWO-WAY WORKING INTO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
THE MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK.
DURING THE PERIOD, MOTORISTS ON HUNG HOM ROAD HEADING FOR HOK YUEN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HUNG HOM ROAD, BAILEY STREET, MA TAU WAI ROAD AND HOK YUEN STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1^88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROGRESS IN SECOND ROUND VBP TALKS......................... 1
DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTANT TO HELP PROBE CRIMINAL CASES: AG.... 4
PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION :
GOVERNOR................................................... 7
APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ...................... 10
PROMISING OUTLOOK FOR TRADE, SAYS DIRECTOR ............... 10
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS UP 12 PER CENT.......................... 12
OFFERS FOR PHASE IIA WAT,T,ED CITY OCCUPIERS AND OWNERS... 15
83 MILLION CONTRACT ON LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE ... 16
FARMERS MAKE PROPOSALS ON EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE RATES ........ 17
CLEANING UP STATUE SQUARE................................... 17
AMENDMENTS TO TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL WORKS .................... 18
GREATER CARE CALLED FOR IN PREVENTING HILL FIRES ........... 19
OLDER AREAS OF DISTRICT TAKING ON NEW LOOK ................. 21
SHEUNG WAN PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ............ 22
NEW ROADS IN YUEN LONG ..................................... 2?
CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL MTR ENTRANCE IN TSIM SHA TSUI .... 24
TENDERS CALLED FOR REPLACING BRIDGE ON TAI TAM ROAD......... 25
PROPOSED LOADING/UNLOADING AREA IN CHEUNG CHAU ............. 25
ASD TO BUILD INDOOR GAMES HALL IN SHEK WU HUI............... 26
TREE PLANTING TO MARK WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY................. 26
WAN CHAI TO STAGE ROAD SAFETY VARIETY SHOW.................. 27
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE NAME OF DISTRICT....................... 27
DUTCH MISSION VISITS KWAI TSING DISTRICT ................... 28
TENDERS INVITED FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF VAN TRACK............. 29
HUNG MUI KUK ROAD TO BE PARTIALLY CLOSED.................... 29
CUSTOMS COMMENDED FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ................. 30
SENIOR FIRE OFFICERS RECEIVE LONG SERVICE MEDALS............ 31
PFA CONTRIBUTES TO REHABILITATION OF INMATES ............... 31
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM ON SUNDAY........................... 32
LANDS AND WORKS GROUP TO HOLD SWIMMING GALA................. 33
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FC® ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE.................. 33
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
PROGRESS IN SECOND ROUND VBP TALKS
* * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE VIETNAMESE HAVE COME A LONG WAY TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM AS A WHOLE AND A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS JUST HELD IN LONDON.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR RICHARD CLIFT, AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN AFTER ATTENDING THE TALKS. COMING BACK TOGETHER WITH MR CLIFT WERE THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALAN FUNG.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THE TWO SIDES HAVE MOVED MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER THAN THEY WERE BEFORE.
”1 THINK THE MOVE, FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE ON THE VIETNAMESE SIDE,” HE SAID.
MR CLIFT SAID THE VIETNAMESE WERE NOW OBVIOUSLY VERY INTERESTED IN SOLVING A PROBLEM WHICH DID NOT MAKE THEM APPEAR IN A GOOD LIGHT, AND THAT THEY NOW REALISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH MORE COMPLEX THAN THEY THOUGHT.
”1 THINK WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO NOW, WHICH IS IN OUR INTEREST TOO, IS TO START ON THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED TO GO BACK, AND THEN TO WORK ON TO THE OTHERS,” HE SAID.
MR CLIFT ADDED THAT INITIALLY, ABOUT 350 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASKED TO GO BACK WOULD BE INVOLVED, AND THAT 110 NAMES WHICH HAVE BEEN VALIDATED BY THE UNHCR HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE VIETNAMESE TEAM.
"WE RECOGNISE IT IS NOT THE END OF THE ROAD,” MR BARNES ADDED.
"THERE IS A LOT STILL TO BE DONE, BUT CERTAINLY WHAT WE HAVE AGREED NOW IN LONDON IS THE BASIS FOR THE WAY FORWARD," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION Ob THE 9,500 (VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE) BEING PUT ON ONE SIDE," HE SAID. "THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, AND THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF WHAT WAS AGREED."
ASKED ABOUT DETAILS OF THE DISCUSSION CONCERNING REPATRIATION, MR CLIFT SAID A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ROLE OF THE UNHCR.
"ONE POINT THAT WAS NOTICEABLE WAS THAT BOTH SIDES AGREED THAT THE UNHCR WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND CERTAINLY WE, AND WE IMAGINE THE VIETNAMESE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH THE UNHCR ON THIS SOON," HE SAID.
/MR BARNES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1U, 1988
2
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THEY DISCUSSED WITH THE VIETNAMESE THE METHOD OF RETURN, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE VIA BANGKOK OR DIRECT TO HANOI AND THE VIETNAMESE WERE VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT FLIGHTS TO HANOI.
HE SAID IT WAS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT FROM THE DELEGATION’S POINT OF VIEW BECAUSE THEY WOULD SEE THIS AS CHARTERED FLIGHTS.
"BUT WE WOULD SEE ALSO THE UNHCR AND THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS ACTUALLY BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THESE RETURNS, IN LINE WITH THE MECHANISM WHICH DOES IN FACT ALREADY EXIST FOR SOME OF THESE RETURNS.
"WE ALSO ASKED THE VIETNAMESE ABOUT THE SIZE OF PLANES THAT SHOULD BE USED. THEY PREFERRED TO HAVE MEDIUM-SIZE PLANES. THEY ALSO MADE THE POINT THAT THEY WOULD FIND VERY LARGE NUMBERS, VERY LARGE BATCHES, RATHER UNWIELDY, AND OF COURSE THE MEDIUM-SIZE PLANES WOULD FIT IN WITH THAT,” MR BARNES SAID.
"THE UNHCR AND THE VIETNAMESE HAVE ALSO BEEN IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE FORM OF ASSISTANCE. THIS IS SOMETHING AGAIN WHICH WE SEE VERY MUCH THE UNHCR PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE HERE.
"WE ARE TALKING HERE ABOUT LIMITED ASSISTANCE, NOT GREAT QUANTITIES OF ECONOMIC AID TO VIETNAM,” MR BARNES STRESSED.
”IT’S LIMITED ASSISTANCE, PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE — FOOD*, CLOTHING, PERHAPS THE TOOLS, PERHAPS MEANS OF MAKING MATERIAL FOR HOUSES, SOME PERHAPS LIMITED FORM OF SUBSISTENCE OR POCKET MONEY. BUT IT IS VERY MUCH INTEGRATION ASSISTANCE, RATHER THAN AID AS SUCH,” HE POINTED OUT.
"THE MAIN AIM IS TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT WHEN PEOPLE GO BACK TO VIETNAM THEY DON’T ARRIVE ABSOLUTELY PENNILESS AND WITHOUT ANY MEANS OF SUPPORT,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WOULD JUST BE AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN FOR THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT AND FOR THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.
"IT WOULD BE DEALT WITH ON A NEED BASIS. IT’S NOT GOING TO BE A PER CAPITA HAND-OUT. NOTHING LIKE THAT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED OR IS ENVISAGED,” MR BARNES POINTED OUT.
*
MR CLIFT ADDED THAT DETAILS WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT BUT THE UNHCR HAD GOT QUITE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING ON THIS SORT OF THING.
"THEY WILL NO DOUBT WANT TO LOOK AT IT LN THE LIGHT OF THE PARTICULAR VIETNAMESE PROBLEM."
ASKED TO GIVE AN ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNT, MR BARNES SAID: "I WOULD SAY ALMOST WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER IT’S GOING TO BE MUCH CHEAPER TO SEND PEOPLE BACK WITH ASSISTANCE THAN LT IS TO MAINTAIN THEM INDEFINITELY IN HONG KONG."
/IT ANSWER .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE ASSISTANCE, HE SAID THE TALKS HAD NOT COVERED APPORTIONMENTS OR DETAILS. "THE UNHCR ITSELF WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS ALMOST CERTAINLY."
"AS RECORDED IN THE JOINT STATEMENT, THE BRITISH SIDE, WHICH OF COURSE IS THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ALSO SEES ITSELF BEING INVOLVED," MR BARNES NOTED.
MR CLIFT ADDED THAT THE UNHCR NEED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE VIETNAMESE. "THEY MAY HAVE SOME FUNDS ALREADY WHICH THEY CAN USE, WE DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH OR WHAT THEY CAN GIVE AND THEN OBVIOUSLY BOTH THE HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THEN HAVE THEIR OWN QUITE SEPARATE PROCEDURES TO GO THROUGH IN EXAMINING THE QUESTION OF ASSISTANCE.
"SO WE HAVEN’T GOT TO THE STAGE OF APPORTIONMENT YET," THE POLITICAL ADVISER SAID.
ASKED WHETHER VIETNAM HAD GIVEN ANY ASSURANCES THAT THEY
WOULD STOP PEOPLE LEAVING THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY, MR CLIFT SAID THEY HAD QUITE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT MEASURES TO
DISCOURAGE DEPARTURES.
HE SAID THE VIETNAMESE GAVE A GOOD DEAL OF DETAILS AS TO WHAT THEY HAD BEEN DOING.
IN REPLY TO WHETHER HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE ASSURANCES, MR CLIFT SAID ONE COULD NOT MAKE SNAP JUDGEMENTS. "BUT SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE FALLING OFF, OBVIOUSLY PART OF IT ONE EXPECTS IS BECAUSE OF APPRECIATION OF OUR NEW POLICY WHICH HAS GOT THROUGH TO VIETNAM AND IS HAVING AN EFFECT."
HE BELIEVED THAT THE MEASURES WHICH THE VIETNAMESE HAD TAKEN HAD BEEN A CONTRIBUTION TO IT AS WELL.
AS FOR ASSURANCES OR GUARANTEES ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET BACK, MR. CLIFT SAID THIS WAS SOMETHING WHICH THE UNHCR WOULD BE VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN.
"INDEED THE JOINT STATEMENT HAS A REFERENCE TO THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE UNHCR ON THE BASIS THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN A HUMANITARIAN WAV AND WE DID DISCUSS THE QUESTION WITH THE VIETNAMESE AND WE THOUGHT THAT THE ASSURANCES WHICH THEY GAVE WERE VERY REASSURING," HE NOTED.
ASKED TO ELABORATE ON THIS POINT, MR CLIFT SAID THE ASSURANCES WERE THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ILL-TREATMENT OF THE PEOPLE AND THAT THEY OPERATED A HUMANE POLICY.
"BUT OF COURSE AN IMPORTANT THING CLEARLY IS THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE UNHCR AFTER PEOPLE HAVE GONE BACK. AND THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH WE KILL BE DISCUSSING WITH THEM," MR CLIFT EMPHASISED.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
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DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTANT TO HELP PROBE CRIMINAL CASES: AG * ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) HE FORESEES A GREATER DEMAND ON THE SERVICES OF ACCOUNTANTS TO ASSIST INVESTIGATORS IN FUTURE CRIMINAL CASES.
HE WAS SPEAKING ON THE TOPIC "FUTURE PUBLIC DEMANDS ON THE ACCOUNTANT AND AUDITOR" AT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS MEMBERS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY.
MR MATHEWS SAID IN THE PAST THE WORK OF THE INVESTIGATIVE ACCOUNTANT HAD BEEN MORE ’REACTIVE’ THAN ’PROACTIVE’.
"THAT IS TO SAY, HE IS USUALLY CALLED IN TO ACT AFTER THE POLICE OR ICAO HAVE CLEARED OUT THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ACCOUNTS SECTION OF A BANK OR A LARGE BUSINESS AND HE IS THEN INVITED TO PERUSE THE RESULTING MOUNDS OF PAPER WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING FURTHER EVIDENCE WHICH SUPPORTS THE SEIZURE AND, WITH LUCK AND A COMPETENT SUPERVISING INVESTIGATING OFFICER WHO HAS GIVEN HIM A PROPER BRIEF, HE MAY EVEN FIND FRESH RELEVANT EVIDENCE," HE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID HE BELIEVES THIS WILL CHANGE AND ACCOUNTANTS WILL BE CALLED IN EARLIER TO ADVISE INVESTIGATORS ON THE LINES OF INQUIRY WHICH THEY SHOULD PURSUE.
REFERRING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION BASED ON THE UK DRUGS TRAFFICKING OFFENCES ACT 1986, HE SAID THIS WAS DESIGNED TO ALLOW JUDGES TO MAKE CONFISCATION ORDERS AGAINST CONVICTED TRAFFICKERS FOR AMOUNTS EQUAL TO THE VALUE OF’ THE ASSETS HELD BY THE TRAFFICKERS AND WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED OR GENERATED THROUGH TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ONE PART OF THIS ACT IS CONCERNED WITH THE MORE EFFICIENT INVESTIGATION OF THE FINANCIAL BACKGROUND OF SUSPECTED TRAFFICKERS.
IN THE UK, THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH SPECIAL INFORMATION GATHERING POWERS WHICH ENABLE THEM, WITH THE COURT’S APPROVAL, TO GATHER RELEVANT AVAILABLE INFORMATION FROM ANY ONE SEIZED OF IT.
MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS SATISFIED THAT IF SUCH CONSIDERABLE POWERS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE IN HONG KONG AS WELL, THEN THERE IS AN OBVIOUS CASE FOR HAVING ACCOUNTANTS ADVISE THESE BODIES AT AN EARLY STAGE ON HOW TO PHRASE REQUESTS FOR RELEVANT FINANCIAL INFORMATION SO THAT ONLY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS ARE OBTAINED AND THE MINIMUM OF INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO THOSE WHO ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
/’’ONCE THIS .........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
"ONCE THIS MATERIAL IS IN THE HANDS OF THE INVESTIGATORS, I WOULD EXPECT THE ACCOUNTANTS TO BE ABLE TO OFFER GUIDANCE AND ADVICE AS TO WHERE TO LOOK NEXT AND SO PLAY THEIR PART IN DEVELOPING AN INQUIRY THE END OF WHICH SHOULD BE, IF THE PROSECUTION FOR THE DRUGS TRAFFICKING OFFENCE SUCCEEDS, THE STRIPPING OF THE CONVICTED TRAFFICKER OF ALL HIS ILL-GOTTEN GAINS," HE SAID.
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD, MR MATHEWS SAID: "TAKING NOTE OF CURRENT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UK, THE USA, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA AND ALSO THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN WITH THE GROWTH OF SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME HERE, THERE MAY BE A CASE FOR EXTENDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW DRUGS LEGISLATION TO COVER ASSET SEIZURE IN OTHER CRIMINAL CASES."
HE SAID HE HAD IN MIND CASES WHERE VAST PROFITS HAVE BEEN MADE BY WHOLLY UNPRINCIPLED PERSONS WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO PURSUING A SYSTEMATIC COURSE OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT, WITH A VIEW TO ACQUIRING AND MAINTAINING A STEADY SOURCE OF INCOME WHICH EVENTUALLY TRANSLATED INTO LEGITIMATE CAPITAL ASSETS SUCH AS FLATS OR SMALL BUSINESSES.
IN THE USA, THE MAIN THRUST AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME OVER THE PAST 10 TO 15 YEARS HAS BEEN THE RACKETEERING INFLUENCED CORRUPT ORGANISATIONS (RICO) STATUTE.
"THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN ITS REPORT ON TRIADS EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THE U.S. LEGISLATION TWO YEARS AGO AND THE WORKING GROUP ON GANGS OF THE FCC HAS SINCE ASKED MY CHAMBERS TO CONDUCT AN IN-HOUSE FEASIBILITY STUDY TO SEE IF THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THI : LEGISLATION CAN BE APPLIED HERE," HE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE SIMPLE FACT THAT SUCH
LEGISLATION EXISTS IS SURELY A DETERRENT.
FURTHERMORE, IF JUDGES WERE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF ASSET FORFEITURE PROVISIONS, THEIR RANGE OF SENTENCING OPTIONS WOULD BE VERY EFFECTIVELY EXTENDED.
"THE CONVICTED PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO BE SENTENCED IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY AND, GIVEN THE FACT THAT RECIDIVIST LARGE SCALE FRAUDSTERS ARE UNUSUAL -IN A WAY THAT PETTY THIEVES ARE NOT, A SHORTER TERM OF IMPRISONMENT COUPLED WITH ASSET FORFEITURE COULD WELL BE IN EVERYBODY’S INTEREST, AS THE PUNISHMENT WOULD THEN TRULY FIT THE CRIME," MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE SAID ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL EXPERTS SHOULD BE INVOLVED FROM THE OUTSET IF SUCH LEGISLATION EXISTED.
"THEY WOULD BE CALLED IN TO ASSIST ON BOTH SIDES IN THE PRELIMINARY SKIRMISHES IN A PROSECUTION WHEN THE FIRST INTERLOCUTORY FREEZING ORDERS ARE SOUGHT BEFORE TRIAL AND THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED RIGHT THROUGH TO THE EXECUTION OF THE FINAL COURT ORDERS AFFECTING REALISABLE PROPERTY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
/THE ATTORNEY........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 6
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO ADDRESSED THE SUBJECT OF AN ACCOUNTANT’S CONTRACTUAL DUTY OF CONFIDENCE TO HIS CLIENTS.
HE SAID THERE WERE SIGNS THAT PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS MAY YET DEMAND STATUTORY INTERFERENCE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP OF CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN AN ACCOUNTANT AND HIS CLIENT.
"IF THE NEW DRUGS ASSETS CONFISCATION LEGISLATION IS
INTRODUCED HERE IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME FORM AS IT EXISTS IN THE UK, THERE WILL BE A PROVISION WHICH WILL MAKE IT AN OFFENCE TO BE A PARTY TO ANY TRANSACTION DESIGNED TO PRESERVE OR SECURE ANY ASSETS GENERATED BY DRUGS TRAFFICKING IF YOU KNOW OR SUSPECT THAT THE ASSETS ARE IN FACT DRUGS RELATED," HE SAID.
THIS LEADS TO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER ACCOUNTANTS SHOULD BE LEGALLY BOUND TO REPORT FRAUD WHEREVER AND WHENEVER THEY COME ACROSS IT DURING AN AUDIT, HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THERE WERE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST MANDATORY REPORTING.
’’HOWEVER, IF THE TREND TOWARDS REGULATION WHICH 1 HAVE INDICATED CONTINUES, AND YOUR MEMBERS ARE BY WHATEVER MEANS REQUIRED, COAXED OR CAJOLED INTO REPORTING EVIDENCE OF FRAUD AND OTHER SERIOUS FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT WHEREVER AND WHENEVER THEY FIND IT, THEN WHAT PROTECTION WILL THEY HAVE IN THE WIDE WORLD WHEN THE CHILL WIND OF CIVIL LITIGATION BLOWS AND CLIENTS SEEK DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF REPUTATION THROUGH NEGLIGENT OR MALICIOUS REPORTING?” HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THERE SEEMS TO BE THREE OPTIONS. FIRST, INCREASES IN INSURANCE COVER, SECOND, STATUTORY PROTECTION FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISCLOSURE AND THIRD, THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
WHILE ACCOUNTANTS THEMSELVES MIGHT ARGUE IN FAVOUR OF THE SECOND AND THIRD OPTIONS MR MATHEWS SAID, HE DID NOT SEE THE GOVERNMENT NECESSARILY ENACTING LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO SAVE THEM FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF NEGLIGENT OR MALA-FIDE REPORTING EITHER WITHIN OR OUTSIDE A SPECIAL REGULATORY SCHEME, UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO SATISFIED THAT THE AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES ARE REALLY EFFICIENT AND ARE OPERATED BY PERSONS WITH THE WILL TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY.
’’AFTER ALL, IT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO ANYTH WHICH MIGHT HAVE THE EFFECT OF ENCOURAGING SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS MAKE HASTY, ILL-CONSIDERED AND INACCURATE REPORTS OF FRAUD OR OTHEb FINANCIAL MALPRACTICES,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID: ”1 HAVE L1TTLJ D<-UI THAT YOUR PROFESSION WILL BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO THESE TIMES AND PROSPER: IF IT DOES NOT THOUGH I FEAR THAT IT MAY SUFFER A DIMINUTION OF STATUS AND THAT THE DEMANDS THAT THEN MAY BE MADE OF IT TO SUBMIT To SOME KIND OF EXTERNAL REGULATION MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE IN ITS INTERESTS.”
------0 ------
/7.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR SECURITIES ♦ * * t
AND FUTURES COMMISSION : GOVERNOR ♦
PREPARATIONS WERE BEING MADE TO ENABLE THE NEW INDEPENDENT STATUTORY SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO PUT IN PLACE THE ARRANGEMENTS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE AND THAT HE WAS DETERMINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD COMPLETE THE WHOLE TASK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SIR DAVID SAID LAST OCTOBER’S STOCK MARKET CRASH ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE DEFICIENCIES IN HONG KONG’S REGULATORY SYSTEM.
HAVING AGREED THAT THE NEW COMMISSION SHOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING REGULATORY STRUCTURE, THE IMMEDIATE TASK WAS TO PREPARE LEGISLATION THAT SET OUT THE NEW COMMISSION’S CONSTITUTION, FUNCTIONS, jDUTIES AND POWERS.
’’THAT ALSO PROVIDES ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES -------------IF YOU LIKE, A WATCH ON THE WATCHDOG,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"A DRAFT BILL HAS BEEN PREPARED, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW ‘CONSULTING ORGANISATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES INVOLVED IN THE MARKET,” HE ADDED.
”1 HOPE THAT THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF 1988 SO THAT THE NEW COMMISSION CAN BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR,” HE SAID.
’’ALREADY ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE, BY SETTING UP A PROVISIONAL COMPANY, TO START APPOINTING SENIOR STAFF AND TO WORK OUT A DETAILED BUDGET AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE,” HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID OTHER KEY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE INVOLVED THE RECONSTITUTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
HAVING ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE STOCK EXCHANGE TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO IMPLEMENT THEM WITH THE UNANIMOUS PASSAGE IN JULY 'OF A RESOLUTION TO BRING A NEW CONSTITUTION INTO EFFECT, SIR DAVID NOTED.
’’THIS MOVE BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE WAS WIDELY, AND RIGHTLY, SEEN AS A MOST ENCOURAGING SIGN OF DETERMINATION BY THOSE IN THE MARKET IN HONG KONG TO PUT THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
i
/’’THE NEXT..........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1U, 1988
- 8 -
"THE NEXT STAGE IS ELECTIONS FOR THE NEW STOCK EXCHANGE COUNCIL, WHICH ARE DUE TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MONDAY.
"I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL ELECTING A NEW CHAIRMAN AND APPOINTING A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT CARRYING THROUGH THESE REFORMS WITHIN THE SHORT SPACE OF A YEAR AFTER THE CRISIS LAST YEAR REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT ON ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN MANAGING THE EXCHANGE.
"THE FUTURES EXCHANGE WILL ALSO BE PUTTING TO ITS MEMBERS SHORTLY PROPOSALS TO REFORM ITS CONSTITUTION AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"I HOPE THAT THESE WILL BE ACCEPTED," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ULTIMATELY THE QUESTION OF WHETHER HONG KONG CONTINUED TO HAVE A FUTURES EXCHANGE WAS ONE FOR THE MARKETS.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT THERE TO IMPOSE A FUTURES EXCHANGE, OR TO PROVIDE REMEDIAL RELIEF, IF THE MARKET ITSELF DOES NOT WANT ONE.
"WE ARE HOWEVER DETERMINED THAT, IF THE EXCHANGE CONTINUES IN BEING, IT SHOULD BE PROPERLY FUNDED AND PROPERLY GUARANTEED,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM FOR STOCK TRANSACTIONS, SIR DAVID SAID THE OLD ARRANGEMENTS SHOWED THEMSELVES AS UNABLE TO COPE WITH SUDDEN INCREASES IN TRADING VOLUME.
HE SAID THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE OLD ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A CENTRAL CLEARING SYSTEM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF A NEW STATUTORY CLEARING HOUSE. IT ALSO RECOMMENDED AN EXTENSION OF THE SETTLEMENT PERIOD.
"THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL TAKE TIME TO PUT INTO PLACE. BUT THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING A NUMBER OF MAJOR BANKS, ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THE DETAILED DESIGN FOR A NEW SYSTEM," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IN THE MEANTIME, IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT IMPROVED INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE EXCHANGE," HE ADDED.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAVE NO WISH TO OVER-REGULATE. BUT, WITHOUT FALLING INTO THE TRAP OF OVER-REGULATION, THERE ARE STILL SOME ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS WE NEED TO INTRODUCE TO BRING HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE WHAT WE AIM TO BE -- A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
ONE SUCH MEASURE WAS LEGISLATION PASSED IN JULY WHICH REQUIRED MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE THE BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THE SHARES THEY HOLD, SIR DAVID SAID.
/"IN THIS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1U, 1988
- 9 -
"IN THIS WAY BOTH THE PUBLIC, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF LISTED COMPANIES, WILL KNOW WHO REALLY CONTROLS THE LISTED COMPANY."
"IT WILL MAKE CREEPING TAKEOVERS AND INSIDER DEALING MUCH HARDER TO CONCEAL," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THIS NEW LAW WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ONCE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION HAD BEEN ESTALBISHED AND WAS IN A POSITION TO ENFORCE THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.
SPEAKING ABOUT INSIDER DEALING, SIR DAVID SAID LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO INCREASE SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS UNDER THE EXISTING TRIBUNAL SYSTEM.
"INSIDER DEALING IS A WORLDWIDE PROBLEM. IT UNDERMINES THE FAIRNESS OF THE MARKET," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO OUR BEST TO SEE THAT IT DOES NOT OCCUR," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE NEW SANCTIONS WOULD INCLUDE BARRING INSIDER DEALERS FROM BECOMING DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES; REQUIRING THE DISGORGEMENT OF ANY PROFITS MADE OR LOSSES AVOIDED; IMPOSING FINANCIAL PENALTIES OF UP TO THREE TIMES THESE AMOUNTS; AND REFERRING INSIDER DEALERS TO APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL BODIES FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
"THESE INCREASED SANCTIONS SHOULD PROVE TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL DETERRENT AGAINST INSIDER DEALING," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT ACCOUNTANTS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN COMBATTING MALPRACTICES THROUGH THE AUDITING OF COMPANY ACCOUNTS.
"IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S STATUS AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE FACT THAT THE PROFESSION WAS REPRESENTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS YEAR SHOWED THAT ITS CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS WAS BEING RECOGNISED, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
--------0----------
/10........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
10 -
APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL » * t *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD REAPPOINTED DR DANIEL TSE AS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 1991, AFTER THE EXPIRY OF HIS PRESENT
APPOINTMENT ON OCTOBER 31, 1988.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED MR CHENG HON-KWAN AS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1988 TO OCTOBER 31, 1991.
IN MAKING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE GOVERNOR PAID TRIBUTE TO DR TSE’S AND MR CHENG’S ADMIRABLE RECORDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF DR CHIU HIN-KWONG TO THE WORK OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. DR CHIU'S APPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL WILL EXPIRE ON OCTOBER 31.
THE FOLLOWING ARE BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF MR CHENG HON-KWAN:
MR CHENG HON-KWAN
AGED 61. AN ENGINEER. ELECTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1985 (ELECTED BY THE ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY).
OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE INCLUDES: CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.
-------0----------
PROMISING OUTLOOK FOR TRADE, SAYS DIRECTOR * * * » »
HONG KONG IS GRADUALLY REDUCING ITS DEPENDENCE ON THE UNITED STATES AS A MAJOR MARKET FOR ITS EXPORTS, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR SZE SAID THAT UNTIL RECENTLY THE UNITED STATES MARKET ABSORBED ON AVERAGE 42 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
/THIS PROPORTION .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
THIS PROPORTION DROPPED TO SLIGHTLY OVER 37 PER CENT LAST YEAR, WITH THE DOWNWARD TREND CONTINUING DURING THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
MR SZE DESCRIBED AS ’’UNHEALTHY” AN OVER-DEPENDENCE ON ANY MARKET, ESPECIALLY ’’WHEN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING ALONE MAKE UP OVER 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES”.
HE NOTED AN ENCOURAGING TREND IN HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO JAPAN WHICH HAD INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT IN 1986 AND 53 PER CENT IN 1987.
’’INDEED WE CONTINUE TO DO REASONABLY WELL IN JAPAN THIS YEAR DESPITE AN ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE AND A DECLINE IN OUR EXPORTS OF FUR GARMENTS TO JAPAN, THE LARGEST SINGLE ITEM OF OUR EXPORTS.”
MR SZE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE TRADE GAP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN REMAINED ENORMOUS AND STILL GROWING, WITH THE JAPANESE MARKET MORE OPEN THAN BEFORE THERE WERE PLENTY OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPORTERS.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA, MR SZE SAID THAT CHINA HAD BECOME HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER AND SUPPLIER, ACCOUNTING FOR 27 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S TOTAL TRADE.
"WE HAVE JUST OVERTAKEN JAPAN AS CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 20 PER CENT OF ITS TRADE. TWO-WAY TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAS GROWN 19 TIMES SINCE 1978,” HE ADDED.
MR SZE NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SURGE IN HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, NOTABLY FROM CHINA, IN RECENT YEARS SO MUCH SO THAT THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS HAD NOW OVERTAKEN THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
MR SZE ATTRIBUTED THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG AS AN ENTREPOT FOR CHINA TO FOUR MAIN REASONS, NAMELY:
- THE OPENING UP OF CHINA HAD REVIVED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS THE NATURAL GATEWAY TO CHINA;
- THE EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURES AND PORT FACILITIES IN HONG KONG;
- THE TENDENCY FOR MOST OUTWARD PROCESSING PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTS FROM JOINT VENTURES WITH HONG KONG INVESTMENT TO BE SHIPPED THROUGH HONG KONG FOR QUALITY CHECKS AND PACKAGING BEFORE EXPORT; AND
- THE INCREASING AND SUBSTANTIAL VOLUME OF TRADE BETWEEN CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN THROUGH HONG KONG.
MR SZE SAID THAT AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND AND OTHER HEALTHY TRENDS, THE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG’S TRADE WAS BRIGHT.
/HE REITERATED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11*, 1988
- 12 -
HE REITERATED THAT IT WAS THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S PRIORITY TO MAINTAIN CONTINUED ACCESS TO MARKETS ALREADY OPENED TO HONG KONG, REMOVE BARRIERS WHERE THEY EXISTED AND GAIN ACCESS TO MARKETS THAT WERE CLOSED.
"WE ARE DOING OUR BEST IN THE CURRENT NEW ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE, IMPROVE MARKET ACCESS AND STRENGTHEN DISCIPLINE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM," MR SZE STRESSED.
-------o----------
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS UP 12 PER CENT *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, ESTIMATED AT $6,309 MILLION, WAS 12 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1987, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 2 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $2,666 MILLION, WHICH WAS 8 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, FAST FOOD SHOPS RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (27 PER CENT) IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (17 PER CENT), "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" - COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY, ETC. (11 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (9 PER CENT) AND BARS (6 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND BARS INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHILE THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ROSE BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE'AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THE TOTAL VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, FAST FOOD SHOPS RECORDED THE LARGEST GROWTH IN TOTAL RECEIPTS (25 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (19 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (13 PER CENT), "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" (11 PER CENT) AND BARS (5 PER CENT).
/IN VOLUME .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS AGAIN SHOWED THE LARGEST INCREASE, AT 20 PER CENT.
THE GROWTH, IN VOLUME TERMS, RECORDED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, ’’OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES”, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND BARS WAS 10 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 3 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER - AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME WHILE THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT.
TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME; THOSE OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THOSE OF FAST FOOD SHOPS BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
HOWEVER, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME AND THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 AND FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1988 WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL NO. : 5-8234941).
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
14
CABLE I : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AMD PURCHASES
MM MMMMMM MMM M M MMMM MM M • • — “ MM MMM M MMM MMMM MMMMMM MMMMMMM
1st otr. !988 2nd otr. 1988
(Revised figures/ (Provisional fioures*
Total restaurant receiots (in HKS milion) 6 5hJ 6 309
Total ourchases bv restaurants (in HKI ail I ion) 2 778 2 666
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT
RECEIPTS FOR 1ST QUARTER 1988 AND 2ND QUARTER 1988
(Ouarterlv averaoe of October 84 - Seoteaber 85 = 100)
' Tvoe of restaurant Index of : । 2nd otr. 1908 cotoared with 2nd otr. 198? lst-2nd otr. 19881 cotoared with ‘ lst-2no otr. 1°375
total restaurant receiots 1st Quarter 1908 2nd Quarter 1988 '• 2nd otr. 1988 comoared with ■ 1st otr. 1988
•Revised (Pro.'i signal Points Z Points Z Points Z •
fiaures) fioures)
• Chinese restaurants Vai ue 144 132 -12 -3 11 3 16 13 ।
Volute 126 112 -14 -II .-1 -1 4 3 1
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 12? III 11 9 2(1 17 22 19 I
Voluae Ul 117 5 5 8 7 io 10 :
Fast food shoos Value 156 164 9 5 35 27 32 25 5
Volute 142 IV 5 3 26 21 24 20 {
! Bars Value 126 123 3 -2 7 h 5 5 :
Voluae 111 106 •4 4 2 7 1 1 :
■Other eatino and drinkina olaces Value 124 138 U 1! 13 U 13 II ’
Voluae 10° 120 II to 7 * 6 6 ’
! Entire restaurant sector Value } 141 136 -5 -4 15 12 (8 15 :
Volute I I 121 115 9 -7 3 I 7 6 •
Note: Fioures denotino chanaes are derived Iron unrounded figures.
---------0------------
/15...........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
OFFERS FOR PHASE IIA WALLED CITY OCCUPIERS AND OWNERS ♦ * » » t
ELIGIBLE OCCUPIERS AND OWNERS IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE ARE BEING NOTIFIED OF THE DETAILS OF THEIR COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS.
THERE ARE ABOUT 2 200 FAMILIES AND 2 000 PREMISES INVOLVED IN THIS CLEARANCE, KNOWN AS PHASE IIA.
ABOUT 4 000 OFFER LETTERS ARE BEING ISSUED BY THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE DURING A SIX-WEEK OPERATION, STARTED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12), TO INFORM THEM OF THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SPECIAL COMMITTEE OVERSEEING THE CLEARANCE HAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED AN INCREASE IN THE COMPENSATION RATES FOR PHASE IIA. THE NEW RATES REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 10 PERCENT COMPARED WITH THE RATES PAYABLE TO QUALIFIED PERSONS AFFECTED IN PHASE I.
THE NEW RATES ARE ONLY APPLICABLE TO PHASE IIA OWNERS AND WILL NOT HAVE RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT ON PHASE I OWNERS.
THE COMPENSATION RATES FOR EACH PHASE OF THE CLEARANCE ARE REVIEWED AND, IF NECESSARY, REVISED UPWARDS OR DOWNWARDS BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE TREND OF THE SALES PRICES OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) FLATS.
THE CURRENT PHASE I CLEARANCE IS IN GOOD PROGRESS. THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE HAS SECURED 700 PREMISES AND REHOUSED, MOSTLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, ABOUT 900 FAMILIES.
ANOTHER 1 000 PHASE I FAMILIES HAVE OPTED FOR HOS FLATS IN JUNK BAY AND CHUK YUEN WHICH WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION THIS DECEMBER AND IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
THE WHOLE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PROGRAMME, INVOLVING ABOUT 33 000 PEOPLE AND 8 500 PREMISES - INCLUDING SOME 900 COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN ABOUT 500 BUILDINGS, WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN FOUR PHASES.
THE SITE AFTER THE CLEARANCE WILL BE REDEVELOPED INTO A PUBLIC PARK WITH RELATED COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
-------o ---------
/16........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 16 -
$3 MILLION CONTRACT ON LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A $3 MILLION CONTRACT TO A PRIVATE COMPANY TO PROVIDE LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE TO FARMERS IN AREAS SCHEDULED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
THESE CONTROL AREAS TAKE IN RIVER INDUS, UPPER SHAM CHUN, TSUEN WAN, LIO TO VILLAGE, AND TAI LAM CHUNG.
THE CONTRACT COVERS A 12-MONTH SERVICE STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
IT INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR COLLECTION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE FROM SOME 300 COLLECTION POINTS AND TRANSPORTATION OF THE COLLECTED WASTE TO DESIGNATED DISPOSAL SITES AS WELL AS MINOR SITE CLEARANCE AND CLEANSING SERVICE AT THE COLLECTION POINTS.
AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID: "THIS EARLY PROVISION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES TO THE CONTROL AREAS TO BE COVERED IN THE NEXT STAGE OF CONTROL DEMONSTRATES THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO HELP THE AFFECTED FARMERS TO COPE WITH THE NEW CONTROLS.
"THIS WILL ALLOW FARMERS TIME TO GET USED TO THE DRY MUCK-OUT METHOD OF REMOVING SOLID WASTE FROM LIVESTOCK KEEPING STRUCTURES AND TO HELP THEM TO COMPLY WITH CONTROL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE THE REGULATIONS ARE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SECOND GROUP OF CONTROL AREAS IN 1989. "
DR REED SAID HE FELT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING ITS FAIR SHARE IN PROVIDING FUNDING, TECHNICAL ADVICE AND OTHER SUPPORTING FACILITIES TO COMBAT LIVESTOCK WASTE POLLUTION.
"I AM SURE THE LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATORS WILL RESPOND POSITIVELY AND PLAY THEIR PART IN TAKING APPROPRIATE STEPS TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS."
DR REED SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS MADE SO FAR WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, SINCE IT CAME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 24 THIS YEAR.
--------o ---------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 17 -
FARMERS MAKE PROPOSALS ON EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE RATES
*****
LIVESTOCK FARMER REPRESENTATIVES HAVE SUBMITTED A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS ON WORKING OUT THE RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
THE PROPOSAL WAS DISCUSSED AT A MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
THE WORKING GROUP, SET UP UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, HAD PREVIOUSLY HELD TWO MEETINGS DURING WHICH FARMER REPRESENTATIVES HAD EXPRESSED CERTAIN VIEWS ON THE REVIEW OF THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES RATES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR LEO KWAN, SAID HE WOULD REFLECT THE VIEWS OF FARMER REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE ANNUAL EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES REVIEW WILL BE HELD IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS’ TIME, HE ADDED.
-----0 ----
CLEANING UP STATUE SQUARE
*****
THE SEVERITY OF THE LITTERING PROBLEM AT STATUE SQUARE DURING HOLIDAYS IS REFLECTED BY AN AVERAGE INTAKE OF THREE TONNES OF REFUSE NORMALLY COLLECTED AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
THE URBAN COUNCIL ATTRIBUTES THIS TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GATHERING THERE ON HOLIDAYS.
"PEOPLE LITTER INDISCRIMINATELY AND HAVE TURNED STATUE SQUARE INTO ONE OF THE LITTER BLACKSPOTS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROBLEM IS DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF 12 VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS FROM THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG, WHO HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SHOULDERING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CLEANING STATUE SQUARE AND ITS NEIGHBOURING AREAS.
"TWELVE FILIPINO ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS HAVE PLEDGED SUPPORT BY JOINING IN AN ADOPTION SCHEME, WHICH HAS BEEN FORMED TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE UP THE CLEANSING RESPONSIBILITY OF A CERTAIN PUBLIC AREA OR EVEN AS MUCH AS A SECTION OF THE CITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/SUCH A .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
18
SUCH A SCHEME WOULD NOT ONLY SAVE THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY BY REDUCING THE WORKLOAD OF THE GOVERNMENT, BUT WOULD ALSO AROUSE THE CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
TWO ’PITCHING-IN’ FUNCTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) AND THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, TO SYMBOLICALLY LAUNCH THE FILIPINO ADOPTION SCHEME.
ABOUT 500 MEMBERS OF THE 12 PARTICIPATING ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CLEANING GEAR TO CLEAN UP STATUE SQUARE, CHATER GARDEN, EDINBURGH PLACE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, BLAKE PIER AND CENTRAL PROMENADE.
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) AT STATUE SQUARE.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE SISTER OF THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTRE FOR FILIPINOS, SISTER ROSALINA WEE; CONSUL-GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE, MR VICENTE REYES, AND URBAN COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, DR RONALD LEUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE FILIPINO PITCHING-IN FUNCTION TO BE HELD AT 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) AT STATUE SQUARE. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - - - 0------------
AMENDMENTS TO TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WORKS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE TUNNEL ALIGNMENT AND THE LOCATION OF THE VENTILATION SHAFTS AND BUILDINGS OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BETWEEN THE DIAMOND HILL PORTAL AND THE SHA TIN PORTAL.
THESE AMENDMENTS WILL ALLOW THE EXCAVATION OF THE TUNNEL TO BE CARRIED OUT ON ADDITIONAL FACES AND THUS EXPEDITE THE COMPLETION OF THE TUNNEL PROJECT.
THEY INCLUDE MINOR RELOCATION OF THE TUNNEL PORTALS AT DIAMOND HILL AND SHA TIN; MINOR RELOCATION OF THE TUNNEL ALIGNMENT; REPLACEMENT OF VERTICAL VENTILATION SHAFTS BY INCLINED VENTILATION ADITS AND THE RELOCATION OF THE ASSOCIATED VENTILATION BUILDINGS.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE PLANS ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 19 -
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
» KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
* SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON;
» SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
» KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAU STREET, THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS, KOWLOON.
ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOVEMBER 11 THIS YEAR.
-----0------
GREATER CARE CALLED FOR IN PREVENTING HILL FIRES * ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED TO TAKE GREATER CARE TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S LIMITED COUNTRYSIDE RESOURCES AGAINST THE MENACE OF FIRE IN THE COMING DRY SEASON.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, WHEN HE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR’S COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
”SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE RAINFALL IS ABOUT 30 PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE. IT IS LIKELY TO BE EVEN DRIER LATER THIS YEAR,” MR IU SAID.
"AS WE ARE ENTERING AN EXCEPTIONAL DRY SEASON, I WOULD URGE THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE TO SAFEGUARD OUR COUNTRYSIDE AGAINST DEVASTATION BY FIRE.
/’’ONLY WITH..........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 20 -
’’ONLY WITH THEIR SUPPORT, WE CAN HOPE TO PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF THE DISASTROUS SITUATION IN 1985-86 WHEN 306 FIRES SWEPT 6,300 HECTARES OF COUNTRY PARK AREAS, DESTROYING OVER HALF A MILLION TREES.”
ALSO PRESENT AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WERE THE ACTING CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JAMES HO, AND FLIGHT LIEUTENANT DON SMITH OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
MR IU SAID THAT MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN THE URBAN AREAS, SEEMED TO THINK THAT COUNTRYSIDE FIRE WAS NOT A MATTER OF THEIR CONCERN PROBABLY BECAUSE THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTIES WERE NOT ENDANGERED.
"THIS IS A MISTAKEN BELIEF,” HE SAID. "HILL FIRES DO COST MONEY. APART FROM THE COST OF THE FIRE FIGHTING ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED, THE LOSS IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN ESTABLISHING GOVERNMENT PLANTATIONS AND DEVELOPING COUNTRY PARKS IS ALSO CONSIDERABLE.”
IN ADDITION, MR IU SAID, HILL FIRES ALSO CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE VEGETATION, LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND WILDLIFE HABITATS, AND CAUSED EROSION OF SOIL, RESULTING IN SILTING UP OF STREAM COURSES.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY ALL THESE IN TERMS OF MONEY, THEY ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
"SUCH DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION IN THE QUALITY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT WOULD DEPRIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE ENJOYMENT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE," HE ADDED.
MR IU POINTED OUT THAT ALL HILL FIRES IN HONG KONG WERE CAUSED BY HUMAN CARELESSNESS AND THEY COULD BE PREVENTED EASILY IF EVERYONE TOOK PROPER CARE IN HANDLING FIRES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
"COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS SHOULD LIGHT BARBECUE FIRES ONLY JN DESIGNATED BARBECUE PITS AND SHOULD ALSO REFRAIN FROM DISCARDING BURNING CIGARETTE ENDS. FARMERS AND VILLAGERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE A BURNING STACK OF HAY OR RUBBISH UNATTENDED," HE SAID.
MR IU ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTENDING TO VISIT THEIR ANCESTORS’ GRAVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL NEXT WEEK TO BE ON SPECIAL GUARD AGAINST HILL FIRES.
"THEY SHOULD LIGHT JOSS PAPERS ONLY IN METAL CONTAINERS AND NEVER LEAVE BURNING JOSS STICKS UNATTENDED," HE SAID.
ANYONE WHO CHOSE TO IGNORE THESE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WAS COMMITTING AN OFFENCE AND WAS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT, MR IU WARNED.
------0--------
/21 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 21 -
OLDER AREAS OF DISTRICT TAKING ON NEW LOOK * * * *
THE OLDER PARTS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL TAKE ON A COMPLETELY NEW LOOK IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS AS A RESULT OF A COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS FOLLOWING A VISIT TO THE DISTRICT THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
"HOWEVER, REJUVENATION OF AN OLDER PART OF A DISTRICT REQUIRES CAREFUL AND DETAILED PLANNING," HE ADDED.
HE HOPED THAT THESE REDEVELOPMENTS WOULD UPGRADE DISTRICT FACILITIES AND IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT REMOVING ALL THE UNIQUE FEATURES.
MR LAN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU.
HE FIRST VISITED ONE OF THE TRADITIONAL WHOLESALE TRADING AREAS IN SHEUNG WAN - NAM PAK HONG - AND THEN WALKED THROUGH THE NEARBY AREA AROUND QUEEN STREET AND TSUNG SAU LANES.
THIS IS AMONG THE FIVE AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) AS SUITABLE FOR COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT.
THE OTHER FOUR AREAS ARE COCHRANE STREET, WING SING STREET, GILMAN STREET AND THIRD STREET/UN SHING LANE. ALL FIVE HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
ONE OF THE EARLIEST DEVELOPED PARTS IN HONG KONG, THE QUEEN STREET SITE HAS A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 5,450 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS NOW OCCUPIED BY DILAPIDATED PRE-WAR BUILDINGS, WITH A NUMBER OF CHINESE HERB STORES AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL AND MARKED B\ CHAOTIC AND NARROW STREET PATTERNS OWING TO UNPLANNED, PIECEMEAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLIER DECADES.
MR LAN WAS TOLD THAT THE LDC, IN CONJUNCTION WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WAS PREPARING A SCHEME TO REDEVELOP THE SITE IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER.
THIS WOULD OPTIMISE THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL AND INCORPORATE COMMUNITY FACILITIES, APART FROM IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA AS A WHOLE.
MR LAN LATER WENT TO ANOTHER COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA, AT KIN MAN STREET AND CATCHICK STREET IN KENNEDY TOWN.
/CURRENTLY OCCUPIED
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1U, 1988
- 22 -
CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY AROUND 30 TENEMENT HOUSES CONSTRUCTED IN THE 1950’S, THE 5,980 SQUARE METRE SITE WILL BE REDEVELOPED BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
THE COMPOSITE DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVIDE A LARGE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CATCHICK STREET AND RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES INCORPORATING COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES ON THE NORTH SIDE.
MR LAN SAID SUCH RENEWAL PROJECTS WERE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN A DISTRICT WHICH WAS NOT NOTED FOR LARGE-SCALE PUBLIC HOUSING.
DURING HIS TOUR, MR LAN WAS ALSO SHOWN THE INCINERATOR, ABATTOIR AND WHOLESALE MARKET IN KENNEDY TOWN FROM A VANTAGE POINT IN KA WAI MAN ROAD.
EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT POLLUTION PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THESE PLANTS, MR LAN SAID THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION PROJECT, CURRENTLY UNDER STUDY, WOULD PROBABLY PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE SITE FOR THE RELOCATION OF THE ABATTOIR AND ITS ANCILLARY FACILITIES ALONG THE NEW SEAFRONT.
MEANWHILE, HE POINTED OUT, THE INCINERATOR WOULD BE CLOSED IN 1991 WHEN THE ISLAND REFUSE TRANSFER STATION AND THE CONTROLLED TIP IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WERE IN OPERATION.
THE FISH AND VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET WOULD BE RESITED TO THE WESTERN RECLAMATION IN 1990.
MR LAN ALSO LOOKED OVER THE COASTAL DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING THE WESTERN RECLAMATION AND PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING ACTIVITIES, FROM A POLICE LAUNCH.
-------0----------
SHEUNG WAN PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED NOS. 4, 6, 8
TUNG MAN STREET AND NO. 1 WING ON STREET TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NOS. 3, 5 AND 7 WING ON STREET LIABLE TO BECOME
DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THESE THREE STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE MAINLY BUILT OF TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOF ON LOAD BEARING BRICK WALLS.
VERTICAL FRACTURES WITH A GAP VARYING IN WIDTH OF BETWEEN 5 MM AND 50 MM WERE FOUND ON THE FLANK WALL OF NO. 4 TUNG MAN STREET EXTENDING FROM THE SECOND FLOOR LEVEL TO GROUND FLOOR LEVEL.
/SIMILAR FRACTURES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1<t, 1988
- 23 -
SIMILAR FRACTURES WERE ALSO FOUND ON THE PARTY WALLS BETWEEN NOS. 4, 6, AND 8 TUNG MAN STREET, INDICATING THAT THE FRONT WALLS OF THESE BUILDINGS WERE BREAKING AWAY FROM THE MAIN BUILDINGS.
OTHER DEFECTS WERE ALSO NUMEROUS, INCLUDING DEFECTIVE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS, WEAK MORTAR JOINTS OF BRICK WALLS AND SPALLED CONCRETE AT BEAMS AND LINTELS.
NUMBER ONE, WING ON STREET IS ALSO GENERALLY VERY DILAPIDATED WITH SEVERAL VERTICAL FRACTURES ON THE REAR WALL ABUTTING A VACANT SITE.
THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF A SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF NOS. 4, 6 AND 8 TUNG MAN STREET AND NO. 1 WING ON STREET AND THEREFORE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS.
NUMBERS 3, 5 AND 7 WING ON STREET ARE OF SIMILAR CONSTRUCTION AS THE OTHER BUILDINGS MENTIONED ABOVE ALTHOUGH THE FORMER BUILDINGS ARE MAINTAINED IN A SLIGHTLY BETTER CONDITION.
THEY ARE ADJOINING NOS. 4, 6 AND 8 TUNG MAN STREET AT THE BACK WITH CROSS WALLS WHICH ARE CRACKED AT THE ARCHES.
IT IS CONSIDERED THAT NOS. 3, 5 AND 7 WING ON STREET CANNOT WITHSTAND THE EFFECT OF DEMOLITION OF NOS. 4,6, 8 TUNG MAN STREET AND NO. 1 WING ON STREET AND SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED IN ONE OPERATION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON NOVEMBER 18 WERE POSTED TODAY.
--------0 --------
NEW ROADS IN YUEN LONG
* » * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT TWO NEW SECTIONS OF ROADS TO LINK TIN SHUI WAI AND LONG PING ESTATE WITH THE YUEN LONG WEST LINK.
THE SCHEME WILL INVOLVE CLOSURE OF A STRETCH OF FUNG CHI ROAD, A SECTION OF LONG PING ROAD EAST OF FUNG CHI TSUEN AND A STRETCH OF YUNG YUEN ROAD BETWEEN THE BURIAL GROUNDS NORTH OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND ALTERATIONS TO CERTAIN FOOTPATHS AND TRACKS.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, INTERIM ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND A NOTICE, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
/A COPY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
24 -
A COPY OF THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKINGS SHOWING THE AREAS AND THE EXISTING ROADS OR FOOTWAYS TO BE AFFECTED CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG; AND
» YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 13 THIS YEAR.
--------0----------
CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL MTR ENTRANCE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ******
PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OR ALTERATION OF SEVERAL STREETS AND AREAS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE EFFECTED BETWEEN NEXT MONTH AND MARCH 1990 TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.
THE NEW ENTRANCE IS TO BE LOCATED IN NATHAN ROAD TO THE SOUTH OF PEKING ROAD.
CONSTRUCTION WORK, SOME OF WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE ON NOVEMBER 14, MAY AFFECT SOME FOOTPATHS OR CARRIAGEWAYS IN CAMERON ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD.
DETAILS OF THE STREET CLOSURES AND ALTERATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT MURRAY BUILDING AND AT YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, 490 NATHAN ROAD. THEY ARE ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
ANY CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION RESULTING FROM THE WORKS MUST BE PRESENTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS NOT LATER THAN ONE YEAR AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF WORK.
- 0 - -
/25........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 25 -
TENDERS CALLED FOR REPLACING BRIDGE ON TAI TAM ROAD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE H7 ON TAI TAM ROAD.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE, REPLACING IT WITH A 7.9 METRES WIDE TWO-LANE BITUMINOUS CARRIAGEWAY WITH A FOOTWAY ON ONE SIDE.
THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO REALIGN AND RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF TAI TAM ROAD.
STORM WATER DRAINS WILL BE LAID IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ROADWORKS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON SITE IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND TO TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL ALSO SUPERVISE THEIR CONSTRUCTION.
-----o -----
PROPOSED LOADING/UNLOADING AREA IN CHEUNG CHAU
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW PUBLIC LOADING/UNLOADING AREA AT NAM WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND TO RELIEVE THE CONGESTION AT THE EXISTING PUBLIC PIER.
THE LOADING/UNLOADING AREA, MEASURING 40 METRES BY 16.5 METRES, WILL BE BUILT WITHIN A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 4,130 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
TWO SETS OF THE EXISTING LANDING STEPS ON THE RUBBLE REVETMENT WILL ALSO BE RE-LOCATED SOUTHWARD BY ABOUT 100 METRES.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 13, 1988
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 26 -
ASD TO BUILD INDOOR GAMES HALL IN SHEK WU HUI *****
RESIDENTS IN SHEUNG SHUI CAN LOOK FORWARD TO MORE MODERN RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES, CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY.
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS OF AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN AREA 6, SHEK WU HUI ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE MULTI-PURPOSE INDOOR GAMES HALL CAN BE USED AS TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, OR EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS, OR TWO VOLLEYBALL COURTS.
IN ADDITION TO THREE AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS, A FITNESS CENTRE, A DANCE ROOM, CHANGING FACILITIES AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
THE CENTRE WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 4,400 SQUARE METRES. IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT UPON ITS COMPLETION IN MARCH 1990.
-----o-----
TREE PLANTING TO MARK WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY *****
TO COMMEMORATE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) HELD A TREE-PLANTING EXERCISE NEAR A CHINESE-STYLE FOOTBRIDGE AT FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT.
THE FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH WAS OPENED TODAY, PROVIDES PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY, WO HOP SHEK VILLAGE, WAH MING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND THE PROPOSED TOWN CENTRE IN THE AREA.
THE NAME OF THE FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH MEANS THINKING OF ONE’S PARENTS WITH AFFECTION, WAS DECIDED ON AFTER CONSULTATION WIIH THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES OF WO HOP SHEK AND WA MEI SHAN.
GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND TREE-PLANTING EXERCISE INCLUDED THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR LAW CHAK-TONG.
- 0 ----------
/27........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
WAN CHAI TO STAGE ROAD SAFETY VARIETY SHOW *****
A VARIETY SHOW AND A VEHICLE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS YEAR.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
IT AIMS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY MEASURES, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, AMONG PEDESTRIANS, MOTORISTS AND CYCLISTS.
A NUMBER OF POPULAR SINGERS WILL PERFORM IN THE VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO II. DISC JOCKEYS FROM THE STATION WILL ACT AS PRESENTERS.
OTHER PROGRAMMES IN THE SHOW WILL INCLUDE A BAND PERFORMANCE BY THE CAPE COLLINSON MARCHING BAND, A ROAD SAFETY FASHION SHOW PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING, AND AN EXHIBITION INTRODUCING SAFETY DEVICES FOR VEHICLES.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL PREW.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN AT 2.45 PM TOMORROW, FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN VARIETY SHOW AND VEHICLE EXHIBITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROND, WAN CHAI, BEGINNING AT 2.45 PM.
- - 0 -
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE NAME OF DISTRICT
*****
RESIDENTS OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE THE FUN OF A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE THE NEW NAME OF THE DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16).
THE CARNIVAL, TO BEGIN IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AT 2 PM, WILL FEATURE STALL-GAMES, SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, A LION DANCE AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.
/A SHUTTLE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
28
A SHUTTLE BUS WILL TAKE RESIDENTS- ON A TOUR OF THE DISTRICT AT HOURLY INTERVALS.
THE CARNIVAL IS THE LAST OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TO PROMOTE THE NEW NAME OF THE DISTRICT, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN APRIL, AND TO INSTILL A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS.
WINNERS OF BASKETBALL, TABLE-TENNIS, AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTESTS HELD EARLIER IN THE YEAR WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL, AT WHICH THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL OFFICIATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL TO BE HELD IN THE UC CENTENARY GARDEN AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16).
-------0---------
DUTCH MISSION VISITS KWAI TSING DISTRICT *****
A 40-MEMBER MUNICIPAL AND ECONOMIC MISSION FROM AMSTERDAM VISITED KWAI TSING DISTRICT TODAY (FRIDAY) AS PART OF THEIR ITINERARY TO FOSTER CLOSER ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND HONG KONG.
THE MISSION, LED BY VICE-MAYOR OF AMSTERDAM, MR W. ETTY, COMPRISED SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMSTERDAM PORT MANAGEMENT, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF AMSTERDAM, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, NETHERLANDS COUNCIL FOR TRADE PROMOTION AND UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM.
ACCOMPANYING THE MISSION WERE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK; A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR MIKE WATERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
THE MISSION TOURED ROUND THE DISTRICT ON BOARD A LAUNCH AND WAS BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT AND GROWTH OF THE DISTRICT IN AREAS OF HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
MEMBERS OF THE MISSION ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRIALISTS, BUSINESSMEN AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE DISTRICT ON INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS OF KWAI TSING AND WORLD TRADE IN GENERAL.
THE MISSION IS ON A STOP-OVER IN HONG KONG FOLLOWING A VISIT TO CHINA RECENTLY IN VIEW OF THE BUSINESS RELATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE NETHERLANDS AND FOR THE FACT THAT THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT IS THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT.
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/29........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 29 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF VAN TRACK ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A VAN TRACK AT SHAP YI WAT VILLAGE IN SHA TIN.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE PROJECT WAS PART OF THE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
WORKS WOULD INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 616 METRES OF VAN TRACK TO PROVIDE A 3.5-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH A TURNING AREA, PASSING PLACES AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE RECONSTRUCTED TRACK WOULD PROVIDE AN IMPROVED ACCESS BETWEEN SHA TIN PASS ROAD AND SHAP YI WAT VILLAGE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CONSTRUCTION WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY THE WORKS SECTION OF SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE WHICH WOULD SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION, HE ADDED.
-----0-----
HUNG MUI KUK ROAD TO BE PARTIALLY CLOSED ♦ t ♦ ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SECTIONS OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN CHUNG PAK ROAD AND TIN SAM STREET WILL BE CLOSED ALTERNATIVELY TO TRAFFIC FROM OCTOBER 17 (MONDAY) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE LARGE SCALE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE PERIOD OF CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID USING THE AFFECTED ROAD SECTIONS. THEY SHOULD ALSO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE WESTBOUND SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN SAM STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE CLOSED FROM OCTOBER 17 (MONDAY) TO NOVEMBER 6.
/THE WESTBOUND........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1U, 1988
- JO -
THE WESTBOUND FAST LANE OF THE SAME SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED BETWEEN DECEMBER 16 AND JANUARY 4.
FROM NOVEMBER 6 TO 26, THE WESTBOUND MIDDLE LANE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN SAM STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE CLOSED.
THE WESTBOUND FAST LANE OF THE SAME SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 26 AND DECEMBER 16.
-----0------
CUSTOMS COMMENDED FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED BY A DISTRIBUTOR OF U.S. COMPUTER SOFTWARE FOR ITS STRENUOUS EFFORTS IN FIGHTING COMPUTER SOFTWARE PIRACY.
AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF IMAGINEERING MICRO DISTRIBUTOR LTD, MR TONY SENA, PRESENTED A PLAQUE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, IN APPRECIATION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS AGAINST COMPUTER SOFTWARE PIRACY.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED GREAT SUCCESS OVER THE PAST YEAR IN CRACKING DOWN A NUMBER OF PRINTERS/BOOK-BINDERS OF PIRATED MANUALS AND THEIR STORAGE PLACES, INCLUDING A SERIES OF RAIDS CONDUCTED IN JULY TO STOP THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN THE GOLDEN SHOPPING ARCADE IN SHAM SHUI PO.
RAIDS CONDUCTED IN THE PERIOD RESULTED IN PIRATED GOODS VALUED OVER $15 MILLION BEING SEIZED AND 76 ARRESTS. SIXTEEN TRADERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED AND FINES TOTALLING $198,400 IMPOSED, IN ADDITION TO TWO IMMEDIATE OR SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCES.
IMAGINEERING REPRESENTS SEVERAL MAJOR SOFTWARE COMPANIES FROM THE USA AND ACTS AS THE SOLE AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTOR IN MARKETING THEIR PRODUCTS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14,
1988
SENIOR FIRE OFFICERS RECEIVE LONG SERVICE MEDALS * * * » *
TWO LONG-SERVING SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENTED SECOND CLASPS TO THE FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE MEDAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, TODAY (FRIDAY).
AT A CEREMONY AT FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS, MR MARCH PRESENTED THE AWARDS TO THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, AND THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND, MR WOO KWAN-KUEN.
MR MARCH SAID THAT THE SECOND CLASPS REPRESENTED 30 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE AS MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES AND HE THANKED MR LAM AND MR WOO FOR THEIR LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO THEIR WORK.
THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 243 FIRE AND AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SERVED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 18 AND 30 YEARS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS.
- - 0 - -
PFA CONTRIBUTES TO REHABILITATION OF INMATES * * * »
THE WORK OF THE PRISONERS’ FRIEND ASSOCIATION (PFA) CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF PFA, MR CHAN ALSO SAID THAT PRISON VISITS WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE BETTER BEHAVIOUR OF PRISONERS DURING THEIR INTERNMENT, AND TO THEIR REHABILITATION IN THE END.
"IN ARRANGING VISITS, MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION HAVE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE, IN GIVING THEM A MORE POSITIVE OUTLOOK OF LIFE AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP, AS WELL AS PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT AND A MEANINGFUL LINK WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD."
THE PFA WAS SET UP IN 1980, WITH THE AIM TO PROVIDE LINK AND FRIENDSHIP FOR PRISONERS. ITS ULTIMATE TASK IS TO HELP PRISONERS FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT SOCIALLY REJECTED AND THE OUTSIDE WORLD STILL CARED ABOUT THEM.
/MR CHAN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
- 32 -
MR CHAN ALSO THANKED MEMBERS OF PFA FOR THEIR CONTINUED ENTHUSIASM AND INTEREST IN DISCHARGING THEIR ROLE.
HE COMMENDED THE CHAIRMAN AND HIS COMMITTEE FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS AND EXTENDING THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS.
-------0 - -
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM ON SUNDAY *****
THE 21ST CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING RACE WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16).
OF THE 1,500 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 1,240 APPLICANTS WERE FROM MEN AND 260 FROM WOMEN, WITH THE YOUNGEST ENTRANT BEING 12 YEARS OLD AND THE OLDEST 85.
THE RACE IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND A BREWERY.
IT WILL START AT 10.30 AM AT SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN AND WILL FINISH AT THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 2,400 METRES.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE STARTING CEREMONY.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE WATER SPORTS CENTRE AT 12.10 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 21ST CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING RACE IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16).
A COACH TAKING MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE STARTING POINT AT SHA LAN WILL LEAVE THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD, TAI PO AT 9.30 AM.
THOSE TRAVELLING ON THEIR OWN SHOULD GATHER AT A PIER NEAR THE ROUNDABOUT OF SAM MUN TSAI ROAD (I.E. NEAR THE LUEN YICK SEAFOOD HOUSE) IN THE LUEN YICK FISHERMEN VILLAGE BY 10 AM.
-----O----------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988
LANDS AND WORKS GROUP TO HOLD SWIMMING GALA *****
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, AND THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR KENNETH KWOK, ARE AMONG PARTICIPANTS OF THE SIXTH LANDS AND WORKS GROUP SWIMMING GALA.
THE SWIMMING GALA WILL BE HELD FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) IN THE PAO YUE KONG SWIMMING POOL IN ABERDEEN.
MR BARNES AND MR KWOK HAVE BOTH SIGNED UP FOR EVENT 25 -- 50
METRES FREESTYLE (MEN OVER 40) — IN THE AFTERNOON.
DIRECTORS OF LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS WILL PRESENT TROPHIES AND MEDALS WHILE MRS BARNES WILL OFFICIATE AT A RAFFLE DRAW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE SWIMMING GALA.
- - 0 -
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE * t » » »
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 17), THE SHA TIN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE SERVICES FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS AT THE FOLLOWING NEW ADDRESS:
CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE,
2ND FLOOR, SHOP 8A,
11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET,
SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
TEL. 0-6059108
THE OPERATION HOURS OF THE OFFICE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"APPLICANTS SHOULD COLLECT THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS AT THE NEW OFFICE ADDRESS AFTER OCTOBER 16," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 3-7333111.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR DEPARTS FOR EUROPE ............................... 1
WAYS TO TACKLE EMIGRATION - SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES.......... 1
JUNE EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED 2
TAC MEMBERS APPOINTED...................................... 8
NEW D.O. FOR KWAI TSING ................................... 8
CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN YAU TSIM ................... 9
CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION TO COMBAT SOFT DRUGS ............ 10
MONG KOK TO LAUNCH CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ............... 10
cho yiu parents and children to visit kai tak transit CENTRE .................................................... 11
preferential scheme for the ELDERLY........................ 12
PRIORITY SCHEME FOR AGED PATIENTS UNDER REVIEW............. 13
DB TO DISCUSS PROVISION OF HALF-WAY HOUSE.................. 13
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN OPENS IN WAN CHAI..................... 14
GRAVE SWEEPERS URGED TO BE CAREFUL......................... 15
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT <iRRiJIGEMENTS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KENNEDY TOWN ...................... 18
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN TAI PO FOR ROaD WORKS................... 19
LEFT-TURN BAN AND ROxD CLOSURE ............................ 20
TEMPORARY LINE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD............ 20
SUSPENSIONS OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY ......................... 21
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
GOVERNOR DEPARTS FOR EUROPE * « » ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (SATURDAY) THAT THE ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF HIS EUROPEAN TOUR WAS TO PUT ACROSS TO LEADING BUSINESSMEN THE MESSAGE THAT HONG KONG DOES NOT ONLY HAVE A BOOMING ECONOMY, BUT THAT IT IS ALSO AT THE HUB FOR TRADE IN EAST ASIA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE AT THE AIRPORT, SIE DAVID SAID EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES WERE HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS AS A WHOLE AND THE VISIT WOULD GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO SAY TO LEADING BUSINESSMEN WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE TERRITORY.
DURING HIS TOUR, SIR DAVID WILL VISIT GERMANY, BELGIUM AND FRANCE AND WILL TAKE UP A NUMBER OF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO GIVE A SPEECH AT THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL'S ANNUAL DINNER IN LONDON WHERE HE WILL PUT ACROSS THE SAME MESSAGE THAT HONG KONG DESERVES THE FULL ATTENTION OF BRITISH BUSINESSMEN, BOTH FOR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
"AND THE VISIT TO LONDON GIVES ME A CHANCE ALSO TO CONTINUE MY SERIES OF REGULAR CONTACTS WITH BRITISH MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS TO BRING THEM UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AND TO TELL THEM ABOUT OUR CURRENT CONCERNS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR IS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY LADY WILSON AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE. SIR DAVID WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 27.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN; AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
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WAYS TO TACKLE EMIGRATION - SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES
A VARIETY OF APPROACHES IS REQUIRED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF EMIGRATION FACING HONG KONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY.
HE SAID PEOPLE WERE EMIGRATING NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF WORRIES ABOUT THE FUTURE BUT BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEMSELVES IN A LESS DEMANDING ENVIRONMENT IN CANADA, THE USA AND AUSTRALIA, AS WELL AS THE EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN WHICH THEY COULD FIND IN TOWNS AND CITIES OVERSEAS WHERE THEY COULD JOIN AN EXISTING COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
/"THERE ARE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
"THERE ARE CLEARLY MANY TEMPTATIONS TO EMIGRATE. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN HONG KONG IS TO ELIMINATE AS MANY OF THE NEGATIVE FACTORS THAT WE CAN. WE CANNOT REMOVE THEM ALL BUT SOME ARE IN OUR POWER," SIR DAVID SAID AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE 1988 DIPLOMA COURSE IN MANAGEMENT FOR EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID WE MUST PURSUE POLICIES WHICH ENSURE THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND WITH THE PROVISION IN HONG KONG OF THINGS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO A CONTENTED FAMILY LIFE - SCHOOLS, HOUSING, HOSPITALS AND SO FORTH.
"THESE ARE THINGS WHICH WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT," HE NOTED.
SIR DAVID SAID NO DOUBT SOME OF TODAY’S GRADUATES HAD THOUGHT ABOUT EMIGRATING. HE HOWEVER HOPED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE DECIDED TO STAY IN HONG KONG TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES WHICH EXIST FOR PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION AND FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID HONG KONG IS AN EXCITING PLACE TO LIVE. "IT WILL BECOME EVEN MORE EXCITING AND INTERESTING AS THE YEARS UNFOLD AND AS THE BALANCE OF THE WORLD’S ECONOMY TIPS MORE TOWARDS THE NATIONS OF THE PACIFIC RIM.
"HONG KONG IS INCREASINGLY AN INTERNATIONAL CITY AND THIS DIMENSION WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AS MORE AND MORE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS PERCEIVE THE NEED TO BE NEAR TO THE GROWING ECONOMY OF CHINA WHILE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG’S ACCESSIBILITY TO THE WORLD OUTSIDE," HE ADDED.
_ _ _ _ 0-----------
JUNE EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED * * * * *
THERE WERE 869,000 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN JUNE 1988, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 3 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH JUNE 1987, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT \ND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 710,400 IN JUNE 1988, WAS 9.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1987.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 225,700, WAS UP BY 10.3 PER CENT.
/H4PLOYMENT AT........
J
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 3 -
EMPLOYMENT AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ON THE OTHER HAND DECREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH JUNE 1987.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN JUNE 1988 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR JUNE 1988 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISONS WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1987 AND MARCH 1988, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PERSONS ENGAGED
(EMPLOYMENT) IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 87 MAR. 88 JUN. 88 JUN. 88 ON JUN. 87 JUN. 88 ON MAR. 88
MANUFACTURING 895,600 849,100 869,000 - 3.0 + 2.3
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 70,900 74,100 70,300 - 0.8 — 5.2
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 648,700 673,300 710,400 + 9.5 + 5.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 204,700 213,900 225,700 + 10.3 + 5.5
♦ FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED.
♦ ♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
/COMPARING JUNE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
COMPARING JUNE 1988 WITH MARCH 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.3 PER CENT; WHILE THAT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BOTH INCREASED BY 5.5 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 5.2 PER CENT.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS. THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1987 AND MARCH 1988 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN ♦
PERCENTAGE CHANGE*♦
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 87 MAR. 88 JUN. 88 JUN. 88 ON JUN. 87 JUN. 88 ON MAR. 88
MANUFACTURING 42,300 57,700 48,460 + 14.5 -16.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 14,850 33,480 27,590 + 85.9 -17.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 5,940 8,890 8,320 + 40.2 - 6.4
* FIGURES ** BASED ON ARE ROUNDED UNROUNDED TO THE VACANCY NEAREST TEN. FIGURES.
RELATIVE TO JUNE 1987, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 14.5 PER CENT.
/ON THE........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 5 -
ON THE SAME BASIS OE COMPARISON, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN'INCREASE OF 85.9 PER CENT AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AN INCREASE OF 40.2 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS DECREASED BY 16 PER CENT, 17.6 PER CENT AND 6.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE 1988.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN
% CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 2ND QTR. 1987 2ND QTR. 1988 2ND QTR. 1988 ON 2ND QTR. 1987
MANUFACTURING HK$ MN 8,815 HK$ MN 9,551 + 8.3
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 6,701 8,028 + 19.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 3,622 4 , 165 • + 15.0
/COMPARED WITH
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 8.3 PER CENT, 19.8 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED, ir
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THESE TWO INDICES FOR JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988 ARE GIVEN IN
THE
TABLES BELOW:
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 87 JUN. 88 JUN. 88 ON JUN. 87
MANUFACTURING 236.6 263.5 + 11.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 231.2 252.7 + 9.3
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 237.8 * 246.7 + 3.7
/REAL INDEX OF
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
JUN. 87 JUN. 88 JUN. 88 ON JUN. 87
MANUFACTURING 137.6 143.8 + 4.5
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 134.4 137.9 + 2.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 138.3 134.7 - 2.6
BETWEEN JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988, AN INCREASE OF 11.4 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 9.3 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 3.7 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 4.5 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND 2.6 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, BUT A DECREASE OF 2.6 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL INCREASE IN WAGES AND SALARIES IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED FOR THIS SECTOR REGISTERED A DECLINE BETWEEN JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988.
/THE DECLINE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 8
THE DECLINE WAS LARGELY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE DECREASES IN THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE INSURANCE (BY 4.3 PER CENT) AND BUSINESS SERVICES (BY 16.8 PER CENT) GROUPS, WHICH WERE MAINLY DUE TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SMALL UNDERTAKINGS AND THUS IN THE PROPORTION OF UNPAID WORKERS (INCLUDING PROPRIETORS, PARTNERS AND UNPAID DIRECTORS), AND THE REPLACEMENT OF EMPLOYEES WITH HIGH SALARIES BY THOSE WITH LOWER SALARIES.
HOWEVER, WITHIN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP, WHICH INCLUDES BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, REGISTERED A RISE OF 10.3 PER CENT IN THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, JUNE 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $11 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
-----0-----
TAC MEMBERS APPOINTED * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR TAI CHIN-WAH AS A MEMBER OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) AND APPOINTED THREE NEW MEMBERS ALL TO A TERM OF THREE YEARS FROM OCTOBER 1, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1991.
THE THREE NEW MEMBERS ARE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR DANIEL LAM WAI-KEUNG AND MRS PEGGY LAM.
-----0------
NEW D.O. FOR KWAI TSING *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI TO REPLACE MR BRIAN COAK AS KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 18 (TUESDAY).
MR TANG FIRST JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ATTACHED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1978.
/HIS EXPERIENCE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1?, 1988
HIS EXPERIENCE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION DATES BACK TO 1980 WHEN HE WORKED UNDER THE THEN HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND BETWEEN 1982 AND 1985 WHEN HE WAS ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHA TIN, INVOLVING IN THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
MR TANG’S LAST APPOINTMENT WAS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
------0--------
CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN YAU TSIM * * * *
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD IS SPONSORING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WHICH STARTED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE PROPER WAYS OF USING DRAINAGE, AND TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
"WE ALSO AIM AT EDUCATING RESTAURANT WORKERS ON THE PROPER WAYS OF DISPOSING OF FOOD RESIDUE AND GREASE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAMPAIGN SAID TODAY.
"TO DRIVE THIS MESSAGE HOME, THREE HEALTH SEMINARS WILL BE CONDUCTED THIS AND NEXT MONTHS FOR RESTAURANT WORKERS," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS IN THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT.
THE IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF FOOD RESIDUE AND GREASE RESULTING FROM THE OPERATIONS OF THESE RESTAURANTS COULD EASILY CHOKE DRAINAGE, CAUSING AN ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE, HE SAID.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FOUR-MONTH CAMPAIGN WAS HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A SLOGAN CONTEST HELD IN JUNE.
AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A DEMONSTRATION OF DRAINAGE CLEANSING.
AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, CLEANLINESS CONTESTS WILL BE HELD AT THE HAIPHONG ROAD, KWUN CHUNG AND YAU MA TEI MARKETS AND AMONG BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
ANOTHER ACTIVITY WILL BE AN OPERATION TO CLEAR ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONCLUDE WITH A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION TO URGE RESIDENTS TO CLEAN THEIR HOMES AND BUILDINGS TO USHER IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
0 -
/10
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
10 -
CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION TO COMBAT SOFT DRUGS
*****
A NOVEL FORM OF CHESS COMPETITION IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE TO EDUCATE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT THE HARM OF SOFT DRUGS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF HEALTHY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THIS IS THE "CHINESE CHESS MARATHON - CHEQUERS VS DRUGS" COMPETITION TO BE HELD TODAY (SATURDAY) AND TOMORROW.
AT THE FINALS COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL TOMORROW, TWO GRAND MASTERS FROM THE CHINESE CHESS ASSOCIATION WILL EACH PLAY AGAINST 30 OPPONENTS AT THE SAME TIME.
THE OPPONENTS WILL BE WINNERS OF TODAY’S EIGHT-HOUR MARATHON CHESS COMPETITIONS AMONG STUDENTS REPRESENTING VARIOUS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH FORM OF MARATHON CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION WAS FORMALLY ORGANISED IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "CHINESE CHESS MARATHON -CHEQUERS VS DRUGS" FINALS COMPETITION TO BEGIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, TOWN CENTRE, SHA TIN.
-------o - - - -
MONG KOK TO LAUNCH CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
*****
THE INCORPORATES
MONG KOK CIVIC 1 RECREATIONAL
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN 1988/89,
AND INFORMATIVE
WHICH
LAUNCHED WITH AN
OPENING CEREMONY AND A
ACTIVITIES, WILL
CARNIVAL ON OCTOBER
BE 23
(SUNDAY).
SCHEDULED TO START AT 1.30 PM AT YEE STREET, THE FUNCTION WILL FEATURE AND VARIETY SHOWS TO BE STAGED BY LOCAL
MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND IN SAI GAMES STALLS, AN EXHIBITION GROUPS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/IT IS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE, AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND, FROM OCTOBER 20, AT ITS TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT SHOP NO. 4, GROUND FLOOR, JUNE GARDEN, 28 TUNG CHOI STREET.
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, INCLUDE A SURVEY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS; THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARD SCHEME; AN EXHIBITION OF THE AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS AND A SEMINAR AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY.
THE FINDINGS AND THE ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL BE READY BY NOVEMBER AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE SEMINAR ON DECEMBER 11.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE AND SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD HAS AGREED SUBSIDIZING THEM IN ORGANISING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS.
AN OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARD SCHEME WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR SUBSIDIES.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR SIX PROJECTS, THE ACTIVITIES OF WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, RANGE FROM PRINTING CIVIC EDUCATION DIRECTORIES AND ORGANISING VARIETY SHOWS TO A COMPETITION ON DESIGNING GAME STALLS.
WINNERS OF THE AWARD SCHEME WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AT A SEMINAR AND CLOSING CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 11, 1988, AT THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL IN THE DISTRICT.
THE AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS IN THE SCHEME WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE SYCAMORE ART GALLERY IN THE FORM OF PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS.
--------0 ---------
CHO YIU PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO VISIT KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE
*****
PARENTS AND CHILDREN OF KWAI CHUNG’S CHO YIU CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE INVITED TO VISIT THE KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE INVITATION IS INITIATED BY THE KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE AS A RECIPROCAL GESTURE TO AN EARLIER VISIT MADE BY PARENTS AND CHILDREN OF THE SCHOOL TO THE CENTRE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
/THE KWAI
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
12 -
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK WILL ACCOMPANY THE VISIT.
PROGRAMMES OF THE VISIT WILL INCLUDE A TOUR ROUND THE TRANSIT CENTRE, SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES, AND A TEA GATHERING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT BY PARENTS AND CHILDREN OF CHO YIU CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL TO KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY). PRESS REPRESENTATIVES MAY TAKE A COACH WHICH WILL LEAVE THE SCHOOL FOR THE CENTRE AT 9 AM.
------0-------
PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY * * » *
A NUMBER OF PREFERENTIAL SCHEMES HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT, A SPOKESMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE WORKING GROUP ON PREFERENTIAL SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHAM SHUI PO WOULD BE WRITING TO DOCTORS, DENTISTS, MAXICAB OPERATORS AND SHOP-OWNERS IN THE DISTRICT TO INVITE THEM TO TAKE PART IN THE SCHEMES, HE ADDED.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THEIR SUPPORT, SENIOR RESIDENTS OF SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CHEAPER MEDICAL, DENTAL AND MAXICAB SERVICES, AND, AT THE SAME TIME, BE GIVEN DISCOUNTS AT DESIGNATED SHOPS," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEMES, RESIDENTS MUST BE OVER 65 YEARS OLD AND HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE WORKING GROUP. PREFERENTIAL CARDS WILL BE ISSUED TO THOSE REGISTERED SENIOR RESIDENTS THROUGH THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND CERTAIN CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
THE WORKING GROUP, WHICH IS FORMED BY 16 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, WILL LAUNCH A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN NEXT MONTH TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEMES.
POSTERS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT AND PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND TO PUBLISH A BOOKLET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN THE SCHEMES IN GREATER DETAILS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT SENIOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE OVER 65 YEARS OLD REPRESENT ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN SHAM SHUI PO.
-------0 --------
/13........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 15 -
PRIORITY SCHEME FOR AGED PATIENTS UNDER REVIEW
* t * » *
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) THE SCHEME OF ISSUING PRIORITY DISCS TO AGED PATIENTS ATTENDING TUEN MUN CLINIC.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ELECT A NEW CONVENOR FOR THE WORKING GROUP ON THE YOUTH PROBLEM IN TUEN MUN AND DISCUSS 10 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT- BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY ON A LEAFLET TITLED "EASY DIALLING DAY”.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
-------0----------
DB TO DISCUSS PROVISION OF HALF-WAY HOUSE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF A HALF-WAY HOUSE IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17).
THEY WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THREE SITES SHORTLISTED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PURPOSE-BUILT HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS.
THE SITES PROPOSED ARE AT THE JUNCTION OF KUNG LOK ROAD AND HONG NING ROAD, IN TING ON STREET AND AT THE JUNCTION OF PIK WAN ROAD AND KO CHIU ROAD.
THE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF KUNG LOK ROAD AND HONG NING ROAD WAS DISCUSSED AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON JUNE 20 AND LATER AT THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING ON JULY 8.
IN VIEW OF RESERVATIONS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS AT THESE MEETINGS, TWO ALTERNATIVE SITES WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
/REPORTS BY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
REPORTS BY THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S SIX COMMITTEES AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
- - 0 - -
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN OPENS IN WAN CHAI *****
THE AIMS OF THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI ARE TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY MEASURES, REMIND RESIDENTS TO TAKE HEED AT TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS, AND TO ENCOURAGE PEDESTRIANS, MOTORISTS AND CYCLISTS TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR CHOW SAID THAT SIGNBOARDS BEARING ROAD SAFETY SLOGANS WILL BE PUT UP IN TEN TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.
STICKERS WITH THE WORDS "DRIVE CAREFULLY" WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO CAR OWNERS.
HE SAID THAT A ROAD SAFETY TELEMATCH WILL BE HELD JOINTLY BY FOUR DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT OFFICES, THE POLICE AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG NEXT MONTH TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE FUNCTION, POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL PREW SAID THAT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS IN WAN CHAI HAD INCREASED SLIGHTLY FROM 268 TO 272 PER QUARTER IN THE PAST YEAR.
WITHIN THE WAN CHAI POLICE DISTRICT, FOUR OFFICERS HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY ASSIGNED TO ROAD SAFETY DUTIES, MR PREW SAID.
EACH MONTH A SPECIAL DAY IS SET ASIDE TO GUIDE THE PUBLIC AND TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST PERSONS WHO FAIL TO OBSERVE THE HIGHWAY CODE, HE NOTED.
/HE SAID
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 15 -
HE SAID THAT TO SUSTAIN THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST IN ROAD SAFETY, THE POLICE HAVE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR THE ’’CONSTABLE CARE CHILDREN’S SAFETY PROGRAMME” TARGETTED AT CHILDREN BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12 YEARS OLD.
MANY PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS WILL BE ORGANISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAMME, INCLUDING COMPETITIONS WITH A GRAND PRIZE TO TOKYO DISNEYLAND, HE ADDED.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR LOCAL SINGERS AND THE CAPE COLLINSON MARCHING BAND. THE PROGRAMME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO II.
A VEHICLE EXHIBITION WAS HELD AT THE SAME TIME WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON CAR SAFETY DEVICES.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S FUNCTION WERE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN MRS PEGGY LAM AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR LESTER KWOK.
- 0 - -
GRAVE SWEEPERS URGED TO BE CAREFUL ♦ » * t
PEOPLE OBSERVING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ARE REMINDED THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE NOT TO CAUSE FIRES WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER TRIBUTES IN WORSHIPPING THEIR ANCESTORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) CAUTIONED THAT THE NUMBER OF FIRES CAUSED BY THE BURNING OF JOSS STICKS AND PAPER TRIBUTES WAS ALWAYS HIGHER IN THE GRAVE-SWEEPING PERIODS OF APRIL AND OCTOBER THAN IN THE REST OF THE YEAR.
APRIL ALONE SAW 43 OUT OF 106 SUCH FIRES IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR, 22 SUCH CASES OCCURRED IN APRIL AND 28 OCCURRED IN OCTOBER OUT OF A TOTAL OF 164 CASES.
’’WORSHIPPERS MUST NOT LEAVE BURNING TRIBUTES UNATTENDED AND THESE SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE EXTINGUISIIED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO URGED PEOPLE TO EXERCISE EXTRA CARE IN PREVENTING FIRES AS THE DRY AND WINDY SEASON WAS PREVAILING.
THERE WERE 13,880 CALLS OF FIRES IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 13,395 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1987, HE SAID.
-------0----------
/16........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 16 -
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
SHAM SHUI PO
WING MING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16) AND WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY WILL HAVE TO USE CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YEE KUK WEST STREET AND KING LAM STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, ON-STREET PARKING SPACES IN YU CHAU WEST STREET, KING LAM STREET, WING HONG STREET, YEE KUK WEST STREET AND TAI NAN WEST STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
WONG TAI SIN
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED AT THE JUNCTION OF HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE HAMMER HILL CEMETERY ARE ADVISED TO USE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD. NO PARKING SPACES WILL BE PROVIDED ON PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD.
YUEN LONG
THE NORTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD FROM TAI KEI LENG TO TAI SHU HA WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, WHILE THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
AS A RESULT, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 73 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG TOWN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD.
WO HOP SHEK
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS LN WO HOP SHEK WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 4 AM AND 8 PM ON OCTOBER 16, 19, 23, 30 AND
NOVEMBET 6:
* KIU TAU ROAD.
* THE SECTION OF ROAD L100 WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 LEADING TO FANL1NG SOUTH ROUNDABOUT.
* ROAD B200, THAT IS, THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM WO HOP SHEK ROAD TO WO HOP SHEK VILLAGE.
/IN ADDITION,
SATURDAY,* OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 17 -
IN ADDITION, BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, ROAD L100 EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 AND ROAD A100 WEST OF ROAD D6 WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFIC.
FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE FANLING KCR FORECOURT AT ITS ACCESS FROM ROAD D5 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
TSUEN WAN
LO WAI ROAD BETWEEN LO WAI BUS TERMINUS AND YUEN YUEN HOK YUEN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM ON OCTOBER 16, 19 AND 23. DURING THE CLOSURE, THE LO WAI END TERMINATING POINT FOR GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81 AND 81M WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LO WAI BUS TERMINUS.
IN ADDITION, IN THE VICINITY OF TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY POLICE OFFICERS ON OCTOBER 16, 19, 22, 23 AND 30.
* WING SHUN STREET BETWEEN TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HEI STREET WILL BE .CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC, EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES, BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM ON THESE FIVE DAYS. THE CLOSURE MAY ALSO BE ENFORCED ON OTHER DAYS IF NECESSARY.
» ROAD CLOSURE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT WING KIN ROAD JUNCTION WITH KWAI HEI STREET. A ONE-WAY SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED AND VEHICLES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER WING KIN ROAD FROM WING KEI ROAD.
* A ONE-WAY SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED ON THE SECTION OF WING KEI ROAD BETWEEN KWAI HEI STREET AND WING KIN ROAD. VEHICLES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER VIA KWAI HEI STREET.
» WING LAP STREET AND WING CHONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» THE ROAD UNDER TSING YI NORTH* BRIDGE FROM RIVIERA GARDEN ONTO WING SHUN STREET IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. NO VEHICULAR OR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED.
» NO PARKING WILL BE ALLOWED ON ALL APPROACH ROADS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM.
* TEMPORARY TAXI STANDS WILL BE ERECTED ON WING KEI ROAD AND KWAI HEI STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH WING SHUN STREET.
/DURING THE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 18 -
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIODS, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE MTR AND GET OFF AT KWAI FONG STATION. DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED AT THE STATION TO GUIDE GRAVE-SWEEPERS THE PEDESTRIAN ROUTE LEADING TO TSUEN WAN CEMETERY.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES
TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED AND OPERATE AT FANLING AT A FIVE-MINUTE INTERVAL FROM 7 AM TO 9 AM AND FROM 5 PM TO 7 PM ON OCTOBER 16, 19 AND 23. BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE TRAIN SERVICES WILL OPERATE AT A FREQUENCY OF EIGHT TO NINE MINUTES.
ON THE SAME DAYS, A SPECIAL BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70S, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS AND WO HOP SHEK VIA TOLO HIGHWAY. THIS SPECIAL SERVICE WILL OPERATE AT ABOUT SIX-MINUTE INTERVAL AT A FARE OF $4.50.
ANOTHER SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, R.OUTE 70R, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND WO HOP SHEK AT ABOUT THREE-MINUTE INTERVAL ON OCTOBER 16, 19, 23 AND 30. THE FARE WILL' BE $1.20 FOR SINGLE JOURNEY.
MEANWHILE, SERVICES OF KMB ROUTES 70, 70K, 70X, 73 AND 73A WILL ALSO BE STRENGTHENED. GRAVE-SWEEPERS WISHING TO GO TO SANDY RIDGE CAN TAKE THE REGULAR BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 73K, PLYING BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND SAN UK LING, OR THE TRAIN SERVICE TO LO WU.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GO TO THE CEMETERIES AS THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN THE VICINITY OF WO HOP SHEK. PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING (IN ON LOK TSUEN) AND AROUND TSUEN WAN CEMETERY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED.
--------0 ---------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KENNEDY TOWN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE BUILDING DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN SANDS STREET IN KENNEDY TOWN, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 18):
THE BUS TERMINUS FOR CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 113 IN SANDS STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OF HOLLAND STREET.
/ON JOURNEYS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1988
- 19 -
ON JOURNEYS TO KENNEDY TOWN, ROUTE 113 WILL NOT PASS THROUGH KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA AND SANDS STREET.
MOREOVER, ON JOURNEYS TO CHOI HUNG, THIS BUS ROUTE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOLLAND STREET, KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA AND SANDS STREET BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS FOR ROUTE 23 IN HOLLAND STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF SAI CHEUNG STREET.
ON JOURNEYS TO KENNEDY TOWN, GMB ROUTE 23 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA BELCHER’S STREET, HOLLAND STREET, KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA BEFORE TERMINATING AT SAI CHEUNG STREET.
MEANWHILE, ON JOURNEYS TO POK FU LAM, THIS GMB ROUTE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SAI CHEUNG STREET, BELCHER’S STREET AND HOLLAND STREET BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
IN ADDITION, FOUR METERED PARKING SPACES AT THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF SAI CHEUNG STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH BELCHER’S STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
-----0------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN TAI PO FOR ROAD WORKS ♦ ♦ * * ♦
TO FACILILATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK AT THE JUNCTION OF ON CHEE ROAD AND ON CHEUNG ROAD IN TAI PO, A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE AREA FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG ON CHEUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ONTO ON CHEE ROAD.
AS A RESULT, THE ROUTEINGS OF A NUMBER OF BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL HAVE TO BE DIVERTED.
KMB ROUTES NO. 72B, 72X, 74A, 74K AND 74X, ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO TAI PO MARKET, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ON PO ROAD, NAM WAN ROAD, TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND PO HEUNG BRIDGE. ALSO, THEY WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BUS STOP AT ON CHEUNG ROAD OPPOSITE EIGHTLAND GARDEN.
KMB ROUTE NO. 64K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BUS STOPS AT ON CHEUNG ROAD NEAR EIGHTLAND GARDEN.
IN ADDITION, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 20K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND TING KOK ROAD ON ITS JOURNEYS TO SAM MUN TSAI.
- 0 ---------
/20........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15,
1988
- 20 -
LEFT-TURN BAN AND ROAD CLOSURE * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17), VEHICLES ON NORTHBOUND CAMBRIDGE ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ONTO WESTBOUND HEREFORD ROAD.
THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL OCTOBER 22 (SATURDAY).
MOTORISTS ON NORTHBOUND CAMBRIDGE ROAD HEADING FOR WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HEREFORD ROAD, RENFREW ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN YAU MA TEI, THE SECTION OF BOWRING STREET BETWEEN WOOSUNG STREET AND TEMPLE STREET WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ANOTHER TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION.
-----0------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORK, A 350-METRE LONG SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON OCTOBER 16 (SUNDAY), 17, 19 AND 20.
FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING ON OCTOBER 23 (SUNDAY), 24, 25 AND 27, A 350-METRE LONG SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTH OF HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
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/21
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15,
1988
- 21
SUSPENSIONS OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING DISRUPTIONS TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY:
♦ SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY THE SECTION OF JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, KAM SHING ROAD, OSBORN BARRACKS, BLOCKS 25 AND 26 WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, WANG TAU HOM JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, EDE ROAD, WARWICK ROAD, BEACON HILL ROAD, RHONNDA ROAD, ALNWICK ROAD, EASTBOURNE ROAD AND PILGRIMS WAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
♦ SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY CORNWALL STREET, KCR RAILWAY, EMBANKMENT ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, GRAMPIAN ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, LANCASHIRE ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD, HEREFORD ROAD, RENFREW ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, AND WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AUGUST ORDERS-ON-HAND EMPLOYMENT Al® PAYROLL FIGURES....... 1
WORKERS' PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ON DISPLAY .................. 6
SURVEY TO ASSESS PUBLIC AWARENESS ON ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES . 7
LITTER PROBLEM IN CENTRAL BROUGHT TO LIGHT................. 8
COMMUNITY SUPPORT - KEY TO YAU TSIM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS .. 10
ON-THE-SPOT ADVICE FOR LRT USERS .......................... 10
SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN SAI KUNG........... 11
FREE RENT ADVICE SCHEME PROVES POPULAR .................... 13
SOUTHERN DB COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW .................. 14
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SHA TIN DB FUNDS ................. 15
LAUNCHING OF GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT ..................... 16
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM DRAWS BIG CROWD ................... 16
SPEED POST TO U.K. NORMALISED ............................. 17
CLOSURE OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK MONASTERY........ 17
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
1
AUGUST ORDERS-ON-HAND EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES
*****
IN AUGUST 1988, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1988 AND 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH JULY 1988, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE ORDERS POSITION INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, WHILE THAT IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION IN AUGUST 1988 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES AND MODERATELY IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THE AUGUST 1988 LEVEL WAS LOWER BY 4 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1988 AND AUGUST 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH JULY 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1988 DECREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AS MANY SUMMER WORKERS RECRUITED IN THE PRECEDING MONTHS BEGAN TO LEAVE THEIR JOBS.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987, A GENERAL DECLINE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED. IN PARTICULAR, THE DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WAS SUBSTANTIAL.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING FIRMS SURVEYED INCREASED, IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS, BY 4 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1988 OVER JULY 1988 AND AUGUST 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH JULY 1988, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN AUGUST 1988 INCREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
/THE INCREASES .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
- 2 -
THE INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE MAINLY DUE TO MORE OVERTIME PAYMENTS, ISSUE OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY FOR SALARY REVISIONS IN SOME FIRMS DURING THE MONTH.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN ALL THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1988 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH JULY 1988 AND AUGUST 1987.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER JULY 1988 AND SUBSTANTIALLY OVER AUGUST 1987.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT, FOR THIS SECTOR, THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1988 INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH JULY 1988 AND AUGUST 1987.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE SERVICE SECTORS AS A WHOLE INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1988 OVER JULY 1988, WITH A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE RECORDED IN HOTELS FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF BONUSES IN JULY.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND HOTELS.
OVERALL, AN INCREASE OF 20 PER CENT IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN AUGUST 1988 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGES INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
/NEVERTHELESS, THESE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
NEVERTHELESS, THESE ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE 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 AUGUST 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234820.
TABLE 1: ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF AUGUST 1988 CHANGE JUL. 88 WHEN WITH COMPARED AUG. 87
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.27 -1 -3
— — — — _
WEARING APPAREL 4.72 ♦ -4
TEXTILES 2.33 -1 -20
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.67 -11 -19
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.26 -4 + 6
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5.09 + 1 + 1
OTHERS 4 . 16 ♦ -2
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/Table 2: .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
TABLE 2: EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF AUGUST 1988
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
JUL. 88 AUG. 87
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -4 -6
— — — —
FOOD AND DRINKS -4 -1
WEARING APPAREL • -2 -7
TEXTILES t -4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -10 -21
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -2 ♦
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -6 -5
OTHERS -3 -2
CONSTRUCTION ♦ ♦
SERVICES + 1 + 3
— — — — —
BANKS + 1 + 3
HOTELS * -1
PUBLIC UTILITIES * -1
OTHERS + 1 + 12
t CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
AABLE J: .....
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
- 5 -
TABLE 3: PER CAPITA EARNINGS
TNDUSTRY/SERVICES PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE AS IN AUGUST 1988 CHANGE WHEN WITH JUL. 88 COMPARED AUG. 87
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4,412 4 4 417
FOOD AND DRINKS 5,011 * 415
WEARING APPAREL 3,745 43 412
TEXTILES 4,612 410 411
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,316 419 423
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4,330 43 421
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 4,207 41 422
OTHERS 5,539 43 415
CONSTRUCTION 6,343 43 420
SERVICES 7,731 43 420
BANKS 7,053 42 416
HOTELS 4,833 -12 422
PUBLIC UTILITIES 8, 160 46 429
OTHERS 8,549 42 48
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
NOTES TO TABLES 1-3: UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND ’’PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE FIRMS SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE FIRMS SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
6
WORKERS’ PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ON DISPLAY
*****
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION FEATURING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT USED IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR WILL BE OPENED ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21) AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHATIN.
THE 'INDUSTRIAL WORKERS PROTECTION SHOW’ IS AIMED AT ENHANCING AWARENESS OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS TO THEIR. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE AND USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS AND THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, INSPECTORS VISITING FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES OFTEN FOUND THAT WORKERS HAD A TENDENCY OF LEAVING THEIR SAFETY AIDS ASIDE.
MR YIP STRESSED THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WERE PROVIDED AND USED.
APART FROM DISPLAYING THE LATEST PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT WORK PROCESSES, THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO CONCENTRATE ON THE SELECTION OF THE RIGHT TYPE OF PROTECTIVE GEARS FOR DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY.
IN ADDITION, VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION CAN TAKE PART IN A LUNG FUNCTION, A VISION AND A HEARING TESTS.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST, A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE STAGED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO AT THE EXHIBITION SITE BETWEEN 3 PM AND 4 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23).
POP SINGERS ALEX TO TAK-WEI, ANDY HUI CHI-ON AND BERTHA NGA1 VEE-CHING AND SEVERAL DJS FROM THE STATION WILL ALSO TAKE; PART IN THE SHOW WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO II.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21) AT THE ENTRANCE ARENA, LEVEL 1, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHATIN.
-------O---------
/?........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
SURVEY TO ASSESS PUBLIC AWARENESS » * * * *
ON ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES
THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IS TO CONDUCT A SURVEY IN MID-1989 TO ASSESS PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO DRAW UP MORE EFFECTIVE MEASURES IN PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, MISS MARIA TAM WAI-CHU, WHEN SHE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK ’88 AT LEI YUE MUN PARK HOLIDAY VILLAGE IN CHAI WAN.
SHE SAID : "THE SURVEY WILL SEEK TO COLLECT PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE EXISTING ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY ITEMS, SUCH AS POSTERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND TELEPHONE HOTLINE, AND TO GAUGE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TREATMENT INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS DRUGS.
"STAFF OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION WILL INTERVIEW 2,000 HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED FROM 1.5 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS IN THE TERRITORY. ■
"THE RESPONDENTS WILL BE AGED BETWEEN 11 AND 65," SHE ADDED.
MISS TAM, WHO BELIEVED THE SAYING "PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE", SAID PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WERE INDISPENSABLE TO ERADICATE THE DRUG PROBLEM SUCCESSFULLY.
"IN VIEW OF THIS, THE GOVERNMENT SPENDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR, MOBILISING ENORMOUS MANPOWER AND RESOURCES TO ORGANISE OR CO-ORGANISE VARIOUS PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE."
SHE STRESSED THAT PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WERE LONGTERM HARD WORK, THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE FELT ONLY AFTER A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF TIME.
MISS TAM ALSO PRAISED THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ANTI-DRUG WORK IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS WHICH HAD WON ACCLAIM BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
JOINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA; AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, MISS TAM SMASHED THREE DRUG MODELS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SYMBOLISING AN JOINT EFFORT AGAINST ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE.
THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK ’88, ORGANISED BY THE ACAN AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR’S PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, AIMS AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE, PARTICULARLY THE ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS, SO AS TO DRAW THE YOUTHS’ ATTENTION AND TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN TO SAVE THEM FROM FALLING PREY.
/THE FAMILY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
- 8 -
THE FAMILY CAMP, HELD AT LEI YUE MUN PARK HOLIDAY VILLAGE TODAY, WAS THE FIRST EVENT OF THE WEEK. SOME 440 PARENTS AND CHILDREN FROM ABOUT 150 FAMILIES TOOK PART IN IT.
AN EXHIBITION FEATURING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE AND HONG KONG’S ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS WILL BE STAGED AT THE MTR MONG KOK STATION AND TSUEN WAN STATION FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 17 TO 19) AND THURSDAY TO SATURDAY (OCTOBER 20 TO 22) RESPECTIVELY.
TELEVISION FEATURES INCORPORATING ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES WILL BE PRODUCED AND TELECAST AS PART OF THE ENJOY-YOURSELF-TONIGHT SHOW ON THE TVB JADE CHANNEL ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 18).
TO TIE IN WITH THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19), THE ACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP WILL ORGANISE A "RUN-THE-STAIRS COMPETITION" IN CLOUD VIEW ROAD, NORTH POINT.
A SEMINAR ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE, PROVIDING ABOUT 400 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WITH A FORUM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT, WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN WAN CHAI ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20). A TEACHING KIT WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
A THREE-HOUR ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW AT THE SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, WHICH WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, WILL PROVIDE AN EVENING OF FUN AND MUSIC TO LOCAL RESIDENTS ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21). IT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RT1IK RADIO 1.
THE LAST EVENT OF THE WEEK IS THE FINALS OF THE "ANTI-PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES DRAMA COMPETITION", TO BE HELD AT THE LOKE YEW HALL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22). IT IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE ACAN AND THE BAUHINIA JAYCEES.
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LITTER PROBLEM IN CENTRAL BROUGHT TO LIGHT t » t * *
STATUE SQUARE, ONE OF HONG KONG’S LITTER EYESORES, WAS TODAY (SUNDAY) GIVEN A THOROUGH CLEANSING WHEN ABOUT 500 MEMBERS FROM 12 FILIPINO ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS PARTICIPATED IN A MAJOR CLEAN-UP OPERATION.
TODAY’S OPERATION WAS THE RESULT OF A PITCH ING-IN FUNCTION INITIATED BY 12 VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
/"THIS IS .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
9
"THIS IS TRUELY A MEANINGFUL EXPRESSION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY ADOPTION SCHEME WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY PROMOIING, URBAN COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF THE
COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING
JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REG1ONAL COMMITTEE, DR RONALD LEUNG,
SAID AT THE LAUNCHING STATUE SQUARE.
CEREMONY OF THE
EVENT HELD THIS EVENING AT
THE AIM OF THE SCHEME IS TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE UP THE CLEANSING RESPONSIBILITY OF A CERTAIN PUBLIC AREA OR A SECTION OF THE CITY.
THIS WILL NOT ONLY SAVE THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY BY WORKLOAD OF THE GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO AROUSE THE CIVIC
REDUCING THE
CONSCIOUSNESS
OF THE PUBLIC.
DR LEUNG STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY CO-OPERATIONS IN KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN.
"EVERY YEAR OUR MUNICIPAL COUNCILS INTENSIFY THE SCALE OF IHE CLEANSING OPERATIONS; WE ALLOCATE MORE FUNDS AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE SUCH SERVICES.
"BUT THESE ALONE WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT, HE SAID.
"IF MORE PEOPLE STOP LITTERING, THERE WILL BE PRODUCED, AND OUR CLEANSING TASK WILL BE RENDERED MUCH ADDED.
LESS REFUSE
EASIER," HE
INITIALLY, TODAY AND OCTOBER ASSOCIATIONS AND CONTINUITY IN AND
THE FILIPINO ADOPTION SCHEME WILL COVER TWO SUNDAYS, 23 AFTER THESE TWO FUNCTIONS, THE PARTICIPATING GROUPS WILL MAKE AN EVALUATION IO ENSURE A
SUCCESS OF THE EVENT.
THE ORGANISERS HOPED THAT TIHS C^U^OPERATION^OU^
BE
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN CIVIC PARTICIPANTS AND FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BE AREAS ON THE TWO SUNDAYS CONCERNED.
AN
THE
AT THE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL
GREAT CITY AND WE HAVE
DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO CONTRIBUTE EVERY EFFORT IN MAINTAINING SfAUTY AND CLEANLINESS OF HONG KONG,” CONSUL-GENERAL OF PHILIPPINE CONSULATE, MR VICENTE REYES, SAID AT THE CEREMONY.
WE FILIPINOS ARE GUESTS IN THIS
THE THE THE
ANOTHER OFFICIATING GUEST AT THE CEREMONY, SISTER OF DIOCESAN pa^topai CENTRE FOR FILIPINOS, SISTER ROSALINA WEE, ALSO URGED FILIPINOS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
ALL
IN TODAY’S OPERATION, ABOUT 500 MEMBERS PARTICIPATING ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS WERE PROVIDED GEARS TO CLEAN STATUE SQUARE, CHATER GARDEN, CONNAUGHT PLACE, BLAKE PIER AND CENTRAL PROMENADE.
OF
WITH
EDINBURGH
THE 12
CLEANSING PLACE,
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/1O.......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
- 10 -
COMMUNITY SUPPORT - KEY TO YAU TS1M DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
*****
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WOULD BRING FURTHER PROSPERITY TO THE DISTRICT, BUT THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDED ON SUPPORT AND CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN HONG-TSUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE THE NEW NAME OF THE DISTRICT, MR LAN CALLED ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO KEEP UP THEIR ENTHUSIASM IN PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THE PROJECTS REFERRED TO BY MR LAN INCLUDE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES IN YAU MA TEI AND JORDAN AREAS, RECLAMATION PROJECT IN WEST KOWLOON, THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND THE RE-OPENING OF THE KOWLOON PARK.
EARLIER, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ORIGINAL "YAU MA TEI DISTRICT” COMPRISED THE TSIM SHA TSUI AND YAU MA TEI AREAS; BUT IT WAS RENAMED AS "YAU TSIM DISTRICT" IN APRIL THIS YEAR FOLLOWING DETAILED CONSIDERATION.
HE NOTED: "THE NEW NAME NOT ONLY TRULY REFLECTS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT, BUT ALSO ENABLES MEMBERS’ OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF ITS DEMARCATION."
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT ENHANCES TSIM SHA TSUI RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS THE WHOLE DISTRICT SO AS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.".
TODAY’S CARNIVAL, HELD AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, WAS THE CLIMAX OF A CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE NEW DISTRICT NAME, FEATURING STALL GAMES, SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES.
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ON-THE-SPOT ADVICE FOR LRT USERS
* * * ♦
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS BEGUN A PROGRAMME TO OFFER ON-THE-SPOT ADVICE TO RESIDENTS ON THE PROPER USE OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME WILL BE CONDUCTED AT VARIOUS STATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, LRT "AMBASSADORS", SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAMS, TRAFFIC POLICEMEN AND TRAFFIC WARDENS.
/THEY WILL
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
THEY WILL DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY MATERIALS, BEARING ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES, TO LRT USERS AT PROBLEMATIC OR BUSY STOPS.
THE POLICE WILL ALSO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON OBEYING ROAD REGULATIONS, OBSERVING ROAD SIGNS AND MAKING FULL USE OF DESIGNATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.
THE EXERCISE BEGAN TODAY (SUNDAY) AT TAI HING (SOUTH) STATION.
OTHER EXERCISES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT ON TING STATION ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19) AND SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23), AS WELL AS AT MELODY STATION ON OCTOBER 26 (WEDNESDAY) AND OCTOBER 30 (SUNDAY).
ON WEDNESDAYS, THE EXERCISES WILL BE HELD FROM 7 AM TO 9 AM AS WELL AS FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM AND ON SUNDAYS FROM 11 AM TO 3 PM.
TO COMPLEMENT THE ON-THE-SPOT EDUCATION, THE COMMITTEE WILL PUT UP ROAD SAFETY EXHIBITIONS FEATURING CARTOON FIGURES OUTSIDE THE TAI HING COMMUNITY CENTRE, ON TING/YAU 01 COMMUNITY CENTRE AND BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON THE DAY THAT THE EXERCISE TAKES PLACE THERE.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE WILL DISTRIBUTE LRT HANDOUTS TO EACH HOUSEHOLD IN THE DISTRICT AND ROAD SAFETY CHESS GAME AS WELL AS BALLPENS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN AS PART OF THE PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME.
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SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR THE * * t *
ELDERLY IN SAI KUNG »
COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR MORE THAN 6,000 ELDERLIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SCHEME, WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS, IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEES, SAI KUNG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE HANG HAU AND JUNK BAY MERCHANTS’ ASSOCIATION.
A WORKING GROUP HAS ALREADY BEEN FORMED TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD FROM JANUARY TO MARCH NEXJ YEAR.
/A SPOKESMAN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
12 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ALTHOUGH VARIOUS KINDS OF ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN HELD FOR THE ELDERLIES AT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH A SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME IS TO BE HELD IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE THREE ADVANTAGES FOR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE PART IN THE SCHEME.
"FIRSTLY, THEY CAN ESTABLISH AND REINFORCE A GOOD IMAGE FOR BEING CIVIC-MINDED WHICH WILL ENHANCE MORE CONFIDENCE AND GOOD IMPRESSION FROM THE CUSTOMERS.
"SECONDLY, THEY CAN ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS AND BUSINESS.
"THIRDLY, THEY CAN ENJOY FREE PUBLICITY BY THE ORGANISER ON THE SPECIAL OFFER PROVIDED.
"FURTHERMORE, THE ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME WILL ENCOURAGE AND STRENGTHEN CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE YOUNG AND THE OLD," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
LETTERS CALLING FOR SUPPORT IN THE SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE INCLUDE BOUTIQUES, CAKE SHOPS, PHARMACIES, OPTICAL SHOPS, HARDWARE STORES, HOUSEWARE STORES, GROCERIES, RESTAURANTS, MINIBUS COMPANIES, CLINICS, TRAVEL AGENCIES, BEAUTY SALONS AND BARBER SHOPS.
THE NATURE OF THE SCHEME WILL BE DECIDED BY THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS AND THE TARGET FOR THE SPECIAL OFFER WILL BE SAI KUNG SENIORS WHO ARE OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE.
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS SHOULD FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS OCTOBER 20.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
FREE RENT ADVICE SCHEME PROVES POPULAR * ♦ * ♦ t
A SCHEME WHICH PROVIDES THE PUBLIC WITH FREE ADVICE ON TENANCY MATTERS HAS BECOME VERY POPULAR AS MORE THAN 11,000 ENQUIRIES ON TENANCY PROBLEMS WERE RECEIVED IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, WHICH IS RUN BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, WAS INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1978.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE SCHEME, OPERATED THROUGH THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT OFFICES, WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING FREE SERVICE TO LANDLORDS OR TENANTS WHO MIGHT HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR STATUTORY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WERE RECOVERY AND EVICTION OF PREMISES, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OF TENANCY DISPUTES, RENT INCREASES AND CONTRACTURAL ALTERATIONS.
’’UNDER THE SCHEME, RENT OFFICERS ARE ON DUTY IN SPECIFIED DISTRICT OFFICES AT SET TIME DURING OFFICE HOURS EACH WEEK TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON TENANCY MATTERS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PEOPLE WISHING TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE RENT OFFICERS HAVE TO FIRST MAKE APPOINTMENTS AT ANY OF THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN 13 DISTRICT OFFICES. CASES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE RENT OFFICERS WHEN FOLLOW-UPS ARE REQUIRED.
THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE AT CENTRAL AND WESTERN, WANCHAI, SOUTHERN AND EASTERN ON HONG KONG ISLAND; YAU TSIM, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUT PO, KOWLOON CITY, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG IN KOWLOON; AND TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING AND YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SEEK ADVICE OR OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OR THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE SECTION AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON 13/F, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI (TELEPHONE 3-692255).
0 - -
/14
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
14
SOUTHERN DB COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD'S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS THE NEED FOR A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN WAH KWEI ESTATE.
THE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN KELLET BAY, WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WILL ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 15,500 PEOPLE UPON COMPLETION IN 1991.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ENVISAGES THAT ABOUT 1,200 OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN THE ESTATE WILL BE PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE PUPILS.
THE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO ACCOMMODATE THE PRIMARY STUDENTS FROM THE NEW ESTATE IN THE THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NEARBY WAH FU ESTATE. THE SCHOOLS HAVE AT PRESENT A TOTAL OF 1,900 VACANT PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES.
AS THE NUMBER OF VACANT SCHOOL PLACES WAS ON THE INCREASE, THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO BUILD A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE ESTATE ALTHOUGH A SITE HAS BEEN EARMARKED.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THE MATTER AND ANSWER MEMBERS' QUERIES.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY MEDICAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH SEES A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECTS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VETTING OF APPLICATION FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE LATTER PART OF THE MEETING WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
- - 0--------
/15........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
- 15 -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SHA TIN DB FUNDS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS, AS WELL AS CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
THE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE AIMED AT FOSTERING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG SHA TIN RESIDENIS AND ORGANISED BETWEEN APRIL 16, 1989 AND FEBRUARY 28, 1990.
THE ORGANISATIONS SHOULD INDICATE IN THEIR APPLICATIONS WHICH EXPENDITURE HEADING THEY WISH TO OBTAIN FUNDS FROM.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, EACH ORGANISATION MAY SUBMIT AT MOST THREE APPLICATIONS TO BE FUNDED OUT OF A PARTICULAR EXPENDITURE HEADING AND INDICATE THE PRIORITIES.
THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PRIORITIES IN ITS CONSIDERATION BUT MAY NOT APPROVE THE APPLICATIONS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF PRIORITIES.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE SHA TIN DB SECRETARIAT ON 6/F, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 9, 1988. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR FUNDS FOR THE FIRST TIME SHOULD SUBMIT TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATIONS, A COPY OF THE LATEST ANNUAL REPORT AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
THE INFORMATION SHOULD COVER THE AIM OF THE ORGANISATION, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, MEMBERSHIP, NATURE OF ACTIVITIES HELD AND TARGET GROUPS TO BE SERVED, AND OTHER DETAILS.
COPIES OF THE FINANCIAL RULES, FUNDING PROCEDURES AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHA TIN DB SECREIAR1AI.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE DB SECRETARIAT ON 0-6048078 EXT. 451.
/16........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
- 16 -
LAUNCHING OF GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT * * * * *
A GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT, WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING MORAL EDUCATION, ENCOURAGING GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS MONTH IN KWUN TONG.
SEVENTY-EIGHT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KWUN TONG WILL PARTICIPATE IN THIS MOVEMENT WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL JANUARY AND IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DETAILS OF THE MOVEMENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 2 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN ROOM 111 ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE ADVISER TO GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT ORGANISING COMMITTEE, DR DANIEL TSE, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION; CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE, MR TONG PO-KWAT, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TSE CHUN-KEUNG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
-------0---------
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM DRAWS BIG CROWD * * * *
THE 21ST CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING RACE HELD IN TAI PO THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING ATTRACTED 1,155 SWIMMERS.
THE SWIMMERS INCLUDED 950 MEN AND 205 WOMEN, WITH THE YOUNGEST BEING 12 YEARS OLD AND THE OLDEST 85.
THEY SWAM FROM SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN TO THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 2,400 METRES.
THE RACE WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND A BREWERY.
/THE TAI
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1988
THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, OFFICIATED AT
THE STARTING CEREMONY AT 10.30 AM.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS AT THE WATER SPORTS CENTRE.
TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE FIRST 10 WINNERS IN THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GROUPS RESPECTIVELY WHILE ABOUT 900 SWIMMERS WHO COMPLETED THE FULL COURSE WITHIN 90 MINUTES RECEIVED COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATES.
THE CHAMPION IN THE MEN’S GROUP WAS MR YIP HOR-MAN WHILE MS CHENG HOI-YAN WON THE FIRST PRIZE IN THE WOMEN’S GROUP.
- - 0 - -
SPEED POST TO U.K. NORMALISED * * ♦ »
THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS RETURNED TO NORMAL.
CUSTOMERS CAN NOW SEND SPEEDPOST ITEMS TO ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THIS MEANS THAT THE COMPLETE RANGE OF POSTAL SERVICES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE NOW RETURNED TO NORMAL.
- - O -
CLOSURE OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK MONASTERY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE A CHARITY WALK ORGANISED BY THE ST PETER’S CHURCH CASTLE PEAK, THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM THE CASTLE PEAK BUDDHIST SCHOOL TO THE CASTLE PEAK MONASTERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 12.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
- - O
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
CONTENTS Page no.
GOVERNOR STARTS EUROPEAN TOUR ................................. 1
HK IS IDEAL SPRINGBOARD TO CHINA BUSINESS: GOVERNOR........ 3
FUTURE PLANS AND EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION .............. 5
MORE CONSUMER PROTECTION SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN INSURANCE INDUSTRY..................................................... 7
EMPLOYMENT ADVICE SERVICES COULD HELP SOLVE LABOUR SHORTAGE ...................................................... 9
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW .................. 11
WAGE INDEXES FOR JUNE PUBLISHED .............................. 11
ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION AT MTR STATIONS LAUNCHED ................ 15
EPD PROSECUTES SIX FARMERS FOR BREACHING ORDINANCE ........... 16
NEW POST OFFICE IN MONG KOK .................................. 17
DB TO DISCUSS MOTION ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES .................. 18
DB TO DISCUSS ACTION AGAINST CAR REPAIR WORKSHOPS ............ 18
DB TO DISCUSS IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR .................. 19
PUBLIC SUPPORT CALLED FOR TO SAVE PLANTATIONS ................ 19
KWUN TONG LAUNCHES 'GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT' ................ 20
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES ...................................... 21
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 21
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY ........................... 22
TEMPORARY URBAN CL&.RJAY IN WING LOK STREET .................. 22
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI ..................................... 22
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
1 GOVERNOR STARTS EUROPEAN TOUR ♦ ♦ • ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, BEGAN THE FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT BY A GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO GERMANY, BELGIUM AND FRANCE WITH A BUSY SCHEDULE OF ENGAGEMENTS IN BONN TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GOVERNOR CALLED FIRST ON THE STATE SECRETARY AT THE WEST GERMAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DR JURGEN SUDHOFF, WHO HOSTED A LUNCH FOR SIR DAVID AFTER THE MEETING.
THE MINISTRY HAS PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED FULL CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND DR SUDHOFF SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE MANNER IN WHICH RELATIONS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND HONG KONG WERE CONTINUING TO DEVELOP.
EXAMPLES OF THIS INCLUDE THE STRONG GROWTH IN TOURISM BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES, WITH BOTH CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND LUFTHANSA INCREASING THEIR SERVICES.
WEST GERMANY’S IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG IS FURTHER REFLECTED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS IN FRANKFURT.
SIR DAVID BRIEFED THE STATE SECRETARY ON HONG KONG’S LATEST ACHIEVEMENTS AND ON PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.
HE DESCRIBED HONG KONG’S IMPORTANCE AS A DOMESTIC MARKET, A CENTRE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA.
AT THE LUNCH GIVEN BY DR SUDHOFF, THE GOVERNOR MET WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG.
THEY INCLUDED THE GERMAN CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG, DR EIKE BRACKLO; FORMER CONSUL-GENERAL MR H.J. DIETRICH; THE OWNER OF FIDUCIA LTD. (A COMPANY' IN HONG KONG), MR JURGEN KRACHT; THE DIRECTOR OF THE HAMBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND MEMBER OF THE EASTERN ASIA ASSOCIATION, MR MICHAEL PFEIFFER AND THE HEAD OF THE FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DR SCHEEL.
THE GOVERNOR CALLED NEXT ON THE STATE SECRETARY FOR. ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, DR DIETER VON WURZEN.
IN THE MEETINTG IT WAS AGREED THAT WEST GERMANY’S LIBERAL TRADE POLICY MADE HONG KONG A NATURAL PARTNER.
TWO-WAY' TRADE IS GROWING STEADILY AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC HAS OVERTAKEN BRITAIN AS HONG KONG’S FIFTH LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, AND IS NOW THE TERRITORY’S THIRD LARGEST MARKET AFTER THE U.S.A. AND CHINA. WEST GERMANY TOOK EIGHT PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1987. ITS EXPORTS TO HONG KONG TOTALLED 2.2 MILLION DEUTCHMARKS IN THE SAME YEAR, AN INCREASE OF EIGHT PER CENT OVER 1986.
/WEST GERMAN .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
WEST GERMAN BUSINESSMEN ARE INCREASINGLY ACTIVE IN HONG KONG, WHERE THERE ARE EIGHT OF THEIR OWN BANKS TO CALL UPON, AND A GROWING INTEREST IS BEING SHOWN IN THE TERRITORY’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY OPPORTUNITIES IN SERVICES AND FOR INVESTMENT AND THAT HONG KONG ALWAYS WELCOMED BUSINESSMEN WHO WERE INTERESTED IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEM.
THE MAJOR FUNCTION IN THE GOVERNOR’S PROGRAMME WAS A TALK GIVEN TO THE FEDERATION OF GERMAN INDUSTRY AND TRADE (DIHT) ENTITLED ’’HONG KONG ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE 21ST CENTURY.”
DIHT IS THE UMBRELLA ORGANISATION OF THE 69 CHAMBERS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN WEST GERMANY AS WELL AS THE 40 CHAMBERS OVERSEAS. IT PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT PLATFORM FOR ADDRESSING GERMAN-TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE INCLUDED A NUMBER OF WORLD LEADERS.
ON THIS OCCASION, SOME 100 SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF BANKS, IMPORT AND EXPORT HOUSES, SHIPPING COMPANIES, ENGINEERING FIRMS AND A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER BUSINESSES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TURNED OUT TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR SPEAK.
THE TALK WAS CO-ORGANISED BY THE GERMAN SOCIETY FOR FOREIGN-AFFAIRS. IT WAS FOUNDED AS AN INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION IN 1955 TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS RELATING TO EUROPEAN POLICY, SAFETY AND ECONOMY AND TO PROMOTE THEIR SCIENTIFIC STUDY, TO COLLECT DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING THESE MATTERS AND TO IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS THROUGH STUDY GROUPS, PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS.
THE SOCIETY’S MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 1,100 INCLUDES PERSONALITIES FROM POLITICAL, ACADEMIC, INDUSTRIAL, TRADE UNION, MEDIA AND SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUNDS.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR GAVE PRESS INTERVIEWS TO JOURNALISTS FROM THE MAJOR MEDIA ORGANISATIONS IN WEST GERMANY. THEY INCLUDED THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVICE OF THE GERMAN PRESS AGENCY AND DEUTSCHE WELLE, THE NATIONAL RADIO SERVICE.
THE GOVERNOR ROUNDED OFF HIS PROGRAMME IN BONN BY ATTENDING A DINNER HOSTED BY THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SIR CHRISTOPHER MALLABY.
THE GUESTS INCLUDED CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF A MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORE, MAIL ORDER COMPANY AND OTHER CONCERNS WITH A BUSINESS INTEREST IN HONG KONG; THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GERMAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN HONG KONG, DR GOEST FUNCK AND THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE F.R.G., MR MEI ZHAORONG.
THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE, WILL LEAVE BONN TOMORROW TO CONTINUE HIS WEEK-LONG TOUR, WITH VISITS TO BRUSSELS AND PARIS.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 5
HK IS IDEAL SPRINGBOARD TO CHINA BUSINESS: GOVERNOR *****
HONG KONG IS THE BEST SPRINGBOARD FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO BUSINESS IN CHINA, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOLD A GROUP OF GERMAN EXECUTIVES IN BONN TODAY (MONDAY).
ADDRESSING THE FEDERATION OF GERMAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE DURING A FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO EUROPE, SIR DAVID STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE WHEN DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA.
"HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN, WHO ARE AS KEEN AS ANYBODY ON PROFITABILITY, ARE PUTTING A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT INTO THEIR CHINA VENTURES," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THEY KNOW THAT MORE INVOLVEMENT IN THE MARKET BRINGS MORE AND BETTER BUSINESS," HE ADDED.
"AS A RESULT, THEY UNDERSTAND, BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE, HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN CHINA. HONG KONG FIRMS ARE, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE WORLD'S GREATEST EXPERTS ON THIS MARKET, AND THEIR EXPERTISE GROWS WITH EVERY NEW DEAL," HE SAID.
"HAVING A HONG KONG PARTNER MAY NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS; BUT IT CERTAINLY HELPS," SAID THE GOVERNOR.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA CONTINUED TO DEVELOP WITH BILATERAL TRADE HAVING INCREASED 19 TIMES SINCE 1982 TO US$26 BILLION.
"HONG KONG ACCOUNTS FOR TWO-THIRDS OF ALL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA," SIR DAVID SAID.
"CHINA IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT INVESTOR IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT WHEN CHINA’S CURRENT OPEN ECONOMIC POLICIES WERE FIRST INTRODUCED, SOME PEOPLE PREDICTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE SUPERSEDED AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA BY SOME OTHER CITIES ON THE MAINLAND SUCH AS SHANGHAI OR TIANJIN.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, HONG KONG HAD BECOME, ON THE CONTRARY, EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO CHINA THAN IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO.
"WE ARE THEIR WINDOW ON THE CAPITALIST WORLD. WE ARE THEIR MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF HARD CURRENCY. WE ARE THEIR MOST IMPORTANT MARKET FOR EXPORTS. WE MAINTAIN A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE ON THEIR DOORSTEP. WE PROVIDE A TRAINING GROUND FOR THEIR BUSINESSMEN," SIR DAVID SAID.
/TURNING TO
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
TURNING TO THE FUTURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN OMMINI’IA AND THE PAR EAST, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE PACIFIC AREA SHOULD NOT MAKE EUROPEANS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.
IT SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS \ THREAT, BUT AS A CHALLENGE AND A IRFMINDOUS OPPORTUNITY.
t
AS YOU MOVE TOWARDS THE EUROPEAN SINGLE MARKET, I HOPE YOU W|LI YLSO KEEP PART OF YOUR MIND ON THE OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID TOLD THE GERMAN BUSINESSMEN THAT HONG KONG FOLLOWED TH! DISCUSSIONS OF 1992 HALF WITH HOPI' AND HALF WITH ANXIETY.
•HOPE — THAT EUROPE WILL TKADI- RELATIONS WITH THE REST OF TURN INWARDS, CONCERNING HERSELF GOVERNOR SAID.
APPLY OPEN MARKET PRINCIPLES TO THE WORLD. ANXIETY -- THAT SHE ONLY WITH HER OWN AFFAIRS,"
HER
MAY
THE
NOTING THAT GERMAN BUSINESS PRESENCE IN SUBSTANTIAL, SIR DAVID SAID THE NUMBER OF GERMAN KONG WAS GROWING ALL THE TIME.
THE FAR EAST WAS COMPANIES IN HONG
'ABOUT 1,600 PEOPLE FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC LIVE IN THE TERRITORY. OUR BILATERAL TRADE IS WORTH NEARLY US$4 BILLION A YEAR; AM) IT IS INCREASING.
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC IS NOW HONG KONG’S FIFTH LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. IT IS HONG KONG’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN EUROPE. AROUND NINE PER CENT OF EUROPEAN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG MANUFACTURING COMES FROM GERMANY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG VALUED HIGHLY THE TECHNOLOGY AND QIALin THAT WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF GERMAN MANUFACTURING.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT NEARLY 17 PER CENT OF THE PRIVATE CARS IN THE TERRITORY WERE GERMAN, MOST OE WHICH WERE AT THE TOP END OF THE MARKET.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY NATIONALISTIC OR CULTURAL BARRIERS TO IMPORTED GOODS. OUR POPULATION IS VERY INTERNATIONALLY MINDED," SIR DAVID SAID.
"NOBODY RESENTS THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS. NO DISTINCTIONS ARE MADE BETWEEN FOREIGN COMPANIES AND LOCAL ONES. NOR BETWEEN FOREIGN PRODUCTS AND LOCAL ONES," HE CONTINUED.
"UNLIKE THE OTHER SUCCESSFUL ECONOMICS OF THE FAR EAST WITH WHOM WE ARE OFTEN BRACKETED, HONG KONG’S TRADE IS ROUGHLY IN BALANCE. WE BUY AS MUCH AS WE SELL. AND WE ARE QUITE HAPPY WITH THAT SITUATION, HE ADDED.
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/5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17,
1988
FUTURE PLANS AND EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION
*****
TRE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN THE 1991-94 TRIENNIUM.
"PLACES IN OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WILL BE EXPANDED BY MORE THAN 20 PER CENT FROM 40,050 IN 1991 TO 48,800 IN 1994," SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.
THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IS AS FOLLOWS:
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES
1990/91 1993/94
HONG KONG UNIVERSITY 8,150 9,100
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG 7,400 8,700
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC 13,500 13,500
CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG 8,000 10,800
HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE 3,000 3,250
HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY — 3,450
40,050 48,800
(ACTUAL ENROLMENTS IN 1988/89 ARE 35,910)
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY ARE THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, WHICH HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE EARLIER THAN EXPECTED COMPLETION OF PHASE II OF ITS NEW CAMPUS IN KOWLOON TONG, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WHICH WILL ADMIT ITS FIRST BATCH OF 700 STUDENTS IN 1991," HE SAID.
"FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP THE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE STUDIES WILL INCREASE FROM SIX PER CENT NOW TO ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT IN 1991 AND TO ABOUT 11 PER CENT IN 1994.
/’’BUT OUR..........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
"BUT OUR EXPANSION WILL NOT STOP IN 1994. THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN IS TO CONTINUE THE EXPANSION AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY TO REACH THEIR CAPACITY OF 10,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES EACH BY 1997, AND AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC TO REACH ITS CAPACITY OF 13,500 BY THE SAME YEAR."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FURTHER GROWTH HAD ALSO BEEN PLANNED FOR THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE FOR THE BAPTIST COLLEGE TO EXPAND TO 4,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES BY 1997 AND TO 5,000 BY THE YEAR 2000," HE SAID.
"FOR HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AFTER PHASE II OF ITS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN THE 1994-97 TRIENNIUM WHICH WILL PROVIDE 7,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES, IT WILL CONTINUE WITH A PHASE III DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE UP TO 10,100 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.
"IF THESE PLANS ARE ALL REALISED, PROVISION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION WILL INCREASE FROM 48,800 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PLACES IN 1994 TO 62,100 BY THE YEAR 2000, AN IMPRESSIVE INCREASE OF MORE THAN 27 PER CENT.
"THE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE STUDIES WILL INCREASE FROM ABOUT 11 PER CENT IN 1994 TO OVER 14 PER CENT BY THE YEAR 2000," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
LOOKING FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "AS THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC HAS ALREADY REACHED ITS CAPACITY NOW, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC WILL BE IN THE SAME POSITION BY 1997, AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AND HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BY THE YEAR 2000, IT MAY BE NECESSARY, IF DEMANDS SO REQUIRE, FOR US TO SET UP ANOTHER NEW INSTITUTION OF A MAJOR SIZE, FOR EXAMPLE A THIRD POLYTECHNIC, EARLY IN THE NEXT CENTURY.
"WE WILL BE KEEPING THE MATTER UNDER REVIEW AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A DECISION EARLY IN THE 1990S.
"HONG KONG NEEDS TO PROVIDE A QUALIFIED WORKFORCE ESSENTIAL FOR ITS CONTINUOUS SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROVAL OF THE SPECIFIC STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS FOR 1991-94 TRIENNIUM AND ITS LONG TERM PLANNING PROJECTIONS CLEARLY UNDERLINE ITS DETERMINATION TO ACCORD A VERY HIGH PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION TO MEET HONG KONG’S REQUIREMENTS."
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/7........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
MORE CONSUMER PROTECTION SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN INSURANCE INDUSTRY
* * * *
THE ACTIVITIES OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES SHOULD BE REGULATED TO PROVIDE A GREATER DEGREE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IN WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT AREA OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF INSURANCE BROKERS LTD, MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT SELF-REGULATION BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WOULD BE THE BEST WAY OF ACHIEVING THIS.
"IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT THE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION PROVIDE A SOUND BASIS FOR THE REGULATION OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES," HE SAID, RECALLING THAT THE COMMISSION PRODUCED IN JANUARY 1986 A REPORT ON THE LAWS ON INSURANCE.
THE REPORT EXAMINED TWO AREAS OF CONCERN: PERCEIVED INEQUALITIES IN INSURANCE CONTRACT LAW BETWEEN THE INSURED AND THE INSURER; AND THE ABSENCE OF CONTROL OVER THE ACTIVITIES OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES.
"THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT LEGISLATION BE INTRODUCED TO CONTROL THE ACTIVITIES OF INTERMEDIARIES.
"THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THAT INSURANCE CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH CLEARLY BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARY GIVING IMPARTIAL PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND THE AGENT REPRESENTING A PARTICULAR INSURANCE COMPANY.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARIES BE REQUIRED TO MEET SPECIFIED STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT; THAT INSURERS BE REQUIRED TO ASSUME GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH WHOM THEY WERE CLOSELY IDENTIFIED; AND THAT THE INSURANCE CONSUMER BE PLACED IN A POSITION TO KNOW ON WHAT BASIS HE WAS BEING ADVISED," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY SET UP A WORKING GROUP IN MARCH 1987 DRAWN FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE INDUSTRY TO FORMULATE PROPOSALS FOR SELF-REGULATION.
"IN MARCH THIS YEAR, THE WORKING GROUP SUBMITTED ITS STATEMENT ON SELF-REGULATION TO THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
/HE POINTED
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 8 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE WORKING GROUP, WHILE GIVING BROAD SUPPORT TO THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION ON THE CONTROL OF INTERMEDIARIES, HOWEVER RECOMMENDED THE ADOPTION OF CODES OF PRACTICE PLUS ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS BY INSURANCE COMPANIES AS A BETTER MEANS OF PROTECTING THE CONSUMERS IN THE FIELD OF INSURANCE CONTRACT LAW.
"WE IN GOVERNMENT ARE WELL AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF OVER-REGULATION. WE DO NOT WANT TO STIFLE ENTERPRISE OR UNDULY INTERFERE IN THE FREE PLAY OF MARKET FORCES.
"WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO CREATE A LARGE AND COSTLY REGULATORY AGENCY WHICH WOULD ADD TO THE BURDEN UPON TAX-PAYERS," HE STRESSED.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAD A DUTY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR THE CONSUMER AND TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET.
"OUR AIM IS TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSURANCE MARKET IN HONG KONG.
"WE THUS WELCOME THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATION AS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," HE SAID.
"THE APPROACH WE FAVOUR THEN IS FOR SELF-IMPOSED RULES FOR MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF CONDUCT TO BE BACKED BY NECESSARY LEGISLATION LAYING DOWN BASIC REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR THE LICENSING OF INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARIES; MINIMUM STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES, EXPERIENCE AND CONDUCT FOR INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARIES; AND STATUTORY RECOGNITION OF SELF-REGULATING MARKET ASSOCIATIONS WHOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP MEET THESE MINIMUM STANDARDS AND WHERE MEMBERSHIP WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CONFER LICENSED STATUS.
HE SAID THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO NEED TO DEFINE THE ROLE OF AGENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO GIVE CAREFUL THOUGHT TO THE PROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INSURER AND AGENT.
"IN OUR VIEW, THE LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT SEEK TO EXTEND THE INSURER’S LIABILITY BEYOND THE EXISTING LAW OF AGENCY.
"ANY EXTENSION SHOULD BE GOVERNED BY THE VOLUNTARY CODES OF PRACTICE TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE BODIES OF INSURERS," MR NENDICK ADDED.
/HE SAID .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
9 -
HE SAID THESE CODES OF PRACTICE WOULD NEED TO GOVERN TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND CONTROL OF AGENTS; LAY DOWN OR PROVIDE FOR STANDARD AGENCY CONTRACTS, AND EMPHASISE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN INSURER FOR THE ACTIONS OF ITS AGENTS, NOT ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF AGENCY BUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD INSURANCE ETHICS AND PRACTICE.
"MUCH WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN DEVELOPING THE NECESSARY RULES AND CODES OF PRACTICE BEFORE LEGISLATION CAN BE INTRODUCED.
"THERE IS LITTLE POINT IN SETTING UP THE FRAMEWORK IF THE SUBSTANCE OF SELF-REGULATION IS NOT IN PLACE. IN PARTICULAR, WORKABLE MACHINERY FOR ENFORCEMENT MUST BE DEVISED. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT COMPLIANCE IS THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE SELF-REGULATION," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROCESS WOULD NECESSARILY TAKE TIME AND INVOLVE CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND APPROPRIATE BODIES IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
"IT IS OUR AIM TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE INDUSTRY IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR SO THAT LEGISLATION CAN BE DRAFTED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING ITS NEXT SESSION," HE SAID.
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EMPLOYMENT ADVICE SERVICES COULD HELP SOLVE LABOUR SHORTAGE * » » » *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS OVER THE YEARS DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT AND A GREAT DEAL OF RESOURCES TOWARDS BUILDING UP A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF EMPLOYMENT AND CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID.
ITS OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE LINK BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS, AS WELL AS POTENTIAL JOB-SEEKERS.
ADDRESSING A "MANAGING THE VACANT POSITION" CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), MR HAMMOND SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYMENT SERVICES HAVE ASSUMED A FAR MORE ACTIVE ROLE OF REACHING OUT TO EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS.
A SPECIAL NEW SERVICE CALLED "JOB BAZAAR" HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE PAST YEAR TO HELP EMPLOYERS TO RECRUIT EMPLOYEES MORE EASILY AND QUICKLY.
/"WE HAVE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 10
"WE HAVE HELD THREE VERY SUCCESSFUL JOB BAZAARS SO FAR - THE FIRST WAS AT NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN, THE SECOND WAS AT CITY PLAZA ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND, RECENTLY, A THIRD ONE WAS HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL IN KOWLOON.
"EMPLOYERS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS HAVE FOUND THESE JOB BAZAARS VERY USEFUL IN THEIR RECRUITMENT DRIVES AND THEY HAVE ATTRACTED A GREAT NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE JOB-SEEKERS."
MR HAMMOND TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDED A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF WELL-ESTABLISHED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS.
THESE INCLUDE THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WHICH PROVIDES A REGULAR EMPLOYMENT SERVICE THROUGH 15 DISTRICT OFFICES FOR JOB-SEEKERS LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT A JUNIOR LEVEL WITH RELATIVELY LITTLE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SOME 49,000 JOB-SEEKERS ON THE LIVE REGISTER OF THIS SERVICE.
THE HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE CATERS TO JOB-SEEKERS WHO POSSESS HIGHER EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
OF THE 3,000 JOB-SEEKERS ON THE LIVE REGISTER OF THIS SERVICE, MORE THAN ONE-THIRD ARE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES RETURNING FROM CANADA, 25 PER CENT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA, AND AN EQUAL PROPORTION FROM LOCAL TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THESE JOB-SEEKERS COVER A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES INCLUDING COMPUTER SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, FINANCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, STATISTICS AND ACCOUNTING.
THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE PROVIDES FREE ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICALLY DISABLED, MENTALLY RETARDED AND EX-MENTALLY ILL PERSONS SEEKING OPEN EMPLOYMENT. LAST YEAR, THIS SERVICE FOUND JOBS FOR JUST OVER 1,000 DISABLED PEOPLE.
TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE THE POTENTIAL WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE, MR HAMMOND SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALSO HOLDS A LARGE-SCALE CAREERS EXHIBITION EVERY YEAR AND ORGANISES WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENABLE THEM TO SEE THE ACTUAL WORK ENVIRONMENT IN A WIDE RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS.
HE EXPRESSED HOPES THAT EMPLOYERS WOULD TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ALL THESE SERVICES TO HELP SOLVE THEIR LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEMS.
O
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
11
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE'MEETS TOMORROW
*****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) THE PRESENT PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE TAC SUB-COMMITTEE ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW.
APPLICATIONS FROM THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI
ASSOCIATIONS FOR A FARE INCREASE WILL BE CONSIDERED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME 1989-1993.
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WAGE INDEXES FOR JUNE PUBLISHED *****
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR JUNE 1988, AT 161.0, INCREASED BY 9.9 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1987 AND BY 2.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE JUNE 1988 AND JUNE 1987 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 8.3 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, 1MPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 12.6 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 10.8 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 16.8 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 13.8 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE JUNE 1988 AND MARCH 1988 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT ; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND. RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 2.1 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.8 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 5.9 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.BY 3.3 PER CENT.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 1987 TO JUNE 1988 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 109.8 IN JUNE 1988, WAS 3.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN JUNE 1987 AND 0.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN MARCH 1988.
/FROM JUNE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17» 1988
- 12 -
FROM JUNE 1987 TO JUNE 1988, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BI 1.6 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 5.7 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 4.0 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 9.6 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 6.8 PER CENT.
COMPARING JUNE 1988 WITH MARCH 1988, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.5 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.8 PER CENT; FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.2 PER CENT WHILE FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 1987 TO JUNE 1988 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
THESE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QUARTER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COVERS BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT TO THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
/TOTAL PAYROLL, .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, JUNE 1988 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234744 OR 5-8234747.
TABLE 1 : NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS • INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
JUN. 1987 SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987 MAR. 1988 JUN. 1988
MANUFACTURING 14 6.2 148.4 149.5 154.6 158.3
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 137.5 141.5 146.5 151.6 154.8
TRANSPORT SERVICES 166.6 170.4 170.3 177.9 184.6
BUSINESS SERVICES 152.6 155.8 155.8 168.2 178.2
PERSONAL SERVICES 141.0 145.7 146.6 155.3 160.5
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 146.5 149.4 151.2 156.9 161.0
/Table 2 : .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17. 1988
14
TABLE 2 : NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
INDUSTRY INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
JUN. 1987 SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987 MAR. 1988 JUN. 1988
GARMENTS 132.2 132.5 133.1 135.7 138.0
GLOVES 152.2 154.3 153.9 159.5 164.2
HANDBAGS 136.7 141.9 142.8 147.2 146.9
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 163.0 164.6 165.5 172.0 173.6
KNITTING 146.5 148.3 148.2 150.0 152.4
BLEACHING AND DYEING 167.2 168.3 169.3 175.2 180.1
PRINTING 160.6 162.4 164.1 170.5 182.5
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 146.4 146.8 146.4 151.2 156.5
METAL PRODUCTS 151.4 153.0 154.3 160.9 166.3
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 163.0 165.6 168.6 177.2 182.5
ELECTRONICS 155.6 162.3 165.0 175.3 180.4
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 171.8 174.9 176.1 182.8 187.3
MANUFACTURING 146.2 148.4 149.5 154.6 158.3
/TABLE J : .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1?, 1988
- 15 -
TABLE 3 : REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS JUN. 1987 INDEXES SEPT. 1987 (MARCH 1982 = 100) JUN. 1988
DEC. 1987 MAR. 1988
MANUFACTURING 106.3 106.9 105.6 107.7 108.0
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 99.9 101.9 103.4 105.6 105.6
TRANSPORT SERVICES 121.1 122.8 120.2 124.0 125.9
BUSINESS SERVICES 110.9 112.2 110.0 117.2 121.6
PERSONAL SERVICES 102,5 105.0 103.6 108.2 109.5
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 106.5 107.7 106.8 109.4 109.8
-------0 ---------
ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION AT MTR STATIONS LAUNCHED
* t t t »
AN EXHIBITION ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE AND HONG KONG’S ANTI-DRUG EEFORTS WAS STAGED AT THE MTR MONG KOK STATION, KOWLOON TODAY (MONDAY).
THE EXHIBITION, PUT UP NEAR THE ARGYLE STREET EXIT OF THE STATION, WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
IT WILL THEN MOVE TO THE MTR TSUEN WAN STATION FOR DISPLAY FROM THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20) TO SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22).
MANNED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT EDUCATING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE PERILS OF DRUG ABUSE IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK PROGRAMME.
IT IS OPENED BETWEEN 10 AM AND 7 PM DAILY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 16 -
EPD PROSECUTES SIX FARMERS FOR BREACHING ORDINANCE *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, PROSECUTED LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATORS FOR ALLEGEDLY BREACHING THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN JUNE.
SIX LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATORS HAVE BEEN SUMMONED FOR CONTINUING LIVESTOCK BREEDING IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE SIX FARM OPERATORS WHO WERE PROSECUTED TODAY, HAD REPEATEDLY IGNORED ADVICE AND WARNINGS GIVEN BY EPD STAFF,” HE SAID.
’’WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 24 THIS YEAR, LIVESTOCK KEEPING IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS WAS, BY LAW, BANNED AND FARMERS WERE GIVEN PRIOR NOTICE SIX MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO THAT EFFECT," HE ADDED.
"OF THE MORE THAN 800 FARMS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS, ALL BUT 15 HAVE ALREADY CEASED BUSINESS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SO FAR, EPD STAFF HAVE CONDUCTED 611 FARM VISITS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS, AND HAVE GIVEN A TOTAL OF 134 VERBAL WARNINGS, 63 WRITTEN WARNINGS, 44 FINAL WARNINGS TO FARM OPERATORS WHO WERE STILL KEEPING LIVESTOCK LN THE AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANY PERSON KEEPING LIVESTOCK IN THE LIVESTOCK WASTE PROHIBITION AREAS AFTER JUNE 24 WAS IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10,000 FOR A FIRST OFFENCE, OR A FINE OF $50,000 FOR A SECOND OR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE, AND AN ADDITIONAL FINE OF $500 FOR EACH DAY IF THE OFFENCE IS A CONTINUING ONE.
THE PROHIBITION AREAS COVER HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON, AND THE NEW TOWNS IN SHA TIN, TAI PO, FANLING, SHEUNG SHUI, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSI NG, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TIN SHUI WAI AND JUNK BAY.
IN ADDITION, ALSO FROM JUNE 24, LIVESTOCK KEEPING IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS COVERING TOLO HARBOUR AND TOLO CHANNEL, MUI WO AND ANGLER’S BEACH AREAS WAS SUBJECT TO CONTROL IN RELATION TO THE COLLECTION, STORAGE, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE FROM THE FARMS.
AS UNDERTAKEN, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR ADOPTED A FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN THE INITIAL STAGE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROL IN THESE THREE AREAS.
DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON PROVIDING \DVICE TO FARMERS IN THE CONTROL AREAS TO HELP THEM TO COMMA WI I’ll THE NEW MEASURES.
/THESE INCLUDED
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17♦ 1988
- 17 -
THESE INCLUDED SENDING TECHNICAL ADVICE TEAMS TO VISIT LIVESTOCK FARMS IN THESE AREAS TO ASSIST FARMERS TO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT OTHER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THE FARMERS INCLUDED CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ON-FARM TREATMENT FACILITIES, AND EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE WHO OPT TO CEASE OPERATION.
"NOW THAT MORE THAN THREE MONTHS HAVE LAPSED, STAFF FROM THE EPD WILL BE WARNING LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATORS WHO FAILED TO ADOPT APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CONTROL. PROSECUTION WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THE WARNING IS REPEATEDLY IGNORED," HE SAID.
--------0----------
NEW POST OFFICE IN MONG KOK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A NEW POST OFFICE SERVING THE MONG KOK AREA WILL BE OPENED ON OCTOBER 24 (MONDAY) TO REPLACE THE CHANG SHA STREET POST OFFICE.
LOCATED AT SHOP NO. 11-14 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF KWONG FAI MANSION, 3-13 KWONG WA STREET, MONG KOK, THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT POST OFFICE WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 1 PM ON OCTOBER 22.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE NEW POST OFFICE ARE 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEEK DAYS AND 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS. THE OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 3-856859.
IN THE INTEREST OF LOCAL PHILATELISTS, ON OCTOBER 22 A SPECIAL HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE CHANG SHA STREET POST OFFICE FOR LOCALLY ADDRESSED COVERS BEARING THE SUPERSCRIPTION "LAST DAY OF SERVICE" OR "LAST DAY COVER".
ON OCTOBER 24, THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE NEW POST OFFICE FOR LOCALLY ADDRESSED COVERS BEARING THE SUPERSCRIPTION ’FIRST DAY COVER".
SUCH COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSONS PRESENTING THEM.
0
/18
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 18 -
DB TO DISCUSS MOTION ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES *****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A MOTION, PROPOSED BY A MEMBER, TO REFLECT THE BOARD'S VIEWS ON THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ISSUE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS OF THE MEETING INCLUDE THE ANNUAL PROGRAMME OF WORK OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE; A MID-YEAR REVIEW ON THE DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND ITS PRESENT POSITION; AND REPORTS OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND RESPECTIVE COMMITTEES UNDER THE BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 9.30 AM IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
---------0------------
DB TO DISCUSS ACTION AGAINST CAR REPAIR WORKSHOPS
*****
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST CAR REPAIR WORKSHOPS IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
UNDER A PROPOSAL BY THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/HONG KONG WEST, LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST CAR REPAIR. WORKSHOPS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, AND IN EXISTING NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WHEN SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE IDENTIFIED TO BE DANGEROUS AND OBNOXIOUS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT WORKS PROGRAMME FOR 1988 PREPARED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED ON THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMP LIBERALISATION POLICY, THE PAYMENT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND THE WASTAGE OF MEDICAL DOCTORS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 8/F TUNG WAH BUILDING, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
-----0----------
/19........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 19 -
DB TO DISCUSS IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR *****
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE IMPORTATION OF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS WORKERS TO MEET THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR WU WING-KAI, WILL URGE THE GOVERNMENT ALLOW THE IMPORTATION OF OVERSEAS LABOUR, AND HE WILL OFFER THREE SUGGESTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
AT THE MEETING, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR H.T. LUI, WILL GIVE A BRIEFING ON THE PROGRESS OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PU1 LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
------0--------
PUBLIC SUPPORT CALLED FOR TO SAVE PLANTATIONS
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR FULL CO-OPERATION TO HELP SAVE HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE PLANTATIONS FROM DAMAGES BY HILL FIRES.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A VERY HIGH FIRE TOLL RECORDED YESTERDAY BY THE DEPARTMENT WHEN 12 HILL FIRES SWEPT 52 HECTARES OF COUNTRY PARK AREAS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE DRY SEASON.
SINCE SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 26 FIRES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS, DAMAGING A TOTAL OF 89 HECTARES OF PLANTATION AREAS AND 7,100 TREES.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR C.W. LAI, SAID WITH THE EXCEPTIONALLY DRY WEATHER, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC, WORSHIPPERS IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CARE TO SAFEGUARD OUR COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT AGAINST FIRES.
"DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING THEIR ANCESTORS’ GRAVES SHOULD LIGHT JOSS STICKS AND CEREMONIAL PAPERS ONLY IN METAL CONTAINERS AND NEVER LEAVE BURNING JOSS STICKS UNATTENDED,” HE SAID.
IN FACT, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT HAD PROVIDED METAL CONTAINERS IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS INSIDE COUNTRY PARK AREAS FOR THEIR USE.
ON THE LAST CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY, 25 FIRES OCCURRED IN COUNTRY PARKS, AFFECTING 125 HECTARE AREAS AND 5,100 TREES.
------0------- /20....................
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 20 -
KWUN TONG LAUNCHES ’GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT’ * * * * *
AN AWARD SCHEME, WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING MORAL EDUCATION, ENCOURAGING GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND INSTILLING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING AMONG YOUNGSTERS, HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN KWUN TONG.
THE ’’KWUN TONG GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT”, ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, STARTED EARLIER THIS MONTH AND WILL CONCLUDE IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE PROJECT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN OF THE "GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TSE CHUN-KEUNG, SAID THE AWARD SCHEME WAS OPEN TO PUPILS FROM PRIMARY FOUR TO SIX AND STUDENTS FROM FORM ONE TO THREE.
MR TSE SAID THE PROJECT WOULD BE IN FORM OF AN AWARD SCHEME IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE ASSESSED ON EIGHT MERIT ITEMS SELP-DISCIPLINE, HONESTY, DILLIGENCE, TIDINESS, COURTESY, CO-OPERATIVENESS, PUBLIC SPIRIT AND SERVICE.
”AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, EACH PARTICIPANT WAS ISSUED WITH A GOOD YOUNGSTER PASSPORT WHICH SERVES AS AN ASSESSMENT RECORD OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARTICIPANT IN RESPECT OF THE EIGHT MERITS,” HE SAID.
STARTING FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR, ASSESSMENT WILL BE MADE BI-WEEKLY IN RESPECT OF ONE MERIT ITEM AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JANUARY, 1989 WHEN ALL MERIT ITEMS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
"AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH BI-WEEKLY CYCLE, PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE TWO SEPARATE ASSESSMENT COLUMNS IN THE PASSPORT. ON COMPLETION OF ONE CYCLE, ALL PASSPORTS WILL HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO TEACHERS WHO WILL THEN MAKE THE FINAL EVALUATION TO DECIDE WHETHER A PARTICIPANT HAS ACHIEVED A STANDARD LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE,” MR TSE EXPLAINED.
"AT THE END OF THE 16-WEEK ASSESSMENT PERIOD, PARTICIPANTS WHOSE PERFORMANCE HAVE REACHED A RECOGNISED LEVEL WILL BE AWARDED THE ’GOOD YOUNGSTER CERTIFICATES’," HE SAID.
"DISTINGUISHED PARTICIPANTS, ON RECOMMENDATION BY THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, WILL BE ADDITIONALLY HONOURED WITH THE ’GOOD YOUNGSTER GOLD BADGE’ OR THE ’SILVER BADGE'," HE ADDED.
MR TSE NOTED THAT OUTSTANDING PARTICIPANTS WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIE FOR THE TOP HONOUR OF ’GOOD YOUNGSTER’, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
/ALSO SPEAKING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 21 -
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, SAID THE PROJECT NOT ONLY HAD THE IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF PROMOTING GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND CIVIC MINDEDNESS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT ALSO WOULD ENABLE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS, THROUGH THEIR JOINT PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT, TO DEVELOP WITHIN THEMSELVES THIS LOFTILY SOCIAL OBJECTIVE.
“THIS WILL HAVE A DIRECT AND POSITIVE EFFECT ON BUILDING AN INTEGRATED SOCIETY, AND WILL ENHANCE THE SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF THE COMMUNITY AND ITS HARMONY AS A WHOLE," DR TSE SAID.
CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE, MR TONG PO-KWAI, SPEAKING OF THE "GOOD YOUNGSTERS MOVEMENT" HOPED THAT IT WOULD HELP IMPROVE THE SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE IN KWUN TONG AND THAT PARTICIPATING STUDENTS WOULD TRY THEIR BEST TO MAKE THE SCHEME A SUCCESS.
A TOTAL OF 24,000 YOUNG PEOPLE — 20,000 PUPILS FROM 68 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 4,000 STUDENTS FROM 10 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KWUN TONG - ARE TAKING PART IN THE PROJECT WHICH COSTS $140,000 TO IMPLEMENT.
------0-------
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES * * ♦ * t
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
THE EIGHT CLINICS WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ARE THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HF.AL1H CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC 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 CLOSE.
------O-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 43.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 256.438 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 411.669 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 70.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- O - -
/22........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1988
- 22 -
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY DUE TO
WATER WORKS:
* THE SUPPLY TO ALL VILLAGES AND PREMISES ON BOTH SIDES OF
CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM SHEUNG SHUI TO PAK SHEK AU AND FAN KAM ROAD FROM SHEUNG SHUI TO YING PUN TSUEN WILL BE TURNED
OFF FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20) TO 7 AM THE
NEXT DAY.
* THE SUPPLY TO MARYKNOLL COLLEGE BLOCK NOS. 7 - 10 KWUN TONG
(TSUI PING ROAD) ESTATE, SAN ON HOUSE AND KIN ON HOUSE WO
LOK ESTATE AND NOS. 20 - 28 HIU MING STREET, WILL BE TURNED
OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT .DAY.
-----0 ----------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WING LOK STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT LANE OF WING LOK STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 146 WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK (OCTOBER 20).
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE AND 166 IN SHEUNG WAN FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY
THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS
TO
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-----0 ----
ROAD CLOSURE IN.WAN CHAI
*****
THF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TRIANGLE BETWEEN “hNSTON ROAD AND WAN CHAI HOAD WILL BE CLOSED TO FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20).
STREE1”
TRAFFIC
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO DRAINAGE WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON WAN HEADING FOR JOHNSTON ROAD WILL BF. DIVERTED VIA
MONTHS TO FACILITATE
CHAI ROAD SOUTHBOUND TAI WO STREET.
-------O ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
310,000 APPLY FOR STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY ................. 1
TAC DISCUSSES APPLICATIONS FOR TAXI FARE INCREASES ....... 2
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY ORDERED BY DIRECTOR OF MARINE ........ 3
SUMMER TIME WILL NOT BE RE-INTRODUCED.................... 1+
PAYMENT OF DANGEROUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE NOT JUSTIFIED ...... 5
DEADLINES FOR HEALTH EDUCATION SPEECH AND SONG CONTESTS ... 7
ANTI-DRUG RUN-THE-STAIRS RACE TOMORROW ................... 8
PAK TAI TEMPLE RENOVATION TO START NEXT MONTH............. 9
ISLANDS YOUTHS CONTRIBUTE TO DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ....... 11
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWUN TONG ........................... 13
TEMPORARY TRAM LANE IN DES VOEUX ROaD WEST .............. 13
URBAN CLEARWAY IN LOCK ROAD.............................. 14
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN GILMAN STREET ............... 14
NO-ENTRY TO NAI CHUNG BUS TERMINUS....................... 14
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
1
310,000 APPLY FOR STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY * * * * »
MORE THAN 310,000 APPLICATIONS FOR THE TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PAYABLE UNDER THE NEW STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS ATTENDING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THESE APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING PROCESSED BY THE STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, THE TWO APPROVED POST SECONDARY COLLEGES, THE FIVE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE INSTITUTIONS AND THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
THE DEADLINE FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS TO RETURN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS IS NOVEMBER 4, HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THAT MOST OF THESE INSTITUTIONS COMMENCED THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR IN THE SECOND HALF OF SEPTEMBER.
"UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED THE FIRST DEGREE COURSE AND ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 25 ARE ELIGIBLE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IF EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY, THE ALLOWANCE WILL BE PAID IN MID-DECEMBER IN THE FORM OF A LUMP SUM FOR THE WHOLE ACADEMIC YEAR 1988-89 THROUGH AUTO-PAY FACILITIES DIRECTLY INTO THE ACCOUNTS OF APPLICANTS, I.E. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS IN THE CASE OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS AND INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS IN THE CASE OF THOSE ATTENDING POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE ALLOWANCE IS CALCULATED AS HALF THE AVERAGE FARE CHARGED BY OPERATORS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THESE AVERAGE FARES ARE BASED ON SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE STUDENT LIVES AND THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED.
THE SCHEME TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
IT SUBSIDISES 10 JOURNEYS A WEEK TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND INCLUDES AN EXTRA PROVISION FOR FOUR TRIPS A WEEK TO ASSIST STUDENTS LIVING IN AN AREA BEYOND THE WALKING DISTANCE FROM THEIR PLACE OF STUDY TO TAKE PART IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADDITIONAL PROVISION WAS MADE ON THE BASIS THAT MOST OF THE EDUCATION-RELATED EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES TOOK PLACE IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES AFTER NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS.
/HAVING TAKEN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1?88
2 -
HAVING TAKEN THIS FACTOR INTO ACCOUNT AND THE FACT THAT STUDENTS LIVING CLOSE TO THEIR PLACE OF STUDY DID NOT HAVE TO MEET ANY TRAVELLING EXPENSES FOR JOURNEYS TO AND FROM SCHOOL, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO MAKE SEPARATE PROVISION FOR SUBSIDISING EXTRA-CURRICULAR JOURNEYS TAKEN BY THAT GROUP OF STUDENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS STILL HAD TO PAY PART OF THE COST OF THEIR JOURNEYS TO AND FROM SCHOOL SINCE THE SUBSIDY WOULD ONLY MEET HALF THE AVERAGE FARES CHARGED BY OPERATORS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
"THE NEW SCHEME HAS DISTINCT ADVANTAGES OVER THE OLD STUDENT TRAVEL CARD SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT GIVES STUDENTS GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF THE ALLOWANCE AS THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE MODES OF TRANSPORT USED OR THE TIMES AT WHICH THE STUDENTS MAY TRAVEL."
"UNDER THE OLD SCHEME, THE STUDENT TRAVEL CARD WAS NOT ACCEPTED FOR SOME FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, NAMELY CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES, EXPRESS AND RECREATIONAL BUS ROUTES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND SECOND CLASS TRAVEL ON THE STAR FERRY," HE SAID.
- 0 ---------
TAC DISCUSSES APPLICATIONS FOR TAXI FARE INCREASES
*****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED THE APPLICATIONS FROM THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI ASSOCIATIONS FOR FARE INCREASES.
MEMBERS LOOKED INTO THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF A FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN TAXI AND OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND OTHER FACTORS IN CONSIDERING A FARE INCREASE.
HOWEVER, NO DECISION WAS TAKEN BECAUSE MEMBERS FELT THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN FURTHER VIEWS FROM THE TAXI TRADE AT A SPECIAL MEETING, t
THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC OBTAINED THROUGH THE MEDIA AND OTHER COMPLAINT CHANNELS WOULD ALSO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW, PRODUCED EARLIER THIS YEAR BY A TAC SUB-COMMITTEE.
/THE RECOMMENDATIONS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
- 3
THE RECOMMENDATIONS COVER THE ROLE OF TAXIS IN THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM, THEIR CLASSIFICATION AND OPERATING BOUNDARIES, NUMBER OF LICENCES, FARE POLICY AND THE QUALITY OF SERVICE.
IN DISCUSSING THE RECENT UPSURGE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF TAXI MALPRACTICE, MEMBERS FELT THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST PERSISTENT OFFENDERS.
SUCH PROBLEMS WOULD BE BROUGHT UP IN THE MEETING WITH THE TAXI TRADE.
THE TAC MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME FOR 1989-1993 AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS.
THE FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME INCLUDES A ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, A FLEET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, A DEPOT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND FINANCIAL FORECASTS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE SAFETY AND THE SCHEDULE OF SERVICES OPERATED.
THEY FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE KCRC SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND IMPROVE THE SAFETY MEASURES OF THE LRT ON THE ONE HAND, AND ENHANCE THE SERVICE SCHEDULES ON THE OTHER.
-----0-----
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY ORDERED BY DIRECTOR OF MARINE
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, TODAY (TUESDAY) ORDERED A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING THE GROUNDING OF THE HONG KONG REGISTERED JETFOIL "FUNCHAL" IN THE ACCESS CHANNEL TO THE OUTER HARBOUR OF MACAU ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16).
THE INQUIRY WAS ORDERED UNDER SECTION 51(1) OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE.
A MARINE OFFICER, MR PAUL OWEN, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO CONDUCT THE INQUIRY. HE WILL SUBMIT A REPORT ON HIS FINDINGS TO THE GOVERNOR.
-------0 -------- /4........................
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
- 4 -
SUMMER TIME WILL NOT BE RE-INTRODUCED *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) DECIDED THAT SUMMER TIME SHOULD NOT BE RE-INTRODUCED FOR THE TIME BEING IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC OPINION WHICH CLEARLY PREFERS RETENTION OF THE PRESENT TIME SYSTEM.
"THIS FOLLOWED CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF OPINION RECEIVED FROM A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WHICH WAS CONDUCTED FROM MAY TO JULY THIS YEAR," SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.
"THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE INVOLVED ALL DISTRICT BOARDS, SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, POWER COMPANIES, TRANSPORT OPERATORS WHICH INCLUDED AIRLINES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES."
THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* THERE HAS BEEN A PERCEPTIBLE SHIFT IN PUBLIC OPINION IN FAVOUR OF SUMMER TIME SINCE VIEWS WERE LAST ASSESSED IN THE 1970S; NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, A CLEAR MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PREFER THE EXISTING TIME SYSTEM OF GMT+8 TO BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
* THE CONSULTATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR PRODUCED NO OVERWHELMING ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES. HOWEVER, THE AIRLINE COMPANIES IN PARTICULAR FORESAW CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTIES.
* THERE WOULD BE A SMALL SAVING IN ANNUAL ELECTRICITY AND FUEL CONSUMPTION BUT ONLY BY ABOUT 0.5 PER CENT. THIS WOULD HAVE A NEGLIGIBLE EFFECT ON TARIFFS.
* GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CAN COPE ADEQUATELY WITH EITHER TIME SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY OVERRIDING OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES.
-------0----------
/5
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
- 5 -
PAYMENT OF DANGEROUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE NOT JUSTIFIED » » * « *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS INFORMED THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING OFFICERS THAT THEIR REQUEST FOR A DANGEROUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE FOR SURVEY OFFICERS, (LAND) AND (ENGINEERING), COULD NOT BE GRANTED.
THE CONCLUSION THAT SUCH AN ALLOWANCE WAS NOT JUSTIFIED UNDER EXISTING DEFINITION AND CRITERIA WAS REACHED FOLLOWING A SERIES OF INSPECTION VISITS CARRIED OUT BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH FROM MID-AUGUST TO EARLY SEPTEMBER TO SEE BOTH STREAMS OF SURVEY OFFICERS UNDERTAKING FIELD SURVEY WORK.
A TOTAL OF 60 SITE VISITS WERE MADE DURING THE INSPECTIONS, 32 IN RESPECT OF SURVEY OFFICERS (LAND) AND 28 IN RESPECT OF SURVEY OFFICERS (ENGINEERING).
"DURING THE INSPECTIONS, IT WAS NOTED THAT, TYPICALLY, SURVEY WORK HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT IN RURAL AREAS, ON ROOF TOPS, SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS, ON ROADSIDES, IN UNDERGROUND TUNNELS AND IN CONTAINER TERMINALS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE CONDUCT OF FIELD SURVEYS, AS WITH ANY OTHER OUTDOOR WORK, INVOLVED CONSIDERABLE PHYSICAL EFFORT AND STAMINA.
"AT TIMES, THE SURVEY OFFICERS HAD TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND EXERCISE DUE CARE IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES.
"HOWEVER, AS OUTDOOR FIELD SURVEY WORK IS AN INHERENT PART OF THE GENERAL DUTIES OF SURVEY OFFICERS (LAND) AND (ENGINEERING), AND AS OFFICERS HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY TRAINED AND EMPLOYED TO UNDERTAKE SUCH WORK AS PART OF THEIR GENERAL DUTIES, THE RANGE OF OUTDOOR WORK UNDERTAKEN AS OBSERVED THROUGH THE JOB INSPECTIONS CANNOT AS A WHOLE BE REGARDED AS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS, DANGEROUS DUTIES ALLOWANCES WERE ONLY PAYABLE TO OFFICERS FOR EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS OR HAZARDOUS DUTIES WHICH WERE NOT INHERENT IN THE WORK OF THEIR GRADE OR RANK.
/IN PRACTICE,
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
IN PRACTICE, HE SAID, THERE WERE THREE MAIN CRITERIA IN CONSIDERING REQUESTS FOR SUCH ALLOWANCES:
* THE WORK OF A PARTICULAR POST CONTAINS A DISTINCT ELEMENT OF DANGER WHICH IS UNAVOIDABLE DESPITE REASONABLE
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BEING TAKEN, AND THE HARDSHIP EXPERIENCED BY THE OFFICER CONCERNED IS SUFFICIENTLY OBVIOUS TO MERIT SOME FORM OF RECOGNITION;
♦ THE REQUIREMENT TO PERFORM DANGEROUS DUTIES IS NOT INHERENT IN THE GENERAL DUTIES OF THE RANK OR GRADE; AND
♦ SUCH DANGEROUS DUTIES TAKE UP A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE OFFICER’S WORKING TIME.
CITING AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE THESE CRITERIA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A GOVERNMENT DRIVER ENGAGED IN NORMAL DRIVING DUTIES WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A DANGEROUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE.
’’BUT IF HE IS POSTED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND IS FREQUENTLY AND REGULARLY REQUIRED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE CONTAINING EXPLOSIVES TO WORK SITES, HE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH AN ALLOWANCE,” HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ALLOWANCE TO WORKMEN AND CHAINMEN WORKING IN LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEY TEAMS, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE WORKMEN AND CHAINMEN WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING HEAVY SURVEY EQUIPMENT WHEN GAINING ACCESS TO HIGH POINTS, AS WELL AS CLEARING THE UNDERGROWTH WHEN WORKING ON VIRGIN LAND.
’’THEY ARE ALSO OFTEN REQUIRED TO SET UP REFERENCE POSTS OR REFLECTORS IN THE MIDDLE OF CARRIAGEWAYS AND STAY THERE WHILE SURVEY WORK IS BEING DONE.
"AS SUCH, THE DEGREE OF DANGER THAT WORKMEN AND CHAINMEN WORKING IN SURVEY TEAMS ARE EXPOSED TO MERITS THE GRANTING OF SUCH AN ALLOWANCE,” HE SAID.
AS FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ALLOWANCE TO 24 SURVEY OFFICERS AND SENIOR SURVEY OFFICERS (ENGINEERING) IN THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY HAD BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY GRANTED THE ALLOWANCE BECAUSE THEY WERE FREQUENTLY REQUIRED TO TAKE PIEZOMETER READINGS ON POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SLOPES TO MONITOR THEIR STABILITY ON RAINY DAYS.
THIS ALLOWANCE WAS ONLY PAYABLE DURING THE WET SEASON FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER, HE SAID.
"OTHER SURVEY OFFICERS SELDOM HAVE TO CARRY OUT FIELD WORK DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER,” HE ADDED.
-------0----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
DEADLINES FOR HEALTH EDUCATION SPEECH AND SONG CONTESTS * * » ♦ ♦
HEADS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE PUPIL REPRESENTATIVES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1988 INTER-SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION SPEECH AND SONG CONTESTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE URGED SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT THEIR ENTRY FORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE CLOSING DATES OF THE COMPETITIONS ARE DRAWING NEAR.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS FOR THE SPEECH CONTEST MUST BE RETURNED TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AT ROOM 924, NINTH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 393 CANTON ROAD BY SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22).
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE SONG CONTEST MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAME ADDRESS BY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29.
AIMED AT ENHANCING HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, THE CONTESTS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
’’THIS WILL NOT ONLY PRODUCE MEANINGFUL COMPETITIONS, BUT WILL ALSO HELP IMPRESS UPON STUDENTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH,*’ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE THEME CHOSEN FOR BOTH CONTESTS IS "WE NEED TO KEEP HONG KONG BEAUTIFUL".
THE SPEECH CONTEST IS GENERALLY DIVIDED INTO SIX SECTIONS -ENGLISH, PUTONGHUA AND CANTONESE - IN BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
EACH SCHOOL MAY NOMINATE UP TO A TOTAL OF 12 REPRESENTATIVES TO COMPETE IN THE SPEECH CONTEST, BUT WITH NOT MORE THAN TWO IN EACH SECTION, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"SPEECHES WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES EACH IN PRIMARY SECTIONS AND FIVE MINUTES IN SECONDARY SECTIONS. MARKS WOULD BE DEDUCTED FOR OVER-TIMING," HE SAID.
"PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO HOLD THEIR OWN PRELIMINARY CONTESTS TO SELECT STUDENTS WHO ARE BEST QUALIFIED TO COMPETE.
"SEMI-FINALS WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5 AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE IN MONG KOK AND WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED TO ENTER FOR THE FINALS WHICH WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19 AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL".
/TURNING TO........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
TURNING TO THE SONG CONTEST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY SCHOOL AND SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTIONS.
"EACH SCHOOL MAY SEND ONLY ONE CHOIR OF 30 TO 60 STUDENTS, INCLUDING MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT, TO COMPETE IN EACH SECTION," HE EXPLAINED.
"THREE MUSIC SCORES ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH SECTION AND EACH CHOIR CAN CHOOSE ONLY ONE. SCHOOLS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO COMPOSE VERSE FOR THE SCORE SELECTED.
"THE LYRICS MAY BE IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH OR BOTH. COPIES OF THE MUSIC SCORE FOR RESPECTIVE SECTIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH."
THE SONG CONTEST WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 12 AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
A TRANSPORT SUBSIDY OF $300 WILL BE GRANTED TO EACH PARTICIPATING CHOIR IN THE SONG CONTEST.
"BOOK COUPONS, RANGING FROM $1,000 TO $200, AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARED TO ALL WINNING ENTRANTS IN VARIOUS SECTIONS OF BOTH THE SPEECH AND SONG CONTESTS.
"FIRST PRIZE-WINNERS IN THE SPEECH CONTEST AND THE WINNING CHOIRS IN THE SONG CONTEST WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON DECEMBER 10 IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH ON 3-7236234.
-----o-------
ANTI-DRUG RUN-THE-STAIRS RACE TOMORROW
*****
ABOUT 300 PEOPLE WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN ANTI-DRUG RUN-THE-STAIRS RACE IN NORTH POINT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AS PART OF THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK PROGRAMME.
IT IS BEING HELD ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY TO OBSERVE THE TRADITION OF ASCENDING THE HILLS ON THIS OCCASION.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP OF I HE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
/RUNNERS WILL .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
RUNNERS WILL HAVE TO CLIMB THREE STAIRWAYS, COVERING MORE THAN 700 STEPS, IN CLOUD VIEW ROAD.
A MEMBER OF THE ACAN, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT A STARTING-OFF CEREMONY AT 9.15 AM.
THE EVENT, AIMED AT HELPING TO DISSEMINATE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES THROUGH HEALTHY PURSUITS, COMPRISES THREE DIVISIONS — MEN’S, WOMEN’S AND GROUP DIVISIONS.
TROPHIES AND GIFT COUPONS WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS IN EACH DIVISION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.16 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT CHEUNG CHUK SHAN COLLEGE, 11 CLOUD VIEW ROAD, NORTH POINT.
NARCOTICS DIVISION STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
PAK TAI TEMPLE RENOVATION TO START NEXT MONTH * * » « *
THE CHINESE TEMPLES COMMITTEE IS TO SPEND MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION TO GIVE A FACE-LIFT TO THE 205-YEAR-OLD PAK TAI TEMPLE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
THE COMMITTEE'S EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, MR ALBERT WONG, SAID PLANNING FOR A MAJOR RENOVATION OF THE TEMPLE BEGAN IN MID-1987 AND THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE HAD BEEN CONSULTED ABOUT THE SCOPE OF WORK PROPOSED.
THE RENOVATION WORK WOULD START NEXT MONTH AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.
MR WONG NOTED THAT THE RENOVATION PROJECT WAS PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S PROGRAMME TO REFURBISH TEMPLES UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT.
MR WONG SAID THE CHINESE TEMPLES COMMITTEE (CTC) WAS SET UP IN 1928 WHEN THE CHINESE TEMPLES ORDINANCE WAS PASSED INTO LAW.
/THE COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
10 -
THE COMMITTEE TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC TEMPLES WHICH HAD FALLEN INTO PRIVATE HANDS TO PREVENT UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE FROM RELIGIOUS EXPLOITATION. IT ALSO MANAGED TEMPLES WHICH WERE SURRENDERED BY THE PROPRIETORS VOLUNTARILY.
MR WONG SAID THE COMMITTEE NOW MANAGED 40 TEMPLES, OF WHICH 17 WERE DELEGATED TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION.
OF THE REMAINING 23 TEMPLES, 16 WERE DIRECTLY MANAGED BY THE COMMITTEE BY MEANS OF A SELF-ADMINISTRATION SCHEME WHEREBY MONEY DONATED BY PATRONS WAS RECEIVED. KEEPING OF THE OTHER SEVEN TEMPLES WAS DONE BY MEANS OF ANNUAL TENDERS.
MR WONG EXPLAINED THAT AS THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WAS THE EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE BODY.
THERE WERE TWO SUB-COMMITTEES - THE EXECUTIVE AND FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE MAINTENANCE SUB-COMMITTEE.
“THE EXECUTIVE AND FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OVERSEES THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TEMPLES AND TENDERS FOR KEEPERSHIP, ASSESSES THE PERFORMANCE OF KEEPERS AND ARRANGES FOR RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS AND INVESTMENT,” HE SAID.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ADMINISTERED TWO FUNDS. THE CHINESE TEMPLES FUND WAS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF TEMPLE BUILDINGS AND FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF CUSTOMARY CEREMONIES.
THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND WAS MAINLY FOR DONATIONS TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.
EACH YEAR, MORE THAN $1 MILLION WAS PAID OUT FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIBRARY BOOKS, HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE, AND SO ON FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE MAINTENANCE SUB-COMMITTEE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS MAJOR RENOVATION OF TEMPLES.
APART FROM THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE OF $3 MILLION ON REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF TEMPLES UNDER THE COMMITTEE, $150,000 WAS ALSO SET ASIDE FROM WHICH OTHER TEMPLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES COULD OBTAIN FUNDS BY APPLICATION TO THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES) FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES.
MR WONG SAID THE SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD WORK OUT A PRIORITY LIST FOR MAJOR RENOVATION AND WORK TO REFURBISH THE TEMPLES WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN TURN.
/RENOVATION WORKS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18$ 1988
11
RENOVATION WORKS FOR KWUN YUM TEMPLE IN HUNG HOM AND HAU WONG TEMPLES • IN KOWLOON CITY AND TAI O RESPECTIVELY WERE NEARING COMPLETION.
"IN ADDITION TO THE RENOVATION PROJECT FOR PAK TAI TEMPLE ON CHEUNG CHAU, WHICH IS NOW IN THE PIPELINE, OTHER PROJECTS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR TIN HAU TEMPLES IN ABERDEEN AND SHAM SHUI PO," HE SAID.
MR WONG NOTED THAT IN VIEW OF THE HIGH PATRONAGE RATE AT THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE IN SHA TIN, THE COMMITTEE WAS NOW WORKING ON A $20-MILLION PROJECT TO BUILD AN EXTENSION TO IT.
THE PLAN WAS TO BUILD A MAIN HALL WITH TWO LONG CORRIDORS IN FRONT FLANKING A LARGE COMPOUND AND A LANDSCAPED POOL OUTSIDE THE MAIN GATE.
THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDED A MUSEUM, WOULD TAKE MORE THAN ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE, HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE SO FAR HAD RECEIVED MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN DONATIONS FOR THE PROJECT AND WORK WOULD START AS SOON AS FORMALITIES OVER LAND ACQUISITION HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
-----0------
ISLANDS YOUTHS CONTRIBUTE TO DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ♦ ♦ » ♦ *
A GROUP OF YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE REFURBISHING OF A WELFARE CENTRE ON CHEUNG CHAU OVER THE PAST WEEKEND HAVE FOUND IT A MEANINGFUL WAY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
"THE CHEUK HO FAT WELFARE CENTRE AT SAI WAN WHICH SERVES THE RESIDENTS OF THE THREE ROUND TABLE VILLAGES THERE HAS BEEN BUILT FOR OVER A DECADE AND NEEDS REPAINTING," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ARRANGED FOR A GROUP OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS TO LEND A HELPING HAND BY GIVING THE CENTRE A BRUSH UP," HE SAID.
THE ACTIVITY WAS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COORDINATING COMMITTEE (CBCC) OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AS PART OF ITS DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME (DIP).
/ALTHOUGH THIS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
12 -»
ALTHOUGH THIS KIND OF PROJECTS WAS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE COOPERATION OF LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS WAS NECESSARY FOR THE PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR PAST YEARS, THE DIP HAD PLAYED AN UNASSUMING YET IMPORTANT ROLE IN BENEFITING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE ISLANDERS AS WELL AS IMPROVING THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT, HE ADDED.
BEING A SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE CBCC HAS BEEN TASKED WITH COORDINATING AND MONITORING GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE DISTRICT.
THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DIP, THE CBCC AIMS TO PROMOTE THE IDENTITY OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WHICH IS PARTICULARLY ESSENTIAL AS THE ISLANDS POPULATION IS SCATTERED GEOGRAPHICALLY.
OTHER OBJECTIVES OF THE DIP INCLUDE CREATING A SENSE OF BELONGING IN THE DISTRICT, CULTIVATING A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE ISLANDERS AND INVOLVING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
"IN THE CURRENT YEAR, FIVE TYPES OF COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PLANNED WHICH INCLUDE VILLAGE CLEAN-UP, YOUTH CAMP, TREE PLANTING, PAINTING OF RAINSHELTERS AND MURAL PAINTING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"APART FROM THESE ACTIVITIES, THE CBCC HAS ALSO PLANNED HEALTH CARE PROJECTS WHICH CATER FOR THE NEED OF THE ELDERLY AND REMOTE ISLANDERS," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUPPORT FROM LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ALL THESE PLANS TO BE MATERIALISED," HE STRESSED.
-------0 - - - -
/U
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18,
1988
- 13 -
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF HIP WO STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BECOME RESTRICTED ZONES ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21):
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 39 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL ALSO BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS:
» THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TSUN YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 37 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUN YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
--------0 ---------
TEMPORARY TRAM LANE IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST
* * * «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE EASTBOUND TRAM TRACK ON DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 369 AND 375 WILL BECOME A TRAM-ONLY LANE FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
--------G----------
/u
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1988
14
URBAN CLEARWAY IN LOCK ROAD ♦ ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF LOCK ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21).
THE 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LOCK ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HAIPHONG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
0
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN GILMAN STREET * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF GILMAN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
--------0----------
NO-ENTRY TO NAI CHUNG BUS TERMINUS ♦ * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21), NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE NAI CHUNG BUS TERMINUS IN SAI KUNG AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
GOVERNOR TO VISIT CHINA NEXT MONTH ........................ 1
HONG UNG TAKING RIGHT STEPS FOR DYNAMIC FUTURE: GOVERNOR . 1
GOVERNOR VISITS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ....................... 5
GOVERNOR VISITS BRUSSELS .................................. 5
TEN QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA ............................. 6
QUALITY CALL TO MANUFACTURERS ............................. 7
NEW DESIGN BLOCKS TO APPEAR IN EARLY 1990s................. 7
SEMINAR ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE .................. 10
STAIRS CLIMBERS SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES ................. 11
VARIETY SHOW TO FIGHT DRUGS ............................... 12
BUILDING CONTRACTORS REMINDED OF SAFETY REQUIREMENTS....... 1J
REQUESTS FOR FUNDS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................. 14
QUESTIONS ON LRT SYSTEM ................................... 14
ELECTION FOR LAB ON SATURDAY .............................. 1$i
NEW TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE TO OPEN ....................... 16
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH....................... 17
NEW FOOTBRIDGE TO OPEN IN FO TAN .......................... 17
NIGHT CLOSURE OF WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS.................. 18
NO-STOPPING RESTRICTION IN KWUN TONG ...................... 18
/ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988 4
1 GOVERNOR TO VISIT CHINA NEXT MONTH ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT CHINA FROM NOVEMBER 2 TO 7.
HE WILL FIRST VISIT PEKING, WHERE HE WILL MEET SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR ZHOU NAN.
HE WILL THEN VISIT FUZHOU AND XIAMEN IN FUJIAN PROVINCE AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR, MR WANG ZHAOGUO, WITH WHOM HE WILL HAVE A MEETING.
HE WILL ALSO MEET THE FIRST SECRETARY IN FUJIAN PROVINCE.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR RICHARD CLIFT, AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
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HONG KONG TAKING RIGHT STEPS FOR DYNAMIC FUTURE: GOVERNOR ♦ ♦ * t ♦
RIGHT STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO CREATE A FUTURE IN WHICH HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A DYNAMIC, BUSTLING TERRITORY, WITH ITS OWN UNIQUE LIFESTYLE AT THE HUB OF THE EAST ASIAN TRADING WORLD, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN BRUSSELS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES, SIR DAVID INVITED THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES HONG KONG PROVIDED.
"HONG KONG IS NOW ONE OF THE FEW GENUINELY OPEN DOORS IN THE REGION. IT WILL, I BELIEVE, REMAIN OPEN. A DOOR FOR MANY PEOPLE; TRADERS, FINANCIERS, MANUFACTURERS. A DOOR, MOREOVER, THAT LEADS TO MANY PLACES,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID ALTHOUGH HE UNDERSTOOD THE FEELINGS OF THOSE WHO WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, IT ALL BOILED DOWN TO THE SIMPLE QUESTION OF WHETHER ONE COULD BE CONFIDENT THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAD BEEN MADE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT.
"MY OWN CONFIDENCE IS BASED UPON MY BELIEF THAT THE CHINESE UNDERSTAND HONG KONG’S IMPORTANCE AND POTENTIAL.
"IMPORTANCE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, FOR CHINA’S OWN DEVELOPMENT; AND FOR THE WHOLE REGIONAL ECONOMY, IN WHICH CHINA IS BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE PARTICIPANT," SIR DAVID- SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR
I
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, WHICH HAD GROWN 19 TIMES SINCE 1982, WAS WORTH US$26 BILLION IN 1987.
"WE ARE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS," HE SAID.
"CHINA IS NOW RECKONED TO BE THE LARGEST INVESTOR IN HONG KONG IN OVERALL TERMS. FOR ITS PART, HONG KONG HAS INVESTED US$5 BILLION TO $6 BILLION IN CHINA.
"THIS IS 65 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL — FAR MORE THAN THE REST OF ♦THE WORLD — AMERICA, JAPAN, EUROPE -- PUT TOGETHER," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAD BEEN AN INFLUX OF MAINLAND CHINESE COMPANIES INTO HONG KONG. THERE WERE NOW SOME 500.
"THEIR EXECUTIVES ARE GAINING VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN HOW TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE CAPITALIST WORLD.
"WE ARE A CLOSE ECONOMIC PARTNER FOR CHINA; A SOURCE OF CAPITAL, A TRAINING GROUND, AND A WINDOW ON THE CAPITALIST WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THIS ALL SUGGESTS THAT WHEN THE CHINESE SAY THEY WANT HONG KONG TO CONTINUE PROSPERING, THEY MEAN IT.
"BUT HONG KONG IS NOT ONLY GROWING IN IMPORTANCE FOR CHINA. THE OPPORTUNITY THAT HONG KONG PRESENTS IS AVAILABLE TO ALL," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE FUTURE OF HK-EEC ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WELCOMED EUROPE’S MOVE TOWARDS THE CREATION OF AN INTERNAL MARKET.
"WE ARE ANXIOUS TO SEE A REDUCTION IN THE TRADE BARRIERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, BOTH FOR THE HELP THAT THIS WILL GIVE TO OUR TRADERS BUT ALSO FOR THE ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT IT WILL CREATE IN EUROPE.
"WE ARE CONFIDENTLY LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EVEN MORE ECONOMICALLY POWERFUL’ EUROPE WITH WHOM WE CAN COMPETE ON FAIR TERMS."
HONG KONG TRADERS HAD RECENTLY COMMISSIONED THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES TO RUN A CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG ON THIS VERY ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR NOTED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S MAIN CONCERN WAS ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE CONCEPT OF "RECIPROCITY" MIGHT BE USED -OR RATHER ABUSED.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 3 -
"THIS IS NOT BECAUSE WE FEAR THAT HONG KONG ITSELF WOULD LOSE OUT FROM GENUINE RECIPROCITY. FAR FROM IT. WE ARE AFTER ALL AMONG THE MOST LIBERAL PLACES IN THE WORLD AS REGARDS BOTH GOODS AND SERVICES.
"BUT WE ARE MORE CONCERNED THAT THE SEARCH FOR PRECISE RECIPROCITY MAY LEAD TOWARDS AN ATTITUDE OF INTROVERSION; A FEELING THAT EUROPE CAN GO IT ALONE BEHIND THE BARRIERS OF A ’FORTRESS EUROPE’.
"IT COULD ALSO LEAD TO A WEAKENING OF GATT PRINCIPLES, WHICH OF COURSE ARE NOT BASED ON NARROW BILATERAL RECIPROCITY. SUCH DEVELOPMENTS WOULD CLEARLY BE VERY DAMAGING," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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GOVERNOR VISITS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, ROUNDED OFF HIS VISIT TO THE HEART OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BY CALLING ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, LORD PLUMB, IN BRUSSELS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SINCE THE SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1987, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY INFLUENTIAL IN THE PASSAGE OF LAWS FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, SOME OF WHICH CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS.
LORD PLUMB, WHO HAS A DAUGHTER LIVING IN HONG KONG, MAKES PERIODIC VISITS TO THE TERRITORY. HIS LAST WAS IN JULY WHEN HE MET WITH THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR JOHN CHAN, AND THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR GAVE AN ADDRESS ENTITLED "HONG KONG - UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES, UNIQUE SOLUTIONS" TO THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES.
HIS TALK WAS HEARD BY SOME 300 MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, AMBASSADORS, EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OFFICIALS, ACADEMICS, JOURNALISTS AND SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF MAJOR FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CONCERNS IN BELGIUM. ALSO PRESENT WAS THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, MR LIU SHAN, WHO SPOKE TO THE CEPS LAST DECEMBER.
/THE CENTRE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
THE CENTRE WAS FOUNDED IN 1982 TO ENCOURAGE THE STUDY AND DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. IT COVERS ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SECURITY ISSUES AND SPONSORS MEETINGS, PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH. ITS DIRECTOR, MR PETER LUDLOW, VISITED HONG KONG IN AUGUST.
AT A LUNCH BEFORE THE MEETING, MR LUDLOW BRIEFED THE GOVERNOR ON A SEMINAR TO BE ORGANISED BY CEPS NEXT MONTH IN HONG KONG ON THE EXTERNAL IMPLICATIONS OF 1992 AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY’S SINGLE MARKET.
BY MR
FOLLOWING THE MEETING A VOTE OF THANKS WAS DELIVERED
JACQUES GROOTHAERT, FORMER BELGIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA AND PRESIDENT OF THE BELGIUM-HONG KONG SOCIETY. THE SOCIETY WAS FOUNDED IN 1986 TO PROVIDE A MEETING FORUM AND POINT OF LIAISON FOR BELGIAN BUSINESSMEN INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL LINKS WITH HONG KONG.
THE GROWING BELGIAN INTEREST IN HONG KONG IS ALSO EVIDENCED Bit THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BELGIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, WHICH WAS SET UP IN THE TERRITORY IN 1986.
THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY OF HIS VISIT TO BRUSSELS TO SEE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE. HE WAS MET BY THE MINISTER, BRUSSELS, MR STEUART WEBB-JOHNSON, AND WAS INTRODUCED TO THE STAFF, WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING THE GOVERNOR’S CURRENT TOUR OF EUROPE.
WHILE AT THE OFFICE, HE GAVE A SERIES OF PRESS INTERVIEWS TO JOURNALISTS OF BELGIUM’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
SIR DAVID LEAVES BRUSSELS TOMORROW ON THE LAST LEG OF HIS TOUR FOR A TWO-DAY VISIT TO PARIS.
A PRESS RELEASE ON THE GOVERNOR’S TALK TO THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES HAS BEEN ISSUED EARLIER.
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/5........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 5 -
GOVERNOR VISITS BRUSSELS * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S DECISION TO OPEN AN OFFICE IN HONG KONG IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
THIS WAS ONE OF VARIOUS MATTERS RAISED IN BRUSSELS, WHERE THE GOVERNOR BEGAN THE SECOND LEG OF HIS TOUR OF THREE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THIS WEEK.
SIR DAVID SPENT A LARGE PART OF THE AFTERNOON VISITING THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WHERE HE MPT WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND COMMISSIONER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INTERNAL MARKET, LORD COCKFIELD, AND THE COMMISSIONER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND TRADE, MR WILLY DE CLERCQ.
LORD COCKFIELD IS MASTERMINDING THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY’S POLICY TO CREATE A SINGLE MARKET FOR EUROPE WITHOUT FRONTIERS BY 1992. HE VISITED HONG KONG IN 1986 AFTER AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA.
MR DE CLERCQ IS THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY’S CHIEF TRADE NEGOTIATOR, WHO WILL BE MEETING THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AMONG OTHERS, AT THE GATT MID-TERM REVIEW MEETING IN MONTREAL FOR THE URUGUAY ROUND IN DECEMBER. HE VISITED HONG KONG IN APRIL 1987 AND PASSED THROUGH AGAIN EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHEN HE MET WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, AFTER OPENING THE COMMISSION’S NEW OFFICE IN BEIJING.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY VERY CLOSELY, PARTICULARLY THE CREATION OF A SINGLE MARKET WITHOUT FRONTIERS FOR THE COMMUNITY BY 1992. THIS WAS AN ISSUE OF KEEN INTEREST AS THE NEW POLICY WOULD INVOLVE CHANGES TO THE ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF EUROPE WHICH COULD BRING ADVANTAGES FOR OUR EXPORTERS. THE REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO THE FREE FLOW OF GOODS WOULD REDUCE COSTS, PROMOTE COMPETITION AND STIMULATE GROWTH; EUROPEAN INDUSTRY WOULD BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE AND DYNAMIC. BY THIS MEANS THE COMMUNITY WOULD CONTRIBUTE BOTH TO INCREASED GROWTH IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND TO THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE. SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED THAT THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET OF 1992 WOULD BE AS OPEN AS HONG KONG’S.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO CALLED YESTERDAY ON HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF BELGIUM, MR LEO TINDEMANS.
/PRINCE ALBERT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
6 -
PRINCE ALBERT IS THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE BELGIAN OFFICE FOR FOREIGN TRADE. HE TAKES A VERY KEEN INTEREST IN ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND TRADE MATTERS. HE HAS VISITED HONG KONG SEVERAL TIMES, MOST RECENTLY IN MARCH 1986 WHEN HE SUPPORTED A BELGIAN EXPORTERS MISSION LED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN TRADE, MR ETIENNE KNOOPS. THE LATEST TRADE MISSION, AND THE FIRST ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WAS BY THE BELGIAN BUYERS WHO VISITED THE TERRITORY IN MAY THIS YEAR.
BELGIAN COMPANIES IN HONG KONG INCLUDE ONE BANK, TWO REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES, TWO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND AN INSURANCE COMPANY. THE GOVERNOR NOTED WITH SATISFACTION THAT BELGIUM HAD MOVED UP DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR TO BECOME HONG KONG’S 17TH LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. TOTAL TRADE DURING THOSE SIX MONTHS AMOUNTED TO $3.7 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 39 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE BALANCE OF TRADE HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY IN BELGIUM’S FAVOUR. HOWEVER, AS SIR DAVID LEARNED FIRST HAND, BELGIUM WAS AN ATTRACTIVE POTENTIAL MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT FOR HONG KONG GOODS AND, WITH ITS EFFICIENT PORT NETWORK AT ANTWERP, ALSO OFFERED EASY ACCESS TO ONE THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES OR SOME 100 MILLION PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNOR WILL SPEND ANOTHER DAY IN BRUSSELS TODAY WHEN HE WILL HAVE FURTHER MEETINGS AIMED AT PROMOTING TRADING AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
--------o ---------
TEN QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA
* * * t
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 10 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 AND THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
TWENTY-SIX MEMBERS ARE LISTED TO SPEAK IN A MOTION DEBATE ON A PROPOSAL THAT HONG KONG REGISTER ITS INTEREST IN STAGING A WORLD EXPOSITION IN 1997.
THE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.
0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 7 -
i
QUALITY CALL TO MANUFACTURERS
* * * *
HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS CAN ONLY STAY AHEAD OF COMPETITORS BY MOVING UP-MARKET, ACHIEVING HIGHER LEVELS OF QUALITY AND BECOMING MORE PRODUCTIVE AND INNOVATIVE.
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE 1988 HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TRADE FAIR.
MR YEUNG SAID IT WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION IN ITS MAJOR MARKETS, AND SOME MANUFACTURERS HAD MOVED PRODUCTION OUT OF THE TERRITORY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER COSTS ELSEWHERE.
IN CALLING ON MANUFACTURERS TO MOVE UP-MARKET AND TO UPGRADE QUALITY, HE SAID: "TO DO THIS, THEY MUST CONSIDER INVESTING IN MECHANISATION, USING THE MOST APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS AND MACHINERY AVAILABLE.
"MANY HAVE DONE JUST THAT AND MANY MORE ARE SERIOUSLY THINKING OF DOING SO."
THE FAIR PROVIDES MANUFACTURERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE LATEST EXAMPLES OF MACHINE TOOLS, MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS FROM ABOUT 250 COMPANIES FROM 13 COUNTRIES.
MR YEUNG SAID HE HOPED IT WOULD ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO INVEST IN THE KIND OF ADVANCED MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ON DISPLAY WHICH PROVIDED THE MEANS BY WHICH MANUFACTURERS COULD IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF THEIR OUTPUT.
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NEW DESIGN BLOCKS TO APPEAR IN EARLY 1990s *****
HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING WILL ENTER A NEU ERA WHEN THE FIRST OF THE NEW DESIGN BLOCKS APPEARS IN THE EARLY 1990s.
THE NEW BLOCK DESIGN, WHICH WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON IN HIS POLICY SPEECH LAST WEEK, WILL BE CALLED THE "HARMONY" SERIES AND HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS IN THE 1990s.
THE BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALREADY APPROVED THE 1NITAL BATCH OF PROJECTS THAT WILL INCORPORATE THE NEW DESIGNS.
/PREPARATION OF
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1% 1988
- 8 -
PREPARATION OF THE DETAILED DESIGN AND WORKING DRAWINGS FOR THE NEW BLOCKS ARE NOW ACTIVELY IN HAND WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION BRANCH OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THERE ARE THREE BASIC DESIGNS OF THE NEW BLOCKS EACH IN A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION TO SUIT DIFFERENT SITES.
THE NEW DESIGNS WILL FIRST BE USED IN THE PHASE 7 REDEVELOPMENT OF WANG TAU HOM ESTATE.
UNDER THE WANG TAU lloM' PROJECT, A TOTAL OF FOUR HARMONY-3 BLOCKS, INCLUDING TWO 17-STOREY AND TWO 18-STOREY BLOCKS, WILL BE BUILT TO PROVIDE 1 150 FLATS FOR 5 000 PEOPLE.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN SEPTEMBER 1989 AND THE BLOCKS ARE LIKELY TO BE THE FIRST TO APPEAR WHEN COMPLETED AT THE END OF 1991.
,T.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF ARCHITECT IN CHARGE OF THE TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEW BLOCK DESIGNS, MR TIM NUTT, SAID DESIGNING PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING IS AN ON GOING PROCESS.
"IT RESPONDS TO THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF ITS TIME AND RECOGNISES THE ASPIRATION OF THE PEOPLE BEING HOUSED," HE SAID.
THE TRIDENT AND LINEAR STANDARD RENTAL BLOCKS CURRENTLY BEING BUILT AND OCCUPIED WERE DESIGNED EIVE YEARS AGO IN ANSWER THE TO THEN PROJECTED DEMAND BASED ON THE FEEDBACK AND STATISTICS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME, MR NUT$ SAID.' W, H |
"NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 1990s, THE DESIGN PARAMETERS ARE CHANGING," HE ADDED.
“FAMILIES ARE GETTING SMALLER, STANDARDS ARE IMPROVING AND THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE TENANTS ARE UNDERSTANDABLY MORE DEMANDING.
"THE CURRENT STANDARD RENTAL BLOCKS, ALTHOUGH EXCELLENT SOLUTIONS FOR TODAY, DO NOT COMPLETELY ANSWER THE DEMANDS WE NOW KNOW ABOUT FOR TOMORROW,” MR NUTT SAID.
"THE NEW ’HARMONY’ SERIES FOR RENTAL BLOCKS IS THE FIRST STEP IN FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSING IN THE 1990s," HE SAID.
IN INITIATING NEW DESIGNS, THE OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO REVIEW SPACE STANDARDS, IMPROVE SERVICES AND GENERALLY UPGRADE THE DESIGN ENVIRONMENT OF THE BLOCK.
THE NEW "HARMONY" SERIES IS NO EXCEPTION, MR NUTT ADDED.
INSTEAD OF CLASSIFYING THE FLATS AS ONE-PERSON, TWO-PERSON OR THREE-PERSON UN ITS AS IS THE CURRENT PRACTICE, THEY WILL BE CALLED ONE-BEDROOM, TWO-BEDROOM AND THREE-BEDROOM FLATS.
/THE FLOOR........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
9
THE FLOOR AREA FOR A SINGLE-BEDROOM UNIT WILL BE ABOUT 34 SQ METRES, WHILE FOR THE TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM UNITS IT WILL BE 43 AND 50 SQ METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN ADDITION, IMPROVEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE SERVICE AREAS OF THE FLATS. FOR INSTANCE, THE KITCHENS ARE LARGER AND DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE A WASHING MACHINE AND A REFRIGERATOR. THERE IS ALSO A BATHTUB IN ALL FLATS.
OUTSIDE THE FLATS, THE PUBLIC AREAS AND THE CORRIDOR ACCESSES ARE BEING IMPROVED WITH SERVICE PIPES REDUCED TO A MINIMUM.
SECURITY GATE DESIGNS ARE ALSO IMPROVED AND ALTHOUGH NATURAL VENTILATION WILL BE MAINTAINED, PROTECTION AGAINST HEAVY RAINSTORMS WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
"TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTS ADOPTED A NEW DESIGN APPROACH," MR NUTT SAID.
EFFORTS WERE INITIALLY CONCENTRATED ON SOLVING THE COMPLEX PROBLEMS OF THE FLAT LAYOUT, INCLUDING THE SERVICE AREAS OF KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND BALCONY AND THE FAMILY AREAS OF DINING, LIVING AND SLEEPING.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR A ONE-BEDROOM, TWO-BEDROOM AND THREE-BEDROOM FLAT UNITS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND AGREED, MR NUTT SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BY COMBINING THESE STANDARD FLAT MODULES, IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE VARIOUS BUILDING FORMS, WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF DIFFERENT FLAT MIXES.
"THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE BUILDING IS GENERATED BY THE FLAT UNIT AND DEPENDING ON THIS COMBINATION OF FLAT MODULES A VARIETY OF BUILDING FORMS CAN BE USED FOR THE PLANNING OF NEW ESTATES INCLUDING THE DIFFICULT SITES IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREAS," HE SAID.
IN CONSIDERING THESE NEW DESIGNS, MR NUTT SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS EQUALLY CONSCIOUS OF THE CURRENT LABOUR PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
HE SAID HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTS HAVE ALSO CONCENTRATED ON SIMPLIFICATION OF STRUCTURAL DESIGN TO FACILITATE MECHANISED CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS STANDARDISATION OF BASIC BUILDING COMPONENTS.
"THE CONCEPT OF A FLAT MODULE WITH IDENTICAL FLOOR SLAB SPANS AND COMMON WALL FORM, TOGETHER WITH STANDARDISED DOOR AND WINDOW FRAMES, SINE AND COOKING BENCH SUPPORTS, WILL ALLOW CONTRACTORS TO PLAN FOR AND INVEST IN THE NEW TECH1QUES OF MECHANIZED CONSTRUCTION," HE SAID.
/MR NUTT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
10 -
MR NUTT POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS WILL HELP THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN ENSURING THAT ALL TYPES OE HOUSING NEEDS STIPULATED IN THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY ARE SATISFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GIVEN PROGRAMME.
THE NEW DESIGNS WILL ALSO ENABLE AN INTER-CHANGEABILITY BETWEEN RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS AND WILL BE ABLE TO FIT THE REDEVELOPED SITES UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, HE ADDED.
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SEMINAR ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE * * » » »
A SEMINAR ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE ORGANISED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ABOUT 400 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, STUDENT COUNSELLORS AND TEACHERS WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR WHICH IS PART OF THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK PROGRAMME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, DR GERALD CHOA, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE DRAMA THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN WAN CHAI AT 2.30 PM.
AN OPEN FORUM WILL FOLLOW TO OBTAIN VIEWS ON THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ABUSE PROBLEM AMONG YOUNGSTERS, AND THE FUTURE STRATEGIES IN LOCAL PREVENTIVE EDUCATION.
FINDINGS OF THE 1987 SCHOOL SURVEY ON THE ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
A REVISED SET OF EDUCATIONAL COLOUR SLIDES AND COMMENTARY ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE, TOGETHER WITH AN UP-TO-DATE AUDIO-VISUAL CATALOGUE, PRODUCED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, WILL BE INTRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
PANELLISTS AT THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR FREDERICK TONG; THE STATISTICIAN OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, MR SIMON YEUNG; THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR C.N. CHEN; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (NARCOTICS) OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR S.C. LEUNG.
/ALSO TAKING .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
ALSO TAKING PART WILL BE THE INSPECTOR OF REL1GIOUS/EIHICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MS TSUI LAI-KUEN; THE CHIEF STAFF INSPECTOR OF THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU, MR K.M. TANG, THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK UNIT) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MRS MARTINA LAW; THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR OF THE DFVFLOPMENT AND HEALTH SERVICES OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE, DEVELOPMENT^ND^EA^ chairmen and REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT
LIAISON COMMITTEES.
MR TSUI SCHOOLS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE DRAMA THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, WAN CHAI, AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
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STAIRS CLIMBERS SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES
*****
MORNING PARTICIPATED VIEW ROAD TO DRIVE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES.
SOME 300 PEOPLE THIS (WEDNESDAY) ANTI-DRUG RUN-THE-STAIRS RACE IN CLOUD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES THROUGH THE PURSUIT OF
ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP OF AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), THE RACE WAS HELD YEUNG FESTIVAL AND AS PART OF THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK
IN AN HOME
THE ACTION
TO MARK PROGRAMME.
COMMITTEE
THE CHUNG
a mfmrfr OF THF ACAN, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, WHEN OFFICIATING AT A STARTING-OFF CEREMONY PRAISED THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR DEVOTION AND CONTRIBUTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS.
HE APPEALED TO YOUNGSTERS TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS AND STRESSED THAT ALL DRUG ABUSE, WHETHER OF HEROIN OR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, AS DANGEROUS.
- 0----------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
12
VARIETY SHOW TO FIGHT DRUGS * * * » »
A COLOURFUL VARIETY SHOW FEATURING SONGS BY POP STARS AND DISC JOCKEYS, CANTONESE OPERA, DRAMA AND CHOIR WILL MARK THE CLOSING OF THE TWO-WEEK-LONG SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21) EVENING.
THE FUNCTION TO BE HELD AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE SHA TIN TOWN PARK IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE (STDAC), RTHK AND THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION (STAA).
BEGINNING AT 7 PM, THE PROGRAMME WILL CONCENTRATE ON PERFORMANCES BY TROUPES FROM THE STAA INCLUDING THE SHA TIN CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE, DRAMA TROUPE AND YOUTH CHOIR.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT 7.45 PM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA; SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (RADIO) OF BROADCASTING, MR SIMON LUN; STDAC CHAIRMAN, MR LEE KWONG; SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM AND STAA CHAIRMAN, MR WONG LUEN-KIN.
AFTER 8 PM, THE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY CHANNEL ONE OF RTHK, WITH SOME OF THE BEST-KNOWN POP STARS, BANDS AND DISC JOCKEYS SINGING TO PROMOTE THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE.
THE $240,000 FESTIVAL IS FUNDED BY THE ACAN WITH $120,000, $40,000 BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ANOTHER $40,000 BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REST BY PRIVATE SPONSORS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL CLOSING VARIETY SHOW TO BEGIN AT 7 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21) AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE SHA TIN TOWN PARK ADJACENT TO THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
- O----------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 15 -
BUILDING CONTRACTORS REMINDED OF SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STRESSED THAT BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, EIGHT BUILDING CONTRACTORS WERE TAKEN TO COURT FOR BREACHING VARIOUS PROVISIONS UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
FINES TOTALLING $190,000 WERE IMPOSED ON THE OFFENDERS.
SIX OF THE WORKERS INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENTS WERE KILLED AND TWO WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
THE MAJORITY OF THE FATAL CASES RELATED TO FALLS FROM A HEIGHT.
IN ONE CASE, A WORKER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES WHEN THE BOATSWAIN’S CHAIR IN WHICH HE WAS RIDING FELL FROM THE ROOF OF A BUILDING.
IN ANOTHER, A WORKER WAS KILLED WHEN HE FELL WITH A METAL-BAR CAGE INTO A SHAFT OF A BORED-PILE.
THE CONTRACTORS INVOLVED IN THESE TWO CASES WERE FINED $50,000 AND $40,000 RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, NO BOATSWAIN’S CHAIR OR SIMILAR EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE USED UNLESS IT WAS OF GOOD CONSTRUCTION, SOUND MATERIAL, ADEQUATE STRENGTH, AND FREE FROM PATENT DEFECT.
"SUITABLE MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE CHAIR SPINNING OR TIPPING IN A MANNER DANGEROUS TO THE OCCUPANT," HE SAID.
"THE OUTRIGGERS OR OTHER SUPPORTS MUST BE OF ADEQUATE STRENGTH AND PROPERLY INSTALLED, AND SAFETY BELTS SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO PREVENT ANY OCCUPANT FROM FALLING OUT,"
THE REGULATIONS FURTHER SPECIFY THAT FLOOR EDGES, BALCONIES, LIFT SHAFT OPENINGS AND OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES FROM WHICH A PERSON IS LIABLE TO FALL, MUST BE SECURELY FENCED OFF.
AS FOR SCAFFOLDS, THEY SHOULD BE MADE OF STRONG AND SOUND MATERIALS AND FIXED OR SECURED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DISPLACEMENT.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE REGULATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION.
-------O----------
/14........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
14
REQUESTS FOR FUNDS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * » * *
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
AMONG THESE PROJECTS ARE AN EXHIBITION ON CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY, A CIVIC EDUCATION LAUNCH TRIP, A VISIT TO A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY, AND A YOUTH POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL KWAN AND MS NORA YAU, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF THEIR COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
--------0 ---------
QUESTIONS ON LRT SYSTEM * * * *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS TWO QUESTIONS RAISED BY A MEMBER CONCERNING THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM.
THE QUESTIONS SEEK OFFICIAL REPLIES TO HOW THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MONITOR THE LRT SERVICES AND WHETHER THE BOARDING AND ALIGHTING RESTRICTIONS WITHIN THE LRT SERVICE AREA SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.
INCLUDED IN TOMORROW’S AGENDA WILL BE TWO INFORMATION PAPERS RESPECTIVELY ON THE NEW PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING TAXI COMPLAINTS AND THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES.
/MEMBERS WILL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 15 -
MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LINK ROAD FROM MA TIN ROAD TO TAI TONG ROAD AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE LONG PING FOOTBRIDGE BY LINKING AN EXISTING PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE BRIDGE TO AN LRT STOP ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MFETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
-------0---------
ELECTION FOR LAB ON SATURDAY
*****
NINE CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING THE FIVE SEATS REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD IN AN ELECTION TO BE HELD AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22).
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD FOR TWO YEARS STARTING FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THIS YEAR, 259 EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS HAVE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN CALLED ON AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE UNIONS TO ARRIVE AT THE SCHOOL BEFORE 2.30 PM ON ELECTION DAY.
THEY MUST PRODUCE THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS FOR INSPECTION BEFORE ADMISSION TO THE ELECTION HALL.
AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR YIU YAN-NANG, HAS BEEN APPOINTED RETURNING OFFICER.
VOTES WILL BE COUNTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON MATTERS INCLUDING LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
/STARTING FROM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 16 -
STARTING FROM NEXT YEAR, THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD WILL BE CHANGED IN THAT THE NUMBER OF ELECTED EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES AND THAT OF NOMINATED EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE INCREASED FROM FOUR TO FIVE.
AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE MEMBERS APPOINTED ON EACH SIDE WILL BE REDUCED FROM TWO TO ONE.
THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 12 WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION ON SATURDAY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, SAI YEE STREET, MONG KOK, AT 2.30 PM. INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------o----------
NEW TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE TO OPEN * * * * *
THE NEW TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE OPEN TO SERVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE NEW OFFICE, LOCATED AT SHOP NO. GARDEN, 28 TUNG CHAU STREET, WILL CATER FOR THE TAI KOK TSUI AREA.
4, GROUND FLOOR, JUNE THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN
IT ALSO OFFERS A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE THE SERVICE ON 3-933433 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
--------0----------
/17........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 17 -
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH
*****
THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL, IN WHICH RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN TAKE MUCH PRIDE, IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
THE FESTIVAL, BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 5, WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
OVER 40 EVENTS WILL BE FEATURED IN THE FESTIVAL, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FEDERATION OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE 10TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL, MR CHUNG WAI-PING, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LUNCH RECEPTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE 10TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL AND THE LUNCH RECEPTION ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21) IN THE MAXIM’S CHINESE RESTAURANT, LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN ARCADE, TSUEN WAN. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BEGIN AT 12 NOON.
-------0----------
NEW FOOTBRIDGE TO OPEN IN FO TAN *****
A NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TAI PO ROAD, LINKING FO TAN RAILWAY STATION AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, WILL OPEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE 280-METRE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WILL ALSO LINK UP THE FOOTWAY LEADING TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S STAFF QUARTERS AND PENFOLD PARK.
THE FOOTBRIDGE WAS CONSTRUCTED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AT A COST OF $5 MILLION. THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE EACH CONTRIBUTED $1 MILLION TO THE COST.
-------0----------
/18........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1988
- 18 -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS
*****
THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22) TO FACILITATE
CHATHAM
TRAFFIC CLEANING
OF THE UNDERPASS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR HUNG HOM AREA WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE.
THEY MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO TRAVEL ALONG GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAR KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
-------0---------
NO-STOPPING RESTRICTION IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A ROAD SECTION IN KWUN TONG WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22).
THE RESTRICTED ZONE WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD EAST ON LEE ON ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LEE ON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL; 5-8428777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
THREE MAIN FACTORS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION: FS ............. 1
EXPO PROPOSAL 'JILL BE GIVEN FULL, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION 2
COSTS aND SACRIFICES TO DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED................. 7
INTANGIBLE BENEFITS MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED ................. 10
EXPO PROPOSAL WARRANTS MORE THOROUGH STUDY.................. 11
COURAGEOUS IDEAS KEEP HK STABLE AND PROSPEROUS.............. 12
WIDE-RANGING BENEFITS WOULD RESULT ......................... 14
HONG KONG NEEDS EXPO...............’........................ 15
INTENTION SHOULD BE ..REGISTERED............................ 16
EXPO A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE................................... 17
GREaT EVENT REQUIRES COMMUNITY EFFORT ...................... 18
HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD EXPO ............................... 20
CALL TO REGISTER HK INTEREST WITH 3.I.E..................... 21
GOVT SHOULD REGISTER INTENTION ............................. 21
EXPO WOULD PUT STRAINS ON RESOURCES ........................ 22
OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT HK ................................ 25
MAJOR EVENT WOULD ENHANCE CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE.............. 24
TIMING IS NOT APPROPRIATE................................... 25
/DOUBTS ARISE .......
DOUBTS xtRISE ON PROJECT'S VIABILITY ..................... 26
HK aLREaDY WELL KNOWN WORLD-WIDE ......................... 27
HK SHOULD KEEP ITS OPTIONS OPEN .......................... 28
SAR SHOULD STaGE WORLD EXPO .............................. 29
EASIER RESUMPTION OF NEGLECTED PRIVATE STREETS PROPOSED JO BILL TO ENFORCE BUS P/JSSENGER CONDUCT ................... J1
EXTENSION OF SAFETY PROVISIONS TO PRIVATE ROaDS
PROPOSED ............................................... J2
INCREASE IN PERMITTED RENT PROPOSED ...................... JJ
MEASURES TO CURB TAXI MALPRACTICE........................ J4-
FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS TO RESOLVE REFUGEE PROBLEM ......... JJ
PROVISION MADE TO COPE WITH KaI TaK WORKLOAD.............. J6
EFFORTS TO REDUCE RO«D WORKS NOISE ....................... J7
FOUR WORKING GROUPS FORMED ON LRT & JETY ................. J8
HOSTEL FOR HOMELESS TO OPEN IN YaU Ma TEI ................ J9
POLICE AWaRE OF ILLEGaL GAMBLING RUSE ..................
DIFFICULTIES IN D Ra FT ING HIRE-PURCH..SE LEGISLATION ... 41
EXTENSION OF TAVA SCHEME BEING CONSIDERED .................. A J
SAME TREATMENT FOR ALL CLELiREES ......................... Mt
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON EXPO PROPOSAL...................... 45
GOVERNOR VISITS PARIS ....................................... 46
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR MORE INDUSTRIE INVESTMENT FROM FRANCE • U8 UNHCR INVITES HK TO ATTEND MAJOR MEETING .................... JO
21 HILL FIRES IN COUNTRY P/iRKS ............................. JO
SCHOOL SURVEY ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ..BUSE IN 1989........... J1
NORTH DB TO BE BRIEFED ON EXPO QUESTION ..................... J2
EPD OFFICERS TO EXPLalN LANDFILL PROJECT .................... JJ
PASSENGER BAN CW LE.RNER MOTOR CYCLISTS ..................... J^
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS PROTECTION SHOW IN SHA TIN ............... J^
CHEST CHaRITY STaMP ISSUE ON NOVEMBER JO..................... JJ
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SHOW ON PENG CHaU ................ J6
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR YAN CHal CHARITY WALK .... J7 FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON GRADING OF BEACH WaTER GUjlLITY...... J8
TEMPORARY UREiJI CLEARWAYS IN WESTS.W DISTRICT .............. 62
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT ......................... 62
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
1
THREE MAIN FACTORS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION: FS *****
HAVING REGARD TO THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC DISCUSSION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSAL OF HOSTING AN EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997, IT IS ENTIRELY RIGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE THE MATTER FULL AND SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE EXPO PROPOSAL, MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN EXAMINING THE PROPOSAL THREE MAIN FACTORS HAD BEEN UPPERMOST IN THE MIND OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
THE FIRST FACTOR WAS WHETHER HOSTING AN EXPO WAS ESSENTIAL, NOT JUST DESIRABLE, IN THE OVERALL INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
THE OTHER FACTORS WERE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS AND THE EFFECT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS.
"IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT HOW THE ECONOMY WILL PERFORM, VULNERABLE AS WE ARE TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES. A DEGREE OF CAUTION IS THEREFORE ALWAYS NECESSARY," MR JACOBS SAID.
"HONG KONG WILL BE HEAVILY COMMITTED TO A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS AHEAD, IN ADDITION TO THE CURRENT COMMITMENTS TO OUR PROGRAMMES IN HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION AND SO ON.
"IF WE WERE TO ALTER THE TIMING OF VARIOUS PROJECTS TO ACCOMMODATE EXPO, IT IS ALMOST INEVITABLE THAT SOME WITH A HIGH PRIORITY WOULD HAVE TO BE DEFERRED."
MR JACOBS ESTIMATED THAT THE PROJECT WOULD COST ABOUT $7 BILLION, WHICH, HE SAID, WAS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH COULD BE EASILY FITTED INTO HONG KONG’S CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME AS HAD BEEN SUGGESTED.
"IT IS THE EQUIVALENT COST OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, ,THE EASTERN HOSPITAL AND THE SECOND HARBOUR TUNNEL ALL ADDED TOGETHER," HE SAID.
"IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT WE ARE AT PRESENT PLANNING WILL BE OF LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO HONG KONG.
"TO INTERRUPT OUR PLANS WITH A PROJECT THAT IN ITSELF IS OF SHORT-TERM DURATION AND IN RELATION TO WHICH THE BENEFITS ARE UNCERTAIN IS OF DOUBTFUL WISDOM, HOWEVER PRAISEWORTHY THE MOTIVATION.
MR JACOBS SAID AN OVERLOADED ECONOMY COULD WELL RESULT IN A HIGHER INFLATION RATE WITH ALL THE PAIN THAT COULD ENTAIL.
/’•I DO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
"I DO QUESTION WHETHER THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE NEW SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL COME INTO BEING IN 1997 IS LIKELY TO BE ENHANCED BY A BURDEN OF DEBT AND BY AN ECONOMY WHICH HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO UNDUE STRAIN," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON A MEMBER’S SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HALF-HEARTED IN ITS ATTEMPT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE CONCEPT, MR JACOBS SAID "THERE WAS NOTHING HALF-HEARTED ABOUT OUR CONSIDERATION AT ALL."
"WHEN THE SUGGESTION WAS FIRST MADE IT GENERATED A GREAT DEAL OF EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM AND THE STUDY THAT WAS CONDUCTED WAS INDEED WHOLE-HEARTED."
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT VERY SERIOUS AND VERY DETAILED CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE PROPOSAL.
"WE HAVE TO BEAR IN MIND THAT MANY OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UPON WHICH THE STUDIES CARRIED OUT SO FAR HAVE BEEN BASED ARE NOT AT THIS STAGE CAPABLE OF PRECISE TEST," HE SAID.
*
”IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG, FACING AS IT DOES A TRANSITION IN 1997, IT DOES SEEM TO THE ADMINISTRATION THAT A GAMBLE IS NOT WHAT WE WANT.
”1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE STEADY PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF LONG-TERM PROJECTS AND THE TIMELY DEVELOPMENT OF' SERVICES WITHIN OUR MEANS ARE FAR BETTER DESIGNED TO ENGENDER THAT LONG LASTING CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL ENSURE ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN THE YEARS AHEAD.”
- - 0---------
EXPO PROPOSAL WILL BE GIVEN FULL, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION * * * * *
THE
DES
GIVEN
THE PETER
THE PROPOSAL TO REGISTER HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN STAGING WORID EXPOSITION IN 1997 WITH THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE EXPOSITIONS (B1E) BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 20, WOULD BE THE MOST CAREFUL AND FULLEST CONSIDERATION BY THE ADMINISTRATION, 1HE iLCuVc-rDATTVU SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
NOTING THAT THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG'S MOTION ADMINISTRATION TO DO JUST THAT, MR TSAO SAID HE WOULD
CALLED ON SUPPORT IT.
THE
AIR TSAO........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
MR TSAO SAID THE QUESTION WHICH MANY PEOPLE HAD RAISED BOTH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND OUTSIDE WAS WHY NOT REGISTER AN INTEREST NOW WITHOUT COMMITMENT.
"THIS MAY ON THE SURFACE APPEAR TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE COMPROMISE," MR TSAO SAID.
"BUT, THE REAL POINT AT ISSUE IS WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD TO DIVERT RESOURCES, FINANCIAL, HUMAN AND ENGINEERING, AWAY PROJECTS WHICH FORM THE MAJOR PART OF THE PACKAGE DEVISED TO ENSURE HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN THE YEARS TO COME, TO A ONE-OFF GIGANTIC PUBLICITY EXERCISE," HE ADDED.
"NO AMOUNT OF STUDY BY CONSULTANTS WILL GIVE US THE ANSWER. ONLY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE END, CAN PROVIDE IT," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO POINT IN DELAYING A DECISION, THERE WAS EQUALLY NO POINT IN MAKING A CONTINGENCY REGISTRATION WHICH IN ITSELF WAS UNDESIRABLE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF PROPOSED EXPOS REGISTERED WITH THE BIE THAT HAD FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE HAD BEEN DESCRIBED BY EXPERTS IN THIS FIELD AS " FAILURES".
"I DOUBT IF HONG KONG WOULD WISH TO HAVE ITS NAME MENTIONED IN YEARS TO COME, IN THE CONTEXT OF A FAILURE.
"FURTHER, IT WE WERE TO REGISTER, THEN WITHDRAW, THERE WOULD BE ALL SORTS OF THEORIES: THE MOST READY AND POPULAR ONE IS BOUND TO BE THAT WE DID SO UNDER UNSPECIFIED POLITICAL PRESSURE.
"IF THE INTENTION OF HOSTING AN EXPO IS, AS MR CHEONG ASSERTS, TO INJECT CONFIDENCE, THEN TO WITHDRAW OUR BID WITH THE BIE IS BOUND TO HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT," MR TSAO SAID.
"BUT IF WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THERE ARE SOUND PRACTICAL REASONS FOR NOT GOING AHEAD WE SHOULD SAY SO NOW RATHER I HAN ALLOW THE ISSUE TO DRAG ON AND ENCOURAGE FURTHER EXPECTATION TO BE BUILT UP," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THE IDEA OF AN EXPO, WHEN IT WAS FIRST MOOTED, WAS WELCOMED AS A MOST STIMULATING ONE, ADMINISTRATION HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT HAD RESERVATIONS ABOU I PROPOSAL WHICH WERE SPELT OUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP AND TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE PRESS.
"IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR US NOT TO LOOK MOST CAREFULLY INTO THE PRACTICABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT FROM THE DOIN'! OF VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
/"IN PARTICULAR,
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
4
OVERALL SCHEME OF IN ISOLATION. THIS
WIDER VIEW HAS
NOW BEEN TAKEN,'
MR TSAO SAID.
HF SAID THAT THE SUGGESTION OF STAGING AN THE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
EXPO
WOULD REFLECT
THAT
-J AM sure that_no_one ™ ™°^Flevel
ON EXPO SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, HE
ANY DECISION OF CONFIDENCE
SAID.
MR TSAO ALSO POINTED OUT REGULATIONS WERE MORE DEMANDING
THAT AT THIS PARTICULAR THAN PREVIOUSLY.
TIME, THE
BIE
"UP UNTIL NOW THE REGULA PIONS REQUIRED UNTIL Six YEARS BEFORE A PROPOSED
PROVIDED EVENT.
THAT NO BID THESE RULES
POTENTIAL
IN
WAS HAVE
BIDDER into A
ADVANCE AN EVENT.
TO DECIDE
” FOR IN BOTH THE HONG KONG’S
HONG KONG THESE YEARS COVER A PERIOD PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEC I OR AS WE WORK STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
OF INTENSE ACTIVITY TOGETHER IN ENSURING
"IT IS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND^.ALLJTHAT THE YEARS UP TO AND BEYOND 1997,
“IT
----------------- WILL BE HAPPENING IN ’. THAT THIS DECISION MUST BE TAKEN,
MR TSAO SAID.
„„ said -HEN mr SeRETAR.ES.
mo,-
TAKEN SERIOUSLY," HE ADDED.
YEAR, WAS
THE BEEN
I DENT Ib I ED
HE SAID THE WORKING GROUP’S .J^IIlAn ^j^A^COULD BE BAY AS A POSSIBLE S1™ bEGAN^TO LOOK AT THE CONSTRAINTS ^e^Irpo^sIrwSspreservations on the proposal emerged.
JUNK
EXTENDED
POSED BY
MR TSAO OUTLINED THE SEQUENtT. W EVEN I S GROUP.
MR CHEONG’S PROPOSAL 1NCLUDI NG 1N > Sto STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ^X:rG;NA^piNT^N11^7.CA^^-USSWNS held AFTER the CONSULTANTS ISSUED THEIR REPORT.
IIE N0™ THAT
TO THE CONSULTANTS AND II HAI) OH I.RLD PINAL REPORT WAS PREPARED.
EXPRESSED before the
/"WE ALSO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 5
"WE ALSO INVITED THEM TO DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH INDIVIDUAL SECRETARIES, AND I BELIEVE THE QUESTION OF A POSSIBLE SITE WAS DISCUSSED WITH THE STAFF OF LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.
"BUT NO OTHER SECRETARY WAS APPROACHED OR ASKED FOR
INFORMATION AND NO FURTHER MEETING TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE GROUP AND THE CONSULTANTS UNTIL THE FINAL REPORT WAS PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 3, SAID MR TSAO.
"IN THE EVENT, THE FINAL REPORT DID NOT DIFFER, IN SUBSTANCE, FROM THE INTERIM REPORT. THE CONSULTANTS MADE THE STATEMENT THAT ALL PROBLEMS COULD BE SURMOUNTED.
"THEY DID NOT SAY WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE NOR HOW THEY WERE FC BE DEALT WITH," MR TSAO NOTED.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT DURING THE CONSULTANCY PERIOD ADVICE WAS SOUGHT FROM THREE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF EXPOS TO ASCER1AIN THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR HOSTING AN EXPO.
"THEY WERE IN NO SENSE FEASIBILITY STUDIES," MR TSAO SAID.
"THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING THIS ADVICE WAS TO SEE WHETHER HONG KONG COULD MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS," HE ADDED.
HE SAID TWO OF THE EXPERTS CONFIRMED THE NECESSITY OF RELIANCE ON A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF VISITS TO THE EXPO TO MAKE SUCH AN EVENT A SUCCESS.
"INDEED THEY POINTED OUT THAT THE LEVEL OF ATTENDANCE WAS THE STARTING POINT. IT WOULD MAKE, OR BREAK, AN EXPO,' MR TSAO SAID.
"IN HONG KONG’S SPECIAL CASE WE SEE A NEED TO MAKE AN EVEN J SUCH AS THIS NOT ONLY VIABLE BUT ALSO INTERNATIONAL.
"WE SEE AN EXPO AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A VIBRANT, ECONOMICALLY BUOYANT FORCE IN THE WORLD IN 1997 AND BEYOND.
"HOWEVER, DUE TO THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE AIRPORT, WE DO NOT SEE THIS INTERNATIONAL OBJECTIVE BEING MET BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BRING IN FROM OVERSEAS THE NUMBER OF VISITORS THAT WE WOULD WANT.
"THE LIMITATIONS ON THE AIRPORT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY 1HE CONSULTANTS, AS THEY ALSO ACCEPT THAT THERE CANNOT BE A NEW AIRPORI READY FOR SERVICE IN TIME FOR EXPO," MR TSAO EXPLAINED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE PROJECTING VISITS RUNNING UP TO 28 MILLION, THE CONSULTANTS HAD COME UP WITH AN ODD FIGURE OF 200,000 ADDITIONAL OVERSEAS VISITORS.
/•’SINCE WE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
6
"SINCE WE ARE UNLIKELY TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF OVERSEAS VISITORS WHO WOULD COME SPECIFICALLY FOR THE EXPO, IT SEEMS THAT THE CONSULTANTS HAVE RELIED ON LOCAL VISITORS AND THOSE FROM CHINA," MR TSAO SAID.
HE NOTED THAT IN HONG KONG, PEOPLE HAD RELATIVELY LESS LEISURE TIME AND WORK LONGER DAYS THAN PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN COUNTRIES WHERE EXPOS HAD BEEN HELD.
"THE CONSULTANTS HAVE ASSUMED ON THE BASIS OF PREVIOUS EXPOS AN AVERAGE OF 2.5 VISITS PER VISITOR.
"A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF GEOGRAPHY THOUGHT THAT THE NUMBER OF VISITS THAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM LOCAL SOURCES SHOULD BE HALVED. I HAVE SOME SYMPATHY WITH THIS VIEW.
"THE CONSULTANTS FURTHER PROJECTED THAT DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD OF EXPO, THREE MILLION PEOPLE WILE COME FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND 2.7 MILLION OF THEM WOULD EACH VISIT THE EXPO TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES.
"THEY WOULD THEN PROVIDE MORE THAN SIX MILLION VISITORS," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID WHETHER THREE MILLION PEOPLE FROM CHINA WOULD COME TO HONG KONG DURING THE SIX-MONTH EXPO PERIOD WAS DEBATABLE, AND EVEN ASSUMING THAT THEY WOULD COME, IT WOULD MEAN HAVING TO HANDLE 15,000 SUCH VISITORS A DAY.
"RIGHT NOW, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HANDLES AROUND 200 A DAY AND WHEN THE NUMBER REACHES 250, THEIR RESOURCES ARE VERY MUCH STRETCHED.
"I HAVE SOME DIFFICULTY IN MAKING THE QUANTUM LEAP FROM 250 TO 15,000. THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION HAS THE SAME PROBLEM," MR TSAO SAID.
HE SAID WHILE TOURISTS COMING TO HONG KONG WOULD PROBABLY VISIT THE EXPO, IT WOULD BE HARD TO ASSUME THAT BUSINESSMEN TRAVELLING TO THE TERRITORY WOULD DO SO.
"CERTAINLY WE ARE GUESSING AT NUMBERS, BOTH THE CONSULTANTS AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
"ONE MIGHT SAY THAT YOUR GUESS IS AS BAD AS MINE," MR TSAO SAID.
"HOWEVER, AS POLICY SECRETARIES, WE HAVE A CLEAR RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO GAMBLE IN OUR PLANS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE," HE SAID.
/"AN EXPO, ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
"AN EXPO, THE CONSULTANTS SAID, MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OE AROUND 28 MILLION VISITS TO MAKE IT VIABLE.
"MEETING THIS TARGET IS CRUCIAL BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OE FINANCIAL VIABILITY; IT IS ALSO A QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS WOULD FIND THE EXPO ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH TO COME AND MOUNT AN EXHIBITION," MR TSAO SAID.
HE SAID WHILE HE AGREED THAT THE DESIRED ATTENDANCE LEVEL MUST BE ATTAINED, HE WAS YET TO BE CONVINCED THAT THE CONSULTANTS OPTIMISM WAS NOT MISPLACED.
"THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCLUSION TO BE DRAWN FROM THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT IS THAT FAILURE TO ATTRACT THE LARGE NUMBER OF VISITS FORECAST BY THEM WILL MEAN FAILURE OF THE EXPO," HE ADDED.
-----0------
COSTS AND SACRIFICES TO DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED * » « » «
THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EXPO 1997 IN ANY OF THE THREE SITES SUGGESTED WOULD INVOLVE COSTS AND SACRIFICES WELL BEYOND THOSE PROPOSED IN THE CONSULTANTS' REPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) .
IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION ON CONSIDERING AN EXPO IN 1997, MR BARNES SAID ALL THE SUGGESTED SITES WERE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECLAMATION PLANS IN THE 1990'S WHICH FORMED PART OF ITS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
"BUT IN EACH CASE, THE USE OF THE LAND FOR AN EXPO WOULD ENTAIL A MAJOR RESTRUCTURING OF THE PRESENTLY ENVISAGED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AT CONSIDERABLE COST TO THE COMMUNITY, AS THE PRESENT SCHEDULE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICED LAND NEEDED IN ANY OF THE RECLAMATIONS IN TIME," HE SAID.
THE THREE SITES SUGGESTED WERE THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION; THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION; AND THE JUNK BAY PHASE TWO RECLAMATION.
"IN ( ENTRAL, THE MAIN STRATEGIC NEEDS FOR THE Till CONSTRICTION OF A NEW EAST-WEST TRUNK ROAD LINK THROUGH THE RECLAMATION, AND THE PROVISION OF SITES OFFICES.
RECLAMATION ARE
OVER, UNDER OR IN CENTRAL FOR
/"MOST OF
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 8 -
’’MOST OF THESE OFFICE SITES ARE PRESENTLY PLANNED ON THE PART OF THE RECLAMATION SUGGESTED FOR USE FOR THE EXPO AND WE PLAN TO BE SELLING SOME OF THEM WITHIN THE NEXT EIGHT TO 10 YEARS," MR BARNES SAID.
"EXPO WOULD DELAY THE AVAILABILITY OF SITES FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND DURING THIS PERIOD, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE AREA FOR THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT LAND BE PROVIDED FOR THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WOULD PROVIDE LAND FOR TWO MAJOR ROAD LINKS -- THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND ITS CONNECTIONS INTO THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK; AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND ITS LINK TO KOWLOON AND THE EXPRESSWAY, MR BARNES SAID.
THE PROJECT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE LAND TO MAKE UP THE GLARING DEFICIENCIES IN FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE IN WEST AND NORTH-WEST KOWLOON AS WELL AS FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, HE ADDED.
"A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME WILL BE IN PROGRESS BY THE MID-90*S WHICH WOULD BE, I THINK, INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE HOLDING OF THE EXPOSITION IN THIS AREA," MR BARNES SAID.
THE PROPOSED AREA FOR THE EXPO AT JUNK BAY WOULD BE ON PART OF THE FUTURE PHASE TWO RECLAMATION, PART OF WHICH HAD BEEN DESIGNATED FOR THE TOWN CENTRE, HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT IN PROVIDING A SERVICED SITE FOR THE EXPO, THE WHOLE FORMATION AND SERVICING OF THE RECLAMATION WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD BY TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
IT WOULD ALSO INVOLVE BRINGING FORWARD THE CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPATION PROGRAMME FOR TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES PLANNED ON THE RECLAMATION AND PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN 1991 AND 1998, HE SAID.
THIS MEANT THE ESTATES WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETED FOR OCCUPATION IN EARLY 1996, HE ADDED.
"THE NEED FOR THE EARLY CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPATION IS THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, WITHOUT WHICH EXPO WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE, NEEDS A BASE RESIDENTIAL POPULATION OF 200,000 BEFORE OPENING, AND THESE ESTATES ARE ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVE THIS," MR BARNES SAID.
"THE MTR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME, WHICH ON THE BASIS OF A 200,000 POPULATION THRESHOLD IS NOW BEING PLANNED FOR COMPLETION BY ABOUT THE YEAR 2000, WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD," HE ADDED.
/ANOTHER INVOLVEMENT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
ANOTHER INVOLVEMENT WOULD BE THE DELAY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TOWN CENTRE AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES, HE NOTED.
MR BARNES SAID THE THEORETICAL COST OF THE EXERCISE, EXCLUDING MTRC AND EXPO CONSTRUCTION COSTS, COULD BE TAKEN AS THE COST OF COMPRESSING A NINE-YEAR LAND-FORMATION AND SERVICING PROGRAMME, NOW ESTIMATED AT $1.5 BILLION INTO SEVEN YEARS.
IT WOULD ALSO INVOLVE COMPRESSING THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, ESTIMATED FOR ABOUT $1.4 BILLION TO BE SPENT BETWEEN 1991 AND 199b, WHICH NOW AVERAGED AT ABOUT $200 MILLION PER ANNUM.
"TO COMPLETE IT IN FIVE YEARS WOULD RAISE THE THEORETICAL ANNUAL AVERAGE EXPENDITURE TO $280 MILLION," MR BARNES SAID.
"BUT THIS IS JUST FOR BASICS AND THIS IS THEORY; AND I WILL EMPHASISE THAT HASTE TOO WOULD HAVE ITS OWN PRICE," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THE COMPRESSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMME AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXPO TO FOLLOW WOULD RESULT IN A CRASH PROGRAMME, IMPOSED AT A TIME WHEN IT SEEMED INEVITABLE THAT MOST OF THE MAIN INFRASTRUCTURAL PROGRAMMES WOULD ALSO BE SEEN AS "CRASH" PROGRAMMES.
THESE WOULD INCLUDE THE NEW AIRPORT; MAJOR NEW PORT FACILITIES; TRUNK ROADS, BRIDGES AND TUNNELS NECESSARY TO SERVE AIRPORT AND THE NEW PORT FACILITIES; THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF NEW TOWNS; MAJOR RECLAMATION AROUND THE HARBOUR; A MAJOR ROAD FROM THE BORDER TO WEST KOWLOON; AND SUBSTANTIAL WORKS FOR SEWAGE AND FLOOD PROTECTION AS PART OJ THE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
MR BARNES SAID THESE MAJOR PROJECTS, WHICH WOULD BE UNDERWAY IN THE 90’S, WOULD NOT BE THE ONLY ONES AFFECTED.
HE SAID THESE "CRASH" PROGRAMMES COULD RESULT IN COMPETITION FOR LIMITED FINANCIAL AND CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES, WHICH COULD BECOME SCARCE \ND MORE EXPENSIVE.
--------0----------
/10........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
10 -
INTANGIBLE BENEFITS MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED
*****
THE "INTANGIBLE” AND "UNQUANTIFIABLE" BENEFITS THAT AN EXPO COULD BRING TO HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED WHEN THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT HONG KONG SHOULD REGISTER ITS INTEREST IS BEING CONSIDERED.
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG EMPHASISED THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) IN HIS CLOSING SPEECH IN THE DEBATE ON HIS MOTION THAT HONG KONG REGISTER WITH THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE DES EXPOSITIONS ITS INTEREST IN HOLDING AN EXPOSITION IN 1997.
MR CHEONG’S MOTION WAS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE FULL AND SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE PROPOSAL TO REGISTER HONG KONG’S INTEREST IN STAGING THE WORLD EXPOSITION IN 1997 WITH THE BIE BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 20, 1988”.
MR CHEONG STRESSED THAT MORE ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG THAN SUCH PROJECTS AS A NEW AIRPORT, NEW PORT FACILITIES, NEW ROADS, NEW BRIDGES AND NEW RECLAMATIONS, WERE A ”HIGH-SP1RITED PEOPLE".
THEY WOULD BE A DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO WERE FULLY COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY, A COMMITMENT THAT GREW • OUT OF UNREMITTING CONFIDENCE IN THEIR FUTURE HERE, A COMMITMENT THAT GREW OUT 01- THEIR PRIDE IN BEING A MEMBER OF "THIS LAND OF MAGIC".
HE ASKED: "WHAT BETTER WAY CAN WE FOSTER THIS CONFIDENCE THAN HOLDING AN EXPO IN 1997 WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS RIGHTLY POINTED OUT WOULD FOCUS WORLD ATTENTION ON HONG KONG AT A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN ITS HISTORY; LET HONG KONG PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE THEIR HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY THROUGH ITS ABILITY TO STAGE A WORLD EVENT ON ITS OWN; TO PROJECT HONG KONG AS A DYNAMIC AND PROSPEROUS AND EFFICIENT CITY, AND TO FOSTER TRADE AND CULTURAL LINKS?”
THESE WERE THE VERY QUALITIES THAT MADE HONG KONG WHAT IT WAS TODAY, AND THEY WERE WHAT HONG KONG NEEDED AS IT MARCHED TOWARDS THE FUTURE.
THESE QUALITIES DID NOT JUST COME AND GO, NOR SHOULD THEY BE DISMISSED LIGHTLY AS "MOMENTARY PLEASURES,” HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG WAS CONFIDENT THAT NO PROBLEM WAS INSURMOUNTABLE IN HONG KONG BECAUSE ITS PEOPLE HAD THE SPIRIT TO MAKE THINGS WORK, A KEEN EYE FOR OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE GOOD SENSE AND INITIATIVE TO TAKE THEM AS THEY CAME ALONG.
"SHYING AWAY FROM THE PROSPECT OF HARD WORK AND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IS NOT IN HONG KONG’S TRADITION," HE SAID.
/MR CHEONG
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
-11
MR CHEONG SAID THAT IF A FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY PROVED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR HONG KONG TO HOLD AN EXPO, AS IT HAD BEEN SHOWN IN THE PRE-FEAS1BILITY STUDY, THE QUESTION WOULD THEN BE WHY SHOULD HONG KONG GIVE UP THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY BY NOT REGISTERING ITS INTENTION.
”WHAT HAVE WE GOT TO LOSE BY REGISTERING OUR INTENTION NOW? ON THE CONTRARY, WHAT WILL WE LOSE IF WE LET THE OPPORTUNITY COME AND GO WITHOUT EVEN MOVING A FINGER?” HE ASKED.
-----0------
EXPO PROPOSAL WARRANTS MORE THOROUGH STUDY ♦ * * » *
A MORE
OFF IN
POON
THE EXPO 1997 PROPOSAL WARRANTS MUCH MORE THOUGHT AND THOROUGH FEASIBILITY STUDY BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT BRUSHES IT THE NAME OF "PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS", PROF THE HON CHUNG-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE STAGING AN EXPO HERE IN AND LOCAL CONFIDENCE IN
EXPO MOTION DEBATE, PROF POON SAID THAT 1997 WOULD NO DOUBT STIMULATE INTERNATIONAL THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND ATTRACT FOREIGN
INVESTMENT AND FACILITATE TRADE.
INTEREST
POSSIBLE
IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION THAT HONG KONG REGISTER ITS IN STAGING AN EXPO IN 1997, PROF POON ELABORATED ON THE BENEFITS AN EXPO COULD OFFER THE COMMUNITY IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
HE SAID THE LONG HISTORY OF EXPOS ALL OVER THE WORLD HAD SHOWN THAT THESE EVENTS PROVIDED USEFUL OCCASIONS AT WHICH HIGH TECHNOLOGY COULD MANIFEST ITSELF FOR THE PURPOSE OF "THE EDUCATION OF THE
PUBLIC".
"THE 1876 EXPO IN PHILADELPHIA INTRODUCED TO THE INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE BELL’S TELEPHONE, EDISON’S TELEGRAPH, THE SEWING MACHINE AND THE TYPEWRITER," HE SAID, r
"THE 1931 CHICAGO EXPO TOLD PEOPLE ALL ABOUT AIR-CONDITIONING AND THE 1939 EXPO IN SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK EXHIBITED EVERYTHING FROM ATOMIC ENERGY TO NYLON STOCKINGS."
HE SAID THAT THROUGH CO-OPERATION AND EXCHANGE, EXPOS COULD ALSO STIMULATE DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY CONCEPTS AND TRANSLATE THEM INTO USEFUL FACILITIES FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
/"FOR EXAMPLE,
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
12
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BULLET TRAIN SYSTEM FOR THE 1970 OSAKA EXPO, REGARDED AS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AT THE TIME, HAS BEEN DEVELOPED INTO ONE OF THE MAJOR AND MOST POPULAR COMMUTING SYSTEMS IN JAPAN," HE SAID.
PROF POON SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD SOON BE IN A POSITION TO HOST ANNUAL TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL IDEAS.
IF THE EXPO 1997 PROPOSAL WAS ACCEPTED, IT COULD FORM A FOCAL POINT IN NINE YEARS' TIME OF ALL THE USEFUL IDEAS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THAT THE WORLD HAD BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROSPECT OF AN EXPO IN 1997 COULD EVEN PROVIDE IMPETUS FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG SCIENTISTS TO WORK HARDER AND DEVELOP IDEAS FOR A COMMON GOAL.
PROF POON DISAGREED WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSUMPTION THAT THE EXPO 1997 PROPOSAL COULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE ON THE PREMISE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD SHOULDER ALL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
HE SAID THAT EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT WHERE A WORTHWHILE PUBLIC PROJECT EXISTED, THE ENERGETIC AND FAR-SIGHTED PRIVATE SECTOR IN HONG KONG HAD NEVER FAILED TO ANSWER THE CALL.
"I THEREFORE URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER INVITING PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN THE EXPO 1997 PROPOSAL IN THE FORM OF JOINT VENTURE OR CONSORTIUM SO AS TO LIGHTEN ITS FINANCIAL BURDEN," HE ADDED.
-------0----------
COURAGEOUS IDEAS KEEP HK STABLE AND PROSPEROUS * * * * *
ROLE IN
KIND OF
DEVELOPING
SAID IN
THE IDEA OF HOSTING AN EXPOSITION IN 1997, TO PLAY A MARKING THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF SOVEREIGNTY, WAS THE CREATIVITY WHICH HONG KONG NEEDED TO STIMULATE ITSELF IN PLANS FOR THE YEARS SURROUNDING 1997, THE HON MARTIN BARROW THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR BARROW SAID THE IDEA HAD CAUGHT SECTORS, INCLUDING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY BRING INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE TO HONG KONG,
THE IMAGINATION OF MOST AND IF SUCCESSFUL, WOULD AND TO CHINA.
/"IT WOULD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 15 -
"IT WOULD STIMULATE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG BOTH IN 1997 ITSELF AND THEREAFTER," HE SAID.
MR BARROW EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD RAISED A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL ISSUES, IN PARTICULAR THE QUESTIONS OF FINANCIAL VIABILITY, RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND THE AVAILABILITY OF A SUITABLE SITE.
BUT HE ADDED THAT HE DID ACCEPT THAT MANY OF THE POINTS MADE BY GOVERNMENT WERE REASONABLE.
"NOW THAT THE PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY HAS BEEN ANALYSED, THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND PARTICULARLY THE AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR SEVEN MILLION VISITS FROM MAINLAND VISITORS MUST BE QUESTIONED.
"IT MUST ALSO BE SAID THAT THE TOURISM INDUSTRY’S DIRECT BENEFIT FROM EXPO WOULD BE QUITE LIMITED ALTHOUGH OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD PROVIDE AN OVERALL STIMULUS," HE SAID.
THE KEY CONSTRAINT, MR BARROW CONTINUED, WAS KAI TAK AIRPORT WHICH WOULD BE AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY WELL BEFORE 1997.
"INDEED, IT IS THAT THERE COULD BE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY IF OUR ALL IMPORTANT BUSINESS VISITORS ARE AFFECTED BY CROWDS OF EXPO VISITORS WHO WOULD BE CLOGGING UP NOT ONLY OUR AIRPORT BUT OUR TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER FACILITIES.
"WHILST THE EXPO CONCEPT IS AN INSPIRATION TO THE COMMUNITY, WE MUST LOOK AT THE FACTS AND WE MUST BE PRACTICAL.
"I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD USE THE PROPOSAL AS A CATALYST TO STIMULATE US ALL INTO GENERATING IDEAS FOR EVENTS WHICH COULD TAKE PLACE BOTH DURING AND AFTER 1997," MR BARROW SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT TOO EARLY TO START FOCUSSING ON EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE AFTER 1997 AS THIS WOULD GIVE HONG KONG A GOAL AND AN AIM.
"I SEE NO REASON WHY WE SHOULD NOT CARRY ON WITH THE IDEA OF HOSTING AN EXPO WITH THE TIMING TO BE IN THE YEAR 2000 OR 2001 WHEN THE NEW AIRPORT WILL HAVE BEEN OPENED.
"ITS SUCCESS WOULD PLAY A MAJOR SUPPORTING ROLE IN FIRMLY ESTABLISHING LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," HE SAID.
MR BARROW RECOMMENDED THAT THIS SHOULD BE RAISED WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE - A COMMITMENT IN THE EARLY 1990’S TO HOLD AN EVENT IN, SAY, 2001 (WHEN KAI TAK WOULD BE AN OBVIOUS POSSIBLE LOCATION) COULD STIMULATE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE TRANSITION PERIOD, ENSURE ONGOING DEVELOPMENI AND GOT THE SAR OFF TO A GOOD START IN THE INTERNATIONAL AREA.
/•’IF THE..........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
14
"IF THE IDEAS OF BUILDING A MAJOR STADIUM IN HONG KONG COME TO FRUITION, AN ALTERNATIVE EVENT WHICH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED FOR THE YEAR 2002 WOULD BE TO HOST THE ASIAN GAMES,” HE ADDED.
"HONG KONG MUST REMAIN AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH ALWAYS ENCOURAGES VISION, CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION. IT IS THROUGH COURAGEOUS IDEAS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS GREAT CITY STABLE AND PROSPEROUS AND THE CATALYST OF THIS IDEA MUST BE A STIMULUS TO US ALL.
"HOWEVER, AS FAR AS EXPO IN 1997 IS CONCERNED I FEEL THAT WE MUST BOW TO REALISM AND IT IS WITH CONSIDERABLE RELUCTANCE THAT I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THE MOTION," MR BARROW SAID.
-------o ---------
WIDE-RANGING BENEFITS WOULD RESULT * * * »
ONLY BE A CHALLENGE TO THE HONG KONG BE AN EVENT OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, THE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
EXPO 97 WILL NOT GOVERNMENT BUT WILL ALSO HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SAID
MR CHEUNG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REGISTER ITS !NTENT OF HOSTING AN EXPO IN 1997, WITH THE BIE, BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH AN IN-DEPTH FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROPOSAL.
HE SAID THAT IN STAGING AN EXPO IN 1997, HONG KONG COULD RANK ITSELF AMONG OTHER LEADING CITIES OF THE WORLD AND COULD FURTHER CONSOLIDATE ITS INTERNATIONAL STATUS.
"A WORLD EXPO IS AN EVENT IN WHICH DIFFERENT FORMS OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY, MODERN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, AND NEW DISCOVERIES IN TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE ARE DISPLAYED," HE SAID.
"THE EVENT WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT THE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES BUT ALSO THE HOST THROUGH EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS IN A FAVOURABLE POSITION Tc HOST AN EXPO.
ALSO, THE EVENT WOULD ADD IMPETUS TO THE TOURIST, AND
CATERING INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS RESULT IN A BOOM IN THE SERVICE , BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS.
THE HOSTING OF AN EXPO WOULD BE SYMBOLIC OF THE MODERNISATION, PROSPERITY AND PEACE THAT WAS PREVALENT IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
/IT WOULD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
IT WOULD ALSO TELL THE WORLD THAT HONG KONG WAS HEADING FOR A NEW BEGINNING UNDER THE CONCEPT OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS".
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED THAT HOSTING AN EXPO MIGHT THRUST AN UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT, IT SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT WITH DETERMINATION, IT WOULD BE ABLE TO CO-ORDINATE THE PREPARATORY WORK WITH OTHER PROJECTS.
AN EXPO WOULD NOT NECESSARILY HAMPER LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
-------0----------
HONG KONG NEEDS AN EXPO * * * * *
HONG KONG NEEDS AN EXPO AND NEEDS IT IN 1997 MORE THAN ANY OTHER POINT IN OUR HISTORY, THE HON SELINA CHOW TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MRS CHOW SAID HONG KONG NEEDED AN EXPO FOR THE SIX MONTHS OF ACTIVITIES, AND NEEDED IT MORE FOR WHAT THE NINE YEARS OF LEAD-UP WOULD DO FOR ITS PEOPLE.
EXPO 97 WOULD LEAVE AN INDELIBLE MARK STANDARD ON THE WORLD, FOR YEARS TO COME.
OF ACHIEVEMENT AND
IT WOULD ALSO BE A GOOD WAY TO REPLACE THE MOOD OF "DOOM AND GLOOM" WITH THE POSITIVE ENTERPRISE 01' CREATING, BUILDING AND MORE IMPORTANT, AN ACT OF COMMITMENT THROUGH A PROJECT THAT HAD THE ESTABLISHED RECOGNITION BY THE WORLD, SHE SAID.
"AT THIS TIME IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG,
SENSE OF PURPOSE, A VISION TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO
WE NEED SOMETHING
A CLEAR POSITIVE
KONG
INTHe"fUTURe', a’ CONCRETE FOCUS TO WHICH ALL OF HONG RELATE, A GOAL FROM WHICH WE CAN EMERGE PROUD AND SAY WE ACHIEVED
_ _ it
CAN IT
TOGETHER FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.
MRS CHOW SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE NOTHING TO STUDY THE PROS AND CONS OF THE EXPO CONCEPT.
"IT DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH ITS CASE AGAINSI 11 AND EVEN THAT IT DID NOT DO VERY WELL," SHE SAID.
/NOTING THAT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 16 -
NOTING THAT A LIST OF LIKELY PROJECTS HAD BEEN PUT FORWARD BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BACK ITS RESERVATIONS, MRS CHOW SAID NO FIRM DECISION HAD BEEN MADE ON A NUMBER OF THESE PROJECTS, ALTHOUGH SOME OF THEM WERE LONG OVERDUE.
SHE SAID THAT THE ESTIMATE FOR DIRECT WORKS FOR EXPO, WHICH AMOUNTED TO $2 BILLION, WAS MINIMAL WHEN COMPARED TO THE $37 BILLION PUBLIC SPENDING OF 1988.
THE ESTIMATE WAS NEGLIGIBLE COMPARED TO THE LIST OF LIKELY PROJECTS WHICH WERE ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $200 BILLION, SHE ADDED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT, IN THE ABSENCE OF RESEARCH DATA AND FIGURES, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSESSMENT THAT THE PROJECT COULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE.
SHE SAID THAT, GIVEN A MORE INGENIOUS AND ENTHUSIASTIC ATTITUDE ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO WORK IT OUT, NONE OF THE ESSENTIALS NEED TO BE DISPLACED OR SACRIFICED.
"WE HAVE NINE YEARS TO PLAN, RESCHEDULE AND PROCEED. WE HAVE TREMENDOUS FLEXIBILITY AND PRAGMATISM. TO SAY WE CANNOT DO IS, AND MUST BE TAKEN AS, AN EXCUSE," MRS CHOW SAID.
-------0 ---------
INTENTION SHOULD BE REGISTERED
*****
THE HON MARTIN LEE TODAY (THURSDAY) STRONGLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REQUEST THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO REGISTER ITS INTENTION OF HOSTING AN EXPOSITION IN HONG KONG IN 1997.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE EXPO MOTION DEBATE, MR LEE SAID THAT TO SAY NO TO THE EXPO IDEA WAS IRRESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE THE REASONS SO FAR GIVEN WERE INCONCLUSIVE.
"IF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WERE TO DECIDE NOT TO REGISTER THE INTENTION TO HOST EXPO IN 1997 IN HONG KONG, IT WOULD MOS I CERTAINLY LEAVE A LURKING DOUBT IN THE MINDS OF ALL OF US YEARS FROM NOW AS TO WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE DECISION HAD GONE THE OTHER WAY?"
HE ADDED THAT IF, FOR WHATEVER REASON, OR LACK OF IT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WERE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER AN INTENTION TO HOS! AN EXPO IN 1997, IT WAS STILL NOT THE END OF THE MATTER.
/HE SUGGESTED
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 17 -
HE SUGGESTED THAT HOSTING AN EXPO IN THE YEAR 2000 AND EVEN 2001 IN SOME WAYS COULD BE MORE DESIRABLE THAN HOSTING IT IN 1997.
THE ADVANTAGES INCLUDED THAT THE EYES OF THE WORLD WOULD BE ON HONG KONG FOR A FEW MORE YEARS AFTER 1997 SO THAT THERE WOULD BE EVEN MORE INCENTIVE FOR CHINA TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POLICY OF ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS WOULD BE SEEN BY THE WORLD TO BE WORKING EFFECTIVELY IN HONG KONG DURING THE EARLY YEARS AFTER 1997.
THE NEW AIRPORT OUGHT TO BE IN FULL OPERATION BY THEN, AND WOULD THUS BE ABLE TO BRING TO HONG KONG MANY MORE OVERSEAS VISITORS.
THIS WOULD MEAN LESS DISRUPTION TO OVERSEAS BUSINESSMEN IN COMING TO HONG KONG TO DO BUSINESS.
WITH MORE OVERSEAS VISITORS, IT WOULD MAKE THE PROJECT FINANCIALLY MUCH MORE VIABLE SO THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT HAVE TO RELY ON THE FIGURE OF THREE MILLION VISITORS FROM CHINA AS ESTIMATED BY THE CONSULTANCY STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.
FURTHERMORE, HOLDING AN EXPO IN THE YEAR 2000 OR 2001 WOULD GIVE HONG KONG MORE TIME TO PREPARE FOR IT, WOULD ENABLE MORE HOTELS TO BE BUILT, AND WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PROJECT TO FIT INTO HONG KONG’S NUMEROUS OTHER PROGRAMMES, MR LEE SAID.
"FOR THESE REASONS, I URGE THE ADMINISTRATION NOT TO DISMISS THE IDEA OF HOSTING AN EXPO IN 1997 OUT OF HAND WITHOUT ALSO LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF HOSTING IT IN THE YEAR 2000 OR 2001," HE CONCLUDED.
------o ------
EXPO A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE » » » » »
THE PROPOSAL TO STAGE AN EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997 WAS AN IMAGINATIVE, AMBITIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT IDEA.
AN EXPO WOULD BE A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE AND RESOURCEFULNESS TO THE WORLD AT A TIME OF HISTORICAL CHANGE IN HONG KONG AND WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS STRENGTHENING THE TERRITORY’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE HON HO SAI-CHU SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPO 1997 PROPOSAL.
/MR HO.........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 18 -
MR HO SAID THAT AS THE PROJECT WOULD BE GIANT-SIZED INVOLVING MANY ASPECTS, ANY STUDY ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SITE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THERE AS WELL AS THE IMPACT THE FAIR WOULD HAVE ON THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY HAD MERELY PROVIDED PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, AND THAT THE FINDINGS REQUIRED FURTHER EXAMINATION AND DISCUSSION.
MR HO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO REGISTER AN INTEREST IN STAGING AN EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997, BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH A FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY TO ARRIVE AT AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSAL.
HE SAID THAT THE FINAL DECISION, BE IT FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, WAS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE LESSON THAT MIGHT BE LEARNT FROM PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF CONSULTATION IN THE PROCESS.
"IT WILL HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS IN BRINGING ABOUT GREATER CONCERN FOR THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG, WHICH WILL BE OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
-----0----------
GREAT EVENT REQUIRES COMMUNITY EFFORT
*****
A WORLD EXPOSITION SIGNIFIES A STRONG COMMITMENT OF A COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER, FOR IT IS AN EVENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE DEDICATED EFFORTS BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HO SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF HOLDING AN EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997.
HE SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HAVING AN EXPO WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY A CORPORATION FUNDED AND MANAGED BY MAINLY PRIVATE BUSINESS RESOURCES.
HE SAID A WORLD EXPO WAS A GREAT EVENT. IT WAS A GATHERING OF NATIONS, PEOPLES AND CULTURES. GREAT MONUMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING, GREAT INVENTIONS AND IDEAS WERE UNVEILED TO THE PUBLIC IN WORLD EXPOSITIONS.
"IT IS NOT, AS ONE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SAID, A CARNIVAL TYPE OF EXHIBITION," MR HO SAID.
/HE ADDED
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
19
HE ADDED THAT ALL THE ORGANISATIONAL WORK FOR THE EXPO WOULD HAPPEN IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO 1997. DURING THAT PERIOD, HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD CAST ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES, DOUBTS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND WORK TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOAL.
’’PSYCHOLOGICALLY, JUST THE ANTICIPATION FOR SUCH A GREAT EVENT IS SURE TO STIMULATE OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE AND MORALLY SUSTAIN US THROUGH THESE TROUBLING YEARS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE PRE-FEASIBlLITY STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG HAD OFFERED SOME VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING IDEAS AND INFORMATIVE DATA SO THAT A PERSON COULD NOW HAVE A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE GENERAL NATURE AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF HOSTING AN EXPO.
ITS CONCLUSIONS, HOWEVER BASIC, INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO INSURMOUNTABLE OBSTACLES THAT WOULD PREVENT HONG KONG FROM ORGANISING AN EXPO. IN 1997.
MR HO NOTED THAT IN THE PAST WEEK, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAD PRONOUNCED SOME VERY NEGATIVE OPINIONS ABOUT THE EXPO IDEA.
A STRONG MESSAGE HAD BEEN PROJECTED TO THE PUBLIC THAT IF AN EXPO WERE TO BE ORGANISED IN HONG KONG, SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF THE FUTURE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WOULD EITHER BE DELAYED OR LOST.
HE QUESTIONED HOW CERTAIN THE GOVERNMENT WAS THAT AN EXPO WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND WHAT EXPERT ADVICE THE GOVERNMENT HAD OBTAINED IN ARRIVING AT ITS OPINION.
MR HO ALSO QUESTIONED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE AND CONVINCED OF THE TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE BENEFITS OF HOSTING AN EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO THE GENERATION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
-------0---------
/20........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 20 -
HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD EXPO * * * *
HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD TO HOST A WORLD EXPO IN 1997 AND THE ISSUE SHOULD NOT TAKE UP ANY FURTHER TIME OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE HON RONALD ARCULL1 SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR ARCULLI WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE EXPO 1997 PROPOSAL.
HE SAID A PERSON HAD TO BALANCE THE PRIORITIES AND NEEDS OF HONG KONG WHEN CONSIDERING THE ISSUE.
"WHEN ASKED INITIALLY, I VOICED QUALIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE HOLDING OF A WORLD EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997.
"I BELIEVE THAT TODAY I AM BETTER INFORMED ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF HONG KONG HOSTING SUCH AN EVENT," HE SAID.
HE SAID HE REALISED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY PREMATURE TO PRONOUNCE ON THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF A WORLD EXPO 1997 IN HONG KONG BUT FELT THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT SIMPLY WHETHER THE PROJECT WAS FINANCIALLY VIABLE OR NOT.
"THE ISSUE IS WHETHER HONG KONG CAN AFFORD TO HOST SUCH AN EVENT AND WHEN I SAY AFFORD 1 DO NOT MEAN PURELY IN DOLLAR TERMS."
HE SAID THAT ON THE FACTS AND REASONS GIVEN BY VARIOUS SIDES INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION, HE HAD COME TO THE VIEW THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT AFFORD TO HOST SUCH AN EVENT IN VIEW OF HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
"HOWEVER, I DO NOT WISH TO LEAVE THIS MATTER WITHOUT VOICING SOME DISAPPOINTMENT. TO PUT IT AT ITS LOWEST THERE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN A LACK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THOSE WHO PUT FORWARD THE IDEA," HE SAID.
THE ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO HAVE MADE IT PLAIN THAT THE HOSTING OF A WORLD EXPO 1997 WOULD HAVE NECESSARILY MEANT THE CANCELLATION OR DEFERRAL OF MAJOR PROJECTS WHICH WERE ENTITLED TO HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE.
"1 SINCERELY HOPE THAT IN FUTURE THE ADMINISTRATION TRIES ITS UTMOST TO AVOID A REPETITION OF THIS TYPE OF TIME-CONSUMING EXERCISE," HE SAID.
MR ARCULLI SAID HE WOULD VOTE AGAINST THE MOTION TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE FULL AND SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE PROPOSAL TO REGISTER HONG KONG’S INTEREST IN STAGING AN EXPO IN 1997.
0
/21 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 21 -
CALL TO REGISTER HK INTEREST WITH B.I.E.
*****
HONG KONG SHOULD REGISTER ITS INTEREST IN STAGING AN EXPO IN 1997 WITH THE B.I.E. BEFORE THE NOVEMBER 20 DEADLINE, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHENG SAID THAT AFTER REGISTRATION, A FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AND CHINA’S SUPPORT SHOULD BE SOUGHT.
"AND IF THE OVERALL VIABILITY CAN BE CONFIRMED, A FULL COMMITMENT CAN ONLY BENEFIT HONG KONG AS IT MOVES INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID HIS VIEWS WERE SHARED BY MANY OF HIS FRIENDS IN THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG.
THE PRELIMINARY STUDY SUPPORTED ITS VIABILITY, AND THE EVENT WOULD PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL SYMBOLIC LINK TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE, HE ADDED.
"AS SUCH WE SHOULD NOT SO READILY DISMISS IT OUT OF HAND, SAID MR CHENG.
HE SAID EXPO 1997 WOULD PROVIDE THE PERFECT PLATFORM TO LAUNCH HONG KONG INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AS THE UNDISPUTED INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE IN THE PACIFIC BASIN.
IT WOULD ALSO BRING THE WORLD’S FOCUS ON HONG KONG'S STATUS AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, HE ADDED.
"I DO NOT FORESEE ANY DIFFICULTY IN ATTRACTING THE NECESSARY FUNDING FROM BOTH THE LOCAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITIES, AND THERE WILL BE NO NEED TO DIVERT FUNDS FROM OTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS," MR CHENG SAID.
------0--------
GOVT SHOULD REGISTER INTENTION * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REGISTER ITS INTENTION OF HOLDING AN EXPO IN 1997 WITH THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE DES EXPOSITIOINS, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THAT TO REGISTER THE INTENTION DID NOT MEAN THAT HONG KONG MUST GO AHEAD.
IT WOULD MEAN GIVING THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE SERIOUSLY THE FEASIBILITY AND PRACTICABILITY OF THE PROJECT.
"NOT TO REGISTER WILL MEAN NOT EVEN GIVING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THIS OPPORTUNITY," HE SAID.
/22........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 22 -
EXPO WOULD PUT STRAINS ON RESOURCES
*****
THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SHE WAS AGAINST THE IDEA OF HOSTING AN EXPO IN HONG KONG IN 1997.
THE MAIN REASONS FOR OPPOSING THE IDEA WERE THE STRAINS SHE BELIEVED IT WOULD PUT ON HONG KONG’S LIMITED RESOURCES, POSSIBLY SETTING BACK OTHER PRIORITY PROJECTS, AND THE SERIOUS BOTTLENECK IT WOULD CREATE AT THE AIRPORT, SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT ON A STRICT DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR BASIS, EXPOS DID NOT NORMALLY GET CLOSE TO BREAKING EVEN.
MRS FONG SAID: "IN MY VIEW, COUNTRIES WHICH CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN PROFITABLE IN HOSTING EXPOS HAVE GIVEN VALUES TO CERTAIN OF THE FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WERE LEFT BEHIND.
"IN HONG KONG’S CASE, THERE IS UNLIKELY TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SIMILAR RESIDUAL VALUE AS WE ARE SO SHORT OF LAND AND WILL NEED 10 CONVERT THE SITE TO AN ALTERNATIVE USE SHORTLY AFTER THE EVENT.
SHE ADDED THAT SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE COST.
SHE NOTED THAT THE PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPPORT AN EXPO.
THIS WOULD IN ALL LIKELIHOOD INCLUDE ADDITIONAL ROADS AND FLYOVERS, EXTENSIONS TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, CONNECTIONS FOR UTILITIES AND SO ON.
"WE ALSO NEED LABOUR AND MATERIALS, AND THERE WILL BE INCONVENIENCE TO THE GENERAL POPULATION AS THE WORK PROGRESSES, SHE NOTED.
SHE WAS WORRIED THAT TO COMMIT HUGE AMOUNTS OF RESOURCES TO AN EXPO WOULD AFFECT OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INCLUDING A NEW AIRPORT, NEW PORT FACILITIES, TRUNK ROADS, TUNNELS AND HOUSING.
MRS FONG SAID ANOTHER OF HER CONCERNS WAS THAT EXPO VISITORS WOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN TO HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WHICH WOULD REACH A SATURATION POINT SOME YEARS BEFORE 1997.
SHE SAID THE ADDITIONAL VISITORS WHO CAME TO EXPO WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE TRAVELLING FOR BUSINESS OR OTHER PURPOSES.
BUSINESSMEN COULD NOT NORMALLY PLAN THEIR FLIGHTS SIX MONTHS AHEAD. ACCORDINGLY, THEY WOULD BE THE FIRST TO SUFFER WHEN THE FLIGHTS WERE FULL.
"THE IMPACT OF THIS ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMY COULD BE SERIOUS IF OUR EXPORTERS HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ON PLANES TO LEAVE OR TO RETURN TO HONG KONG DURING THE PERIOD OF THE EXPO," SHE SAID.
______0------- /23......................
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 23 -
OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT HK * * * *
AN EXPO IN 1997 WOULD DEMONSTRATE TO THE WORLD THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE NOT WORRIED BY THE TRANSFER OF HONG KONG’S SOVEREIGNTY TO CHINA, THE HON PEGGY LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE IDEA OF STAGING AN EXPO IN 1997 , MRS LAM SAID: "HONG KONG THOUGH SMALL GEOGRAPHICALLY HAS HIGH STANDING INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS SUCCESS IN COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL FIELDS.
"IT IS THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WHOSE VISION, HARD WORK AND DEDICATION WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SUCCESS.
"THE TOURIST TRADE HAS BEEN BOOMING BECAUSE HONG KONG HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER TO THE VISITORS AND IT HAS BROUGHT REVENUE AS WELL AS PRESTIGE TO HONG KONG.
"SO FAR HONG KONG HAS NOT HELD ANY INTERNATIONAL EVENTS SUCH AS THE OLYMPICS OR THE EXPO.
"THE WORLD EXPO, IF HELD, WOULD BRING HONG KONG INTO THE EYES OF THE WORLD.”
MRS LAM SAID MANY VISITORS WOULD COME IN 1997 TO SEE WHAT HONG KONG WOULD BE LIKE WHEN SOVEREIGNTY WAS TRANSFERRED TO CHINA.
IN HER VIEW, AN EVENT SUCH AS A WORLD EXPO WOULD BRING .PROSPERITY TO HONG KONG; TRADE AND INDUSTRY WOULD BENEFIT; AND THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE ENHANCED.
CHINA’S TOURIST TRADE WOULD ALSO BENEFIT.
"I HAVE BEEN GATHERING OPINION ON THIS PROPOSAL AND SO FAR PEOPLE HAVE RESPONDED FAVOURABLY TO THE IDEA," SHE SAID.
SHE ADMITTED THAT STAGING AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT OF SUCH A GRAND SCALE WOULD INEVITABLY BRING PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTATION AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AND SO ON; AND WAS AWARE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE DIFFICULTIES AND PROBLEMS SUCH AS LAND AND
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS THAT WOULD BE CREATED BY EXPO 97.
HOWEVER, SHE BELIEVED THAT MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE
SOLVED.
"WHAT WE ARE URGING NOW IS TO REGISTER THE INTENTION FIRST AND
IF REAL PROBLEMS DO ARISE, WE CAN ALWAYS WITHDRAW THE INTENTION.
"I DO NOT WANT HONG KONG TO MISS THE CHANCE OF REGISTRATION OF INTENTION," SHE SAID.
--------0----------
/2U........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 24 -
MAJOR EVENT WOULD ENHANCE CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE
* » * *
THE MOST IMPORTANT EFFECT OF STAGING AN EXPOSITION IN 1997 IS THAT IT WILL INSTILL AND ENHANCE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY, THE HON MIRIAM LAU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE EXPO MOTION DEBATE, MRS LAU SAID THE STAGING OF SUCH A CHALLENGING EVENT WAS PERHAPS THE BEST INDICATION THAT STABILITY AND PROSPERITY WOULD CONTINUE DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND BEYOND.
IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION, SHE SAID SHE COULD NOT AGREE THAT THE EXPOSITION WOULD ONLY BE A “GLITTERING AND FANCIFUL” EVENT OF MOMENTARY GRANDEUR.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE IMPACT OF AN EXPOSITION IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY IN 1997, WILL BE PROFOUND AND LONG LASTING. INSTEAD OF BEING APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE COMING OF 1997, THE COMMUNITY WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO IT WITH PRIDE AND ENTHUSIASM,” MRS LAU SAID.
NOTING THAT SHE WAS PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLACING GREAT EMPHASIS ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, MRS LAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DURING THE YEARS LEADING UP TO 1997.
SHE ADDED: ”1 FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT A COMMITMENT TO STAGE THE EXPOSITION IN 1997 WILL INDUCE THOSE WHO ARE HERE TO STAY AND PARTICIPATE, AND THOSE WHO HAVE GONE TO RETURN AND SHARE.”
MRS LAU SAID SHE HERSELF WAS NOT WITHOUT RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT. SOME OF THESE RESERVATIONS HAD BEEN SOUNDED IN THE ADMINISTRATION’S VIEWS ON THE EXPO PROPOSAL, SHE ADDED.
“INDEED, IF THE EXPOSITION CAN ONLY BE CARRIED OUT AT THE EXPENSE OF SACRIFICING OR DELAYING INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG, NO ONE CAN VALIDLY SUSTAIN AN ARGUMENT THAT IT SHOULD BE DONE. THE EXPOSITION WILL HAVE TO GIVE WAY TO THE WIDER INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
“HOWEVER, I REGRET TO SAY THAT I DO NOT FIND THE REASONS ADVANCED AND THE CONTENTIONS PUT FORTH BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO BE SUFFICIENTLY CONVINCING OR ADEQUATELY SUBSTANTIATED.
“IF HONG KONG IS EVER TO GO AHEAD WITH THE IDEA OF STAGING THE EXPOSITION IN 1997, A FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL HAVE TO BE CONDUCTED," MRS LAU SAID.
“IDEALLY WE SHOULD HAVE THE FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY BEFORE A DECISION IS TAKEN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO REGISTER A BID, BUT TIME DOES NOT PERMIT THIS TO BE DONE.
“BEARING IN MIND THAT THE CHANCE, IF NOT SECURED NOW, WOULD BE LOST FOREVER, IT WOULD SEEM DESIRABLE THAT WE SHOULD PROCEED TO REGISTER FIRST AND ONLY TO MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT WHEN THE DETAILED FEASIBILITY STUDY CONCLUDES THE WHOLE SCHEME TO BE PRACTICABLE."
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
25 -
TIMING IS NOT APPROPRIATE * * * *
AN EXPO ’97 IS AN EXCITING PROPOSITION FOR HONG KONG AND THE IDEA SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED FOR ALL TIME, THE HON ELSIE TU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE
TIMING WAS, HOWEVER, WOULD COINCIDE WITH GOVERNMENTS OF CHINA, ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
EXPO MOTION DEBATE, MRS TU SAID THAT THE CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE, MAINLY BECAUSE IT A MAJOR POLITICAL CHANGE INVOLVING THE BRITAIN, HONG KONG AND THE FUTURE SPECIAL
"I HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT A APPROPRIATE WHEN HONG KONG COULD SHOW BEEN MADE BY THE SAR,” SHE SAID.
LATER DATE WOULD BE MORE THE WORLD WHAT PROGRESS HAS
GIVEN BY HER (URBAN COUNCIL)
MRS TU ADDED THAT OTHER REASONS -----
CONSTITUENCY FOR NOT HOLDING AN EXPOSITION AT THAT TIME INCLUDED THE CONCERN THAT THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FINANCE INVOLVED COULD DE!‘ER <2 ?1E . ESSENTIAL PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT LABOUR SHORTAGE
CLAIMED BY CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES.
"IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE PROJECT WILL CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO , nr Al RESIDENTS UNLESS WE CAN ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL KINDS OF TBaSsPOR?: AM THESE ARE HOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN BEFORE 19.7," SHE SAID.
"SOME FEAR THAT A BIG FUNFAIR COULD BE FOLLOWED BY AN ANTI-CLIMAX IN OUR USUALLY THRIVING TRADE AND TOURISM INDUSTRIES.
"HOWEVER, I MUST EMPHASISE THAT THE CONSTITUENTS IS THE TIMING.
MAIN OBJECTION OF MY
TIME TO PLAN HOW THE MANY
SEEM FUTILE TO REGISTER AN IN HONG KONG, UNLESS A MORE
"SINCE THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE PROBLEMS MAY BE RESOLVED, IT WOULD INTEREST IN HOLDING AN EXPOSITION FLEXIBLE DATE CAN BE PROPOSED."
- 0 ----------
/26........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 26
DOUBTS ARISE ON PROJECT’S VIABILITY
*****
. THE APPROVAL OR REJECTION OF THE EXPO ’97 PROPOSAL MUST BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BEARING IN MIND THE VERY LARGE DEMAND ON RESOURCES BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SAID WHAT THE
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MCGREGOR CONSIDERATION SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE INEVITABLE DELAY IN MANY WOULD REGARD AS ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DISRUPTION CAUSED TO THE TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOUSANDS OF FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN ATTEMPTING TO VISIT HONG KONG FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES DURING THE SIX MONTHS PERIOD OF EXPO.
"I WAS ALSO GREATLY CONCERNED AT THE CAPACITY OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL 200,000 VISITORS WITHIN THE SIX MONTHS PERIOD ON TOP OF THREE MILLION TOURISTS AND BUSINESS
TRAVELLERS," HE SAID.
MR MCGREGOR EXPLAINED THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A PHYSICAL LIMITATION ON FLIGHTS, AND THEREFORE TRAVELLERS., WELL BEFORE 1997.
"A NEW AIRPORT WILL NOT BE READY BY THEN," HE ADDED. "WE FACE AN INCREASINGLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITHOUT AN EXPO. IT WOULD BE THAI MUCH LARGER WITH AN EXPO."
NOTING THAT THE THREE LAND SITES SUGGESTED AS SUITABLE FOR EXPO WERE EACH NEEDED FOR ESSENTIAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MR MCGREGOR SAID THAT THE USE OF ONE OF THEM WOULD REQUIRE A REARRANGEMENT OF PRIORITIES AND A LOSS OF TIME IN COMPLETING PUBLIC WORKS AND OTHER PROJECTS NEEDED BY THE COMMUNITY.
SHARING THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN, MR MCGREGOR SAID HE DECLINED TO SUPPORT THE EXPO PROPOSAL BECAUSE HE DID NOT FEEL HONG KONG SHOULD EMBARK UPON A PROJECT OF THIS SCALE AND IMPORTANCE IF THERE WERE SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT ITS VIABILITY.
- - 0 - -
/27........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20", 1988
- 27 -
HK ALREADY WELL KNOWN WORLD-WIDE * * * * *
STAGING A WORLD EXPOSITION IN HONG KONG IN 1997 IS A HIGH RISK UNDERTAKING INVOLVING HIGH STAKES, AND THE QUESTION IS WHETHER HONG KONG CAN AND SHOULD TAKE THE RISK AGAINST THE POTENTIAL GAINS WHICH ARE INTANGIBLE, THE HON KINGSLEY SIT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE EXPO MOTION DEBATE, MR SIT FELT THAT IT WAS UNNECESSARY FOR HONG KONG TO TAKE SUCH A RISK.
’’THE SINGLE POTENTIAL GAIN OF HOLDING AN EXPO IN 1997 IS TO PUT HONG KONG TO THE WORLD,” HE SAID.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, WE ARE ALREADY THE LARGEST TOYS AND WATCHES EXPORTER, WE HAVE THE LARGEST AND MOST EFFICIENT CONTAINER PORT IN TERMS OF THROUGHPUT AND WE ARE ONE OF THE THREE BIG FINANCIAL CENTRES.
"IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE ALREADY WELL KNOWN WORLDWIDE, UNLIKE OTHER SECOND AND THIRD LINE CITIES WHICH HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO BE BETTER BY HOLDING A WORLD EXPOSITION.
TURNING TO THE POLITICAL DIMENSION, MR SIT WAS WORRIED ABOUT A LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG SHOULD THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE DES EXPOSITIONS DECIDE NOT TO CHOOSE THE TERRITORY FOR HOSTING AN EXPO IN 1997, ESPECIALLY WHEN NO REASON NEEDED TO ACCOMPANY SUCH A DECISION.
"I SUGGEST THAT A SMOOTH TRANSACTION WOULD REQUIRE MUCH MORE THAN BUILDING IMPRESSIVE EXHIBITION HALLS, COLLECTING WORTHY EXHIBITS AND FINDING SUFFICIENT VISITORS,” HE SAID.
THERE ARE MANY MORE IMPORTANT TASKS AHEAD OF US AND HONG KONG MUST CONSERVE AND CONCENTRATE HER ENERGY TOWARDS THE MAINTENANCE OF STEADY ECONOMIC PROGRESS BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
"THIS CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED THROUGH STRENGTHENING OF THE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE ONE HAND, AND THROUGH RESTRUCTURING LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO MEET OVERSEAS DEMANDS ON THE OTHER.’
-----0-----
/28........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 28 -
HK SHOULD KEEP ITS OPTIONS OPEN
*****
HONG KONG SHOULD PROCEED TO REGISTER ITS INTEREST IN AN EXPO IN 1997 BEFORE THE NOVEMBER 20 DEADLINE SO THAT ITS WILL REMAIN OPEN, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE TODAY (THURSDAY).
STAGING
OPTIONS
COUNCIL
UP
IT WOULD BE A GRAVE MISTAKE IF HONG KONG SIMPLY GAVE WITHOUT FULLY STUDYING THE FACTS TO PROVE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AN EXPO IN 1997 WAS VIABLE, MR TIEN SAID.
NOW
THAT
HE NOTED THAT WHILE THE RESERVATION ABOUT EXPO 97,
GOVERNMENT
HAD ANNOUNCED ITS GRAVE
IT WAS FULLY AWARE
OF THE POSITIVE
FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT.
THFSF WERE THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE IN THE WORLD’S SPOTLIGHT, WOULD SHOW^ITSELF ABLE TO STAGE AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT AND WOULD CONVINCE EVERYBODY THAT HONG KONG WAS A DYNAMIC, PROSPEROUS AND EFFICIENT CITY.
MR TIEN ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROPOSERS OF THE PROJECT ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 85 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WOULD EACH MAKE AN AVERAGE
OF TWO AND
A HALF VISITS TO EXPO.
ON THE OTHER HAND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNIMPRESSED AND UNREALISTIC. BUT AT PRESENT THE GOVERNMENT HAS
FIGURES AS ---------- „ oATn
FROM ENLIGHTENING US ON ITS FIGURES, HE SAID.
SEES THE
REFRAINED
REFERRING TO THE ARGUMENT THAT HONG K0NG’ St/TOI^?RATI0N
FACILITIES WOULD NOT BE ABLETO COPE WITH 15,OOOJJAILY VISITORS
COMPUTERS FOR
CHINA, MR TIEN SAID THAT 1997 WAS NINE YEARS AWAY KONG MIGHT BE BEYOND THE ’’FIFTH GENERATION
BY
FROM
HONG
THE
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
"ALSO, BY THEN WE WILL BE IMPLEMENTING ONE SYSTEMS IN THE SAR GOVERNMENT AND OUR RELAI IONSH1P, ISSUANCE OF VISITOR VISAS, WITH CHINA WILL BE MUCH
COUNTRY, INCLUDING DIFFERENT
TWO
THE
THAN
TODAY," HE SAID.
MR TIEN AGREED THAT IN THE PERIOD UP TO AND BEYOND 1997, MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WOULD LIKELY BE UNDERTAKEN.
SEVEN
IN CONSEQUENCE, GIVEN THE RESOURCES HONG KONG HAD IN HAND, THE COPE WITH AN EXPO.
MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT AND LABOUR
TERRITORY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO
"BUT SHOULD WE NOT EVEN TRY?" HE QUESTIONED.
_ _ _ - 0-----------
/29........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
29
SAR SHOULD STAGE WORLD EXPO ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
HONG KONG SHOULD STAGE A WORLD EXPO THREE OR FIVE YEARS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR), THE HON PETER WONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE EXPO MOTION DEBATE, MR WONG SAID THE EVENT SHOULD NOT BE SEEN TO BE A CELEBRATION OF THE DEPARTURE OF THE BRITISH OR THE COMING OF THE CHINESE.
’’INSTEAD, IT SHOULD SHOW THE WORLD HOW WE IN HONG KONG ARE ADAPTING TO THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’," HE SAID.
"IF THE EXPO IS HELD, SAY, THREE TO FIVE YEARS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SAR, IT CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT THE SYSTEM IS FLOURISHING.
"I AM SURE THAT CHINA WILL ALSO WISH TO AFFIRM THAT IT IS KEEPING ITS SIDE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, IN THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS THE LETTER," HE CONTINUED.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT LOOKING BEYOND 1997, FURTHER POTENTIAL SITES WHICH WOULD FIT IN WITH THE REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE AND BE LESS DISRUPTIVE TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS, MIGHT BE FOUND OR THAT EXISTING SITES WHICH WERE REJECTED COULD BECOME VIABLE BECAUSE OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE COMING INTO PLACE.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT MAY TO OCTOBER WAS NOT ONLY HOT AND HUMID BUT ALSO THE TYPHOON SEASON IN HONG KONG.
HE BELIEVED AN EXPO HELD DURING THE DRY AND COOL AUTUMN AND WINTER MONTHS WOULD BE MORE DESIRABLE.
FOR THESE REASONS, MR WONG ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION MOVED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.
HOWEVER, HE WELCOMED THE SUGGESTION TO REGISTER WITH THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE DES EXPOSITIONS FIRST AS THIS WOULD NOT COMMIT HONG KONG TO HOLDING THE EXPO.
IT WOULD ALLOW TIME TO STUDY WHETHER THERE WERE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE TO COPE WITH THE PROJECT AND WHETHER THE PLAN WAS FINANCIALLY VIABLE, GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS ALREADY MADE KNOWN.
"IF THESE ASPECTS ARE NOT STUDIED COMPREHENSIVELY, WE RISK LOSS OF CREDIBILITY. IF, HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE VENTURE APPEARS IMPRUDENT, WE WILL LOSE NOTHING IN WITHDRAWING.
"1 AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH GOODWILL AND CO-OPERATION OF ALL PARTIES, A PRACTICAL SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE. THIS MAY INVOLVE A DIFFERENT VENUE, DIFFERENT PROJECTIONS AND EVEN A DIFFERENT DATE FROM THOSE ALREADY SUGGESTED," MR WONG SAID.
------0 ------ /5O...................
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
30
EASIER RESUMPTION OF NEGLECTED PRIVATE STREETS PROPOSED * » ♦ * *
THE RESUMPTION OF CERTAIN PRIVATE STREETS FOR ESSENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WOULD BE MADE EASIER UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE LEGAL PROCEDURES FOR RESUMING SUCH STREETS WOULD BE SIMPLIFIED.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THAT MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP AND NEGLECT BY OWNERS HAD RESULTED IN PRIVATE STREETS BEING POORLY MAINTAINED AND HAD GIVEN RISE TO SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO RESUME ABOUT 300 SUCH PRIVATE STREETS IN THE NEXT 10 TO 12 YEARS SO THAT THEY COULD BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED, HE SAID.
UNDER THE PRESENT ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNMENT WAS REQUIRED TO SERVE NOTICE FOR LAND RESUMPTION ON EVERY PERSON HAVING ANY ESTATE, RIGHT, SHARE OR INTEREST IN THE PRIVATE STREET.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT IF THIS REQUIREMENT WAS NOT MODIFIED, IT WOULD SEVERELY IMPEDE THE RESUMPTION PROGRAMME AS THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WERE INVOLVED AND THE WORKLOAD IN ESTABLISHING OWNERSHIP AND IN SERVING NOTICES WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL.
THE ENTIRE PROGRAMME MIGHT TAKE UP TO 30 YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TO SPEED UP THE PROGRAMME, THE BILL REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT OF SERVING INDIVIDUAL NOTICE WHERE THE LAND IN QUESTION WAS A ROAD.
HE SAID THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE WOULD REMAIN.
THESE INCLUDED PUBLISHING THE NOTICE IN ONE ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE AND IN ONE ISSUE EACH OF A CHINESE AND ENGLISH NEWSPAPER, AFFIXING A COPY ON OR NEAR THE LAND AFFECTED, AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
ANY PERSON HAVING A COMPENSATABLE INTEREST WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM COMPENSATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 31 -
BILL TO ENFORCE BUS PASSENGER CONDUCT *****
A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR BETTER CONTROL FOR PASSENGER CONDUCT ON BUSES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS ALSO AIMED AT CORRECTING A MINOR ANOMALY IN THE FRANCHISED BUS PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THAT ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS HAD EMERGED WHICH CONVINCED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BUS COMPANIES THAT BETTER CONTROL OF PASSENGER CONDUCT WAS NECESSARY.
THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS TO BE MADE TO REGULATE THE CONDUCT OF BUS PASSENGERS.
IT INCLUDED POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS TO AUTHORISE BUS COMPANY STAFF TO ENFORCE THE REGULATIONS BUT NOT THE BY-LAWS.
THE BILL PROPOSED TO GIVE AUTHORISED STAFF THE POWER TO ENFORCE THE BY-LAWS AS WELL, MR LEUNG SAID.
THIS POWER INCLUDED THE REMOVAL FROM BUSES, DEMANDING OF PROOF OF IDENTITY OR DETAINING OF OFFENDERS CONTRAVENING BOTH REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS.
IT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT POWER IN OTHER TRANSPORT-RELATED LEGISLATION CONTROLLING PASSENGER CONDUCT. . | • ' . • ' • • • • « I •••• • • •
THE Bl LI, ALSO INTRODUCED A NEW PROVISION REQUIRING PASSENGERS TO COMPLY WITH REASONABLE DIRECTIONS GIVEN IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY BY AUTHORISED BUS STAFF.
"FOR EXAMPLE, A DRIVER MIGHT DIRECT PASSENGERS TO OPEN THE WINDOWS OF' A BUS IN TYPHOON CONDITIONS TO REDUCE WIND RESISTANCE AND THEREBY LESSEN THE RISK OF A BUS BEING BLOWN OVER IN HIGH WINDS," HE SAID.
"THE ESSENCE OF THIS PROVISION IS THAT A DIRECTIVE MUST BE BOTH REASONABLE AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE COURTS WOULD DETERMINE IN CASES OF DOUBT."
ON THE MINOR ANOMALY IN THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME TO BE CORRECTED BY THE BILL, MR LEUNG SAID THAT AT PRESENT BOTH THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WERE PERMITTED EACH TO DEPOSIT $2 MILLION WITH THE TREASURY, IN LIEU OF A MOTOR INSURANCE POLICY AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS.
SUCH DEPOSITS WERE TREATED AS FIXED ASSETS IN THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME UNDER SECTION 26 OF THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE.
/HOWEVER, THE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
HOWEVER, THE DEFINITION OF ’’OPERATING RECEIPTS" IN THE SCHEME EXCLUDED ANY FORM OF INTEREST, INCLUDING THAT ON DEPOSITS.
SHAREHOLDERS THEREFORE ENJOYED BOTH THE PERMITTED RETURN ON THE DEPOSIT AND THE ACCRUED INTEREST.
THE BILL PROPOSED TO AMEND SECTION 26 SO THAT THE INTEREST EARNED ON DEPOSITS FOR SELF-INSURANCE WOULD BE REGARDED AS OPERATING RECEIPTS, AND SO REMOVE THE ANOMALY OF A DOUBLE BENEFIT TO SHAREHOLDERS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0-----------
EXTENSION OF SAFETY PROVISIONS TO PRIVATE ROADS PROPOSED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A BILL WHICH WOULD EXTEND THE SAFETY PROVISIONS OF THE LAW TO PRIVATE ROADS.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS TO CONTROL PARKING ON THEIR ROADS.
THE SAFETY PROVISIONS IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1988 INCLUDED THOSE GOVERNING THE DRIVING CONDUCT AND LICENSING OF MOTORISTS, AND THE INSURANCE, LICENSING, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS OF VEHICLES, MR LEUNG SAID.
OTHER RELEVANT ORDINANCES, INCLUDING THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE AND THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) ORDINANCE, WOULD ALSO APPLY TO PRIVATE ROADS, HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG SAID THE ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ON PRIVATE ROADS REQUIRED PROPER TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS.
THE BILL EMPOWERED THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO PRESCRIBE A CODE OF PRACTICE TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO PRIVATE ROAD OWNERS AND TO DECLARE BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE CERTAIN SIGNS AND MARKINGS WHICH THEY COULD PLACE ON THEIR ROADS.
FOR OTHER SIGNS AND MARKINGS, THE COMMISSIONER’S PRIOR APPROVAL WAS NECESSARY.
THE COMMISSIONER MIGHT ALSO REQUIRE SUCH OWNERS TO PLACE OR REMOVE CERTAIN SIGNS OR MARKINGS. IF THEY FAILED TO COMPLY, HE MIGHT CARRY OUT THE WORK AND RECOVER THE COSTS FROM THE OWNERS.
/GOLF CARTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 53 -
GOLF CARTS WERE BEING USED AS A MODE OF TRANSPORT ON ROADS WITHIN CERTAIN PRIVATE ESTATES WITHOUT SAFETY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW, MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE BILL AMENDS THE DEFINITION OF ’VILLAGE VEHICLE’ TO INCLUDE GOLF CARTS WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE OWNER TO OBTAIN A VILLAGE VEHICLE PERMIT AND TO COMPLY WITH THE INSURANCE AND SAFETY PROVISION BEFORE IT CAN BE USED ON A ROAD," HE SAID.
"THE BILL ALSO PERMITS REGULATIONS TO BE MADE TO EMPOWER PRIVATE ROAD OWNERS TO DESIGNATE RESTRICTED PARKING AREAS, TO IMPOUND VEHICLES PARKED IN SUCH AREAS AND TO CHARGE FEES FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES.
"TO EXERCISE SUCH POWERS, THE OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY WARNING SIGNS AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE PRIVATE ROAD, TO USE PROPER TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS TO DESIGNATE RESTRICTED PARKING AREAS, TO USE IMMOBILISATION DEVICES APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND TO DELIVER UNCLAIMED VEHICLES TO THE POLICE FOR DISPOSAL."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
INCREASE IN PERMITTED RENT PROPOSED
*****
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, SEEKING TO PERMIT LANDLORDS OF CONTROLLED PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES TO INCREASE RENTS, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO CLARIFY SOME EXISTING SECTIONS IN THE ORDINANCE BY INTRODUCING MINOR AMENDMENTS.
"AT THE END OF 1987 THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 1,700 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES UNDER PART I CONTROL, THAT IS EXCLUDING VILLAGE HOUSES," HE SAID.
"RENTS OF THESE PREMISES ARE CONTROLLED BY REFERENCE TO THE RENTS PAYABLE AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941, TERMED THE ’STANDARD RENT’.
"THIS, WHEN MULTIPLIED BY A FACTOR, GIVES THE PERMITTED RENT, PROVIDED IT DOES NOT EXCEED THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT."
MR BARNES SAID THAT SINCE 1981 THE COUNCIL HAD, EACH YEAR, PASSED AMENDING LEGISLATION TO RAISE CONTROLLED RENTS STEP BY STEP WITH THE OBJECT OF BRINGING THEM CLOSER TO MARKET LEVELS.
/"WE PROPOSE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- -
"WE PROPOSE AT THIS TIME TO INCREASE THE PERMITTED RENT FROM THE PRESENT 65 PER CENT TO 76 PER CENT OF PREVAILING MARKET RENT BY INCREASING THE FACTOR FROM 35 TO 39," HE SAID.
"THIS IS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 17 PER CENT OR $229 PER MONTH COMPARED WITH 17 PER CENT OR $190 PER MONTH APPROVED IN THE 1987 REVIEW. CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL IMPLEMENTS THIS CHANGE."
MR BARNES SAID THE REMAINING AMENDMENTS WERE MINOR AND TECHNICAL IN NATURE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0 ---------
MEASURES TO CURB TAXI MALPRACTICE * * * *
THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURE IN DEALING WITH TAXI DRIVERS REFUSING HIRE WAS FOR THE AGGRIEVED PARTY TO REPORT TO THE POLICE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR LEUNG SAID THAT TO HELP THE PUBLIC TO LODGE COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICE, A NEW PROCEDURE WAS INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEREBY STATEMENTS WERE TAKEN AT A PLACE CONVENIENT TO COMPLAINANTS.
THIS RESULTED IN 538 COMPLAINTS BEING RECEIVED BY THE POLICE IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 292 AND 209 CASES IN 1986 AND 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
HE SAID THAT OTHER DETERRENT MEASURES BEING EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDED REQUIRING THE WEARING OR DISPLAY OF IDENTIFICATION BADGES, MANDATORY SUSPENSION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE LICENCE OF PERSISTENT OFFENDERS AND RETESTING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNMENT ACTION THROUGH LEGISLATION AND OTHER DETERRENT MEASURES MUST BE SUPPORTED BY FULL CO-OPERATION FROM THE TRADE IN THE FORM OF BETTER SELF-DISCIPLINE.
"ON THIS ASPECT, THE TRADE HAS RESPONDED POSITIVELY TO GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC CONCERN AND IS NOW CONSIDERING VARIOUS MEASURES TO REDUCE MALPRACTICES WITHIN THE TRADE," HE ADDED.
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD ALSO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE SHORTLY TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS, HE SAID.
- 0 -
/35
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 35 -
FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS TO RESOLVE REFUGEE PROBLEM ( ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
CONDITIONS ARE MORE FAVOURABLE NOW FOR THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)-, BRITAIN AND HONG KONG TO APPROACH RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES AND SEEK A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO HELP RESOLVE THE REFUGEE PROBLEM, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THIS WILL BE OUR INTENTION DURING THE COMING MONTHS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY OF HIS CURRENT VISIT TO EUROPE TO PRESS COUNTRIES THERE TO INCREASE THEIR RESETTLEMENT QUOTAS.
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN ON THE RESETTLEMENT PROSPECTS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES STRANDED IN HONG KONG.
NOTING THAT THE UNHCR HAD THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL UNHCR AND CONSULATES AND COMMISSIONS OF THE MAIN RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE RESETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
"THIS EFFORT IS MATCHED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S OWN EFFORTS ON OUR BEHALF IN LONDON AND IN FOREIGN CAPITALS, MR BARNES SAID.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAD A CONTINUING RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME OPERATING ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF, HE ADDED.
IN MAY, 1987, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ACCEPT A FURTHER 468 REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG FOR RESETTLEMENT IN UNITED KINGDOM, UNDER RELAXED FAMILY REUNION CRITERIA, AT A RATE OF 20 PER MONTH, SPREAD OVER TWO YEARS, MR BARNES NOTED.
HE SAID THE OFFTAKE STARTED IN JULY LAST YEAR AND 320 HAD BEEN RESETTLED SO FAR.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS CONTINUING TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEMS, INCLUDING RESETTLEMENT, MR BARNES SAID.
/HE THEN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 36 -
HE THEN OUTLINED THE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE SUMMER WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HOPED WOULD IMPROVE PROSPECTS FOR FURTHER RESETTLEMENT. THESE WERE:
* FIRST, THE OUTFLOW OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO HONG KONG HAD BEEN REDUCED FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE POLICY OF SCREENING AND REPATRIATION ON JUNE 16;
* SECOND, THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 15 AND WHO DID NOT QUALIFY FOR RESETTLEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES WAS ACCEPTED BY VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVES IN THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS HELD IN LONDON LAST WEEK;
* THIRD, AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE START ON THE REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM OF THOSE WHO HAD ASKED TO BE RETURNED.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE REDUCED TO MORE FINITE PROPORTIONS THE REFUGEE POPULATION STRANDED IN THE TERRITORY, AND WILL ASSIST IN COUNTERING THE 'PULL FACTOR’ WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN BY AT LEAST ONE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRY AS A REASON FOR NOT RESETTLING MORE," MR BARNES SAID.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT THIS SUMMER HAD BEEN THE CONCLUSION OF A STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING IN WHICH THE UNHCR REAFFIRMED ITS INTENTION TO ENDEAVOUR TO SECURE SPEEDY RESETTLEMENT OR OTHER DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
------0-------
PROVISION MADE TO COPE WITH KAI TAK WORKLOAD
*****
OPERATIONAL DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL PROVISION AND MANPOWER RESOURCES TO COPE WITH THE ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD ARISING FROM THE STAGE 5 EXTENSION OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE AIRPORT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
/MR JACOBS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 57 -
MR JACOBS SAID THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAD PROVISION FOR 17 NEW POSTS COMPRISING AIRPORT MANAGERS AND OTHER STAFF TO DEAL WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS IN THE STAGE 5 EXTENSION.
THIS WOULD BE AUGMENTED BY A FURTHER 13 POSTS IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE CURRENT ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AIRPORT IMMIGRATION DIVISION WAS 599.
THIS WOULD BE INCREASED BY 59 POSTS TO A TOTAL OF 658, WHEN THE STAGE 5 EXTENSION CAME INTO OPERATION.
CURRENTLY, THE ANNUAL PASSENGER THROUGHPUT AT KAI TAK WAS ABOUT 14.4 MILLION.
THE STAGE 5 EXTENSION WOULD INCREASE THE HANDLING CAPACITY TO 20 MILLION PASSENGERS.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD OF SERVICE AS THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC INCREASED.
-------0----------
EFFORTS TO REDUCE ROAD WORKS NOISE ♦ ♦ * » t
CONTINUED EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE NOISE LEVELS GENERATED BY ROAD WORKS NEAR SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR LEUNG SAID THAT CONTRACTORS EMPLOYED TO CARRY OUT ROAD WORKS WERE REQUIRED TO USE SOUND MUFFLERS ON NOISY ROAD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT.
HE SAID THAT FOR ROUTINE ROAD MAINTENANCE, WHICH WAS OFTEN INTERMITTENT AND MIGHT LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS, OPERATIONS WERE PLANNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO AVOID PEAK TRAFFIC AND NOISY OPERATIONS OUTSIDE SCHOOLS.
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, MAJOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS WERE PROGRAMMED TO TAKE PLACE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE EFFECT OF NOISE ON SCHOOL CLASSES.
BUT FOR CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS, IT WAS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO PROGRAMME THE WORKS TO SUPPRESS PLANT NOISE WITHOUT SERIOUSLY DISRUPTING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORKS, WHICH WERE COMMONLY SUBJECT TO EXTREMELY TIGHT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULES. MR LEUNG SAID.
-------0 - -
/38........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
FOUR WORKING GROUPS FORMED ON LRT SAFETY ♦ * * ♦
FOUR GOVERNMENT WORKING COMMITTEES AND GROUPS HAD BEEN FORMED TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN TRANSIT SERVICE AREA. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON T AI CHIN-WAH, MR LEUNG SAID ONE OF THESE WERE SET UP EARLIER THIS MONTH UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP TO CONDUCT FURTHER REVIEW OF THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE LRT AND OTHER ROAD TRAFFIC IN THE LIGHT OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT HE SAW THE NEED TO FORM HIS WORKING GROUP TO ASCERTAIN CERTAIN POSSIBLE REFINEMENTS TO THE LRT SYSTEM WHICH WAS CERTIFIED SAFE BY THE UK INSPECTOR OF RAILWAYS BEFORE ITS OPENING ON SEPTEMBER 18.
IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFIED SO FAR BY HIS WORKING GROUP INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL BARRIERS, AUDIBLE WARNING SIGNALS AND LONGER TERM MODIFICATIONS TO JUNCTION LAYOUT.
ON-GOING PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES WOULD BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID A GOVERNMENT - KCRC LRT LIAISON COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN 1984 TO CO-ORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE LRT SYSTEM.
’’THIS COMMITTEE TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE COMMENTS AND VIEWS OF THE JOINT MONITORING GROUP OF THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS,” HE SAID.
’’PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ON ROAD SAFETY ARE OVERSEEN BY ITS SUB-COMMITTEE, WITH INPUT FROM THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS,” HE ADDED.
A WORKING GROUP ON JUNCTIONS CHAIRED BY THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UK RAILWAY INSPECTORATE WAS SET UP IN LATE 1987 TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF EACH PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ALONG THE LRT TRACK.
"IT MEETS FORTNIGHTLY TO EXAMINE SUCH MATTERS AS SPEED LIMITS OF THE LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES, ADJUSTMENT TO SIGNAL PHASING AND THE NEED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SEGREGATED CROSSINGS,” MR LEUNG SAID.
"THERE IS A REGIONAL LIAISON GROUP INVOLVING THE POLICE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND KCRC TO REVIEW EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS," HE SAID.
/ON THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 39 -
ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE OFFICERS FOR ROAD SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT DUTIES IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, MR LEUNG SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THE UNIFORMED POLICE, 27 TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS WERE ASSIGNED IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS WERE DEPLOYED TO BOTH DISTRICTS AS REQUIRED.
TO ENSURE SUSTAINED POLICE PRESENCE ON THE ROADS, 68 NEW POSTS FOR THE TRAFFIC POLICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 1989-90 DRAFT ESTIMATES.
0---------
HOSTEL FOR HOMELESS TO OPEN IN YAU MA TEI ♦ t ♦ ♦ t
THE SALVATION ARMY, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WILL SHORTLY BE OPENING AN URBAN HOSTEL IN YAU MA TEI TO PROVIDE THE HOMELESS WITH PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON BRIAN CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, MR CHAU SAID THIS PILOT SCHEME FOLLOWED ON FROM RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN A REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE EXAMINED BY A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS WHICH HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH.
’’OVER THE YEARS, MOST DISTRICT BOARDS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE URBAN REGION, HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPING, MR CHAU SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THAT FOR THE SAKE OF BREVITY HE DID NOT PROPOSE TO DISCUSS ALL THE PROPOSALS MADE BY DISTRICT BOARDS, AND WOULD HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN MORE RECENT PROPOSALS MADE BY THE SHAM SHUI PO AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARDS.
’’THE REPORT PRODUCED IN 1987 BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MADE A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPING IN THAT DISTRICT.
/’’IT CONTAINED ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
40
"IT CONTAINED A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS, THE MOST PROMINENT OF WHICH WERE THE NEED, FIRSTLY, TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE WHICH WOULD REVIEW POLICY ON, AND CO-ORDINATE THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO, STREET SLEEPERS; SECONDLY, TO PROVIDE STREET SLEEPERS WITH ADEQUATE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS; AND THIRDLY, TO SUGGEST THAT LEGISLATION PROHIBITING STREET SLEEPING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED."
MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SHAM SHUT PO REPORT WERE FOUND TO BE IN KEEPING WITH EXISTING GOVERNMENT POLICY.
HOWEVER, THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE SUPPORTED THE VIEW THAT GREATER EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION IN THE URBAN AREA FOR HOMELESS PERSONS, INCLUDING STREET SLEEPERS.
THE PILOT SCHEME TO OPEN AN URBAN HOSTEL IN YAU MA TEI WOULD TEST THE FEASIBILITY OF THIS NEW APPROACH, MR CHAU SAID.
"WE ARE NOW ACTIVELY PURSUING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SECOND SUCH HOSTEL UNDER THIS PILOT SCHEME," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPING AT ITS MEETING IN AUGUST, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS WHO SUFFERED FROM MENTAL DISORDERS AND WHO MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT POSE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.
"AMONG THE VIEWS EXPRESSED WERE SUGGESTIONS WHICH RANGED FROM EXTENDING MORE TIME AND EFFORT TO HELP THE HOMELESS, TO REQUIRING THE MENTALLY DISTURBED TO UNDERGO COUNSELLING IN AN INSTITUTION," HE SAID.
"IN REGARD TO THE LATTER, THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS PASSED BY THIS COUNCIL IN THE LAST SESSION, CONTAINS A PROVISION FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO TAKE ANY PERSON WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL DISORDER, AND WHO IS A DANGER EITHER TO HIMSELF OR TO THE PUBLIC, TO A HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION," HE SAID.
MR CHAU STRESSED THAT THIS POWER WAS STRICTLY LIMITED TO THE TRANSFER OF A PATIENT TO AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF A HOSPITAL WHERE HE WOULD RECEIVE PROPER MEDICAL TREATMENT AND BE SUBJECT TO A PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT OF HIS MENTAL CONDITION.
"THE PATIENT CAN BE DETAINED FOR THIS PURPOSE FOR NOT MORE THAN 24 HOURS, UNLESS FURTHER ACTION IS TAKEN UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS LN THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROVISION, WHICH WOULD COME INTO FORCE EARLY NEXT YEAR, WAS NOT TARGETTED SPECIFICALLY AT STREET SLEEPERS AND WOULD BE USED WITH THE NECESSARY DISCRETION.
0 -
/M .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
41
POLICE AWARE OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING RUSE
* » ♦ *
ALL DISTRICT POLICE SQUADS ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE USE OF SOLUBLE PAPER BY ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATORS AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROSECUTION HAVING FAILED BECAUSE EVIDENCE ON SOLUBLE PAPER WAS DESTROYED.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG.
MR BARNES SAID THAT CLEARLY IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR POLICE OFFICERS CONDUCTING RAIDS AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING TO GATHER EVIDENCE.
’’THIS CAN OFTEN BE DIFFICULT: FOR EXAMPLE MANY EXHIBITS CAN BE FLUSHED AWAY OR THROWN OUT OF WINDOWS,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID HE WAS AWARE OF RECENT PRESS COVERAGE OF A CASE IN WHICH AN ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE USED SOLUBLE PAPER IN ITS GAMBLING OPERATIONS.
THE POLICE HAD INVESTIGATED SEVERAL CASES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WHERE ILLEGAL BETS WERE WRITTEN ON SUCH PAPER, WHICH DISSOLVED WITHOUT TRACE IN WATER.
"IN ITSELF THIS IS NOT PERHAPS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY BY TRIADS,” HE SAID.
"SOLUBLE PAPER HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED COMMERCIALLY FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, HAS MANY PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE APPLICATIONS, AND IS READILY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
’’GIVEN ITS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON THIS PRODUCT.”
------0-------
DIFFICULTIES IN DRAFTING HIRE-PURCHASE LEGISLATION
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISES THAT THERE COULD BE * PROBLEM
IN
UNDER CLOSE REVIEW, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ....-SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
UVDTVTMC TA A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN LEE, MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A NECESSITY TO CONTROL HIRE-PURCHASE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN EXAMINED FROM
TIME TO
TIME IN SOME DEPTH.
/’’THE SUBJECT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988'
42
"THE SUBJECT HAS A LONG AND TANGLED HISTORY," HE SAID.
"IN 1977 THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SUBMITTED TO THE ADMINISTRATION A ’REPORT ON HIRE-PURCHASE IN HONG KONG’.
"A WORKING GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED, AND IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE REPORT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED IN GENERAL TERMS AND THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD, INDEED, BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"UNFORTUNATELY, AS DRAFTING PROGRESSED,. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DIFFICULT ISSUES UPON WHICH THERE WAS LITTLE CONSENSUS AND IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1985 THAT THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WAS ABLE TO CIRCULATE A REVISED DRAFT TO INTERESTED PARTIES.
"REGRETTABLY, THE DRAFT BILL FOUND LITTLE SUPPORT AND IT WAS SUBJECTED TO MANY CRITICAL BUT OFTEN CONTRADICTORY ADVERSE COMMENTS. THERE SEEMED NO CLEAR WAY FORWARD."
MR JACOBS SAID THAT DURING THE PROGRESS OF THE DRAFT BILL, THE NECESSITY FOR HIRE-PURCHASE LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WAS RE-EXAMINED, AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN RELATION TO HIRE-PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS WAS COMPARATIVELY SMALL.
"SO IT COULD BE ARGUED THAT THE DEMAND FOR HIRE-PURCHASE LEGISLATION APPEARS TO HAVE DECREASED," HE SAID.
"POSSIBLY THIS IS DUE LARGELY TO INCREASING AFFLUENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE WIDER AVAILABILITY OF OTHER FORMS OF CONSUMER CREDIT, SUCH AS CREDIT CARDS AND BANK LOANS.
"THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FELL FROM ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE IN 1980-81 TO A MERE SIXTEEN IN 1987-88.
"WHILST I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE THE SOLE DETERMINANT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HIRE-PURCHASE LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG, IT IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTOR."
TURNING TO ANOTHER ASPECT TO THE DELAY, MR JACOBS SAID THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORTED ON THE SUBJECT OF THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES IN DECEMBER 1986.
"THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION, WHICH PICKS UP A NUMBER OF THE IMPORTANT PROVISIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF POSSIBLE HIRE-PURCHASE LEGISLATION, HAS BEEN ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE, AND IT IS THE INTENTION THAT A BILL DEALING WITH THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL LATER THIS SESSION," HE SAID.
"WE PROPOSE TO STUDY THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES BILL."
A3.....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 4) -
EXTENSION OF TAVA SCHEME BEING CONSIDERED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SCHEME SO THAT ALL VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT VEHICLES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON BRIAN CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY HELD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, WHICH OPERATES THE LRT, DURING WHICH THE CORPORATION INDICATED ITS INTEREST IN BRINGING THE LRT WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE TAVA SCHEME, MR CHAU SAID.
"I HAVE NOW WRITTEN TO THE CORPORATION, FORMALLY SEEKING THEIR ADVICE ON JUST SUCH A PROPOSAL," HE SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
"UPON RECEIPT OF THE CORPORATION'S REPLY TO MY LETTER, THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL BE SOUGHT AS TO WHETHER A BILL TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS PROPOSAL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL, WITHIN THE CURRENT SESSION," MR CHAU SAID.
HE CONFIRMED THAT VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LRT VEHICLES ON THE INTEGRATED SECTIONS OF THE LRT TRACK WERE ALREADY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE TAVA SCHEME, SINCE THOSE SECTIONS OF THE TRACK WERE, LIKE THE TRACKS OF HONG KONG TRAMWAYS LTD, WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "ROAD" IN THE ORDINANCE GOVERNING THE SCHEME.
THE SEGREGATED SECTIONS OF THE LRT TRACK WERE NOT WITHIN THAT DEFINITION, BUT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MIGHT UTILISE CHARITABLE FUNDS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, SIMILAR TO THAT AVAILABLE UNDER THE TAVA SCHEME, TO VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS ON THAT PART OF THE TRACK.
WOULD THE THE THE
OTHER
MR CHAU SAID THE EFFECT OF THE BILL HE MENTIONED EARLIER
BE TO INCLUDE THE WHOLE OF THE LRT TRACK WITHIN THE AMBIT OF ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS TO INCLUDE THE LRT VEHICLES WITHIN ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING AN APPROPRIATE LEVY ON VEHICLES SIMILAR TO THAT CURRENTLY CHARGED IN RESPECT OF
VEHICLES WHICH WERE USED ON THE ROAD.
-----0 ---------
/44........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988 '
- 44 -
SAME TREATMENT EOR ALL CLEAREES
*****
ALL CLEAREES AFFECTED IN THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ARE OFFERED THE SAME TREATMENT WITH REGARD TO EITHER PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY REHOUSING ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
MRS TU HAD ASKED WHETHER INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS OF YUEN LONG VILLAGE TN NEW KOWLOON SITUATED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE TATE S CAIRN TUNNEL WERE BEING GIVEN LESS FAVOURABLE REHOUSING TREATMENT THAN THOSE BEING CLEARED AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE SAME PROJECT.
MR BARNES SAID ALL CLEAREES HOLDING PRIVATE LAND WERE ENTITLED TO STATUTORY COMPENSATION.
HOWEVER, EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION WAS ALSO OFFERED TO OWNERS OF OLD SCHEDULED AGRICULTURAL LOTS AND BUILDING LOTS.
"DIFFERENT RATES APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IN THE URBAN AREA BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCES IN LAND VALUES IN THESE AREAS," HE SAID.
"INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS HOLDING OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LOTS ARE ALSO COMPENSATED FOR THE LOSS OF ACCOMMODATION ON TOP OF THEIR LAND.
"IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, UNDER THE VILLAGE REMOVAL POLICY, INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS HOLDING OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LOTS WILL NORMALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE RESITE HOUSE (OF 700 SQUARE FEET AND THREE STOREYS) FOR EACH 0.01 ACRE OF THEIR LAND.
"THOSE WHO WISH TO CONSTRUCT THEIR OWN HOUSES ARE GRANTED A PLOT OF LAND OF 700 SQUARE FEET AND PAID AN ALLOWANCE FOR BUILDING THEIR HOUSES.
"ALTERNATIVELY, THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT A RESITE HOUSE CAN OBTAIN PUBLIC HOUSING ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY."
MR BARNES SAID THAT IN NEW KOWLOON, INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS HOLDING OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LOTS WOULD GET A NEW EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AT THE CURRENT RATE OF $929 PER SQUARE FOOT.
THIS WAS PAYABLE PER SQUARE FOOT UP TO 0.01 ACRE AND THEREAFTER ONLY FOR THE COVERED AREA BEING RESUMED.
"THIS ALLOWANCE IS A NEW ALLOWANCE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN JUNE 1988 AS AN ENHANCEMENT TO THE EXISTING EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE OF $2,000 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR AN OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LOT," HE SAID.
/"IT IS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 201 1988
-
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE ENHANCED ALLOWANCE OF $2,929 PER SQUARE FOOT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THE VILLAGER TO OBTAIN ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION.
"IN ADDITION, INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS, WHO ARE ALSO OWNER-OCCUPIERS, ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO OTHER CLEAREES, I.E. THEY CAN GET PUBLIC HOUSING ACCORDING TO ELIGIBILITY PLUS CASH COMPENSATION.
"THIS TREATMENT COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF LAND IN THE URBAN AREA AND IN THE NEW’ TOWNS, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE RESITE HOUSE TO NEW KOWLOON INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS.
"THE ENHANCED EX-GRAT1A COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR THESE PEOPLE IS IN FACT DESIGNED TO GIVE THEM TERMS THAT ARE BROADLY COMPARABLE TO THEIR N.T. COUNTERPARTS."
-------0----------
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON EXPO PROPOSAL t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) PASSED A MOTION URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE FULL CONSIDERATION TO A PROPOSAL THAT HONG KONG REGISTER WITH THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE DES EXPOSITIONS AN INTEREST IN HOLDING AN EXPOSITION IN 1997.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY VOICE VOTE AFTER A FOUR-HOUR DEBATE IN WHICH 28 MEMBERS AND THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS SPOKE.
THE MOTION, MOVED BA Till HON STEPHEN CHEONG, WAS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL I RGES THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE FULL AND SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE PROPOSAL TO REGISTER HONG KONG’S INTEREST IN STAGING THE WORLD EXPOSITION IN 1997 WITH THE BIE BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 20, 1988."
IN EARLIER BUSINESS TN THE MEETING, THE COUNCIL DEALT WITH 10 QUESTIONS AND FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THESE BILLS WERE THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, AND ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPELS AT ION) (AMENDMENT) Bl LL 1988.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
/46........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 46 -
GOVERNOR VISITS PARIS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) MADE A STRONG PLEA FOR A FREE TRADING APPROACH TO THE URUGUAY ROUND OF GATT AND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY’S INTERNAL MARKET.
THIS WAS PUT ACROSS DURING THE MEETINGS SIR DAVID HAD AND IN A TALK HE GAVE IN PARIS WHEN HE BEGAN THE LAST LEG OF HIS VISIT TO THREE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THIS WEEK.
SIR DAVID AVOIDED THE TROUBLE CAUSED BY A GENERAL STRIKE CALLED BY FRENCH RAILWAY WORKERS BY SWITCHING FROM A TRAIN TO A PLANE FOR HIS JOURNEY FROM BRUSSELS.
THE MAJOR FUNCTION IN THE GOVERNOR’S PROGRAMME WAS HIS ATTENDANCE AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OFFICE IN PARIS AND ONE OF FRANCE’S LEADING BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, THE FRENCH EMPLOYERS FEDERATION, KNOWN AS CNPF.
THE FEDERATION HAS ORGANISED TWO MAJOR CONFERENCES ON HONG KONG IN THE PAST, IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR AND MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE LATTER CONCENTRATED ON INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROSPECTS AND WAS ADDRESSED BY THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN YAXLEY; THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG; INDUSTRIALIST AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR. MR ALLEN LEE AND A BANKER, MR RICHARD MARGOLIS.
THE CNPF IS ALSO INVOLVED IN A STUDY ON JOINT VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES WITH FRENCH BUSINESS COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE GOVERNOR GAVE THE KEYNOTE SPEECH AT THE CNPF SEMINAR, ENTITLED "HONG KONG AT THE GATES OF THE YEAR 2000”. IT WAS CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF CNPF’S SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMITTEE, MR JEANCOURT GALIGNANI, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF BANQUE INDO-SUEZ.
SPEECHES ON RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FRANCE, BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN HONG KONG BOTH AT PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE AND ON ACCESS TO CHINA WERE ALSO GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN; THE CONSUL GENERAL Ob' FRANCE IN HONG KONG, MR FRANCOIS SOULE-SUSB1 ELLES; THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN HONG KONG, MR DANIEL BOURGERY; THE CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA, DR VICTOR FUNG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF LYONNAISE DES EAUX, MR JEROME MONOD.
THE SEMINAR WAS ATTENDED BY AROUND 200 INFLUENTIAL BUSINESSMEN FROM ALL OVER FRANCE.
/A FILM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
47
A FILM ON HONG KONG WAS SHOWN TO THE AUDIENCE AND THERE WAS A LIVELY DEBATE DURING WHICH MANY QUESTIONS WERE PUT TO THE VARIOUS SPEAKERS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING WERE THE PRESIDENT OF CNPF, MR FRANCOIS PERIGOT; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISATION FOR THE CO-OPERATION AND INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRY, TRADE AND SERVICES BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE ASIA PACIFIC COUNTRIES, THE CO-ORGANISER OF THE SEMINAR, MR PIERRE A1GRA1N; AND MR FRANCOIS MISSOTTE OF S0F1NASIA, WHICH ORGANISES FINANCE FOR FRENCH INVESTMENTS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA.
FRENCH COMPANIES ARE WELL ESTABLISHED IN SERVICES AND IN CONSTRUCTION IN HONG KONG AND FRANCE BENEFITS FROM AIR FRANCE’S SERVICES TO HONG KONG.
THE FRENCH TRADE COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG LISTED 270 FRENCH BUSINESSES IN ITS LATEST DIRECTORY AND COMMENTS THAT 18 WERE PRESENT IN 1960 AND THAT MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS WERE ESTABLISHED AFTER 1980. HONG KONG ALSO HAS AN ACTIVE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
THE GOVERNOR TODAY ALSO CALLED ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF
FRANCE, MR VALERY GISCARD D’ESTAING, THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY SAGLIO.
WHO IS CURRENTLY PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE FOR INDUSTRY, MR JEAN-FRANCOIS
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT BILATERAL TRADE WITH HONG KONG HAD BEEN GROWING STRONGLY.
HONG KONG EXPORTS TO FRANCE GREW BY 45 PER CENT IN 1986 AND 44 PER CENT IN 1987 WHILE IMPORTS FROM FRANCE GREW BY 20 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN HONG KONG DOLLAR TERMS.
EVEN WITH RE-EXPORTS TO FRANCK GROWING BY 44 PER CENT AND 108 PER CENT IN THE SAME YEARS, THE BALANCE OF TRADE REMAINED IN FRANCE'S FAVOUR.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IN SPITE OF THIS GROWTH, THERE WAS STILL MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
FRENCH EXPORTS TO HONG KONG STILL AMOUNTED TO ONLY HALF OF BRITAIN’S OR GERMANY’S AND HONG KONG DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE WERE ONLY ONE THIRD OF OUR EXPORTS TO BRITAIN AND ONE QUARTER OF OUR EXPORTS TO GERMANY.
REFLECTING FRANCE’S INTEREST IN CHINA, THE GOVERNOR ALSO EXPLAINED THE BENEFITS TO BE GAINED BY TAK1NG.ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG AND CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONS.
SIR DAVID ALSO MET THE LEADERS OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATIONS OF FOUR OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WHO TRAVELLED TO PARIS SPECIALLY FOR THE OCCASION.
/THEY WERE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 48 -
THEY WERE THE PRESIDENT Ob' THE ITALY-HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, MR MARIO TSCHANG; THE CHAIRMAN OE THE SPAIN-HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, CARLOS FITZ JAMES STUART MARTINEZ DE 1RUJ0, THE DUKE OF HUESCAR; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NETHERLANDS-HONG KONG SOCIETY, MR CEES BLANKESTIJN; AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE AUSTRIA-HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, MR HANNES ROTTER.
THE GOVERNOR GAVE A SERIES OF PRESS INTERVIEWS TO THE FRENCH MEDIA BEFORE ATTENDING A PRIVATE DINNER HOSTED BY THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE, SIR EWAN FERGUSON. HE WILL SPEND A FURTHER DAY IN PARIS TOMORROW.
-------0----------
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR MORE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT FROM FRANCE *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED FOR GREATER INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY BY FRENCH COMPANIES.
SPEAKING TO FRANCE’S LEADING BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, THE CONSEIL NATIONAL DU PATRONAT FRANCA1S, IN PARIS, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT OUT OF THE 141 EUROPEAN MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG AT PRESENT, ONLY EIGHT WERE FRENCH.
HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT JUST A PLACE FOR MULTI-NATIONALS.
'’MANY OF OUR FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE MEDIUM-SIZED MANUFACTURING FIRMS. THERE IS ROOM FOR MORE FRENCH FIRMS AMONG THEM,” HE SAID.
FRENCH INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING WAS ONLY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF THE EUROPEAN TOTAL, WHICH ITSELF WAS DWARFED BY THE AMERICAN AND JAPANESE PRESENCE.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY SPECIAL INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
”WE BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY GOOD INVESTMENT IS ONE THAT IS MADE FOR SOLID BUSINESS REASONS ALONE.
”[T WOULD INDEED BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO OFFER TAX INCENTIVES -OUR TAXES, BOTH CORPORATE AND PERSONAL, ARE SO LOW WE HAVE LITTLE SCOPE FOR MAKING SPECIAL REDUCTIONS,” HE SAID.
/HOWEVER, SIR ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
49
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THERE WERE NOW 270 FRENCH BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG, WHICH WAS ALMOST DOUBLE THE NUMBER IN 1984.
THESE INCLUDED 12 BANKS, FIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND 12 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. A NUMBER OF OTHER PROJECTS WERE IN THE PIPELINE.
’’THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL FRENCH PRESENCE IN HONG KONG. WE HAVE A COMMUNITY OF SOME 1,400 FRENCH NATIONALS AND A THRIVING FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED FRENCH HONG KONG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ALREADY HAD A MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 400 COMPANIES.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT FRENCH COMPANIES HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN MAJOR PROJECTS IN HONG KONG SINCE THE EARLIEST POST-WAR YEARS.
’’RECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN A REMARKABLE INCREASE IN TRADE BETWEEN US: BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT IN 1986 AND A FURTHER 50 PER CENT LAST YEAR,” HE SAID.
"IN 1987 FRENCH EXPORTS TO HONG KONG INCREASED BY 48 PER CENT. THESE ARE REMARKABLE FIGURES BY ANY STANDARDS.
"THAT, I HOPE, IS JUST THE BEGINNING. THERE IS NO REASON AT ALL WHY THIS TREND SHOULD NOT CONTINUE.”
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG BELIEVED IN, AND PRACTISED FREE TRADE AND HOPED THAT EUROPE WOULD TAKE A SIMILAR VIEW.
”AS 1992 APPROACHES, WE LOOK TO A GREATER EUROPE TO TAKE A LEAD IN MAINTAINING AND ADVANCING THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE TRADE, NOT ONLY BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS BUT ALSO WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"IT IS CLEAR TO US AS DISTANT OBSERVERS THAT YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS HEAVILY PREOCCUPIED WITH PLANNING FOR 1992. I AM SURE THAT THIS WILL BEAR FRUIT. BUT I URGE YOU NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.”
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT TO THE FRENCH BUSINESSMEN THAT THEIR RAILWAY CROSSINGS CARRY A MOST APPROPRIATE WARNING: "DANGER, UN TRAIN PEUT EN CACHER UN AUTRE”.
"I HOPE YOU WILL NOT LET THE 1992 TRAIN HIDE THE ASIA-PACIFIC EXPRESS. HONG KONG IS AT THE HUB OF THE FASTEST GROWING REGION OF TH I ECONOMIC WORLD. AND WE PROVIDE THE MOST LIBERAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN THAT REGION,” HE SAID.
-------o--------- /so.....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 50 -
UNHCR INVITES HK TO ATTEND MAJOR MEETING * * * ♦
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION FROM THE UNHCR TO TAKE PART IN A MEETING ON INDOCHINESE ASYLUM SEEKERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO BE HELD IN BANGKOK ON OCTOBER 27 AND 28.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM ASEAN AND MAJOR RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES AND THE UNHCR.
THE MEETING WILL FORM PART OF THE PROCESS LEADING TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINESE ASYLUM SEEKERS NEXT YEAR.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL COMPRISE MR MIKE HANSON, REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, AND MR ALAN FUNG, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.
-----0------
21 HILL FIRES IN COUNTRY PARKS
*****
THERE WERE 21 HILL FIRES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS YESTERDAY, THE DAY OF THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
THE COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.W. LAI, SAID THIS (THURSDAY)
THESE FIRES HAD DAMAGED A TOTAL OF 97 HECTARES OF PARK AREAS AN 1,000 TREES.
”WE HAVE MOBILISED 250 FIRE CREW MEMBERS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF ADDITIONAL 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES MEMBERS, IN FIGHTING THE FIRES.
’’ALL FIRES WERE PUT OUT BEFORE MIDNIGHT,” HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 52 HILL FIRES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE COUNTRY PARKS SINCE LAST MONTH, DAMAGING A TOTAL OF 214 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS AND 8,100 TREES.
-----0-----
/51
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 51 -
SCHOOL SURVEY ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ABUSE IN 1989 ♦ * ♦ * *
THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL CONDUCT THE NEXT TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN LATE 1989.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, WHEN HE ADDRESSED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’SEMINAR ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE" HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS DRAMA THEATRE, WAN CHAI.
DR CHOA SAID FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION OF THE 1987 SCHOOL SURVEY FINDINGS AND THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE SURVEY REPORT, ACAN RECENTLY DIRECTED THAT SIMILAR SCHOOL SURVEYS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS IN A BID TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE.
’’ABOUT 110,000 STUDENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE 1989 SCHOOL SURVEY.
’’THEY INCLUDE DAY-TIME SCHOOL SECONDARY STUDENTS AND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES IN THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
’’AND, THE COVERAGE OF THE SURVEY POPULATION ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN BE MORE COMPLETE WITH THE INCLUSION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
ALL STUDENTS TO BE SURVEYED WILL BE ASKED TO COMPLETE, CONFIDENTIALLY AND ANONYMOUSLY, A QUESTIONNAIRE WITH 26 QUESTIONS IN SCHOOL HALLS OR CLASSROOMS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF STAFF FROM THE NARCOTICS DIVISION.
"THE STRUCTURE OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE WILL BE ADOPTED FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.
"SUBSEQUENT IMPROVEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE FROM THE 1987 SCHOOL SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE 1987 SURVEY FINDINGS RELEASED IN JUNE THIS YEAR, DR CHOA NOTED THAT THE FINDINGS OF 1.1 PER CENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 2.8 PER CENT OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS IN HONG KONG BEING FOUND TO HAVE ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES HAD REPRESENTED A LESSER PROPORTION COMPARED WITH THOSE IN THE COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.
/DR CHOA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
52 -
DR CHOA ALSO NOTED THAT THE SURVEY FINDINGS HAD ALSO PROVIDED VALUABLE STATISTICAL INFORMATION SUCH AS AGE GROUPS, TYPES OF DRUGS ABUSED AND SOURCES OF DRUGS IN RELATION TO THE STUDENTS DRUGS ABUSE SITUATION.
HE CONTINUED THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO, THROUGH OPEN FORUM DISCUSSIONS, OBTAIN VIEWS ON THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE PROBLEM AMONG YOUNGSTERS AND THE FUTURE STRATEGIES IN LOCAL PREVENTIVE EDUCATION.
THE SEMINAR ALSO SERVED TO GATHER VIEWS AND CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS FROM PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD AND TO USE THEM AS REFERENCE AND DIRECTIVES IN DEVISING FUTURE ANTI-DRUGS STRATEGIES.
DURING THE FORUM, FINDINGS OF THE 1987 SCHOOL SURVEY ON THE ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS WERE ALSO DISCUSSED AMONG ABOUT 400 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, STUDENT COUNSELLORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.
IN ADDITION, A REVISED SET OF EDUCATIONAL COLOUR SLIDES AND COMMENTARY ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE, TOGETHER WITH AN UP-TO-DATE AUDIO-VISUAL CATALOGUE, PRODUCED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, WERE INTRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
-------o---------
NORTH DB TO BE BRIEFED ON EXPO QUESTION * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED, AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY), BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR STEPHEN CHEONG ON THE RESULTS OF A PRE-FEASI BI LITY STUDY WHICH DEALS WITH THE PRACTICALITIES OF HONG KONG HOSTING A WORLD EXPOSITION IN 1997.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, TWO MEMBERS WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH INFORMATION ON THE EXISTING USE OF ASBESTOS MATERIALS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT.
ANOTHER MEMBER WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT THE DISCREPANCY IN THE USE OF LAND BETWEEN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AND DRAWINGS OF THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
/OTHER ITEMS........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE REPORTS FROM DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE NORTH
THE NORTH
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
BOARD MEETING OF THE NORTH
- 0-----------
EPD OFFICERS TO EXPLAIN LANDFILL PROJECT
*****
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO EXPLAIN TO MEMBERS DETAILS OF THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PROJECT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE SILTING OF THE DRAINAGE AT SIU ON COURT, IMPROVEMENT OF LIGHTING IN AREA 37B AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF SAN SHEK WAN, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CAUSED BY FACTORIES AT SAN HING TSUEN, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF PROPOSED DUMPING OF ASBESTOS WASTE IN PILLAR POINT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 10 AM IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN
DISTRICT COMMITTEE
ROOM ON HI ROAD,
TUEN MUN.
-----0-----
/&.....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988 - -
PASSENGER BAN ON LEARNER MOTOR CYCLISTS e
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL TIGHTEN UP THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT LEARNER MOTOR-CYCLISTS CANNOT CARRY PASSENGERS.
AT PRESENT, THE REGULATIONS PROHIBIT A LEARNER DRIVER FROM CARRYING PASSENGERS IN HIS VEHICLE OTHER THAN A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, ONE OTHER LEARNER DRIVER FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING DRIVING INSTRUCTION AND ONE OR MORE AUTHORISED EXAMINERS.
LEARNER MOTOR-CYCLISTS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT SUBJECT TO SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS.
TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY, THE REGULATIONS WILL BE AMENDED TO PROHIBIT A LEARNER DRIVER, WHEN DRIVING A MOTOR-CYCLE, FROM CARRYING A PASSENGER.
--------0----------
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS PROTECTION SHOW IN SHA TIN
*****
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, THE ’INDUSTRIAL WORKERS PROTECTION SHOW’, WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3 PM.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, MR CHENG YIU-TONG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR STUART DONNAN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PUBLICITY PROGRAMME SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, MR K.Y. TONGSON.
AS WELL AS FEATURING A WIDE RANGE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT USED IN INDUSTRY AND AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO FEATURE VISION, LUNG FUNCTION AND HEARING TESTS FOR VISITORS.
A LIVE BROADCAST VARIETY SHOW FEATURING POP SINGERS AND RADIO DISC JOCKEYS WILL BE STAGED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO CHANNEL II AT THE EXHIBITION SITE ON SUNDAY BETWEEN 3 PM AND 4 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE ENTRANCE ARENA, LEVEL 1, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
------0-------- /55.....................
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 55 -
CHEST CHARITY STAMP ISSUE ON NOVEMBER 30
*****
A SET OK FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS -- THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG CHARITY STAMPS — WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 30, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY WILL BE THE FIRST SET OF CHARITY STAMPS EVER ISSUED IN HONG KONG .
THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG, SET UP IN 1968, IS AN UMBRELLA ORGANISATION DEVOTED TO RAISING FUNDS COLLECTIVELY FOR ITS MEMBER AGENCIES.
THE CHEST NOW HAS OVER 100 MEMBER AGENCIES, INCLUDING MANY OF THE OLDEST AND LARGEST VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE TERRITORY, WHICH PROVIDE A WIDE VARIETY OF WELFARE SERVICES.
ITS KEY OBJECTIVE IS TO RAISE FUNDS BY SOLICITING DONATIONS THROUGH COMMUNITY-WIDE APPEALS AND TO DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY TO THE MEMBER AGENCIES SO THAT THEY CAN CONCENTRATE FULLY ON THEIR WELFARE WORK.
ALL DONATIONS RECEIVED ARE DISTRIBUTED TO AGENCIES, WITH NONE BEING RETAINED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
THE FOUR CHARITY STAMPS WILL FEATURE THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES OF THE DONATIONS MADE TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
DETAILS OF THE STAMPS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
POSTAGE DONATION CHARITY STAMPS SOLD AT
60 CENTS 10 CENTS 70 CENTS
$1.40 20 CENTS $1.60
$1.80 30 CENTS $2.10
$5 $1 $6
THE CARE AND REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE REPRESENTED IN THE 60 CENTS STAMP (PLUS 10 CENTS DONATION) BY A YOUNG GIRL WITH A HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND IN THE $1.80 STAMP (PLUS 30 CENTS DONATION) BY A BLIND BOY OPERATING A BRAILLE TYPEWRITER.
THE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY ARE REPRESENTED IN THE $1.40 STAMP (PLUS 20 CENTS DONATION) BY AN OLD LADY.
/THE SERVICES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
THE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE REPRESENTED IN THE $5 STAMP (PLUS $1 DONATION) BY A MOTHER AND BABY.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER AND PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS LTD IN THE UK.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS, AT $ 1 EACH, WHICH INCLUDES A 50 CENTS DONATION, WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM NOVEMBER 16.
DEFINITIVE STAMPS AT NORMAL PRICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT DESIGNATED COUNTERS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO MAKE A DONATION ON THE DAY OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE.
-----0-------
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SHOW ON PENG CHAU
*****
PENG CHAU RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY AN EXHIBITION AND A VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MESSAGE THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 22) AFTERNOON AT THE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO THE FERRY PIER.
THE EXHIBITION WILL START AT 4 PM AND WINNING ENTRIES OF A PHOTO CONTEST HELD LAST MONTH FEATURIG PROBLEMATIC SPOTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WHICH REQUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WOULD BE DISPLAYED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
A VARIETY SHOW WITH POP SINGING WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT AND TO PUT ACROSS THE ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION MESSAGE TO THE ISLANDERS.
’’ALL RESIDENTS ON PENG CHAU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND ADMISSION IS FREE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN.
SIMILAR ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN HELD AT PUI O ON LANTAU AND CHEUNG CHAU OVER THE PAST TWO SATURDAYS, ATTRACTING LARGE CROWDS OF AUDIENCES.
’’THE LAST ONE IN THE SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS AND VARIETY SHOWS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SOK KWU WAN BASKETBALL COURT ON LAMMA NEXT SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29) AFTERNOON,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE AIM OF HOLDING THIS SERIES OF EVENTS IS TO PROMOTE ISLANDERS AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE AND WILLINGNESS TO JOIN HANDS WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENT,” HE SAID.
------0------- /57......................
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 57 -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR YAN CHAI CHARITY WALK
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN YUEN LONG BETWEEN 8 AM AND 1 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23) DURING THE YAN CHAI CHARITY WALK.
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
* TSING TSUEN BRIDGE BETWEEN TAM KON SHAN INTERCHANGE AND TEXACO INTERCHANGE;
* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF MA TAU PA ROAD BETWEEN WANG LUNG STREET AND TEXACO ROAD;
* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE ACCESS ROAD FROM RIVIERA GARDENS LEADING TO MA TAU PA ROAD;
* THE OUTER LANE OF TEXACO INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THE WESTBOUND AND THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS OF TSING TSUEN BRIDGE; AND
* THE OUTER LANE OF TAM KON SHAN INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THE WESTBOUND AND THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS OF TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
TEXACO ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN MA TAU PA ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO WAH KEI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PARKING SPACES AT THE GOODS VEHICLE DRIVING TEST CENTRE IN MA TAU PA ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
MOREOVER, THE FOLLOWING BUS ROUTES WILL BE RE-ROUTED:
* ROUTE 38M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TEXACO ROAD ON ITS JOURNEYS TO TSUEN WAN MTR STATION.
* ON JOURNEYS FROM TSING YI, ROUTES 41A, 41M AND 43B WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE, KWAI TSING ROAD AND TSUEN WAN ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THEIR NORMAL ROUTEINGS AT TEXACO INTERCHANGE.
FOR TSING YI-BOUND JOURNEYS, THESE ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, KWAI TSING ROAD AND TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE AFTER TEXACO INTERCHANGE.
- - 0 -
/58
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE LATEST GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG. ।
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THIS IS THE LAST ANNOUNCEMENT MADE ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADINGS THIS YEAR AS THE BATHING SEASON COMES TO AN END BY LATE OCTOBER.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE E. COL1 DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THE E. COLI DATA USED FOR GRADING ARE BASED ON THE MEDIAN VALUES OF THE MOST RECENT FIVE RESULTS, OBTAINED OVER A TWO AND A HALF MONTH PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE USUAL SAMPLING FREQUENCY.
THE GRADES FOR SOME BEACHES MAY FLUCTUATE. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF THE BEACHES IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE SWIMMING AREAS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES, AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST OF BEACH WATER QUALITY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
’A’ GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN
0-99 PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD.
'B’ GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN
100-999 PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE.
’C’ GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS 1,000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
/NORMALLY, A
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
- 59 -
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A ’C’ GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO REOPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A ’B’ GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, EIVE BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS*, CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY. THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE FIVE BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN 'X* IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW ;
BEACH
LAST PRESENT
GRADING GRADING
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY
CHUNG HOM KOK
DEEP WATER BAY
HAIRPIN
MIDDLE BAY
REPULSE BAY
SHEK 0
SOUTH BAY-
ST. STEPHEN’S
TURTLE COVE
STANLEY MAIN
ROCKY BAY
TO TEI WAN*
(AS AT 6. 10.88) (AS AT 20.10.88)
A A
A A
B A
A A
B B
C B
B A
B A
A A
A A
A A
X X
A A
/ISLANDS DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
60 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B B
DISCOVERY BAY* B A
HUNG SHING YEH A A
KWUN YAM WAN A A
TONG FUK A A
LO SO SHING A A
PUI 0 A A
SILVERMINE BAY X X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B A
TUNG 0* A A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH B B
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A A
HAP MUN BAY A A
KIU TSUI A A
PAK SHA CHAU A A
STLVERSTRAND C C
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A A
/TSUEN wan district........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988
NOTE:
TUNG
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
- 61 -
ANGLERS’ X
APPROACH B
CASAM B
GEMINI B
HOI MEI WAN B
LIDO B
TING KAU c
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA B
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE c
BUTTERFLY c
X
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
X
B
X
B
C
•X’ THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK O, SOUTH BAY, DISCOVERY BAY LANTAU WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU, FROM ’B’ TO ’A’; REPULSE BAY, TING KAU
AND
AND
KADOORIE, FROM ’C’ TO ’B’.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID AN ANNUAL REVIEW ON THE WATER QUALITY VARIOUS BATHING BEACHES IN THE BATHING SEASON OI< 1988 WILL PREPARED BY EPD BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE
OF BE
/THE REPORT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1988 -
- 62 -
THE REPORT WILL ALSO GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1989.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR PAUL HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, ON 3-7211044.
------0-------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER
THE FOLLOWING ROAD AM TO 7 PM DAILY 24) TO FACILITATE
WATERMAIN DIVERSION WORKS. .
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WILMER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH EASTERN STREET. THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTERN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION. THIS URBAN CLEARWAY WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-----0-------
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT A BUILDING IN KOWLOON CITY SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IS LOCATED AT FLAT B, FIRST FLOOR, 66 NGA TSIN WAI ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON APRIL 7 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 21 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR’S EUROPEAN TOUR ...................... 1
ANOTHER IMPORTANT LINK ESTABLISHED WITH GUANGDONG: SIR
DAVID ..................................................... 2
AMENDMENTS TO COMPANIES ORDINANCE PROPOSED ..................... 5
IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO LRT/ROAD INTERFACE......................... 4
WORKING GROUP MEETS ON RELAXATION PROGRAMME FOR REFUGEES .. 5
RELAXATION OF RULES FOR CLOSED CENTRES ......................... 6
LONDON OFFICE INTRODUCES NEW VISITORS ADVISORY SERVICE .... 7
IMPORTANCE OF MINIMISING LOSS OF HUMAN RESOURCES................ 8
SAFETY COUNCIL WILL EXP/lND SERVICES............................ 9
CRIME RATE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DROPS ....................... 10
SCS TAKES FIRST-HAND LOOK AT GOVT LABORATORIES ................ 12
PARENTAL CaRE KEEPS YOUNGSTERS FROM DRUG-TAKING ............... 12
NEW DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG ............... 13
SITES TO BE RESUMED FOR JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENT .................. 14
BILL PROVIDES DEFINITION OF SPECIAL VEHICLES .................. 15
WIDE-RANGING PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL....... 15
CHEUNG CHAU FaiilLY TRAIL OPENS TOMORROW ...................... 17
TAI PO ’KEEP CLEAN* CAMPAIGN BEGINS SUNDAY .................... 17
FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS.............. 18
EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN TaI KOK TSUI...... 19
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER ................................... 20
GRaDE SEP,xRaTED INTERSECTION WORKS ........................... 21
TENDERS INVITED FOR BUILDING FOOTBRIDGE ....................... 22
RESTRICTED ZONES IN YUEN LONG, ROAD REOPENS IN KWUN TONG .. 23
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN QUEEN’S ROaD CENTRAL............... 23
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL NORTHBOUND TUBE........ 24
TEMPORARY LaNE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY IN TAI PO.............. 24
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
GOOD RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR’S EUROPEAN FOUR * t t t *
THE GOVERNOR, Mk DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAV (FRIDAY) THAT HE WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE INTEREST THAT HAD BEEN SHOWN IN HONG KONG IN ALL THE THREE CITIES HE VISITED AS PART OF HIS EUROPEAN TOUR THIS WEEK.
"I AM GLAD TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT HONG KONG'S CASE TO OFFICIALS, BUSINESSMEN AND OTHER PEOPLE 01- INFLUENCE IN BONN, BRUSSELS AND PARIS AND 1 HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE WARMTH AND ENTHUSIASM SHOWN TOWARDS HONG KONG IN EACH OF THE THREE CITIES,” SIR DAVID SAID.
”1 HOPE THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE SOME OF THE DOUBTS OUR OVERSEAS FRIENDS MAY HAVE HAD ABOUT HONG KONG'S FUTURE AND GIVE INVESTORS A CLEARER IDEA OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST IN THE TERRITORY, BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE."
HE SAID HE HAU BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE LARGE TURNOUT AT THE THREE TALKS HE GAVE AND BY THE TYPE AND RANGE OF QUESTIONS WHICH WERE RAISED BY THE NOTABLY WELL INFORMED AUDIENCES.
"THE EUROPEAN GOMMUN1 TV IS OUR THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
"AS IT MOVES TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SINGLE MARKET IN 1992, WE MUST CONTINUE TO REMIND THE MEMBER STATES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE TRADE AND OF THE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE BOOMING ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, OF WHICH HONG KONG IS THE HUB."
THE GOVERNOR MADE THESE COMMENTS AFTER A SECOND DAY IN PARIS, BRINGING HIS FIVE-DAY TOUR OF EUROPE TO A CLOSE.
CONTINUING TO PROMOTE HONG KONG AND ITS ATTRACTIONS, HE HAD MEETINGS TODAY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AT THE FRENCH DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS, MR FRANCOIS DAVID, AND THE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, MRS EDWIGE AVICE.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE MAYOR OF PARIS, MR JACQUES CHIRAC.
SIR DAVID LATER LEFT FOR LONDON WHERE HE WILL HAVE CONSULTATIONS WITH MINISTERS AND OTHER MEETINGS OVER THREE DAYS BEGINNING NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 24).
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/2........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
e - 2 -
ANOTHER IMPORTANT LINK ESTABLISHED WITH GUANGDONG: SIR DAVID
*****
ANOTHER IMPORTANT LINK HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH GUANGDONG PROVINCE WHICH PLAYS A VITAL PART IN THE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE SYSTEM, SIR DAVID SAID THE MAJOR FACILITY WOULD GREATLY EXPAND THE SCOPE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
"AS A LEADING FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN ASIA, HONG KONG DEPENDS ON EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOTH WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND WITH ITS TRADING PARTNERS.
"CLEARLY, A KEY ELEMENT IN OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IS THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA," SIR DAVID SAID. 4
HE SAID HONG KONG AND CHINA WERE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS, AND THE NEIGHBOURING PROVINCE OF GUANGDONG PLAYED A VITAL PART IN THIS ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP.
"MUCH OF HONG KONG’S INVESTMENT IS CONCENTRATED IN THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE, EMPLOYING DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IN EXCESS OF 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE.
"THROUGH OUR ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH GUANGDONG AND WITH THE REST OF CHINA, HONG KONG IS SET TO BECOME A MAJOR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL LINK BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE NEW OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE SYSTEM WOULD BE ONE MORE IMPORTANT STEP IN FOSTERING THAT LINK, TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA.
"HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH REQUIRES THAT WE KEEP PACE WITH THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES.
"THIS NEW HIGH-CAPACITY SYSTEM PROVIDES DIGITAL CAPABILITY COVERING VOICE, DATA AND VIDEO OR ANY COMBINATION OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS.
"IT IS A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS AN EVEN MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE NEW SYSTEM IS THE COMBINED EFFORT OF CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) AND THE GUANGDONG POSTS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU.
- 0----------
/3........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 5 -AMENDMENTS TO COMPANIES ORDINANCE PROPOSED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM AND THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS WERE CONTAINED IN THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS REFLECTED RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE TWO COMMITTEES WHICH WERE SET UP TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON SUCH MATTERS RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND TO THE CARRYING ON OF INSURANCE BUSINESS RESPECTIVELY IN THE LIGHT OF PRACTICAL APPLICATION AND EXPERIENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS A MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENT BILL INCORPORATING MORE THAN 10 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. MAJOR PROPOSALS IN THIS BILL INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
* COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG BE PERMITTED TO ISSUE PROSPECTUSES WHICH CONTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS OR ILLUSTRATIONS OF A PICTORIAL OR GRAPHIC NATURE.
* THE MINIMUM AGE FOR A PERSON TO BE APPOINTED AS A COMPANY DIRECTOR BE REDUCED FROM 21 TO 18.
* DECLARATION OF SOLVENCY BE PERMITTED TO BE MADE ON THE SAME DATE ON WHICH A RESOLUTION TO WIND UP A COMPANY VOLUNTARILY IS PASSED BUT PRIOR TO THE PASSING OF THAT RESOLUTION ON THAT DATE.
* A CERTIFIED COPY OF OR EXTRACT FROM ANY REGISTERED DOCUMENT BE ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER PROOF.
* THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES BE GIVEN A STATUTORY DISCRETION TO ACCEPT OTHER SUITABLE EVIDENCE OF INCORPORATION IN LIEU OF A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN CASES WHERE HE IS SATISFIED THAT IT IS NOT THE PRACTICE TO ISSUE A
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN THE COMPANY’S PLACE OF INCORPORATION.
* A HIERARCHY OF PREFERRED CLAIMS BE SET UP, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXISTING PREFERRED CLAIMS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, TO GIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO PERSONS WITH INSURANCE CLAIMS UNDER CONTRACTS OF GENERAL J.E. NON-LIFE BUSINESS AGAINST AN INSURANCE COMPANY IN LIQUIDATION.
* PENALTY RATES BE INTRODUCED FOR LATE FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS. THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF FINE WILL RANGE FROM $500 TO $1,500 DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF THE OVERDUE PERIOD.
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE BILL ALSO INCLUDED A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 20(2) LN THE COMPANY ORDINANCE TO CLARIFY THE TERM "HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT".
"UNDER SECTION 20(2) OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE," HE SAID, "NO COMPANY EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR SHALL BE REGISTERED BY A NAME WHICH IN THE OPINION OF THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES, SUGGESTS OR IS CALCULATED TO SUGGEST A CONNECTION WITH 'HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT OR ANY DEPARTMENT THEREOF’.
"TO REMOVE ANY AMBIGUITY, IT IS PROPOSED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE TERM ’HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT’ INCLUDES ANY CONNECTION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.”
HE SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO CORRECT SOME MINOR TEXTUAL ERRORS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL CONCERNING PREFERENTIAL PAYMENT IN INSURANCE COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS WHEREAS THE REST OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED OR SUPPORTED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM.
- - - - 0 ----
IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO LRT/ROAD INTERFACE
*****
THE WORKING GROUP ON LRT/ROAD TRAFFIC INTERFACE TODAY (FRIDAY) MET AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON TO CONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE LRT/ROAD INTERFACE.
WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT TWELVE JUNCTIONS TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TURNING OF VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS. THESE WORKS WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
SOME 13 LRT/ROAD JUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SIGNS WARNING MOTORISTS OF THEIR APPROACH TO AN LRT JUNCTION. THESE SIGNS WOULD BE ERECTED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
FOLLOWING SITE VISITS BY GOVERNMENT AND LRT STAFF, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO ERECT ADDITIONAL BARRIERS SO THAT CYCLISTS HAVE TO DISMOUNT AND PEDESTRIANS ARE CHANNELLED TO FACE ON-COMING LRVS BEFORE CROSSING AN LRT JUNCTION.
SUCH BARRIERS WILL BE ERECTED AT EIGHT LOCATIONS INITIALLY OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. SIMILAR BARRIERS WILL BE ERECTED AT OTHER JUNCTIONS.
/AN AUDIO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 5 -
AN AUDIO EQUIPMENT TO WARN PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS OF ON-COMING LRVS HAS BEEN SATISFACTORILY TESTED AT MELODY GARDEN.
THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE SUCH EQUIPMENT ARE INSTALLED AT ALL SIGNALISED CROSSINGS.
MEANWHILE, PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS WILL CONTINUE IN COOPERATION WITH THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS AND KCRC.
SPECIFIC BRIEFINGS ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE LRT SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONDUCTED FOR TARGET GROUPS INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN, OPERATORS OF SCHOOL BUSES, TAXIS AND PLB AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS.
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WORKING GROUP MEETS ON RELAXATION PROGRAMME FOR REFUGEES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE SHAM SHU1 PO CLOSED CENTRE, SET UP TO MONITOR AND ADVISE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RELAXATION PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, HELD ITS FIRST MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WERE BRIEFED ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR JOB PLACEMENT FOR THE REFUGEES, PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CENTRE.
ON JOB PLACEMENT, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE UNHCR AND ITS DESIGNATED VOLUNTARY AGENCY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING REFUGEES IN SUITABLE JOBS, AND THAT THE PROGRAMME OF ARRANGING SUCH EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE PHASED IN ORDER TO AVOID A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES JOINING THE LABOUR MARKET AT THE SAME TIME.
DESIGNATED
EMPLOYMENT
SAFETY AND
NEW WORKING
IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE UNHCR AND ITS VOLUNTARY AGENCY WOULD ENSURE THAT REFUGEES SUITABLE FOR WERE GIVEN APPROPRIATE TRAINING IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND LABOUR LAWS SO THAT THEY COULD BETTER ADJUST TO THEIR
ENVIRONMENT.
ON THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES, GROUP MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE UNHCR HAD APPOINTED AN AGENCY TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES AT VARIOUS CLOSED CENTRES.
WHEN THE AGENCY EVENTUALLY TAKES OVER THE RUNNING CLINICS IN SHAM SHUI PO CLOSED CENTRE, GOVERNMENT WILL
OF BE
THE ABLE
TWO
TO
WITHDRAW ONE DOCTOR, THREE NURSES, AND 44 OFFICERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WHO ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES THERE.
/AS FOR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
6
AS FOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE UNHCR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, WOULD DESIGNATE A MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO TAKE OVER THE DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTRE BEFORE FULL LIBERALISATION WHEN STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD BE WITHDRAWN.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE MANAGEMENT AGENCY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOOKING AFTER THE SECURITY OF THE CENTRE, ENSURING THAT THE RELEVANT RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE OBSERVED BY THE REFUGEES, AS WELL AS ENSURING THE CLEANLINESS OF THE CENTRE.
FUNDS FOR THE AGENCY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE UNHCR.
ALSO AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP WERE TOLD THAT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE DRAWING UP PLANS TO BRIEF THE REFUGEES ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
THESE INCLUDE THE POLICE WHICH WILL BRIEF THEM ON THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL TALK TO THEM ABOUT ROAD SAFETY AND THE GENERAL TRANSPORT SITUATION, AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL BRIEF THEM ON LABOUR LAWS.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO ASSURED THAT THE POLICE WOULD STEP UP THEIR PATROLS AROUND THE CLOSED CENTRE AS WELL AS MAKE REGULAR VISITS TO THE CENTRE TO UPHOLD LAW AND ORDER.
TODAY’S WORKING GROUP MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY MRS CARRIE YAU, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY; AND MEMBERS INCLUDED MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, MR CHOW KWEN-LIM, MR CHOY WAI-SHEK, AND MR WONG PING-HON WHO WERE NOMINATED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
ALSO PRESENT WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SHAM SHUI PO POLICE DISTRICT, THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE UNHCR, AND VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
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RELAXATION OF RULES FOR CLOSED CENTRES ♦ ♦ » ♦
AMENDMENTS TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CLOSED CENTRE RULES WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RELAXATION PROGRAMME FOR THESE CENTRES.
\ GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE IMMIGRATION (VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES) (CLOSED CENTRE) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 5) RULES 1988 WERE AIMED AT PROVIDING THE CAMP MANAGEMENTS WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ALLOW REFUGEES TO LEAVE A CLOSED CENTRE FOR STUDY, EMPLOYMENT, RECREATION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AS APPROVED BY (HE LAMP
SUPERINTENDENT.
/"HOWEVER, THE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
"HOWEVER. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RELAXATION PROGRAMME WOULD VARY FROM CENTRE TO CENTRE AND THE PACE WOULD VERY MUCH DEPEND ON THE GROUPS WHICH WOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS, HE ADDED.
RESPECTIVE WORKING
THE AMENDED OF A CLOSED CENTRE
RULES CONTAIN PROVISIONS FOR THE PERMITTED ABSENCE DETAINEE IN ORDER TO STUDY, UNDERTAKE APPROVED AS THE SUPERINTENDENT
RECREATION OR DO SUCH THINGS
EMPLOYMENT, OBTAIN
IN CHARGE OF THE CENTRE MAY APPROVE, HE
SAID.
"THE RULES ALSO DETAINEE REMAINS IN THE POINTED OUT.
PROVIDE THAT DURING ANY SUCH ABSENCE, A LEGAL CUSTODY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT," HE
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LONDON OFFICE INTRODUCES NEW VISITORS ADVISORY SERVICE
*****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON WILL INTRODUCE A NEW VISITORS ADVISORY SERVICE FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO ASSIST VISITORS FROM HONG KONG WHO FACE DIFFICULTIES AT PORTS OF ENTRY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM AND THOSE VISITORS WHO ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES AND WISH TO SEEK INFORMATION SHOULD CALL 01-629 5068 FOR ADVICE.
THE DECISION TO INTRODUCE THE SERVICE WAS TAKEN AFTER SOME HONG KONG VISITORS COMPLAINED THAT THEY FACED DIFFICULTIES INCLUDING, IN SOME INSTANCES, REFUSAL OF ENTRY ON ARRIVAL IN BRITAIN.
THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID THE SERVICE WOULD BE MANNED BY BILINGUAL STAFF OF THE LONDON OFFICE WHO WOULD ADVISE VISITORS FROM HONG KONG OF THEIR RIGHTS REGARDING IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS IN BRITAIN.
"THE SERVICE IS THERE TO ADVISE HONG KONG VISITORS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND APPEAL PROCEDURES IF APPLICABLE," MR ALLEYNE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE SERVICE IS NOT TO CHALLENGE ANY IMMIGRATION DECISIONS TAKEN BY UK IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
IF ANY HONG KONG VISITOR IS AGGRIEVED BY ANY IMMIGRATION DECISION, HE SHOULD APPEAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES OF THE UK IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
THE NEW ADVISORY SERVICE WILL OPERATE FOR A SIX-MONTH TRIAL PERIOD, AFTER WHICH A REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED.
- - 0 - -
/8........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 8 -
IMPORTANCE OF MINIMISING LOSS OF HUMAN RESOURCES
*****
THE "PRESERVATION OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE" IS ONE OF THE AREAS IN THE STUDY OF LOSS CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
AND IN THE WAKE OF LABOUR SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED, THIS AREA WAS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT FOR MANAGERS IN INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO MANAGED IN THE HIGHER RISK TRADES, INDUSTRIES OR OCCUPATIONS.
"WE ALL AGREE THAT HUMAN RESOURCES IS THE MOST VALUABLE ASSET IN INDUSTRY," MR KWOK SAID.
"IF WE CONTINUE TO LOSE STAFF THROUGH ACCIDENTS OR THROUGH WASTAGE TO LOW-RISK TRADES OR INDUSTRIES, WE WILL CERTAINLY FURTHER STRAIN OUR LIMITED HUMAN RESOURCES."
MR KWOK WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON RISK MANAGEMENT AND LOSS CONTROL IN HONG KONG ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS (HONG KONG).
RISK MANAGEMENT, BY MEANS OF USING LOSS CONTROL TECHNIQUES, IS A PLANNED AND SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO MINIMISE LOSSES BY ASSISTING AND MOTIVATING THE MANAGEMENT TO FIND AND REMOVE THE CONTRIBUTING AND FUNDAMENTAL CAUSES OF THEIR "ACCIDENTS".
MR KWOK WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE LOCAL INDUSTRY HAD TAKEN A MORE POSITIVE ROLE IN SHOULDERING ITS PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, NOT ONLY FOR THE WELL BEING OF' THE EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT.
HE SAID THAT IN THE PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN DOING A GREAT DEAL OF WORK.
APART FROM ENFORCING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATIONS, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO DEVOTED MUCH EFFORTS IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY THROUGH TRAINING AND PUBLICITY.
MR KWOK EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT FOLLOWING THE TREND OF OTHER ADVANCED COUNTRIES, ACCIDENT PREVENTION IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY WOULD EVOLVE INTO LOSS CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE COMING YEARS.
0 -
/9........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 9 -
SAFETY COUNCIL WILL EXPAND SERVICES * * * * *
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL (OSHC), A STATUTORY BODY SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO WORKERS, WILL EVENTUALLY EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO COVER THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTORS WHICH ARE EQUALLY ACCIDENT PRONE, THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR HO SAI-CHU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR HO SAID THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAD GONE A LONG WAY IN PROMOTING THE PERCEPTION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AMONG INDUSTRIAL WORKERS.
"THE COUNCIL WILL CARRY ON WITH THE GOOD WORK OF THE COMMITTEE AND WILL ENDEAVOUR TO SPREAD THE PERCEPTION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH TO NON-INDUSTRIAL WORKERS," HE STRESSED.
MR HO WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN INDUSTRIAL WORKERS PROTECTION EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE-, THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS AND THE OSHC AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNCIL WAS MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, THE GOVERNMENT, PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC INTERESTS.
"MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN THE PROMOTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, FOR THEIR COMMITMENT IN THE PROTECTION OF THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF PEOPLE AT WORK AND FOR THEIR PAST ASSOCIATION WITH WORK IN THIS FIELD," HE EXPLAINED.
"I AM SURE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR IDENTITY, THEIR CONTRIBUTION WILL BE INVALUABLE TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL."
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE COUNCIL HAS SET UP FOUR FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEES TO LOOK AFTER FINANCE, STAFFING, PUBLICITY AND OTHER MATTERS.
THE POSTS OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, A SECRETARY AND TWO OTHER SUPPORTING STAFF HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED RECENTLY AND ADVERTISEMENTS FOR CONSULTANTS, ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND OTHER SUPPORTING STAFF WILL FOLLOW LATER.
"IF ALL GOES WELL, WE EXPECT THE STAFF WILL BE IN POST EARLY NEXT YEAR BY WHICH TIME THE COUNCIL WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE ITS OWN PREMISES," MR HO SAID.
"WITH ITS OWN STAFF AND PREMISES, THE COUNCIL WILL THEN BE ABLE TO EMBARK ON WORK ON TRAINING AND EDUCATION, PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION, AS WELL AS TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH WORK."
/ALSO OFFICIATING
’ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
10 -
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND; CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, MR CHENG YIU-TONG; CHAIRMAN OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE, PROFESSOR STUART DONNAN; AND IHE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PUBLICITY PROGRAMME SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, MR K.Y. TONGSON.
THE SHOW, WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23), IS AIMED AT GENERATING THE AWARENESS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE AND USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK.
APART FROM A WIDE RANGE OF THE LATEST PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS, VISITORS CAN ALSO TAKE PART IN VISION, HEARING AND LUNG FUNCTION TESTS.
TO MARK THE CONCLUSION OF THE EVENT, A ONE-HOUR VARIETY SHOW WILL BE STAGED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO II ON SUNDAY AT THE EXHIBITION SITE, BEGINNING AT 3 PM.
IT WILL FEATURE POP SINGERS ALEX TO TAK-WAI, ANDY HUI CHI-ON AND BERTHA NGAI YEE-CHING, AND SEVERAL DISC JOCKEYS FROM THE STATION.
-----0----------
CRIME RATE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DROPS *****
THE AVERAGE CRIME RATE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT DURING THE LAST QUARTER (FROM JUNE TO AUGUST) DROPPED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF ROBBERIES AND PICKPOCKETING DECREASED BY 37 PER CENT AND 80 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHILE THE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY RATE ALSO DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER SAID THIS WAS TO A LARGE EXTENT DUE TO THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE POLICE, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DFCC HAD EFFECTIVELY REVIEWED THE STATE OF CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE DISTRICT AND RECOMMENDED APPROPRIATE PRIORITIES TO THE CONCERNED AUTHORITIES IN TACKLING CRIME.
/HE ADDED
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
HE ADDED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD PROMOTED THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE THROUGH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS.
THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WU CHOR-NAM ALSO INTRODUCED THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN CONSISTING OF SIX COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES.
FIRST, A SCHEME KNOWN AS GOOD STUDENT AND GOOD CITIZEN AWARD WILL INVITE NOMINATIONS FROM NOVEMBER 1 UNTIL DECEMBER 15.
TEN PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH SECTION - STUDENT AND CITIZEN SECTIONS WILL BE SELECTED TO RECEIVE PRIZES VALUED AT $1,000.
AMONG THESE PARTICIPANTS, TWO OUTSTANDING WINNERS FROM EACH SECTION WILL BE SENT ON A STUDY TOUR IN SINGAPORE WHERE THEY WILL VISIT CRIME PREVENTION INSTITUTIONS.
GIVING DETAILS ABOUT THE SCHEME, THE WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN, MISS BETTY EU SAID SCHOOL HEADS COULD NOMINATE SECONDARY 2 TO 7 STUDENTS, WHO HAD GOOD ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT AND SHOWED ENTHUSIASM IN PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, TO TAKE PART IN THE AWARD.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ARE WELCOME TO NOMINATE THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ANTI-TRIAD DAY CAMP THIS SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23) AT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK.
AT THIS CAMP, POLICE REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE INVITED TO BRIEF PARTICIPANTS ON THE PLIGHT OF TRIAD INVOLVEMENT AND THE GENERAL TACTICS ADOPTED BY TRIAD SOCIETIES TO RECRUIT YOUTH MEMBERS.
IN ADDITION, A SEMINAR TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOME SECURITY WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 22, WHILE THE COMMITTEE WILL PUT UP DISPLAY BOARDS INTRODUCING PROPER SECURITY MEASURES INSIDE THE LIFTS OF 60 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
A VARIETY SHOW WITH SEMINAR ON ANTI-SHOPTHEFT WILL BE HELD AI THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON DECEMBER 4.
IT IS DESIGNED TO WARN YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE HEAVY COST TO BE PAID FOR SHOPLIFTING.
THE LAST IN THE SERIES WILL BE A SEMINAR ON GOLDSMITHS AND JEWELLERY SHOPS’ SECURITY TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 9.
PROPER SECURITY MEASURES AND ADVANCED INSTALLATIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THIS SEMINAR.
THE OVERALL CAMPAIGN TO BE ORGANISED WILL COST MORE THAN $160,000 WITH $100,000 COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP AND THE DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
-------O----------
/12........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
12 -
SCS TAKES FIRST-HAND LOOK AT GOVT » * ♦ * *
LABORATORIES
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE ANALYTICAL, ADVISORY AND INVESTIGATIVE WORK IN CHEMISTRY AND ALLIED SCIENCES BEING PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY.
ACCOMPANIED BY GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, MR N.S. LEE, AND ASSISTANT GOVERNMENT CHEMISTS DR B.N. DAILLY AND MR S.T. CHAN, HE INSPECTED FACILITIES AT THE FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORIES IN WAN CHAI AND THE ANALYTICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES LABORATORIES IN NORTH POINT.
HE WAS GIVEN AN INSIGHT INTO HOW THE LABORATORIES HAD OFFERED COMPREHENSIVE AND IMPARTIAL SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN WIDE-RANGING FIELDS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, AIR, WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SAMPLES ARE ANALYSED, MAINLY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT," SAID A GOVERNMENT LABORATORY OFFICIAL.
"THE LABORATORIES ALSO CARRY OUT MEASUREMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL EMISSION AND FACTORY ATMOSPHERE ON BEHALF OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"TO HELP SAFEGUARD PUBLIC HEALTH, A WIDE RANGE OF FOOD COMMONLY CONSUMED BY THE PUBLIC IS EXAMINED FOR HARMFUL ADULTERANTS, METALLIC CONTAMINANTS OR NON-PERMITTED ADDITIVES.
"OTHER ASPECTS OF WORK INCLUDE THE CLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS, ANALYSES OF PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS AND RESIDUES AS WELL AS IDENTIFICATION OF A VARIETY OF SPURIOUS CONSUMER GOODS."
-------0----------
PARENTAL CARE KEEPS YOUNGSTERS FROM DRUG-TAKING ♦ ♦ * * ♦
PARENTAL CARE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN PEOPLE FROM TAKING SOFT DRUGS, CHAIRMAN OF THE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, SAID TODAY
PREVENTING YOUNG • ACTION COMMITTEE (FRIDAY).
SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL EVENING, DR CHOA SAID IF PARENTS TOOK MORE THEY WOULD NOT BE SO VULNERABLE TO THE
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING VARIETY SHOW THIS CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN,
TEMPTATIONS OF DRUGS.
"I HOPE RESIDENTS, IN SHA TIN AND ELSEWHERE, CAN SPREAD THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE AND BE ALERT TO THE DRUG PROBLEM," HE ADDED.
/CHAIRMAN OF
r
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 15 -
CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANT I-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE, MR LEE KWONG NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE HAD ORGANISED MORE THAN 20 ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM FAMILY FUN DAYS TO VARIETY SHOWS.
"TO PUT THE MESSAGE ACROSS ALL LEVELS, MANY ACTIVITIES ARE BEING CO-ORGANISED WITH THE AREA COMMITTEES AND SCHOOLS, AND THIS EVENING’S EVENT WILL SERVE TO RAISE THE DISTRICT CAMPAIGN TO THE TERRITORY-WIDE LEVEL,” HE SAID.
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS ATTENDED THIS COLOURFUL SHA PIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL CLOSING VARIETY SHOW FROM 7 TO 10 PM AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
THE FIRST-HOUR PROGRAMME CONCENTRATED ON PERFORMANCE TROUPES FROM THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING THE SHA TIN CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE, DRAMA TROUPE AND YOUTH CHOIR.
AFTER 8 PM, THE PROGRAMME WAS BROADCAST ON CHANNEL ONE OF RTHK, WITH A NUMBER OF WELL-KNOWN POP STARS, BANDS AND DJS SINGING 10 PROMOTE THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS ALSO INCLUDED SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VI (’TOR YUNG; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (RADIO) OF BROADCASTING, MR SIMON LUN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM AND SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION (’HAIRMAN, MR WONG LUEN-KIN.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANT I-NARCOTICS FESTIVAL, COSTING MORE THAN $240,000, WAS FUNDED IH ACAN, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD AND BY PRIVATE SPONSORS.
-------0----------
NEW DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG ♦ III*
A NEW DETECTIVE TRAINING S( ..’IIOOL W1 LL^ । BE BU 1 L I
IN WONG CHUK OFFICERS OF
HANG TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TRAINING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT Ob
THE POLICE.
IS TO REPLACE
EXISTING
IN A
THE HOUSED
THE NEW SCHOOL AT NAM FUNG ROAD SCHOOL AT KAI TAK AIRPORT, KOWLOON. • --- -
FOUR-STOREY BUILDING THAT PROVIDES PURPOSED-BUI LI FAC1LI1 E. .
IT
WILL BE
HALL/GYMNASIUM
10 CLASSROOMS,
THE FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE AN ASSEMBLY i’am Af’rnMnnATF 180 PERSONS; A MOCK COURT ROOM, SYNDICATE ROOMS, A VISUAL DISPLAY ROOM AND INSTRUCTORS’ OFFICES.
WHICH
FOUR
/THERE WILL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
1U
HOTEL FOR FOR
THERE WILL ALSO BE MOCK-UPS OF C.I.D. OFFICES, A FLAT, A SUITE, A RETAIL SHOP, AND A NIGHT CLUB/BAR; A DEMONSTRATION ROOM SPECIALIST TRAINING, DARK-ROOM AND LABORATORY, AND S'lOREROOMS DEMONSTRATION WEAPONS AND VALUABLES.
ARMOURY, INDOOR FITNESS
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A LIBRARY, A GUARD ROOM, AN STAFF RECREATION AND STAFF/STUDENT DINING ROOMS, ABLUTIONS, AN FIRING RANGE, MINI-RANGE COMPLEX AND TWO SQUASH COURT AND A
TRAINING ROOM.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN OPEN CARPARK AND CLEANSING BAY FOR VEHICLES, AND A COMBINED OUTDOOR TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL AND BADMINTON COURT.
WORK ON THE PROJECT'S SITE FORMATION WILL START IN DECEMBER AND COMPLETED IN AUGUST 1990.
TENDERS ARE NOW BEING CALLED FOR THE SITE FORMATION WORK. THE DEADLINE IS NOON ON FIRDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
BE OBTAINED FROM
FLOOR, QUEENSWAY
-------0----------
SITES TO BE RESUMED FOR JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENT * * * * *
Till' GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME 119 LOTS IN HANG HAU, FOR THE SECOND STAGE OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
THE LOTS COMPRISE 5,182.9 SQUARE METRES OE
8,418.3 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING AGRICULTURAL LAND.
SAI KUNG,
LAND AND
OF 5.3
ROADS
TIIF RESUMPTION IS REQUIRED '1’0 FACILITATE THE FORMATION HECTARES OF LAND FOR TWO SCHOOL SITES, RESIDENTIAL USES, ACCESS AND DRMNAGE TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWN COMMUNITY.
A NOTICE OF RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN (FRIDAY). THE LOTS WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT THREE MONTHS AFTER THE POSTING OF THE NOIICE.
THE GAZETTE TODAY ON THE EXPIRY OF
0 -
/15
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 15 -
BILL PROVIDES DEFINITION OF SPECIAL VEHICLES
*****
THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A SEPARATE DEFINITION FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO AMEND THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) ORDINANCE TO SPECIFY THAT SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO A 15 PER CENT FIRST REGISTRATION TAX.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE AMENDMENT ALSO SEEKS TO EXEMPT FROM THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, BUSES USED SOLELY FOR TRAINING DRIVERS UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE OR UNDER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT, BUSES USED SOLELY FOR THE OPERATION OF A PUBLIC BUS SERVICE UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE OR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX.
HOWEVER, BUSES USED FOR THE TRAINING OF DRIVERS DO NOT COME WITHIN THE EXEMPTION. THEY ARE CLASSIFIED AS PRIVATE BUSES AND ARE SUBJECT TO A 15 PER CENT FIRST REGISTRATION TAX.
AS THE DEPLOYMENT OF BUSES BY FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES AND THE KCRC FOR TRAINING DRIVERS IS ESSENTIAL FOR OPERATING PUBLIC BUS SERVICES, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES AND KCRC SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON BUSES USED SOLELY FOR TRAINING DRIVERS.
------o ------
WIDE-RANGING PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL
*****
THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL, WHICH WILL BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 5, WILL AGAIN FEATURE A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS THAT WILL APPEAL TO RESIDENTS.
DETAILS WERE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY) AT WHICH THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, CALLED TSUEN WAN A PIONEER IN ORGANISING DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVALS.
"THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL WAS FIRST HELD IN 1979 AND, WITH KEEN SUPPORT FROM THE TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY, IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO AN ANNUAL EVENT WITH REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS," MR SHIU SAID.
/"THE EXECUTIVE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 16 -
"THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES OE THE PAST FESTIVALS HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT AND SUCCEEDED IN PRODUCING A BETTER PROGRAMME EACH YEAR."
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE 1OTII SPORTS FESTIVAL WAS OUTLINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR CHUNG WAI PING.
"THE FESTIVAL WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH THE GRAND OPENING OF SOCCER INVITATION MATCHES AT THE TSUEN WAN YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTS GROUND ON NOVEMBER 5," MR CHUNG SAID.
"THE CURTAIN RAISER WILL BE THE JAPAN KAGOSHIMA TEAM AGAINST THE TSUEN WAN TEAM AND THE MAIN MATCH WILL BE THE CHINESE NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM AGAINST THE HONG KONG TV AND FILM STARS TEAM."
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS W1LI
INCLUDE PERFORMANCES
NATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS TEAM, THE STYLE), THE JIANGSU ACROBATIC AND JIANGSU BADMINTON TEAM AS WELL AS
SHENZHEN WRESTLING
BY
TEAM
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTIC A CELEBRITY TENNIS
THE
TEAM
CHINESE
( MONGOLIAN AND THE
DEMONSTRATION
MATCH.
A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS, INCLUDING ARCHERY, MINI-SOCCER, FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, HANDBALL, TENNIS, AEROBIC DANCE, GO-KART RACING AND A CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON, WILL BE HELD AT VARIOUS VENUES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
"THE PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES SPECIAL HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY," MR CHUNG ADDED.
EVENTS FOR THE
PRESENTED BY THE
OFFICE AND THE
AND RECREATION
ACTIVITIES AND TO
THE 10TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL IS BEING TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AS A JOINT EFFORT TO BOOST SPORTS PROMOTE THE STANDARD OF SPORTS IN THE DISTRICT, r
THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE FESTIVAL, IT IS HOPED THAT RESIDENTS WILL CULTIVATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THUS ENHANCING THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IS ABOUT* $900,000 WITH A SUBSIDY OF $300,000 EACH PROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND THE REMAINDER BEING MET BY LOCAL DONATIONS.
-------0----------
/17........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 17 -
CHEUNG CHAU FAMILY TRAIL OPENS TOMORROW *****
THE FAMILY TRAIL ON CHEUNG CHAU, AFTER TWO YEARS OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, ILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE TRAIL IS FORMED BY LINKING EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND INSTALLING ROAD SIGNS. IT IS PHYSICALLY LESS DEMAJ DING AND SUITABLE FOR BOTH THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY IN A FAMILY TO ALK.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT Tl TUNG WAH YOUTH RECREATION CENTRE AT ID.30 AM.
CHAIRMAN OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S OURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, MR YU YUEN-HEI; CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR FUNG PAK-TAI; CHAIRMAN OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE, MR CHAN KING-LUN; AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SO KAM-SHING WILL BE OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE ('ERIMONY .
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE LOGO DESIGN AND NAMING CONTESTS OF THE TRAIL WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE OPEN NG WALK COMMENCES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHEUNG CHAU FAMILY TRAIL TO BE HELD AT THE TUNG WAN YOUTH RECREATION CENTRE AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO TAKE THE LAUNCH ’CLEMENTI’ WHICH WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, CENTRAL AT 9 AM FOR CHEUNG CHAU.
-----0-----
TAI PO ’KEEP CLEAN’ CAMPAIGN BEGINS SUNDAY
*****
THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL GET UNDERWAY IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23) MORNING WHEN ABOUT 300 YOUNGSTERS SET OFF FOR DIFFERENT PLACES TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO KEEP THE DISTRICT CLEAN.
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO PLAYGROUND TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT ORGAN LSI ’ BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE TAI PO DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN C 1PAIGN.
/YOUNGSTERS FROM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 18 -
YOUNGSTERS FROM LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL GO TO TAI YUEN ESTATE, KWONG FUK ESTATE, FU SHIN ESTATE, TAI PO MARKET AND TAI MEI TUK TO COLLECT REFUSE AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTE LITTER BAGS BEARING THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
IN ADDITION, A YOUTH RALLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD IN THE PLAYGROUND AFTER THE CEREMONY.
THE RALLY WILL FEATURE TELEMATCH GAMES DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO CONVEY THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGE.
OFFICIATING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS, MR MICHAEL LAI AND MR TANG PUI-TAT, AND OTHER GUESTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IN TAI PO PLAYGROUND AT PO HEUNG STREET, TAI PO MARKET AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23).
------0 -------
FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS
*****
A TWO-DAY MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR DIABETES MELLITUS AND HYPERTENSION WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR RESIDENTS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 23).
THE SERVICE IS ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AMONG RESIDENTS.
THIRTEEN BOOTHS WILL BE SET UP AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN EACH OF THE SUB-DISTRICTS OF WONG TAI SIN FROM 10 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 1.30 PM TO 4 PM DAILY.
INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE BOOTHS.
4
/Members of
I
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 19 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TEST FOR DIABETES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUPPLY A SPECIMEN OF THEIR URINE.
LOCATIONS OF THE BOOTHS ARE: ('HOI HUNG ESTATE SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION, CHOI WAN ESTATE PHASE II B COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, CHI LIN SCHOOL IN DIAMOND HILL, WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE, KAI TAK GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, HOUSING DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM AT UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, PC) YAN ('ATHOL IC PRIMARY SCHOOL (NO SERVICE ON SATURDAY MORNING), MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICE AT BLOCK 6 OF LOK FU ESTATE, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICE AT WANG FAI HOUSE OF WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, TSZ WAN SHAN EAST COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRE, TSZ WAN SHAN (SOUTH) ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHUK YUEN ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND SIK Sih YUEN HO HING SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
-------0---------
EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN TAI KOK TSUI
*****
AN EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRICT BOARD ACTIVITIES AT THE OPEN-AIR SYCAMORE ART GALLERY IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, AND DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, ITS OPERATIONS AND MAJOR CAMPAIGNS HELD IN THE PAST AND IN THE CURRENT
YEAR.
ALL THE EXHIBITION MATERIALS WILL BE PUT UP ON DISPLAY PANELS AT THE OPEN AIR GALLERY AT THE ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN SYCAMORE STREET AND BOUNDARY STREET, WHICH WAS OPENED IN 1985.
WITH THE HELP OF STUDENTS FROM THE FIRST INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND DESIGN, A 46-METRE-LONG MURAL PAINTING AT THE '/ELLERY HAS BEEN TOUCHED UP li^CENTLY TO COINCIDE WITH THE FIRST EXHIB11ION IN 1988/89 AT THE GALLERY.
OFFICIATING AT THE EXHIBITION’S OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE MRS LORNA MA WONG LUNG-SHI, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, AND MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AI THE SYCAMORE ART GALLERY.
-------0---------
/20........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 20 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER » * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK
RANGE ON 26 DAYS NEXT MONTH. THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE
HOISTED. FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL
TAKE PLACE: DATE NOVEMBER 1 (TUESDAY) NOVEMBER 2 (WEDNESDAY) NOVEMBER 3 (THURSDAY) NOVEMBER 4 (FRIDAY) NOVEMBER 5 (SATURDAY) NOVEMBER 7 (MONDAY) NOVEMBER 8 (TUESDAY) NOVEMBER 9 (WEDNESDAY) NOVEMBER 10 (THURSDAY) NOVEMBER 11 (FRIDAY) NOVEMBER 12 (SATURDAY) NOVEMBER 14 (MONDAY) NOVEMBER 15 (TUESDAY) NOVEMBER 16 (WEDNESDAY) NOVEMBER 17 (THURSDAY) NOVEMBER J 8 (FRIDAY) NOVEMBER 19 (SATURDAY) NOVEMBER 21 (MONDAY) TIME 8.30 AM - 6 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 11.59 MIDNIGHT - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 11.59 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 6 PM 8.30 AM . - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 11.59 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM 5 PM PM PM PM
/NOVEMBER 22 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
21
NOVEMBER 22 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 23 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
NOVEMBER 24 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 25 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
NOVEMBER 26 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 28 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 29 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 30 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 11.59 PM
-----0------
GRADE SEPARATED INTERSECTION WORKS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A BRIDGE AND ASSOCIATED SLIP ROADS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SIGNAL-CONTROLLED JUNCTION AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/HAMMER HILL ROAD.
THE SIGNAL-CONTROLLED JUNCTION IS ALREADY OPERATING BEYOND ITS CAPACITY AND SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTING THE THROUGHPUT OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, WHICH IS THE ARTERIAL ROUTE LINKING EAST AND WEST KOWLOON.
ON COMPLETION, THE BRIDGE AND SLIP ROADS WILL ENABLE VEHICLES EXITING FROM THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL TO TRAVEL IO HAMMER HILL AREAS NORTH OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
MAJOR WORKS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
* CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR BRIDGE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SIGNAL-CONTROLLED JUNCTION OF HAMMER HILL ROAD WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD;
* CONSTRUCTION OF GRADE SEPARATED FACILITIES FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROUNDABOUT ON HAMMER HILL ROAD READY TO SERVE THE FUTURE FUNG TAK ROAD EXTENSION;
* CONSTRUCTION OF SLIP ROADS CONNECTING LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WITH HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD, AND HAMMER HILL ROAD WITH THE FUTURE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL;
* WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED BRIDGE; AND
* OTHER ANCILLARY AND ROAD DRAINAGE WORKS.
/CONSTRUCTION IS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
- 22 -
CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MID-1989 AND THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1991.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
- CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
- KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
- WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 20 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR BUILDING FOOTBRIDGE
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS YEN CHOW STREET AND A BUS TERMINUS EXTENSION AT SHAM SHU1 PO FERRY CONCOURSE.
THE FOOTBRIDGE WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 4.5-METRE-WIDE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS YEN CHOW STREET TOGETHER WITH A 2.5-METRE-WIDE FOOTBRIDGE LINK OVER THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR SLIP ROAD.
LANDSCAPING AND PLANTING WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FOOTBRIDGE LANDING AREAS.
THE BUS TERMINUS EXTENSION WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO ADDITIONAL BUS BAYS TO THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS AT THE SHAM SHUI PO FERRY CONCOURSE.
A COVER OVER THE FOOTPATH ADJACENT TO THE ADDITIONAL BUS BAYS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL ALSO SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION.
A TENDER NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
- 0
/23
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
RESTRICTED ZONES IN YUEN LONG, ROAD REOPENS IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24):
t TAI YUK ROAD SOUTHBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION.
* TAI YUK ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) TO A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, NGAN YUET LANE IN KWUN TONG WILL BE REOPENED TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROADWORKS.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY TN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 318 AND 368 WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE GAS MAINLAYING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- 0 - -
/24
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1988
24 -
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL NORTHBOUND TUBE t ♦ * t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SLOW LANE OF THE NORTHBOUND TUBE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 PM TO 5.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON BOTH MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) AND TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25).
DURING THE PERIOD OF CLOSURE, THE KOWLOON-BOUND TUBE OF THE TUNNEL WILL BE CONVERTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A TWO-LANE OPERATION FOR VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE GRADING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT NEAR THE EXIT OF THE NORTHBOUND TUBE OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
-------o---------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY IN TAI PO t * t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR SHU1 WAI INTERCHANGE IN TAI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
MEANWHILE, THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL NOT BE CLOSED ON OCTOBER 31 AND NOVEMBER 1 AS THE SCHEDULED WORKS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SaTUiDAY, OCTOL JR 22, 1988
wCLTCNTS
faGe ru.
FEWER DRUG ADDICTS NEWLY REPORTED.............................. 1
MAN DIES OF RABIES ............................................ 2
FIVE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LAB................. 3
PROMOTION OF ARTS NOW BEARING FRUIT ........................... 4
MAJOR CLEARANCE PROGRAMME ON SCHEDULE.......................... 5
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION FOSTERS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ... 6
LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS ................ 7
ENTRIES INVITED FOR ANTI-TRIAD BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT .......... 8
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS FUEL ASH MANAGEMENT ON LaMMa......... 9
kwai tsing committee to discuss bus fare increase ............. 9
family trail adds to attraction of cheung chau ............... 10
ATHLETIC MEET FOR ISLANDERS .................................. 11
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN WONG TAI SIN .......................... 12
TEMPORARY RC.iD CLOSURES IN CENTR/lL ......................... 12
TEMPORARY LJIE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
12
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
1
FEWER DRUG ADDICTS NEWLY REPORTED * * * *
THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE — A TREND WHICH STARTED IN 1984 — CONTINUED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID THIS WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ANTI-PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES DRAMA COMPETITION THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR MULLOY SAID THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES NEWLY REPORTED DROPPED BY 17.8 PER CENT FROM 1,335 TO 1,098, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1987.
"THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG PERSONS AGED UNDER 21 ALSO DECREASED BY 21.3 PER CENT, FROM 432 TO 340," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, MR MULLOY SAID THAT SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF DRUGS HAD BEEN SEIZED AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUAL EFFORTS OF THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS.
HE SAID 401 KILOGRAMS OF NO.3 HEROIN HAD BEEN SEIZED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
"THIS IS MORE THAN THE TOTAL QUANTITY SEIZED IN THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1987, WHICH TOTALLED 358 KILOGRAMS," HE SAID.
"IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, ABOUT HALF OF THE SOME 5,000 MANDRAX TABLETS SEIZED WERE FAKE, INDICATING THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PROBABLY FADING," HE ADDED.
MR MULLOY SAID DURING THE PERIOD THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR ALL DRUG OFFENCES INCREASED SLIGHTLY, BY 2.6 PER CENT TO 5,765 PERSONS.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 30.5 PER CENT, FROM 2,798 TO 3,651, IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MAJOR DRUG OFFENCES.
"CONSULTATION ON THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) BILL 1988 IS REACHING ITS FINAL STAGES.
"I BELIEVE, IF PASSED, THOSE NEW POWERS WILL DEAL A SEVERE BLOW TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS," MR MULLOY SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY EFFORTS OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) HAD HAD THEIR EFFECT IN THE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE IN RECENT YEARS WHICH WAS IN CONTRAST TO THE WORLD-WIDE TREND.
/THE COMMISSIONER .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
- 2 -
THE COMMISSIONER STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH TODAY’S EVENT ALSO MARKED THE END OF THE ANTI-DRUG WEEK '88 PROGRAMME, THE GOVERNMENT’S VIGILANCE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS THE DETERMINATION AND DRIVE AT MOUNTING THESE EFFORTS, WOULD CONTINUE.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACAN AND THE BAUHINIA JAYCEES, THE DRAMA COMPETITION WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE AWARENESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE PERILS OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE.
A TOTAL OF 28 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED FOR THE TWO DIVISIONS: STUDENTS (ALL FORM ONE TO SEVEN STUDENTS) AND OPEN (GROUPS OTHER THAN PROFESSIONAL THEATRICAL COMPANIES).
FOLLOWING KEEN COMPETITION, A FIVE-MEMBER JURY SELECTED THE TOP GROUPS IN THE COMPETITION.
IN THE STUDENT DIVISION, KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL WON THE GRAND PRIZE, AND PENTECOSTAL LAM HON KWONG SCHOOL WON THE SPECIAL PRIZE.
IN THE OPEN DIVISION, WESTERN DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION WON THE GRAND PRIZE, AND YEE CHING DRAMA CLUB WON THE SPECIAL PRIZE.
WINNERS OF THE GRAND PRIZE AND OF THE SPECIAL PRIZE WERE EACH AWARDED A TROPHY AND A CASH CHEQUE FOR $1,500 AND $1,000 RESPECTIVELY.
-----O--------
MAN DIES OF RABIES * » *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) CONFIRMED THAT A 29-YEAR-OLD MAN HAD DIED OF RABIES.
THE PATIENT WAS A RESIDENT IN A VILLAGE IN YUEN LONG. HE WAS BITTEN BY A DOG IN CHINA ABOUT A YEAR AGO BUT ONLY DEVELOPED SYMPTOMS RECENTLY.
HE WAS TRANSFERRED FROM POK OI HOSPITAL TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ON OCTOBER 2 AND DIED ON OCTOBER 18.
A POST-MORTEM WAS CONDUCTED TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OF DEATH. FROM THE HISTORY, POST-MORTEM AND LABORATORY FINDINGS AVAILABLE TODAY, THE MAN WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN IMPORTED RABIES CASE.
THE LAST RABIES CASE IN HONG KONG WAS REPORTED IN AUGUST 1986.
HEALTH STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT ARE TODAY VISITING THE PATIENT’S HOME IN YUEN LONG TO TRACE HIS CONTACTS AND TO TAKE ANY ACTION NECESSARY.
-------o--------- /J........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22,
1988
- 5 -
FIVE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LAB *****
FIVE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES WERE ELECTED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR TWO YEARS STARTING FROM NEXT JANUARY.
THEY WERE:
MOK KA-WING
LAM SHUK-YEE
MONG WAI-MING
LI FUNG-YING
CHAN YUN-CHE
- 133 VOTES
- 132 VOTES
- 121 VOTES
- 114 VOTES
— 112 VOTES
OUT OF THE 261 EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS ENROLLED FOR THE ELECTION, 250 TURNED OUT TO VOTE. OF THE 250 VOTES CAST, 249 WERE DECLARED VALID.
TODAY’S ELECTION TOOK PLACE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE RETURNING OFFICER, MR YIU YAN-NANG, WHO IS AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE VOTES WERE COUNTED IN THE PRESENCE OF MR ROBERT CHAN, REPRESENTING THE SECRETARY FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, AND MR ROBERT SUEN, REPRESENTING THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN NOMINATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE ORGANISATIONS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD:
MR A.R. HAMILTON, OF THE EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF HONG KONG;
DR LUI MING-WAH, OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG
MR HENRY Y.Y. TANG, OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES;
MR A.E. GAZELEY, OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE;
MR HO SAI-CHU, OF THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ONE EMPLOYER AND ONE EMPLOYEE MEMBER WILL ALSO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO SIT ON THE BOARD. THEIR NAMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
-----0----------
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
- 4 -
PROMOTION OF ARTS NOW BEARING FRUIT * * * * »
BY ACTIVELY SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING THE ARTS IN THE PAST TWO DECADES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MANAGED TO TURN HONG KONG FROM A "CULTURAL DESERT" INTO AN OASIS WHICH IS NOW BEARING FRUIT.
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING RECEPTION OF THE 1988 WORLD MUSIC DAYS FESTIVAL AT THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
PUBLIC FUNDS SUPPORTED TWO ORCHESTRAS, THREE DANCE COMPANIES, TWO THEATRE COMPANIES, ARTS FESTIVALS AND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PERFORMANCES BY BOTH LOCAL AND VISITING ARTISTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PERFORMING ARTS VENUES ALSO HELPS TO ENCOURAGE CULTURAL LIFE IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
"IN 1987, THREE NEW VENUES PROVIDING A TOTAL OF OVER 3,000 SEATS WERE OPENED AND TWO OTHER CENTRES, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, WHICH ARE DUE TO OPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL BRING THE TOTAL TO 23,000 SEATS," HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS WAS TRAINING HONG KONG’S FUTURE PERFORMING ARTISTS.
"WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS BUT ARE NOT COMPLACENT AND INTEND TO DO MORE," SIR DAVID REMARKED.
OF THE 1988 WORLD MUSIC DAYS FESTIVAL, SIR DAVID SAID THAT WHILE IT FOCUSSED ON THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE OF MUSIC AND ITS FUTURE, IT WAS A TRULY INTERNATIONAL EVENT IN WHICH SOME 40 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATED.
"IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT HONG KONG, AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY WHERE EAST AND WEST BLEND IN HARMONY, SHOULD BE THE HOST FOR THIS FIRST OCCASION WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC AND THE ASIAN COMPOSERS LEAGUE ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR THIS MUSICAL EAST-MEETS-WEST," HE SAID.
IT WAS AN OCCASION WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS DELIGHTED TO SUPPORT, SIR DAVID ADDED.
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/5........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
- 5 -
MAJOR CLEARANCE PROGRAMME ON SCHEDULE * * * » ♦
THE MASSIVE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME TO MAKE WAY FOR TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL HAS SO FAR BEEN CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"I AM VERY PLEASED WlfH THE SUCCESS SO FAR OF THE 18-MONTH PROGRAMME, WHICH AIMS AT CLEARING 18,000 PEOPLE TO MAKE WAY FOR THE TUNNEL.
’’DESPITE ALL THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM REHOUSING AND LAND RESUMPTION, PHASE I AND PART OF PHASE II OF THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME, WHICH INVOLVED 3,753 PEOPLE FROM 1,198 FAMILIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
’’THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL HAD PROVIDED VALUABLE ADVICE, AND THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED HAD WORKED HARD IN FORMULATING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TUNNEL PROJECT,” HE NOTED.
AFTER A FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT, MR LAN NOTED THAT THERE WERE STILL PROBLEMS WHICH HAD TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE PHASES III AND IV COULD START NEXT YEAR.
HE WAS REFERRING TO THE DEMAND BY OWNERS OF OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LOTS IN DIAMOND HILL, WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME.
THE OWNERS ARE ASKING FOR THE SAME VILLAGE REMOVAL TERMS AS FOR INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO URBAN LAND-OWNERS UNDER THE EXISTING POLICY.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS LOOKED CLOSELY INTO THE MATTER AND A FAVOURABLE COMPENSATION RATE OF $2,929 PER SQUARE FOOT IS NOW BEING OFFERED TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS, IN ADDITION TO REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS.”
”1 UNDERSTAND SOME o’k THE VILLAGERS ARE STILL NOT HAPPY WITH THE TERMS OFFERED, AND WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS. MY DOOR IS OPEN AND I AM PREPARED TO LISTEN TO THEM,” MR LAN SAID.
HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THINGS WOULD WORK OUT SMOOTHLY TN TIME FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME TO PROCEED ON SCHEDULE.
EARLIER, MR LAN, ACCOMPANIED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, TOURED THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE WHICH CONTAINS 132 SHOPS OF VARIOUS TRADES, 12 RESTAURANTS, WET AND DRY MARKETS AND 24 COOKED FOOD STALLS.
/THE PARTY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
- 6
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE ROOFTOP OF WANG LOK HOUSE AT WANG TAU HOM ESTATE WHERE MR LAN WAS BRIEFED ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S KOWLOON CENTRAL ESTATES REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
MR LAN WAS TOLD THAT UNDER THE PROGRAMME, ALL THE EXISTING MARK I AND II HOUSING BLOCKS WOULD HAVE BEEN REDEVELOPED BY 1990 TO MAKE WAY FOR DOMESTIC BLOCKS OF THE LATEST STANDARD.
FROM WANG LOK HOUSE, THE PARTY WENT TO THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AT MA CHAI HANG AND CHUK YUEN EASTERN PLATFORM FOR A BRIEF INSPECTION BEFORE ARRIVING AT TSZ WAN SHAN.
AT TSZ WAN SHAN, MR LAN LEARNED THAT SIX PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS THERE WERE AMONG THE 26 SUBSTANDARD BLOCKS IN THE TERRITORY, AND WERE SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION IN 1989 UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
AFTERWARDS, THE PARTY WALKED THROUGH THE NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE WHERE MR LAN SAW THE GREATLY IMPROVED LIVING ENVIRONMENT WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF A RECENTLY-COMPLETED $1.77 MILLION SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
FOLLOWING THE TOUR OF THE VILLAGE, THE PARTY WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF KAM WAN HOUSE AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF DIAMOND HILL, TAI HOM AND THE SITE OF THE SOUTHERN PORTAL OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, MR LAN VISITED THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE IN SAN PO KONG AND WAS GIVEN TO A BRIEFING ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
-------0---------
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION FOSTERS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
*****
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION HAS HELPED FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT MATTERS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA WONG LUNG-SHI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRICT BOARD ACTIVITIES, MRS MA SAID THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD PLAYED A DUAL ROLE IN REFLECTING PUBLIC OPINION AND ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR THE DISTRICT.
MRS MA POINTED OUT THAT THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, APART FROM PROVIDING A MORE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT, ALSO ENCOURAGED RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS TO HELP DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE FACILITIES FOR DISTRICTS.
/THE EXHIBITION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
- 7 -
THE EXHIBITION WOULD HELP RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO ACHIEVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE OPERATIONS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WHICH ORGANISES ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS IN MONG KOK, AND TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, SHE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION IS BEING STAGED AT THE DISPLAY PANELS IN THE OPEN-AIR SYCAMORE ART GALLERY AT THE ACCCESS ROAD BETWEEN SYCAMORE STREET AND BOUNDARY STREET.
THE GALLERY WAS OPENED IN 1985 TO PROMOTE THE APPRECIATION OF ART IN THE DISTRICT.
WITH THE HELP OF STUDENTS FROM THE FIRST INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND DESIGN, A 46-METRE-LONG MURAL PAINTING AT THE GALLERY WAS TOUCHED UP RECENTLY TO COINCIDE WITH THE FIRST EXHIBITION THERE IN 1988/89.
CHAIRMAN OF MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, ALSO OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREOMONY.
-----0------
LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS t t t t *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE IS INVITING OFFICE-BEARERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, VILLAGE OFFICES AND YIN NGA1 SOCIETIES TO TAKE PART IN A TRAINING CAMP FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THE CAMP WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 29 AND 30 (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY) IN THE TUEN MUN CAMPSITE OF THE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID SIMILAR ACTIVITIES HELD LAST YEAR WERE WELL-RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY ORGANISERS.
THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WAS AIMED AT ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO THINK THROUGH THE STEPS OF PROBLEM SOLVING, DECISION MAKING AND PLANNING, TO FIND AND ANALYSE INFORMATION AS WELL AS TO EVALUATE RECOMMENDATIONS OBJECTIVELY, HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION WOULD HELP TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES THROUGH A FILM SHOW, ROLE PLAY AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS.
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR KINGSLEY SIT, WILL BE THE GUEST SPEAKER TO SHARE HIS EXPERIENCE WITH THE CAMPERS, HE ADDED.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO PAY $40 FOR THE CAMP FEE. THEY WILL DEPART FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 1 PM ON OCTOBER 29 AND RETURN AT 1.30 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
AS THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IS LIMITED, INTERESTED COMMUNITY LEADERS SHOULD CONTACT MRS ANGIE LI, ON 0-4513050, WITHOUT DELAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS.
------0 ------ /8......................
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
- 8 -
ENTRIES INVITED FOR ANTI-TRIAD BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN AN OPEN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER TO PROMOTE THE ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGE.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANTI-TRIAD BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE ANTI-TRIAD DRIVE UNDER THIS YEAR’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, IS SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
IT AIMS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENGAGE THEIR LEISURE TIME IN SPORTS PURSUITS AND TO DISCOURAGE THEM FROM BECOMING INVOLVED WITH TRIADS.
ALL YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BELOW 30 WHO ARE LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND ARE NOT PLAYERS OF THE FIRST OR SECOND DIVISIONS OF THE BASKETBALL LEAGUE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG AMATEUR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION ARE WELCOME TO FORM THEIR OWN TEAM COMPRISING EIGHT TO 12 PLAYERS TO TAKE PART IN THE TOURNAMENT.
A TOTAL OF 15 TEAMS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO PLAY IN THE TOURNAMENT ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS.
THE TOURNAMENT, IN THE FORM OF SINGLE ROUND MATCHES, WILL TAKE PLACE IN WEEKDAY EVENINGS IN DECEMBER AT THE ABERDEEN INDOOR GAMES HALL IN WONG CHUK HANG.
THE CHAMPION AND THE FIRST THREE RUNNERS-UP WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND SOUVENIRS.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE TOURNAMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS AP LEI CHAU, WAH FU AND STANLEY SUB-OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE WILL BE OCTOBER 30.
APART FROM THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, OTHER PROGRAMMES IN THE DISTRICT’S ANTI-TRIAD DRIVE INCLUDE A SERIES OF VISITS TO SCHOOLS DURING WHICH MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WILL SPEAK ON THE SORDID ACTIVITIES OF TRIADS AND THE DANGERS OF BECOMING INVOLVED WITH THEM.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22,
1988
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS FUEL ASH MANAGEMENT ON LAMMA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A SUMMARY REPORT ON THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF FUEL ASH ORIGINATING FROM THE POWER STATION ON LAMMA WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24).
A PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR SIMON HEWITT, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT AND SEEK THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ’’EXECUTIVE SUMMARY” OF THE EXPO ’97 PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY.
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (INFORMATION) OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, MR MIKE ROWSE, WILL BE PRESENT TO HEAR MEMBERS’ VIEW.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A PAPER ON THE MUI WO DEVELOPMENT WHICH COVERS A RECLAMATION AND SITE FORMATION PROJECT FOR A SPORTS COMPLEX, A VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE, GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- 0 - -
KWAI TSING COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS FARE INCREASE ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) TO DISCUSS A FARE INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS CO. LTD.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TAXI SERVICE.
/A SENIOR
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
10 -
A SENIOR TRANSPORT ATTEND THE MEETING.
OFFICER FROM THE TRANSPORT
DEPARTMENT WILL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
-------0----------
FAMILY TRAIL ADDS TO ATTRACTION OF CHEUNG CHAU
*****
VISITORS TO CHEUNG CHAU WILL FIND IT MORE ENJOYABLE TO TOUR THE ISLAND IN AN ORGANISED WAY AFTER THE INAUGURATION OF A ’’FAMILY TRAIL” TODAY (SATURDAY).
A LARGE NUMBER OF HIKERS ARE EXPECTED TO USE THE TRAIL AND ENJOY THE SCENERY.
THE TRAIL COMPRISES THREE CIRCULAR ROUTES WHICH COVER MOST OF THE ISLAND AND HIKERS CAN CHOOSE A ROUTE ACCORDING TO THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"AS THE TRAIL IS DESIGNED TO SUIT BOTH THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY IN A FAMILY, IT IS PHYSICALLY LESS DEMANDING WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER COUNTRY TRAILS AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS RESTING POINTS AND PAVILIONS," HE SAID.
THE IDEA OF THE FAMILY TRAIL PROJECT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE COMMUNITY BUILDING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE TWO YEARS AGO. IT WAS THOUGHT THAT TRAILS ON THE ISLANDS WOULD ENHANCE THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE DISTRICT AS A RECREATION AREA FOR FAMILIES.
LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS WERE INVITED TO DESIGN AND MARK TRAILS ON FOUR ISLANDS - LANTAU, CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA.
THE CHEUNG CHAU FAMILY TRAIL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHOSEN AS THE FIRST TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND THE WORKS SECTION OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE BEGAN WORK IN SUMMER LAST YEAR.
"CONSTRUCTION WORK INCLUDED IMPROVEMENT TO THE EXISTING FOOTPATHS, INSTALLATION OF ROAD SIGNS AND PUTTING UP MAPS SHOWING THE ROUTES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID
/’’ROAD SIGNS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
11
’’ROAD SIGNS ALONG THE TRAIL INDICATE THE LOCATIONS OF SCENIC SPOTS, DIRECTION OF THE ROUTE, WALKING DISTANCE AND THE TIME NEEDED,” HE SAID.
’’THESE ROAD SIGNS ARE IMPORTANT TO TRAVELLERS AS THEY PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND THEREFORE THEY SHOULD BE KEPT CLEAN AND TIDY,” HE STRESSED.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL YOUTHS IN THIS PROJECT, A LOGO DESIGN CONTEST AND A NAMING CONTEST WERE HELD BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
"RESPONSE TO THE CONTESTS WAS GOOD AND THE WINNING ENTRY CAN APTLY REFLECT THE NATURE OF THE TRhIL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE CHEUNG CHAU FAMILY TRAIL, HE SAID THE LONGEST ROUTE THE WESTERN LOOP — TOOK ABOUT TWO HOURS TO FINISH WHEREAS THE SHORTEST ONE — THE SOUTHEASTERN LOOP — WAS JUST A 75-MINUTE WALK.
”IT IS BEST FOR A FAMILY TO COVER ONLY ONE OF THESE LOOPS ALTHOUGH THE MORE ENERGETIC PEOPLE MAY FIND IT CHALLENGING IN FINISHING THE WHOLE TRAIL IN ONE DAY,” HE SAID.
CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR SIMILAR TRAILS ON THE OTHER THREE ISLANDS ARE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE, HE ADDED.
--------0----------
ATHLETIC MEET FOR ISLANDERS ♦ * * *
THE 11TH ISLANDS DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
MORE THAN 400 ATHLETES FROM VARIOUS ISLANDS OF THE DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN THE EVENT WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT RURAL COMMITTEES, ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, REGIONAL COUNCIL, ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND ISLANDS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 11 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
A SPECIAL VAN DY 6968 WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, CENTRAL FOR SHA TIN AT 10 AM. PRESS MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT.
-------0 - -
/12........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1988
12 -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN WONG TAI SIN * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SHEUNG TAK WONG TAI SIN WILL BECOME A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED 10 AM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25).
STREET IN
ZONE FROM
NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUS WILL BE
ALLOWED TO
FROM 7 AM TO 7 WITH CHING TAK JUNCTION.
PM DAILY IN SHEUNG
TAK
STREET
STOP BETWEEN
STREET AND A POINT ABOUT
35
METRES SOUTH
FOR ITS OF
PASSENGERS JUNCTION THE SAME
------o ------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN CENTRAL
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS IN COTTON TREE DRIVE, THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIODS BELOW:
« THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND TO QUEENSWAY WESTBOUND WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM DAILY ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25) AND THE NEXT DAY.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA COTTON TREE DRIVE, GARDEN ROAD AND QUEENSWAY.
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM QUEENSWAY WESTBOUND TO COTTON TREE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED FROM 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM DAILY ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) AND THE FOLLOWING DAY.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, PEDDER STREET, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND COTTON TREE DRIVE.
-------0 ---------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
9.30 PM
27, A
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT FROM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON OCTOBER 23 (SUNDAY), 24, 25 AND
350-METRE LONG SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLOW LANE TUNNEL ROAD NORTH OF HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL
OF LION ROCK
BE CLOSED TO
TRAFFIC FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORK.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
- 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BOOKLET ON NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE ............................ 1
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES .......... 2
SAI KUNG CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE FORMED ..................... 3
DETAILS OF HEALTH MONTH FOR ELDERLY ......................... 3
CONSULTANT STUDY OF UC MARKETS ................................ 4
NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR TAI PO .......................... 5
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO REVIEW SUBSIDY ......................... 5
METERED PARKING SPACES IN TSUN FU STREET ...................... 6
SINGING COMPETITION IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN .................... 6
FAMILY LIFE MUSIC SELECTION TRIAL IN SHAM SHUT PO.............. 7
BOOK TICKETS EARLY FOR YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL................. 8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
BOOKLET ON NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS PUBLISHED AN INFORMATION BOOKLET ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE ENACTED IN JULY THIS YEAR.
THE BOOKLET, TITLED 'A CONCISE GUIDE TO THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE’, OUTLINES THE VARIOUS CONTROL PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE IN LAYMAN’S TERMS. IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
THIS INFORMATION BOOKLET IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES DEALING WITH VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE ORDINANCE AS WELL AS ADVISING ON THE TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE NOISE EMISSION.
SPECIFICALLY, THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE DEALS WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMS OF NOISE:
* NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PREMISES AND PUBLIC PLACES (GENERAL NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE);
* CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND PILING;
* NOISE FROM INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL PREMISES;
» NOISE FROM INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF PLANT OR EQUIPMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FROM EPD SAID PROVISIONS RELEVANT TO THE ABOVE FORMS OF NOISE WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN STAGES BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WHO WILL BE APPOINTED AS THE NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY.
HE SAID THE PRESENT SCHEDULE OF IMPLEMENTATION AIMS TO HAVE CONTROL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE FIRST THREE FORMS OF NOISE FULLY IMPLEMENTED BY MID 1989.
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PREPARING REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE PROCESSING OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS, TO BE INTRODUCED FOR CONTROLLING NOISE FROM GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK AND PILING.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE REQUIRED REGULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MADE BEFORE THE END OF 1988 AND EPD CAN THEN STARTING RECEIVING AND PROCESSING PERMIT APPLICATIONS IN EARLY 1989.
THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE TO FILL THE MORE THAN 40 POSTS AT THE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL LEVELS CREATED TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS. BARRING UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, OFFERS FOR ALL THE POSTS COULD BE MADE WITHIN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE INFORMATION BOOKLET IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND EPD WHICH IS LOCATED AT 17TH FLOOR, SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD, HONG KONG.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
GUIDELINES
2 -
FOR EVALUATING CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES * ♦ * * *
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CIVIC EDUCATION FUNCTIONS WOULD BE LAID DOWN AS A REFERENCE FOR ORGANISATIONS PLANNING RELATED ACTIVITIES, A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF MONG KOK CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN 1988-89, MR CHAN WING-TAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE'S RESOURCE CENTRE SUB-COMMITTEE, SAID THE GUIDELINES WOULD BE DRAWN FROM THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ON CIVIC EDUCATION CONDUCTED IN 1986 AND ANOTHER WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
THE ANALYSIS AND RESULTS OF THE CURRENT TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY WERE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER, AND A COMPARISON WOULD BE MADE BETWEEN THE TWO SURVEYS IN A BID TO FIND OUT CHANGES IN CIVIC AWARENESS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, CIVIC EDUCATION HAD BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY AT CENTRAL AS WELL AS LOCAL LEVELS.
"AS AN ORGANISATION FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IS CONCENTRATING ITS RESOURCES ON TWO ASPECTS, NAMELY TO PROMOTE AMONG CITIZENS THE MUTUAL HELP SPIRIT IN THE COMMUNITY; AND TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
TO ACHIEVE THE TWO OBJECTIVES, THE COMMITTEE WOULD ORGANISE A "CIVIC EDUCATION DAY" IN DECEMBER AND A SEMINAR ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN JANUARY, MR CHAN ADDED.
TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY AT HONG KONG VERNACULAR NORMAL SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOOL WAS FOLLOWED BY A CARNIVAL WHICH FEATURED GAME STALLS, A VARIETY SHOW AND EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, ATTRACTING MORE THAN 5,000 MONG KOK RESIDENTS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WITH MR CHAN WERE MRS LORNA MA WONG LUNG-SHI, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, AND MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE MONG KOK CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN INCLUDE A SURVEY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS; THE DISTINGUISHED CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS AWARD SCHEME; AN EXHIBITION ON THE AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS AND A CLOSING CEREMONY.
THE CAMPAIGN IS SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
-------0---------
/J.......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
- 3 -
SAI KUNG CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE FORMED
******
A 20-MEMBER COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED IN SAI KUNG TO CO-ORDINATE ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE DISTRICT.
CHAIRED BY A SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MRS ANITA CHAN, THE COMMITTEE COMPRISES SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VILLAGES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO ADVISE ON THE WORK AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND NEXT MARCH TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPTS OF CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG RESIDENTS.
THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A BLOOD DONATION DAY ON NOVEMBER 29, VISIT TO THE RESOURCE CENTRE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, ATTENDING MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
ARTICLES ON CIVIC EDUCATION WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT NEWSPAPER EVERY MONTH BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND MARCH.
"WE HOPE THAT BY PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES, RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, WILL DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THEIR DISTRICT AND BE MORE AWARE OF THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BESIDES, ON KNOWING MORE ABOUT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, RESIDENTS WILL BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SOCIETY AND TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS," HE SAID.
-------0 ---------
DETAILS OF HEALTH MONTH FOR ELDERLY *****
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE 1988 HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE PROJECT.
THE PROGRAMME, LAUNCHED JOINTLY BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, AIMS AT AROUSING PUBLIC CONCERN AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI.
/IT WILL .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
- 4
IT WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL CHECK-UP SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, AN EXHIBITION ON THE PREVENTION OF COMMON GERIATRIC DISEASES, AND THE PRODUCTION OF A PAMPHLET ON HEALTH CARE FOR THEM.
ATTENDING TOMORROW’S PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE MRS PEGGY LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD; MR PAUL YU, CHAIRMAN 0R ™E TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS; MS ANNA TANG AND MR SAMMY CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE PROJECT; AND MR KENNETH LEE, CONVENOR OF THE PUBLICITY SUB-GROUP UNDER THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW AT 3 PM IN BEGONIA ROOM, 22/F, LEE GARDENS HOTEL, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG. t
------0-------
CONSULTANT
STUDY OF UC MARKETS * * ♦ ♦ *
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY FIRM TO CONDUCT AN IN-DEPTH STUDY INTO THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS MARKETS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THE STUDY WILL BE CARRIED OUT LATER THIS MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THREE MONTHS’ TIME," THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, DR ELSIE TU, SAID TODAY.
"FOLLOWING OUR OWN DETAILED STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS FACING COUNCIL-OPERATED MARKETS, WE HAVE COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT THE VIABILITY OF MARKETS DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON THEIR LOCATION BUT ALSO ON THEIR MANAGEMENT.
"ADDITIONALLY, CUSTOMERS* IMPRESSION OF THE MARKETS, A CLEAN AND ROOMY MARKET, ORDERLY STALLS, DRY, NON-SLIPPERY, UNOBSTRUCTED PASSAGEWAYS, CLEAN TOILETS, CLEAR DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND A BRIGHT AIRY ATMOSPHERE ARE ALL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO A POPULAR AND VIABLE MARKET."
THE COUNCIL AGREED THAT A FIRM, EFFECTIVE AND PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT WOULD BE THE KEY TO THE OPERATION OF A FINANCIALLY-VIABLE MARKET.
"IN ORDER TO DEVISE AN APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE STAFFED WITH THE RIGHT CALIBRE OF OFFICERS, IT REQUIRES COMMERCIAL EXPERTISE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE CONSULTANTS’ STUDY WILL DEVELOP AND HELP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A STRAGETIC BUSINESS PLAN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UC MARKETS TO ENHANCE THE MARKETS’ VIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY," ADDED DR TU.
-------0---------
/5........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
- 5 -
NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR TAI PO *****
WORK HAS BEGUN ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MODERN SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AT AREA 22 IN TAI PO.
THIS FOLLOWS THE AWARDING OF A $31.7 MILLION CONTRACT TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OLYMPIC-SIZED POOL, AND A 600-SEAT SPECTATOR STAND.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES SEPARATE TOILETS AND CHANGING FACILITIES FOR THE ABLE-BODIED AND THE DISABLED, A RESTAURANT, EXERCISE ROOM, FIRST-AID ROOM, PLANT ROOMS AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES.
INCLUDING PILING FOUNDATION WORK, THE TAI PO SWIMMING POOL PHASE I PROJECT WILL COST A TOTAL OF $47.7 MILLION. IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1990.
WORK ON PHASE II, EXPECTED TO COST AT LEAST ANOTHER $47 MILLION, WILL BEGIN NEXT MARCH. IT WILL COMPRISE A PADDLING POOL, A DIVING POOL, TWO TEACHING POOLS AND ONE LEISURE POOL WITH WATER SLIDES.
THE FACILITY WILL BE MANAGED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
-----o-----
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO REVIEW SUBSIDY
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25) THE PROCEDURE FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO THE DB’S WORKING GROUPS AND THE STANDARD RATES OF SUBSIDY TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER IF IT IS TIME TO STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT OF REIMBURSEMENTS TO THE DB’S WORKING GROUPS SO THAT THEIR FUNCTIONS CAN BE CARRIED OUT MORE EFFICIENTLY.
MOREOVER, THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE COMMITTEE TO SEE IF IT IS ADVISABLE TO INCREASE THE STANDARD RATES OF DB SUBSIDY TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
MEANWHILE, AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING THE ERECTION OF THREE DIRECTIONAL SIGN BOARDS TOTALLING $3,900 AT AH KUNG KOK FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE, SHEUNG KENG HAU VILLAGE AND HIN TIN VILLAGE WILL BE DISCUSSED.
/THREE OTHER ......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
6
THE HOLDING OF ISSUE AND FOR
THREE OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS, CONCERNING A SFMINAR ON THE BASIC LAW, EXHIBITIONS ON THE ORGANISING FESTIVE LIGHTING IN SHA TIN WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
OTHFR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS AS WELL AS THE DB’S REVISED ESTIMATES AND FINANCIAL SITUATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AND GENERAL CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR,
(OCTOBER 25)
BOARD’S FINANCE AM ON TUESDAY KCR HOUSE, SHA
TIN STATION.
--------o----------
METERED PARKING SPACES IN TSUN FU STREET
*****
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVEN SPACES WILL BE DESIGNATED IN TSUN FU STREET BETWEEN AND SAN TSOI STREET IN SHEUNG SHUI FROM WEDNESDAY AND SAN 1SU1 ---- _ ON-STREET PARKING SPACES.
THE
METERED SAN HONG (OCTOBER
PARKING STREET
26) TO
REGULATE THE UTILISATION OF
THE TWO-HOUR PARKING DAILY EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND BE $1 PER 30 MINUTES.
METERS WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 8 AM AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE PARKING CHARGE
8 PM WILL
--------o ---------
SINGING COMPETITION IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN
*****
MUSIC LOVERS LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE "SEVENTH CENTRAL AND WESTERN SINGING COMPETITION" TO BE HELD IN JANUARY.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, CENTRAL AND WESTERN CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
IT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC INTEREST IN SINGING.
/THE COMPETITION
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
- 7 -
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES: CLASSICAL SONG (SOLO ITEM), POP/FOLK SONG (SOLO ITEM) AND POP/FOLK SONG (GROUP ITEM).
PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 30 CAN ENTER. THEY ARE FREE TO SELECT A SONG WHICH SHOULD HAVE A POSITIVE THEME. NO ACCOMPANIMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO CONTESTANTS.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 1 AND DECEMBER 3. ENTRIES OF SATISFACTORY STANDARD WILL BE QUALIFIED TO ENTER THE FINALS TO BE HELD AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC AND CULTURAL CENTRE ON JANUARY 15.
THE CHAMPION, THE FIRST RUNNERS-UP AND THE SECOND RUNNERS-UP IN EACH GROUP WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND CASH PRIZES OF $1,000, $700 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY.
ALL FINALISTS WILL BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AS WELL AS THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS NOVEMBER 18. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5-283257 OR 5-8523489.
-------o----------
FAMILY LIFE MUSIC SELECTION TRIAL IN SHAM SHUI PO
*****
A MUSIC SELECTION TRIAL WILL BE HELD IN SHAM SHUI PO IN JANUARY TO SELECT A REPRESENTATIVE TO TAKE PART IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MUSIC COMPETITION.
THE COMPETITION AIMS AT PROMOTING A MORE HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS BY MEANS OF GROUP SINGING.
SPONSORED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE SELECTION TRIAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN 1988-89, THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE WINNER, AND FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP IN THE SELECTION TRIAL WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND CASH COUPONS OF $1,000, $700 AND $400 RESPECTIVELY.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE SELECTION TRIAL WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 29 AND AN AUDITION WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICE.
_ _ _ - o------
/8........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1988
- 8 -
book tickets early for
* *
YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL » t *
FESTIVAL-GOERS WHO DO NOT
YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL ARE ADVISED TO BOOK
WANT TO MISS ANY SHOW IN
THEIR TICKETS
THE COMING
EARLY BY
MAIL.
MAIL ORDER FORMS CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE VENUES, AND SEATING PLANS OF PERFORMANCES ARE NOW .AVAILABLE . PWQUTRIES COUNTERS OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, DISTRICT SECRETARIAT, YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL.
PRICES
PUBLIC
TICKET AT THE 1 BOARD
APPLICANTS SHOULD RETURN THE FORMS BY NOVEMBER 12, BY BY HAW? TO TOE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AT < TAI VUK ROAD, YUEN
THE 18-DAY YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL, WHICH WILL DECEMBER 9, HAS SOME 37 ACTIVITES, INCLUDING A WIDE VARIETY “S San?B PERFOBMANCBS WITH A BUDGET OF ,888,000.
MAIL OR LONG.
BEGIN ON OF MUSIC
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
EPCOM MAKES RECOMMENDATION ON WATER CONTROL ZONES ......... 1
GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS ON PULVERISED FUEL ASH DISPOSAL ON LAMMA 2
SCREENING OF 48 VIETNAMESE COMPLETED ...................... 4
TWO AIDS CARRIERS IN SEPTEMBER............................. 5
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS .......................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING OF SAI SHA ROAD........... 7
WAN CHAI TO LAUNCH HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY ........... 8
CANTONESE OPERA TREAT FOR SHA TIN ELDERLY ................. 9
HARNESSING FAMILY MUSICAL TALENT.......................... 10
TSUEN WAN DB STUDY GROUP LEAVES FOR PEKING ............... 12
WAN CHAI ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO MEET... 1?
JOINT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS
TOMORROW................................................ 15
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER JOINT VENTURE PROJECT ........... 14
PRESS CONFERENCE ON KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL »88........ 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO........... 15
TEMPORARY URBaN CLEARWAY IN QUEER'S ROAD CENTRAL.......... 15
URBaN CLEaRWAY M.k ON SHaN RO,J).......................... 16
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY ....................... 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE...................................... 16
MONDAY. OCTOBER 24, 1988
1
EPCOM MAKES RECOMMENDATION ON WATER CONTROL ZONES *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TODAY (MONDAY) RECOMMENDED THAT ALL REMAINING WATER CONTROL ZONES SHOULD BE DECLARED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THIS WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 12.
FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION ON THE RESULTS OF A STUDY TO ASSESS THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON INDUSTRY OF CONTROLS IMPOSED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE, MEMBERS OF EPCOM URGED THAT FURTHER WATER CONTROL ZONES SHOULD BE DECLARED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY COMPLETED RECENTLY BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (HKPC) SHOWED THAT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF PRESENT WATER CONTROL MEASURES WAS RELATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT FOR THE MAJORITY OF INDUSTRIES IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AREA, ALTHOUGH THE CONTROLS HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE DISCHARGES OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT IN THE AREA.
MEMBERS NOTED FROM THE STUDY THAT AFFECTED INDUSTRIES LACKED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN DESIGNING SYSTEMS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT WATER POLLUTION.
MEMBERS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT OMELCO SHOULD ENDORSE THE RESULTS OF THE HKPC STUDY AND THAT ALL HONG KONG WATERS SHOULD BE COVERED BY WATER POLLUTION CONTROLS.
SOME MEMBERS, REFERRING TO THE EXEMPTION FOR EXISTING DISCHARGES, ARGUED THAT PRESENT MEASURES WERE INEFFECTIVE AND CALLED FOR AN URGENT REVIEW OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF I HE CONSULTANCY STUDY TO DEVELOP A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN FOR EAST KOWLOON.
THE STUDY SHOWED THAT THE SEWERS IN THE AREA WERE FAR TOO SMALL AND THAT ILLEGAL CROSS CONNECTION TO THE STORMWATER SEWERS OCCURRED IN OVER 50 PER CENT OF THE CASES INVESTIGATED.
A SERIES OF OPTIONS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED FOR RECTIFYING THE SITUATION.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE WOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GO A LONG WAY TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF THE SMELL FROM THE KAI TAK NULLAH AND THE FLOODING WITH SEWAGE OF PAVEMENTS, ALLEYS AND ROADS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PLANS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
/HABERS ALSO
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 2 -
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND THERE HAD BEEN A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION IN POLLUTION LOAD FROM LIVESTOCK KEEPING ACTIVITIES.
THE CHAIRMAN, DR DAVID JOHNS, ANNOUNCED THAT MR WILLAM COURTAULD, AN EPCOM MEMBER, HAD ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO BECOME CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) 1989 WORKING GROUP. WORKING GROUP WOULD BE CONVENED SHORTLY TO PREPARE A PROGRAMME FOR WED 1989, ON JUNE 5 NEXT YEAR.
AS THIS WAS THE FINAL EPCOM MEETING OF THE 1986-88 SESSION, THE CHAIRMAN, DR JOHNS, THANKED MEMBERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND WISHED THE NEW ECPOM EVERY SUCCESS FOR THE 1988-90 SESSION.
-----0------
GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS ON PULVERISED FUEL ASH DISPOSAL ON LAMMA ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS ON HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY’S (HEC) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE LONG TERM DISPOSAL Of* PULVERISED FUEL ASH (PFA) ARISING FROM ITS POWER STATION ON LAMMA ISLAND, WERE PRESENTED AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TODAY (MONDAY).
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR SIMON HEWITT, WHO CHAIRED A GOVERNMENT STUDY MANAGEMENT GROUP (SMG), BRIEFED MEMBERS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS.
THE SMG, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WAS SET UP TO MONITOR AND GUIDE HONGKONG ELECTRIC’S CONSULTANCY STUDY IN DEVELOPING A LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR PFA DISPOSAL AND TO EXAMINE THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY.
MR HEWITT TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE SMG HAD IN GENERAL ENDORSED THE DISPOSAL STRATEGY RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANT COMPRISING ♦
(I) MAXIMISING THE BENEFICIAL USE OF PFA THROUGH :
CONTINUED MARKETING OF PFA FOR INDUSTRIAL USE;
USE OF PFA AS FILL FOR LAND FORMATION;
USE OF PFA AS FILL TO RESTORE LAMMA QUARRY; AND
(II) STORAGE OF ANY PFA, THAT COULD NOT BE PUT IMMEDIATELY TO SOME BENEFICIAL USE, IN A LAGOON ADJACENT TO THE POWER STATION.
/THE SMG
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2k, 1988
3
THE SMG HAD ACCEPTED THAT THE STRATEGY WAS AN INTEGRATED ONE AND THAT IT COULD PROVIDE A RELIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF ASH DISPOSAL.
IN PARTICULAR, IT ACCEPTED THAT SOME FORM OF LAGOON WAS A NECESSARY PART OF THIS STRATEGY TO ACT AS A BUFFER TO ENSURE THAT A RELIABLE MEANS OF DISPOSAL WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE, MR HEWITT SAID.
AFTER HEARING DETAILS OF THE OVERALL STRATEGY, THE BOARD WAS TOLD THAT THE SMG HAD DISAGREED WITH THE LOCATION OF THE LAGOON PROPOSED BY HEC AND ITS CONSULTANTS (SITE P).
THE SMG FELT THAT THE SITE IN FRONT OF THE POWER PLANT (SITE Q) WOULD CAUSE LESS DISRUPTION TO RESIDENTS AND WOULD HAVE LESS POTENTIAL FOR ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAN THE BEACH SITE AT TAI WAN TO (SITE P).
THE SMG ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT HEC BE ASKED TO RECONSIDER THE SIZE OF LAGOON NEEDED IN VIEW OF THE POSSIBLE AVAILABILITY OF THE QUARRY SITE AS EARLY AS 1994; AND THAT A PROPOSED TRIAL PLACEMENT OF PFA IN THE QUARRY SHOULD PROCEED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IT VIEWED THAT THE QUARRY RESTORATION PLANS SHOULD PROCEED SUBJECT TO THE RESULTS OF THE TRIAL AND THE CONTINUING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND THAT FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO INVESTIGATE IN DETAIL THE KEY ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND ON MITIGATION MEASURES.
THE DB LEARNT THAT PFA WAS AN UNAVOIDABLE BY-PRODUCT OF A COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT. AT PRESENT, ALL PFA PRODUCED AT LAMMA POWER STATION WAS SOLD FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES. HOWEVER, THE EXISTING CONTRACTS TERMINATE IN 1992 WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL BE EXTENDED.
"IN VIEW OF THE FORECAST POWER REQUIREMENTS FOR HONG KONG, HEC’S LAMMA POWER STATION MUST BE KEPT IN OPERATION FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. RELIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE METHODS MUST THEREFORE BE FOUND TO DISPOSE OF PFA," MR HEWITT ADDED.
- 0 - - - -
A
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2<+, 1988
SCREENING OF 48 VIETNAMESE COMPLETED
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS SCREENING PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING THE STATUS OF 48 VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 15 THIS YEAR.
OF THE GROUP SCREENED, SEVEN PEOPLE IN ONE FAMILY WERE FOUND TO BE REFUGEES. THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO A REFUGEE CAMP PRIOR TO RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS.
THE OTHER 41, COMPRISING SEVEN GROUPS AND 18 INDIVIDUALS, WERE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGGES. THEY WILL BE HELD IN DETENTION CENTRES PENDING REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM.
"DETERMINATION NOTICES HAVE BEEN SERVED ON THE 48 ASYLUM SEEKERS TODAY BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF AT THE CHI MA WAN DETENTION CENTRE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THOSE PEOPLE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THEIR RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE RESULT UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS THEIR RIGHT TO LEGAL ADVICE IN PREPARING THEIR OBJECTIONS.
"THE UNHCR WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT LEGAL ADVICE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED IT."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SCREENING PROCEDURES WERE BASED ON THE UNHCR PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING REFUGEE STATUS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE 1951 CONVENTION AND THE 1967 PROTOCOL, AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL SITUATION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM.
"STAFF OF THE UNHCR WERE PRESENT DURING SOME OF THE INTERVIEWS AS OBSERVERS," HE SAID.
-------0 ---------
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 5 -
TWO AIDS CARRIERS IN SEPTEMBER ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
TWO MORE PERSONS WERE FOUND TO BE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) INFECTED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE LATEST MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME BY THE MEDICAL & HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CARRIERS OF THE DEADLY VIRUS NOW STANDS AT 127, AND OUT OF WHICH 52 ARE HAEMOPHILIACS.
THERE WAS NO NEW CONFIRMED AIDS PATIENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS REPORTED SO FAR REMAINS AT 13. TWO OF THE PATIENTS ARE STILL ALIVE AND UNDER THE CARE OF THE AIDS COUNSELLING CLINIC.
THE DEPARTMENT STARTED THE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME ON AIDS IN 1985 TO MONITOR THE AIDS SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
SO FAR, 105,561 TESTS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED ON THE HIGH RISK GROUPS INCLUDING HAEMOPHILIACS WHO USE BLOOD PRODUCTS, DRUG ABUSERS WHO USE NEEDLES AND PEOPLE WHO ARE PROMISCUOUS.
ALTOGETHER 127 PEOPLE WERE FOUND TO BE INFECTED BY THE AIDS VIRUS AND 21 OF THEM WERE DETECTED THIS YEAR.
THE HONG KONG BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS NOT FOUND ANY INFECTED BLOOD AMONG ITS BLOOD DONORS IN SEPTEMBER. A TOTAL OF 12,515 UNITS OF BLOOD WERE SCREENED IN THE MONTH.
SINCE AUGUST 1985, 463,607 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN SCREENED AND ONLY SEVEN UNITS WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE.
/AIDS Virus........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 6 -tv. AIDS Viru« (HIV) Antibody Taotlsg
Medical & Haalth Sapytaent
$ & iff if-1?7 9 V1 Virus Unit
April 85 - Aug 88 Sept 88 Total
No. tested No. 4ve ‘ k No. tested No. 4v© fl Me. teatod No. «-ve
i
Referral* free Govt, hospitals and cliniaa 6 237 33 295 1 6 532 3«»
Referral* fron private practitioners and subvented hospital* 1 677 29 7 0 l 68U 29
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 90 W 11 3 071 1 93 555 12
Haemophiliacfl 333 52 7 0 3h0 52 •
IV drug abusers 2 6>IO 0 160 0 2 800 0
Referral* from Family 139 0 3 0 W 0
Planning Association
•'C* A
Health cam personnel 502 0 6 0 503 0
Total 102 012 125 3 5U9 2 105 561 127
• This indicated the number of specimen? and not persons as testa are repeated for certain individuals. * - &
;**- '>fc 1 X
Aug 85 “ 88 8eph 98 Total
No. tested No. ♦ VB . No. tegtod No. *V8 No. tested No. *vc
Hong Kong Rod Cross Blood Transfusion H51 092 7 12 515 0 ^63 60T T
Service
-------0 ---------
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 7 -
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS * * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE FOLLOWING EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY TO HONG KONG:
(I) HUSBANDS/WIVES WHO HOLD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED
BETWEEN 1 FEBRUARY 1981 AND 31 MARCH 1981 (TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN) TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT SPOUSE IN HONG KONG;
(II) AGED PARENTS/DEPENDENTS CHILDREN WHO HOLD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BETWEEN 1 OCTOBER 1979 AND 31 MARCH 1981 TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT CHILDREN/PARENTS IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED AS FROM 1 NOVEMBER 1988 (TUESDAY) BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE AT 3-7333126.
--------o----------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING * * * * *
OF SAI SHA ROAD
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING OF SAI SHA ROAD BETWEEN NAI CHUNG AND MA ON SHAN, NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 11 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27).
SAI SHA ROAD WILL BE SUBJECT TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER NAI CHUNG BUS TERMINUS.
ALSO, CYCLISTS WILL BE BANNED FROM SAI SHA ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI MONG TSAI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES EAST OF THE NAI CHUNG BUS TERMINUS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
AT THE SAME TIME, MA ON SHAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HANG HONG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 690 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
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/8........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 8 - '
WAN CHAI TO LAUNCH HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN WAN CHAI WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UP SERVICES UNDER THE PROGRAMME ”1988 HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI” TO BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS WEEK.
THE PROGRAMME, ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND RTHK, AIMS AT AROUSING GREATER PUBLIC CONCERN AND CARE FOR THE AGED AMONGST RESIDENTS IN WAN CHAI,.
DURING THE MONTH-LONG PROJECT, FREE HEALTH CHECK-UPS WILL BE OFFERED TO PEOPLE AGED 60 OR ABOVE AT SIX SERVICE CENTRES AND KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, EXHIBITIONS ON COMMON GERIATRIC DISEASES AND WAYS OF PREVENTING THEM WILL BE LAUNCHED IN TWO SHOPPING AND COMMERCIAL CENTRES.
A TOTAL OF 20,000 PAMPHLETS PROMOTING HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED.
THE SCHEME, WHICH COSTS ABOUT $200,000, IS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT 2,000 PEOPLE.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT TODAY (MONDAY), WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN MRS PEGGY LAM SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 30,000 PEOPLE AGED OVER 60 IN WAN CHAI, REPRESENTING 15 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION.
THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP WERE CO-ORGANISING THE PROGRAMME IN RESPONSE TO THE NEED OF THIS AGE GROUP, SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD A LONG-STANDING INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, CONVENOR OF THE PUBLICITY SUB-GROUP UNDER THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR KENNETH LEE, SAID THAT DOCTORS AND NURSES FROM THE TUNG WAH GROUP WOULD PROVIDE FREE CHECK-UP SERVICES AT VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AND . WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE HEALTH MONTH.
PARTICIPATING ELDERLY PEOPLE WOULD BE GIVEN CHECK-UPS ON BODY WEIGHT AND HEIGHT, BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL, BLOOD TESTS, CARDIAC EXAMINATIONS AND CHEST X-RAYS.
THOSE WHO REQUIRE FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE RELEVANT UNITS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, HE SAID.
/THE CO-CHAIRMAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 9
THE CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR SAMMY POONE, SAID RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WOULD SUPPORT THE SCHEME BY INTRODUCING A NEW RADIO PROGRAMME FROM TODAY TO NOVEMBER 3 FEATURING TALKS ON VARIOUS TYPES OF GERIATRIC DISEASES AND HEALTH CARE KNOWLEDGE FOR THE ELDERLY BY MEDICAL DOCTORS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU. HE SAID THAT HIS GROUP HAD FORMULATED A SERIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS ON ELDERLY SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE GROWING NEED.
HE NOTED THAT THE HEALTH MONTH WOULD ENABLE SENIOR RESIDENTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OT? THEIR STATE OF HEALTH AND ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO RESPECT THE AGED.
---0------
CANTONESE OPERA TREAT FOR SHA TIN ELDERLY
*****
SENIOR RESIDENTS IN SHA TIN WILL BE ENTERTAINED TOMORROW (TUESDAY) NIGHT BY A CANTONESE OPERA WHICH WILL BE STAGED BY THE GUANGDONG CANTONESE OPERA SCHOOL OF CHINA.
A GUEST PERFORMER WILL BE MR LUO PINCHAO, A CANTONESE OPERA STAR IN CHINA.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY ALL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE YUEN WO AREA, SHA TIN, THE OPERA NIGHT WILL BEGIN AT 7 PM AT THE SIR RUN RUN SHAW HALL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE A MASTER OF THE GUANGDONG OPERA SCHOOL, MR CHEN QUIREN; SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG PO-MING.
COACHES WILL DEPART FROM THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN WO CHE ESTATE AT 6.15 PM TO TAKE PEOPLE TO THE VENUE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CANTONESE OPERA NIGHT FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS TO BEGIN AT 7 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE SIR RUN RUN SHAW HALL, CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SHA TIN. COACHES WILL DEPART FROM THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN WO CHE ESTATE, TOWN CENTRE, SHA 1 IN AJ 6.15 PM TO TAKE THE SENIOR RESIDENTS TO THE VENUE.
- 0 -
/10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 10 -
HARNESSING FAMILY MUSICAL TALENT *****
MUSICALLY-MINDED OR TALENTED FAMILIES HAVE ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO JOIN A TERRITORY-WIDE COMPETITION AIMED AT ENHANCING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION THROUGH MUSIC.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 IS THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES TO THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MUSIC COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE WORKING GROUP ON THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO IMMEDIATE MEMBERS OF A FAMILY AND PARTICIPATING TEAMS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM A MUSICAL PIECE THAT REFLECTS LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT OF A HARMONIOUS FAMILY.
PRELIMINARY COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE 19 DISTRICTS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, AND THE FINALS WILL BE STAGED AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON MARCH 24.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FROM FAMILY MEMBERS WERE IMPORTANT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG TALENT.
"LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO DEVOTE THEIR TIME AND EFFORT TO PRACTISING THEIR INSTRUMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE HAVE RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN ORGANISING NUMEROUS INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SESSIONS FOR THOUSANDS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH THE YEARS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MANY YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO WERE TRAINED UNDER PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE HAVE WON PRIZES IN NUMEROUS MUSIC COMPETITIONS.
"A TYPICAL EXAMPLE IS THAT OF TWO SISTERS WHOSE DEDICATION AND TALENT HAVE HELPED THEM ACCOMPLISH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AT HIGH-LEVEL COMPETITIONS," HE SAID.
MOK O-CZARN, A 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT FROM ST CLARE’S GIRLS' SCHOOL AND HER YOUNGER SISTER, BY A YEAR, O-GAY FROM ST PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, JOINED THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME (IMTS) OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IN 1981.
"IT WAS MY PARENTS WHO ENCOURAGED AND SIGNED ME UP FOR VIOLIN LESSONS," O-CZARN SAID.
/SHE BEGAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
11
SHE BEGAN VIOLIN STUDIES UNDER THE INSTRUCTION OF RENOWNED VIOLINIST, TAKAKO HEYMANN. SHE PROGRESSED RAPIDLY AND JOINED THE YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IN 1985, WHICH ENABLED HER TO TRAVEL ABROAD AND PERFORM IN VARIOUS CITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 1987.
"I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE VIOLIN BEFORE I JOINED THE IMTS, BUT NOW I HAVE GROWN TO LOVE PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT SO MUCH THAT I SPEND ABOUT TWO HOURS EVERY DAY PRACTISING," O-CZARN SAID.
BEING A TALENTED VIOLINIST, O-CZARN STOLE THE LIMELIGHT AT THE 1987 SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL WHEN SHE WON THE VIOLIN SOLO (UNDER 15) AND THE VIOLIN DUET (SENIOR).
UNLIKE HER SISTER, 15-YEAR-OLD O-GAY PREFERS PLAYING THE PIPA. SHE LEARNED THE PLAYING SKILL FROM A NUMBER OF WELL-KNOWN PIPA PLAYERS SUCH AS MS CHAN MAN-CHONG AND MS LI PING OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
HER TALENT ENABLED HER TO JOIN THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA IN 1987, HELPED HER ACHIEVE THE FIRST RUNNER-UP IN THE PIPA SOLO (INTERMEDIATE) AND PIPA ENSEMBLE IN THIS YEAR’S SCHOOL MUSIC FESTIVAL.
AS A MEMBER OF THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA, O-GAY HAS REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN PERFORMANCES IN AUSTRALIA DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
OF MUSICAL AND HAVE THAT THE EXPERIENCES
ALTHOUGH VIOLIN AND PIPA ARE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES INSTRUMENTS WHICH REQUIRE DIFFERENT PLAYING TECHNIQUES DIFFERENT TIMBRE AND ACOUSTIC FIDELITY, THE SISTERS FOUND DIFFERENCES DID NOT PREVENT THEM FROM EXCHANGING LEARNING
DURING THEIR PRACTICES AT HOME.
"AFTER JOINING THE YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE MY PLAYING SKILL AND TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH MANY MUSIC LOVERS," O-CZARN SAID.
BOTH SISTERS, HOWEVER, EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY SUPPORT.
"THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND ENDLESS SUPPORT OF MY PARENTS ENABLED ME TO SPEND LONG HOURS PRACTISING AT HOME," THE ELDER ONE SAID.
THE MUSIC OFFICE HAS FOUND THAT COMMON INTEREST IN MUSIC WOULD HELP ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 12 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WINNERS IN THE PRELIMINARY CONTESTS AND THE FINALS OF THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MUSIC COMPETITION WILL BE GIVEN PRIZES AND TROPHIES DONATED BY THE YAOHAN DEPARTMENT STORE WHICH SPONSORS THE COMPETITION.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, DISTRICT OFFICES AND YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON 5-8954036 OR 0-4928127.
-----0------
TSUEN WAN DB STUDY GROUP LEAVES FOR PEKING *****
A TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD DELEGATION LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A SEVEN-DAY STUDY TOUR.
THE 32-MEMBER DELEGATION IS LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, IS ACTING AS ITS ADVISER.
IN PEKING, THE GROUP WILL MEET SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE UNDER THE STATE COUNCIL, THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY, AND THE STATE PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE.
THE AIM IS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN AND TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING.
THE DELEGATION WILL ALSO VISIT THE QINGHUA UNIVERSITY BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 30.
-------0---------
/13........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 15 -
WAN CHAI ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO MEET ♦ » * » »
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR REMOVING OBSCENE SIGNBOARDS IN THE DISTRICT.
at TMF MEETING* THEY WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE NINTH STREET
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME UNDER WHICH FIVE ^CATIONS WERE STREET MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING STREET CLEANSING ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST PAVEMENT OBSTRUCTION AS WELL A
ILLEGAL
PARKING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN JT (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHA! DISTRICT EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
DISTRICT TOMORROW OFFICE,
- - 0 - -
JOINT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN^STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
activities.
F0B
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE HBBTXHC. »H OFFICERS MILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------0--------
/14-.....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
14
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER JOINT VENTURE PROJECT
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER CARRYING OUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT AT NELSON STREET (WEST) MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ENTRANCE AREA WITH A REAL ESTATE COMPANY AS A JOINT VENTURE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE ENACTMENT OF AN ORDINANCE WHICH ENABLES THE URBAN COUNCIL TO PHYSICALLY CLOSE DOWN UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES; A NEW PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING TAXI COMPLAINTS AND A FORECAST OF POPULATION DISTRIBUTION FROM 1987 TO 1997.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO HEAR PROGRESS REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE'S WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
-------0 -
PRESS CONFERENCE ON KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL ’88
*****
THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL ’88 COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE OPENING CEREMONY SCHEDULED ON OCTOBER 29 AND THE PROGRAMME FOR THE FESTIVAL.
THE SPORTS FESTIVAL, WITH A BUDGET OF OVER $600,000, IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TANG KWOK-WAI, AND THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG WING-CHUN, WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL '88 TO BEGIN AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
-------O----------
/15........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27).
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS IN YUET LUN STREET.
» THE ACCESS ROAD TO YUET LUN STREET LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK
ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» THE EASTERN SECTION OF YUET LUN STREET WILL BE CONVERTED
FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
* THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF YUET LUN STREET WILL BE CONVERTED
FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM THE
NORTHERN SECTION OF YUET LUN STREET EASTBOUND TO THE
EASTERN SECTION OF YUET LUN STREET.
» MOTORISTS ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR YUET
LUN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PO LUN STREET.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN COCHRANE STREET AND WELLINGTON STREET WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS IN WELLINGTON STREET.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 -
/16
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1988
- 16 -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN MA ON SHAN ROAD * * ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF MA ON SHAN ROAD WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27).
TO ITS NORTH
THE URBAN CLEARWAY, TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM *7 AM DAILY, WILL BE DESIGNATED ON MA ON SHAN ROAD BETWEEN WITH HANG HONG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 690 METRES
MIDNIGHT
JUNCTION OF THE
JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-----0------
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THE FOLLOWING DISRUPTIONS TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY:
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES AT NO. 1-3 BARKER ROAD, NO. 10-56 PEAK ROAD, NO. 9-50 MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, NO. 47-53 STUBBS ROAD, COOMBE ROAD, MOUNT CAMERON ROAD, MIDDLE GAP ROAD, GUILDFORD ROAD, WATFORD ROAD, MANSFIELD ROAD, NO. 1-3 TREGUNTER PATH AND NO. 1-3 MAY ROAD, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) DUE TO TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, ROAD D3 AND ROAD L9 IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER WORKS. AFFECTED PREMISES WILL INCLUDE TIN PING ESTATE AND THE SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.
------O-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 43.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 254.076 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 404.208 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 69.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
ROOM FOR EXPANSION IN HK-UK TRADE INVESTMENT: GOVERNOR .... 1
HONG KONG - JAPAN TIES GROWING: HAMISH MACLEOD........ 3
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS WELL PROTECTED .............. 4
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988............... 6
DR THONG TO RETIRE...................................... 9
LEGCO TO DEBATE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT ............ 9
MASSIVE SEWERAGE SCHEME FOR NORTH-WEST NT .............. 10
$148 MILLION CONTRACT FOR AU TAU TREATMENT WORKS ....... 10
FIRST GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING IN FANLING ............ 11
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO OPERATE AT NSW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL . 12
CERTIFICATE COURSE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT .............. 13
SOUTHERN DISTRICT LAUNCHES CLEAN BUILDING CAMPAIGN ..... 13
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ON SALE TOMORROW .................. 14
SPECIAL DB COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT SURVEY .. 15
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON BUS SERVICES................ 16
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET ON THURSDAY ............. 16
FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN CONTEST ...................... 17
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIV/lL STARTS SATURDAY............. 18
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI .... 19
RESTRICTED ZONES IN YUEN LONG .......................... 20
NO-ENTRY BANS IN DIAMOND HILL AND TUEN MUN ............. 20
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
ROOM FOR EXPANSION IN HK-UK TRADE INVESTMENT: GOVERNOR
*****
THOUGH BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG IS GROWING VERY HEALTHILY, THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS FOR THE UK TO EXPAND ITS INVOLVEMENT IN MANUFACTURING AND TO MAKE MORE USE OF THE TERRITORY’S ENTREPOT ROLE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN LONDON TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN ADDITION, BRITISH TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING KNOW-HOW OPERATING IN HONG KONG COULD HELP BRITISH FIRMS STRENGTHEN THEIR MARKET POSITION IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, SIR DAVID SAID WHEN ADDRESSING A TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DINNER.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO SEE BOTH TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONSHIPS CONTINUE TO EXPAND, THOUGH THE OVERALL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WAS IN GOOD SHAPE.
"I SEE THIS AS MIRRORING BRITAIN’S CONTINUED POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO THE TERRITORY. CERTAINLY THERE IS NO BASIS FOR THE MYTH THAT THE UK IS GRADUALLY WITHDRAWING FROM HONG KONG," HE SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH ENTITLED "HONG KONG — A FORCE IN WORLD TRADE", SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG - UK BILATERAL TRADE IN 1987 HAD INCREASED BY 33 PER CENT OVER 1986, AND IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR IT HAD SHOWN A FURTHER 20 PER CENT RISE.
LAST YEAR, THE UK WAS HONG KONG’S FOURTH LARGEST MARKET, TAKING SOME ONE BILLION POUNDS STERLING OF THE TERRITORY’S GOODS. IMPORTS FROM THE UK INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT, TO A TOTAL OF 915 MILLION POUNDS STERLING.
BUT DESPITE THIS VERY CREDITABLE EFFORT, LAST YEAR THE UK HAD SLIPPED FROM FIFTH TO SIXTH PLACE IN THE LEAGUE OF HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS — AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY WAS NOW HONG KONG’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
"THERE IS CERTAINLY EVIDENCE OF A NEW FOUND AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AMONG THE BRITISH BUSINESS COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"BUT I -HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT SOME PEOPLE STILL UNDER-ESTIMATE HONG KONG, BOTH AS A MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND A CENTRE FOR REGIONAL TRADE."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOODS IMPORTED FROM THE UK LAST YEAR REPRESENTED ONLY THREE PER CENT OF TOTAL IMPORTS.
ON A PER HEAD BASIS, EACH PERSON IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR HAD BOUGHT 163 POUNDS STERLING OF UK GOODS.
/REFERRING TO
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 251 ^988
- 2 -
REFERRING TO THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG’S ENTREPOT ROLE, SIR DAVID SAID LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE GOODS IMPORTED FROM THE UK WERE RE-EXPORTED.
’’THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE UK IS MAKING LESS USE OF OUR ENTREPOT ROLE THAN OTHER COUNTRIES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT RE-EXPORTS HAD BEEN GROWING AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN EXPORTS, REFLECTING HONG KONG’S ROLE AS BOTH A REGIONAL TRADING CENTRE AND A SPRINGBOARD TO AND FROM CHINA.
RE-EXPORTS NOW MADE UP OVER HALF OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
"SO FAR THIS YEAR CHINA HAS BEEN INVOLVED, EITHER AS A SOURCE OR A MARKET, IN ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THEM," HE SAID.
"THERE COULD HARDLY BE A MORE DRAMATIC PROOF OF THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS INDEED THE GATEWAY TO CHINA."
ON MANUFACTURING OPPORTUNITIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID IN RECENT YEARS, EUROPE AS A WHOLE HAD BEEN SLOW, COMPARED WITH JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MARKET IN HONG KONG.
WHILE THE UK DID ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE EUROPEAN SHARE OF DIRECT INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING, THE FACT STILL REMAINED THAT INVESTMENT FROM THE U.S.A. AND JAPAN WAS FIVE TIMES LARGER THAN THE FIGURE FOR THE WHOLE OF EUROPE.
SIR DAVID ALSO STRESSED, AS HE HAD DONE IN EUROPE, THAT HONG KONG WAS AN OPEN MARKET, AND ITS SUCCESS WAS BUILT ON A FREE TRADE POLICY*
THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS AN ASIAN "DRAGON” OR "TIGER" INTENT ONLY ON EXPORTING WAS A MYTH. ANY COUNTRY WAS WELCOME TO EXPORT TO HONG KONG.
"WE ARE WATCHING WITH INTEREST THE MOVE IN EUROPE TOWARDS THE CREATION OF THE SINGLE MARKET IN 1992," HE SAID.
"WE NATURALLY HOPE THAT THIS WILL GIVE A REAL BOOST TO WORLD TRADE AND WILL THEREFORE INDIRECTLY OR DIRECTLY BENEFIT HONG KONG.’’
HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN A PRESENCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, AND SHOULD NOT BE UNDER-ESTIMATED.
"MOREOVER, DESPITE OUR SMALL SIZE, WE DO HAVE OUR OWN POINT OF VIEW AND OUR OWN VOICE IN THE DEBATE ON WORLD TRADE ISSUES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE UK HAD NEVER BEEN GIVEN ENOUGH CREDIT FOR ALLOWING HONG KONG TO DEVELOP ITS OPEN COMPETITIVE MARKET WITHOUT TRYING TO MAINTAIN A SPECIAL ADVANTAGE FOR ITSELF.
/THE GOVERNOR
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT IMMUNE FROM PROBLEMS, BUT IT DID NOT TRY TO SWEEP THESE UNDER THE CARPET.
IN FACT, MANY OF THE PROBLEMS NOW BEING EXPERIENCED -- SUCH AS A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR AND RAPID RISES IN WAGES -- WERE THE SYMPTOMS NOT OF WANING CONFIDENCE BUT OF AN EXPANDING ECONOMY.
-----0-------
HONG KONG - JAPAN TIES GROWING: HAMISH MACLEOD * * * *
THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TOKYO LAST MONTH COINCIDES WITH AN ENCOURAGING IMPROVEMENT IN THE TERRITORY’S EXPORT PERFORMANCE TO JAPAN, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE JAPAN/HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, MR MACLEOD SAID THAT AFTER A NUMBER OF YEARS OF LACKLUSTRE GROWTH, HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO JAPAN ROSE BY 35 PER CENT IN 1986 AND 53 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
"WHILE THE BASE FOR THIS GROWTH IS SMALL - WE ONLY SELL TO JAPAN ABOUT ONE-EIGHTH OF WHAT WE SELL TO THE USA - I AM HOPEFUL THAT WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR SALES," SAID MR MACLEOD.
"WE INTEND TO WORK HARD AND PERSISTENTLY TO DO SO. WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY JAPAN TO OPEN UP ITS MARKETS. WE HAVE WATCHED WITH GREAT INTEREST ALSO THE CURRENT EFFORTS TO RESTRUCTURE THE JAPANESE ECONOMY TO ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC DEMAND. THESE ARE HEALTHY AND USEFUL DEVELOPMENTS," HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE OUTLOOK FOR THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS BRIGHT WITH GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT EXPECTED TO GROW IN REAL TERMS BY ABOUT SIX PER CENT THIS YEAR.
"HONG KONG IS ALWAYS ALIVE TO THE REALITY THAT IT IS DEPENDENT NOT JUST ON ITSELF BUT ON THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF ITS MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, ON ITS CONTINUED ACCESS TO THEM," HE SAID.
"TO MAINTAIN CONTINUED ACCESS TO MARKETS ALREADY OPENED TO US; TO REMOVE BARRIERS WHERE THEY EXIST AND TO GAIN ENTRY INTO MARKETS THAT ARE CLOSED ARE OUR OVERRIDING PRIORITIES ON THE TRADE FRONT, HE ADDED.
/"WE ARE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
"WE ARE GIVING A HIGH PRIORITY - AS I KNOW JAPAN IS TOO - TO THE CURRENT GATT URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS VITAL THAT THESE TALKS HELP LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE, IMPROVE MARKET ACCESS AND STRENGTHEN DISCIPLINE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO JAPAN, BEING ITS FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, ABSORBING 3.9 PER CENT OF JAPAN’S TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1987.
"NOT MANY PEOPLE REALISE THAT ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, HONG KONG IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MARKET FOR JAPAN," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT JAPAN WAS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG AND ECONOMIC TIES WERE CLOSE. JAPAN IS THE TERRITORY’S SECOND MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLIER, ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY 20 PER CENT OF TOTAL IMPORTS.
IT WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, PROVIDING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF THE TOTAL. OVERALL, JAPAN IS HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, JUST AFTER CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES, ACCOUNTING FOR 12 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE LAST YEAR, HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT HONG KONG HAS JUST OVERTAKEN JAPAN AS CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, TAKING UP OVER 20 PER CENT OF ITS TRADE. SINCE 1978 TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAS GROWN 19 TIMES, WITH AN INCREASING PROPORTION OF THAT TRADE BEING RE-EXPORTS TO AND FROM CHINA.
AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE ARE PROCEEDING, MR MACLEOD CITED THE EXAMPLE OF ITS PARTICIPATION AS A CONTRACTING PARTY IN ITS OWN RIGHT AFTER 1997 IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE.
------0 ------
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS WELL PROTECTED ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT THE INFRINGEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS UNDERMINES INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATION, A SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG WATCH TRADES AND INDUSTRIES, THE HEAD OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR H.Y. LI, SAID HONG KONG HAD TAKEN PARTICULAR CARE TO PROTECT ITS INTERNATIONAL TRADING IMAGE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF ITS TRADING SYSTEM.
/’’TO MEET
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
5 -
"TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER VARIOUS COPYRIGHT AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY PROTECTION CONVENTIONS, HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED MORE THAN ADEQUATE LAWS COVERING TRADE MARKS, TRADE DESCRIPTIONS, COPYRIGHT, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS AND PATENTS," MR LI SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO THE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF THESE LAWS, INCLUDING A SPECIAL TASK FORCE COMPRISING 150 CUSTOMS INVESTIGATORS WITH SUPPORT FROM ANOTHER 450 INVESTIGATORS FROM THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BRANCH."
MR LI SAID THAT IN ENFORCING THE TRADE' DESCRIPTIONS AND COPYRIGHT ORDINANCES, HIS DEPARTMENT’S STRATEGY WAS TO ATTACK COUNTERFEITING AND COPYRIGHT PIRACY AT ALL LEVELS, FROM RETAILING AT STREET LEVEL, LARGE AND SMALL ESTABLISHED RETAIL PREMISES, AND MANUFACTURING OUTLETS AS WELL AS IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
HE SAID UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTION ORDINANCE (TDO), FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS, FORGED TRADE MARKS AND ANY MIS-STATEMENTS IN RESPECT OF GOODS PROVIDED IN THE COURSE OF TRADE WERE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED.
i •
’’THE TDO PROVIDES FOR MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS FOR SUMMARY OFFENCES, AND $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS FOR INDICTABLE OFFENCES, WHILE ALL GOODS SEIZED ARE LIABLE TO FORFEITURE,” HE SAID.
”UP TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SEIZED $26.3 MILLION WORTH OF GOODS IN 555 CASES AND PROSECUTED 578 PERSONS OR FIRMS UNDER THE TDO. FINES TOTALLED $4.85 MILLION AND 21 CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WERE PASSED.”
AS FOR THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE, MR LI SAID IT AFFORDED PROTECTION FOR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OF LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC WORKS, SOUND RECORDINGS, CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS, TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTS; AND PUBLISHED EDITIONS OF WORK, BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN.
"ANYONE CONVICTED OF POSSESSION OF INFRINGING COPIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRADE OR BUSINESS IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $1,000 FOR EACH INFRINGING COPY AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR,” HE SAID.
"THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE POSSESSION OF PLATES USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED FOR MAKING INFRINGING COPIES IS A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
"ALL INFRINGING GOODS AND PLATES SEIZED ARE LIABLE TO FORFEITURE.
"GOODS VALUED AT $15.5 MILLION WERE SEIZED IN 138 CASES IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS THIS YEAR, AND 67 PERSONS OR FIRMS WERE PROSECUTED. IN ADDITION TO TOTAL FINES OF $390,000, ONE PERSON WAS IMPRISONED."
/TURNING TO........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
TURNING TO EFFORTS AGAINST COMPUTER PIRACY, HE SAID OPERATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAD RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF GOODS VALUED AT OVER $18 MILLION, WITH 161 TRADERS PROSECUTED AND 42 AWAITING PROSECUTION.
"WE HAVE ALSO TAKEN VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON COUNTERFEIT WATCHES UNDER BOTH TDO AND THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE AND HAVE SEIZED $70.4 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT WATCHES IN 1,015 CASES SINCE 1984."
NOTING THE INDIVIDUAL PECULIARITIES OF INDUSTRIAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, MR LI SAID THAT STRONG SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM THE OWNERS OF INDUSTRIAL/INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND FURTHER POSITIVE SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL WERE NEEDED TO CONTAIN THE INFRINGEMENTS OF LEGITIMATE INDUSTRY AND TRADING STANDARDS AS A WHOLE.
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CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER. 1988 *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 WERE 120.5 AND 120.0 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 8.8 PER CENT AND 8.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER SEPTEMBER 1987.
THESE RATES OF INCREASE, WHICH ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE SEEN IN EARLIER MONTHS, ARE A FURTHER INDICATION THAT THE RATE OF INFLATION IS CONTINUING TO RISE.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER WITH AUGUST 1988, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B) BY 1.I PER CENT. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THESE COMPARISONS WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH ARE LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEASONAL AND OTHER TEMPORARY FLUCTUATIONS, AND, THEREFORE, SHOULD NOT BE READILY GENERALISED AS THE ANNUAL TREND INFLATION RATE.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 1988, AT 115.3 AND 115.4 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 7.2 PER CENT AND 7.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 1987.
DURING THE 3-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 1988, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.9 PER CENT PER MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(B), AT 0.8 PER CENT PER MONTH.
/THE CPI(A)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
- 7 -
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 1987, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B) •
SECTION INDEX FOR SEP. 88 • % CHANGE OVER AUG. 88 % CHANGE OVER SEP. 87 INDEX FOR SEP. 88 % CHANGE OVER AUG. 88 % CHANGE OVER SEP. 87
FOODSTUFFS 121.1 + 1.4 + 12.0 121.5 + 1.4 + 11.8
HOUSING 115.4 + 1.6 + 3.9 112.0 +0.6 + 3.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 92.7 -0.4 + 0.2 93.4 -0.5 + 0.2 r
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 124.4 -0.1 + 6.4 125.2 -0.1 + 6.7
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 122.7 + 0.1 + 8.4 124.9 + 0.2 + 8.7
DURABLE GOODS 119.4 + 0.4 + 6.0* 118.6 + 0.5 + 6.0
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS % • 123.3 + 0.3 + 4.8 123.7 + 0.6 + 5.1
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 121.0 + 0.2 + 4.1 120.2 + 0.1 + 4.4
SERVICES 131.5 + 3.7 + 12.6 131.2 + 3.2 + 12.5
ALL ITEMS 120.5 + 1.3 + 8.8 120.0 + 1.1 + 8.3
/COMPARED WITH
TUESDAY♦ OCTOBER 25 ♦ 1988
- 8 -
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1988, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B).
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH FRUIT AND MOON-CAKES AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME F BI IC AND PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 3.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 3.2 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER SCHOOL FEES AND fEXIBOOK PRICES.
(FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJL,STED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN 1 DECIMAL PLACE.)
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR SEPTEMBER 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL P^ST OFFICE BUIoDI FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND SIA1 DEPARTMENT, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, ^RAI’
KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISS ION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILING...
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPAR 1 MEN I Al 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 125.0 IN SEPTEMBER 1988, UP BY 1.2 PER CENT OVER AUGUST 1988 AND UP BY 9.4 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1987.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT HK$10,000-24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANO SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OP HANG SENG BANK LTD.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
- 9 -
DR THONG TO RETIRE » * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THONG KAH-LEONG, WILL BE PROCEEDING ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (HEALTH SERVICES AND PLANNING), DR LEE SHIU-HUNG, WILL ACT AS DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DR THONG KAH-LEONG, CBE, JP
AGED 60. DR THONG JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A PRINCIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN JUNE 1970. HE WAS PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN JANUARY 1977. ON HIS RETIREMENT, DR THONG WILL HAVE COMPLETED 18 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
DR LEE SHIU-HUNG, JP
AGED 55, DR LEE JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN APRIL 1960. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN JANUARY 1977.
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LEGCO TO DEBATE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT * » * * *
THIRTY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE LISTED TO SPEAK IN A MOTION DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO.3 AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION ON THE DEBATE WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON SELINA CHOW.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THREE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY MEMBERS.
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/1O
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
- 10 -
MASSIVE SEWERAGE SCHEME FOR NORTH-WEST NT *****
MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES SEWERAGE SCHEME AT A REGULAR MEETING ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27).
THE SCHEME, ESTIMATED TO COST $710 MILLION, IS AIMED AT REDUCING POLLUTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVING THE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE REGION BY CONSTRUCTION OF A NETWORK OF TRUNK SEWERS AND PUMPING STATIONS TO SERVE YUEN LONG, YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN CORRIDOR AND TIN SHUI WAI.
AT THURSDAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF A GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE PRESENCE OF UNDERGROUND MARBLE CAVERNS IN THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES REGION.
THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE AS ONE IN A SERIES OF ACTIONS TO ENSURE SAFE DEVELOPMENT IN YUEN LONG DISTRICT IN VIEW OF THE EXISTENCE OF CAVITIES THAT WERE FOUND BENEATH THE YUEN LONG LRT INTERCHANGE SITE RECENTLY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE DISCUSSION OF PROGRESS REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES UNDER THE BOARD; THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE; THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LRT SERVICES AS WELL AS AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, TO BE HELD AT 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
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$148 MILLION CONTRACT FOR AU TAU TREATMENT WORKS » * » » »
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG, TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED A $148 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AU TAU TREATMENT WORKS.
THE TREATMENT WORKS IS PART OF AN ON-GOING SCHEME TO INCREASE THE WATER TREATMENT CAPACITY IN THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES TO COPE WITH CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN AND THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AT TIN SHUI WAI.
/THE SCHEME
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
11
THE SCHEME COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER TREATMENT WORKS, A PRIMARY SERVICE RESERVOIR, AND ASSOCIATED MAINLAYING WORKS AT AU TAU, YUEN LONG.
THE AU TAU TREATMENT WORKS, WHICH IS TO BE DEVELOPED IN STAGES, WILL HAVE A STAGE 1 OUTPUT OF 110,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY, WITH PROVISION FOR FURTHER EXTENSION TO AN ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF 330,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE CONTRACT INCLUDE SIX CLARIFIERS, EIGHT FILTERS, A TREATED WATER RESERVOIR, TWO SLUDGE THICKENING TANKS AND A CHEMICAL HOUSE.
THE CONTRACT, TOGETHER WITH TWO OTHER PREVIOUSLY AWARDED (ONE FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE TREATMENT PLANT AND ONE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRIMARY SERVICE RESERVOIR) CONSTITUTE THE MAIN WORKS REQUIRED FOR STAGE I OF THE PROJECT, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMMISSIONED IN MID-1990.
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FIRST GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING IN FANLING *****
THE FIRST GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING IN FANLING IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1990.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS JUST AWARDED A $48.2 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING’S SUPERSTRUCTURE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
LOCATED ON TAI PO ROAD WITHIN A FIVE-MINUTE WALK FROM THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION, THE FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES WILL COMPRISE SEVEN STOREYS, PROVIDING A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 15,600 SQUARE METRES IN ADDITION TO INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CAR PARKING SPACE.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS EXPECTED TO MOVE OFFICES INTO THE BUILDING INCLUDE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, POST OFFICE, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, AND LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
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/12
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
12
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO OPERATE AT NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE EASY TRAVEL SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN TS1M SHA TSUI WHICH WOULD BECOME OPERATIONAL ON NOVEMBER 8.
"UNDER THE SCHEME, HOLDERS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS, AGED 18 OR OVER, AND HOLDERS OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WITH *** SYMBOL WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM PRODUCING TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN LEAVING OR ARRIVING AT THE TERMINAL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"TRAVELLERS USING HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS FOR IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE AT THE TERMINAL DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS AS AT OTHER COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS.
"BUT TRAVELLERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY, SHOULD BE PROPERLY DOCUMENTED FOR CHINA," HE SAID.
THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL, AT 33 CANTON ROAD, WILL HAVE 64 IMMIGRATION COUNTERS TO FACILITATE TRAVELS TO AND FROM CHINA.
WITH ITS OPERATION ON NOVEMBER 8, THE FERRY SERVICES TO CHINA CURRENTLY PROVIDED AT THE TAI KOK TSUI PIER AND CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN CENTRAL WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW TERMINAL.
THE FERRY SERVICE TO SHEKOU, HOWEVER, WILL BE OPERATED AT THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TRAVELLERS WHO DO NOT USE THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE NEW TERMINAL SHOULD PRODUCE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND COMPLETE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS.
"ALL CHILDREN UNDER 18 AND ADULTS WHOSE IDENTITY CARDS HAVE BEEN PERFORATED, DEFACED, LOST, INVALIDATED OR THOSE WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM OBTAINING IDENTITY CARDS SHOULD TRAVEL ON PROPER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE CONTROL POINTS.
"TO HELP REDUCE WAITING TIME, PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS ON BEHALF OF TllEIR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT YET HAVE IDENTITY CARDS," HE SAID.
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/13........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
- 13 -
CERTIFICATE COURSE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT * * * *
A CERTIFICATE COURSE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IS BEING OFFERED TO PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT.
THE COURSE, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, INDUSTRIAL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, AIMS AT IMPROVING BUILDING MANAGEMENT STANDARDS IN THE DISTRICT.
CONSISTING OF FIVE TWO-HOUR SESSIONS, IT WILL BE HELD AT THE LAI KOK COMMUNITY CENTRE ON CONSECUTIVE THURSDAY EVENINGS, BEGINNING DECEMBER 1.
THE CURRICULUM COVERS LAWS ON LAND, PROPERTY AND OWNERS’ CORPORATION, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, FIRE PREVENTION, SECURITY, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND RESIDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
A LAWYER AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN SERVICES AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, POLICE, THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM WILL GIVE LECTURES ON THE TOPICS.
ENROLMENT TO THE COURSE IS LIMITED TO 50 AND WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
APPLICATION FORMS, NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, SHOULD BE RETURNED BY NOVEMBER 15.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COURSE CAN BE MADE ON 3-617125.
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SOUTHERN DISTRICT LAUNCHES CLEAN BUILDING CAMPAIGN ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
A CLEAN BUILDING CAMPAIGN IS BEING MOUNTED IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT UNTIL NOVEMBER 4 TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A CLEAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT AMONG RESIDENTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
APPEALING FOR SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN, A DB SPOKESMAN SAID PILED-UP JUNK AND RUBBISH IN COMMON AREAS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WOULD NOT ONLY CAUSE HYGIENIC PROBLEMS BUT ALSO POSE A FIRE HAZARD BLOCKING FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES.
/HE URGED
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
14
HE URGED RESIDENTS TO ACTIVELY EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND MAINTAIN CLEANLINESS IN THEIR BUILDING’S COMMON AREAS SUCH AS STAIRCASES, CORRIDORS AND LIFT LOBBIES.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN ELEVEN SPECIALLY SELECTED PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS IN THESE BUILDINGS WILL ORGANISE THOROUGH CLEANSING EXERCISE IN THEIR BUILDINGS WHILE STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO GIVE ASSISTANCE.
TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THE EFFORTS BY RESIDENTS, MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL INSPECT THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED BEFORE AND AFTER THE CLEAN-UPS.
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION WILL BE AWARDED TO THE RESIDENTS’ BODIES IN THESE BUILDINGS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMPAIGN.
”WE HOPE THAT THE SPECIAL CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS IN THESE ELEVEN BUILDINGS WILL IMPLANT THE MESSAGE OF CLEANLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFE AMONG THE RESIDENTS, AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT," THE DB SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ALSO PLANS TO ORGANISE A SIMILAR CAMPAIGN FOR SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ON SALE TOMORROW
* * * *
ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1988 - A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD), WILL BE ON SALE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE 191-PAGE REVIEW, TOGETHER WITH CHARTS, DIAGRAMS AND PICTURES, GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANY AND VARIED ACTIVITIES THAT WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1987 TO PROTECT HONG KONG'S ENVIRONMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EPD SAID IN ORDER TO CATER FOR THOSE WITH SIMPLY A GENERAL CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, A CHAPTER HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OUTLINING IN GENERAL, NON-TECHNICAL TERMS, THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
/FOR READERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
FOR READERS WHO ARE INTERESTED .IN MORE DETAILS IN SPECIFIC TECHNICAL FIELDS, THERE ARE SEPARATE CHAPTERS COVERING ASPECTS OF NOISE, AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT, WATER AND WASTE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING.
THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REVIEW IS BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE REVIEW, AT A COST OF $20, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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SPECIAL DB COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT SURVEY * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) TO FURTHER DISCUSS A SURVEY REPORT ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN KWUN TONG.
THE REPORT, COMPILED BY A CONSULTANT, WAS FIRST PRESENTED TO MEMBERS WHEN THE COMMITTEE MET LAST MONTH, BUT IT WAS DECIDED THAT A SPECIAL MEETING SHOULD BE CONVENED TO DISCUSS THE REPORT IN DETAIL.
AT THURSDAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL HEAR COMMENTS ON THE REPORT FROM OFFICIALS REPRESENTING THE POLICE, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON PROBLEM AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE SURVEY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
- 16 -
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON BUS SERVICES *****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY BUSES RUNNING FROM TUEN MUN TO KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN WHICH INCLUDE ROUTES 66X, 67X AND 67M.
THERE WILL ALSO BE REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND ACCESS NEAR CHOY YEE BRIDGE, BUTTERFLY BAY AREA AND LAM TEI LIGHT RAIL STATION.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE NEW PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING TAXI COMPLAINTS, APPLICATION FOR FARE RISE AT THE END OF THE YEAR BY KMB, REQUEST FOR INSTALLATION OF RAILINGS ALONG SAN HUI PATH, AND PROBLEMS ON PARKING SPACE AT AREA 4B.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REPORT AND THE REPORT ON THE RENAMING OF LRT STOPS WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS* INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET ON THURSDAY * * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE EFFECT OF MAINTENANCE WORKS AT THE TWGH LEE CHI HUNG MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ON ITS PUPILS AT THEIR MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27).
SEVERAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS PARENTS’ CONCERN ABOUT THE COMPLETION DATE OF THE MAINTENANCE WORKS AND WHETHER THE EXISTING TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT OF TRANSFERRING STUDENTS TO OTHER SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE THEIR SCHOOLING SHOULD BE REVIEWED.
A GROUP OF BOARD MEMBERS WILL MAKE A PROPOSAL TO OPEN THE LEI YUE MUN PARK TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING DAYTIME SO THAT THEY CAN SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME IN THE PARK WHENEVER THEY LIKE.
/A REPRESENTATIVE.......o
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 ♦ 1988
- 17 -
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED WILL BRIEF BOARD MEMBERS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF ’EASY DIALLING DAY’ DURING THE MEETING.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE MEDICAL SERVICES AND THE PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION PROGRAMME FOR 1988/89 IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE QUESTION OF WHETHER HONG KONG SHOULD GIVE CONSIDERATION TO APPLY FOR HOLDING THE 1997 EXPO WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED UNDER ANY OTHER BUSINESS AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU
WHICH WILL CONFERENCE
ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27) IN THE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S
ROAD.
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FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN CONTEST * * ♦ ♦ *
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS HOl,DJNG A POSTER DESIGN CONTEST TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF HOUSEHOLD SECURITY.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS: ONE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, AND THE OTHER FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS.
THE THEME OF THE DESIGN SHOULD UNDERLINE THE PREVENTING HOUSEHOLD THEFT. AN ENTRY SHOULD MEASURE 40 AND THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF COLOURS AND ENTRIES TO BE SENT BY EACH PARTICIPANT.
IMPORTANCE OF CM BY 58 CM, THE NUMBER OF
THE FIRST THREE-WINNERS OF THE OPEN SECTION WILL BE ^WARDED PRIZES WORTH $500, $300, AND $200 RESPECTIVELY WHILE WINNERS IN THE STUDENT SECTION WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES WORTH $300, $200 AND $1 .
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT NATHAN ROAD, ITS TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD OR ACTIVITY CENTRE OF THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION A SALISBURY ROAD BEFORE NOVEMBER 8.
490
THE
33
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 3-661908 OR 3-322716.
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/18........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
- 18 -
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS SATURDAY *****
KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI RESIDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, KWAI TSING DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE, MR CHENG WING-CHUN SAID THE FESTIVAL WOULD HAVE MORE THAN 30 PROGRAMMES WITH A BUDGET OF $600,000.
A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED TO ATTRACT PARTICIPATION FROM ALL AGES AND DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, MR CHENG SAID.
’’CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE, THE ABLE-BODIED AND HANDICAPPED AS WELL AS STUDENTS AND WORKING ADULTS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE FESTIVAL,” HE ADDED.
THE SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL BE LAUNCHED ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29) AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUP WITH PERFORMANCES BY SCHOOL BANDS, LOCAL GYMNASTIC AND DANCE GROUPS, AND FOOTBALL MATCHES BETWEEN A WOMEN’S TEAM FROM GUANGDONG AND THE KWAI TSING WOMEN FOOTBALL TEAM AS WELL AS BETWEEN TV/FOOTBALL STARS AND KWAI TSING CELEBRITIES.
A SERIES OF OTHER ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TENNIS, MINI-TENNIS, SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON, BOWLING AND TABLE-TENNIS COMPETITIONS, ATHLETIC EVENTS, ARCHERY AND ROLLER SKATING FUN DAYS AS WELL AS A HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED FUN DAY, WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL PERIOD UNTIL NOVEMBER 27.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT.
MR TANG SAID THE SPORTS FESTIVAL WOULD PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH THE CHANCE FOR HEALTHY EXERCISE IN THEIR LEISURE TIME.
RESIDENTS CAN OBTAIN BROCHURES OF THE FESTIVAL AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE ACTIVITIES AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SEVEN SUB-OFFICES.
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/19
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
• - 19 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI *****
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS IN WELLINGTON STREET, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 27), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED. I
QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN COCHRANE STREET AND WELLINGTON STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM STANLEY • STREET TO COCHRANE STREET.
ALSO, VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM WELLINGTON STREET TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA COCHRANE STREET.
THE ABOVE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS:
* THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND AT WELLINGTON STREET BETWEEN PEEL STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE SUSPENDED.
* WELLINGTON STREET BETWEEN ABERDEEN STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
* VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM ABERDEEN STREET TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WELLINGTON STREET AND COCHRANE STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, FLEMING ROAD SOUTHBOUND IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND THOMSON ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS.
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/20
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1988
20 -
RESTRICTED ZONES IN YUEN LONG * ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 28).
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BECOME, PEAK HOUK (I.E. 7-10 AM AND 4 - 7 PM) DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES:
♦ YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MA MIU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 125 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* PING WUI STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* MA MIU ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
MOREOVER, TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
THEY ARE WANG CHAU ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH YUEN LONG ON LOK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION AND MA WANG ROAD.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ON SHANGHAI STREET SOUTHBOUND IN YAU MA TEI BETWEEN HAMILTON STREET AND PITT STREET WILL BE LIFTED.
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NO-ENTRY BANS IN DIAMOND HILL AND TUEN MUN ♦ ♦ » * ♦
THF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED ’bSseFSiI ALLOHEO TO ENTER TEE ACCESS ROAD LEAD NO FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO JHE LM-BV ADJ AGENT TO THE OF DIAMOND HILL BUS TERMINUS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAV (OCTOBER 28)
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL ENTERING SO KWUN WAT ROAD IN TUEN MUN.
BE BANNED FROM
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1?88
CONTORTS PAGE NO.,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING : SEN CALLS FOR UNITED .'.PPROACH ON EDUCATION ...............
5+2 SECONDARY SCHOOL STRUCTURE SHOULD STAY .............
TERTIARY EDUCATION FUNDING MUST BE COST-EFFECTIVE ......
CREDIT-UNIT SYSTEM ADVOCATED ...........................
HORE CONSULTATIOi': ON REPORT NEEDED ...................
COMMON ENTRY POINT FOR UNIVERSITIES SUPPORTED...........
UNIVERSITY INTAKE NEEDS TO BE INCREASED ................
PROBLEMS IN DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME ......................
FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE SUPPORTED.................*.....
SUMMER TEACHING PROGRAMME ADVOCATED ....................
6 + SYSTEM IS ALMOST UNIVERSAL .........................
BACKING FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ......................
ATTACKS ON REPORT MISLEADING PUBLIC ....................
RECOMMENDATIONS IN REPORT SUPPORTED ....................
HONG KONG'S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS INADEQUACIES ..........
5-5-4 SYSTEM BEST WAY FORWARD ..........................
THREE-YEAR DEGREE COURSE MOST PRACTICAL FOR HK .........
WIDER VIEW ON REPORT URGED .............................
MOTION ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT PASSED ...........
CONDITIONS FOR IMPORTING FOREIGN WORKERS OUTLINED.......
PRESENT TINART FREE TO BID FOR NEW TENANCY .............
ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO FAMILIES WITH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN •
PROVISIONS TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 ...............
OBJECTIVES OF HOUSING AUTHORITY ...........................
CHANGING ROLE OF CUSTOMS SERVICE ..........................
JOINT aNTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ..........
NORWAY LIBERALISES TEXTILE QUOTES .........................
LABOUR RELATIONS '88 PRESS CONFERENCE......................
CONFERENCE ON LaND DEVELOPMENT IN TsUEN WAN ...............
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC .JJRANGEMIMTS IN TAI PO -iND WONG T..I SIN . TEMPORARY TRaFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT -ND MID-
LEVELS .................................................
FINANCIAL ASSIST.JICE TO TR>iFFIC -CCIDENT VICTIM'S FaMILY ..
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
1
SEN CALLS FOR UNITED APPROACH ON EDUCATION ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE HOPED THAT WHEN FINAL DECISIONS HAD BEEN MADE ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S REPORT NO. 3, THOSE CONCERNED WOULD PUT ASIDE THEIR OWN SECTORAL INTERESTS AND WORK TOWARDS A SOLUTION WHICH WOULD BENEFIT ALL STUDENTS IN HONG KONG.
IN REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE REPORT, MR BRIDGE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT YET TAKEN A VIEW ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
"ALL COMMENTS, WHETHER SUPPORTIVE OR CRITICAL, WILL BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," HE TOLD THE COUNCIL.
ON THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID HE BELIEVED STRONGLY IN ACADEMIC FREEDOM.
THIS MEANT THE RIGHT TO OFFER WHATEVER CURRICULA AN INSTITUTION MIGHT CONSIDER APPROPRIATE WITHOUT INTERFERENCE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE CONTENT OF COURSES OR THE METHOD OF TEACHING.
HOWEVER, MR BRIDGE SAID THIS FREEDOM DID HAVE TWO IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS.
"THE FIRST IS THAT THE FREEDOM OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD NOT BE EXERCISED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SECONDARY SECTOR," HE SAID.
"COURSES AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS NAY VARY IN LENGTH: BUT THEY SHOULD ALL BEGIN AT THE ENI) OF THE STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION PERIOD.
"SECOND, FREEDOM DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO DISPOSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS WITHOUT ANY FORM OF SUPERVISION."
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THREE OF THE 12 RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSION WERE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AND HAD ATTRACTED THE MOST ATTENTION DURING THE PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND IN THE DEBATE.
THE FIRST OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A UNIFIED POINT OF ENTRY TO ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AFTER- SECONDARY 7.
"ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT YET FINISHED THE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE REPORT, IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION HAS ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT," MR BRIDGE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT IF IMPLEMENTED, IT WOULD BRING HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WHERE PUBLICLY FUNDED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAD TO ACCEPT THEIR STUDENTS FROM THE FINAL YEAR OF THE STANDARD LENGTH OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.
/’’IN HONG KONG,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
2
•'IN HONG KONG, THE LACK OF A UNIFIED ENTRY POINT HAS CAUSED DISRUPTION TO THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM AND HAS INCREASED THE PRESSURE ON STUDENTS WHO ARE COMPETING TO OBTAIN TERTIARY PLACES,” HE SAID.
HE AGREED WITH THE VIEW THAT IT WAS VITAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT QUICKLY TO END THIS SITUATION.
THE SECOND KEY RECOMMENDATION RELATED TO THE QUESTION OF ALL THREE-YEAR OR ALL FOUR-YEAR FIRST DEGREE COURSES.
WHILE BELIEVING THAT THE LENGTH OF COURSES SHOULD NOT BE ARBITRARILY FIXED BY THE ADM INISTRATION, THE COMMISSION BELIEVED THAT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO APPROACH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC' GRANTS COMMITTEE WITH
PROPOSALS FOR COURSES OF WHATEVER LENGTH THEY CONSIDERED, ON
EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS, TO BE APPROPRIATE.
MR BRIDGE PUT EMPHASIS ON THE COMMISSION’S EXPRESSION OF "ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS”, WHICH COVERED BOTH ACADEMIC AND GENERAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
"I MUST EMPHASISE THAT THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS DO NOT POSE ANY THREAT TO ANY PARTICULAR FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE, UNLESS IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT FOUR YEARS IS NOT EDUCATIONALLY NECESSARY,” HE SAID.
THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES AT ALL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD IN PRINCIPLE BE THE SAME FOR ANY GIVEN SUBJECT.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION INTENDED THAT THE RECOMMENDATION SHOULD BE INTERPRETED CAREFULLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COURSE CONTENT OF PROGRAMMES OFFERED AT DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS, AS WELL AS THE EXISTENCE OF "SANDWICH” COURSES AT SOME INSTITUTIONS.
ON A CRITICISM THAT THE REAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE UNIVERSITIES IN MAINTAINING STANDARDS HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED, MR BRIDGE SAID THE COMMISSION DID PROPOSE SENSIBLE MEASURES TO HELP THE UNI VERS IT I E.S MAINTAIN THEIR HIGH STANDARDS.
"THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSAL FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR REMEDIAL TEACHING IN ENGLISH SHOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE LOW STANDARD OF ENGLISH,” HE SAID.
"TN THE LONGER TERM, THE MEASURES NOW IN HAND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SIXTH FORM EDUCATION WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ENTER TERTIARY EDUCATION BETTER PREPARED THAN BEFORE.
"THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION TO OVERSEE THESE MEASURES HAS BEEN SET UP AND IS OPERATING WELL, WITH BOTH SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TAKING PART."
/MR BRIDGE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT AS POINTED OUT BY A MEMBER, THE UNIVERSITIES’ PRESENT PROBLEMS WERE PARTLY OF THEIR OWN MAKING.
"THEIR ADMISSION POLICIES HAVE ALWAYS FAVOURED THOSE STUDENTS WHO DID WELL IN A NARROW RANGE OF SUBJECTS. THERE HAS THUS BEEN NO INCENTIVE FOR STUDENTS TO STUDY MORE BROADLY OR TO IMPROVE THEIR LANGUAGE SKILLS.
"IF THE UNIVERSITIES WERE TO REQUIRE A WIDER RANGE OF SUBJECT AND HIGHER LANGUAGE SKILLS, I AM SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS WOULD RESPOND," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT A STRONG PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR OPERATING ALONGSIDE THE PUBLIC SECTOR COULD PROVIDE CHOICE, VARIETY AND SPECIALISATION, AND COULD CATER TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS.
IT WAS HOPED THAT A DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME (DSS) PROPOSED BY Till COMMISSION WOULD MAKE THESE ADVANTAGES AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
"TO ENTER THE DSS, SCHOOLS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REACH THE STANDARDS OF AIDED SCHOOLS.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WOULD BE HELPED TO MEET THESE STANDARDS THROUGH A SYSTEM OF FIXED CONTRACTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
I
"AIDED AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD ALSO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO JOIN THE SCHEME.
"A NEW PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE WOULD ADVISE ON ADMISSION TO THE DSS AND ON MAINTAINING STANDARDS," HE ADDED.
STATING THAT THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN THE NEW SCHEME WERE NOT UNDER-ESTIMATED, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT THEY WERE BEING GIVEN URGENT CONSIDERATION BY A WORKING GROUP WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION.
MR BRIDGE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT NO FORMAL COMMITTEE WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO IMPLEMENT THE DSS UNLESS AND UNTIL IT WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
I
ON A CONCERN THAT THE MOST POPULAR AIDED SCHOOLS WOULD CHOOSE TO JOIN THE NEW SCHEME AND TO CHARGE FEES BEYOND THE MEANS OF POORER FAMILIES, MR BRIDGE SAID THIS CONCERN MIGHT BE UNFOUNDED.
NOTING THAT A FEW SCHOOLS MIGHT DECIDE TO CHARGE HIGH FEES IN EXCHANGE FOR A VERY HIGH STANDARD OF PROVISION, HE SAID THAT EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE SUGGESTED THAT THE OLDER, BETTER ESTABLISHED SCHOOLS WERE LIKELY TO CONTINUE CHARGING LOW FEES.
"INDEED MANY OF THEM ARE RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS AND MAY WELL FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP THEIR FEES LOW SO AS TO GO ON ATTRACTING CHILDREN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS."
/REGARDING A .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
REGARDING A CONCERN THAT AIDED SCHOOLS WOULD LOSE THEIR BEST STUDENTS TO DSS SCHOOLS CATERING TO AN INTELLECTUAL "ELITE" AND THAT THE STATUS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WOULD SUFFER AS A RESULT, MR BRIDGE SAID IT WAS ARGUABLE THAT COMPETITION FROM THE DSS WOULD SPUR THE AIDED SCHOOLS TO RAISE THEIR ALREADY HIGH STANDARDS.
REFERRING TO SUGGESTIONS THAT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME, HE SAID: "THE IMPLICATIONS OF ADMITTING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS TO THE DSS MUST BE GIVEN DERAILED CONSIDERATION IF AND WHEN THE SCHEME IS IMPLEMENTED.
"WHETHER OR NOT AIDED AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS FORM PART OF THE SCHEME, THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THAT THE DSS WOULD BE A FAIRER SYSTEM THAN THE PRESENT ONE."
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5+2 SECONDARY SCHOOL
STRUCTURE SHOULD STAY * * *
* *
CHANGING THE STRUCTURE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TO 5+I OR 3+3 WILL CAUSE TREMENDOUS COMMOTION AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE COMMUNITY, THE HON SELINA CHOW TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WENDESDAY).
"IT WILL INVOLVE A HUGE EFFORT FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT, THE TEACHERS AND THE PRINCIPALS," SHE SAID.
SPEAKING BOTH AS A PARENT AND A PRODUCT OF THE HONG KONG EDUCATION SYSTEM, MRS CHOW VOICED STRONG OBJECTION TO ANY CHANGE TO THE EXISTING 5+2 YEARS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLING.
MRS CHOW WAS MOVING A MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL "TAKES NOTE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3: THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS".
SUPPORTING THE EXISTING SYSTEM, SHE SAID: "WE HAVE JUST RID OURSELVES OF THE JSEA, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE FINALLY PUT SOME PEACE BACK INTO THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.
"IT IS UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED THAT IN SPITE OF NINE YEARS’ COMPULSORY EDUCATION, THE ACCEPTED COMPLETION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLING IS AT FORM 5. THE SCHOOL LEAVING EXAMINATION IS MEANT TO MARK THAT COMPLETION.
"IN ORDER TO GET ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT STUDENTS HAVE TO BE FURTHER PREPARED. HISTORICALLY WE HAVE TWO YEARS OF MATRICULATION. OVER 90 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S SCHOOLS HAVE SUCH A STRUCTURE."
/NO CHANGE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 5 -
NO CHANGE SHOULD BE CONTEMPLATED UNLESS THERE WAS VERY STRONG JUSTIFICATION FOR DOING SO, SHE SAID.
COMMENTING ON WHETHER A BASIC UNIVERSITY COURSE SHOULD BE THREE OR FOUR YEARS, MRS CHOW SAID THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S ARGUMENT FOR A FOUNDATION YEAR WAS UNCONVINCING.
SHE COULD NOT SEE THE LOGIC OF THE UNIVERSITY TAKING OVER THE WORK OF THE SCHOOLS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF QUALITY.
MRS CHOW SAID SHE BELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM .COULD BE SOLVED BY SETTING THE ENTRANCE QUALIFICATION, WHICH WAS A PEROGATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY ANYWAY.
"IN SPELLING OUT ITS REQUIREMENTS, THE UNIVERSITY WOULD BE HELPING THE SCHOOLS TO DETERMINE THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF MATRICULATION EDUCATION," SHE SAID.
MRS CHOW CRITICISED THE PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE SCHEME INTRODUCED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY UNDER WHICH SECONDARY 6 STUDENTS WERE ACCEPTED ON THE STRENGTH OF THEIR FORM 5 EXAMINATION RESULTS.
IN SO DOING, THE FORM 5 EXAMINATION WAS MADE TO SERVE TWO PURPOSES INSTEAD OF ONE -- AS A SCHOOL LEAVING QUALIFICATION AND AS A UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMINATION.
"THIS DEVELOPMENT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL LEAVING AS WELL AS THE PREPARATORY FUNCTION OF SECONDARY 6 AND 7," SHE SAID.
MRS CHOW AGREED WITH THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE LENGTH OF ANY INDIVIDUAL COURSE SHOULD BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES.
"HOWEVER, I DO NOT THINK THAT THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES AT ALL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD IN PRINCIPLE BE THE SAME FOR ANY GIVEN SUBJECT," SHE SAID.
HER REASONS WERE THAT THE AUTONOMY OF INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE RESPECTED, AND THE TRADITIONS OF DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS WARRANTED SPECIAL AND SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION.
MRS CHOW ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME, DESCRIBING IT AS "A MOST IMAGINATIVE SOLUTION" TO THE PROBLEM OF HONG KONG’S UNSATISFACTORY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S PROGRESS IN THE LAST TWO DECADES HAD BROUGHT WITH IT A WIDENING MIDDLE CLASS WHOSE AFFLUENCE AND SOPHISTICATION DEMANDED MORE FLEXIBILITY AND VARIETY OF EMPHASIS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AS A RESULT, THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD BECOME FAR TOO RIGID TO MEET PARENTS’ ASPIRATIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
/"THE PROPOSAL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
6
"THE PROPOSAL CONTAINED LN WELL-CONSIDERED CONCEPT WITH THE PROPER SAID.
THE REPORT REFLECTS A
BALANCE AND CONTROL," SHE
"IT IS ONLY BY OFFERING FREEDOM TO THE SCHOOLS AND 1HE PARENTS AT AFFORDABLE FEE LEVELS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE A SYSTEM THAT ANSWERS TO THE NEEDS AND DEMAND OF CARING PARENTS."
MRS CHOW ALSO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH "ELITISM" IF LT MEANT ACHIEVING THE PEAK'S OF EXCELLENCE IN A SCHOOL SYSTEM WHICH WAS ALREADY OFFERING AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD TO ALL.
"AFTER ALL, AREN’T ALL PARENTS PURSUING THE VERY BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN? AND SHOULDN’T SOCIETY PROVIDE THE VERY BEST EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VERY BEST?" SHE ASKED.
MRS CHOW, WHO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE REPORT, DESCRIBED IT AS "AN OUTWARD AND FORWARD LOOKING DOCUMENT AIMING TO CORRECT SOME WRONGS, TO RETAIN AND UPGRADE SOME RIGHTS, AND TO CATCH UP WITH THE TIMES". *
SHE HOPED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT WOULD BE ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED.
--------0 ---------
TERTIARY EDUCATION FUNDING MUST BE COST-EFFECTIVE » t * » *
THE USEFULNESS OF A UNIVERSITY COURSE SHOULD BE JUDGED BY THE END RESULT AS TO WHETHER THAT COURSE! COULD ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF TRAINING GRADUATES TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB MARKET, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEONG SAID THAT IN EXAMINING THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, HIS ANALYSIS HAD BEEN BASED ON WHAT HE CONSIDERED THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY FOR DEPLOYING RESOURCES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION.
THE OTHER CONSIDERATION WAS, GIVEN THE PRESSURE IN THE COMING YEARS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATES. TO FILL VACANCIES CREATED THROUGH EMIGRATION, WHAT WAS THE BEST SYSTEM THAT WOULD FACILITATE MEETING THIS NEED.
MR CHEONG BELIEVED THAT IT WAS OF CENTRAL AND OVERRIDING IMPORTANCE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A COMMON ENTRY POINT INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND A COMMON SELECTION POINT BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
HE SAID THAT THE COMMON ENTRY POINT SHOULD FOLLOW FORM 7 AND THE NORMAL DEGREE COURSES SHOULD BE THREE YEARS.
/NR CHEONG
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
MR CHEONG SAID THE SUGGESTION THAT TO ADOPT A FOUR-YEAR POST FORM 6 DEGREE STRUCTURE WOULD BRING HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE WAS A SERIOUS OVER-SIMPLIFICATION.
HE SAID FURTHER THAT, UNDER PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WAS IN AN ANOMALOUS POSITION IN THAT IT RECRUITED STUDENTS ONE YEAR EARLIER THAN OTHER INSTITUTIONS, AND THE LENGTH OF ITS DEGREE COURSES WAS FOUR YEARS.
AS THIS ARRANGEMENT CATERED ONLY FOR THE NEED OF STUDENTS OF CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS WHO CONSTITUTED A MINORITY OF THE CU INTAKES, THE ANOMALY SHOULD BE RECTIFIED, HE ADDED.
AS FOR THE CASE PUT FORWARD BY HKU FOR MOVING TO A 6+4 STRUCTURE, BASED ON ALLEGED DEFICIENCIES IN FORM 7 CANDIDATES, MR CHEONG ARGUED THAT IT WAS NOT A CASE THAT STOOD UP TO CLOSE SCRUTINY, FOR IF THERE WERE DEFICIENCIES IN STUDENTS COMING FORWARD FROM FORM 7, THEN SUCH DEFICIENCIES WOULD SURELY BE MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED ONE YEAR EARLIER, AT THE END OF FORM 6.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, SURELY THE RIGHT APPROACH TO REMEDYING SUCH DEFICIENCIES LAY IN DEVELOPING AND IMPROVING SIXTH FORM EDUCATION, AND NOT IN LENGTHENING COURSES IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
MR CHEONG WARNED THAT, IF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES RETAINED OR ADOPTED A POST FORM 6 ENTRY POINT, THE TWO POLYTECHNICS AND IIKUST WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW SUIT BY INCREASING THE LENGTH OF THEIR DEGREE COURSE'S BY ONE YEAR, THEREBY RISK JEOPARDISING THE SYSTEM OF EXTERNAL VALIDATION \ND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WHICH UNDERWROTE THE QUALITY OF THEIR COURSES.
MR CHEONG NOTED THAT, INDEED, THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A MOVE WOULD RE VERY SERIOUS.
FORM 7 WOULD NO LONGER BE VIABLE AND WOULD DISAPPEAR ALONG WITH THE A-L EXAMINATION. IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A NEW MAJOR EXAMINATION \T THE END OF FORM 6, BOTH TO PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE FOR EXIT AND TO SERVE AS AN ENTRY QUALIFICATION FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION.
"IN THIS SITUATION, THE HKCEE EXAMINATION AT THE END OF FORM 5 COULD NOT BE SUSTAINED AND THE RESULT WOULD ALMOST INEVITABLY BE A STRAIGHT SIX YEAR SECONDARY COURSE."
"THIS WOULD IN PRACTICE HAVE THE EFFECT OF RAISING THE SCHOOL LEAVING AGE FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF PUPILS AND WOULD HAVE ENORMOUS RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS."
MR CHEONG POINTED OUT THAT, TO MOVE TO A FOUR YEAR POST FORM 6 ENTRY SYSTEM FOR DEGREE COURSES WOULD ALSO VERY SUBSTANTIALLY RAISE THE COSTS OF EDUCATING EACH STUDENT ENROLLED IN A DEGREE COURSE.
/"HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
8 -
"HONG KONG WOULD THEREFORE BE FACED WITH THE CHOICE OF EDUCATING FEWER STUDENTS FOR THE SAME COST, OR THE SAME NUMBER OF STUDENTS FOR A GREATER COST," HE SAID.
AS MATTERS STOOD, HE BELIEVED THAT THE BEST WAY FORWARD WAS A SERIOUS EXAMINATION BY ALL CONCERNED OF’ THE ADOPTION OF A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM FOR DEGREE COURSES AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
ON THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MR CHEONG PAID THAT THE MAIN CONSIDERATION SHOULD CENTRE ON THE QUESTION OF WHICH MODEL WOULD PROVIDE PARENTS WITH MORE CHOICES, AND THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME MUST BE THE ANSWER.
-------0---------
CREDIT-UNIT SYSTEM ADVOCATED * * » *
TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO MOVE INTO A CREDIT-UNIT SYSTEM WITH A COMMON ENTRY POINT AT POST-FORM 7, THE HON RITA FAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THROUGH CONTINUED ASSESSMENT AND ACCUMULATION OF CREDIT UNITS, STUDENTS COULD ENJOY THE FLEXIBILITY OF TAKING A LONGER OR SHORTER TIME TO FINISH THEIR DEGREE.
THAT WAS THE BEST WAY TO "EXTRACT OURSELVES" FROM MEANINGLESS ARGUMENT ON Till' LENGTH OF DEGREE COURSE, SHE SAID IN THE DEBATE ON Till' EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3.
MRS FAN SAID HONG KONG’S STUDENTS DESERVED THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE B^ HAVING ALL THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS OF DEGREE COURSES IN LOCAL INSTI TUT IONS PRESENTED TO THEM AT ONE POINT -- THE COMMON ENTRY POINT.
THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, WHICH UNDERSTANDABLY WANTED TO ATTRACT THE BEST STUDENTS, SHOULD DO SO BY FAIR AND HEALTHY COMPETITION, AND THERE WAS NO VALID REASON FOR. ANY INSTITUTIONS TO USE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO SNATCH THE CREAM BY OFFERING PLACES TO Till E. STUDENTS ONE OR TWO YEARS EARLIER, SHE SAID.
"THE SENSIBLE APPROACH IS TO IMPLEMENT A COMMON ENTRY POINT, WHICH INCIDENTALLY ALSO MEANS A COMMON SELECTION POINT, FOR ALL FIRST DEGREE COURSES," SHE SAID.
MRS FAN ALSO SPOKE AGAINST CHANGING TO A 3+3 SYSTEM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
/"THE 5+2
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
"THE 5+2 SYSTEM IS ALREADY IN PLACE, THE CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION AND THE A LEVEL DO RECEIVE RECOGNITION INTERNATIONALLY, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SIXTH FORMS ARE AT THIS VERY MOMENT BEING IMPLEMENTED," SHE SAID.
THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS TO ALTER THE STRUCTURE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN ORDER TO ENABLE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO TAKE IN STUDENTS AT FORM 6, SHE ADDED.
MRS FAN ALSO SAID THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD IDENTIFIED WHAT THE STUDENTS NEEDED.
THEIR NEEDS INCLUDED BETTER LANGUAGE ABILITY, BROADER GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITY TO THINK ANALYTICALLY AND INDEPENDENTLY.
SHE BELIEVED THAT THE IMPROVED TWO-YEAR INTEGRATED SIXTH FORM COULD MEET THE NEEDS.
ABOLITION OF THE SIXTH FORM WAS NOT THE ANSWER.
SHE ALSO BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE NO SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR UNIVERSITY TO TAKE OVER FORM 7 FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING THE FOUNDATION YEAR.
TURNING TO ARGUMENTS FOR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE, MRS FAN SAID THERE WAS NO PROOF THAT FOUR YEARS OF EDUCATION POST-FORM 6 WAS BETTER OR WORSE THAN THREE YEARS OF EDUCATION POST-FORM 7.
THERE WAS, HOWEVER, OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE THAT THE QUALITY OF A THREE-YEAR DEGREE AT POST-FORM 7 LEVEL OFFERED BY THE NON-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG DID REACH THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD.
"PRIORITY CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THOSE OF THEM WHO WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OFFERED A DEGREE PLACE," SHE SAID.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION ON TERTIARY STRUCTURE SHOULD BE ACCEPTED, SHE SAID.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFIED STUDENTS TO STUDY A DEGREE COURSE, CATER FOR THE MANPOWER NEEDS OF INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND THE SERVICES, AND ALLOW SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO DO THEIR JOB PROPERLY IN.A STABLE STRUCTURE WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DISRUPTION.
ON THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MRS FAN SAID THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME (DSS) AS PROPOSED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORI WOULD GIVE PARENTS MORE CHOICE AS TO WHICH SCHOOL THEIR CHILDREN SHOULD ENROL IN.
"WHAT IS PROPOSED IN THE DSS IS NOT ELITISM NOR RETROGRESSION BUT SIMPLY A LITTLE BIT MORE SAY FOR THE PARENTS," SHE SAID.
/THE DSS........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 10 -
THE DSS SCHOOLS SHOULD EACH HAVE THEIR OWN CHARACTERISTICS AND TEACHING METHODS, INCLUDING DIFFERENT EMPHASIS ON CURRICULUM AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
THE IMAGE OF DSS SCHOOLS WOULD NOT BE ONE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BUT RATHER OF INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERS OFFERING VARIETY AND SOME EXTRAS, SHE SAID.
"THE DDS PROPOSAL IS INNOVATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE. IT IS WORTH LOOKING INTO FURTHER," SHE ADDED.
-----0-----
MORE CONSULTATION ON REPORT NEEDED * t ♦ ♦ *
MORE TIME AND CONSULTATION IS NEEDED TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION TO HONG KONG'S EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS IN TOTALITY, THE HON PETER POON SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR POON SAID IN VIEW OF THE DIVERGENT VIEWS EXPRESSED AFTER THE REPORT’S PUBLICATION, ANY ARBITRARY OR SIMPLISTIC SOLUTION IMPOSED HASTILY ON HONG KONG’S TERTIARY EDUCATION MIGHT DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
HE CALLED ON ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO CO-OPERATE AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SEEKING A BETTER SOLUTION FOR IMPROVING THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL IDEALS AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
REFERRING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PREFERRED CHOICE OF A TWO-YEAR FORM 6 COURSE AND A FOUR-YEAR SYSTEM IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION, MR POON SAID HE COULD NOT SEE WHY FLEXIBILITY HAD TO BE RULED OUT COMPLETELY.
"THE TOTAL INTAKE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY IS FIXED UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
"HAVING A RIGID UNIFIED MATRICULATION POINT AT FORM 7 WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE SUBSTANTIAL OUTFLOW OF STUDENTS AFTER FORM 6 TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES.
"INSTEAD, IT MAY EVEN WORSEN THE SITUATION IF STUDENTS ARE DENIED THE AVENUE OF ENTERING A UNIVERSITY AFTER FORM 6 IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
/’•AS TO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
"AS TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE BASIC LENGTH FOR MOST DEGREE COURSES OF A SIMILAR NATURE IS TO BE FIXED TO BE THREE YEARS, THIS WILL INFRINGE ON THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ESPECIALLY THE UNIVERSITIES, WHICH USUALLY DEFEND THEIR AUTONOMY VIGOROUSLY.
"EACH SUCH INSTITUTION HAS ITS OWN FINE TRADITION AND COMPLETE STANDARDISATION IS HARDLY DESIRABLE."
FOR INSTANCE, THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY AND PROBABLE SACRIFICE OF THE FINE TRADITIONS OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S FOUR-YEAR BASIC SYSTEM OF BILINGUAL AND BROAD-BASED EDUCATION, FOSTERED SO HARD FOR OVER 25 YEARS WITH A SUCCESSFUL RECORD, MIGHT NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND MIGHT NOT ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES OF PRODUCING DIFFERENT KINDS OF GRADUATES.
MR POON PREFERRED OPTION C OF THE REPORT PENDING AN OVERALL IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE WHOLE SITUATION IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT DISCUSSIONS.
"THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE ’FREEDOM TO CHOOSE’ SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE STUDENTS TO ENTER UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY NOW WHEN A JOINT ADMISSION SCHEME HAS BEEN AGREED IN PRINCIPLE BY BOTH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY SO THAT THE DISRUPTION OF THE PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE SYSTEM OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY IS GREATLY REDUCED BY SUCH PROPOSED CHANGE," HE CONTINUED.
MR POON ALSO DOUBTED THE NEED FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE TO GRANT FUNDS FOR ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR FOUR YEAR COURSES AFTER FORM 7 UNLESS ANY PARTICULAR REQUEST FOR THE ADDITIONAL YEAR WAS FULLY JUSTIFIED AND FINANCES PERMITTED.
THIS WAS BECAUSE SUCH TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAD THEIR PARTICULAR ROLES IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRYING TO STEREOTYPE THEM ALL WAS UNNECESSARY.
------o-------
COMMON ENTRY POINT FOR UNIVERSITIES SUPPORTED * * * *
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION THAT JOINT ADMISSION PROCEDURES BE INTRODUCED BY ALL UPGC-FUNDED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WITH A UNIFIED ENTRY POINT WAS WELCOMED BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR CHENG SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE PROPOSED UNIFIED ENTRY SYSTEM AFTER FORM 7 WOULD ENABLE A WORTHWHILE SIXTH FORM EDUCATION TO BE DEVELOPED WITH A BROADENED CURRICULUM.
/HE AI .SO.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
12 -
HE ALSO AGREED THAT BY DOING SO THE UNREASONABLE PRESSURE ON STUDENTS WHICH AROSE EROM THE NEED TO TAKE PART IN A NUMBER OE EXAMINATIONS TO MAXIMISE THEIR CHANCES OE ENTRY TO HIGHER EDUCATION WOULD BE LARGELY RELIEVED.
THE FIERCE COMPETITION BETWEEN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE EASED ACCORDINGLY.
ON THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES, MR CHENG STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHEREBY THE STUDENTS WERE PERMITTED TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THEIR ACCUMULATED CREDIT UNITS AS WELL AS A MORE FLEXIBLE TIMING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC HAD ALREADY ORGANISED COURSES ON A MODULAR BASIS TO ENABLE THE STUDENTS TO MAKE WIDER APPLICATIONS OF THEIR STUDIES WITH A BROAD OUTLOOK IN THEIR EDUCATION.
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HAD ALSO DECIDED TO ADOPT THE CREDIT SYSTEM WHICH WOULD MAKE VARIED LENGTH OF INSTRUCTION AND ENHANCED STUDIES POSSIBLE.
THEREFORE, HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SYSTEM OF CREDIT UNIT ACCUMULATION AND TRANSFER WIDELY APPLIED TO ALL OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
MR CHENG NOTED THAT ANY MODIFICATION TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WOULD HAVE, TO SOME EXTENT, FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS.
HE FELT THAT ANY AVAILABLE RESOURCES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE USED FOR EXTENDING THE YEARS OF DEGREE COURSES COULD WELL BE EFFECTIVELY USED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
THE PERCENTAGES OF FIRST DEGREE COURSE PLACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP WERE MUCH LOWER THAN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY, MR CHENG SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL FOR US AT THIS STAGE AND IN THE MEDIUM-TERM TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OUR AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM HIGHER EDUCATION AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AT A TIME WHEN WE ALL SUFFER FROM THE PROBLEM OF BRAIN DRAIN," HE SAID.
MR CHENG PRAISED THE EDUCATION COMMISSION FOR ITS BROAD VISION AND SENSIBLE RECOMMENDATION FOR FIRST PRIORITY TO BE GIVEN TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENTERING TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS EACH YEAR.
HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION IN RESPECT OF THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
THE IMPROVEMENT THAT WOULD EMERGE FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, IF ACCEPTED, WOULD BRING ABOUT A UNIFIED SYSTEM OF TERTIARY EDUCATION BEST SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
------0------- /U.....................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 15 -
UNIVERSITY INTAKE NEEDS TO BE INCREASED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO SPEED UP MANPOWER TRAINING BY INCREASING THE INTAKE LEVEL OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND RAISING THE EDUCATION STANDARD OF OUR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, THE HON HO SAI-CHU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR HO SAID THE REPORT HAD CAUSED CONCERN AND REACTIONS FROM THE EDUCATION PROFESSION AND INTERESTED PARTIES SINCE ITS PUBLICATION. VIEWS WERE DIVIDED BUT BACKED BY, THEIR RESPECTIVE ARGUMENTS.
HE URGED THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION.
BEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR AND ALSO A PERSON INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS VARIOUS OTHER INDUSTRIES, MR HO MADE SOME COMMENTS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS.
"WHAT WE NEED APART FROM THE GRADUATES OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS AS FIELD WORKERS TN VARIOUS TRADES.
"THERE IS A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF GRADUATES AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL AT PRESENT. THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES FROM OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CANNOT MEET THE DEMAND OF THE LABOUR MARKET, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE BRAIN DRAIN PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE SERIOUS RECENTLY," HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN INCREASE IN THE INTAKE LEVEL OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND A RISE IN THE EDUCATIONAL STANDARD OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
WITH THIS IN MIND, HE AGREED THAT ALL MATRICULATION COURSES RUN BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS SHOULD ADOPT A TWO-YEAR COURSE STRUCTURE JUST LIKE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF FORM 6 AND FORM 7.
ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD ADMIT STUDENTS AT A COMMON ENTRY POINT AFTER FORM 7 THROUGH A JOINT ADMISSION PROCEDURE ON THE BASIS OF THE PREFERENCES AND ACADEMIC RESULTS OF THE CANDIDATES, HE SAID.
MR HO EXPLAINED THAT THE MERIT OF SUCH A SYSTEM WAS THAT THE PRESENT DISCREPANCIES ARISING FROM THE ADMISSION SYSTEMS OPERATED B\ THE TWO UNIVERSITIES COULD BE AVOIDED.
/’’AN ADDED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
“AN ADDED ADVANTAGE OF SUCH A TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE IS THAT SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN BENEFIT BY EQUIPPING THEMSELVES WITH ONE MORE YEAR OF SCHOOLING EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO WORK AFTERWARDS AND ENJOY A BETTER CHANCE OF MEETING THE DEMAND FOR GRADUATES AT THAT LEVEL.
STUDENTS CAN ALSO BUILD UP A MORE CONCRETE FOUNDATION FOR THEMSELVES IF THEY WISH TO PURSUE STUDIES AT THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE IN FUTURE,” HE SAID.
AS FOR THE QUESTION OF THE LENGTH OF FIRST • DEGREE COURSES WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE THREE-YEAR OR FOUR-YEAR COURSES - MR HO SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT A SHORTER COURSE LENGTH WOULD HELP EXPEDITE THE TRAINING OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND REDUCE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT WHAT REALLY COUNTED WAS THE QUALITY OF THE STUDENTS ADMITTED WHICH, IN TURN, DEPENDED UPON THE EDUCATION AT THE SECONDARY OR EVEN THE PRIMARY LEVELS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID THE AUTONOMY OF THE UNIVERSITIES SHOULD BE RESPECTED.
IN HIS OPINION, THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES FOR CERTAIN SUBJECTS COULD BE HANDLED WITH FLEXIBILITY AS RECOMMENDED IN THE REPORT AND A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM MIGHT PERHAPS BE INTRODUCED TO SUPPLEMENT THAT PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION.
------0 ------
PROBLEMS IN DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME *****
THE ATTEMPT BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TO ANSWER THE NEED FOR IMPROVING STANDARDS IN HONG KONG’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS WAS WELCOME, BUT THE QUESTION THAT REMAINED WAS HOW TO GO ABOUT IT, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HUI NOTED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NINE-YEAR COMPULSORY EDUCATION HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE INCREASING DEMAND BY PARENTS FOR BETTER EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME, IN ALLOWING PARENTS TO OBTAIN HIGHER QUALITY SCHOOLING, NOT ONLY FULFILLED A GROWING SOCIAL NEED, BUT ALSO PROVIDED INCENTIVE TO EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT THROUGH MORE FREEDOM BEING GIVEN TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RESPECT OF FEE CHARGING, STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND SETTING THE CURRICULUM.
/’’THE DIRECT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
"THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOLS, WHICH ALL ALONG CAME UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL, TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE, PURSUE INSPIRED DYNAMISM AND DEVELOP CREATIVE POTENTIALS," MR HUI SAID.
"FOR THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THE PROMISE FOR THOSE QUALIFIED TO BE PUT ON PAR WITH AIDED SCHOOLS SERVES AS A STIMULUS TO REFORMS.
"THE MUCH-NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT WILL INSTIL PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH CONFIDENCE AND ENTHUSIASM TO ACTIVELY UPGRADE THEIR STANDARDS, THUS ACHIEVING HEALTHY COMPETITION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS."
FOR THE MORE ENTERPRISING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MR HUI ADDED, THE SCHEME OFFERED A CHANCE TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
FURTHERMORE, THE SCHEME ALSO FELL INTO LINE WITH THE PRESENT TREND OF DECENTRALISATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
BUT THERE WERE PROBLEMS. ONE PROBLEM WAS THAT BY ALLOWING SCHOOLS TO CHARGE THEIR OWN FEES, THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME NOT ONLY BROUGHT ABOUT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, BUT ALSO VIOLATED THE PRINCIPLE THAT GOVERNMENT AID WAS ONLY GIVEN TO NON-PROFIT SCHOOLS.
ALSO, THE FREEDOM OF SCHOOLS TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN STUDENTS COULD UPSET THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE ALLOCATION SYSTEM, THEREBY RESULTING IN A RETURN OF ELITISM IN SECONDARY EDUCATION.
MR HUI ADDED THAT THE DISCRETION GIVEN TO SCHOOLS TO DECIDE ON THEIR CURRICULUM POSED A THREAT TO A BALANCED EDUCATION, AND DECREASED GOVERNMENT CONTROL WOULD UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
TURNING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MR HUI EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THEIR ABILITY TO EMULATE THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TO UPGRADE EFFICIENTLY THEIR STANDARDS WITHIN THE FIXED TIME LIMIT USING LIMITED PRIVATE RESOURCES.
"GIVEN THAT ONLY 10 NON-PROFIT PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONLY ONE THIRD OF THE EXISTING 67 PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL QUALIFY FOR THE STANDARDS OF SCHOOL PREMISES SET BY THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS DESERVED A BETTER DEAL FOR THE ROLE THEY HAD PLAYED WHEN THE NINE-YEAR COMPULSORY EDUCATION WAS INTRODUCED BACK IN 1978.
WARNING THAT THE PRIVATISATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS WAS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH OMINOUS IMPLICATIONS, MR HUI CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME AND TO SPELL OUT THE EXACT DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN FEE CHARGING, STUDENT SELECTION AND CURRICULUM DESIGN FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
/ON TERTIARY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988 •
- 16 -
ON TERTIARY EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITY ADMISSION SYSTEM, MR HUI SAID THAT HE PERSONALLY SUPPORTED A SIX-YEAR SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOR THE REASON THAT THIS WOULD RELIEVE EXAMINATION PRESSURES ON LOCAL STUDENTS.
FURTHERMORE, A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY DEGREE COURSE WOULD BRING HONG KONG’S TERTIARY EDUCATION INTO LINE WITH SYSTEMS IN MOST OVERSEAS COUNTRIES.
"WHILE I FULLY APPRECIATE THE ARGUMENTS FOR RETAINING THE EXISTING SIXTH FORM SYSTEM, I TEND TO BELIEVE THAT A BROAD EDUCATION TAILORED TO THE ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATES SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE UNIVERSITY," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT IT REMAINED FOR THE EDUCATION AUTHORITIES TO REVIEW AND DESIGN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS CURRICULUM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE A-LEVEL SYLLABUS AND THE PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL LEAVERS.
AS FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, WHICH WAS GETTING 80 PER CENT OUT OF ITS INTAKE FROM THE ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS, MR HUI SAID THAT THE PROPOSED 6+6+4 SYSTEM FITTED IN NICELY, REQUIRING ONLY MINIMAL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES IN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.
NOTING THAT THE FOUNDATION YEAR PROPOSED BY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG CARRIED WITH IT TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, MR HUI SAID THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE TWO UNIVERSITIES TO ABANDON THEIR PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE SCHEMES TO MAKE WAY FOR A UNIFIED ENTRANCE SYSTEM.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE UNIVERSITIES CONTINUE WITH THEIR PRESENT SYSTEMS, MINUS THE PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE SCHEME, FOR AN INTERIM PERIOD OF A FEW YEARS BEFORE A UNIFORM ADMISSION SYSTEM AND A TERTIARY EDUCATION PROGRAMME WERE IMPLEMENTED.
--------0-----------
FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE SUPPORTED » » » «
AN EDUCATION SYSTEM OF FIVE YEARS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLUS ONE YEAR OF FORM 6 AND A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY COURSE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS SYSTEM OF 5-1-4 WAS FAVOURED BY THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, MR LEE SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION REPORT NO. 3.
AS FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, WHICH FAVOURED A SYSTEM OF 5-2-3, HE SAID THEY COULD ADJUST THE LENGTHS OF THEIR COURSES IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROPOSED ONE-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE.
/T1R LEE............
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
MR LEE SAID HE APPRECIATED THAT THE PROPOSED SYSTEM OF 5-1-4 MIGHT COST THE TAXPAYER MORE MONEY.
"BUT WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE ARE TALKING HERE ABOUT AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG - NOT FOR THE SHORT TERM - BUT FOR 20 YEARS AND MORE FROM NOW," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS POLICY SPEECH, HAD REFERRED TO THE "CLEAR RECOMMENDATION" OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION THAT WHERE MORE RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE, THE FIRST PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENTERING TERTIARY EDUCATION.
IN OTHER WORDS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT PUT QUANTITY BEFORE QUALITY.
MR LEE CONTENDED THAT HONG KONG NEEDED BOTH QUALITY AND QUANTITY AND, IF NECESSARY, THE TERRITORY MUST BE PREPARED TO SPEND MORE MONEY.
"TO ADOPT A POLICY OF CHURNING OUT A GREATER NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATES OF A LOWER CALIBRE IS SIMPLY NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD GIVEN AN ASSURANCE IT WOULD NOT DICTATE TO ANY TERTIARY INSTITUTION THAT IT SHOULD HAVE A THREE-YEAR OR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE, AND THAT EACH INSTITUTION WAS FREE TO DECIDE ON THE LENGTH OF ITS COURSES.
BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT CLEARLY STATED THAT THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) WOULD CONTINUE TO USE ITS OWN ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL CRITERIA TO JUDGE INDIVIDUAL CASES IN THE LIGHT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY PREVAILING AT THE TIME.
AND SO, IF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WERE TO APPROACH THE UPGC FOR FUNDS FOR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE, AND THE PREVAILING GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS THAT IT SHOULD BE A THREE-YEAR COURSE, THEN THE UPGC WOULD ONLY GRANT FUNDS FOR THREE YEARS.
THUS THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS DID NOT ENJOY REAL FREEDOM IN DECIDING ON THE LENGTH OF THEIR COURSES, HE SAID.
"OR PUT IN ANOTHER WAY: THE GOVERNMENT GIVES THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM TO THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WITH ONE HAND, AND TAKES IT BACK WITH THE OTHER," HE ADDED.
MR LEE ALSO EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN OVER THE EFFECT OF TELEVISION ON CHILDREN.
"WHAT WF. NEED IS A HIGH-POWERED COMMISSION CONSISTING OF HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS FROM ALL RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND EXPERTS IN EDUCATION, CHILD PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL WORK AND IN THE TV FIELD, AS WELL AS PARENTS AND OTHER CONCERNED PERSONS, TO LOOK INTO THESE UNKNOWN AREAS WHICH AFFECT THE LIVES OF ALL OUR CHILDREN," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 18 -
SUMMER TEACHING PROGRAMME ADVOCATED * t ♦ *
THE IDEA OF INTRODUCING A SUMMER TEACHING PROGRAMME SUPPLEMENT A THREE-YEAR COURSE IN TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTES WAS SUPPORTED BY DR THE HON DANIEL TSE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IF THE PROPOSAL WERE ACCEPTED, INSTITUTIONS WOULD GAIN THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE HALF OF AN ACADEMIC YEAR’S TEACHING TIME WITHIN J HE TIME SPAN OF A THREE-YEAR COURSE, DR TSE SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3.
THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR CAPITAL EXPANSION ON CAMPUS TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROPOSAL, HE ADDED.
’’THE EXISTING VERY COSTLY FACILITIES OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENTLY UTILISED DURING THE LONG SUMMERS,” HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID THE EXPERIENCE OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE WAS THAT GIVEN THE BILINGUAL NATURE OF HONG KONG’S TERTIARY SYSTEM, IF THE RIGOUR AND DEPTH OF THE BRITISH HONOURS DEGREE WERE TO BE KEPT, MORE TEACHING TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED THAN A CONVENTIONAL THREE-YEAR SCHEDULE COULD PROVIDE.
IT HAD BEEN ESTIMATED THAT TWO SUMMER TERMS OF EIGHT WEEKS’ DURATION EACH SHOULD GIVE SUFFICIENT ADDED TEACHING TIME TO THREE-YEAR COURSE, YET WITH PLENTY OF SUMMER HOLIDAYS LEFT FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES, HE ADDED.
’’THE NO. 3 REPORT HAS SUGGESTED A SIMILAR IDEA. BUT I WOULD PROPOSE THAT THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES BE GIVEN TO THE INSTITUTIONS AS PART OF THE REGULAR BUDGET PROVISION, AND NOT SOMETHING TO BE CONTENDED FOR AND JUSTIFIED BY THE INSTITUTIONS AS SPECIAL NEEDS ARISE,” HE SAID.
DR TSE ALSO SAID IT WAS MOST DIFFICULT TO DESIGN A ONE-YEAR COURSE WHICH WOULD BE SATISFACTORY EDUCATIONALLY TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN A FIVE-YEAR SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE.
’’THEREFORE, IF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEM IS TO REMAJ UNCHANGED, I WOULD PREFER A TWO-YEAR SIXTH FORM WHICH SHOULD THEN BF MODIFIED TO FIT INTO THE PRESENT TREND IN DEGREE EDUCATION, HE SAID.
DR TSE EXPLAINED THAT BY ’’PRESENT TREND IN DEGREE EDUCATION HE HAD IN MIND THE BROADENED CURRICULUM WHICH BOTH THE UNIVERSITY O’HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY HAD ADVOCATED, AND TO WHICH THE BAPTIST COLLEGE HAD SUBSCRIBED.
- - 0 -
/ 19........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 19 -
6+4 SYSTEM IS ALMOST UNIVERSAL ♦ * * *
A SYSTEM OF SIX YEARS’ SECONDARY AND FOUR YEARS’ TERTIARY EDUCATION WAS SUPPORTED BY THE HON PAUL CHENG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION ‘COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR CHENG SAID HONG KONG HAD TO BE BOLD ENOUGH TO CHANGE ITS EDUCATION SYSTEM IF THIS WERE NECESSARY.
THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE IF THE SYSTEM REQUIRED REVAMPING, AND IF IT WERE BETTER IN THE LONG TERM TO REDUCE THE SECONDARY EDUCATION SYSTEM FROM SEVEN TO SIX YEARS.
’’THE 6 + 4 SYSTEM IS ALMOST UNIVERSAL. ARE WE SAYING THAT ALL THE ACADEMIC EXPERTS AROUND THE WORLD ARE WRONG?” HE ASKED.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT THE 5+2+3 SYSTEM, WHICH WAS “NOT ONLY ANTIQUATED BUT ALSO UNNECESSARILY COMPLICATED”, WAS BEING REVIEWED IN THE UK.
“IT IS HIGH TIME WE STREAMLINE THE SYSTEM TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE AND TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF PARENTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE,” HE SAID.
WHILE HE AGREED WITH THE NEED TO HAVE A COMMON ENTRY POINT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, HE DISAGREED THAT THIS POINT SHOULD BE SET AT FORM 7.
’’MANY SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE ADMITTED PRIVATELY THAT MOST LOWER SIX STUDENTS CAN HANDLE THE A LEVEL EXAMINATIONS,” HE SAID.
"IN THAT CASE, UPPER 6 OR FORM 7 WOULD SEEM TO BE REDUNDANT.”
MOREOVER, MOST TERTIARY LEVEL EDUCATORS FELT THAT A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME WAS REQUIRED TO PRODUCE QUALITY GRADUATES.
"HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEPENDS LARGELY ON THE ONLY REAL RESOURCE IT HAS, I.E. PEOPLE SKILL. THEREFORE, FOCUS MUST BE ON 'DEVELOPING QUALITY LEADERS RATHER THAN ON QUANTITY,” HE SAID.
’’WHILST NO ONE WILL DISAGREE WITH INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PLACES AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, WE MUST NOT SACRIFICE THE STANDARDS JUST TO INCREASE THE THROUGHPUT.”
MR CHENG SAID THAT, NEVERTHELESS, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDS FOR EDUCATION.
HE HOPED THE AUTHORITIES WOULD CAREFULLY RECONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION REPORT IN THE LIGHT OF MISGIVINGS EXPRESSED BY EXPERTS, SUCH AS THE VICE-CHANCELLORS OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION ON IMPLEMENTATION.
MR CHENG ALSO EXPRESSED SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE FOR THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME AS PROPOSED IN THE REPORT.
- - 0
/20.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
BACKING FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
* » * *
THERE SHOULD BE CONTINUED BACKING FOR NON-PROFIT MAKING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY THOSE OFFERING BILINGUAL EDUCATION BASED ON A CHINESE HERITAGE, THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS COULD BE DONE THROUGH LAND GRANTS AND OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT AS RECOMMENDED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR BARROW SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE REPORT.
HE SAID THAT HE FREQUENTLY FOUND IN TALKING TO HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO WERE LEAVING -- AND ALSO HEARD FROM THOSE ALREADY OVERSEAS -- THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN WOULD WEIGH HEAVILY ON THEIR MINDS IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO RETURN TO HONG KONG.
"I BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO REJOIN THIS COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"THESE PEOPLE, WITH OVERSEAS WORKING EXPERIENCE, CAN PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG AS A VIGOROUS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CETRE TO THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE."
MR BARROW ADDED THAT ENGLISH MIGHT HAVE BECOME THE FIRST LANGUAGE OF THESE CHILDREN. BUT THE PARENTS WOULD WISH THEM TO RESUME CHINESE LANGUAGE STUDIES AS WELL.
BILINGUALISM IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WAS ALSO DESIRABLE FOR ANY CHILD GROWING UP IN HONG KONG, REGARDLESS OF ORIGIN.
1
MANY MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WERE EQUALLY COMMITTED TO HONG KONG ON A LONG-TERM BASIS, AND THIS MUST BE THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE LESS THAN TWO PER CENT OF THE FOREIGN POPULATION SPOKE THE LOCAL LANGUAGE, HE SAID.
------o-------
ATTACKS ON REPORT MISLEADING PUBLIC
*****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3 HAS BEEN OVER ZEALOUSLY AND UNRESERVEDLY ATTACKED IN SUCH A WAY THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING MISLED ON THE ISSUE, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT, WHEN LOOKING AT THE PROPOSALS IN THE REPORT, ONE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THE OVERALL PICTURE OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG; THE WELL-BEING OF ALL STUDENTS; AND THE POSSIBLE DISRUPTION TO THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE UNIQUENESS OF HONG KONG AS A DENSELY POPULATED PLACE.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 21 -
HE SAID THAT, FIRST AND FOREMOST, A COMMON ENTRY POINT APPLICABLE TO ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS MUST BE ESTABLISHED.
’’THE DIFFERENT ENTRY POINTS HAVE CAUSED SO MUCH PAIN AND AGONY TO SCHOOL TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE IS TREMENDOUS, LET ALONE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES, WASTAGE, AND CONFUSION,” HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID HE THOUGHT THAT FIVE YEARS OF GENERAL EDUCATION FOR ALL SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT.
FOR ENTRY TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, HOWEVER, TWO MORE YEARS OF TRAINING AFTER THE COMPLETION GF GENERAL EDUCATION WAS NOT ONLY NECESSARY BUT VITAL.
HE ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE USED TO SELECT STUDENTS FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND THAT ALL PUBLICLY FUNDED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD COMPETE FOR STUDENTS ON THEIR OWN MERITS.
MR CHEUNG ALSO SPOKE IN DEFENCE OF THE TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE, SAYING THAT ITS "NARROWNESS” COULD NOT BE AVOIDED UNLESS THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS PRESCRIBED OTHERWISE AND THE NUMBER OF TERTIARY PLACES INCREASED.
"THE COURSE JS ALSO A VERY MUCH NEEDED QUALIFICATION FOR ENTRY TO PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINES - ACCOUNTANCY, CHARTERED SURVEYOR, ETC," HE ADDED.
WITH GENERAL EDUCATION PROVISION REACHING 100 PER CENT SOON, SELECTION FOR ABOUT SIX PER CENT TO ENTER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS MUST BE DONE AT THE END OF FORM 7 WHEN STUDENTS WERE MUCH BETTER PREPARED, MR CHEUNG SAID.
A COMMON ENTRY POINT SHOULD THEREFORE BE AT THE END OF FORM 7.
MR CHEUNG ALSO SAID THAT THE PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE SECONDARY SYSTEM TO 3-3 TO SUIT A FOUR-YEAR TERTIARY PROGRAMME WOULD NOT REMOVE THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE TWO-YEAR SIXTH FORM AS LONG AS INTENSE COMPETITION FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION REMAINED. -
THIS WAS BECAUSE, FIRST, IT WOULD REQUIRE STREAMING‘AT FORM 3 WHICH WOULD BE HIGHLY UNPOPULAR WITH PARENTS.
SECOND, THERE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH NON-GRAMMAR STREAMS LEADING TO EQUAL PROSPECTS AS GRAMMAR STREAMS.
THIRD, EVEN IF THERE WERE ENOUGH NON-GRAMMAR STREAMS, ENOUGH TEACHERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TEACH THESE NON-GRAMMAR STREAMS SUBJECTS.
/OTHER DIFFICULTIES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 22
OTHER DIFFICULTIES INCLUDED REWRITING THE ENTIRE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM, REDESIGNING A PUBLIC EXAMINATION WHICH WOULD WIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION, AND THE PAINSTAKING READJUSTMENT OF HALF A MILLION STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS, LET ALONE THAT OF TEACHERS.
MR CHEUNG ARGUED THAT IF ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WENT TO FOUR YEARS, NOT ONLY WOULD THE NUMBER OF DEGREE PLACES IN THE TWO POLYTECHNICS HAVE TO BE REDUCED BUT SO WOULD THE NUMBER OF NON-DEGREE PLACES.
"OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE FURTHER DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ' HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG DID NOT SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW AIDED SCHOOLS TO JOIN THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME BECAUSE HE SAW NO MERITS IN A PUBLIC-YET-PRIVATE AND PRIVATE-YET-PUBLIC CATEGORY OF SCHOOLS.
IT WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR SOME SCHOOLS TO DRAW GOVERNMENT MONEY AND YET BECOME INDEPENDENT IN STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND IN CHARGING THEIR OWN LEVEL OF FEES, HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF HELPING THE ELIGIBLE PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, MR CHEUNG SAID HF THOUGHT GOVERNMENT HAD THE MORAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO IN VIEW OF THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS THE SCHOOLS HAD MADE TO EDUCATION.
BUT HE CONSIDERED A TARGET DATE SHOULD BE SET WHEN THESE PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AFTER HAVING IMPROVED THEIR STANDARDS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT, WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE EITHER TO JOIN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OR TO BECOME STRICTLY PRIVATE.
-----0------
RECOMMENDATIONS IN REPORT SUPPORTED * * * * ♦
THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME SHOULD BE REPLACED SUBSIDY SCHEME AND THERE SHOULD BE NO FUNDAMENTAL EXISTING 5-2-3 SYSTEM, THE HON LAU WAH-SUM SAID IN COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BY THE DIRECT CHANGES TO THE THE LEGISLATIVE
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR LAU SAID HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND AN CHANGE TO THE EXISTING EDUCATION SYSTEM UNLESS IT COULD BE JUSTIFIED BY VERY REAL BENEFITS IN THE LONG TERM.
THIS WAS BECAUSE ANY CHANGE IN OR DISRUPTION TO A WELL. ESTABLISHED SYSTEM WOULD CERTAINLY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL COSTS AND LOSSES IN EFFICIENCY, AT LEAST FOR A WHILE, AS THE SOCIETY ADJUSTED ITSELF TO THE NEW SYSTEM.
/MR LAU .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26f 1988
- 23
MR LAU POINTED OUT THAT THE INHERENTLY RESTRICTIVE NATURE OF THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME OFFERED LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR IMPROVEMENT AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO COMPETE WITH GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, WHICH WERE PROVIDED WITH MORE RESOURCES.
IN CONTRAST, UNDER THE PROPOSED DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME (DSS), ANY SCHOOLS ATTAINING THE PRESCRIBED STANDARDS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY, BUT WOULD RECEIVE NO DEFINITIVE RESTRICTIONS ON SCHOOL FEES AND CURRICULA.
’’SCHOOLS WILL'THUS BE ALLOWED MORE FREEDOM TO DECIDE THEIR POLICIES,” MR LAU SAID.
’’THEY WILL ALSO HAVE X MUCH FREER HAND TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY AND IN COMPETING FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.
’’ULTIMATELY OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS.
”1 BELIEVE THE DSS WILL ENCOURAGE FAIR COMPETITION AND, EVENTUALLY, IT WILL RAISE THE STANDARDS OF OUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS. I THEREFORE FULLY SUPPORT THIS RECOMMENDATION.”
ON THE EXISTING 5-2-3 SYSTEM THAT LINKED SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, MR LAU SAID THE SYSTEM HAD EVIDENTLY SERVED THE COMMUNITY WELL AND HAD PRODUCED QUALIFIED GRADUATES WHO HAD EFFECTIVELY MET OUR NEEDS IN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SPHERES.
DEFENDING THE TWO-YEAR SIXTH FORM COURSE, MR LAU SAID A TWO-YEAR SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM WHICH INCLUDED PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL COURSES, IN ADDITION TO GENERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES BASED ON EXISTING A LEVEL COURSES, WOULD SERVE AS A FOUNDATION COURSE FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION.
IT COULD ALSO BE A STAGE OF MORE ADVANCED STUDY FOR STUDENTS JOINING THE WORKFORCE ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
MR LAU SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION FOR A COMMON ENTRY POINT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION.
THE SYSTEM WAS FAIR BECAUSE THE ENTRY OR EXIT POINT WAS THE SAME FOR ALL STUDENTS AND ALL INSTITUTIONS, AND NOBODY WOULD GET PRIORITY.
IN ADDITION, MR LAU BELIEVED THAT BY KEEPING THE TERTIARY SYSTEM TO THREE YEARS RATHER THAN FOUR, HONG KONG COULD SAVE ON BOTH CAPITAL AND CURRENT EXPENDITURE, WHICH COULD BE BETTER USED TO EXPAND THE STUDENT POPULATION IN THE UNIVERSITIES.
BESIDES, IT WOULD CAUSE THE LEAST DISRUPTION TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM.
/’•WHILE I
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1?88
24 -
"WHILE I PERSONALLY RESPECT THE IDEALS OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, I DO NOT CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO SACRIFICE \ UNIFIED EDUCATIONAL POLICY FOR THE BENEFIT 01
MINORITY
GROUP, ” HF. SAID.
"WHEN EDUCAT LON AL INSTITUTIONS
EXPENDITURE, THEY SHOULD PERHAPS GIVE GENERAL INTERESTS OF SOCIETY."
ARE FUNDED BY
SON E CON SID ERAT1ON
PUBLIC
TO THE
DISPUTING ARGUMENTS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD SYSTEM WHICH HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN THE UNITED LAU EMPHASISED THAT A SYSTEM THAT WORKED WELL MIGHT NOT BE THE ONE MOST SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG.
ADOPT THE 6+4 STATES AND CHINA, MR 1N OTHER COUNTRIES
-------0---------
HONG KONG'S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS INADEQUACIES * * * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG IS OPERATING AN INADEQUATE EDUCA™°N SYSTEM, THE HON JAMES TIEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION NO. 3, MR TIEN SAID THAT BY ITSELF EDUCATION WENT ON FOR LIFE MATTER OF QUALITY AND OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENI.
REPORT
AS A
"IT IS NOT THE NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT WHAT YOU ACHIEVE IN THE CLASSROOM THAT COUNTS," HE ADDED.
HONG KONG WAS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY AND THOSE WHO HAD A RIGHT TO BE ESTEEMED AS MUCH FOR THEIR BRAINS AS COMMERCIAL ENERGY.
LIVED HERE
FOR THEIR
CITING A PART OF THE REPORT WHICH SIATED STUDENTS WERE 'TOO SPECIALISED, AND AS A RESUL1 KNOW THEIR OWN FIELD AND LACK MATURI1Y, MR TIEN SAID AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AT --------------------------------- MATURITY, WITHOUT
WORLD BEYOND IMAGINATION’
WHICH PRODUCED PEOPLE WITHOUT
WITHOUT IMAGINATION WAS A STRONG INDICTMENT.
THAT HONG KONG LITTLE OF THE INITIATIVE AND TERTIARY LEVEL INITIATIVE AND
A
OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE
HE SAID THE REASON WHY SO MANY
WENT ABROAD FOR STUDY WAS THAT ONLY A FRACTION OF THEM HAD OF GAINING HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG - SOMEWHERE BE1WEEN
ANY HOPE
TWO AND
FOUR PER CENT.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
" 25 ~
ON THE QUESTION OF LANGUAGE, HE SAID THERE WAS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN ENGLISH AS THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND ENGLISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE.
HONG KONG WAS AMBIVALENT ABOUT ENGLISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE AND MANY YOUNG PEOPLE REGARDED IT AS A NECESSARY EVIL BECAUSE IT WAS A VALUABLE COMMERCIAL ASSET, MR TIEN SAID.
"THE REPORT STATES THAT MORE RESOURCES SHOULD BE URGENTLY DEVOTED TO BETTER ENGLISH TEACHING. 1 AGREE," HE SAID.
"BUT WE MUST ALSO LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES TOO, AS SOME RECENT VENTURES HAVE APPARENTLY BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.
"I FEEL THAT BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE MUST BE STRENGTHENED AND IMPROVED BY THE BEST METHODS AVAILABLE."
MR TIEN ALSO AGREED WITH THE PART OF THE REPORT WHICH POINTED OUT THAT ALL PUBLICLY FUNDED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD HAVE A COMMON ENTRY POINT.
"THE LENGTH OF THE DEGREE COURSE IS NOT TREATED DOGMATICALLY IN THE REPORT, BUT I REGRET TO SAY THAT (AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE SUBMISSIONS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES), IT IS OFTEN TREATED DOGMATICALLY," HE SAID.
"LET U.S JUST BE A LITTLE MORE PRAGMATIC."
MR TIEN SAID HE PERCEIVED A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SO-CALLED BRAIN DRAIN AND THE LACK OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
"J ALSO SEE THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME AS A POSSIBLE WAY TO STEM THE OUTFLOW OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES ABROAD.
"I SUPPORT THE SCHEME DESPITE THE CRITICISMS MADE ABOUT IT IN SOME QUARTERS," HE SAID.
"ELITISM IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD IDEA IF IT ENSURES EXCELLENCE.
"THIS SCHEME IS NOT FOR THE WEALTHY, BUT RATHER FOR THOSE WHO CAN BENEFIT, INTELLECTUALLY, FROM IT.
"BY 1997, MUCH OF THE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT SECTOR WILL BE DRAWN FROM THE LOCAL POPULATION.
"INDEED THOSE PERSONS NOW ENTERING UNIVERSITY WILL BECOME THOSE VERY SAME PEOPLE. THEY ARE THE VITAL FUTURE MANAGERS OF OUR SOCIETY.
"I SUPPORT THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME BECAUSE IT WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS OF QUALITY TO BENEFIT FROM FINANCIAL HELP. ULTIMATELY I BELIEVE THAT QUALITY AND MERIT SHOULD BE REWARDED AND ENCOURAGED.
"HONG KONG WILL SURVIVE AND PROSPER IF WE IGNORE THIS REPORT IN SPITE OF, RATHER THAN BECAUSE OF, ITS HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. IN ALL OF THIS THE REPORT HAS MADE A GOOD START."
-------0---------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 26
3-3-4 SYSTEM BEST WAY FORWARD * * * * *
A SYSTEM OF SIX YEARS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL AND A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY COURSE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE HON ELSIE TU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS TU SAID SHE HAD COME TO THE FIRM CONCLUSION THAT A 3-3-4 SYSTEM WAS BEST FOR HONG KONG.
UNDER THIS, STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO LEAVE SCHOOL AT FORM 3, AND THOSE WHO WISHED TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EDUCATION COULD TAKE THEIR FINAL GOVERNMENT EXAMINATION AT FORM 6 BEFORE STARTING A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE COURSE.
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO.3, MRS TU SAID THAT WHILE SHE AGREED WITH THERE BEING A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY COURSE, SHE ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE DURATION OF THE COURSE SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE.
"IF \ CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM WERE TO BE INTRODUCED, THERE WOULD BE NOTHING TO DETER A STUDENT OF ABILITY GRADUATING LN THREE YEARS INSTEAD OF FOUR," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID A 3-3-1 SYSTEM WITH A CREDIT UNIT PROVISION AT TERTIARY LEV El. WAS A NEAT, LOGICAL AND NECESSARY WAY TO GO, IN ORDER TO CLEAR UP THE PRESENT CONFUSION AS TO WHAT WAS SECONDARY AND WHAT WAS TERTIARY EDUCATION.
SHE \DDED THAT TO COMPLETE THE SYSTEM, THERE WAS A NEED FOR A FREE SEVEN-YEAR PRIMARY SCHOOL COURSE TO REPLACE THE PRESENT PRIMARY AND KINDERGARTEN SYSTEM.
"I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION CORRECTLY, AND THE FOUNDATION LIES AT KINDERGARTEN" SHE SAID.
MRS I’U SAID THAT KINDERGARTENS IN HONG KONG WERE STILL
DOMINATED BY THE ELITE.
THIS WAS MOST UNFORTUNATE AS KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION STILL TO SOME EXTENT MAPPED OUT THE FUTURE OF THE CHILD AT THAT LEVEL, RIGHT THROUGH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL AND UP TO TERTIARY EDUCATION.
SHE ALSO SAID THE EDUCATIONALISTS SHE HAD CONSULTED ALL AGREED THAT INCREASED ASSISTANCE MUST BE GIVEN TO SUB-STANDARD SCHOOLS THAI' WERE WILLING TO RAISE THEIR STANDARDS TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS.
THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME WAS UNANIMOUSLY REJECTED BY THOSE EDUCATIONALISTS, SHE SAJI).
"IF PARENTS OR SCHOOL OPERATOR WISH TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN CURRICULUM AND RUN THEIR SCHOOLS FOR AN ELITE CLIENTELE, THEY SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN PUBLIC MONEY TO DO SO," SHE SAID.
-------0---------
/27.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 27 -
THREE-YEAR DEGREE COURSE MOST PRACTICAL FOR HE * t » » *
A PROCEDURE OF JOINT ADMISSION TO TERTIARY EDUCATION AND A THREE-YEAR DEGREE COURSE SYSTEM ARE THE MOST PRACTICAL CHOICES FOR HONG KONG, THE HON PETER WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG HAD HAD VERY GOOD GRADUATES FROM BOTH IHI THREE-YEAR AND FOUR-YEAR SYSTEMS, BUT A THREE-YEAR SYSTEM PRODUCED GRADUATES MORE QUICKLY.
I SUGGEST THAT IN THE YEARS TO COME, HAVING SUFFICIENT GRADUATES OF AN ACCEPTABLE QUALITY WILL BE THE CRUCIAL FACTOR IN THF CONTINUATION OF THE ACCOUNTANCY AND OTHER PROFESSIONS," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO MADE A PLEA FOR A HIGHER STANDARD OF ENGLISH.
I AM NOT AT ALL IMPRESSED BA THE WAY ENGLISH IS TAUGHT IN OUR TERTIARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS, JUDGING FROM THF RESULTS WHICH WE SEE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT A GREAT DEAL OF HONG KONG'S SUCCESS IN THE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL WORLD WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THF TERRITORY'S USE 0! ENGLISH.
"WE CANNOT RELY ON ENGLISH TO BE TAUGHT BY ONLY A FEW IN A SUPER SIXTH FORM OR IN A FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY YEAR -- THAT IN ITSELF HAS PROBLEMS IN DRAWING AWAY HIGH CALIBRE STAFF FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THEREBY DEPRESSING STANDARDS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SUGGESTED THAT ENGLISH BE TAUGHT AND USED AT THE LOWES'I LEVELS, EVEN AT KINDERGARTEN, SO THAT ENGLISH WOULD BECOME A • MURAL SECOND LANGUAGE. AND HONG KONG WOULD BE TRUL1 BILINGUAL.
ONIA THEN CAN WE BE SURE OF' OUR PLACE IN THE WORLD DURING THE 0 YEARS AFTER 1997. IF WE SACRIFICE OUR ENGLISH, WE STAND A VERY GOOD CHANCI OF BEING JUST ANOTHER REGION OF CHINA," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT AS THE REPRESENTATIVE FUNCTIONAL CONST ITUENCA , HE WAS NATURALLY PRODUCTION OF ACCOUNTANTS IN HONG KONG.
OF THE ACCOUNTANCY
INTERESTED IN THE
IN THE LONG TERM AND WITH 1997 IN MIND, IT WOULD BE 1 NREAL I ST IC FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON OVERSEAS-TRAINED ACCOINTANTS TO LEAD THE PROFESSION.
"WE MUST PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON THE PRODUCTION OF FUTURE PROFESSIONALS THROUGH THE TERTIARY ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG," HE SA I I).
-------o----------
/28........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 28 -
WIDER VIEW ON REPORT URGED t * * ♦ t
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD ATTEMPT TO COMMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3 FROM A PERSPECTIVE WIDER THAN THAI’ WHICH REPRESENTS ANY ONE POINT OF VIEW, PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN, THE COUNCIL’S DEBATE ON THE REPORT, PROF POON SAID THE EDUCATIONALISTS VIEW OF TERTIARY EDUCATION STRUCTURE MUST BE BALANCED BA THE REALITIES OF PARENTAL CONCERN, STUDENTS’ EXPECTATIONS, SOCIETAL NEEDS THROUGH THE EYES OF POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS AND OVERALL AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
HE SAID THE THEORETICAL STRUCTURE OF 5+1+4, 3+3+4 OR 5+2+OPT10NAI LENGTH OF THE FIRST DEGREE COURSE WAS MUCH MORE THAN A NUMBERS GAME \ND THAT IT REPRESENTED TRAINING LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE.
NOTING THAT Till PRESENT FIRST-YEAR INTAKE OF THE UNIVERSITIES WAS ONLY SIX PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITHIN THE RELEVANT AGF GROUP, PROF POON SAID THAT TIM SORT OF EDUCATION FOR SOME OF THE OTHER 91 PER CENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO ENTERED THE SIXTH FORM AS A TERMINAL COURSE, WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE IDEAL PACK AGE THAT W \S WANTED FOR UNDERGRADUATES.
HE SAID THAT WHILE A FOUR-YEAR FIRST DEGREE COURSE WAS ■ UI'PORTABLE IN UPHOLDING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF HONOURS DEGREES, AN EVEN MORI URGENT TASK AT HAND WAS TO SORT OUT THE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT Ob' TUI- SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM.
PROF POON WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE WORKING GROUP SET UP TO DO THIS JOB WOULD WORK OUT A CURRICULUM THAT NOT ONLY CATERED FOR THE NEEDS 01 Till. MAJORITY OF STUDENTS AND OUR SOCIETY, BUT WAS ALSO FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW CERTAIN ’HIGH FLYERS” IN THE SIXTH FORMS TO ENTER UNIVERSITY AFTER ONE YEAR.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE APPROPRIATENESS OF APPROVING COMMON ADMISSION AFTER SECONDARY 7 AS A MATTER OF POLICY.
IT SHOULD ALSO BEAR IN MIND THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY AS WELL AS 1'0 TAKI- HEED OF THE EXPERIENCE OF CERTAIN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAD COPED SUCCESSFULLY WITH INTAKE AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF THE MAIRICULATION COURSE.
IT COI LI) BE THAT, WITH AN IMPROVED SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM SOME YEARS FROM NOW, ri' MA'i NOT BE NECESSARY TO INSIST THAT ENTRANCE TO DEGREE PROGRAMMES AT ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE AFTER SECONDARY ., HE SAID.
FINALLY, NOTING THAT "EDUCATION FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY” WAS AMONG Illi SUBJECTS NOW UNDER STUDY BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, PROF POON RUED fill OMMISS1ON TO COMPLETE ITS MONOGRAPH ON THIS SUBJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-------0----------
/29........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 29 -
MOTION ON EDUCATION *
COMMISSION REPORT PASSED * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT TAKE NOTE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S REPORT NO. 3.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY VOICE VOTE AFTER A DEBATE LASTING ABOUT SIX AND A HALF HOURS.
THE HON SELINA CHOW MOVED THE MOTION, WHICH . READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3: THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS".
THIRTY-TWO MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE, AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COUNCIL DEALT WITH THREE QUESTIONS.
------0--------
CONDITIONS FOR IMPORTING FOREIGN WORKERS OUTLINED
*****
EXISTING POLICY STIPULATES THAT FOREIGN WORKERS MAY BE ADMITTED TO HONG KONG PROVIDED THAT CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN, WHO ASKED WHETHER A LIMITED NUMBER OF FOREIGN WORKERS COULD BE IMPORTED ON A SHORT-TERM CONTRACTUAL BASIS TO WORK FOR SELECTED INDUSTRIES WITHOUT CHANGING EXISTING POLICY.
ELABORATING ON THE CONDITIONS, MR BARNES SAID THAT FOREIGN WORKERS MIGHT ENTER HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT IF:
f
(A) THERE IS NO SECURITY OBJECTION AND THEY HAVE NO KNOWN RECORDS OF SERIOUS CRIME;
(B) THERE IS NO LIKELIHOOD OF THEM BECOMING A BURDEN ON HONG KONG;
(C) THEY POSSESS A SPECIAL SKILL, KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE OF VALUE TO, AND NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN, HONG KONG; OR
(D) ARE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 30
MR BARNES SAID EACH CASE HAD TO BE ASSESSED ON ITS INDIVIDUAL MERITS AGAINST THE SITUATION IN THE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET PREVAILING AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
WORKERS WERE ALLOWED TO STAY FOR SIX MONTHS INITIALLY AND THEIR STAY WAS SUBJECT TO REVIEW PERIODICALLY.
"EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED IF THE CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILING AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL STILL PREVAIL," HE SAID.
"FOR WORKERS ADMITTED FOR SPECIFIC CONTRACTS', EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED UNTIL EXPIRY OF THEIR CONTRACTS."
IN 1987, SOME 4,800 MIDDLE MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL STAFF FROM A WIDE RANGE OF COUNTRIES INCLUDING JAPAN, THE U.S.A., AUSTRALIA AND SO ON WERE ADMITTED INTO HONG KONG, MR BARNES NOTED.
"ANOTHER 2,800 WERE ADMITTED IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
AS FOR WORKERS FROM CHINA, THERE WAS NO GENERAL PROVISION FOR THEM TO ENTER HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES.
NEVERTHELESS, AS MORE THAN 27,000 PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF CHINA ENTERED HONG KONG EACH YEAR LEGALLY THROUGH THE ONE-WAY PERMIT SCHEME, MANY OF THEM INEVITABLY JOINED THE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET, MR BARNES SAID.
------o--------
PRESENT TENANT FREE TO BID FOR NEW TENANCY
*****
THE PRESENT TENANT OF THE PEAK CAFE IS FREE TO BID FOR THE NEW TENANCY OF THE PREMISES, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR, MR BARNES SAID IT WAS PROPOSED TO LET OUT THE TENANCY FOR FIVE YEARS.
HE SAID THE PEAK CAFE BUILDING WAS GRADED BY THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AS A GRADE TWO HISTORICAL BUILDING, WHICH MEANT IT SHOULD BE PRESERVED IF POSSIBLE.
IN 1974, ON THE BASIS OF THAT GRADING, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDED ITS RETENTION, MR BARNES SAID.
/"SINCE 1966 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
51
"qiNCF 1966 THE LAND HAS BEEN HELD ON AN ANNUAL TENANCY TERMINABLE AT THREE MONTHS’ NOTICE BY ITS PRESENT PROPRIETOR, WHO TILL THEN HAD HELD THE LAND ON CROWN LAND PERMIT.
THE CAFE NEEDS A LEVEL
OF EXPENDITURE ON
RENOVATION TO PRESERVE ITS STRUCTURE WHICH IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH ANNUAL 'I
AND TO IMPROVE TENANCY.
REPAIRS AND
ITS INTERIOR,
FOR A PERIOD
REQUIRE THE
'• IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO LET OUT THE I ENAN(A OF FIVE YEARS WITH APPROPRIATE CLAUSES IN THE TENANCY TO TENANT TO RENOVATE THE BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID IT WAS NOT NORMAL GOVERNMENT POLICY TO GRANT FIVE YEAR TENANCIES ON EXTENSIONS OF ANNUAL TENANCIES.
ALLOW
BESIDES, THE TENDERING SYSTEM WOULD ENSURE THAT THE TENDERERS’ PLANS FOR RENOVATION APPROPRIATE. "THE PRESENT TENANT IS OF COURSE EREE IO BID,
THE GOVERNMENT TO WERE ACCEPTABLE AND
HE
ADDED.
ASSISTANCE GIVEN
TO.
FAMILIES WITH ♦ * t ♦ ♦
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
THE GOVERNMENT, DOES TRY TO PROVIDE
IN
CO-OPERATION
SYSTEMATICALLY
ALL AGES, THE
HANDICAPPED PEOPLE OF
MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE
WITH THE FOR THE SECRETARY
VOLUNTARY
NEEDS FOR
OF
SECTOR, MENTALLY
LEGISLATIVE
EDUCATION AND
COUNCIL TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR THAT THE SERVICES PROVIDED, WHICH WERE SET OUT IN T,I{2 Programme plan, were reviewed annually and improved RESOURCES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. .
BRIDGE SAID REHABILITATION
AS
FAST AS
- - 0 - -
HIGHER
IN APRIL THIS YEAR THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN TO INTRODUCE A
TY AILOWANCE OF $1,120 A MONTH TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL
TO THORE DISABLED PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE CONSTANT ATTENDANCE
DISABILITY ____
ASSISTANCE TO THOSE DISABLED PEOPLE WHO
AT HOME.
’’THE PURPOSE IS TO HELP LESSEN THE BURDEN < LOOKING AFTER A SEVERELY HANDICAPPED MEMBER AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
OF THE
• PROMOTE
FAMILY CARE
IN
IN
”BY APRIL 1990 THE SCHEME WILL COVER ALL BRIDGE SAID.
AGE GROUPS,"
MR
/HE
NOTED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
52 -
HE NOTED THAT THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDED COUNSELLING SERVICES TO FAMILIES TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE PRACTICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF LOOKING AFTER SEVERELY HANDICAPPED MEMBERS.
"WHEN REQUIRED, SUPPORTING SERVICES SUCH AS HOME-HELPS, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CLINICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND DAY OR RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS CAN ALSO BE ARRANGED."
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT IN ALL THE SERVICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE CONCERNED WITH THE EARLY EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CARE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE PARTICIPATION OF PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WAS EMPHASISED AND ENCOURAGED.
"PUBLIC EDUCATION TO REDUCE PREJUDICE AGAINST THE ’DISABLED AND PROMOTE THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY IS ORGANISED ON A REGULAR BASIS BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO A FAMILY TRAGEDY IN WHICH A 16-YEAR-OLD MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BOY AND HIS MOTHER DIED ON OCTOBER 13, MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THIS WAS A SAD CASE.
GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE CHILD, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT . IN 1977 THE SOCIAL WORKER IN THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM, WHERE THE BOY WAS RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR TUBERCULOSIS, ARRANGED FOR HIM TO RECEIVE A DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.
ARRANGEMENT WAS ALSO MADE FOR HIM TO BE ADMITTED TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISABLED CHILDREN’S CENTRE. HOWEVER, THE OFFER WAS TURNED DOWN BY THE FAMILY.
IN 1982, THE CHILD WAS REFERRED TO ARRAN STREET CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF HIS DISABILITIES, AND WAS RECOMMENDED FOR PLACEMENT IN A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
"HE WAS OFFERED A DAY SCHOOL PLACE IN 1984 AND AGAIN IN 1985 BUT HIS PARENTS DECLINED BECAUSE OF THEIR PREFERENCE FOR A BOARDING SCHOOL.
"IN SEPTEMBER 1987, AFTER SOME PERSUASION, THE PARENTS AGREED TO HIS RECEIVING HOME-BASED RESOURCE TEACHING, PROVIDED BY-'A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED’."
COUNSELLING, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES WERE ALSO PROVIDED THROUGH HOME VISITS, MR BRIDGE ADDED.
"EARLIER THIS MONTH THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER APPROACHED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR CHARITABLE FUNDS TO PURCHASE A MORE COMFORTABLE AND ADAPTABLE SEAT FOR THE BOY.
"THE FAMILY WAS INVITED TO’ ATTEND FOR AN INTERVIEW ON OCTOBER 17, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE TRAGEDY HAD ALREADY OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 13 WITHOUT ANY APPARENT INDICATION THAT THE FAMILY WAS IN NEED OF FURTHER SUPPORT BEYOND THAT ALREADY BEING OFFERED," HE SAID.
------0------- /55..................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 35 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 *****
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE SHOWED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN SEPTEMBER 1988 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WITH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES RECORDED FOR RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, AND RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS $19,950 MILLION, $2,107 MILLION OR 11.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1987, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 59 PER CENT OR $9,728 MILLION TO $26,230 MILLION. »
THE VALUE OE TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $46,180 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER 1988, WAS THUS $11,835 MILLION OR 34.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1987.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 36.4 PER CENT OR $11,931 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $44,697 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
THE VISIBLE TRADE BALANCE IN SEPTEMBER 1988 RECORDED A SURPLUS OF $1,483 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $1,579 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.8 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS,' RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER 1987.
PUTTING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1988 J*AS $349,328 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $156,373 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $192,955 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1987, IN ^ALUE ^TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $79,113 MILLION OR EXPORTS BY $15,234 MILLION OR 10.8 PER $63,879 MILLION OR 49.5 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF MILLION OR 31.2 PER CENT, TO $354,609 MILLION.
29.3 PER CENT, DOMESTIC CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY
IMPORTS GREW BY $84,459
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $5,281 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.5 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1988.
THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT
DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, , T„k,
WAS VIRTUALLY IN BALANCE, WITH A SURPLUS OF ONLY $65 MILLION.
SECRETARIAT OF DOMESTIC
TERMS, WAS PER CENT IN
OF 14.6 PER
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER, AT 9.8 PER CENT IN VALUE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE OF 8.9 THE SECOND QUARTER, IT WAS LOWER THAN THE GROW’IH RATE CENT RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
/AFTER DISCOUNTING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 34 - • •
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF INCREASES IN EXPORT PRICES, THE GROWTH RATES *OF REAL TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS WERE RELATIVELY MODERATE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CONTINUED UPSURGE IN RE-EXPORTS REFLECTED THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR ENTREPOT FOR CHINA AS WELL AS FOR THE REST OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988.
MERCHANDISE:
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
RE-EXPORTS
TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS
TRADE BALANCE
$19,950 $26,230 $46,180 $44,697 $ 1,183
MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION
[IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES LATEST 3 MONTHS JUL 88 TO SEP 88 HK$ MN. JUL 87 TO SEP 87 HK$ MN. increase HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 60,754 55,347 5,407 9.8
RE-EXPORTS 75,634 48,949 26,685 54.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 136,388 104,296 32,092 30.8
IMPORTS 132,918 97,998 34,920 35.6
TRADE BALANCE 3,470 6,298 -2,828
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) SEPTEMBER 1988 HK$ MN. 19,950 043.2%) ( SEPTEMBER 1987 HK$ MN. 17,843 52.0%) INCREASE HK$ MN. % 2,107 11.8
RE-EXPORTS 26,230 16,502 9,728 59.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 46,180 34,345 11,835 34.5
IMPORTS 44,697 32,766 11,931 36.4
TRADE BALANCE 1,483 1,579 -96
/LAST MONTH .....«
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 35 -
SEPTEMBER AUGUST INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1988 1988
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
— — — — — — — _ — — —
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 19,950 20,669 -719 -3.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (43.2%) (44.8%) .
RE-EXPORTS 26,230 25,429 801 3.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 46,180 46,098 82 0.2
IMPORTS 44,697 43,827 870 2.0
TRADE BALANCE 1,483 2,271 -788
JAN-SEP JAN-SEP INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1988 1987
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
— —
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 156,373 141,139 15,234 10.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (44.8%) (52.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 192,955 129,076 63,879 49.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 349,328 270,215 79,113 29.3
IMPORTS 354,609 270,150 84,459 31.3
TRADE BALANCE -5,281 65 -5,346
OCT 8 7 OCT 86
TO TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS SEP 88 SEP 87
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
— —
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 210,488 186,736 23,752 12.7
RE-EXPORTS 246,659 166,270 80,389 48.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 457, 147 353,006 104,141 29.5
IMPORTS 462,407 351,668 110,738 31.5
TRADE BALANCE -5,260 1,338 -6,597
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 56 -
OBJECTIVES OF HOUSING AUTHORITY *****
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINES THE MAJOR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS GIVEN A FREER HAND TO PURSUE THESE OBJECTIVES WITH ALL THE VIGOUR AND ENTHUSIASM IT CAN. COMMAND AND TO USE ITS RESOURCES AS IMAGINATIVELY AND PURPOSEFULLY TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM RESULTS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ZONTA CLUB, SIR DAVID SAID THAT IN 1973 THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMME WAS UNIFIED IN THE HANDS OF A HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THIS AUTHORITY WAS GIVEN A MORE INDEPENDENT ROLE TO CARRY OUT GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN THIS FIELD.
REFERRING TO CALLS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO BE A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY, HE SAID: "TO BE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT AS SOME CRITICS HAVE SUGGESTED WOULD MEAN NO LONGER BEING ABLE TO RELY ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALLOCATIONS OF LAND AND IT WOULD MEAN THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE UNABLE TO RELY AUTOMATICALLY ON GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO MEET ANY DEFICIT CAUSED BY RAISING PRICES AND COSTS.
"IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY MEAN THAT RENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED TO COVER ANY SHORTFALL, EITHER THAT OR THE PROGRAMME WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT BACK.
"IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT IF THE AUTHORITY WISHES TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY SUPPORT FROM PUBLIC FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE LEGISLATURE IT CLEARLY MUST BE ANSWERABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS. IT COULD NEVER BE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT."
THE CHAIRMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN EACH OF THE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY SUCH AS MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCE, THE AUTHORITY HAS THE SUPPORT, ADVICE AND DECIDING VOICE OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE, BY THEIR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE, A DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION THE PUBLIC HOUSING MAKES TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE GREAT COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT 47 PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NOW LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, SIX PER CENT LIVE IN TEMPORARY HOUSING OF VARIOUS KINDS, AND 47 PER CENT LIVE IN PRIVATE HOUSING.
ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S DOMESTIC RENTS, HE SAID THE RENTAL LEVEL OF ITS NEW ESTATES IS JUST ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE MARKET RENT OF COMPARABLE PREMISES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHILE RENT LEVELS OF OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING REPRESENT ABOUT ONE-SIXTH TO ONE-EIGHTH OF MARKET RENTS.
SIR DAVID EMPHASISED THAT DESPITE THE IMMENSE EFFORT WHICH HAS GONE INTO PUBLIC HOUSING OVER A 35-YEAR PERIOD, THERE REMAINED SO MUCH STILL TO BE DONE.
/"THIS JFFORT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 57 -
"THIS EFFORT TO FIND A SOLUTION TO HOUSING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN A CENTRAL AND ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT POLICIES," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG, WHICH PRIDES ITSELF ON LETTING MARKET FORCES FIND MOST OF THE SOLUTIONS TO ITS ECONOMY AND TO ITS PROGRESS, BY PROVIDING SUBSIDISED HOUSING ON A HUGE SCALE, HAS INTERVENED IN NO UNCERTAIN MANNER IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF THE ECONOMY.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS INTERVENTION HAS HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT AND MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR SUCCESS, TO OUR PROSPERITY AND TO OUR STABILITY.
"WHAT BEGAN AS A HUMANE RESPONSE TO THE INTOLERABLE CIRCUMSTANCES OF 1953 HAS BECOME AND IS NOW AN UNQUESTIONED PART OF OUR POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STRATEGY," HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, SIR DAVID SAID THE "LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY", LAUNCHED THIS YEAR, HAS SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE ALL OUR MOST SERIOUS HOUSING PROBLEMS BY THE END OF THE CENTURY.
-------0--------
CHANGING ROLE OF CUSTOMS SERVICE t * t t »
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IS NOT ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT ALSO UNDERTAKES TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF TRADERS AS WELL AS CONSUMERS, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR. K.S. TONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EXPLAINING THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OVER AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF SHATIN, MR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN OPERATIONS AGAINST SMUGGLING AND COUNTERFEITING WERE WELL RECOGNISED ALL OVER
THE YEARS TONG SAID NARCOTICS, THE WORLD.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT BEGAN ONLY AS OFFICERS IN 1909, BUT HAD NOW DEVELOPED INTO A AND MULTI-FACETED FORCE OF 3,700 MEN WITH ENFORCING 30 ORDINANCES.
A SMALL TEAM OF 28
HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR
WORLD, HONG KONG
TO ENSURE PUBLIC
"AMONG ALL CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE CUSTOMS UNDERTAKES THE MOST WIDE-RANGING DUTIES AS SECURITY PROTECT REVENUE, INTERDICT NARCOTIC DRUGS, COMBAT SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES^ENFORCE TRADE CONTROLS AND SAFEGUARD CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS
AND BENEFITS.
"DUTIES COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR ACCOUNTED FOR
ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT OR SOME $4 BILLION OF THE GENERAL REVENUE 01 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
/"CUSTOMS OFFICERS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988 ’
- 38 -
"CUSTOMS OFFICERS ARE ON THE FRONTLINE KEEPING GUARD NIGHT AND DAY AT CONTROL POINTS, CARGO HANDLING DEPOTS AND MAIL CENTRES TO CIRCUMVENT ANY ATTEMPTS MADE BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
"THEY HAVE TO PROCESS A DAILY AVERAGE OF 180 INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, 5,000 VEHICLES, 120 AIRCRAFTS, 150,000 TONNES OF CARGO AND 80,000 ARRIVING PASSENGERS.
"OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, THEY HAVE SEIZED 1,400 KILOGRAMS OF DRUGS WHICH ARE WORTH A TOTAL OF OVER $740 MILLION.
"OUR EFFORTS IN PROTECTING THE COPYRIGHT AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHT OWNERS AND CONTROLS ON TRADE LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN PROMOTING THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN HONG KONG."
MR TONG ALSO EXPLAINED THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND EVER-EXPANDING SCOPE OF DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE POST WORLD WAR II PERIOD WHICH INCLUDED, AMONGST OTHERS, OPERATIONS AGAINST GOLD AND KEROSENE SMUGGLING AND ILLICIT DISTILLERIES IN THE 50’S AND 80’S, AND THE ELIMINATION OF POISONOUS ADULTERATED CHINESE LIQUOR IN 1975.
"HAVING TAKEN UP NEW RESPONSIBILITY TO DETECT NARCOTICS ON LAND IN 1972 AND TO COMBAT PIRACY ACTIVITIES IN 1973, THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 80’S AGAIN FACED THE PROBLEM OF AN UPSURGE IN SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG AFTER CHINA’S LAUNCHING OF THE OPEN DOOR POLICY.
"OVER 900 CASES RELATING TO CHINA-HONG KONG SMUGGLING HAVE BEEN DETECTED SINCE 1981 AND GOODS WORTH $85 MILLION HAVE BEEN RECOVERED."
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, MR TONG SAID THE DEPARTMENT WILL PROGRESS TOWARDS HIGH-TECHNOLOGY AND DIVERSIFICATION TO KEEP PACE WITH CONTINUOUS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
-----0-------
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, AND THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) HAS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 65 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, THREE WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
/THE REMAINING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 59 -
THE REMAINING 62 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
DURING THE OPERATION, TWO TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN HONG KONG. TWO PERSONS SUSPECTED TO BE AIDERS AND ABETTERS WERE INTERCEPTED. THEY ARE NOW ASSISTING THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN THE INVESTIGATIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
>
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
"A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM YESTERDAY AND ENDED THIS MORNING, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 25,036 PERSONS, 4,891 VEHICLES AND 204 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
A TOTAL OF FIVE PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, 26 WERE SUMMONED AND A FURTHER 72 WERE WARNED LN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $ 1,000.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 3,322 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.
ANOTHER 11 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE EITHER KEEPING NO RECORD OR INCOMPLETE RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES, OR POSSESSING NO RECORD AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
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.
- - O - -
Ao
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
- 40 -
NORWAY LIBERALISES TEXTILE QUOTAS * * * *
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NORWAY TO LIBERALISE CERTAIN CATEGORIES IN THE CURRENT HONG KONG/NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT (WHICH RUNS FROM JULY 1, 1987 TO'JUNE 30, 1990), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1988, THREE CATEGORIES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDER QUOTA RESTRAINT WILL BE FULLY LIBERALISED. THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT WHICH AT PRESENT COVERS FOUR OTHER CATEGORIES WILL ALSO BE REMOVED.
THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT USED TO ENABLE NORWAY TO MONITOR THE LEVEL OF IMPORTS OF THE RELEVANT HONG KONG TEXTILE PRODUCTS.
THE THREE RESTRAINT CATEGORIES ARE 12 (KNITTED OR CROCHETED COSTUMES, DRESSES, SUITS, SKIRTS AND TROUSERS, MEN’S AND BOYS’, WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’); 13 (GLOVES, MITTENS AND MITTS); AND 15 (WOVEN ULSTERS, OVERCOATS, CAPES AND COATS, MEN’S AND BOYS’, WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’).
THE FOUR CATEGORIES UNDER THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT ARE 9 (KNITTED OR CROCHETED STOCKINGS, UNDER STOCKINGS, ANKLE-SOCKS, SOCKETTES AND THE LIKE, NOT ELASTIC NOR RUBBERISED, EXCEPT WOMEN’S STOCKINGS, SPORT STOCKINGS AND THICK WOOLLEN SOCKS); 10 (WOVEN DRESSES, HOUSECOATS, FROCKS AND GOWNS, WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’) (GIRLS' WITH HEIGHT ABOVE 110 CM); 11 (WOVEN SKIRTS, INCLUDING DIVIDED SKIRTS, WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’) (GIRLS’ WITH HEIGHT ABOVE 110 CM); AND 18 (KNITTED OR CROCHETED NIGHTWEAR, MEN’S AND BOYS’, WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ AS WELL AS INFANTS’).
THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED THIS MORNING AFTER THREE DAYS OF CONSULTATION HELD IN HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR STUART HARBINSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE. THE NORWEGIAN DELEGATION WAS 'LED BY MR JOHAN IVERSEN, HEAD OF IMPORT DIVISION, ROYAL NORWEGIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
-------O ---------
/41 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
41
LABOUR RELATIONS '88 PRESS CONFERENCE * * * * »
THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE EVENT DUE TO BE LAUNCHED ON NOVEMBER 3.
THE EVENT, AIMED AT ENHANCING LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS, WILL FEATURE A LARGE-SCALE LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE FOR SOME 500 PARTICIPANTS, A SERIES OF SEMINARS AT DISTRICT LEVELS, EXHIB’TIONS, A GALA NIGHT ON TELEVISION, QUIZ AND PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTESTS, A TABLE-TENNIS AND CHESS TOURNAMENT, AND A HANDICRAFT COMPETITION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR'CHAN SUI-KAU; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, MR CHENG YIU-TONG; THE CO-ORDINATOR OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TOMMY CHEUNG; AND THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHOW TUNG-SHAN, WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE ONE-AND-A-HALF-MONTH LONG PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE IVY ROOM, MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, CENTRAL, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
--------o-----------
CONFERENCE ON LAND DEVELOPMENT IN TSUEN WAN
*****
A CONFERENCE ON LAND DEVELOPMENT IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WITH THE AIM OF ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LAND USE IN TSUEN WAN AND MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE PLANNED.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU; DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER/TSUEN WAN, MR HARRY HUI; TOWN PLANNER/TSUEN WAN, MR ANDY TSE AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOPEWELL HOLDINGS LTD., MR GORDON WU.
THOSE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE CAN CALL 0-4149662 FOR SEAT RESERVATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE ON LAND DEVELOPMENT IN TSUEN WAN TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
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A2.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
42
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI PO AND WONG TAI SIN
*****
TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF ON CHEE ROAD WITH ON CHEUNG ROAD, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TAI PO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 28) FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK:
♦ THE LEFT-TURNING MOVEMENT FROM ON CHEE ROAD WESTBOUND TO ON CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE BANNED.
* KMB ROUTES 72B, 72X, 74A, 74K AND 74X ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO TAJ PO MARKET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ON PO ROAD, NAM WAN ROAD TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND PO HEUNG BRIDGE AND WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BUS STOP IN ON CHEUNG ROAD OPPOSITE EIGHTLAND GARDENS.
* KMB ROUTE 64K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BUS STOPS IN ON CHEUNG ROAD NEAR EIGHTLAND GARDENS.
MEANWHILE, THE TAXI STAND AT DIAMOND HILL BUS TERMINUS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE RELOCATED TO LUNG POON STREET SOUTH OF THE LUNG POON COURT ACCESS ROAD TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE AND SITE FORMATION WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER DIAMOND HILL BUS TERMINUS.
-----o------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT AND MID-LEVELS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN NORTH POINT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29)FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING SEVEN METRES IN LENGTH WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND TO TSING FUNG STREET.
MOREOVER, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 26 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
/AT THE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1988
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KENNEDY ROAD '“3 JUNCTION
AT THE SAME TIME, me. ......... --
MID-LEVELS BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF Irs THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE AND A POINT METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE
ABOUT
IN
WITH
10
AN URBAN
DRAINAGE
WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
TO STOP
- 0 - -
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM’S FAMILY’
*****
THE SOCIAL
WELFARE
DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
APPROVED
PAYMENT OF $50,200 FROM THE FUND TO THE FAMILY OF A MAN SHA WAN ROAD ON OCTOBER 11.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE
KILLED IN
A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN
(TAVA)
CHEUNG
THE 35-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS KILLED GOODS VEHICLE AND A DOUBLE-DECKER BUS AND THREE YOUNG DAUGHTERS.
IN
A
AND WAS
CRASH BETWEEN
SURVIVED
BY
A HIS
LIGHT
WIFE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAI CHI KOK FAMILY SERVICES FAMILY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE.
ACCIDENT, STAFF
CENTRE PAID
A
FROM THE
VISIT TO
DEPARTMENT’S
THE BEREAVED
THE TAVA SCHEME AIMS TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS
TO PROVIDE
EARLY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
, OR THEIR DEPENDENTS, REGARDLESS OF
WHO
PAYMENTS ARE MADE FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH ONLY AND IN AN APPLICANT IS ELIGIBLE
CASE OF INJURY NOT CAUSING DEATH, ASSISTANCE IF AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ SICK LEAVE HOSPITALISATION OR BY CERTIFICATION BY A REGISTERED
IS
IS
ELIGIBLE
EVIDENCED
DOCTOR.
MADE
WITHIN
THE
FOR
BY
f
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE
MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE SCHEME DOES NOT AFFECT THE ^PILICANl RIGHT TO MAKE OTHER CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES IN THE USUAL WAY.
SIX
’S
ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE TAVA SECTION AT THE FIRST FLOOR OF VICTORIA CENTRE, 15 CAUSEWAY BAY OR BY CALLING 5-702410.
DEPARTMENT’S
WATSON ROAD,
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 377, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RETURNS EROM EUROPEAN MISSION ...................... 1
MAINTAINING HK'S STATUS AS MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE ........... 2
CONTINUOUS EFFORTS NEEDED TO PROMOTE LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS ..................................................... 3
FAREWELL TO MEDICAL DIRECTOR................................. *+
HYF TO OPERATE CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST SERVICE......... 6
TRAVELLING FROM MA ON SHAN TO SAI KUNG IN 15 MINUTES ........ 6
NEW ESF SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG .................................. 7
AIRPORT GROUND NOISE STJDY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........... 8
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SHOW FOR LAMMA ISLANDERS ......... 9
FACELIFT FOR BUILDINGS IN WAN CHAI LANES .................... 10
2ND QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS........... 10
TWO RESIDENTIAL LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED......................... 1^
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ID CARD APPLICATIONS AT YUEN LONG ... 14
RIGHT-TURN BAN AT DES VOEUX ROAD WEST........................ 15
FRESH WATER CUT IN CHOI HUNG ................................ 15
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27,
1988
GOVERNOR RETURNS *
FROM EUROPEAN MISSION * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, RETURNED TO HONG KONG THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING AFTER AN EXTENSIVE TOUR OF EUROPE PROMOTING TRADE AND INVESTMENT AND PUTTING ACROSS THE PROBLEMS HONG KONG FACED IN DEALING WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE LANDING IN THE TERRITORY.
BRIEFING THE PRESS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS MISSION IN WESTERN EUROPE, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH BRITISH MINISTERS AND WITH OFFICIALS IN BONN, BRUSSELS AND PARIS.
HE WAS PUTTING ACROSS THE POINT IN THESE COUNTRIES THAT IN EACH PLACE THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO HAVE CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THOSE PARTICULAR COUNTRIES.
THE GOVERNOR URGED THE COUNTRIES TO LOOK PARTICULARLY AT THOSE CASES AND HE SAID THAT ALL UNDERTOOK TO DO SO.
"BUT THERE IS ALSO THE QUESTION OF A CONTINUING OVERALL RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME AND THAT IN PARTICULAR WAS A POINT PUT ACROSS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE ADDED.
ASKED TO WHAT EXTENT HE WOULD BLAME THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES FOR THE DILEMMA WHICH HONG KONG NOW FOUND ITSELF, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS A LARGE PART OF OUR PROBLEM.
"THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING HERE HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ABLE TO GO THROUGH RESETTLEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, HAS GONE DOWN DRAMATICALLY, SO THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF RESETTLEMENT PLACES IS A VERY LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE TO FACE," HE SAID.
ON HIS FORTHCOMING TRIP TO CHINA, SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD BE ANOTHER ONE OF HIS REGULAR VISITS TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH CHINESE LEADERS ABOUT MATTERS WHICH ARE OF COMMON INTEREST BETWEEN PEKING AND HONG KONG.
HE SAID HE WOULD WANT TO BE BRIEFED ON WHAT WAS GOING ON ABOUT THE RE-DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, THE WAY IN WHICH THE CHINESE LEADERS WOULD EXPECT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF COMMENTS MADE IN HONG KONG ON THE FIRST DRAFT.
SPEAKING OF HIS EUROPEAN TOUR, SIR DAVID SAID HE FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN WHAT WAS GOING ON IN HONG KONG.
"BUT I DO THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD MAKE A CONSISTENT EFFORT TO GO OUT AND ACTUALLY TELL PEOPLE WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE AND ALSO WHAT THE PROSPECTS ARE FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
"THAT’S THE WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT TRADE BUILDS UP AND THAT WE HAVE CONTINUING INVESTMENT," HE ADDED.
/COMMENTING ON .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
- 2 -
COMMENTING ON THE TRADE PROSPECT IN 1992 WHEN THE INTERNAL TRADE BARRIERS GO DOWN IN EUROPE, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE HAVE TO LOOK TO THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MIGHT PROVIDE FOR US AND WE HAVE TO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY POTENTIAL DANGERS AND, IF NECESSARY, TAKE PRE-EMPTIVE ACTION TO DEAL WITH THEM."
RETURNING WITH THE GOVERNOR WERE LADY WILSON AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE. THEY WERE GREETED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; ACTING SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MISS MARIA TAM; AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
-------o ---------
MAINTAINING HK’S STATUS AS MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE
*****
FURTHER SAFEGUARDS ARE TO BE INTRODUCED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG MAINTAINS STANDARDS CONSISTENT WITH ITS ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE MONEY 88 EXHIBITION, MR NENDICK SAID THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR, HONG KONG HAD BUILT ON THE EXPERIENCE GAINED LAST OCTOBER AND THE PROCESS CONTINUED.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS AND THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS." HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE EVENTS OF LAST OCTOBER ALSO REMINDED US THAT RISK AND RETURN WERE INSEPARABLE ELEMENTS IN ANY INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENT WAS BECOMING MORE COMPLEX AND SOPHISTICATED.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE INVESTING PUBLIC TO IDENTIFY THEIR OBJECTIVES AND UNDERSTAND THE RANGE OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM BEFORE THEY MAKE THEIR CHOICE," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE'S REPORT IN JUNE, PLANS WERE WELL IN HAND TO ESTABLISH A NEW REGULATORY AUTHORITY, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, TO REPLACE THE EXISTING REGULATORY STRUCTURE.
HE SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
MR NENDICK SAID THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED A FUNDAMENTAL REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT OF BOTH THE STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES.
"THE STOCK EXCHANGE ACCEPTED THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND, THANKS TO THEIR INITIATIVE, A NEW STRUCTURE IS ALREADY IN PLACE.
"THE FUTURES EXCHANGE IS ALSO AT AN ADVANCED STAGE IN IMPLEMENTING A NEW CLEARING AND RISK MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE," HE SAID.
------o-------
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
- 5 -
CONTINUOUS EFFORTS NEEDED TO PROMOTE LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS ♦ * * * t
HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IS THE BASIS FOR ANY SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE AS WELL AS FOR THE STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF A COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SUI-KAU, SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING DETAILS ABOUT THE EVENT TODAY (THURSDAY), MR CHAN SAID: "THE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF LABOUR-MANAGEMENT STRIFE IN INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT CONTINUOUS ATTENTION AND EFFORTS MUST BE MADE TO PROMOTE GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.
"THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD THEREFORE DECIDES TO ORGANISE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, A LARGE-SCALE PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME CALLED LABOUR RELATIONS '88.
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS TERRITORY-WIDE EVENT IS TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS, TO SHARE THE SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE OF ENLIGHTENED PEOPLE MANAGEMENT, AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUES AND CO-OPERATION AMONG EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, ACADEMICS AND LABOUR OFFICIALS."
MR CHAN NOTED THAT LR '88 WHICH WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH THE OPENING OF A LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON NOVEMBER 3, FEATURES A SERIES OF DIVERSIFIED EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
IT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $1 MILLION, SOLELY CONTRIBUTED BY SOME 200 MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS, TRADE UNION FEDERATIONS, COMMERCIAL FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS.
”IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE EVENT IS VERY KEEN," MR CHAN POINTED OUT.
"FURTHERMORE, AN EXPERT ON LABOUR RELATIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, MR MICHIO HAMADA, WILL ALSO FLY IN FROM THE ILO REGIONAL OFFICE IN BANGKOK TO DELIVER A TALK ON THE OPENING DAY."
MR CHAN CALLED ON ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THE PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMMES IN THE COMING MONTHS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE CHAIRMAN , OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, MR CHENG YIU-TONG, AND THE CO-ORDINATOR OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TOMMY CHEUNG.
MR CHENG SPOKE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING GOOD LABOURMANAGEMENT RELATIONS.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
4
HE SAID THAT LABOUR DISPUTES, IF NOT SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED, WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BENEFIT OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
HE HOPED THAT THROUGH THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF LR ’88, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CLOSER CO-OPERATION AND COMMUNICATION WOULD BE ACHIEVED BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
MR TOMMY CHEUNG GAVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTS OFF WITH A LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE FOR SOME 460 PARTICIPANTS AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
HE NOTED THAT 26 PROMINENT SPEAKERS - INCLUDING TWO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, FOUR MANAGING DIRECTORS, FIVE DIRECTORS AND FOUR CHAIRMEN OF UNIONS - WILL SPEAK AT THE OPENING CONFERENCE.
"OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A SEMINAR FOR TOP LEVEL EXECUTIVES ON QUALITY CIRCLES, TEN DISTRICT SEMINARS, NINE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS, FOUR INTER-COMPANY COMPETITIONS IN CHESS, PHOTOGRAPHY, TABLE TENNIS AND HANDICRAFT, TWO QUIZZES AND A GALA NIGHT ON HK-TVB TO WIND UP THE EVENT ON DECEMBER 16," MR CHEUNG SAID.
THE WINNERS IN THE TABLE-TENNIS AND CHESS COMPETITIONS WILL EACH RECEIVE A CASH PRIZE OF $5,000.
ARRANGEMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR THE WINNER OF THE CHESS COMPETITION TO TAKE PART IN A FRIENDLY MATCH WITH CHINA’S NATIONAL CHAMPION WHO WILL COME TO HONG KONG SPECIALLY FOR LR ’88, MR CHEUNG ADDED.
--------o ---------
FAREWELL TO MEDICAL DIRECTOR
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR K.L. THONG, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON ATTENDED A FAREWELL LUNCH HELD IN HIS HONOUR BY THE DEPARTMENT STAFF.
ABOUT 200 OFFICERS, INCLUDING DIRECTORATE STAFF, CONSULTANTS, DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE OUT-GOING DIRECTOR.
DR THONG WILL BE GOING ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON NOVEMBER 1 AFTER 18 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE. HE IS THE LONGEST SERVING DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
HE FIRST JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS A PRINCIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER IN 1970.
/TWO YEARS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
- 5 -
TWO YEARS LATER, HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND HE BECAME DIRECTOR ON JANUARY 1, 1977. HE WAS APPOINTED COMMISSIONER OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE SAME YEAR.
IN HIS FAREWELL SPEECH TO DR THONG, DR S.H. LEE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DIRECTOR FOR HIS IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS DURING HIS TENURE OF OFFICE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD GREATLY EXPANDED IN THE PAST 12 YEARS, WITH MORE THAN 50 PERCENT INCREASE IN HOSPITAL BEDS AND MORE THAN 150 PERCENT INCREASE IN STAFF.
"THIS IS TRULY A PERIOD OF UNPARALLELED EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF SERVICE WITH NEW EQUIPMENT ACQUIRED AND NEW AND SOPHISICATED SERVICE INTRODUCED, HE ADDED.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE DEPARTMENT FACED TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ARISING FROM RAPID POPULATION INCREASE AND RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATION COUPLED WITH RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS.
DESPITE THESE DIFFICULTIES, DR LEE SAID THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION AND CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANISATION AND A DEFINITE FACELIFT IN THE MEDICAL SCENE.
"HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR DR THONG’S STRONG LEADERSHIP AND UNFAILING GUIDANCE, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTAIN SUCH ACCOMPLISHMENT AS WE SEE IT TODAY,” HE STRESSED.
DR THONG WAS AWARDED THE COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CBE) IN 1980. HE WAS RECENTLY AWARDED A MEDAL FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN HONG KONG.
TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, DR LEE PRESENTED TO DR THONG ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT A BRONZE DEER SYMBOLISING FORTUNE, WEALTH AND HEALTH.
-------0 ---------
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
- 6 -
HYF TO OPERATE CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST SERVICE *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO GRANT THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY LTD (HYF) THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO OPERATE A FRANCHISED PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL (EDINBURGH PLACE)
AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT HOVERFERRIES WILL BE USED ON THE SERVICE. THE FARES WILL BE $3.00 FOR PEAK HOUR JOURNEYS AND $2.00 FOR OFF-PEAK HOUR JOURNEYS.
SINCE 1986, HYF HAS BEEN OPERATING A TEMPORARY HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN BLAKE PIER IN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
AS THE SERVICE PROVIDES A THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ON THE COMMITTEE, DECIDED THAT IT SHOULD
CONVENIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINK, ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY BE OPERATED AS A PERMANENT FULL-DAY
SERVICE.
DETAILS ABOUT PIER ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMMENCEMENT AND EXTENSION OF OPERATING HOURS
THE SERVICE, DATE OF WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
--------0 ---------
TRAVELLING FROM MA ON SHAN TO SAI KUNG IN 15 MINUTES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFICIATED AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FINAL STAGE OF SAI SHA ROAD.
WITH THE OPENING OF THIS SECTION OF SAI SHA ROAD FROM THIS MORNING, MOTORISTS ARE NOW ABLE TO TRAVEL FROM MA ON SHAN, SHA TIN TO SAI KUNG TOWN IN 15 MINUTES.
BEFORE, THERE WAS NO DIRECT ROAD LINKING THE TWO PLACES. VEHICLES HAD TO TRAVEL VIA KOWLOON.
SAI SHA ROAD ALSO PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF ACCESS TO MA ON SHAN AND TO SAI KUNG WHICH BEFORE COULD ONLY BE REACHED BY MA ON SHAN ROAD AND HIRAM’S HIGHWAY.
THE SAI SHA ROAD PROJECT INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3.5-KILOMETRE EXTENSION ROAD FROM THE EXISTING SAI SHA ROAD AT THE NAI CHUNG VILLAGE, SAI KUNG TO MA ON SHAN ROAD, MA ON SHAN.
CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN MID-1987 AND TOOK 17 MONTHS TO COMPLETE AT A COST OF $43 MILLION.
/IT WAS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE SECTION WITHIN MA ON SHAN WHILE THE REMAINING SECTION WAS THE JOB OF HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW ROAD CONSISTS OF A 7.3-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH PROVISION FOR A FOOTPATH AND CYCLE TRACK TOGETHER WITH LANDSCAPED AREAS.
THE ORIGINAL SMALL CARPARK AT NAI CHUNG HAS BEEN ENLARGED TO ACCOMMODATE NEW BUS BAYS, COACH AND CARPARKING SPACES AND OTHER NEW FACILITIES.
A 300-METRE ACCESS ROAD TO THE BEACH NEAR LOK WO SHA, TOGETHER WITH COACH AND CARPARKING FACILITIES AND A TURNING CIRCLE, HAVE ALSO BEEN CONSTRUCTED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON; ACTING DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR TANG KWOK-KEE; CHAIRMAN OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WAN HON-CHEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM; CHAIRMAN OF TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG; SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LAU HON-KIT; AND SAI KUNG NORTH RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TANG KWONG-WING.
--------0----------
NEW ESF SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG * * * * *
APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL IN CLEARWATER BAY TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR PLACES IN SAI KUNG.
THE NEW ESF PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON A 3,300-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TAI PO TSAI NEAR THE SHAW BROTHERS STUDIO AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN DECEMBER 1990.
IT WILL HAVE 18 CLASSROOMS, A HALL, A COVERED PLAYGROUND, AND SPECIAL ROOMS.
WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE NEW SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE 540 ADDITIONAL PRIMARY PLACES FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING CHILDREN.
PROGRESS ON THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS FIRST APPROVED IN MARCH THIS YEAR, WAS HELD UP OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OF PROVIDING FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO THE FUTURE BUILDINGS.
/IN ADDITION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
- 8 -
IN ADDITION, PROJECTIONS BY THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ITS EXPATRIATE RECRUITMENT MADE IT NECESSARY TO REASSESS THE DEMAND FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOL PLACES IN SAI KUNG.
"THE HKUST EXPECTS TO RECRUIT A VERY HIGH PROPORTION OF ITS STAFF FROM OVERSEAS,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO INCREASED DEMAND FOR ESF PLACES IN THE DISTRICT. HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE PREVIOUS DELAYS IN PROVIDING A SITE FOR THE ESF IN SAI KUNG WE DECIDED THAT THE PROPOSED SCHOOL SHOULD GO AHEAD AS PLANNED, RATHER THAN TRYING AT THIS LATE STAGE TO EXPAND IT," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEMAND FOR ESF PLACES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CAREFULLY MONITORED TO ENSURE THAT NO SHORTFALL IN SUPPLY WOULD ARISE IN SAI KUNG OR ANY OTHER AREA IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PREMISES NOW OCCUPIED BY BOUNDARY JUNIOR SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ESF, AT LEAST IN PART, FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW SCHOOL AT CLEARWATER BAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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AIRPORT GROUND NOISE STUDY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE K«UN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE TOLD AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON OF THE FINDING OF A STUDY ON NOISE GENERATED BY GROUND-BASED ACTIVITIES AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS OF RICHLAND GARDENS.
A REPORT ON THE STUDY, COMPLETED IN MAY, RECOMMENDS A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO TACKLE THE NOISE PROBLEM AT SOURCE AND ON OPERATIONAL ASPECTS.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROGRESS MADE IN THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.
A CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, MR JOSEPH TANG, AND AN ACTING SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR RICHARD KWAN, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
/THE MEETING .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27,
1988
THE MEETING WILL ALSO REVIEW THE OPERATIONS OF THE JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL AND THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS WORKS PROJECTS AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT IN KWUN TONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A NOTICE BOARD AT YAU TONG LOWER VILLAGE AND CONSTRUCTION OF A WELCOMING SIGN AT THE JUNCTION OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SHOW FOR LAMMA ISLANDERS
******
AN EXHIBITION AND A VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MESSAGE WILL BE HELD ON LAMMA ISLAND THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29) AFTERNOON AT THE SOK KWU WAN BASKETBALL COURT.
"THE EXHIBITION WILL START AT 4 PM WHEN MATERIALS CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WINNING ENTRIES OF A PHOTO CONTEST WILL BE DISPLAYED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"THE PHOTO CONTEST WAS HELD LAST MONTH WITH THE THEME OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND PARTICIPANTS HAD TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS FEATURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT THAT CALL FOR IMPROVEMENT," HE SAID.
"A VARIETY SHOW WITH POP SONG SINGING WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT AND TO PUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE ISLANDERS," HE SAID.
"ALL RESIDENTS ON LAMMA ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND ADMISSION IS FREE," HE ADDED.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THIS KIND OF ACTIVITIES ISLANDERS WILL BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TAKE PART IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/1O
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
10 FACELIFT FOR BUILDINGS IN WAN CHAI LANES ft * ft * * ft
BUILDINGS IN A NUMBER OF REAR LANES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE WHITEWASHED ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29) MORNING WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
THE EVENT HAS BEEN PLANNED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI UNDER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
OFFICIATING AT A STARTING CEREMONY WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR NORMAN LO; CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MR RAYMOND CHOW; AND MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDER, JUDGE CHISM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE STARTING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29) AT 10.30 AM AT THE REAR LANE OF 121-131 THOMSON ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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2ND QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ft ft ft ft ft
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, 4,021 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 23.7 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 234 (OR 6PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.1 MILLION NRT (OR 5 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE ’’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT APRIL - JUNE 1988” PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT.
/WHEN ANALYSED .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+153) AND OIL TANKERS (+96), WHILE A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (-35) .
ANALYSED BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES IN NUMBER WERE RECORDED FOR SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+109), PANAMA (+50) AND RUSSIA (+23), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN DENMARK (-46), JAPAN (-29) AND SOUTH £OREA (-17).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 132 WHILE THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 102.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, THERE WERE 4,007 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 23.7 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 236 (OR 6 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.1 MILLION NRT (OR 5 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 18 PER CENT. ABOUT 68 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR UNDER TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 84 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 16 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 58 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 42 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SOUTH AFRICA (16 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (14 PER CENT), JAPAN (12 PER CENT), CHINA (11 PER CENT), TAIWAN (9 PER CENT) AND AUSTRALIA (8 PER CENT).
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE U.S.A. (20 PER CENT), CHINA (13 PER CENT), TAIWAN (12 PER CENT), JAPAN (7 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (5 PER CENT).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (27 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (15 PER CENT), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (21 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (12 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA (+84 PER CENT), INDONESIA (+61 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+30 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+21 PER CENT).
MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM SOUTH KOREA (-33 PER CENT) AND CHINA (-10 PER CENT).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 19 PER CENT.
/AMONG THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
- 12 -
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+65 PER CENT), COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+31 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (+30 PER CENT), ORGANIC CHEMICALS (+22 PER CENT) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+18 PER CENT).
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (EXCLUDING FURNITURE) (-12 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+78 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+50 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (+39 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+34 PER CENT), INDONESIA (+18 PER CENT) AND THAILAND (+16 PER CENT)■
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO SOUTH KOREA (-7 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF NON-FERROUS METALS (+112 PER CENT), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+104 PER CENT), ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+102 PER CENT), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+61 PER CENT) AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (+54 PER CENT).
A DECREASE IN TONNAGE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF INORGANIC CHEMICALS (-18 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED F'ROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 31 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THAT LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 77 PER CENT WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 26 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. (83 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (82 PER CENT), ITALY (67 PER CENT) AND SOUTH KOREA (59 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 ROSE BY 18 PER CENT OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
/AMONG SEABORNE........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
AMONG SEABORNE IMPORTS OF THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 92 PER CENT OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 91 PER CENT OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 88 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPER BOARD, 85 PER CENT OF CHEMICAL MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND 83 PER CENT OF TEXTILE FIBRES.
OF SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 72 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL OR ALMOST ALL OF THE SEABORNE EXPORTS TO WEST GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA, THE U.S.A. AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 ROSE BY 24 PER CENT OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987 .
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR; CANNED FOOD; COTTON GARMENTS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; TOYS; MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND COTTON TEXTILES.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING THE STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT" FOR APRIL TO JUNE 1988, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CENTRAL, AT $22 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234887.
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/1A .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
14
TWO RESIDENTIAL LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED ♦ ♦ * ♦
TWO RESIDENTIAL LOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY AUCTION TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ONE OF THE LOTS IS IN TUEN MUN AND COVERS ABOUT 12,390 SQUARE METRES.
THE OTHER LOT IS AT RAZOR HILL, SAI KUNG, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,743 SQUARE METRES.
BOTH LOTS ARE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE AUCTION WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
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TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ID CARD APPLICATIONS AT YUEN LONG
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT OWING TO A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, THE YUEN LONG NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE SITUATED AT HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD, YUEN LONG, WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BETWEEN 2 PM AND 5 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
’’HOWEVER, APPLICANTS COULD STILL COLLECT THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS AND OBTAIN APPOINTMENTS DURING THE OFFICE HOURS OF THIS OFFICE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
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/15........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1988
RIGHT-TURN BAN AT DES VOEUX ROAD WEST *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT NO VEHICLES EXCEPT TRAMS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM WESTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO EASTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST NEAR THE WHITTY STREET TRAM TERMINUS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 29). 4
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK ALTERATIONS.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN CHOI HUNG ♦ * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CHOI HUNG ESTATE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TONIGHT (THURSDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER WORKS.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FREE ECONOMY KEEPS HONG KONG ABREAST OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS .... 1
CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE COURTS .............................. 2
BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTED ................. 4
WORKING GROUP ON REFUGEES HOLDS FIRST MEETING ............... 5
FIRST DIRECTOR OF OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE APPOINTED.......... 6
DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVES NEXT WEEK.......................... 7
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION FOR ALL NEW-BORNS ................... 7
ROLE OF POLICE TACTICAL UNIT TO BE EXPANDED ............... 9
MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO COLLECT TAXES FROM NON-RESIDENTS... 10
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR S261 MILLION .................. 11
STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMMISSIONED..................... 11
MEASURES MAPPED OUT TO REDUCE AIRPORT GROUND NOISE ......... 12
AIRPORT GROUND NOISE EXEMPTION ORDER GAZETTED .............. 14
FAREWELL DINNER FOR AMS COMMISSIONER ....................... 14
ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL IN KWUN TONG THIS SUNDAY .............. 15
ANTI-NARCOTICS TELE-MATCH DAY IN WONG TAI SIN .............. 16
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES FOR RESIDENTS ........... 17
PHOTO COMPETITION ENTRIES CLOSE ON MONDAY .................. 17
ENROLMENT FOR 1988 JOURNALISM SYMPOSIUM BEGINS ............. 19
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN TOMORROW .............. 19
RESTRICTED ZONES IN FUK MAN ROAD............................ 20
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI ............. 21
REORGANISATION OF GMB ROUTES 14M AND 21M.................... 21
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG .............................. 22
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
FREE ECONOMY KEEPS HONG KONG ABREAST OF
******
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
BEING RESPONSIVE TO CHANGE BECAUSE OF ITS FREE ECONOMY HONG KONG CAN KEEP ABREAST OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS, REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) IN OSAKA, JAPAN.
ADDRESSING THE JAPAN/HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS PROBABLY UNIQUE IN THE WAY IN WHICH IT HAD PROSPERED BY MAINTAINING AN OPEN ECONOMY, BY ENCOURAGING THE FREE FLOW OF GOODS, TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL AND BY WELCOMING COMPETITION,
"HONG KONG HAS PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA’S ECONOMY AND EXTERNAL TRADE.
"A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TRADE BETWEEN CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN IS ROUTED THROUGH HONG KONG," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD REGAINED ITS ROLE AS THE NATURAL GATEWAY TO SOUTHERN CHINA AND ITS CONTAINER PORT WAS NOW THE BUSIEST IN THE WORLD. OUTWARD PROCESSING PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTS FROM JOINT-VENTURE FACTORIES IN CHINA WERE ALSO SHIPPED THROUGH HONG KONG.
WITH REGARD TO JAPAN, MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT JAPAN WAS A MAJOR PRESENCE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
"A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF HONG KONG CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY CONSORTIA WITH STRONG JAPANESE INVOLVEMENT," HE SAID, QUOTING THE $3.4 BILLION SECOND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS AN EXAMPLE.
SINO-JAPANESE TRADE THROUGH HONG KONG ALSO JUMPED FROM $40 MILLION IN 1978 TO $12,926 MILLION LAST YEAR.
"WE ARE YOUR FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, ABSORBING 3.9 PER CENT OF JAPAN’S TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1987," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG HAD ALSO OVERTAKEN JAPAN AS CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, TAKING UP OVER 20 PER CENT OF ITS TRADE.
SINCE 1978 TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD GROWN 19 TIMES, WITH AN INCREASING PROPORTION OF THAT TRADE BEING RE-EXPORTS TO AND FROM CHINA.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SET UP AN ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TOKYO LAST MONTH WHICH REPRESENTS HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN COMMERCIAL RELATIONS AND OTHER ECONOMIC AND TRADE MATTERS WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
IT ALSO INCORPORATES THE EXISTING HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICE IN TOKYO.
"THIS USEFULLY SYMBOLISES THE GROWING IMPORTANCE WHICH WE ATTACH TO OUR ECONOMIC AND TRADE TIES TO JAPAN," MR MACLEOD CONCLUDED.
------o ------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 2 -
CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE COURTS *****
THERE ARE MANY POSSIBILITIES IN INCREASING THE USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE COURTS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE JUDICIARY IS AT THE MOMENT CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE REPORT OF A WORKING PARTY ON THE GREATER USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN COURTS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS, SIR TI LIANG SAID WHEN ADDRESSING THE LAW SOCIETY LEGAL ADVICE AND DUTY LAWYER SCHEMES ANNUAL DINNER. I
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO COME TO SOME FAIRLY FIRM CONCLUSIONS ON SUCH ISSUES AS MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES REGARDING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE COURTS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
BECAUSE THE REPORT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FAVOURABLY BY THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT HE WAS ENCOURAGED TO THINK THAT THE FRAMEWORK FOR INCREASED USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE COURTS AND COURT PROCEDURE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FAIRLY SOON AND WITHOUT UNSURMOUNTABLE DIFFICULTIES.
"FOR ABOUT 140 YEARS, THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE LAW HAS BEEN ENGLISH. EVEN WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ORDINANCE 1974, THE USE OF CHINESE WAS LIMITED TO THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, THE CORONERS’ COURTS, THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND ONE OR TWO OTHER COURTS. IN THE HIGHER COURTS, ENGLISH CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY LANGUAGE WHICH MAY BE USED," HE SAID.
"QUITE APART FROM CONSIDERATIONS CONNECTED WITH 1997, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT A GREATER USE OF CHINESE MUST BE ENCOURAGED. THE COMING OF 1997 MAKES THE ISSUE MORE URGENT."
SIR TI LIANG ADDED THAT BY CHINESE. HE MEANT THE SPOKEN CANTONESE AND THE CONVENTIONAL WRITTEN CHINESE.
"THE ULTIMATE QUESTION IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THIS ASPIRATION IS FEASIBLE, IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES, TIME SCALE AND THE SMOOTH AND EXPEDITIOUS ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE," HE SAID.
"CONNECTED WITH THE SETTING UP OF A SYSTEM OR STRUCTURE IN WHICH THE USE OF CHINESE MAY BE INCREASED IN AN ORDERLY FASHION, THE CONSIDERATION OF THE NUMBER OF CHINESE-SPEAKING JUDICIAL OFFICERS CANNOT BE OVERLOOKED. SO LONG AS COURTS ARE PRESIDED OVER BY EXPATRIATES, THE USE OF CHINESE MUST OF PRACTICAL NECESSITY BE LIMITED."
SIR TI LIANG SAID THAT BROADLY SPEAKING, THE GREATER USE OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN CHINESE SHOULD BE EXAMINED AS A TOTAL PACKAGE COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF THE TOPIC, NAMELY, ITS USE IN LOWER AND HIGHER COURTS, AND IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. THUS, THE USE OF A LANGUAGE IN THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS MUST BE RELATED TO THE LANGUAGE TO BE USED ON APPEAL IN THE HIGH COURT.
/he pointed
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
3 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY QUESTIONS WOULD ARISE FROM TRYING TO USE THE SAME LANGUAGE IN THE LOWER AND HIGHER COURTS AND NONE OF THESE QUESTIONS WAS EASY TO ANSWER. THIS SHOWED THAT THE JUDICIARY COULD NOT STUDY JUST ONE PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM OR ONE PARTICULAR TYPE OF DOCUMENT IN ISOLATION IN ITS CONSIDERATION TO INCREASE THE USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE COURTS.
SIR LI LIANG ALSO SAID THAT THE OTHER BROAD QUESTION WAS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE OUGHT TO PAY FOR THE INCREASED USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE.
"CRIMINAL CASES, PERHAPS, PRESENT FEWER DIFFICULTIES. IT IS GENERALLY AGREED THAT WHERE A PERSON’S LIBERTY IS AT STAKE, AND WHERE THE PUBLIC HAS A MORE IMMEDIATE INTEREST IN THE PRESERVATION OF LAW AND ORDER, THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY IS ACCEPTABLE," HE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS, WHERE PRIVATE INTERESTS ARE INVOLVED, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC IS TO PAY FOR SUCH PRIVATE DISPUTES GIVES RISE TO QUITE DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS. IN SOME WAYS, THE PUBLIC IS ALREADY SUBSIDISING PRIVATE LITIGATIONS, SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF COURT BUILDINGS, JUDGES AND A WHOLE VARIETY OF FACILITIES WHICH COURT FEES AND COSTS DO NOT BEGIN TO PAY FOR. IT IS ALL A QUESTION OF BALANCE AND PRIORITIES."
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE SOLUTION OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS WAS ALSO DEPENDENT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF A CADRE OF TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS.
"IT IS, FROM THAT FACTOR ALONE, DIFFICULT FOR INCREASED USE OF CHINESE TO BE ACHIEVED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT DEGREE IN THE SHORT TERM,” HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, SIR TI LIANG ALSO MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF AN AUTHORITATIVE GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS AND PHRASES IN THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE LANGUAGES.
"THERE IS NO SUCH WORK AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT, AND THE URGENT NEED FOR IT CANNOT BE OVER-STRESSED," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT IN HIS OWN VIEW, THERE WAS LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN USING CHINESE, WHERE A COURT DEALT LARGELY WITH FACTUAL ISSUES SUCH AS IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS.
BUT IT MAY WELL BE THAT IN THE HIGHER COURTS, WHERE LEGAL ISSUES WERE DEALT WITH MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN FACTUAL ISSUES, THE USE OF CHINESE WOULD BE VERY MUCH LIMITED.
IT WAS WHEN IN HAVING TO COPE WITH INTRICATE CONCEPTS OF LAW OR HIGHLY TECHNICAL LEGAL LANGUAGE THAT DIFFICULTIES CAME IN.
"EVEN THEN, A CASE MAY WELL BE MADE OUT FOR A JURY TRIAL IN A CRIMINAL CASE IN THE HIGH COURT TO BE INDUCTED IN CHINESE, WITH A CHINESE SPEAKING JURY," HE SAID.
TO EXPLAIN IT, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT ONE MIGHT ANTICIPATE A SIMPLE ROBBERY OR MURDER CASE, FOUGHT LARGELY ON FACTS COUPLED WITH A FEW BASIC AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE.
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A •.....
■FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTED ♦ * * » *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED A BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE COMMITTEE WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNOR TN COUNCIL ON THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CHINESE TEXT OF EXISTING ORDINANCES WHICH HAVE BEEN ENACTED IN ENGLISH," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO ADVISE ON OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS SUCH AS THE SEQUENCE OF ORDINANCES FOR WHICH CHINESE TEXT SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE.
"THERE ARE 31 VOLUMES OF THE bAWS OF HONG KONG, CONSISTING OF 523 PUBLIC ORDINANCES. THE PREPARATION OF AUTHENTIC CHINESE TEXT OF THESE ORDINANCES IS A TASK ENTRUSTED TO THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT."
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE CHAIRED BY DR DANIEL TSE CHI-WAI, A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND PRESIDENT OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
♦ DR SERENA JIN SHENG-HWA - HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF TRANSLATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
♦ DR RICHARD HO MAN-WUI - LECTURER IN CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
* MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN - A SOLICITOR.
* MR ANTHONY FRANCIS NEOH - A BARRISTER.
* MR ALBERT CHEN HUNG-YEE - SENIOR LECTURER OF THE FACULTY OF LAW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
* MR FRANCIS CHEUNG - SENIOR ASSISTANT LAW DRAFTSMAN.
* MR ANGUS MIU - COMMISSIONER FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE.
THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMITTEE WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN EXERCISING HIS AUTHORITY AS PROVIDED UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1987.
WITH REGARD TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. ON THE COMMITTEE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THEY HAD BEEN APPOINTED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE SERVED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
ENQUIRIES ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MAY BE MADE TO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION ON TEL. 5-8622929, HE ADDED.
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/5.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 5 -
WORKING GROUP ON REFUGEES HOLDS FIRST MEETING
*****
THE WORKING GROUP FOR CLOSED CENTRES IN TUEN MUN, SET UP TO MONITOR AND ADVISE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RELAXATION PROGRAM' !. FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT THE BOWRING, SAN YICK, AND PILLAR POINT CLOSED CENTRES, HELD ITS FIRST MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THIS FOLLOWED THE FIRST MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE SHAM SHU1 PO CLOSED CENTRE HELD LAST FRIDAY (OCTOBER 21).
AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED TODAY WERE JOB PLACEMENT FOR DIE REFUGEES, PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOP THE CENTRES AND THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN THE LOCALITY.
ON JOB PLACEMENT ARRANGEMENTS, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT SUC' SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES AND ITS DESIGNATED VOLUNTARY AGENCY.
THEY WERE GIVEN THE ASSURANCE THAT THE PROGRAMME OF ARRANGING EMPLOYMENT FOR THE REFUGEES WOULD BE PHASED TO AVOID A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES JOINING THE LABOUR MARKET AT ANY ONE TIME.
IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE UNHCR OR THE VOLUNTARY AGENCY CONCERNED SHOULD ENSURE THAT REFUGEES SUITABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT WOULD BE GIVEN APPROPRIATE TRAINING IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WEI. AS INFORMATION ON THE RELEVANT LABOUR LEGISLATION TO FACILITATE THEIR ADJUSTMENT TO THE NEW WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
SIMILAR TO THE ARRANGEMENT BEING MADE FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOSED CENTRE, PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE THREE CLOSED CENTRES IN TUEN MUN WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY AN AGENCY APPOINTED BY THE UNHCR.
GOVERNMENT AND AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES STAFF CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN THE CLOSED CENTRES WOULD BE RELIEVED OF SUCH RESPONSIBILITY WHEN THE AGENCY EVENTUALLY TAKES OVER.
AS FOR THE CENTRES’ MANAGEMENT SERVICES, THE WORKING GROUP LEARNED THAT FOLLOWING THE FULL RELAXATION OF THE CENTRES WHEN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF AND POLICE WILL WITHDRAW, A MANAGEMENT AGENCY WOULD BE APPOINTED FOR EACH CENTRE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNHCR.
THE AGENCY WOULD TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY AND EFFECTIVELY DISCHARGE THE MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS BEFORE FULL RELAXATION IS TO BE ACHIEVED.
THE MEETING WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD CLOSELY ,OMITOR THE SITUATION AND MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO COPE WITH THE ADDITIONAL DEMAND IF THE NEED AROSE.
/TODAY'S WORKING .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
TODAY’S WORKING GROUP MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS CARRIE YAU. LOCAL COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WORKING GROUP ARE MR LAU WONG-FAT, MR CHAN WU-CHING, MISS WAN SHUI-LING AND MR POON CHIN-HUNG.
PRESENT AT THE MEETING TODAY WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN POLICE DISTRICT, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE UNHCR AND VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
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FIRST DIRECTOR OF OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE APPOINTED ♦ * t * ♦
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG (OLI), MR CHENG HON-KWAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR DONALD FRANCIS SWIFT TO BE THE DIRECTOR-DESIGNATE OF THE INSTITUTE.
'THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE OLI, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN EARLY 1989, FOLLOWS AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS,” MR CHENG SAID.
PROF SWIFT, AGED 56, HAS BEEN THE PRINCIPAL OF THE OPEN COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA, SINCE 1981.
FROM 1970-81, HE WAS PROFESSOR OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES AT THE UNITED KINGDOM OPEN UNIVERSITY WHERE HE ALSO SERVED AS PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR (STAFF) FOR SIX YEARS.
PROF SWIFT IS A SOCIOLOGIST BY TRAINING, HAVING GRADUATED FROM HULL UNIVERSITY IN 1959.
HE THEN WENT ON TO OBTAIN A PH.D. IN SOCIAL SCIENCES FROM LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY IN 1963 AND A M.A. FROM BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD, IN 1968.
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FRIDAY,4 OCTOBER 28,
1988
- 7 -
DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVES NEXT WEEK *****
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG NEXT WEEK FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE INTERNATIONAL.
ARRIVING BY AN AIRCRAFT OF THE QUEEN’S FLIGHT ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1), THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL ATTEND A NUMBER OF WWF FUNCTIONS INCLUDING ITS 1988 INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
HE WILL ALSO OFFICIATE AT THE ANNUAL WWF GOLD MEDAL AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND CHAIR A PRESS CONFERENCE.
ON FRIDAY, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL VISIT THE WWF ISLAND HOUSE CONSERVATION STUDIES CENTRE IN TAI PO BEFORE LEAVING HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S ARRIVAL SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 11.45 AM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1).
- 0-----------
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION FOR ALL NEW-BORNS
*****
ALL NEW-BORN BABIES IN HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN FREE HEPATITIS B VACCINATION BEGINNING FROM NOVEMBER 15, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE EXPANDED HEPATITIS B VACCINATION PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $5.5 MILLION ANNUALLY, ALL BABIES BORN IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND MATERNITY HOMES WILL BE VACCINATED.
FOR BABIES BORN IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS, PARENTS CAN EITHER CHOOSE TO HAVE THEM VACCINATED AT THE HOSPITALS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE OR ASK TO BE REFERRED TO ANY OF THE 45 GOVERNMENT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES WHERE FREE VACCINATION IS AVAILABLE.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A TOTAL OF 65,000 BABIES WILL BE COVERED IN ONE YEAR UNDER THE SCHEME.
/THE EXPANDED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 8 -
THE EXPANDED PROGRAMME WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE HEPATITIS B VACCINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE SET UP IN LATE 1982 TO MONITOR AND ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE VACCINATION PROGRAMME.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE EXPANDED PROGRAMME WILL HELP TO CURB THE SPREAD OF HEPATITIS B WHICH IS PREVALENT IN HONG KONG.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION ARE CARRIERS OF THE DISEASE AND ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE CARRIERS WILL SUFFER AND EVENTUALLY DIE FROM CHRONIC LIVER , DISEASE SUCH AS
CIRRHOSIS, OR EVEN LIVER CANCER WHICH IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH IN HONG KONG. *
EXPLAINING THE DETAILS OF THE SCHEME, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THAT EACH BABY WILL RECEIVE A FULL COURSE OF THREE DOSES - THE FIRST AT BIRTH AND THE SECOND ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER WHILE THE LAST DOSE IS GIVEN WHEN THE BABY IS BETWEEN THREE TO FIVE MONTHS OLD.
BABIES WHOSE MOTHERS ARE NOT CARRIERS OF THE DISEASE CAN RECEIVE THE SECOND AND THIRD DOSES IN ANY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES.
FOR BABIES BORN TO CARRIER MOTHERS, THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO THE FOUR REGIONAL HEPATITIS B VACCINATION CLINICS AT TSAN YUK HOSPITAL, QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL FOR FOLLOW-UP.
THESE BABIES ARE ALSO GIVEN EXTRA PROTECTION IN THE FORM OF HEPATITIS B IMMUNOGLOBULIN AT BIRTH.
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT FIRST LAUNCHED A PILOT PROGRAMME FOR HEPATITIS B VACCINATION IN 1983 TO STUDY THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF DIFFERENT VACCINES, DOSAGES AND SCHEDULES.
VACCINATION FOR AT RISK BABIES I.E. BABIES BORN TO CARRIER MOTHERS WAS INTRODUCED IN 1984 AND THE PROGRAMME WAS LATER EXTENDED IN PHASES TO COVER ALL BABIES BORN IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS. IN 1986, SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WERE ALSO INCLUDED.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT INFECTION IN EARLY LIFE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE INFECTED BABIES ARE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO BECOME CARRIERS COMPARED TO ADULTS.
"MANY INFANTS ARE INFECTED BY THE DISEASE DURING BIRTH IF THEIR MOTHERS ARE CARRIERS," HE SAID.
EVEN IF THE MOTHERS ARE NOT CARRIERS, CHILDREN CAN GET INFECTED FROM CONTACT WITH OTHER CARRIERS.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28,’ 1988
- 9 -
ROLE OF POLICE TACTICAL UNIT TO BE EXPANDED
******
THE ROLE OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT (PTU) IS TO BE EXPANDED, NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE MANPOWER TO THE OTHER POLICE REGIONS, BUT ALSO TO ASSUME THE ROLE OF THE MILITARY IN MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR LAND BORDER WITH CHINA, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE ALPHA COMPANY AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT IN FANLING THIS MORNING, MR ANNING SAID THAT PTU HAD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME JUSTIFIABLY ENJOYED A GOOD REPUTATION BOTH OVERSEAS AND HERE IN HONG KONG.
"THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE UNIT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND WILL REMAIN, THE SUPPRESSION OF DISORDER AT TIMES WHEN INTERNAL SECURITY IS THREATENED," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE DAY TO DAY ROLE OF THE PTU HAD CHANGED QUITE DRAMATICALLY OVER THE YEARS, MR ANNING SAID THAT APART FROM HEAVILY COMMITTED TO CROWD CONTROL DUTIES, THE PTU HAD ALSO FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A NEW PTU DEPOT WAS CURRENTLY BEING CUSTOM BUILT AT’VOLUNTEER SLOPES, FANLING AND WOULD BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN 1990.
"THIS WILL ENABLE US TO INCREASE OUR TRAINING FROM TWO TO THREE COMPANIES AT ONE TIME, AND EXPAND THE TRAINING TIME AVAILABLE TO IMPART ADDITIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO FACE THE CHALLENGE OF MODERN HONG KONG AS WE MOVE TOWARD 1997.
"I AM ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT THAT PTU WILL TACKLE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE SAME SPIRIT AND DETERMINATION SHOWN IN THE PAST AND WILL MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD," MR ANNING ADDED.
THE ALPHA COMPANY, THE SEVENTH ONE BEING FORMED AT PTU THIS YEAR, COMPRISES 170 OFFICERS OF VARIOUS RANKS DRAWN FROM HONG KONG ISLAND REGION. IT IS COMMANDED BY SUPERINTENDENT NG CHEE-KIN.
TODAY’S PARADE ALSO MARKED THE DECOMMISSIONING AND RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE OF 14 SARACEN ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS (APCS) AND THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW SAXONS.
BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE SARACENS WHICH HAVE SERVED PTU AND THE FORCE FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS, MR ANNING SAID THAT THE POLICE WOULD RESERVE A PLACE OF HONOUR FOR SARACEN APC NO.1, AT THE NEW PTU DEPOT AS A FUTURE REMINDER OF ITS SERVICE.
NOTING THE NEW SAXON WAS ONE OF THE MOST MODERN APCS IN THE WORLD, THE POLICE CHIEF STRESSED : "THIS NEW VEHICLE MEETS OUR NEEDS IN PROVIDING SUPPORT IN AN INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION AND IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE FORCE’S DETERMINATION TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BEST EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE."
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/1O.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
10
MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO COLLECT TAXES FROM NON-RESIDENTS
*****
AN AMENDMENT TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE TO MORE EFFECTIVELY ASSESS AND COLLECT PROFITS TAX DUE BY CERTAIN NON-RESIDENTS ON PROFITS DERIVED FROM HONG KONG.
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1988 WOULD ENABLE A NON-RESIDENT TO BE CHARGED TO TAX IN THE NAME OF A PERSON IN HONG KONG WHO, ALTHOUGH NOT AN AGENT, WAS A PERSON FROM WHOM THE NON-RESIDENT DERIVED HONG KONG PROFITS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
"THE EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT A NON-RESIDENT IS CHARGEABLE TO TAX ON HIS HONG KONG PROFITS EITHER DIRECTLY OR IN THE NAME OF HIS AGENT.
"IN OTHER WORDS, AN AGENT CAN BE ASSESSED TO PAY HIS PRINCIPAL’S TAX LIABILITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE DEFINITION OF AGENT FOR THIS PURPOSE IS QUITE WIDE AND INCLUDES ANY PERSON THROUGH WHOM A NON-RESIDENT IS IN RECEIPT OF HONG KONG PROFITS," HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, IN A RECENT DECISION INVOLVING THE PAYMENT OF LICENCE FEES BY A HONG KONG TELEVISION STATION DIRECTLY TO A NON-RESIDENT FILM DISTRIBUTOR, THE HIGH COURT RULED THAT THE DEFINITION DID NOT EXTEND TO A PERSON IN HONG KONG DEALING WITH A NON-RESIDENT ON A PRINCIPAL TO PRINCIPAL BASIS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE DECISION HAD CAUSED CONSIDERABLE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
"IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR NON-RESIDENT ENTERTAINERS, CONSULTANTS AND PERSONS IN RECEIPT OF LICENCE FEES AND ROYALTIES TO DERIVE HONG KONG PROFITS NOT THROUGH A HONG KONG AGENT BUT FROM A HONG KONG PRINCIPAL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN THESE CASES ASSESSMENTS CAN NOW ONLY BE RAISED DIRECTLY ON THE NON-RESIDENT WHO WILL GENERALLY HAVE NO BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT OR ASSETS IN HONG KONG.
"AS A RESULT THERE MAY BE LITTLE CHANCE OF THE TAX DUE BEING COLLECTED," HE ADDED. «
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE AMENDMENT WOULD NOT, IN ANY WAY, CHANGE THE PRESENT TAXATION POLICY OR ITS APPLICATION, BUT WOULD RESTORE THE POSITION TO THAT WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO EXIST BEFORE THE HIGH COURT DECISION.
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1988 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 2.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY 4TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL OR OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/11 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 1.1 -
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR $261 MILLION * ♦ ♦ » *
TWO GOVERNMENT RESIDENTIAL LOTS WERE SOLD TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A PUBLIC AUCTION FOR A TOTAL PREMIUM OF $261 MILLION.
ONE OF THE LOTS IS IN TUEN MUN AND COVERS ABOUT 12,390 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING STARTED AT $150 MILLION AND THE SITE WAS BOUGHT BY PARIV LIMITED FOR $220 MILLION.
THE BUYER WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 1992
GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 22,200 SQUARE METRES.
THE OTHER LOT IS AT RAZOR HILL, SAI KUNG, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,743 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING FOR THIS LOT STARTED AT $25 MILLION AND WAS SOLD TO LAND STEP DEVELOPMENT LIMITED FOR $41 MILLION.
THE BUYER HAS TO COMPLETE GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 3,034 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 28, 1992.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD AT THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER NISSIM.
-----o-----
STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMMISSIONED t * * * *
ON THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A BRITISH CONSULTANT TO CARRY OUT A DETAILED STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF SETTING UP A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY SPEECH, HAS DESCRIBED THE POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF HONG KONG’S FIRST TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AS THE "FOCAL POINT OF OUR EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY".
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMISSIONING CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, AND MR BOB HODGSON, PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE CONSULTANT, SEGAL QUINCE WICKSTEED.
THE PROJECT WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS AND THE CONSULTANT WILL ADVISE WHETHER THERE IS SCOPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN HONG KONG.
/IT IS ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1<?88
12
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REPORT, WHICH WILL PRESENT A CLEAR CONCLUSION ON THE OVERALL FEASIBILITY AND LIKELY BENEFITS OF A CENTRE, WILL BE READY BY THE END OF APRIL NEXT YEAR.
MR LEUNG SAID THE CONSULTANT WILL CARRY OUT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH TECHNOLOGY-BASED BUSINESSES THAT ARE POTENTIAL USERS OF THE PROPOSED CENTRE.
IN JANUARY, THE CONSULTANT WILL CONDUCT INTERVIEWS WITH MANUFACTURERS TO ESTABLISH THE KIND OF SERVICES WHICH THE CENTRE SHOULD PROVIDE AND THE LIKELY DEMAND FOR SUCH SERVICES.
INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH OVER 100 SMALL-MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF EXISTENCE, RANGING FROM PROSPECTIVE NEW STARTERS TO MATURE FIRMS.
A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WITH OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE INTERVIEWED TO GAUGE WHETHER, AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS, THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL COME UNDER THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD. THE COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY AND COMPRISES MANUFACTURERS AND ACADEMICS.
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MEASURES MAPPED OUT TO REDUCE AIRPORT GROUND NOISE
*****
A JOINT WORKING GROUP OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS EVALUATING THE RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RECENTLY COMPLETED CONSULTANCY STUDY INTO THE NOISE IMPACT OF GROUND ACTIVITIES AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY), THE CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, MR JOSEPH TANG, SAID THE $1.1 MILLION CONSULTANCY WAS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE JOB OF THE CONSULTANT, ERL (ASIA) LTD, WAS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF EXISTING AND POTENTIAL NOISE IMPACT ARISING FROM GROUND-BASED ACTIVITIES AT THE AIRPORT, TO RECOMMEND NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES AND TO ADVISE ON PLANNING CONSTRAINTS WHICH SHOULD APPLY TO AREAS ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT.
/IN THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 15 -
IN THE FINDINGS, THE CONSULTANT CONFIRMED THAT NOISE FROM GROUND ACTIVITIES, MAINLY THOSE INVOLVING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND FREIGHT HANDLING AT THE AIRPORT, WAS LIKELY TO CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS AT NIGHT TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE RICHLAND GARDENS AREA.
THE MAJOR SOURCES OF GROUND NOISE WERE FOUND TO BE THE TEST RUNNING OF AIRCRAFT MAIN ENGINES, AND THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AUXILIARY POWER UNITS REQUIRED FOR AIR-CONDITIONING AND SUPPLY OF ELECTRICAL AND PNEUMATIC POWER TO THE AIRCRAFT.
MR TANG TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE STUDY REPORT RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES:
♦ INSTALLING A SYSTEM OF FIXED GROUND POWER, WHICH WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE NEED FOR AUXILIARY POWER UNIT OPERATION AND ELIMINATE THE USE OF MOBILE GROUND POWER UNITS.
* RELOCATING THE ENGINE TESTING ACTIVITIES AWAY FROM NOISE SENSITIVE AREAS.
* POSITIONING AIRCRAFT SO AS TO DIRECT NOISE CAUSED BY THE AUXILIARY POWER UNIT AWAY FROM RICHLAND GARDENS AND LIMITING AUXILIARY POWER UNIT RUNNING TIME.
* EMPLOYING ACOUSTIC TREATMENT ON APRON GROUND SERVICE VEHICLES AND MOBILE GROUND POWER UNITS, OR REPLACING THEM WITH QUIETER EQUIPMENT.
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO INSTALL FIXED GROUND POWER IN THE APRON AREAS EAST OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH IN TWO PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE, COVERING THE CARGO APRON IN FRONT OF THE HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LIMITED, WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1989 AND THE SECOND PHASE WILL COVER THE REMAINING AIRCRAFT PARKING AREAS BY MID-1991.
THE CONSULTANT ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE RESTRICTIONS PROVIDED IN THE TEMPORARY EXEMPTION ORDER UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, WHICH REGULATE THE OPERATION OF AUXILIARY POWER UNITS AND MOBILE GROUND POWER UNITS AT NIGHT WERE EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICABLE NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES.
IT WILL THEREFORE BE EXTENDED UNTIL PERMANENT LEGISLATION REPLACING SECTION 13 OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE IS IN OPERATION.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE WORKING GROUP IS CONSIDERING MAKING NEW REGULATIONS UNDER THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) ORDINANCE TO CONTROL AUXILIARY POWER UNIT OPERATIONS AND ENGINE TESTING ACTIVITIES.
/"WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
14
’’WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE NEED TO CARRY OUT CERTAIN ESSENTIAL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE WORKS AT KAI TAK DURING THE NIGHT, GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT DISTURBANCES TO NEARBY RESIDENTS ARE REDUCED AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE,” MR TANG SAID.
"IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AIRLINES AND THE AIRPORT INDUSTRIES CONCERNED, THE WORKING GROUP WILL RECOMMEND TO GOVERNMENT THE MITIGATION OPTIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED," HE ADDED.
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AIRPORT GROUND NOISE EXEMPTION ORDER GAZETTED » ♦ * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) THF SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE (EXEMPTION FROM SECTION 13) (NO 4) (AMENDMENT) ORDER WHICH EXTENDS THE EXISTING EXEMPTION ORDER TO OCTOBER 31, 1989.
THIS WILL BE AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE AND INTRODUCTION OF CONTROL UNDER THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) ORDINANCE AROUND MID-1989 ” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ORDER EXEMPTS FROM NOISE RESTRICTION ACTIVITIES RELATED IO A1RCRAM MAINTENANCE AND CARGO HANDLING, AND AT THE SAME TIME IMPOSES CERTAIN CONDITIONS SO AS TO REDUCE THE EFFECT OF SUCH NOISE DURING NIGHT HOURS ON ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
THE STUDY ON AIRPORT GROUND NOISE PROBLEMS, COMMISSIONED BY I HE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED, AND ALTHOUGH THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE STILL BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SOME OF THEM ARE ALREADY BEING IMPLEMENTED."
-------^0---------
FAREWELL DINNER FOR AMS COMMISSIONER * * * ♦
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL OUTGOING COMMISSIONER, DR
ITS
SERVICES WILL HOLD A FAREWELL DINNER FOR K.L. THONG, TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
HAS
DR THONG, WHO IS GOING ON BEEN COMMISSIONER OF THE AMS
PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON FOR 12 YEARS.
NOVEMBER
1,
ATTENDING THE DINNER WILL BE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, LEE, 1 HE CHIEF S i’AFF OFFICER, MR JOHN DUNN, AND OTHER SENIOR AND MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE.
DR S.H. OFFICERS
/DR THONG .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 15 -
D
DR THONG WILL PRESENT THE FIRST CLASPS OF THE CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 37 OFFICERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FAREWELL DINNER FOR THE AMS COMMISSIONER. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE MAXIM’S PALACE RESTAURANT, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE 7.45 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
MHD INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO-ASSIST.
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ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL IN KWUN TONG THIS SUNDAY *****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, WHICH AIMS AT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON TRAFFIC RULES AND PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS, WILL END ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30).
TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE SIX-WEEK-LONG CAMPAIGN, A FUN-FILLED CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WITH ASSISTANCE BY THE POLICE AND A SPONSORSHIP OF $35,000 FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE VARIOUS ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME, INCLUDING A BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE, LION DANCE, PERFORMANCES BY TV ARTISTES, A MAGIC SHOW, ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES AND GAMES STALLS.
ON THE EDUCATIONAL SIDE, A ROAD SAFETY TOWN, A ROAD SAFETY BUS AND EXHIBITION PANELS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE VENUE TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROPER USE OF ROADS AND TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ROAD SAFETY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ON-THE-SPOT ROAD SAFETY QUIZ WITH PRIZES AND A ’’DRAWING FOR FUN” GAME FOR CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCEPT OF ROAD SAFETY ON A GIANT PAINTING BOARD.
/OFFICIATING AT........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 16 -
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; KWUN TONG POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR M.N.W. PELLY; SAU MAU PING POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR D.C. BUTLER; SENIOR STAFF OFFICER (TRAFFIC KOWLOON), MR A.D. SOMMERVILLE; KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI AND LEGCO MEMBER, MR POON CHI-FAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN '88 CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30) AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM (IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE KEI CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SHUI NING STREET).
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ANTI-NARCOTICS TELE-MATCH DAY IN WONG TAI SIN ******
A "TELE-MATCH DAY", WHICH AIMS AT DRIVING HOME THE MESSAGE OF THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30) AFTERNOON AT THE MORSE PARK.
THE EVENT, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE WONG TAI SIN ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
PROGRAMME OF THE DAY WILL BEGIN WITH A FIVE-PART TELE-MATCH, FEATURING FUN-FILLED GAMES BEARING THE ANTI-NARCOTICS THEME. A TOTAL OF 14 TEAMS, EACH REPRESENTING AN AREA COMMITTEE IN THE DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION.
AS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT, AN INVITATION GAME WILL BE HELD AFTER THE TELE-MATCH FOR CELEBRITY TEAMS MADE UP OF HONG KONG’S OUTSTANDING ATHLETES, DISC JOCKEYS, WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE 14 AREA COMMITTEES.
THE "TELE-MATCH DAY" WILL CONCLUDE WITH A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE OFFICIATED BY A MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR CHENG TAK-KIN; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH; WONG TAI SIN POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR D.L. SHACKLETON; AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS CECILIA YEUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS TELE-MATCH DAY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30) AT THE MORSE PARK SOCCER PITCH. THE TELE-MATCH WILL START AT 2 PM WHILE PRIZE-PRESENTATION AT AROUND 5 PM.
------o--------
/17.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 17 -
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES FOR RESIDENTS
******
ABOUT 50 SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN WHO COMPLETED A 15-DAY COMMUNITY LEADER DEVELOPMENT SCHEME WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE WU KAI SHA YOUTH CAMP, MA ON SHAN, ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30) AFTERNOON.
ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC-MINDEDNESS UNDER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO IDENTIFY WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO DEVELOP INTEREST IN IT.
THE TRAINING PROGRAMME COVERS BRIEFINGS, GATHERINGS, LECTURES, MOCK DB SESSIONS AND A DAY CAMP ON SUCH TOPICS AS GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, DB FUNCTION, CIVIC RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, BASIC LAW, COMMUNITY PROBLEMS AND SOCIAL ISSUES.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE ACADEMICS, PROFESSIONALS, COUNCILLORS FROM DIFFERENT TIERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, AND SHA TIN DB COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, DR FANNY CHEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COMMUNITY LEADERS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME TO BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 30) AT THE WU KAI SHA YOUTH CAMP, MA ON SHAN, SHA TIN.
A COACH TO TAKE REPORTERS TO THE VENUE WILL LEAVE THE SHA TIN KCR CARPARK NEAR PAI TAU VILLAGE AT 1.30 PM.
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PHOTO COMPETITION ENTRIES CLOSE ON MONDAY *****
PEOPLE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN T)|E 1988 CLEAN AND GREEN PHOTO COMPETITION ARE REMINDED THAT THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING THEIR ENTRIES IS MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THEY SHOULD HAND IN THEIR ENTRIES, TOGETHER WITH NEGATIVES AND COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS, TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 12TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, OR TO ANY COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE BEFORE 5 PM ON THAT DAY.
/LATE ENTRIES ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988.
- 18 -
LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY IF THERE ARE VALID REASONS FOR THEIR LATE SUBMISSION, THE ACTING SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR MARTIN LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY, UNDER THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
IT IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THIS YEAR’S "CLEAN AND GREEN” SCHEME, AND AIMED AT SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF HAVING A CLEANER AND GREENER COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT.
MR LEUNG SAID THE PHOTO COMPETITION HAS SO FAR RECEIVED AN ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC. TO DATE, MORE THAN 18,000 ENTRY FORMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED.
"LIMITED NUMBERS OF THE ENTRY FORM ARE STILL AVAILABLE FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
THE COMPETITION CONSISTS OF THREE THEME GROUPS -- PORTRAITS, WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION, AND SCENERY.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE COLOUR PRINTS NOT SMALLER THAN 3R AND NOT LARGER THAN 8R IN SIZE. CONTESTANTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN ONE OR MORE GROUPS BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO ENTRIES CAN BE SUBMITTED FOR EACH GROUP.
THE ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED NEXT MONTH BY A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS INCLUDING WELL-KNOWN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS, MR MANLY CHIN, MR PHILIP LAU AND MR CHAN CHIK.
A GRAND PRIZE, A PERSONAL COMPUTER SET VALUED AT $12,700, WILL BE AWARDED TO THE OVERALL CHAMPION.
PRIZES VALUED AT $2,000, $1,000 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FIRST THREE WINNING ENTRIES IN EACH GROUP.
THE NEXT FIVE HIGHEST-SCORE ENTRIES IN EACH GROUP WILL RECEIVE CONSOLATION PRIZES.
THE PHOTO COMPETITION IS SPONSORED BY FOTOMAX (FAR EAST) LIMITED, KODAK (FAR EAST) LIMITED AND EPSON ELECTRONIC TRADING LIMITED.
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/19 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 19 -
ENROLMENT FOR 1988 JOURNALISM SYMPOSIUM BEGINS
*****
JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE 1988 JOURNALISM SYMPOSIUM BEING ORGANISED BY THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE THREE-WEEK SYMPOSIUM, FROM NOVEMBER 21 TO DECEMBER 9, IS BEING ARRANGED ON MODULE BASIS SO THAT PARTICIPANTS CAN TAKE PART IN ONE OR MORE MODULES AS THEY WISH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
A TOTAL OF 14 MODULES ARE BEING OFFERED. THESE INCLUDE SESSIONS ON BUSINESS NEWS REPORTING AND EDITING, INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, TAIWAN POLITICS AND POLITICAL REPORTING, CHINA COVERAGE, PRESS LAW AND ETHICS, AND LEGAL CONSTRAINTS ON REPORTING.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE A TWO-DAY "NEWSROOM MANAGEMENT SEMINAR" TO BE CONDUCTED BY MR C.C. LIEW AND MR V.C. SANTOS, TWO VETERAN JOURNALISTS FROM MALAYSIA AND THE PHILIPPINES RESPECTIVELY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FEE FOR THE SYMPOSIUM IS $200. ALTERNATIVELY, PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING ON MODULE BASIS MAY ENROL AT $20 PER DAY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS NOVEMBER 5. FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD ON 5-8932341, EXT. 283.
-------0 ---------
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN TOMORROW
*****
KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL '88, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A MASS GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCE, SCHOOL BAND PERFORMANCE AND A FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN A WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM FROM GUANGDONG PROVINCE AND THE KWAI TSING WOMEN FOOTBALL TEAM.
A FOOTBALL TEAM COMPRISING LOCAL PERSONALITIES WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN A MATCH WITH TELEVISION STARS AND LEADING PLAYERS.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN ; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SPORTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE, MR CHENG WING-CHUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND (NEAR KWAI FONG MTR STATION). THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0
RESTRICTED ZONES IN FUK MAN ROAD * « * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FUK MAN ROAD IN SAI KUNG FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PO TUNG ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF FUK MAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES TO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ROUND-THE-CLOCK :
* FUK MAN ROAD EASTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PO TUNG ROAD TO THE WATERFRONT; AND
* FUK MAN ROAD WESTBOUND FROM THE WATERFRONT TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PO TUNG ROAD.,
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 -
/21
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28,
1988
- 21 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT UN CHAU STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO BETWEEN PEI HO STREET AND KWEILIN STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO ’ 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY IN CANTON ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KOWLOON PARK DRIVE TO A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PEKING ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED SOUTHWARDS TO ITS JUNCTION WITH SALISBURY ROAD.
HOWEVER, THE LOADING AND UNLOADING BAY ON THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OUTSIDE STAR HOUSE AND THE HONG KONG HOTEL WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS W1THIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- 0--------
REORGANISATION OF ♦
GMB ROUTES 14M AND 2 IM ♦ ♦ » »
TWO GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE REORGANISED FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
GMB CIRCULAR ROUTE 14M, OPERATING FROM PAK SHA ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY, WILL BE EXTENDED TO TERMINATE IN MOORSOM ROAD INSTEAD OF PURVES ROAD.
THE CIRCULAR ROUTE 21M, OPERATING BETWEEN PAK SHA ROAD AND BOYCE ROAD, WILL BE SHORTENED TO OPERATE BETWEEN PAK SHA ROAD AND TAI HANG DRIVE.
THE OPERATING HOURS OF ROUTE 14M WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 7 AM-8.30 PM TO 7 AM - 10 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF RESIDENTS IN MOORSOM ROAD AND TAI HANG DRIVE.
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/2?........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1988
- 22 -
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG ******
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO 7 AM ON SUNDAY FOR WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT TAI WO HAU ESTATE AND KWAI CHUNG ESTATE.
WATER WORKS WILL ALSO AFFECT FRESH WATER SUPPLY IN SHAM TSENG AND TSING LUNG TAU BETWEEN 10 PM TOMORROW TO 8 AM ON SUNDAY.
ALL PREMISES IN THE TWO AREAS WILL EXPERIENCE WEAK WATER PRESSURE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 291 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
METHODS OF COMBATTING CRIME DISCUSSED ......................... 1
SMA TO VISIT MAJOR U.S. CITIES ................................ 3
LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE OVER-SUBSCRIBED ................... 3
DCS OPENS SALVATION ARMY WEEK ............................... 4
MUCH TO DO IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO DISABLED: SHW ............. 5
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN EASTERN DISTRICT ............. 6
COMMISSIONER OF AMS RETIRING .................................. 8
VOLUNTEERS GIVE WaN CHAI BUILDINGS A FACELIFT ................. 9
FIRST HX YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL ......................... 10
COMPETITIONS TO CONVEY ANTI-SHOP THEFT MESSAGES .............. 11
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL LAUNCHED .......................... 12
HEALTH MONTH FOR ELDERLY START'S TOMORROW..................... 13
FIRST CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL FOR C&W ...................... 13
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
1 METHODS OE COMBATTING CRIME DISCUSSED *****
VIEWS AND IDEAS AS TO HOW TO MORE EFFECTIVELY COMBAT CRIME IN HONG KONG WERE DISCUSSED AT THE 1988 FIGHT CRIME CONFERENCE TODAY (SATURDAY).
MORE THAN 300 CENTRAL AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ATTENDED THE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE, WHICH IS HELD EVERY TWO YEARS, TO DISCUSS WAYS OF REDUCING CRIME.
ADDRESSING THE CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR, 'SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THE BIENNIAL GATHERING PROVIDED A VALUABLE FORUM FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO GET TOGETHER TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
IN PREPARATION FOR THE CONFERENCE, THE DFCC MEMBERS HAD TAKEN PART IN SIX GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN SEPTEMBER ON A NUMBER OF CRIME-RELATED TOPICS.
THE SUBJECTS COVERED WERE YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN TRIAD ACTIVITIES; TRIAD INFLUENCE IN OUR DAILY LIFE; CAUSES FOR THE RISE OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; DRUG ABUSE AND DRUG OFFENCES; HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP TO PREVENT CRIME AND LOITERING OFFENCES.
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS REACHED AT THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS WERE REPORTED, AND DISCUSSED, AT THE CONFERENCE AND THEY WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN FORMULATING POLICIES.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT CRIME WAS A MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEM AND IF UNCONTROLLED, IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE FOUNDATIONS OF ANY SOCIETY, ERODE ITS STANDARDS AND DESTROY ITS PROSPERITY.
SIR DAVID SAID THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WAS NOT JUST A JOB FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT A STRONG ELEMENT OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT WAS ALSO NEEDED.
THE GOVERNOR WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE WAS "LET’S FIGHT CRIME TOGETHER".
"IN HONG KONG WE HAVE MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS TO ENSURE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
"WE MUST CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS AND MUST CONTINUE TO INVOLVE PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME," SIR DAVID SAID.
/IN HIS .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
- 2 -
IN HIS SPEECH, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO GIVE THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.
SIR DAVID SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO LOOK AFTER THE SECURITY OF ITS PEOPLE, HONG KONG COULD BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS DOING WELL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
’’THE AVERAGE ANNUAL CRIME RATE FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES IN HONG KONG IS 507 PER 100,000 POPULATION. THIS IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN TOKYO'S 384 PER 100,000 POPULATION, BUT COMPARES VERY FAVOURABLY WITH LONDON'S FIGURE OF 2,613 SERIOUS CRIMES PER 100,000 OF PEOPLE, WASHINGTON'S 3,662, AND A UNITED STATES' AVERAGE OF 1,908 PER 100,000 POPULATION.
"FOR A CITY OF OUR SIZE AND DENSITY, THIS IS A GOOD RECORD. IT REFLECTS WELL ON THE PROFESSIONALISM AND QUALITY OF OUR POLICE FORCE, AND ON OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS INCREASINGLY PREPARED TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME,” HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT AS CRIME REMAINED A SUBJECT OF SERIOUS CONCERN AND THAT EFFORTS TO FIGHT AGAINST CRIME MUST BE MAINTAINED.
OF THE AREAS WHERE MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE, JUVENILE CRIME AND TRIADS WERE OF MAJOR PUBLIC CONCERN, SIR DAVID SAID.
DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 1,478 OFFENCES RELATING TO TRIADS AND AMONGST THOSE INVOLVED, 138 WERE YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF SEVEN AND 15.
SIR DAVID SAID EFFORTS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO WARN THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO AVOID INVOLVEMENT WITH TRIAD AND REPORT ANY APPROACH MADE, OR ATTEMPT AT RECRUITMENT, BY TRIADS.
AS FOR PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRIAD MEMBERS TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF, SIR DAVID SAID THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE WHOLE-DAY CONFERENCE, WHICH WAS HELD FOR THE THIRD TIME, WAS CHAIRED BY FCC MEMBER DR HO KAM-FAI. IN ADDITION TO DISCUSSION ON FIGHT CRIME MATTERS, IT COMPRISED ALSO TALKS BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR LI KWAN-HA.
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/5........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
- 3 -
SNA TO VISIT MAJOR U.S. CITIES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK WILL LEAVE FOR A TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31) TO REINFORCE HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE TWO-WEEK VISIT WILL TAKE MR NENDICK TO FIVE MAJOR CITIES WHERE HE WILL TALK TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES IN THE SECURITIES, BANKING, FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SECTORS AND ALSO MEET LEADING ACADEMICS WITH AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG.
COMMENTING ON HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT, MR NENDICK SAID TODAY (SATURDAY): "WITH MORE THAN US$6 BILLION INVESTED IN MANUFACTURING AND MAJOR STAKES IN OUR BANKING AND SECURITIES SECTORS, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT AMERICAN BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES BE INFORMED AT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVELS WHAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING MADE IN HONG KONG IN THE WAKE OF THE STOCK MARKET CRASH LAST OCTOBER."
"IT IS MY MISSION TO EXPLAIN THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO REFORM OUR MARKETS AND TO REASSURE OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS THAT HONG KONG HAS A BETTER, STRONGER MARKET AS A RESULT," HE ADDED.
MR NENDICK SAID HE WOULD ALSO PROMOTE THE BROADER PICTURE THAT HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE IS DEVELOPING RAPIDLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY, AND WILL GROW IN IMPORTANCE AS CHINA EMERGES FURTHER IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA.
-----0------
LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE OVER-SUBSCRIBED
*****
THE LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE MARKING THE OPENING OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 ACTIVITIES ON NOVEMBER 3 (THURSDAY) HAS BEEN OVER-SUBSCRIBED.
AS A RESULT, THE CONFERENCE VENUE HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM THE CITY HALL’S THEATRE TO THE CONCERT HALL, TO CATER FOR THE KEEN RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) ABOUT 650 PARTICIPANTS HAVE SO FAR REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR 460 PEOPLE.
/THE CONFERFJ4CE.........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29. 1988
THE CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE TALKS, WORKSHOPS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND A TOTAL OF 26 GUEST SPEAKERS WILL DELIVER TALKS.
THESE WILL BE ON SUCH TOPICS AS REVIEW OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, LABOUR RELATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY, LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN A MULTINATIONAL FIRM, AND THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN ESTABLISHING POSITIVE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, ON THURSDAY, AND A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL DECEMBER 16.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THE CONFERENCE TO CONTACT THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 OFFICE ON 5-8523511 OR 5-8523509. THE PARTICIPATION FEE IS $200.
THE EVENT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS AS WELL AS PROVIDING A FORUM FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF MANAGEMENT, TRADE UNIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON CURRENT LABOUR RELATIONS ISSUES.
IT IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
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DCS OPENS SALVATION ARMY WEEK *****
THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR JOHN CHAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED FOR MORE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO HELP STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES.
"APART FROM HELPING OTHERS, THIS WILL ALSO IMPROVE HUMAN RELATIONS AND UPGRADE QUALITY OF LIFE," HE SAID.
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA TO LAUNCH A SALVATION ARMY WEEK WHICH, THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING ITS SOCIAL SERVICES.
"IN THE MODERN SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE QUICK PACE OF LIFE COULD RESULT IN INCREASING INDIFFERENCE IN HUMAN RELATIONS," HE SAID.
"IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SPEED UP SOCIAL PROGRESS, WE WILL REQUIRE CLOSE CO-OPERATION AS WELL AS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND BELONGING TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY IN SOLVING PROBLEMS.
/"WHILE THE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
- 5 -
“WHILE THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING SERVICES AND SUPPORT, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.”
MR CHAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SALVATION ARMY FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH WERE MEETING CHANGING SOCIAL NEEDS.
“QUITE RIGHTLY THE THEME OF THE SALVATION ARMY WEEK IS SERVICES AND LOVE - A MESSAGE WHICH SHOULD BE WIDELY PROMOTED AND GIVEN SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
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MUCH TO DO IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO DISABLED: SHW ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HAVE MUCH TO DO IN PROVIDING REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE YEARS TO COME, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU SAID PODA^ (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY
OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
HEARING AWARENESS
THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, MR
SAID THE DEMAND FOR SUCH SERVICES WAS ON THE INCREASE POPULATION GROWTH, CHANGING DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS PATTERNS, AND HIGHER ASPIRATION FOR QUALITY OF SERVICES OF THE GROWING AFFLUENCE OF HONG KONG.
BECAUSE
CHAU : OF
AND DISEASE AS A RESULT
ANOTHER REASON WAS THAT MORE DISABLED PEOPLE WERE SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP, ADVICE AND SERVICES, HE ADDED.
PREPARED TO
TO THE DISABLED PAPER IN
"AS THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT IN HIS RECENT ADDRESS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SERVICES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE HAVE DEVELOPED RAPIDLY SINCE THE PUBLICATION 01 THE WHITE
1977 .
“BOTH THE SCOPE AND STANDARD OF REHABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDED IN HONG KONG COMPARE FAVOURABLY WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID THAT APART FROM THE COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND TMF RESOURCES IT HAD PROVIDED TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP SERVICES, VOLUNTARY SECTOR HAD PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN GOVERNMENT’S ACHIEVEMENIS.
“MUCH OF THE BURDEN OF REHABILITATION DURING THIS REMARKABLE PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN CARRIED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/’•THEIR ROLE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 291 1988
- 6
’’THEIR ROLE IN THIS FIELD NEEDS TO BE STRESSED, FOR IT IS THEIR DEVOTION AND COMMITMENT WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF MANY OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE DISABLED," HE SAID.
MR CHAU PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF FOR PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES FOK ABOUT 12,000 DEAF AND PARTIALLY HEARING PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1968.
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FURTHER DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN EASTERN DISTRICT
*****
THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE FURTHER ENHANCED AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR PHASE 3 NEXT YEAR.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, MADE THIS REMARK FOLLOWING A VISIT TO THE DISTRICT ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 26).
"AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE EXISTING LARGE-SCALE HOUSING PROJECTS AND WILL BOOST FUTURE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS LN THE DISTRICT IN THE YEARS TO COME," MR LAN SAID.
MR LAN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, DURING THE VISIT.
HE FIRST VISITED KAM PING STREET, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE THREE PRIVATE STREETS TO BE RESUMED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S 1988-89 RESUMPTION PROGRAMME. THE OTHER TWO STREETS WERE SHELL STREET AND MERLIN STREET.
MR LAN HOPED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN THESE STREETS COULD BE IMPROVED THROUGH JOINT EFFORTS BY . GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO KORNHILL GARDENS - THE LARGEST PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SCHEME OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION. IT ACCOMMODATES MORE THAN 35,000 RESIDENTS.
/HE WAS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29t 1988
- 7 -
HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING PRIMARY SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTENS, NURSERIES, RECREATION CLUB AND THE WIDE RANGE OF COMMERCIAL AND SHOPPING FACILITIES PROVIDED.
MR LAN LATER WENT TO FA YUEN VILLAGE, WHICH WILL BE CLEARED BY MID-1989 TO GIVE WAY TO THE SHAU KE] WAN FOOTHILLS (WEST) PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BETWEEN 1993 AND 1995.
MOST OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS (WEST) SQUATTER AREA AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE WILL BE ^ELIGIBLE FOR URBAN PUBLIC RE-HOUSING, MAINLY IN TSUI WAN ESTATE IN CHAI WAN.
MR LAN THEN WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF PERFECT MOUNT GARDEN IN SHAU KEI WAN TO SEE THE ALDRICH BAY RECLAMATION PROJECT AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR (IEC) PHASE 3.
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD A LARGER TYPHOON SHELTER TO REPLACE THE EXISTING 13-HECTARE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER WHICH IS CURRENTLY OVERCROWDED, HAVING SOME 400 VESSELS.
BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS WATER POLLUTION PROBLEM RESULTING FROM THE DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED SEWAGE WATER FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA, A PROPER SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM - A SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT AND SUBMARINE OUTFALL - WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW TYPHOON SHELTER.
MR LAN REMARKED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD SHOWN ITS DETERMINATION TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA BY SPENDING OVER $290 MILLION ON THE RECLAMATION PROJECT.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE NEW TYPHOON SHELTER IN 1990, THE EXISTING SHELTER WILL BE RECLAIMED TO PRODUCE LAND FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR OVER 30,000 PEOPLE.
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE IEC PHASE 3, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY WAS TOLD THAT BITUMINOUS MATERIALS WOULD BE APPLIED ON MOST PART OF THIS SECTION OF THE IEC SO AS TO REDUCE NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY THE TRAFFIC ON THE ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY.
MR LAN HOPED THAT IF THE TRIAl. OVERLAY SCHEME AT THE SECTION OF THE IEC NEAR CITY GARDEN HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL, BITUMINOUS MATERIALS COULD BE WIDELY USED ON OTHER HIGHWAYS IN FUTURE.
MR LAN SAID THAT HE WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE SUGGESTION THAT THE TRIAL PERIOD FOR THE OVERLAY SCHEME SHOULD BE SHORTENED FROM TWO YEARS TO ONE ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE EXPERIMENT HAD ALREADY PROVED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN SO FAR AS REDUCING NOISE NUISANCE WAS CONCERNED.
/HOWEVER, HE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
- 8 -
HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN ADVISED BY THE TRANSPORT BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT THAT THE TRIAL PERIOD HAD TO LAST FOR TWO YEARS TO ENSURE THAT THE BITUMINOUS MATERIALS USED IN THE EXPERIMENT WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO NEW UNKNOWN PROBLEMS AND WOULD PROVE TO BE COST EFFECTIVE IN THE LONG RUN.
THE PARTY ALSO TOURED THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND WAS MET BY AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON BOARD A FISH PACKING BOAT IN THE SHELTER.
MR LAN ALSO HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE HENG FA CHUEN DEVELOPMENT, PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL PROJECT AND SIU SAI WAN DEVELOPMENT IN CHAI WAN FROM A VANTAGE POINT AT LEI YUE MUN PARK BEFORE HIS TOUR CONCLUDED.
- - 0--------
COMMISSIONER OF AMS RETIRING * * * * ♦
MORE THAN 1,000 AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) MEMBERS THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING HELD A FAREWELL DINNER IN HONOUR OF THEIR RETIRING COMMISSIONER, DR K.L. THONG.
DR THONG HAS BEEN COMMISSIONER OF THE SERVICE — WHICH HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 6,000 — FOR OVER 12 YEARS.
IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS, DR THONG SAID THAT DURING HIS TERM OF OFFICE, HE HAD NOT ONLY SHARED THE CULTURE AND GOOD TRADITION OF THE AMS BUT HAD ALSO WITNESSED THE DEDICATION OF MANY MEMBERS WHO HAD PUT THEIR CALL TO DUTY BEFORE PERSONAL COMMITMENTS.
HE HOPED THAT THE MEMBERS WOULD GIVE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT TO HIS SUCCESSOR AND MAINTAIN THE VERY HIGH STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY AND DEDICATION IN THEIR SERVICES.
HE TOLD MEMBERS THAT FOUNDATION WORK ON A MUCH NEEDED AMS TRAINING CENTRE WITH PURPOSE-BUILT ACCOMMODATION AND CENTRALISED TRAINING FACILITIES WILL BEGIN WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
MEANWHILE, THE AMBULANCE FLEET, WHICH STARTED WITH ONLY ONE IMPROVISED AMBULANCE, HAS GROWN TO A FLEET OF 14 VEHICLES, COMPRISING EIGHT FULLY-EQUIPPED AMBULANCES AND SIX MODERN MOTOR-CYCLES.
DURING THE CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DR S.H. LEE, ALSO THANKED DR THONG ON BEHALF OF THE SERVICE FOR HIS 12 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP.
/’’WITH HIS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
- 9 -
"WITH HIS FORESIGHT AND GIFTED TALENT IN STRATEGIC PLANNING, DR THONG HAS DIRECTED A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENT POLICIES THAI GREATLY ENHANCE THE VITALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THIS MEDICAL CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS," HE SAID.
AS A TOKEN OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION, DR . LEE PRESENTED DR THONG WITH A CEREMONIAL SWORD AS A SOUVENIR.
DURING THE CEREMONY, SIX OFFICERS AND MEMBERS WERE ALSO AWARDED WITH THE FIRST CLASPS TO THE CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDAL AND ANOTHER 31 OFFICERS RECEIVED CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS.
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VOLUNTEERS GIVE WAN CHAI BUILDINGS A FACELIFT ♦ t » * t
BUILDINGS IN FOUR REAR LANES IN WAN CHAI WERE GIVEN A FACELIFT TODAY (SATURDAY) THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS (SRO).
THE CLEAN-UP AND PAINTING PROJECT WAS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN FORMED UNDER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
IT WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN REAR LANES IN WAN CHAI.
MORE THAN 30 VOLUNTEERS FROM THE SRO TOOK PART IN THE EXERCISE, PAINTING WALLS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF MORE THAN 300 SQUARE METRES.
THE REAR LANES ARE LOCATED AT FLEMING ROAD, KENNEDY STREET, JOHNSTON ROAD AND LEE TUNG STREET.
SPEAKING BEFORE THE WORK BEGAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR NORMAN LO, SAID THE SRO WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLEANING PROGRAMME TO HELP DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE THAT IT WAS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.
IT WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO HELP TO REHABILITATE EX-OFFENDERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SRO SAID THE WORK REPRESENTED SOME OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BEING UNDERTAKEN BY PAST CONVICTS.
9
/TO ENCOURAGE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 291 1988
- 10 -
TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK, THE SOCIETY HAD FORMED A COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB COMPRISING SRO STAFF, VOLUNTEER WORKERS AND EX-OFFENDERS. THEY WOULD WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS, HE ADDED.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF’ THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MR RAYMOND CHOW, AND A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, JUDGE CHISM.
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FIRST HK YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL t * * * ♦
STRING MUSIC LOVERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS AND A RENOWNED VIOLINIST DURING THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH STRING MUSIC HELD FROM NOVEMBER 19 TO 27.
TO APPRECIATE
YOUNG CHINESE
FESTIVAL TO BE
AND BE
FEATURING A SERIES OF CONCERTS, MASTER CLASSES, LECTURES DEMONSTRATIONS, THE NINE-DAY FESTIVAL IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST IN STRING
MUSIC.
THE FESTIVAL'S OPENING CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON NOVEMBER 19, DURING WHICH POPULAR PIECES OF MOZART, BRAHMS AND WIENIAWSKI WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE STRING ORCHESTRA. THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
THE YOUNG CHINESE VIOLINIST, LU SIQING, HAS BEEN INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT AND THE FINALE CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON NOVEMBER 26 AND 27 RESPECTIVELY.
MR LU, AGED 18, WON THE 1987 PAGANINI INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.
IN ADDITION, AN INTERFLOW CONCERT, PRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT STRING ORCHESTRAS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND FOUR SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS, WILL BE STAGED AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL ON NOVEMBER 20.
’’THE FESTIVAL PROVIDES OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW A MASTER PLAYS THE VIOLIN, AND ALSO TO MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER,” A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/TO ADD .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE
11
FESTIVAL,
TWO MASTER CLASSES
CONDUCTED BY LU SIQING AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE AND r^TPF ON NOVEMBER 21 AND 22. THE MASTER CLASSES
KONG MUSIC CENTRE ON NOVEMBER 21 AND TO THE PUBLIC. ADMISSION IS FREE.
WILL BE THE HONG ARE OPEN
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT ACTIVITIES WOULD MEET THE NEEDS SAME TIME PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT
WAS HOPED THAT THE WIDE RANGE OF STRING MUSIC LOVERS AND AT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
OF
THE
TICKETS FOR THE CONCERTS ON NOVEMBER 19, 26 AND 27 AND $20 EACH - ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBT1X OUTLETS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5 283257.
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COMPETITIONS TO CONVEY ANTI-SHOP THEFT MESSAGES * * t * »
A NUMBER OF COMPETITIONS ARE BEING ORGANISED SECONDARY STUDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO TO DRIVE HOME THE
FOR PRIMARY AND ANTI-SHOP THEFT
MESSAGE.
THE COMPETITIONS ON PICTURE COLOURING, SLOGAN, POSTER DESIGN WILL EMPHASISE THE THEME OF "SHOPLIFTING
CARICATURE AND WILL DESTORY
YOUR FUTURE".
SPONSORED BY THE SHAM ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND
SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE COMPETITIONS DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE SELECTED BY COMPRISING DFCC MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND THE RESULTS WILL END OF DECEMBER.
A PANEL OF JUDGES
THE DISTRICT OFFICE BE ANNOUNCED AT THE
THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE USED AS PUBLICITY MATERIALS IN FUTURE CAMPAIGNS AGAINST SHOPLIFTING.
DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORMS OF THE COMPETITIONS CAN ntiTAiMFl) FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE (TEL. 3-61712o) ITS SUB-OFFICES. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ENTRIES IS NOVEMBER 2. .
BE
AND
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/12........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
KWAI TS1NG SPORTS FESTIVAL LAUNCHED *****
ABOUT 30 SPORTS PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD IN THE COMING MONTH FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL ’88 AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SPORTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE, MR CHENG WING-CHUN.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE A MASS GYMNASTIC DISPLAY, SCHOOL BAND PERFORMANCE, AND A FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN A WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM FROM GUANGDONG PROVINCE AND THE KWAI TSING WOMEN FOOTBALL TEAM.
WELL-KNOWN RESIDENTS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT ALSO FORMED A TEAM THAT PLAYED A TEAM OF TV, FILM AND FOOTBALL STARS IN ANOTHER FOOTBALL MATCH.
MR CHENG SAID THE SPORTS FESTIVAL WAS ORGANISED TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES THROUGH A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS.
SPORTS TALENTS SPOTTED IN THESE ACTIVITIES WOULD BE SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT IN FUTURE TERRITORY-WIDE EVENTS, HE ADDED.
THE SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM TODAY TO NOVEMBER 27 WITH A BUDGET OF ABOUT $700,000, OUT OF WHICH $300,000 IS FUNDED BY KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, ANOTHER $300,000 SPONSORED BY REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE REMAINER BY LOCAL RESIDENTS.
PROGRAMMES IN THE FESTIVAL WILL CATER TO THE NEEDS OF ALL AGES, INCLUDING THE HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED. BROCHURES ON VARIOUS PROGRAMMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SEVEN SUB-OFFICES.
/15
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1988
- "I? -
HEALTH MONTH FOR ELDERLY STARTS TOMORROW
*****
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "1988 HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI" WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND.
THE PROGRAMME, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, AIMS TO AROUSE GREATER PUBLIC CONCERN AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, ELDERLY PEOPLE IN WAN CHAI WILL BE GIVEN FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY TOMORROW WILL BE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR DAVID LAN; WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU; AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM.
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CEREMONY IN WHICH ARTISTS FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL PERFORM CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS, POP SONGS AND DRAMA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 2 PM AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND.
-----o-------
FIRST CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL FOR C & W
*****
DETAILS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT'S FIRST CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THE FESTIVAL, AIMED AT ENHANCING PEOPLE’S QUALITY OF LIFE, WILL OFFER A FULL RANGE OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMES WHICH CATER TO THE INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, WITH EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR WONG CHUNG-YING; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOEY LAM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BEGIN AT 3 PM ON MONDAY TN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
-----0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER JO, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SHAU KEI WAN PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT .......................... 1
RECREATION, MARKET COMPLEX WINS ASD DESIGN AWARD ............. 2
HEALTH MONTH BEGINS FOR ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI .................. J
MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS NEEDED FOR DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT ....... 5
CARNIVAL SPREADS ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE ......................... 6
COMPETITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN SHAM nBUI PO ....... 7
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS OUTLINE ZONING PLAN .................. 7
CHILDREN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN SINGING COMPETITION ......... 8
COMPUTERISED REGISTER USEFUL FOR RESEARCH .................... 9
CHINESE MUSICIANS TO CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES, SEMINARS ........ 10
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
1
SHAU KEI WAN PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT *****
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL PROCEED IN FULL STEAM EARLY NEXT YEAR AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OVERHEAD CONVEYOR SYSTEM TO TRANSPORT MATERIAL EXCAVATED FROM THE SITE AT SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILL TO THE ALDRICH BAY WATERFRONT.
THE PLAN TO CONSTRUCT THE CONVEYOR SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE TOTALLY ENCLOSED AND SOUND PROOF TO MINIMISE ‘THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, WAS RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
IT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG HOI NING STREET AND WILL BE USED TO TRANSPORT THE 1.5 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF MATERIAL EXCAVATED FROM THE SHAU KEI WAN WEST FOOTHILLS TO A BARGE LOADING AREA AT THE WEST END OF ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
A HOUSING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID THE ELEVATED CONVEYOR SYSTEM IS THE MOST IDEAL METHOD TO REMOVE THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SOIL EXCAVATED FROM THE SLOPE, AND WILL HAVE THE LEAST IMPACT ON THE AREA’S TRAFFIC CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENT.
HE SAID: "A TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY WAS CARRIED OUT TO CONSIDER VARIOUS OPTIONS - USING THE EXISTING ROADS, OR A HAUL BRIDGE, AN OVERHEAD CONVEYOR SYSTEM AND EVEN A CONVEYOR SYSTEM IN A TUNNEL.
"IT CONCLUDED FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND COST VIEWPOINTS THAT THE OVERHEAD AND ENCLOSED CONVEYOR WAS THE BEST OPTION.
"EXTENSIVE LIAISON HAS TAKEN PLACE WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ESPECIALLY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD. THEIR SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE SYSTEM," HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SITE FORMATION WORK FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT WAS STARTED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AND THE SECOND PHASE WILL COMMENCE IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID: "WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED IN 1995 IT WILL PROVIDE 10 500 HOMES FOR ABOUT 10 000 PEOPLE, WITH ALL THE CONVENIENCE OF A MODERN COMMUNITY, INCLUDING RECREATION, MARKETS, SHOPPING ARCADES AND OTHER SOCIAL FACILITIES."
"THE NEW ESTATES WILL PROVIDE A MUCH BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING AND MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SHAU KEI WAN, WHICH WILL HAVE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT OUTLOOK WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETED," HE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30,
1988
- 2 -
RECREATION, MARKET COMPLEX WINS ASD DESIGN AWARD
*****
A MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATION AND MARKET COMPLEX, WITH THE LONGEST FOLDED PLATE ROOF IN HONG KONG, HAS WON THIS YEAR’S ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNUAL DESIGN AWARDS COMPETITION.
APART FROM ITS 36-METRE FOLDED PLATE ROOF STRUCTURE, THE CHOI HUNG ROAD URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX AND PLAYGROUND IN SAN PO KONG ALSO FEATURES THE FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT INDOOR BADMINTON CENTRE.
THIS CAN ACCOMMODATE SIX BADMINTON COURTS PLUS TWO TENNIS COURTS ON THE ROOFTOP.
AN ASD ARCHITECT, AND PROJECT TEAM LEADER, MR C.F. HO, EXPLAINED THE COMPLEX’S DESIGN CONCEPT.
"THE MASTER LAYOUT IS TO HAVE THE COMPLEX LOCATED CLOSER TO THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE AT SHEUNG HEI STREET SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE MATURE TREES NEAR CHOI HUNG ROAD FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO A REST GARDEN," HE SAID.
"THE COMPLEX AND OTHER ACTIVE RECREATIONAL AREAS ARE INTER-CONNECTED BY A TWO-LEVEL WALKWAY WHICH ALSO ACTS AS A VISUAL BARRIER TO THE FACTORIES BEHIND.
"COLOURS AND GRAPHICS ARE DESIGNED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO GIVE AN ACCENT TO THE NAME OF ’CHOI HUNG’ - WHICH MEANS ’RAINBOW’ IN CANTONESE - WHILE THE EXTERIOR IS PAINTED MAINLY WHITE TO EXPRESS THE RICH ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE BUILDING."
THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT COST $42 MILLION AND TOOK 26 MONTHS TO BUILD. IT IS THE FINAL PHASE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME OF CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND.
SUPERSTRUCTURE WORK ON THE 20,000 SQUARE METRE SITE AREA BEGAN IN JANUARY 1986 AND IT WAS COMPLETED 26 MONTHS LATER. IT WAS OPENED FOR PUBLIC USE IN JUNE THIS YEAR UNDER URBAN COUNCIL MANAGEMENT.
APART FROM THE BADMINTON CENTRE, THE MAIN STRUCTURE INCLUDES AN INDOOR GAMES HALL WHICH CAN PROVIDE PLAY AREA FOR VARIOUS SPORTS, FOUR AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, THREE GAMES ROOMS, AND MARKET STALLS IN THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE JUDGING PANEL FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL AWARDS COMPETITION ALSO PRESENTED A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT EACH TO THE PROJECT TEAMS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX AND THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL AND QUARTERS.
A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF MERIT FOR RESTORATION WORK WENT TO THE TEAM WHICH LOOKED AFTER THE RESTORATION OF TAI FU TAI IN SHA TIN.
/THE PANEL .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 50, 1900
THE PANEL COMPRISED A FORMER SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR ROGER LOBO, CONSULTANT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, MR H.K. CHENG, CONSULTANT ARCHITECT, MR C. HAFFNER. IT WAS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI.
THE PANEL EXAMINED A TOTAL OF 14 SUBMISSIONS CONCERNING PROJECTS DESIGNED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND CONSTRUCTED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
MR LEI SAID THE PROJECT TEAMS ADOPTED A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH.
"IN MOST CASES, EACH TEAM HAS AT LEAST ONE STAFF MEMBER FROM EACH OF THE FIVE BRANCHES OF THE DEPARTMENT: NAMELY THE ARCHITECTURAL, QUANTITY SURVEYING, STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING, MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING SERVICES BRANCHES,” MR LEI SAID.
"THE ARCHITECT MEMBER OF THE TEAM CONTROLS AND CO-ORDINATES THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION.
"THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE STABILITY OF THE BUILDING AT AS LOW A COST AS POSSIBLE, CONSISTENT WITH SPECIFIC DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.
"THE QUANTITY SURVEYOR ADVISES ON MATTERS RELATING TO COST AND CONTRACTS IN BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED PROJECTS.
"THE BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEER IS CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SUCH AS AIR-CONDITIONING, LIGHTING, HEATING, ETC., AND ALSO THE PROVISION OF UTILITIES SUCH AS FIRE FIGHTING INSTALLATIONS."
- - 0 -
HEALTH MONTH BEGINS FOR ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAISED WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FOR TAKING THE LEAD IN ORGANISING AND PROMOTING CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND WELFARE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY WHICH BENEFIT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "1988 HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI", MR LAN SAID THAT WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD DONE MUCH IN EXAMINING AND PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTING THAT ABOUT 15 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION WERE AGED 60 OR ABOVE, MR LAN BELIEVED THAT THE MEDICAL CHECK-UP SERVICES OFFERED DURING THE "1988 HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI" WOULD SURELY BE POPULAR WITH RESIDENTS.
THE SERVICES INCLUDE HEARING TESTS, CHEST X-RAYS, BLOOD SUGAR
TESTS, CARDIAC EXAMINATIONS, BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS AND BLOOD TESTS.
/HE ALSO
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
HE ALSO COMMENDED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR ITS OUTSTANDING RECORD IN PROVIDING MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL, ELDERLY AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THANKED THE GROUP FOR CO-ORGANISING THE HEALTH MONTH WITH THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
REFERRING TO THE ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS WORKING ON THE PROJECT, MR LAN SAID THEY WERE YET FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT THE AGED WERE FULL OF VITALITY AND COULD CONTRIBUTE A LOT TO THE COMMUNITY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU, SAID THE AIM OF LAUNCHING THE HEALTH MONTH WAS TO PROMOTE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI.
FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE EYE CARING CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY HELD LAST. YEAR BY THE GROUP AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, THE TWO PARTIES WERE CO-ORGANISING THE HEALTH MONTH THIS YEAR IN A BID TO AROUSE PUBLIC CONCERN FOR SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND TO ENCOURAGE RESPECT FOR THE AGED.
THE CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MS ANNA TANG, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND WELFARE ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAD MADE THE $200,000 PROGRAMME POSSIBLE.
AFTER THE CEREMONY A CARNIVAL WAS HELD. ARTISTS FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG GAVE PERFORMANCES OF CANTONESE OPERA, OPERATIC SONGS, POP SONGS AND DRAMA. THE PROGRAMME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO 5.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE EVENT WERE THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW; WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR SAMMY POONE.
THE ”1988 HEALTH MONTH FOR THE ELDERLY CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 15. ITS MAIN CONTENTS ARE IN WAN CHAI” WILL AS FOLLOWS: DATE
PROGRAMME VENUE
MEDICAL CHECK-UP METHODIST CENTRE OCTOBER 26 - 28
SERVICES YU MAK YUN CHILDREN & YOUTH CENTRE TAI HANG RESIDENTS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION BAPTIST OI KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE HAPPY VALLEY & CANAL ROAD DISTRICT KAIFONG ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 31 - NOV 2 NOV 3-4 NOV 7-9 NOV 10-11; 14 - 15
/HEALTH CARE .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
HEALTH CARE EXHIBITION FOR THE ELDERLY
SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND
OCT 30
HENNESSY CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY
NOV 5-6
TAI YAU SHOPPING ARCADE, WAN CHAI
NOV 10 - 15
DISTRIBUTION OF PAMPHLETS ON HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN WAN CHAI
OCT 26 - NOV 15
- 0 - -
MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS NEEDED FOR DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT *****
IN VIEW OF THE GROWING POPULATION IN THE FAST-DEVELOPING NEW TOWN OF SHA TIN, MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP BUILD A HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COMMUNITY LEADERS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME AT THE WU KAI SHA YOUTH CAMP, MR YUNG SAID THE NEED WAS EVIDENT WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND YIN NGAI SOCIETIES SET UP IN THE DISTRICT IN RECENT YEARS.
’’THIS COMMUNITY LEADER TRAINING PROGRAMME, ORGANISED SINCE 1982, IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO IDENTIFY WITH AND BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY WHICH IS IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORT TO PROMOTE THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME,” HE SAID.
’’MANY GRADUATES FROM THIS TRAINING SCHEME IN PAST YEARS HAVE BECOME OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PERSONALITIES, AND QUITE A NUMBER OF THEM ALSO HELPED ORGANISE THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME.”
HE NOTED THAT THE 15-DAY PROGRAMME WAS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE ONE COVERING THE DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SHA TIN’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, BASIC LAW AND OTHER TOPICS OF PUBLIC CONCERN.
THE FORMAT WAS ALSO INTERESTING AS IT WAS NOT LIMITED TO FORMAL MEETINGS AND LECTURE SETTINGS BUT EXTENDED TO CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, CONTESTS, CIVIC EDUCATION QUIZZES AND MOCK DB MEETINGS.
"I AM SURE WITH YOUR FURTHER PARTICIPATION, MUCH NEW STRENGTH AND NEW IDEAS WILL BE INJECTED INTO THIS VIGOROUS NEW TOWN,” HE TOLD THE GRADUATES.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COMMUNITY LEADERS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME WAS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF ClVIC-M1NDEDNESS UNDER THE SHA TIN DB’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WITH $16,500 FUNDING.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
- 6 -
CARNIVAL SPREADS ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE * * * * »
HUNDREDS OF KWUN TONG RESIDENTS SPENT A FUN-FILLED AFTERNOON TODAY (SUNDAY) AT A ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL AT HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE CARNIVAL WAS THE CLOSING HIGHLIGHT OF THE SIX-WEEK-LONG KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR 1988.
ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD- SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN WAS AIMED AT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON TRAFFIC RULES, AND PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL, CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MR SZETO CHAK SAID HIGH POPULATION DENSITY, HEAVY TRAFFIC VOLUME, JAY-WALKING, CARELESS DRIVING, FLYOVER AND SUBWAY DESIGN PROBLEMS, HAWKING ON PAVEMENTS AS WELL AS LACK OF PROPER TRAFFIC CONTROL HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS AND CONGESTIONS IN KWUN TONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALMOST HALF OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN KWUN TONG INVOLVED PEDESTRIANS AND THE PERCENTAGE OF ELDERLY AND CHILD VICTIMS WAS HIGHER THAN ELSEWHERE.
HE URGED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS, AND ALSO REMINDED LOCAL RESIDENTS TO BE MORE AWARE OF ROAD SAFETY.
SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID ALTHOUGH ROAD ACCIDENTS COULD NOT BE TOTALLY PREVENTED, THEY COULD BE CONSIDERABLY REDUCED WITH A ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS RESPECT.
HE NOTED THAT THE EMPHASIS OF THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN WAS EDUCATING CHILDREN ON TRAFFIC RULES, REMINDING ELDERLY PEOPLE TO CROSS THE ROAD PROPERLY AND GIVING GUIDANCE TO YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS AND CYCLISTS.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN HELD, INCLUDING A MOBILE EXHIBITION, COLOURING AND CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITIONS, AND A ROAD SAFETY QUIZ FOR THE-ELDERLY.
PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS, BANNERS AND POSTERS WERE ALSO PUT UP IN THE 15 SUB-DISTRICTS TO DRIVE HOME THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES.
TODAY’S CARNIVAL FEATURED A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING A LION DANCE, A BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE, A VARIETY SHOW AND GAMES STALLS. IN ADDITION, A ROAD SAFETY TOWN AND A ROAD SAFETY BUS AS WELL AS EXHIBITION PANELS WERE PUT ON DISPLAY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PROPER USE OF ROADS.
THERE WERE ALSO AN ON-THE-SPOT QUIZ AND A "DRAWING FOR FUN" ON A GIANT PAINTING BOARD FOR CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCEPT OF ROAD SAFETY.
-------0---------
/7........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
- 7 -
COMPETITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN SHAM SHU1 PO * * * * ♦
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING A CIVIC EDUCATION DISPLAY BOARD DESIGN COMPETITION WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE COMMITTEE HAS WRITTEN TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, INVITING THEM TO TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION.
THEY ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO THE COMMITTEE BEFORE NOVEMBER 10 FOR A PRELIMINARY SELECTION BASED ON THE THESES AND OUTLINES OF THE ENTRIES.
THE 10 BEST ENTRIES WILL COMPETE AT A CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE STAGED IN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL ON JANUARY 8 NEXT YEAR.
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS OF THE PRELIMINARY SELECTION BEFORE NOVEMBER 30.
EACH COMPETING ORGANISATION WILL HAVE TO MOUNT ITS DESIGN ON TWO BOARDS MEASURING 119.5 CM BY 147.5 CM TO BE PROVIDED BY THE COMMITTEE.
EACH ORGANISATION WILL BE SUBSIDISED BY THE COMMITTEE TO A SUM OF $800 FOK PRODUCTION.
ON THE EXHIBITION DAY, A PANEL OF JUDGES FORMED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL SELECT THE FIRST THREE WINNERS.
-----0-----
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ******
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT TSUEN WAN WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ON THE ABATEMENT OF AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE CAUSED BY THE CHIMNEY EMISSION OF THE SAN MIGUEL BREWERY.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE FIELD STUDY REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PROBLEMS OF OLD PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT AND THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT LINK.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
- 8 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S
COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 1) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
--------0----------
CHILDREN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN SINGING COMPETITION
YOUNGSTERS LIVING OR STUDYING IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO DISPLAY THEIR MUSICAL TALENT IN A DISTRICT SINGING COMPETITION.
THIS COMPETITION IS AIMED AT PROMOTING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN SINGING.
PARTICIPANTS MAY COMPETE UNDER THE SOLO SINGING OR GROUP SINGING SECTION. THEY MAY CHOOSE SONGS IN ANY LANGUAGE.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5 AND 6 AND THE FINALS ON NOVEMBER 26 AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM.
WINNERS OF BOTH SECTIONS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND PRIZES. ALL FINALISTS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
THE FUNCTION IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, URBAN COUNCIL, WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES OR THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE (WDCC).
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE FINALS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM WDCC FROM NOVEMBER 1.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523002 OR 5-463024.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30,
1988
- 9 -
COMPUTERISED REGISTER USEFUL FOR RESEARCH *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER OF AROUND 300,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG TO SERVE MAINLY AS THE SAMPLING FRAME FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEYS ON BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS.
MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER FOR PUBLICITY, SURVEY AND RESEARCH WORK.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE REGISTER BY MAKING USE OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS RECORDED IN IT FOR MARKET RESEARCH, STATISTICAL SURVEY, BUSINESS AND PRODUCT PROMOTION PURPOSES.
IN THIS CONNECTION, APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A PHOTOCOPY OR A MAGNETIC TAPE OF THE LISTING OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS THE NAME, THE ADDRESS, THE MAJOR TYPE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT SIZE CLASS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
A CHARGE WILL BE LEVIED FOR THIS SERVICE, AND THE RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) $2.50 PER PHOTOCOPY, AND
(B) A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $340 FOR A JOB REQUIRING UP TO 20 CRUS (COMPUTER RESOURCES UNIT) PLUS $17 FOR EACH CRU IN EXCESS OF 20 CRUS IF THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MAGNETIC TAPES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234760.
-------o ---------
/1o........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1988
10 -
CHINESE MUSICIANS TO CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES, SEMINARS ******
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL HOLD A SERIES OF MASTER CLASSES AND SEMINARS DURING THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 5 TO 13.
A SEMINAR WITH THE TOPIC OF "THE BEAUTY OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MUSIC” WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE AT 7.30 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5) TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL.
AT THE SEMINAR, DR YIP MING-MEI OF THE HONG KONG ETHNOMUSICOLOGY SOCIETY WILL ANALYSE AND ELABORATE ON THE1ioVA^iIi2t^ ASPECTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF COURT MUSIC, FOLK MUSIC, RELIGIOUS MUSIC AND MUSIC OF THE LITERATI IN CHINA.
MOREOVER, FOUR GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA (YANG-QIN), QU AH-HUA (ERHU), XIAO JIAN-SHENG GUI-SHENG (DONG-XIAO) -- WILL GIVE LECTURES CLASSES AT THE MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE
LI
(SAN-XIAN)
XIAO-GANG
AND SUN
AND CONDUCT ON NOVEMBER
MASTER
7, 8,
AND 9.
A SEMINAR ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE COMPOSITION KONG, WITH THREE SPEAKERS FROM THE HONG KONG ETHNOMUSICOLOGY TAKING PART, WILL BE HELD AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE AT ON NOVEMBER 12.
IN HONG
SOCIETY
7.30 PM
THE SEMINARS AND MASTER CLASSES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ADMISSION IS FREE. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235321.
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAND USE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR TSUEN WAN .................. 1
LAB DELIBERATES ON SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES ................... 3
REVISED CODE OF PRACTICE ON ASBESTOS WASTE ................ 5
TAC MEETS TAXI REPRESENTATIVES ............................ 6
WONG TAI SIN DB TO DISCUSS VR ISSUES ...................... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS ............ 8
HAWKER PROBLEMS ON YAU TSIM DB COMMITTEE AGENDA............ 9
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SERVICES ............ 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE....................................... 10
ARTS FESTIVAL FOR THE C & W COMMUNITY...................... 10
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN SHEUNG WAN, TSIM SHA TSUI.......... 12
TRAFFIC FLOW IN HO PONG STREET TO BE IMPROVED ............. 13
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWAI YI ROAD ............................ 13
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1988
LAND USE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR TSUEN WAN ♦ * * * *
A NUMBER OF LARGE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN TSUEN WAN IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR SHIU WAS SPEAKING AT A CONFERENCE ON LAND USE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN.
THE CONFERENCE WAS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WITH THE AIM OF ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LAND USE IN THE DISTRICT AND THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS PLANNED.
MR SHIU POINTED OUT THAT TSUEN WAN HAD GROWN FROM A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE OF 3,000 INHABITANTS INTO A TOWN WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 280,000.
"ITS RAPID EXPANSION IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY HAS ENABLED IT TO BECOME AN EXTENSION OF THE URBAN AREA OF KOWLOON," HE SAID.
"THE OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN MTR LINE IN 1982, IN PARTICULAR, HAS HELPED SHORTEN THE TRAVELLING '1’1 ME BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND THE URBAN AREA."
THE TOWN’S RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE IN POPULATION HAD LED TO A GREATER DEMAND FOR COMMERCJAL/RESIDENT1AL AREA.
"IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED LAND RESOURCES FOR EXPANSION, THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ACTION TO ENCOURAGE REDEVELOPMENT OF SOME OF THE OLD TOWN AREAS AND RECLAMATION WORK IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE SOUTHERN COAST OF TSUEN WAN," HE SAID.
"MORE THAN 33.5 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN OBTAINED AS A RESULT OF RECLAMATION IN TSUEN WAN SINCE 1973."
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING BLOCKS, MR SHIU NOTED THAT AS WELL AS SOME LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SUCH AS FUK LOI, LEJ MUK SHUE, CHEUNG SHAN AND SHEK WAI KOK, THERE WERE ALSO MANY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, THE FIRST LARGE-SCALE HOTEL IN TSUEN WAN AND TWO PLAZAS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS.
"IT IS ENVISAGED THAT FURTHER COMMERCIAL EXPANSION WILL BE TAKING PLACE BY THEN."
/TURNING TO
MONDAY, OCTOBER , 1988
TURNING TO INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, MR SHIU SAID STATISTICS SHOWED THAT THERE WERE MORE THAN 6,000 FACTORIES IN THE DISTRICT, WITH THE MAJOR INDUSTRIES RANGING FROM TEXTILES, DYEING, AND GARMENTS TO PLASTICS AND ELECTRONICS.
"AS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCE, THE COMPLETION OF MANY COMMERCIAL CENTRES AND THE INCREASE IN RENTALS FOR SHOP SPACES OVER THE YEARS CAN PROVE THAT TSUEN WAN IS GRADUALLY TURNING INTO A PROSPEROUS COMMERCIAL DISTRICT," HE SAID.
ON TRANSPORT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER NOTED THAT SEVERAL TRUNK ROAD PROJECTS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN AND THE NEW TERRITORIES AS A WHOLE.
"WITH THE COMPLETION OF ROUTE 5, A TRUNK ROAD LINKING TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN IN 1989-90, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO DISTRICTS WILL BE STRENGTHENED," HE SAID.
"IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE TRAFFIC VOLUME BROUGHT ABOUT BY ROUTE 5, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSTRUCT TWO ANCILLARY ROADS NEAR TSUEN KING CIRCUIT WITH A VIEW TO MAINTAINING A SMOOTH FLOW OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND PROVIDING A CONVENIENT ACCESS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF TSUEN KING CIRCUIT.
"IN ADDITION, THE TEXACO ROAD AND KWAN MUN HAU STREET IMPROVEMENTS WILL COMMENCE IN 1989, Will ('ll WILL PROVIDE A FASTER AND MORE CONVENIENT LINK BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING, PARTICULARLY WITH KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL," HE ADDED.
MR SHIU SAID ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN TSUEN WAN.
THERE WERE ALSO 'OTHER PROJECTS IN HAND REGARDING MUNICIPAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
"THE MARKET COMPLEX AT YEUNG UK ROAD WILL HOUSE MORE THAN 300 MARKET STALLS, A LARGE INDOOR GAMES HALL AND ACCOMMODATION FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES WHEN IT OPENS LATE NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
"AS FOR CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED CONSULTANT ENGINEERS TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE SHING MUN VALLEY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
"THE 25-HECTARE AREA WILL BECOME A MAJOR LOCAL SPORTS AND RECREATION VENUE UPON THE FINALISATION OF THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STANDARD SWIMMING POOL, A JOGGING LANE, A PARK AND A STADIUM," HE SAID.
"ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT IS THE CONSTRUCT ION OF TSO KUNG TAM PARK, PHASE 1 OF WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-89.
/’’THE PROJECT, .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1988
- 3 -
"THE PROJECT, WHICH COSTS $63 MILLION, WILL PROVIDE THE RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN WITH A LARGE OUTDOOR CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL CENTRE.
"I BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORT OE THE GOVERNMENT AND RESIDENTS, IMPROVEMENTS WILL HE MADE AND TSUEN WAN WILL BECOME AN ENERGETIC \ND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY IN WHICH TO WORK AND LIVE."
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CONFERENCE AS GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WERE THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER/TSUEN WAN, MR HARRY HUI; THE TOWN PLANNER/TSUEN WAN, MR ANDY TSE; AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOPEWELL HOLDINGS LTD, MR GORDON WU, WHOSE FIRM IS BUILDING Till' LARGE-SCALE HOTEL.
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LAB DELIBERATES ON SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES *****
THE CURRENT LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HELD ITS LAST MEETING TODAY’ (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF MAJOR ISSUES.
FIRST ON THE AGENDA WAS A PAPER WHICH SOUGHT TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE PROPOSED EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO ENABLE AN EMPLOYER TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT OF COMPENSATION PAYMENTS FROM THE SCHEME IN THE EVENT THAT HIS INSURER BECAME INSOLVENT.
THE BOARD WAS BRIEFED OF THE DETAILS BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY FROM THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S OFFICE, MR D.W.K. SULLIVAN.
MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED EXTENSION WERE DIVERSE AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE BOARD’S COMMENTS, FURTHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE ISSUE.
THE BOARD THEN CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE:
(A) TO REDUCE THE QUALIFYING LENGTH OF SERVICE FOR EMPLOYEES UNDER 45 PROGRESSIVELY BY ONE YEAR ANNUALLY UNTIL THE STANDARD OF FIVE YEARS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IS REACHED;
(B) TO INCREASE THE RATES OF PAYMENT FOR EMPLOYEES UNDER 40 PROGRESSIVELY BY 25 PER CENT OF THE RATES FOR EMPLOYEES AGED 40 AND OVER UNTIL THE 100 PER CENT RATE IS REACHED IN TWO YEARS' TIME; AND
(C) TO RETROGRESS THE RECKONABLE YEARS OF PAST SERVICE AT THE RATE OF ONE YEAR FOR EVERY YEAR OF SERVICE UNTIL 1974.
/EMPLOYEES REPRESENTATIVES .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1988
EMPLOYEES REPRESENTATIVES WERE IN GENERAL SUPPORT OB' THE PROPOSALS BUT REQUESTED THAT THE REDUCTION OF QUALIFYING YEARS OF SERVICE AND THE RATES OF PAYMENT BY SPEEDED UP.
SOME EMPLOYERS REPRESENTATIVES, HOWEVER, FELT THAT THE PROPOSALS DEFEATED THE ORIGINAL INTENTION OF THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT SUPPORT ANY OB’ THEM.
AS NO CONSENSUS COULD BE REACHED, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD FORWARD MEMBERS’ COMMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES CONCERNED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
I
MEMBERS NEXT TURNED TO A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENT.
AT PRESENT, THE FUND ALREADY COVERS ARREARS OF WAGES (SUBJECT TO A PREFERENTIAL LIMIT OB' $8,000) AND SEVEN DAYS’ WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE (UP A MAXIMUM OF $2,000). 4
MEMBERS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE SCOPE OF THE FUND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENT BUT OPINIONS WERE VARIED ON THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PAYMENT TO BE MADE - RANGING FROM $2,000, $4,000 TO $8,000.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALL THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS BEFORE FORWARDING THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES CONCERNED FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE BOARD FURTHER STUDIED AND ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CONTINUOUS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT" UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SO AS TO REMOVE LEGAL ANOMALIES AND PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.
UNDER THE PROPOSED DEFINITION, AN EMPLOYEE WILL HAVE A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IB' HE HAS WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, AND IN EACH OB' THE FOUR WEEKS HE HAS WORKED FOR NOT LESS THAN 18 HOURS.
THIS WOULD BRING WITHIN ITS SCOPE REGULAR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE AT PRESENT EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY WORK LESS THAN THREE DAYS A WEEK OR SIX HOURS A DAY.
IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "LAY-OFF" TO CONFIRM THE ORIGINAL INTENTION OB' THE LAW SO THAT AN EMPLOYEE WOULD TO TAKEN TO BE LAID OFF IF HE WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH WORK FOR A TOTAL OB' MORE THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OB' NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN ANY PERIOD OB' FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
HOWEVER, MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER WHAT A "NORMAL WORKING DAY" WAS AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK TO FURTHER CONSULT THE LAW DRAFTSMAN WITH A VIEW TO DEVISING SOME WORKING GUIDELINES.
/THE BOARD........
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1988
- 5
THE BOARD ALSO NOTED A REPORT ON HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 75TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE IN GENEVA IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
AT THE END OF THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN, MR TONY HAMMOND, PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE BOARD IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
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REVISED CODE OF PRACTICE ON ASBESTOS WASTE t t t t t
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS REVISED THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON THE HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS WASTE.
"THE CODE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED BY THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH IN 1985 UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"SINCE ITS PUBLICATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS IN 1986, THERE HAS BEEN INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR SAFE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS WASTE."
COPIES OF THE REVISED CODE MAY BE OBTAINED ON REQUEST IN WRITING FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AT SINCERE BUILDING, 17TH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, OR FROM ITS BRANCH OFFICE AT 11TH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, TS1M SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
UNDER THE REVISED CODE OF PRACTICE, IT WILL BE NECESSARY IN FUTURE FOR WASTE PRODUCERS TO INFORM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AT THE PLANNING STAGE OF ALL LARGE-SCALE DEMOLITION WORKS.
THEY WILL NEED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THEIR PROGRAMME OF WORKS AND THE ESTIMATED WASTE ARISING SO THAT SUITABLE DISPOSAL ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.
AT PRESENT, DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS WASTE IN HONG KONG IS BY WAY OF BURIAL AT LANDFILLS, BUT THE JUNK BAY LANDFILL HAS A LIMITED DAILY CAPACITY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH DISPOSAL NEEDS WHEN LARGE-SCALE OPERATIONS GENERATE SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF ASBESTOS WASTE OVER A SHORT DURATION. I
/IN ORDER
MONDAY, OCTOBER , 1988
- 6 -
IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE OVERALL VOLUME OF WASTE TO BE TRANSPORTED AND DISPOSED OF, THE CODE RECOMMENDS THAT WASTE PRODUCERS ADOPT TREATMENT PROCESSES SUCH AS WASTE COMPACTION AND ASBES1OS VITRIFICATION.
WASTE WHICH HAS BEEN TREATED WITH ONE OF THESE PROCESSES MAY BE DISPOSED OF AT A MUCH GREATER RATE AND WITH FEWER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
THE REVISED CODE OF PRACTICE STRESSES THAT IN ANY PROCESS INVOLVING ASBESTOS AND THE OPERATION OF ASBESTOS WAS IE, THE PROPRIETOR, PROPERTY OWNER OR OCCUPIER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE OPERATION IS CARRIED OUT IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER.
IT POINTS OUT THAT THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON SHOULD ENSURE HIS OWN WORKER OR CONTRACTOR HAS SUFFICIENT EXPERTISE AND TRAINING IN CARRYING OUT THE OPERATION SO AS TO AVOID THE RELEASE OF ASBESTOS FIBRES.
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TAC MEETS TAXI REPRESENTATIVES * * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD A SPECIAL MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) WITH TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON THE RECENT UPSURGE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST MALPRACTICES OF TAXI DRIVERS.
MORE THAN 50 REPRESENTATIVES FROM ABOUT 30 ASSOCIATIONS OF TAXJ DRIVERS AND OWNERS ATTENDED THE MEETING.
TAXI REPRESENTATIVES ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSES OF MALPRACTICES MAINLY TO HIGH OPERATING COSTS, ROAD CONGESTION, AND LOW FARES.
THEY SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS INVOLVED IN MALPRACTICES ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY A SMALL. PERCENTAGE OF THE TAXI DRIVERS AND EXPRESSED OBJECTION TO INTRODUCING A POINT COUNTING PENALTY AGAINST TAXI DRIVERS.
SOME SUGGESTED EXISTING PENALTIES SHOULD BE INCREASED.
THEY GENERALLY FELT THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF TAXI FARES WAS ON THE LOW SIDE \ND THAT AN ADJUSTMENT WAS NECESSARY.
THEY ALSO ASKED THAT A HIGHER RATE FOR WAITING TIME BE CHARGED TO COMPENSATE FOR TIME LOSS IN TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
/THE REPRESENTATIVES.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1988
THE REPRESENTATIVES ALSO EXPRESSED VIEWS ON THE LICENSING SYSTEM.
THE CHAIRMAN OP THE TAC, MISS MARIA TAM, TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMITTEE VIEWED TAXI TRADE MALPRACTICES VERY SERIOUSLY.
THE COMMITTEE WAS STUDYING A NUMBER OP MEASURES PROPOSED BY ITS TAXI REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE TO CURB MALPRACTICES.
SHE SAID THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE DIPFICULTIES AND CONSTRAINTS FACED BY TAXI DRIVERS BUT ADDED THAT MALPRACTICES SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED.
SHE SAID THAT TAC WOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL THE VIEWS OBTAINED IN TODAY’S MEETING BEFORE COMING TO ANY CONCLUSIONS ON THE ISSUES INVOLVED.
MISS TAM NOTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A WIDER REPRESENTATION OF THE TAXI DRIVERS IN FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TRADE AS A WHOLE.
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WONG TAI SIN DB TO DISCUSS VR ISSUES * * * *
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW.
HEADING THE AGENDA WILL BE THE LIBERALISATION OF CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND THE PLACEMENT OF 33 VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CHILDREN WITH HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS IN PRIMARY 1 OF THE KAI TAK PRIMARY PM SCHOOL STARTING ON NOVEMBER 7.
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FROM THE SECURITY BRANCH, MRS CARRIE YAU, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE THESE TWO ISSUES AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER A DISCUSSION PAPER WHICH CONTAINS FIVE QUESTIONS RAISED BY A MEMBER CONCERNING TAXI MALPRACTICE.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE WHICH ENABLES THE URBAN COUNCIL TO CLOSE DOWN UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES, AND THE REVISED DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL OF THE NGAU CHI WAN STREET SUPPLEMENTARY PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT.
/THEy WILL
MONDAY, OCTOBER , 1988
- 8 -
THEY WILL ALSO HEAR A REPLY FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL TO MEMBERS’ QUERY CONCERNING A SWIMMING POOL PROJECT IN HAMMER HILL ROAD.
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE THE DRAFT OF A WORK REPORT ON THE THIRD TERM OF’ THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE MEMBERSHIP LIST OF THE 1989 DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS: /
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT FUNG MING HALL, SIK S1K YUEN IN WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS *****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FINANCE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF DISTRICT BOARD NOTICE BOARDS IN BUILDINGS, PROVISION OF A CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, ORGANISATION OF A YOUTH SINGING CONTEST, PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOR THE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY, A JOINT SCHOOL DEBATE, AND A SNAKE DINNER FOR THE AGED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BEGIN Al' 2.30 PM 1OMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1988
- 9 -
HAWKER PROBLEMS ON YAU TSIM DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON PROBLEMS ARISING FROM HAWKERS’ PITCHES IN TEMPLE STREET, BETWEEN THE SECTION OF KANSU STREET AND NANKING STREET.
THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN PROMPTED BY A COMPLAINT RAISED DURING A RECENT MEET-THE-PUBL1C SESSION THAT OBSTRUCTIONS BY HAWKERS AT THE LOCATION ARE SO SERIOUS THAT VEHICLES CAN HARDLY PASS THROUGH IN AN EMERGENCY.
MEMBERS WILL ASK IF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CAN REARRANGE THE PITCHES IN A SINGLE ROW AND WHETHER THERE ARE NEW FIXED PITCHES IN RECLAMATION STREET.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE PROVISION OF A RAIN SHELTER IN WYLIE ROAD OUTSIDE THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL, AND REPLACEMENT OF A DISTRICT LOGO AT THE CENTRAL DIVIDER IN SALISBURY ROAD OPPOSITE A DEPARTMENT STORE.
ERECTION OF WELCOME SIGNS AT THE CENTRAL DIVIDER OF NATHAN ROAD NEAR DUNDAS STREET AND ON THE PAVEMENT NEAR THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD WITH WYLIE ROAD WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELI) TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
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NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SERVICES
*****
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) DETAILS OF \ PROPOSED STUDY ON THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL SERVICES WITHIN THE DISTRICT BEFORE COMPLETION OF A DISTRICT HOSPITAL PROJECT IN 1996-1997.
A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT THE STUDY WILL REPORT ON ITS PROGRESS.
/COMMITTEE MEMBERS
MONDAY, OCTOBER , 1988
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER SIX APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL FIRE WATCH TEAMS FOR FUNDS FOR REPLENISHING THEIR FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 42.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 251.192 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 400.321 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 68.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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ARTS FESTIVAL FOR THE (' & W COMMUNITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A MONTH-LONG CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL AIMED AT ENHANCING PEOPLE’S QUALITY OF LIFE AND TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION WILL BE LAUNCHED IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN NEXT MONTH.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR WONG CHUNG-YING, SAID THE FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE A DOZEN CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES FOR SOME 20,000 RESIDENTS WITH EMPHASIS ON "COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT".
AS A CURTAIN RAISER, AN ARTS BONANZA WILL BE HELD AT CHATER GARDEN ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
MR WONG SAID THAT PEOPLE CAN TRY VARIOUS KINDS OF HANDICRAFTS INCLUDING CERAMICS, KNITTING, FLOUR DOLL-MAKING AND PAPER SCULPTURE -- DURING THE AFTERNOON.
/THE CHAIRMAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1988
11
THE CHAIRMAN OF A WORKING GROUP, MR NGAI WAI-MING, SAID A HIGHLIGHT ON SUNDAY WILL BE A PERFORMANCE BY 1 HE TRADITIONAL BRITI FOLK DANCE TROUPE, THE HONG KONG MORRIS.
THE MORRIS DANCERS WILL PERFORM IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES AND THE AUDIENCE WILL BE INVITED TO JOIN IN.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A CHINESE ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE, ORIENTAL DANCE AND CHORAL SINGING.
SEVERAL PROGRAMMES ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED t FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE.
SOME 600 CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 15 WILL TAKE PARI IN A DRAWING COMPETITION THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) A'l THE HO j KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS.
THE COMPETITION IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE CHILDREN'S AWARENESS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT.
A CHILDREN’S STORY-TELLING COMPETITION INTENDED 1’0 CULTIVATE THEIR CREATIVITY WILL ALSO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 26 AT THE Y.W.C.A. KWAN LUNG LAU SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE.
A CARNIVAL FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD- PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20.
AT THIS FUNCTION, THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL MAN 1HE VARIOUS GAMES STALLS AS WELL AS PLAY THE GAMES.
A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE NEW SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE FROM NOVEMBER 19 UNTIL 27. WORKS BY A NUMBER OF RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL Bf DISPLAYED.
A POP CONCERT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE HELD AT LOKE YEW HALL UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12.
THE DISTRICT’S TALENTED YOUNGSTERS LN SINGING AND DANCING CAN TAKE PART IN CONTESTS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 27 (SINGING) AND DECEMBER 1 (DANCING).
ALSO ON THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME ARE COMPETITIONS FOR SIUDENIS IN TRANSLATION AND CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY.
AT
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WONG FUNG LING COLLEGE AND CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION ON DECEMBER 10 AT PUI YING MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THE TRANSLATION CONTEST WILL BE HELD
ON NOVEMBER 19 LING COLLEGE
THE THE
MR WONG ALSO SAID A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE ORGANISEn FOR KENNEDY TOWN RESIDENTS AT THE SMITHFIELD TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND ON DECEMBM
/THE CHAIRMAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1988
- 12 -
THE CHAIRMAN OE THE CLOSING CEREMONY WORK(NG GROUP, MR WU KING-CHEUNG, SAID THE COLOURFUL FESTIVAL WILL END WITH AN EVENING OF DANCE PERFORMANCES AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE’S THEATRE ON DECEMBER 11.
THE EVENT WILL FEATURE A DANCE DRAMA BY THE HONG KONG DANCE FEDERATION’S DANCE TROUPE AND THE FIRST PERFORMANCE BY THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S DANCE TROUPE.
THE FESTIVAL IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SIX GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND 22 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE BOARD HAS SPONSORED TWO-THIRDS OF THE TOTAL COST OF $150,000.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PROGRAMME CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523002.
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TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN SI1EUNG WAN, TS1M SHA TSUI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 136 AND 156 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 3).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
MEANWHILE, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS WILL BE BANNED FROM OBSERVATORY ROAD IN TS.IM SHA TSUI BETWEEN KIMBERLEY ROAD AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4).
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/13........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1988
- 13 -
TRAFFIC FLOW IN HO PONG STREET TO BE IMPROVED ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING RE-ROUTE1NG MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN HO PONG STREET IN TUEN MUN:
♦ HO PONG STREET (MAIN SECTION) BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH PUI TO ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES NORTH OF MING NGAI STREET WILL PE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND;
* THE NORTHERN ARM OF HO PONG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD/TS1NG YIN STREET AND THE MAIN SECTION OF THE STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHWEST-BOUND; AND
♦ THE SOUTHERN ARM OF HO PONG STREET (NORTH OF AND PARALLEL TO MING NGAI STREET) FROM THE MAIN SECTION OF THE STREET TO ITS JUNCTION WITH TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD/SAN CHING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTES 59S, 66 AND 66M WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA HO PONG STREET AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD FOR JOURNEYS TO KOWLOON/TSUEN WAN.
KMB ROUTES 66 AND 66M WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED VIA TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, YAN CHING STREET, HO PONG STREET, TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND PUI TO ROAD FOR JOURNEYS TO TAI HING ESTATE.
THE LRT FEEDER SERVICES ROUTES 59 AND 559 WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA PUI TO ROAD, HO PONG STREET AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD FOR JOURNEYS TO YAU 01 (SOUTH) AND SIU HONG RESPECTIVELY.
MOREOVER, THE CASTLE PEAK BAY-BOUND JOURNEYS OF ROUTE 559 WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, YAN CHING STREET, HO PONG STREET AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWAI YI ROAD * t » ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF KWAI Yl ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE MADE A PEAK HOUR (I.E. 7 - 10 AM AND 4 -7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS IN THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWAI YI ROAD, BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI YAN ROAD AND ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM THE KWAI FONG TAXI AND GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS.
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