DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JaNUaRY 1, 1989
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
ANTI-DUMPING action averted ...................................... 1
SB-IINaR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT ....................... 1
FREE SERVICE FOR EMPLOYERS, DIS.'lBLED JOB-SEEKERS................ 2
TEMPORARY P..RTI.X L.,NE CLOSURE OF TUEN HUN ROAD................. 3
TEMPORaRY URB.J'i CLELiRWaY IN SiLEUNG WAN ....................... 3
TRAFFIC <J?R,iNGHiENT IN SAN PO KONG ............................. 3
LEFT TURN BAN ON LaI CHI KOK RO.iD ............................... 4
PARTIaL CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY .............................
TEMPOR ARY L-iNE CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD ......................... 'f
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1,
1989
1
ANTI-DUMPING ACTION AVERTED * * * *
THE THREAT OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTION BY THE UNITED STATES AGAINST THERMOSTATIC PLUGS FROM HONG KONG HAS BEEN AVERTED, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
IN APRIL, 1988, A PETITION WAS FILED WITH THE US ADMINISTRATION ALLEGING THAT IMPORTS OF THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED APPLIANCE PLUGS AND PROBE THERMOSTATS FROM CANADA, JAPAN, TAIWAN, MALAYSIA AND HONG KONG WERE BEING SOLD AT LESS THAN FAIR VALUE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE US COMMERCE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED THE ALLEGATIONS, SAID MR JACKSON, AND CONCLUDED IN A RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORT THAT THE THERMOSTATS FROM HONG KONG WERE NOT BEING SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AT LESS THAN FAIR VALUE.
HOWEVER, IT DID MAKE A DETERMINATION OF DUMPING WITH REGARD TO THE OTHER FOUR COUNTRIES NAMED IN THE PETITION. INVESTIGATION INTO THOSE CASES WILL CONTINUE.
COMMENTING ON THE US FINDING, MR JACKSON SAID: "IT IS A GOOD DEMONSTRATION OF THE FACT THAT DUMPING DOES NOT MAKE SENSE FOR HONG KONG BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY ARE SUBJECT TO DIRECT MARKET FORCES AND RECEIVE NO SUBSIDIES."
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SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT » t » » *
MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND FACTORY OWNERS IN KWUN TONG ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE SEMINAR, TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 18, IS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE WILL GIVE TALKS ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT, INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT POLLUTION, AND FIRE AND CRIME PREVENTION.
/TllURE WILL..........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1989
2 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PANEL DISCUSSION DURING WHICH PARTICIPANTS MAY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND ASK RELATED QUESTIONS.
INVITATION LETTERS AND APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO LOCAL OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND FACTORY OWNERS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT. APPLICATION FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 10, 1989. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 3-416315 EXT. 371 OR 3-453104.
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FREE SERVICE FOR EMPLOYERS, DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED PROSPECTIVE DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS THAT THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION'S HONG KONG OFFICE HAS MOVED FROM WANCHAI TO CENTRAL.
THE NEW OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING (WEST WING), 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-8524801.
THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION PROVIDES A FREE EMPLOYMENT COUNSELLING AND PLACEMENT SERVICE TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, MENTALLY RETARDED AND EX-MENTALLY ILL PERSONS SEEKING OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
APART FROM THE HONG KONG OFFICE, THE DIVISION ALSO OPERATES TWO OTHER OFFICES - ONE EACH IN KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONES ARE:
KOWLOON OFFICE:
NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR AND 1ST FLOOR, 21 ON WAH STREET, NGAU TAU KOK, KOWLOON.
TEL. NO. 3-7554835
NEW TERRITORIES OFFICE:
EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 50 TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
TEL. NO. 0-4988444
0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1989
- 3 -TEMPORARY PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORK, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD EASTBOUND (TSING LUNG TAU BRIDGE SECTION) WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO JANUARY 10.
DURING THE WORK PERIOD, TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE MAINTAINED ON THE AFFECTED SECTION FROM 6.30 AM TO 9 PM, WHILE AT LEAST ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 PM TO 6.30 AM.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTEING VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHEUNG WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4) THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF IN SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 164 AND 190 WILL URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK DAILY FOR ABOUT TWO RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
FROM 10 AM ON
WING LOK STREET
BE DESIGNATED AN
WEEKS FOR ROAD
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
ALLOWED TO STOP
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SAN PO KONG
*****
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4), THE BACK YAU STREET AND TSAT PO STREET IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE EXISTING TWO WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND.
LANE BETWEEN CONVERTED
TAI
FROM
THE MOVE IS AIMED AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1989
- 4 -
LEFT TURN BAN ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD *****
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK, THE LEFT TURN VEHICULAR MOVEMENT FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO TONKIN STREET NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED TO ALL VEHICLES FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
MOTORISTS FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR TONKIN STREET NORTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD, iEN CHOW STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND TONKIN STREET.
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PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY *****
TO FACILITATE ROAD TO TRAFFIC FROM WEDNESDAY
WORK, TOLO HIGHWAY WILL BE PARTIALLY (JANUARY 4) TO JANUARY 11.
CLOSED
THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON JANUARY 4, TO
NEAR SHUI WAI
9 AM ON JANUARY
7.
MEANWHILE, THE INNER-MOST SOUTHBOUND LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON JANUARY 9, TO 9 AM ON JANUARY 11.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH (.'ARK.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHBOUN' OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (TAI WO) NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 3) AND THE NEXT DAY.
THIS MEASURE IS NEEDED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
Monday, January 2, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
MORE COURSES ON LztBOUR, STaFF RELATIONS IN THE PIPELINE ... 1
EASTERN DISTRICT CLEAN PRIVATE BUILDING AW.tRD SCHEME. 2
INTERIM SAFETY MEASURES FOR GUESTHOUSES TO BE DISCUSSED ... 2
EYE CaRE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHA TIN ......... 3
COtiMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW.......... 4
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN KWAI TSING
4
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1989
MORE COURSES ON LABOUR, STAFF RELATIONS IN THE PIPELINE *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER A SERIES OF CERTIFICATE COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND STAFF RELATIONS MANAGEMENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR AS YET ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN PROMOTING HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT SIX COURSES ON STAFF RELATIONS MANAGEMENT FOR SUPERVISORS WOULD BE ORGANISED BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL.
"THEY ARE INTENDED FOR JUNIOR AND MIDDLE-LEVEL SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS, PERSONNEL OFFICERS, OFFICERS OF UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS, AND EMPLOYERS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES," HE SAID.
"WITH AN AIM OF ACHIEVING HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS, THE COURSES WILL FOCUS ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RELATIONS KNOWLEDGE AND EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION TECHNIQUES AND SYSTEM."
ANOTHER 12 COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS DESIGNED FOR EMPLOYERS, MANAGEMENT STAFF, TRADE UNION OFFICIALS AND INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES WILL BE OFFERED BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY.
THEY ARE AIMED AT PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF LABOUR LEGISLATIONS AND WAYS TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND TOOLS.
TOPICS COVERED IN THE COURSES INCLUDE LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND PREVENTION, WORK OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION, GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, AND PREPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOKS.
OTHER SUBJECTS ARE RELATED TO PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE, WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS.
ALL COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, LEADING TO THE AWARD OF A CERTIFICATE TO THE PARTICIPANT ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS, BUT PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS FOR THE LABOUR RELATIONS COURSE WHO ARE SPONSORED BY EMPLOYERS OR TRADE UNIONS.
ENROLMENT FEES FOR THE FULL LABOUR RELATIONS COURSE AND STAFF RELATIONS MANAGEMENT COURSE ARE CHARGED AT $220 AND $140 RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES AND EMROLMENT LEAFLETS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT, HARBOUR BUILDING, 12TH FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-8523511.
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/2
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1989
- 2 -
EASTERN DISTRICT CLEAN PRIVATE BUILDING AWARD SCHEME
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS ORGANISED AN AWARD SCHEME TO CLEAN PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT BETWEEN LATE NOVEMBER 1988 TO EARLY JANUARY 1989.
ALSO CO-ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS, THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS IN MAINTAINING A CLEAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND CLEANLINESS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
OUT OF 51 BUILDINGS WHICH JOINED THE AWARD SCHEME, A TOTAL OF 18 BUILDINGS WERE SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE FINAL ROUND OF ADJUDICATION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 7 (SATURDAY).
THE ADJUDICATING PANEL CONSISTS OF MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLEAN HONG KONG ACTIVITIES; REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS; THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE PANEL WILL JUDGE THE CLEANLINESS IN THE COMMON AREA OF THE BUILDING (SUCH AS MAIN ENTRANCE, LIFT, COMMON CORRIDOR, STAIRCASE AND ROOFTOP) AS WELL AS THE GENERAL IMPRESSTON OF THE BUILDING, WHEN SELECTING THE EIGHT 'CLEANEST BUILDINGS’ IN THE DISTRICT.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SCHEME WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LAUNCHING OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S YEAR END CLEAN-UP EXERCISE AT 3 PM ON JANUARY 14 (SATURDAY) AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
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INTERIM SAFETY MEASURES FOR * *
GUESTHOUSES TO BE DISCUSSED * * *
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS PROPOSED INTERIM MEASURES TO INCREASE THE SAFETY OF GUESTHOUSES BEFORE A NEW LICENSING SYSTEM IS INTRODUCED.
THESE INSPECTIONS
MEASURES, PROPOSED BY A DISTRICT
BOARD MEMBER, INCLUDE
GUESTHOUSES WILL NOT
INVESTIGATIONS INTO
UNAUTHORISEd“cHANGES~IN LAND USAGE IN RESIDENTIAL UNITS BEING USED AS gUeS^HOUSES AND ENFORCEMENT OF STRICTER FIRE PREVENTION REQI■IIREF1EN PS IN BUILDINGS WHERE 80 PER CENT OF THE UNITS ARE USED AS GUES 1 HOUSES.
TO ENSURE
ENDANGER
THE
BUILDING’S
ALTERATION WORKS IN STRUCTURAL SAFETY,
/tolBEKS JILL........
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1989
- 3 -
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE INCLUSION OF STREET MAPS IN DIRECTORY SIGNBOARDS, PROVISION OF PLANTS AT GRANVILLE CIRCUIT AND A PROGRESS REPORT OF MINI-ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
0--------
EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ♦ »
THE ELDERLY IN SHA TIN * * *
A LARGE-SCALE "EYE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN" WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 8 AND 31 FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN.
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD AND TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF THE PROVISION OF ABOUT 3,000 PAIRS OF SPECTACLES FOR THE ELDERLY, OPTICAL TESTING AND EXAMINATION, EXHIBITION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS.
IT WILL COVER EACH OF THE NINE AREAS IN SHA TIN DISTRICT AND MORE THAN 3,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE.
TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES, A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4) AFTERNOON AT THE TREASURE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; DB CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; JOINT CHAIRMEN OF THE EYE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MESSRS LI PO-MING AND SAMMY POONE; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU AND PRESIDENT OF THE Ilk OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, MR FUNG KWOK-CHU WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE "EYE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN" TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4) BEGINNING AT 3.30 PM AT THE TREASURE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, SHA TIN TOWN HALL NEXT TO NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
_____0------ A................
MONDAY, JANUARY 2,
1989
- 4 -
COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
*****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FINANCE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING A CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT PROJECT; PUBLICATION OF A LEAFLET ON WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION; AND ’PILLAR OF THE TIME’ AWARD SCHEME.
OTHER PROJECTS TO BE FINANCED ARE THE HAPPY VALLEY SECTOR SPRING RECEPTION; WAN CHAI WEST SPRING RECEPTION; CIVIC EDUCATION NITE; RESPECT FOR THE AGED FESTIVAL; 1989 LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT ST JAMES SETTLEMENT; 89 PIONEER FUN CAMP; AND JOINT SCHOOL COMPUTER AND SCIENCE EXHIBITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BEGINNING AT 4 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, TUNG WAH MANSION, EIGHTH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
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EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN KWAI TSING
*****
FACTORY OWNERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN AN EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE LOCAL PRODUCTS AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE ON FEBRUARY 25 AND 26.
THE KWAI TSING INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE PROMOTION EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ABOUT 40 STALLS WILL BE SET UP AT THE EXHIBITION AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
FACTORY OWNERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS INTERESTED IN DISPLAYING THEIR PRODUCTS IN THE EXHIBITION MAY MAKE RESERVATION FOR. STALLS BY CALLING 0-273593.
RESERVATION WILL BE MADE ON A FIRST (ONE FIRST SERVE BASIS AND THE FINAL RIGHT OF ACCEPTANCE WILL REST WITH THE ORGANISER.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
Tuesday, January j, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORT EXAMINES METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES ... 1
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL: LADY WILSON 2
LUCKY CAR NUMBER FOR NEW YEAR AUCTION ..................... 3
DB COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE HAWKER PROBLEM .................... 4
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DECORATION WORKS PROBLEM ............. 5
DB FUNDS SOUGHT FOR RECREATIONS ACTIVITIES ................ 5
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ............................ 6
C & S CONTINUES TO CONDUCT GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ....... 6
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE EOR TUEN MUN SINGING COMPETITION ... 7
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY ................................ 7
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHaM SHU I PO, KWUN TONG .............. 8
TEMPORARY RE-ROUTEING OF APLIU STREET ..................... 8
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1989
REPORT EXAMINES METALS AND LIGHT
*****
ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES
A NEW REPORT ON HONG KONG’S METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES SUGGESTS THAT THEY COULD BE MORE EFFICIENT IF WEAKNESSES, INCLUDING LOW LEVEL OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, LOW LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY. INADEQUATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND INSUFFICIENT INVESTMENT COUL^ IE DEALT WITH.
THE STUDY, "TECHNO-ECONOMIC STUDY OF HONG KONG’S METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES", WAS UNDERTAKEN BY P-E CONSULTING SERVICES LTD., A UNITED KINGDOM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT.
THE INDUSTRIES ARE SUPPORTIVE IN NATURE, INVOLVING THE MANUFACTURE OF PRODUCTION MACHINERY, TOOLING AND COMPONENTS FOR "FINISHED GOODS" INDUSTRIES SUCH AS TOYS, WATCHES, ELECTRONIC GOODS, DOMESTIC APPLIANCES, PLASTIC WARES, JEWELLERY, DECORATIVE ITEMS, AND OTHER LIGHT ENGINEERING PRODUCTS.
IN ADDITION TO A HIGH LEVEL OF LOCAL CONSUMPTION, THE INDUSTRIES ALSO HAD EXPORTS IN 1986 OF $27 BILLION, RANKING BEHIND CLOTHING AND ELECTRONICS, THE REPORT SAID.
DESPITE KEEN COMPETITION IN OVERSEAS MARKETS, HONG KONG HAS AN ADVANTAGE OVER DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, GIVEN LOW TAXATION, FREE PORT STATUS AND THE ABSENCE OF BUREAUCRATIC INTERFERENCE, THE STUDY SAID.
HONG KONG’S PROXIMITY TO CHINA'S SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES ALSO ENABLES PRODUCTION OF SOME COMPONENTS AND SUB-ASSEMBLES TO BE CARRIED OUT THERE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHEAPER LAND AND LABOUR.
HOWEVER, IF HONG KONG’S METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES WERE TO REMAIN VIABLE, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES, PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY.
THE REPORT SHOWED THAT LOCAL METALS ANO LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES SUFFER FROM A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS, INCLUDING LOW PAY, LOW LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, POOR WORKPLACE ORGANISATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS, LACK OF QUALITY ASSURANCE, BACKWARD TECHNOLOGY, INADEQUATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, INSUFFICIENT INVESTMENT AND INABILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TECHNICIANS AND TECHNOLOGISTS.
TO CURB THE PROBLEM OF DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT, THE CONSULTANTS PROPOSED THAT THERE SHOULD BE LESS EMPHASIS ON "STATE OF THE ART" INVESTMENT, AND A MORE CO-ORDINATED APPROACH BETWEEN INDUSTRY, EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL BODIES TO TRAIN MORE TECHNICIANS AND RE-TRAIN THE EXISTING WORKFORCE.
/THE STUDY
TUESDAY, JANUARY J, 1989
- 2 -
THE STUDY POINTED OUT THAT THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY USING TECHNIQUES AND WORKING PRACTICES WHICH ARE ALREADY WIDELY USED ELSEWHERE.
TO CORRECT CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED WEAKNESSES AND TO PUTLD ON THE EXISTING STRENGTHS OF THE SECTOR, THE CONSULTANTS SUGGEST THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND TRAINING, UPGRADE QUALITY, STRENGTHEN INDUSTRY SUPPORT, DEVELOP POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKETS AND ENCOURAGE IMPORT SUBSTITUTION.
THE STUDY ALSO CALLED FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING TARGETTED ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING MORE LABOUR TRAINING, ENCOURAGING INWARD INVESTMENT, AND PROVIDING A CLIMATE WHEREBY HONG KONG COMPANIES ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN NEW CAPACITY.
THE REPORT, ONE OF A SERIES OF STUDIES ON HONG KONG’S MAJOR INDUSTRIES, IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE METALS COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, WHICH WILL RECOMMEND WHAT FOLLOW-UP ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN.
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REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL: LADY WILSON *****
LADY WILSON TODAY (TUESDAY) DESCRIBED AS REMARKABLE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LITERARY TRANSLATION JOURNAL "RENDITIONS" PUBLISHED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION OF PUBLICATIONS AND 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF "RENDITIONS", LADY WILSON SAID* "HONG KONG HAS OFTEN BEEN DESCRIBED AS A CITY WHERE EAST MEETS WEST:IT HAS ALSO BEEN FOR MANY YEARS A CENTRE OF INTER-CULTURAL EXCHANGES.
"IT IS THEREFORE APPROPRIATE THAT THE WORLD’S LEADING CHINESE-ENGLISH TRANSLATION JOURNAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOUNDED HERE."
SINCE ITS PUBLICATION IN 1973 BY THE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, "RENDITIONS" HAS OFFERED ITS READIES TRANSLATIONS OF THE FINEST CHINESE LITERATURE, OLD ARD NEW,INTERSPERSED WITH INFORMATIVE DISCUSSIONS ON A WIDE RANGE <>F TOPICS RELATED TO CHINESE CULTURE.
"IT HAS BEEN USED IN CLASSES OF CHINESE STUDIES IN ALL MAJOR WESTERN UNIVERSITIES, AND HAS SET NEW STANDARDS IN CHINESE-ENGLISH TRANSLATION. '
/"ALL THESE
TUESDAY, JANUARY J, 1989
- 3 -
"ALL THESE WE EXPECT FROM A FINE ACADEMIC JOURNAL," LADY WILSON SAID.
"RENDITIONS", SHE SAID, WAS RATHER UNIQUE, IN THAT, WHILE SERVING THE NEEDS OF ACADEMICS AND STUDENTS OF CHINESE, IT HAD ALSO AROUSED THE INTEREST OF THE GENERAL READING PUBLIC.
"SINCE HONG KONG IS A PREDOMINANTLY CHINESE SOCIETY, IT IS PERHAPS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT THE HIGH REPUTATION OF 'RENDITIONS’ IS BETTER KNOWN ABROAD THAN LOCALLY," LADY WILSON SAID.
"I HOPE THAT, WITH THE LAUNCHING OF THE 'RENDITIONS’ SPECIAL ISSUE ON HONG KONG, THE LOCAL READING PUBLIC WILL BECOME MORE AWARE OF THIS FINE JOURNAL," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID THAT "RENDITIONS" WAS ANOTHER EXAMPLE THAT THE LABEL "MADE IN HONG KONG” REPRESENTED GOOD QUALITY.
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LUCKY CAR NUMBER FOR NEW YEAR AUCTION
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS SELECTED A SPECIAL CAR NUMBER -"7" WITHOUT PREFIX - FOR SALE AT A LUNAR NEW YEAR "LUCKY" VEHICLE NUMBER AUCTION ON JANUARY 21 (SATURDAY).
NINETEEN OTHER SPECIALLY SELECTED NUMBERS WILL ALSO BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION, WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO THE CHARITABLE LOTTERIES FUND.
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CAR NUMBER AUCTION ORGANISED LAST YEAR SAW THE AUSPICIOUS NUMBER "8", ALSO WITHOUT PREFIX, FETCH A RECORD $5 MILLION.
THE POPULARITY OF "LUCKY" NUMBERS HAS PROMPTED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO ORGANISE MORE AUCTIONS OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS IN ORDER TO GENERATE MORE MONEY FOR CHARITY.
THE STRENGTH' OF PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE NUMBERS CAN BE INDICATED BY THE MONEY RAISED.
IN 1986, THE PROCEEDS FROM THESE AUCTIONS TOTALLED $4.63 MILLION.
THE 1987 FIGURE WAS $7.88 MILLION.
IN 1988 THE PROCEEDS ROSE TO A TOTAL OF $20.2 MILLION.
/WITH AN
TUESDAY, JANUARY J, 1989
WITH AN EXPECTED LARGE TURNOUT AT THE COMING AUCTION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS CHANGED TO A LARGER VENUE. THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, INSTEAD OF THE RECITAL HALL, BEGINNING AT 10 AM.
THE 19 OTHER NUMBERS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
SINCE MAY 1973 A TOTAL OF 133 AUCTIONS HAVE BEEN HELD BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, RAISING $69.14 MILLION FOR THE LOTTERIES FUND.
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DB COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE HAWKER PROBLEM
*****
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) RESITING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LICENSED HAWKERS WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT TRAFFIC STUDY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE A MEMBER’S PROPOSAL CALLING ON THE AUTHORITIES TO REVIEW THE HAWKING AREAS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT AND TO FORMULATE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER ILLEGAL HAWKING.
AT THE MEETING, A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE NUISANCES CAUSED BY PIG-ROASTING ACTIVITIES IN A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN SMITHFIELD IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE PRESENTED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 14TIJ FL'>OR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY. JANUARY 3, 1989
- 5 -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DECORATION WORKS PROBLEM *****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF 1 <iE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) TC DT.'CtSS THE PROBLEM OF DECORATION WORKS CONCERNING PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES.
SUBSEQUENT TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH HAD INJURED SEVEN PEOPLE IN NORTH POINT LAST MONTH, MEMBERS URGED THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED TO F ... SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE SAFETY MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED IN RESPECT Of DECORATION WORKS.
SEVERAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE AN OBJECTION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COVERED TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT CHAI WAN TEMPORARY MARKET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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DB FUNDS SOUGHT FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES *****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER ENDORSING SEVEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS PROJECTS.
MEMBERS WILL EXAMINE THE VETTING REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND A REVIEW ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND VETTING PRINCIPLES WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE BEGINNING AT 2.30 P: TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROr' ( <’.
THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN Hl JiO.-.D, MUN.
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/6......
TUESDAY. JANUARY 3, 1989
- 6 -
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET * « * »
THE INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE YU LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIFTH MEETING ON THUPFD.'.Y
(JANUARY 5).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY A REPRESENTATIVE 01 THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE FARMING COMMUNITY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
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C & S CONTINUES TO CONDUCT GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
♦ » * * »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FROM JANUARY TO MARCH THIS YEAR.
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; FREQUENCY OF DOCTOR CONSULTATION; AWARENESS OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS IN HONG KONG; TIME SPENT IN TAXI WAITING AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE JANUARY - MARCH QUARTER.
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. 'ILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED ' "U TREATED CONF’DENT ' 'N
WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTS ' i'R TH” DEPARTMENT.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1989
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR TUEN MUN SINGING COMPETITION
*****
AN AUDITION FOR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT MUSIC SELECTION COMPETITION WAS HELD RECENTLY AND 14 TEAMS WERE SHORTLISTED FOR A DECIDING ROUND.
THIS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM.
THE CHAMPION TEAM WILL COMPETE AGAINST OTHER TEAMS IN A TERRITORY-WIDE MUSIC COMPETITION AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON MARCH 24.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND THE COMPETITION'S ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE DISTRICT WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONSHIP.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND A LOCAL DEPARTMENT STORE.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING OF JANUARY 14 WILL INCLUDE SINGING AND ENSEMBLE COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS A PERFORMANCE BY THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4509673.
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SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SZE MEI STREET, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TAI YAU STREET, TSEUK LUK STREET, KING FUK STREET AND KING HONG STREET.
ALSO ON THURSDAY, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN LAI CHI KOK, CHEUNG SHA WAN, SO UK, TAI WO PING, SHEK KIP MEI, YAU YAT TSUEN, SHAM SHUI PO, TAI KOK TSUI AND MONG KOK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM.
THE SUSPENSION WILL FACILITATE MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE WORKS IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN SALT WATER PUMPING STATION.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1989
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 6), YEE KUK STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YEN CHOW STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HUNG TO ROAD IN KWUN TONG FROM A POINT ABOUT 46 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 68 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE LIFTED.
- 0 - -
TEMPORARY RE-ROUTEING OF APLlU STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE RE-ROUTEING OF APLIU STREET BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND SHEK KIP MEI STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL THE END OF APRIL BECAUSE OF ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DRIVERS ON NORTHBOUND SHEK KIP MEI STREET AND WESTBOUND APLIU STREET HEADING FOR NAM CHEONG STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA SHEK KIP MEI STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND NAM CHEONG STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JaNUARY 4, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SCHOOL NOISE ABATEMENT PRIORITIES EXPLAINED TO PARENTS .... 1
WIDE-RANGING FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR SHAM SHUT PO RESIDENTS .................................................... 2
I
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON CONTAINER PORT ISSUES ................ 3
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET TOMORROW ................ 4
IMPROVEMENT TO KIM SHIN LANE ON DB AGENDA ................. 5
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER NORTH RECREATIONAL FACILITIES .... 6
CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN ........................... 6
TWO SHA TIN SITES TO LET BY TENDER ........................ 7
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ...................................... 8
SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THREE DISTRICTS ....... 8
LEARNER DRIVER BAN, RESTRICTED ZONE LIFTED ................ 9
FLYOVER IN MID-LEVELS RE-ROUTED ........................... 9
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
1
SCHOOL NOISE ABATEMENT PRIORITIES EXPLAINED TO PARENTS » » * » »
PRIORITIES FOR THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME ARE GIVEN TO SCHOOLS WORST AFFECTED BY AIRCRAFT AND TRAFFIC NOISE, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR CHRIS GODWIN, TOLD A GROUP OF TSUEN WAN SCHOOL PARENTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN AT A MEETING HELD BETWEEN PARENT REPRESENTATIVES AND OFFICIALS FROM THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS THE NOISE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE SCHOOLS LOCATED NEAR ROUTE 5.
IN RESPONSE TO THE POINT THAT THE SCHOOLS WERE AFFECTED BY ROADWORKS CONSTRUCTION NOISE, MR GODWIN SAID HE WAS SYMPATHETIC GIVEN THE SITUATION BUT POINTED OUT THAT THE TSUEN WAN SECTION OF ROUTE 5 WOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"SINCE NOISE ABATEMENT WORK COULD ONLY BE CARRIED OUT DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT TREATMENT OF THESE SCHOOLS CAN BE COMPLETED BY THE TIME THE CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS HAVE DISAPPEARED,” HE SAID.
"BESIDES, ACTION HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN BY THE PROJECT MANAGER (TSUEN WAN) TO CONTROL THE LEVEL OF NOISE GENERATED BY THE ROAD WORKS, tl
MR GODWIN SAID SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY SEVERE AIRCARFT NOISE WERE BEING TREATED UNDER THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME AND PLANS WERE IN HAND FOR TREATING 92 SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC NOISE OF 75 DECIBELS AND ABOVE, STARTING IN SUMMER THIS YEAR.
"AT PRESENT, THE SIX SCHOOLS LOCATED NEAR ROUTE 5 ARE EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC NOISE BETWEEN 62 AND 76 DECIBELS,"
RESPONDING TO THE POINT THAT THE SCHOOLS WOULD BE EXPOSED TO A PROJECTED TRAFFIC NOISE OF 76 DECIBELS IN 1996 AFTER ROUTE 5 WAS FULLY OPERATIVE AND SHOULD THEREFORE MERIT EARLY TREATMENT UNDER THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME, MR GODWIN EXPLAINED THAT ABOUT 59 SCHOOLS WERE ALREADY EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC NOISE OF 77 DECIBELS AND ABOVE.
"ADVANCING THE TREATMENT OF THE ROUTE 5 CASES WOULD BE UNFAIR TO THE 59 SCHOOLS CONCERNED AS TRAFFIC NOISE ALONG ROUTE 5 IS STILL COMPARATIVELY TOLERABLE," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE PRIORITY OF SCHOOLS IS REASSESSED WHENEVER NECESSARY SO THAT NEW DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPENING OF ROUTE 5 CAN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AT THE APPROPRIATE STAGE," MR GODWIN ADDED.
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/2
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
2 -
WIDE-RANGING FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS
*****
RESIDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE TREATED TO A THREE-WEEK EXTRAVAGANZA OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE 1988-89 SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVAL, COMPRISING 51 EVENTS, WILL BEGIN ON SU DAY (JANUARY 8) AND CONTINUE UNTIL JANUARY 28.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1988-89 SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHOI WAN-HOE, ANNOUNCED THE PROGRAMME AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE FESTIVAL, WHICH HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT OF SHAM SHUI PO, AIMS AT FOSTERING RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, PROMOTING THEIR INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES, AND ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT," MR CHOI SAID.
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE FESTIVITIES WILL HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS."
THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WILL BE STAGED BY MORE THAN 30 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS AREA COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS.
THE FESTIVAL, ESTIMATED TO COST MORE THAN $1 MILLION, IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
MR CHOI SAID THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WOULD OFFICIATE AT A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY AT THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL IN KOWLOON TONG.
AFTER THE CEREMONY THERE WILL BE A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING SINGING BY POPULAR ARTISTES AND CHOIRS AS WELL AS A DRAMA PERFORMANCE.
"IN RESPONSE TO THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION, THE EMPHASIS OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL BE PLACED ON THE PROMOTION OF THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, WITH 21 EVENTS FOCUSSING ON THEMES RELATED TO CIVIC EDUCATION," MR CHOI NOTED.
ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, A MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD IN A HOTEL, WITH 40 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TAKING THE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND DISCUSSING ISSUES OF DISTRICT INTEREST.
/THIS EXERCISE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY U, 1989
THIS EXERCISE WILL HELP THE PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD.
IN ADDITION, A SPEECH COMPETITION, A DAY CAMP, TALKS AND EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD TO PROJECT THE CIVIC EDUCATION THEME.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE A TERRITORY-WIDE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION, A PHOTOGRAHPIC COMPETITION ON FESTIVAL EVENTS, AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFT TELEMATCH, CARNIVALS, VARIETY SHOWS, CANTONESE OPERA SINGING AS WELL AS CHINESE AND WESTERN ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCES.
LEAFLETS GIVING DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
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EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON CONTAINER PORT ISSUES * * * » »
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONTAINER TRADE, KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FROM SOUTH KWAI CHUNG AND OFFICERS OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE HAVE HELD AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE CONTAINER PORT AND ON POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS.
THE DISCUSSION WAS CONVENED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND CLOSER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THOSE IN THE PORT TRADE AND RESIDENTS.
IT WAS NOTED DURING THE DISCUSSION THAT HONG KONG HAD A PROBLEM IN THE PROVISION OF BACK-UP LAND FOR THE CONTAINER PORT.
THE PORT WAS DEVELOPED IN THE 1970’S AND THE THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS NOW FAR EXCEEDED ORIGINAL ESTIMATES.
ON ONE HAND, RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE CONTAINER PORT AND RELATED USES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WAS PRESSURE TO PROVIDE BACK-UP LAND IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN AREAS TO FACILITATE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE PORT.
HOWEVER, THE PARTICIPANTS AGREED THAT A CONCERTED EFFORT WOULD HELP TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF NOISE, GLARE AND TRAFFIC NUISANCES CAUSED TO RESIDENTS.
/IT WAS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
- 4 -
IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT COMMUNICATION WITH ALL PARTIES IN THE TRADE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED.
AS REGARDS LAND USED FOR CONTAINER-RELATED PURPOSES, THE PARTICIPANTS NOTED THAT SOME DESIGNATED BACK-UP AREAS WOULD BE LOCATED NEXT TO TERMINALS SIX AND SEVEN, AND POINTED OUT THAT PROVISION FOR BACK-UP AREAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE INCLUDED IN FUTURE PLANNING OF CONTAINER TERMINALS.
IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES FOR CONTAINER TRUCK DRIVERS, SUCH AS SETTING UP PUBLIC CONVENIENCE FACILITIES NEAR THE PORT.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ARRANGE VISITS TO CONTAINER TERMINALS FOR KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS IN DUE COURSE, TO FURTHER ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PORT OPERATIONS.
-------0 ---------
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET TOMORROW * » * i *
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF MOBIL OIL DEPOTS AND PROVISION OF CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES AT TSING YI AT A MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON DETAILS CONCERNING THE REMOVAL, REHOUSING AND COMPENSATION FOR SINGLETON AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS OF 11 HOUSING BLOCKS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE NOISE POLLUTION CAUSED BY BOATYARDS AT NORTH TSING YI AND THE PLAN TO RELOCATE THEM.
A MEMBER WILL MOVE A MOTION THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD FREEZE THE RENTAL OF THOSE HOUSING ESTATES WHICH WILL BE REDEVELOPED WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED ON THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE DISTRICT’S PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE THAT PAY DOUBLE RENT AND THE NUMBER OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT, AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THEM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2.30 TOMORROW (THURSDAY)
CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILD "■ KWAI CHUNG.
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/!>...........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
- 5 -
IMPROVEMENT TO KIM SHIN LANE ON DB AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE INFORMED AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) OF THE LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO KIM SHIN LANE UNDER THE TERRITORY-WIDE "IMPROVEMENT TO RESUMED PRIVATE STREETS" PROJECT.
THEY WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE A PROPOSAL BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO CARRY OUT INTERIM REPAIRS TO THE ROAD SURFACE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF THE LANE, USING DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
SUBJECT TO THEIR APPROVAL, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION'S WORKS SECTION WILL PROCEED TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF NECESSARY REPAIRS AND PREPARE AN ESTIMATE OF COSTS FOR THE COMMITTEE’S CONSIDERATION.
ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, PRIOR CONSENT OF LANDOWNERS ARE REQUIRED FOR PROJECTS ON PRIVATE LAND.
THEREFORE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ASSIST FLAT OWNERS IN KIM SHIN LANE TO FORM OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND SEEK THEIR AGREEMENT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS.
ANOTHER ITEM FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING IS A PROPOSED HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECT AT TAI WO PING.
THE PROJECT, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 12 HECTARES, WILL PROVIDE A MAXIMUM OF 3,400 FLATS FOR 11,500 PEOPLE.
SITE FORMATION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE LATE THIS YEAR AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FLATS WILL BE OCCUPIED BY LATE 1995.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI NAN STREET AND KWEILIN STREET, IMPROVEMENTS TO FACILITIES AT BEACON HILL, USE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO ARMY CAMP SITE, THE SUSPENSION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND HAWKING PROBLEMS IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH INFORMATION PAPERS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF AN EVENING SERVICE IN COLLECTING HOUSEHOLD WASTES IN THREE HOUSING ESTATES, THE PROGRESS OF PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE 1988-89 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT VOTE AND THE NOISE NUISANCE TO THE FAT TSUENG STREET TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHlK KIP Ml-.j COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAN CHEONG STREET.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
6
DB COMMITTEE TO
CONSIDER NORTH RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
*****
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF PROJECTS TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPORTS A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN SHEK WU HUI, SHEUNG SHUI AND CENTRE IN FANLING SOUTH.
COMPLEX AND
A COMMUNITY
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE USAGE PATTERN OF MAJOR RECREATIONAL VENUES IN THE DISTRICT; THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY; AND A REPORT FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD,FANLING.
-----0------
CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN *****
A CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN, KNOWN AS THE "PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY", WILL BE HELD AT EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 15.
AT THE FUNCTION, CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN 20 CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WOODWORK, WATER-COLOUR PAINTING, DOUGHMODELLING, SANDWICH-MAKING, CLAY-DOLL MAKING, BUBBLES GAME AND COLLAGE ART.
"THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE GAMES, CHILDREN WILL LEARN TO ORGANISE THEIR WORK, MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN AND BUILD UP SELF-CONFIDENCE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS EXPLAINED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE FUNCTION WILL ALSO ENABLE PARENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE IN HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR CREATIVITY," HE ADDED.
/THE PROJECT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
- 7 -
THE PROJECT IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD IN CELEBRATION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD.
THE ACTIVITIES DAY WILL BEGIN AT NOON AND LAST UNTIL 4.30 PM. THE ACTIVITIES ARE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND EIGHT YEARS OLD.
THOSE WISHING TO TAKE PART MAY CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-8523487 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
MEANWHILE, A WORKSHOP ON ’’LEARNING THROUGH PLAY AND THE ROLE OF ADULT” FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, STARTING AT 2 PM AT THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 12 BORRETT ROAD, CENTRAL.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE WORKSHOP MAY ENROL BY CALLING MISS ROSE HO ON 3-324531, EXT. 201.
------0-------
TWO SHA TIN SITES TO LET BY TENDER ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TWO SITES IN SHA TIN TO LET BY TENDER.
THE FIRST SITE, WHICH IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS AND LORRIES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES), IS IN AREA 11 AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,960 SQUARE METRES.
THE LEASE IS FOR 18 MONTHS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND SITE IS IN AREA 47B. MEASURING ABOUT 3,150 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, IT IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, PLANT AND MACHINERY, VEHICLES AND BUILDING MATERIALS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) BELONGING TO THE TENANT ONLY.
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 20 THIS YEAR.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
------O------- /8......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
- 8 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 39.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 230.519 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 348.732 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 59.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THREE DISTRICTS
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN FANLING WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 7 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 6) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN LUEN WO MARKET AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD.
IN TUEN MUN, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY, ALSO FOR WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE AREA ALONG LUNG MUN ROAD FROM TUEN MUN KAU HUI TO TAP SHEK KOK.
THIS INCLUDES YEUNG SIU HANG TSUEN, TSING SHAN TSUEN, TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, CASTLE PEAK BOYS HOME, AREA 18, 19, 31, 40 AND 44 PAK KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, BUTTERFLY ESTATE, WU KING ESTATE, SIU HONG COURT, MELODY GARDENS, SIU HEI COURT, WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, AND MONG HAU SHEK DETENTION AND HOLDING CENTRE.
IT ALSO INCLUDES TAP SHEK KOK POWER STATION, CHINA CEMENT COMPANY LIMITED, LUNG KWU TAN AND HOI CHIU GARDENS, AND ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE AREA.
ALSO, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME KWAI CHUNG PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON SATURDAY TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE AREA OF KWAI CHUNG FROM TEXACO ROAD TO CONTAINER PORT ROAD INCLUDING PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, CHO YIU CHUEN, YUET LAI COURT, LAI KING ESTATE, TSUI YIU COURT, LAI YIU ESTATE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, KWAI HING ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI SHING CIRCUIT AND HA KWAI CHUNG.
-------0-------- /9.........................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1989
- 9 -
LEARNER DRIVER BAN, RESTRICTED ZONE LIFTED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7), LEARNER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER HOLLY ROAD AND HAWTHORN ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY, FROM 7.30 AM TO 7.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
FROM THE SAME TIME, IN REPULSE BAY, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF BEACH ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
- - 0 -
FLYOVER IN MID-LEVELS RE-ROUTED * * * *
FROM 2 PM TO 11 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7), THE FLYOVER ABOVE THE JUNCTION OF ROBINSON ROAD AND OLD PEAK ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY EASTBOUND TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS AT THE FLYOVER.
ALL WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE FLYOVER AND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROBINSON ROAD GROUND LEVEL.
THE MEASURE WILL BE REPEATED FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8).
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
CONTENTS RAGE NO.
MACAU AIRPORT WILL BENEFIT REGION: GOVERNOR .................. 1
LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVES ON SATURDAY........................... 2
STEERING GROUP BRIEFED ON PROGRESS OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 4
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR OCTOBER ....... 5
DOWNWARD TREND IN INSOLVENCIES CONTINUES ..................... 8
DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR TIN SHUT WAI NEV/ TOWN ................. 8
DECEMBER 1988 SRUVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ... 9
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FIRST QUARTER PAYMENT ........... 10
MUSIC-LOVING FAMILIES TO COMPETE FOR AWARD ................... 11
ONE MORE AIDS PATIENT CONFIRMED............................... 12
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DAY ON SUNDAY .............. 11*
DB COMMITTEE TC DISCUSS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES .......... 14
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY IN YAU TSIM................... 1?
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS 1989-90 COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME 16
SEMINAR ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN KWUN TONG .............. 17
DB SPORTS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ............ 18
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHARITY WALK................. 18
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ......................... 20
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
1
MACAU AIRPORT WILL BENEFIT REGION: GOVERNOR
* * * * *
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW AIRPORT IN MACAU WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE FOR HONG KONG IN RELIEVING CONGESTION AND WOULD BENEFIT THE REGION AS A WHOLE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM MACAU, THE GOVERNOR SAID ALTHOUGH HE EXPECTED THERE WOULD BE SOME REDUCTION OF AIR PASSENGERS TO HONG KONG AS A RESULT, IT WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECT BECAUSE HONG KONG’S GROWTH RATE WAS SO GREAT.
’’INDEED, THERE ARE SOME ADVANTAGES TO HONG KONG BECAUSE IT WILL RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON US. THERE’S GOING TO BE NO SHORTAGE OF PASSENGERS COMING TO HONG KONG,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE MACAU AUTHORITIES HOPED TO FORM A CONSORTIUM AND START WORK THIS YEAR ON THE SINGLE RUNWAY AIRPORT WHICH WOULD TAKE MODERN AIRCRAFT.
’’THEY HOPE TO COMPLETE IT BY 1993. THEY HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS THAT ARE GOING TO COME INTO THIS AREA — THE PEARL RIVER DELTA, WHICH SHOWS THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR AN AIRPORT, NOT JUST TO SERVE MACAU BUT THAT PART OF SOUTHERN CHINA AS WELL.
’’AND GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT IS COMING TO HONG KONG AND THIS REGION NOW, I THINK AN AIRPORT IN MACAU AS WELL WOULD ACTUALLY BENEFIT THE WHOLE REGION,” SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HIS VISIT TO THE PORTUGUESE ENCLAVE GAVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH THE MACAU GOVERNOR ON MATTERS WHICH WERE OF CONCERN TO THE TWO TERRITORIES.
SIR DAVID SAID HE VISITED THE SITE WHERE THE NEW AIRPORT WOULD BE BUILT AND WAS GIVEN A DETAILED BRIEFING ON THE PROJECT.
”1 ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO GO AND VISIT MACAU AND SEE WHAT SORT OF DEVELOPMENTS HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS SINCE I LAST PAID A PRIVATE VISIT THERE IN 1981,” THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
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/2........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5,
1989
2 -
LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVES ON SATURDAY *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, WILL ARRIVE ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) AFTERNOON FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT.
THIS WILL BE LORD GLENARTHUR'S FOURTH VISIT TO THE TERRITORY SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE IN 1987.
DURING HIS STAY, LORD GLENARTHUR WILL VISIT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES IN TUEN MUN, JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, THE SITE FOR THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION.
HE WILL ALSO MEET MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THE MINISTER WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE LEAVING HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FOLLOWING ARE PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR COVERAGE OF LORD GLENARTHUR*S VISITS IN HONG KONG.
JANUARY 7 (SATURDAY)
ARRIVAL
LORD GLENARTHUR WILL ARRIVE BY FLIGHT CX 250 AT 2.45 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HIS ARRIVAL ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 2 PM.
JANUARY 9 (MONDAY)
HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
LORD GLENARTHUR WILL ARRIVE AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE AT 1 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 4.30 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ATRIUM OF THE CENTRE NEAR THE HARBOUR ROAD MAIN ENTRANCE BY 4.15 PM.
/JANUARY 10 .......
THUKSDAi, JANUARY 5, 1989
JANUARY 10 (TUESDAY)
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION
LORD GLENARTHUR WILL VISIT THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION ON THE NINTH FLOOR, BANK OF AMERICA TOWER, 12 HARCOURT ROAD AT 11 AM. HE WILL ALSO PRESENT TWO COMPUTERS TO THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
REFUGEE CENTRES, TUEN MUN
LORD GLENARTHUR WILL VISIT THE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE, SAN YICK REFUGEE CENTRE AND TUEN MUN REFUGEE CENTRE.
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, AT 1 PM. THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO TUEN MUN SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO PILLAR POINT VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRE AT AREA 46A BY 2.30 PM.
THE VISIT IS SCHEDULED TO END AT 5 PM.
JANUARY 11 (WEDNESDAY)
JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AT 9.15 AM, LORD GLENARTHUR WILL ARRIVE AT A VIEWING POINT NEAR HONG SING GARDEN, PO LAM ROAD, WHERE HE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN INCLUDING THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
HE WILL THEN TOUR PO LAM ESTATE, JUNK BAY, AND LATER VISIT THE SITE FOR THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT CLEAR WATER BAY, SAI KUNG.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AR’ REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK A 8 AM.
/PRESS CONFEPENC’-''............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
4 -
PRESS CONFERENCE
LORD GLENARTHUR WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR,BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
REPRESENTATIVES OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES EARLIER TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
DEPARTURE
LORD GLENARTHUR WILL LEAVE HONG KONG BY FLIGHT CX 730 AT 6.15 PM ON WEDNESDAY EVENING. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER HIS DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT 5.30 PM.
-----0------
STEERING GROUP BRIEFED ON PROGRESS OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS * » ♦ ♦ ♦
OUT OF THE NINE PRIVATE FARMS SELECTED FOR CARRYING OUT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS, SIX ARE BEING COMMISSIONED, WHILE TWO OTHER FARMS WILL BE READY FOR COMMISSIONING NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WERE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AT A MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY LEARNT THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE REMAINING FARM, WHICH WAS FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE WET-MUCK-OUT METHOD FOR PIGS, WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MAY THIS YEAR.
CONSTRUCTION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES ON ALL PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS WOULD THEREFORE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AROUND MAY THIS YEAR.
CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP, MR LEO KWAN, SAID THAT TO CLOSELY MINITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, GROUP MEMBERS HAD CONDUCTED REGULAR VISITS TO THE FARMS TO LOOK AT THE INSTALLATION OF THE TREATMENT FACILITIES THERE. THEY HAD COMPLETED THE FIRST ROUND OF VISITS ON DECEMBER 21 LAST YEAR.
/’’THE NEXT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
5
"THE NEXT ROUND OF VISITS LUNAR NEW YEAR,” HE ADDED.
WOULD BE
CARRIED OUT BEFORE THE
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO FARMERS’ VIEWS ON DETAILS OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES AGREED WITH THE CONSULTANT.
REFLECTED PROJECTS.
TO DISCUSS
PARTICIPATING
ENVIRONMENTAL
THEIR VIEWS
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR OCTOBER ♦ ♦ t ♦ *
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER 1988, ESTIMATED AT $8,794 MILLION, WAS 17 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN OCTOBER 1987 WHILE THEIR VOLUME WAS 9 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING OCTOBER 1988 WITH OCTOBER 1987, RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS ROSE BY 16 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR ’’OTHER CONSUMER GOODS” WERE 13 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 54 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 42 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 26 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO OCTOBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME. ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND HAD A NEGLIGIBLE CHANGE IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF ’’OTHER CONSUMER GOODS” ROSE BY 32 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 22 PER CENT IN VOLUME. ’’CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS” AND CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT RESPECTIVE!/. IL SALES VALUE, AND 13 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
/ANALYSED BY .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1989
6
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 44 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 31 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WERE 39 PER CENT AND 27 PER CENT. SUPERMARKETS SALES ROSE BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT I’ ' S VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND iAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR OCTOBER 1988 INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. SALES OF FUELS RECORDED INCREASES OF 4 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO HAD A NEGLIGIBLE CHANGE IN SALES VALUE AND AN INCREASE OF 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF ’’OTHER CONSUMER GOODS” INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES,' DEPARTMENT STORES RECORDED INCREASES OF 21 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 19 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME, AND SALES BY SUPERMARKETS DECREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR OCTOBER 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 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.
COMPARISONS OF OCTOBER 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 AND WITH THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1987 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO OCTOBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE OCTOBER 1988 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BY DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234941).
7
TABLE 1 l TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Salts for October 1988 (Provisional Figtre) • HKM.794 aiilion for SeptMberi988 (Revised Figure) « HKS8,600 aiilion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 ANO OCTOBER 1988
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
1 ! Ilea । । • . । । • Index of Retail Sales 1 । । । । September 1988 । • । i 1 October 1988 with 1988 i • • October coapared October 1988 with 1987 । । • • Jan.-Oct. 1988 1 coapared with 1
October 1988 coapared 1 Septeabei
Jan.-Oct. 1987 I
1 1 • • । (Revised i (Provisional Points X • Points X Points —— j i :
t 1 figures) • • figures) • !
: (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES 1 1 * < i : । । ।
। t i i : । •
• • । Value 1 154 • 157 3 2 23 17 i 27 22 1
» । Voluae 1 t 12b I i 129 3 2 • 11 9 14 13 1
1 (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS । । i i i * • । i । । ! » i
1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic । Value • 1 144 • • 143 i 1 • । 28 25 । 11 । 10 1
‘ drinks and tobacco Voluae 119 • i 121 1 1 1 • 15 14 i • 1 ?
1 i 1 i • 1 । • 1
I Fuels I Value I i 107 • i 111 4 4 I 15 16 8 a :
Voluae i i 116 i i 121 5 4 1 16 15 • 5 5 :
i • • • 1 1 • •
• Clothing, footwear • » Value I i 163 1 167 4 3 • । 20 14 • 31 24 :
! and allied products t • Voluae • 130 1 131 2 1 • 4 3 1 15 13 1
! Consuaer durables • • Value • 161 1 163 2 1 • • 30 23 1 • • 26 a. 20 :
1 Voluae • 126 1 127 I 1 I 15 13 • 12 ii :
! Other consuaer goods i 1 Value 1 161 • 1 167 6 4 I 1 i 19 13 • 1 39 32 :
1 Voluae 1 131 • 1 135 5 4 1 a 6 1 24 22 :
: IC) BY SELECTED TRADES 1 • • • 1 1 1 • f • • •
I (see note 1 below) 1 i 1 • e i • 1 1
i Superaarkets • Value • 183 164 -20 -11 i I 21 15 4 22 16 1
I Voluae • 155 137 -17 -11 1 5 4 • g 7 :
5 Motor vehicles 1 Value • • 283 1 299 16 6 1 1 1 104 54 1 68 • 39 :
1 and parts Voluae 1 199 210 10 5 • 62 42 1 37 27 1
1 Consuaer durables • । Value 1 123 121 -2 -2 > I 8 7 1 13 1 11 1
! other than aotor Voluae 1 103 101 -2 -2 1 • 1 1 5 5 :
i vehicles and parts । I 1 i
1 I » • * ■
'• Departaent stores 1 Value 161 194 33 21 i 40 26 56 44 1
1 1 Voluae 128 153 25 19 i 20 15 36 31 I
NOTES i 1. In order to analyst the ults of certain trades N1THIN eajor trade groups, the value and value* indues in respect of the following selected trades are coapiled :
(a) •Snperaarkets* - a trade in the •Foodstuffs, alcoholic driaks and tobacco" grtmo.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts* - a trade io the 'Consumer durables* group.
(c) 'Consuser durables other than aotor vehicles and parts* - a trade in ths 'Consuaer doribles* group.
(d) 'Departaent stores' - a trade in the 'Other consuaer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived froa the unrounded index figures.
3. *1* denotes a figure within 10.5.
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/8 ...............................................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
- 8 -
DOWNWARD TREND IN INSOLVENCIES CONTINUES
*****
FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN SUCCESSION, THERE WAS A DOWNWARD TREND LAST YEAR IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES REACHING THE COURTS, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THERE WERE 163 NEW COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 216 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 222 AND 298 IN 1987, A DECREASE OF 23.12 PER CENT.
THIS DOWNWARD TREND IN INSOLVENCIES REFLECTED THE CONTINUED GOOD PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY GENERALLY AND FOLLOWED A 25.18 PER CENT DECREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES IN 1987 COMPARED WITH 1986, MR GLEESON SAID.
MORE COMPLICATED OR SIGNIFICANT INSOLVENCIES DURING THE YEAR WERE: G. F. MARK FIVE KNITTING FACTORY LTD, QUALIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD, CLEVEDON CO. LTD, GARYVIEW LTD AND AMERICAN FURRIERS (HK) LTD.
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING 1988 AMOUNTED TO $87.6 MILLION IN 427 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $173.9 MILLION IN 356 INSOLVENCIES IN 1987.
THIS REDUCTION WAS DUE TO A SUBSTANTIAL PAY-OUT IN ONE LARGE INSOLVENCY DURING 1987.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSOLVENCIES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR WAS 2,992 - COMPRISING 1,570 COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 1,422 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES -AGAINST A TOTAL OF 3,038 AT THE END OF 1987.
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR TOTALLED $1,259 MILLION AS AGAINST $1,369 MILLION AT THE END OF 1987, A DECREASE OF 8.04 PER CENT.
--------0 ---------
DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN
*****
TWO MODERN PUBLIC ROADWAYS, A TRUNK SEWER AND A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1990 AS PART OF THE TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WHICH IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT WORKS.
UNDER THIS CONTRACT, ABOUT 600 METRES OF A DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD AND ABOUT 500 METRES OF A SINGLE TWO-LANE ROAD WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE IN PING SHAN AND HA TSUEN.
/A SECTION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
I
A SECTION OF THE EXISTING PING HA ROAD WILL BE REPLACED BY THE NEW AND BETTER ROADS.
THE CONTRACT ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE FORMATION OF A SECTION OF THE LRT RESERVE FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION TO LAY TRACKS STARTING IN JUNE 1990.
THIS IS PART OF THE LRT ROUTE BRANCHING FROM THE EXISTING SYSTEM ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD. IN THE TOWN ITSELF, THE LRT ROUTEING WILL FOLLOW A LOOP SO THAT IT WILL BE WITHIN EASY ACCESS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE TOWN.
ALSO INCLUDED UNDER THIS CONTRACT IS A 1,200-METRE TRUNK SEWER TO SERVE THE AREA.
THIS SEWER, BEING THE FIRST PART OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES SEWERAGE SCHEME, WILL TAKE SEWAGE FROM NEARBY AREAS AND THE TOWN ITSELF TO THE FUTURE HA TSUEN SEWAGE PUMPING STATION.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL THIS YEAR. TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON JANUARY 17.
-------o----------
DECEMBER 1988 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE DECEMBER 1988 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 35,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS.
THESE SECTORS INCLUDE THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), 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).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF DECEMBER.
REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5i 1989
10
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 QUESTIONNAIRES 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 DECEMBER 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 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1988.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 5-8235076.
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RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FIRST QUARTER PAYMENT
*****
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1989 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 JANUARY 31, 1989 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 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
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 JANUARY 31, 1989. 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 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 OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE 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.
- - 0 - -
MUSIC-LOVING FAMILIES TO COMPETE FOR AWARD
*****
THE PRELIMINARY CONTESTS IN THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MUSIC COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE WORKING GROUP OF THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AND SPONSORED BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT STORE, WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY BETWEEN SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) AND JANUARY 29.
THE COMPETITION IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING MUSIC-MAKING AT HOME AND AMONGST FAMILY MEMBERS WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING THE FAMILY AS A BASIC SOCIAL UNIT.
"THE CONTEST IS OPEN TO IMMEDIATE MEMBERS OF A FAMILY AND PARTICIPATING TEAMS AND THEY MAY PERFORM A MUSICAL PIECE THAT REFLECTS LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT OF A HARMONIOUS FAMILY," A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"WE HAVE RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT OF THE 136 ENTRIES FROM VARIOUS DISTRICTS 82 WERE SELECTED FOR THE PRELIMINARY CONTESTS AFTER AUDITIONS.
/THE CHAMPIONS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5i 1989
12
THE CHAMPIONS FROM THE 19 DISTRICTS WILL COMPETE FOR THE ’’MOST MUSICAL FAMILY” AWARD IN THE FINALS WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON MARCH 24.
WINNERS OF THE PRELIMINARY CONTESTS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS WILL RECEIVE CASH PRIZES.
THE CHAMPION, THE FIRST RUNNER-UP AND THE SECOND RUNNER-UP IN THE FINALS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND CASH PRIZES OF $5,000, $3,000 AND $1,000 RESPECTIVELY, DONATED BY THE YAOHAN DEPARTMENT STORE.
’’THE COMPETITION NOT ONLY PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DISPLAY OUR MUSICAL TALENT, BUT ALSO ENABLES US TO IMPROVE OUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AS WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON EACH OTHER TO STRIVE FOR A COMMON GOAL,” A MEMBER FOR ONE PARTICIPATING TEAM SAID.
-----O-----
ONE MORE AIDS PATIENT CONFIRMED » * ♦ * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT ONE MORE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) PATIENT HAS BEEN REPORTED IN HONG KONG.
THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS PATIENTS TO 16. ELEVEN OF THE PATIENTS HAVE DIED, INCLUDING ONE FEMALE PATIENT.
THE NEW PATIENT IS A MAN WHO ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THA.T SO FAR 116 CARRIERS HAVE BEEN DETECTED, EXCLUDING THE 16 PATIENTS.
THE DEPARTMENT BEGAN THE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME IN 1985 TO MONITOR THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, CERTAIN HIGH RISK GROUPS INCLUDING HAEMOPHILIACS, INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSERS AND SEXUALLY PROMISCUOUS PEOPLE ARE TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODIES.
A TOTAL OF 111,9)6 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED SO FAR AND 132 WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE.
THESE 132 PERSONS INCLUDE 53 HAEMOPHILIACS, 12 PATIENTS WHO ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 36 PATIENTS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AND 31 REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS. UP TO NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, 489,124 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND SEVEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE.
/13........
THUBSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
'74 &&
AIDS VlruB (HIV) Antibody Ta.tlag
Hadical A Health Departawnt
Ai.u
Virus Unit
April 8? - Oct No. tested 88 No. <2* Nov 88 No. tested No. ♦ye Total No. tested No. ♦ye
Referrals fro* Oovt. hospitals and clinics 6 73>» 3U 208 2 6 9*2 36
Referrals from private practitioners and subvented hospitals 1 696 29 10 2 1 706 31
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 96 *16 12 2 76! 0 99 177 12
Haemophillace 3«*6 53 3 0 3*9* 53
IV drug abuaers 2 91*5 0 120 0 3 065 0
Referrals from Family Planning Association 1U7 0 2 0 1H9 0
Health care personnel 510 0 18 0 528 0
Total M-*1. 108 79* 128 3 122 1* 111 916 132
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persona as tests
are repeated for certain individuals. .
Aug 85 - Oct _88 Nov 88 Total No. No.
No. No. No. No.
tested ♦ye tested ♦re tested ♦ve
Hong Kong Rod Cross Blood Transfusion *7* 939 7 1* 185 0 *89 12* 7
Service
Kedical ft Health Department January 1989
-----0-----
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
14
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DAY ON SUNDAY * • ♦ » ♦
KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DAY AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8).
THE ANNUAL EVENT, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, KOWLOON CITY JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
IT IS AIMED AT DRIVING HOME THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND GAMES.
THERE WILL BE A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES.
THESE INCLUDE GAME STALLS, POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION, SINGING, LUCKY DRAW, CRIME PREVENTION EXHIBITION, PERFORMANCES BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ROTARY BAND, AND AN INFLATABLE ELEPHANT WITH WHICH CHILDREN CAN PLAY.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION OF ’’FRIENDS OF THE POLICE AWARD” TO 16 LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HELPED THE POLICE IN COMBATTING CRIME.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MRS WONG LEUNG KAM-SHAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR TANG TAI-CHUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DAY BEGINNING AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8) AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN KWUN TONG AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER (KOWLOON REGION), DR HO WAI-IP, WILL PRESENT A REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVISION OF SERVICES IN KWUN TONG.
/THE MEETING .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
THE MEETING WILL ALSO BE ATTENDED BY TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MAK HOI-WAH AND MRS JUNE TONG, WHO WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE’S WORK.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FROM THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (KWUN TONG DISTRICT) AND REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN 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.
------o -------
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY IN YAU TSIM
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY WILL BE HELD AT THE ARTHUR STREET PLAYGROUND, YAU TSIM DISTRICT, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE STALL GAMES, SINGING AND MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCES, AND EXHIBITIONS OF WINNING ENTRIES IN A CALLIGRAPHY AND A COLOURING CONTEST.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION ON THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT AND COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY ROAD USERS.
A DRAWING CONTEST WHICH WAS POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER LAST WEEK WILL ALSO BE HELD ON SUNDAY. CHILDREN AGED UNDER 12 MAY ENROLL AT THE VENUE BEFORE 11.30 AM, AND CRAYONS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISER.
IN THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, WHICH IS ABOUT TWO MINUTES’ WALK FROM THE MAIN VENUE, A CANTONESE OPERA WILL BE STAGED FROM 2 PM.
SPECTATORS CAN ALSO OBTAIN HINTS ON ROAD TRAFFIC RULES THROUGH A DEMONSTRATION BY REMOTE-CONTROLLED MODEL CARS, BEGINNING AT 2.45 PM.
TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ROAD SAFETY, THE ORGANISER HAS ALSO PRINTED 15,550 LEAFLETS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PEDESTRIANS, DRIVERS AND CYCLISTS.
/AMONG THOSE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN; AND CHAIRMAN OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL AND CHILDREN'S DRAWING CONTEST AT THE ARTHUR STREET PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8), BEGINNING AT 2 PM AND NOON RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS 1989-90 COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME ******
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND PROGRAMME FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE WILL RECEIVE AN ALLOCATION OF ABOUT $1.11 MILLION - AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT OVER 1988-89 - FOR ORGANISING THE ACTIVITIES.
OF THE AMOUNT, THE COMMITTEE PROPOSES TO SPEND $300,000 ON THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN; $137,500 TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURE; $110,000 TO PROMOTE RECREATION AND SPORTS; AND $110,000 ON WELFARE AND RECREATION FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
- O - -
/17
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5,
1989
- 1? -
SEMINAR ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN KWUN TONG
A SEMINAR TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AMONG THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8).
ABOUT 400 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE BODIES WILL ATTEND THE EVENT WHICH WILL START AT 4.30 PM AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE, TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON BAY.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL SPEAK AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SPECIALIST TALKS ON THE "FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION" BY TWO GUEST SPEAKERS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ANDREW WONG.
AFTERWARDS, THERE WILL BE A GROUP DISCUSSION FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE PROMOTION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN KWUN TONG.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE TELFORD CHINESE RESTAURANT, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM. THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THIS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER A SEMINAR ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 9) AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE, TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON BAY.
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/18........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
- 18 -
DB SPORTS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS * * * * *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS THAT WISH TO HOLD RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES FROM APRIL TO JUNE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY A REPORT ON DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES HELD IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
-------o ---------
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHARITY WALK
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S WALK FOR MILLIONS ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8).
LINK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8.45 AM AND 9.30 AM AND UPPER BLUE POOL ROAD SOUTH OF TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS BETWEEN 8 AM AND 2 PM.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE RE-ROUTED BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND NOON:
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD FROM THE HONG KONG STADIUM TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
* THE WESTERN ARM OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD FROM LEIGHTON ROAD TO THE HONG KONG STADIUM WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEARSIDE LANE.
* EXCEPT DURING ITS CLOSURE FROM 8.45 AM TO 9.30 AM, LINK ROAD FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO THE WESTERN ARM OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND (DOWNHILL), TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEARSIDE LANE.
/♦ MOUNT BUTLER .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5» 1989
- 19 -
» MOUNT BUTLER ROAD FROM TAI HANG ROAD TO HENDERSON ROAD WTLl BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRI' TO THE NEARSIDE LANE.
* BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN LINK ROAD AND TAI HANG ROAD WTLI BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND (UPHILL), TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEARSIDE LANE.
* TAI HANG ROAD FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TC THE NEARSIDE LANE.
* TRAFFIC ENTERING TAI HANG ROAD FROM STUBBS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED NORTH DOWN BLUE POOL ROAD BUT CMB ROUTE 41 AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 24M WILL MAINTAIN THEIR NORMAL ROUTEING.
FOR CHINA MOTOR BUS SERVICES, ROUTE 11 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI HANG ROAD, MOUNT BUTLER ROAD, PERKINS ROAD AND TAI HANG ROAD WHILE SERVICES ON ROUTES 7, 38, 42, 70, 72, 76 AND 95 WILL BE STRENGTHENED.
SPECIAL PARKING ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED AS FOLLOWS:
THE CARPARK AT THE HONG KONG TENNIS CENTRE IN WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 AM.
THE PARKING SPACES ON THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE NO. 1 CARPARK OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 6 AM AND 4 PM.
ONLY VEHICLES WITH VALID PARKING LABELS WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE CARPARK NOS. 1, 2 AND 5 OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM.
BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 5 PM, LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE BANNED FROM TAI HANG ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD SOUTHBOUND, STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER SOUTHBOUND, ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD, YUE KWONG ROAD AND YUE HONG STREET.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE IN THE VICINITY OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM, BLUE POOL ROAD AND THE STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1989
- 20 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN * * ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WONG TAI SIN FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD TRAFFIC MOVEMENT ON WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD FROM THE NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FU MEI STREET TO THE SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE BANNED.
SOUTHBOUND MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, FU MEI STREET, FU KEUNG STREET, WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE SECTION OF FU KEUNG STREET BETWEEN FU MEI STREET AND WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD WILL BE CONVERTED FROM THE EXISTING ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
- - 0 ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) DILL GAZETTED . 1
NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59 ................. 2
COMPANY APPOINTED TO MANAGE BYPASS CONSTRUCTION ............. 3
MR MCLAREN TO ACCOMPANY LORD GLENARTHUR......................
COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE DROPPED LAST YEAR ................. 4
KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN TOMORROW ......... 5
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE............... 6
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT POLICE STATION ...................... 6
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT LOK FU ............. 7
SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.............. 8
YOUNG MUSICIAN TO JOIN AUSTRALIA MUSIC CAMP.................. 9
NEW INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN TAI PO BEING BUILT........... 10
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDONESIA EXTENDED ..................... 10
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES ..................................... 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUI LAM ROAD ....................... 11
CLOSURE OF BAILEY BRIDGE IN FANLING ......................... 11
FRIDAY JANUARY 6, 1989
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDi • AL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT. BILL GAZETTED
*****
A BILL WHICH MA.NLY CONTAINS ENABLING PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE THE MAKING OF REGULATIONS BY THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BOARDS SET UP UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY
THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 SEEKS TO PROVIDE POWER TO THE FIVE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS OF THE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS, NAMELY, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS, RADIOGRAPHERS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND OPTOMETRISTS, TO HOLD EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FULL REGISTRATION AND PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION.
EXPLAINING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FULL REGISTRATION WOULD BE GRANTED TO THOSE WITH REGISTRABLE QUALIFICATIONS.
"PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION IS A STATUS TO BE GRANTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PRACTISING IN A PROFESSION FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS BUT WHO DO NOT HAVE THE FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS OR TRAINING FOR FULL REGISTRATION," HE SAID.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, APPLICANTS OF PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO PRACTISE WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION WHILE THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED.
"THE BILL FURTHER EMPOWERS THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BOARDS TO PROVIDE FOR GUIDELINES REGULATING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CODES OF PRACTICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO ENABLES THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS TO CREATE CATEGORIES OF REGISTERED PERSONS ACCORDING TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS TO LAY DOWN RESTRICTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WITHOUT SUPERVISION, HE SAID.
UNDER THE AMENDED PROVISIONS, CONTROL IS EXTENDED TO COVER PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS AND TEACHING INSTITUTES.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WAS FIRST INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 6 LAST YEAR.
"IN THE EVENT, HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO COMPLETE ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE DISSOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AT THE END OF THE 1987-88 SESSION AND THEREFORE LAPSED.
"IT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE SECOND TIME ON JANUARY 11 THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
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/2........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
- 2 -
NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WOMEN BORN IN 1957, 1958 OR 1959 WOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM JANUARY 16 TO MARCH 11.
"WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"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 AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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 I
HONG KONG : 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 : CANTON ROAD 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 : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHATIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-793291 (BEFORE JANUARY 21) 0-4771543 (JANUARY 21 ONWARDS)
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 (BEFORE JANUARY 21) 0-6727191 (JANUARY 21 ONWARDS)
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6t 1989
5 -
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1960, 1961 OR 1962 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON JANUARY 14.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF 33,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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COMPANY APPOINTED TO MANAGE BYPASS CONSTRUCTION
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS ASSIGNED A PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMPANY TO MANAGE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II.
A $12 MILLION AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER, MR MICHAEL TURNER, ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF EHC PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, MR DOUGLAS OAKERVEE.
MR TURNER SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND IT REPRESENTED A MOVE TOWARDS MORE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF LARGE FAST-TRACKED HIGHWAYS PROJECTS.
THE KWUN TONG BYPASS, AN ELEVATED URBAN TRUNK ROAD, WILL FORM THE HIGWAY LINK BETWEEN THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, AND IS BEING BUILT IN THREE PHASES.
PHASE I, NOW BEING BUILT, COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF JUNK BAY ROAD/LEI YUE MUN ROAD INTERCHANGE AND PROVIDES AN ELEVATED SECTION OF THE BYPASS AS FAR AS WAI YIP STREET.
THE MAIN FLYOVER FROM LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO WAI YIP STREET WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER TO MEET THE TENTATIVE OPENING DATE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
PHASE II WILL CONNECT PHASE I AT WAI YIP STREET VIA A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY ALONGSIDE THE KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHE LT SEAWALL (ADJACENT TO HOI BUN ROAD), TO KAI FUK ROAD AT KOWLOON BAY.
MR TURNER SAID THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION WORKS UNDER PHASE II WERE EXPECTED TO START THIS MONTH AND TO EE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1991 TO TIE IN WITH THE OPENING OF TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL.
/PHASE III
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
4
PHASE III CONSISTS OF A DUAL TWO-LANE ELEVATED ROAD ACROSS KOWLOON BAY INDUSTRIAL AREA TO LINK PHASE II OF THE BYPASS AT KAI FUK ROAD WITH THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD AT RICHLAND GARDENS.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1991 .
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MR MCLAREN TO ACCOMPANY LORD GLENARTHUR *****
MR ROBIN MCLAREN, THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, . WILL BE ACCOMPANYING LORD GLENARTHUR DURING THE LATTER’S VISIT TO HONG KONG BETWEEN JANUARY 7 AND 11. MR MCLAREN WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY DURING HIS STAY TO MEET THE CHINESE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, AMBASSADOR KE ZAISHUO TO DISCUSS CURRENT JLG MATTERS.
THEIR MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 7 AND MR MCLAREN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED, AMONGST OTHERS, BY MR ALAN PAUL, WHO WILL REPLACE MR CHRISTOPHER HUM AS HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ON JANUARY 18. MR PAUL WILL ALSO SUCCEED MR HUM AS A MEMBER OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
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COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE DROPPED LAST YEAR
*****
LAST YEAR (1988) WAS THE SECOND SUCCESSIVE YEAR IN WHICH COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE DECREASED BY MORE THAN 15 PER CENT, THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, COMPLAINTS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS, MR MARTIN BROWN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE FOXTROT COMPANY AT THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT HEADQUARTERS IN FANLING, MR BROWN NOTED THAT THE DECREASE WAS SPREAD ACROSS THE FORCE AND INCLUDED OFFICERS ON PTU ATTACHMENT.
"IT OCCURRED AT A TIME DURING WHICH THE FORCE CONTINUED TO GROW AND DURING WHICH PRODUCTIVITY IN ALL AREAS CONTINUED TO INCREASE."
NOTING THAT IT WAS SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL THAT DURING MOST OF A POLICE OFFICER’S CAREER HE WAS TRAINE TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS AS AN INDIVIDUAL, MR BROWN SAID THAT WHERE : AT PTU KE WAS TAUGHT TO RESPOND AS A MEMBER OF A SECTION, COLUMN OR ..A TOON.
/“THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
- 5 -
"THIS IS ONE OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF BEING A POLICE OFFICER AND IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT POLICE OFFICERS STILL GET PAID MORE THAN MEMBERS OF OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES, ALTHOUGH NOT AS MUCH MORE AS MANY POLICE OFFICERS WOULD ARGUE SHOULD BE THE CASE.
"WITH THE INCREASE IN THE ROLE OF PTU AND PTU TRAINED OFFICERS IN THE FUTURE IT IS HOPED THAT THIS IS A FACTOR THAT THE STANDING COMMITTEE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IN DECIDING THE APPROPRIATE DIFFERENTIALS IN SALARY," HE CONCLUDED.
THE FOXTROT COMPANY, COMMANDED BY SUPERINTENDENT KEVIN COOPER, COMPRISED 170 OFFICERS OF VARIOUS RANKS DRAWN FROM KOWLOON WEST REGION. THEY HAVE JUST COMPLETED 10 WEEKS’ BASIC TRAINING.
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KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN TOMORROW ******
THE SECOND KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND IN KWAI CHUNG WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE CULTURAL PERFORMANCES BY A FAMOUS ART TROUPE FROM XIANGXI IN CHINA.
AN EXHIBITION OF ARTIFACTS OF CHINESE HANDICRAFTS WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE VENUE.
THE FESTIVAL FEATURING MORE THAN 30 PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 7 AND 29. THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE PERFORMANCES BY THE XIANGXI ART TROUPE AND A CHINESE OPERA TROUPE FROM SHANGHAI.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE DRAMA, CANTONESE OPERAS AND DANCING, FILM SHOWS AND LASER DISCS MUSIC CONCERT, AND COMPETITIONS IN CALLIGRAPHY, PAINTING, SINGING AND CHINESE CHESS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL, MR LO YAN-SHING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND (NEAR KWAI FONG MTR STATION) IN KWAI CHUNG.
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/6 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
6
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE * * * * » *
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO DISCUSS THE HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE AND COMPENSATION MATTERS.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, MR LYALL ALEXANDER-WEBBER, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMPENSATION.
LAYOUT PLANS FOR THE SAI KUNG SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AS WELL AS THE TUI MIN HOI RURAL INDUSTRIAL AREA WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ REFERENCE AND DISCUSSION.
THE PROJECT MANAGER/NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR CHOW CHI-KING, WILL ANSWER QUERIES RAISED BY MEMBERS ON THE TWO LAYOUT PLANS.
OTHE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON THE LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES; THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD; AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S REGIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MR WAN YUET-KAU, SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAT KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
0 - -
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT POLICE STATION
*******
RESIDENTS OF TAI PO ARE INVITED TO SHARE THE FUN OF A CARNIVAL PROMOTING THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE IN THE TAI PO POLICE STATION AT NO.4 ON PO LANE TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THEY CAN ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THE POLICE STATION ON ITS OPEN DAY.
THE EVENT, ONE OF THE CONTINUING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN GROUP, WILL BE HELD FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM.
/THE CARNIVAL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
7
THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE SHORT PLAYS, GAME STALLS, BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES AND DANCING.
THERE WILL BE A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF POSTER DESIGN AND COLOURING CONTESTS HELD RECENTLY IN THE DISTRICT TO PUBLICISE THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT MESSAGE.
WINNING ENTRIES IN THE TWO CONTESTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
ITEMS PROVIDED BY THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, ROAD SAFETY SECTION, MARINE POLICE, NARCOTICS BUREAU, COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU, JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE POLICE DOG UNIT WILL ALSO BE EXHIBITED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, MRS ROSANNA TAM; TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT; CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG; TAI PO POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR LEUNG FUNG-SHUN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR TANG PUI-TAT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND THE TAI PO POLICE STATION OPEN DAY TO BE HELD IN THE TAI PO POLICE STATION, NO. 4 ON PO LANE, TAI PO, AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT LOK FU *****
THE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE OPEN DECK OF THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, KOWLOON CITY, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8) FROM NOON TO 3 PM.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, AIMS AT AROUSING THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND HOW TO REACT IF A FIRE OCCURS.
"THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF EIGHT FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD ON ALTERNATE SUNDAYS IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE PANELS CONTAINING GRAPHICS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ON GENERAL FIRE PREVENTION AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION, WITH EMPHASIS ON THIS YEAR’S THEME "WHEN THERE IS A FIRE, SOUND THE ALARM".
/"OFFICERS FROM .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
8
"OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES ' DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A NEW FIRE PREVENTION LEAFLET AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY THE KWONG ON BANK LTD.
THE NEXT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 22 AT THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING.
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SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
MUSICALLY-TALENTED PEOPLE LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT HAVE ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO JOIN A LOCAL SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 26.
THE CONTEST, AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST IN SINGING AND DISCOVERING SINGING TALENTS IN THE DISTRICT, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (SOUTHERN) AND THE MUSIC OFFICE.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES - SOLO AND GROUP SINGING -AND IS OPENED TO PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 35.
PARTICIPANTS ARE FREE TO SELECT A SONG WHICH SHOULD HAVE A POSITIVE THEME. NO ACCOMPANIMENT, EXCEPT PIANO, JAZZ DRUM SET AND ELECTRIC ORGAN, WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE CONTESTANTS.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 14. CONTESTANTS OF A SATISFACTORY STANDARD WILL BE QUALIFIED TO ENTER THE FINALS TO BE HELD AT THE AP LEI CHAU ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL ON FEBRUARY 26.
THE CHAMPION, THE FIRST RUNNER-UP AND THE SECOND RUNNER-UP IN EACH GROUP WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND GIFT COUPONS OF $500, $400 AND $300 RESPECTIVELY. ALL FINALISTS WILL ALSO RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE ABERDEEN CARITAS COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS JANUARY 10. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-283257.
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/9........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
YOUNG MUSICIAN TO JOIN AUSTRALIA MUSIC CAMP ******
A 15-YEAR-OLD TALENT VIOLINIST, NG KWOK-LEUNG, WILL LEAVE FOR AUSTRALIA TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PAN PACIFIC MUSIC CAMP.
THE MUSIC CAMP, A ROTARY INTERNATIONAL’S MUSIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, WILL BE HELD AT THE COLLAROY CONFERENCE CENTRE IN SYDNEY FROM JANUARY 9 TO 20.
THE MUSIC OFFICE WAS INVITED TO SEND A YOUNG MUSICIAN FROM HONG KONG TO JOIN THE CAMP WHERE HE CAN SHARE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER YOUNG MUSICIANS AS WELL AS RECEIVE TRAINING FROM PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND GUEST TUTORS.
A FORM FOUR STUDENT OF DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, NG KWOK-LEUNG JOINED THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IN 1981.
LIKE MANY OTHER FRESH TRAINEES, HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT VIOLIN PLAYING BEFORE JOINING THE TRAINING PROGRAMME. HOWEVER, HE PROGRESSED RAPIDLY AND WAS SELECTED TO JOIN THE HONG KONG lOUIH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN 1984.
HE IS NOW LEADER OF "SECOND VIOLIN" ON THE ORCHESTRA, AND HAS RECENTLY ACQUIRED OUTSTANDING RESULT IN HIS GRADE VIII ROYAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC EXAMINATION.
"I AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO JOIN THE CAMP AS IT PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO IMPROVE MY PLAYING TECHNIQUE AND WIDEN MY HORIZON," NG KWOK-LEUNG SAID.
HE WILL TRAVEL TO SYDNEY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH WHILE FEES FOR THE CAMP WILL BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISER. HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN ON JANUARY 22.
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/10........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
- 10 -
NEW INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN TAI PO BEING BUILT
******
WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE NEAR SAN WAI TSAI IN AREA 22, TAI PO HAS BEGUN THIS WEEK.
THE CONTRACT FOR THIS $25 MILLION PROJECT WAS SIGNED LAST MONTH AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THE TWO-STOREY CENTRE WILL COMPRISE A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL AND THREE SQUASH COURTS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE FITNESS TRAINING ROOMS, ACTIVITY ROOMS, TOILETS AND CHANGING ROOMS.
THE CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE MANAGED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL UPON COMPLETION, WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 2,900 SQUARE METRES OF GAMES AREA FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NEARBY TAI YUEN AND TAI WO ESTATES AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
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SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDONESIA EXTENDED
*****
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDONESIA WILL BE EXTENDED TO PONTIANAK FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 9), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY WHICH IS AT PRESENT AVAILABLE TO 11 CITIES WILL THEN COVER BALIKPAPAN, BANDUNG, BATAM, DENPASAR, JAKARTA, MEDAN, PALEMBANG, PONTIANAK, SEMARANG, SURABAYA, UJUNGPANDANG, AND YOGYAKARTA.
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS. A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS ALSO AVAILABLE.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1989
11
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES t » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHBOUND INNER-MOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (TAI WO) NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) AND THE NEXT DAY FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 1989, NO VEHICLES EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND THOSE WITH LABELS ISSUED BY THE JUDi ARY WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR FROM 3 PM TO 9 PM ON MONDAY.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUI LAM ROAD » » » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9), TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TSUI LAM ROAD IN JUNK BAY FOR THE DESIGNATION OF A TEMPORARY' BUS TERMINUS.
TSUI LAM ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
THE SECTION OF TSUI LAM ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PO LAM ROAD NORTH TO A POINT ABOUT 140 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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CLOSURE OF BAILEY BRIDGE IN FANLING ♦ t * * ♦
THE
THF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION Sf 1 NEW BRIDGE, THE EXISTING BAILEY BRIDGE N167 ACROSS NG TUNG RIVER NEAR KWAN TEI IN FANLING WILL BI CLOSED FROM SUNDA
(JANUARY 8) TO JANUARY 21.
ntJRTNG THE CLOSURE, ACCESS TO KWAN TEI NORTH VILLAGE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TAU KOK ROAD, PING CHE ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD NEAR
WANG LENG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LORD GLENARTHUH ARRIVES FOR FIVE-DAY VISIT ................. 1
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS TOMORROW ............. 1
KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL STARTS ................... 5
VR CHILDREN SING FOR THE ELDERLY ........................... 4
CSD TO TAKE PART IN CHARITY WALK............................ 4
APPEAL TO RESIDENTS TO HELP FIGHT CRIME .................... 5
PIONEER PROJECT IN NORTH DISTRICT COMES TO FRUITION ........ 6
SHA TIN EYE CARE CAMPAIGN TO OPEN TOMORROW ................. 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KCR SERVICES ....................... 8
TAI PO DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED COMMUNITY FACILITIES 8
INTERRUPTIONS TO FRESH . JID SALT WATER SUPPLY.............. 9
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY ..................... 9
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO ................. 10
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVES ♦ » * *
FOR FIVE-DAY VISIT ♦
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, ARRIVED TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT — HIS FOURTH TO HONG KONG.
HE WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR R.E. HOLLOWAY.
DURING HIS STAY, LORD GLENARTHUR WILL VISIT VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES, THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. HE WILL ALSO MEET MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
ACCOMPANYING LORD GLENARTHUR ARE MR ROBIN MCLAREN, THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, AND MR ALAN PAUL, THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT (DESIGNATE).
-----0-----
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS TOMORROW
*****
THE 1988-89 SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL IN KOWLOON TONG.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM.
THE SHOW WILL FEATURE SINGING BY FAMOUS ARTISTES AND THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION YOUTH AND CHILDREN CHOIRS.
DISC JOCKEYS WILL ALSO STAGE A DRAMA ON THE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD. IT IS HOPED THAT RESIDENTS, WHILE ENJOYING THE PROGRAMMES, WILL AT THE SAME TIME BE ABLE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BOARD’S WORK.
AT THE SAME VENUE, THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IS ORGANISING AN EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM THAT DAY.
/The local
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7» 19^
TEN LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS SELECTED PRELIMINARY ROUND WILL PUT UP DISPLAY BOARDS CARRYING CIVIC MESSAGES. THEY WILL COMPETE FOR THE TITLE OF THE BEST DESIGN.
FROM A
EDUCATION
A PANEL OF JUDGES FORMED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMITTEE WILL SELECT THE WINNERS.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF SPECTATORS, FREE SHUTTLE WILL BE OPERATED FROM SHEK KIP MEI AND KOWLOON TONG MTR WELL AS THE CENTURY CINEMA IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN TO THE 1.30 PM TO 7.30 PM.
BUS SERVICES STATIONS, AS AC HALL FROM
THE EXHIBITION IS ONE OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY THE SSP DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND
SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND
PROMOTE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE
1988-89 SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT
THE DISTRICT OFFICE WITH
THE URBAN COUNCIL. IT AIMS TO
COMMUNITY.
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING:
VENUE
DATE AND TIME FUNCTION
t JANUARY 8 DAY CAMP FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS
9 AM TO 5 PM
JANUARY 9 SHAM SHUI PO INDUSTRIAL
8 PM TO 10.30 PM LIAISON COMMITTEE
VARIETY SHOW
♦ JANUARY 10 HONG KONG CHINESE
8 PM TO 10 PM ORCHESTRA CONCERT
♦ JANUARY 12 CANTONESE OPERA
7.30 PM TO 10 PM
* JANUARY 14 JOINT SCHOOL UNIFORMED
9.30 AM TO 1 PM TEAM PARADE AND ANTI-
SHOP THEFT TELEMATCH
♦ JANUARY 14 CIVIC EDUCATION
2.30 PM TO 5 PM PROGRAMME
t JANUARY 14 CARNIVAL
2 PM TO 5 PM
LEI YUE MUN PARK
ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL
CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY HALL
SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL
SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND
SHAM SHUI PO
YOUTH CENTRE
CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY HALL
JANUARY 14
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7» 1989
* JANUARY 14 CARNIVAL MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND
2 PM TO 5 PM
* JANUARY 14 SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN
4 PM TO 11 PM MILE
* JANUARY 14 VARIETY SHOW MEI FOO S CHUEN
7.30 PM TO 10 PM
* JANUARY 14 CLEAN HONG KONG VARIETY SHOW BASKETBALL COURT,
7.30 PM TO 10. 30 PM LAI KOK ESTATE
* JANUARY 14 DANCE NITE SHEK KIP MEI
7.30 PM TO 10 PM COMMUNITY HALL
PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
AT THE SHAM SHUI PO
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE VARIETY SHOW OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL TO BEGIN AT 7.45 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL IN KOWLOON TONG.
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KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL STARTS
*****
THE SECOND KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL STARTED TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH A CARNIVAL HELD AT THE HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND IN KWAI CHUNG.
THE CARNIVAL FEATURED TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES BY AN ART TROUPE FROM XIANGX1, CHINA, ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL GROUPS AND AN EXHIBITION ON CHINESE HANDICRAFT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG; KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL, MR LO YAN-SHING.
WITH A BUDGET OF $700,000, THE THREE-WEEK FESTIVAL IS FUNDED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP. MORE THAN 30 PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD UNTIL JANUARY 29 IN
THE DISTRICT.
PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SEVEN SUB-OFFICES. RESIDENTS MAY ALSO CALL 3-7422966 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
------O------- A ...................
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
VR CHILDREN SING FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
ABOUT 20 VIETNAMESE CHILDREN FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO REFUGEE CENTRE TODAY (SATURDAY) BROUGHT JOY AND WARMTH TO A GROUP OF OLD PEOPLE AT THE CARITAS LAI KOK HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
ACCOMPANIED BY STAFF VOLUNTEERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND DRESSED IN SMART BROWNIE UNIFORMS, THE CHILDREN SANG AND DANCED TO THE DELIGHT OF THE OLD PEOPLE.
THEY CHATTED WITH THE ELDERLY AND SANG FOR THEM VIETNAMESE LYRICS DURING THE AFTERNOON VISIT.
TODAY’S ACTIVITY WAS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES TO ENABLE THEMSELVES TO HELP PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
-------0---------
CSD TO TAKE PART IN CHARITY WALK *****
FORTY-TWO STAFF MEMBERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND INMATES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THE COMMUNITY CHEST'S WALK FOR MILLIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE CSD TEAM WILL WALK UNDER THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) BANNER TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS OF THE ACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP TO HELP SPREAD THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE.
THE DEPARTMENT'S TEAM COMPRISES 9 INMATES, 12 SUPERVISEES AND 21 STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE HEI LING TREATMENT CENTRE AND THE TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN. IT IS EXPECTED THAT MORE THAN $1'0,000 WILL BE RAISED FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
-----O------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7,
1989
APPEAL TO RESIDENTS TO HELP FIGHT CRIME *****
RESIDENTS OF TAI PO SHOULD CONTINUE TO HELP THE POLICE IN FIGHTING CRIME IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE DISTRICT’S GOOD LAW AND ORDER RECORD, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, MRS ROSANNA TAM, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND THE TAI PO POLICE STATION OPEN DAY, MRS TAM NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT HAD THE LOWEST CRIME RATE IN THE TERRITORY.
HOWEVER, SHE ADDED THAT WITH THE DISTRICT'S RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN POPULATION, THERE HAD BEEN A SLIGHTLY UPWARD TREND IN THE CRIME RATE. THEREFORE, RESIDENTS’ SUSTAINED CO-OPERATION WAS VITAL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, SHE SAID.
MRS TAM ALSO NOTED THAT TODAY’S CARNIVAL AND OPEN DAY WERE EDUCATIONAL IN THAT THEY COULD ENABLE RESIDENTS TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICE FORCE AND THEIR WORK.
SHE BELIEVED THE EVENT COULD HELP PROMOTE THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE AND ENHANCE THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
TODAY’S EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP.
THE CARNIVAL FEATURED SHORT PLAYS, GAME STALLS, DANCING AND BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES, AND AN EXHIBITION OF THE ENTRIES IN A POSTER DESIGN AND A COLOURING CONTEST PUBLICISING THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT MESSAGE.
AN EXHIBITION OF THE WORK OF THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, ROAD SAFETY SECTION, MARINE POLICE, NARCOTICS BUREAU, COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU, JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND POLICE DOG UNIT WAS ALSO STAGED.
-------0---------
/6........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
- 6 -
PIONEER PROJECT IN NORTH DISTRICT COMES TO FRUITION
*****
A PIONEER MOVE BY THE WORKS SECTION OF THE NORTi; DISTRICT OFFICE CAME TO FRUITION RECENTLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF A RECONSTRUCTED VAN TRACK IN TSUNG PAK LONG VILLAGE, SHEUNG SHUI.
"THE $0.8 MILLION PROJECT WAS DONE ON A CONTRACT AWARDED LAST MARCH TO A COMPANY ON THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH’S LIST OF APPROVED CONTRACTORS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"IT IS THE FIRST CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WORKS CONTRACT OF THIS VALUE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AWARDED BY A DISTRICT OFFICE WORKS SECTION," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN THE PAST ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE CNTA’S DISTRICT CONTRACTORS LIST WERE EMPLOYED ON CONTRACTS WORTH UP TO $0.5 MILLION.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SET OF PROCEDURES IN APRIL 1987, DISTRICT OFFICE WORKS SECTIONS WERE EMPOWERED TO AWARD CONTRACTS VALUED AT BETWEEN $0.5 MILLION AND $1.5 MILLION TO CONTRACTORS ON THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH’S LIST, HE SAID.
THE $0.8 MILLION PROJECT AT TSUNG PAK LONG, WHICH WAS DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED BY THE WORKS SECTION OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, IS PART OF THE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROJECT INVOLVED THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A VAN TRACK TO PROVIDE A 3.5-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH PASSING PLACES AND TURNING AREAS, AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE.
ON COMPLETION, THE TRACK PROVIDES IMPROVED ACCESS FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD VIA AN EXISTING SERVICE ROAD TO TSUNG PAK LONG.
LAST WEEK, IT WAS OFFICIALLY HANDED OVER TO THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT FOR MAINTENANCE.
0------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
- 7 -
SHA TIN EYE CARE CAMPAIGN TO OPEN TOMORROW *****
MIME, CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS AND AEROBIC DANCES BY SENIOR CITIZENS WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE MONTH-LONG "SHA TIN DISTRICT EYE CARING CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY" AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE OPENING PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL START AT 11 AM, WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION ON EYE STRUCTURE AND EYE CARE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL LATER BE STAGED IN EACH OF SHA TIN’S NINE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS WHERE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS OPTICAL TESTING AND EXAMINATION, PROVISION OF SPECTACLES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE BEING ORGANISED.
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY WILL BE THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR MICHAEL SUEN.
ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; JOINT CHAIRMEN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT EYE CARING CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LI PO-MING AND MR SAMMY POONE; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU; AND PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, MR FUNG KWOK-CHU.
OTHER GUESTS WILL INLCUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE, THE REV FUNG CHI-WOOD; MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF PHYSICIAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES (EAST) REGION, DR M.B. ALI; AND THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MRS LESLIE HUNG.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD AND TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "SHA TIN DISTRICT EYE CARING CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY" TO BE HELD AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN AREA, LEVEL 3, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
- - 0 ---------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
- 8 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KCR SERVICES
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON ROAD WORKS PROJECTS UNDER THE TAI PO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD ON TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
TO BE HELD IN THE THE THIRD FLOOR OF MONDAY. THE MEETING
-----0------
TAI PO DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED COMMUNITY FACILITIES
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROPOSED IN THE TAI PO NEW TOWN
OF THE TAI
DISCUSS THE
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMME.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO NOTE THE SCOPE OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF A PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE TAI PO GAS PRODUCTION PLANT II.
THEY WILL CONSIDER HOW THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE TAI PO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WORKING GROUP AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD li_ THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON HE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON HONDAi (JANUARY 9). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
_______0--------- /9........................
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
INTERRUPTIONS TO FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY! ANNOUNCED THAT WATER SUPPLY TO THE FOLLOWING DISTRICTS WILL BE INTERRUPTED TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS:
♦ FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL VILLAGES AND PREMISES BY THE SIDE OF FAN KAM ROAD FROM SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT TO YIN PUN TSUEN, SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY KWONG FUK ROAD, PO HEUNG STREET, WAI YI STREET, ON FU ROAD, SHEUNG TAK STREET, YAN HING STREET, HEI YUEN STREET, SIU ON STREET AND PAK SHING STREET, INCLUDING WAI YAN STREET, NAM SHING STREET, FU SHIN STREET AND TSING YUEN STREET IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY LAI CHI KOK ROAD, CEDAR STREET, KI LUNG STREET, BOUNDARY STREET, POPLAR STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD IN KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY TAI HO ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD, MA TAU PA STREET, AND YEUNG UK ROAD INCLUDING TAI HA STREET, TAI WO HAU ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI SHING EAST AND WEST ESTATE, KWAI HOP STREET AND RIVERA GARDEN IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10) TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY.
- - 0 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF THE SLOW LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE, SHA TIN, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS FOR ROAD WORKS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
- 0 -
/1O
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1989
10 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROAD SV. TIONS IN KWUN TONG AND SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10).
THE SECTION OF KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD/WAI YIP STREET ROUNDABOUT ANP A POINT ABOUT 129 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
« THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH'OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE ACCESS ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
» THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SHING YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
» THE SERVICE ROAD OF EASTBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KWONG CHEUNG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWONG CHEUNG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
CONTENTS RAGE NO.
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER .... 1
EFFORT MADE TO AROUSE AWARENESS OF NEEDS OF DISABLED ........ 6
CLOSE CO-OPERATION AMONG DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS ESSENTIAL ... 6
TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME IMPORTANT TO CRIME FIGHTING ....... 8
LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMP ISSUE ON JANUARY 18 ................ 9
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TO BE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS ............. 10
YAU TSIM CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY................. 11
LAUNCHING OF NEW CYC TELEVISION SERIES .................. 12
ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT CRIME CONCERT IN WONG TAI SIN ...... 1J
FREE HANDBOOK ON LABOUR DEPARTMENT SERVICES ............. 1?
I
PAMPHLET ON PROPER ERECTION OF SIGNS .................... 14
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR OWNERS' CORPORATIONS .... 15
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVISED DB FINANCIAL RULES ......... 16
SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ....... 17
DB PROMOTION /iND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE TO MEET............ 17
SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN WAN CHAI .............. 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT .................. 18
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER t « » t »
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 8 PER CENT AND 45 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1988 COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 2b PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 26 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 PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
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 OCTOBER 1988 WITH OCTOBER 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT AND 50 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 29 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME ALSO INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC-EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME 01- DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT, VOLUME CI-MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987 .
THESE GROUPS INCLUDED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+54 PEE '.ENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+21 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+16 PEE CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+7 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (+5 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 19«9
2 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPuRT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-43 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-23 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-20 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-11 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-11 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-8 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-4 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987.
THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+11 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+6 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+6 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+4 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+3 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+1 PER CENT); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAPS (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-5 PER CENT); CLOTHING (-2 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-2 PER CENT); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-1 PER CENT). PRICES OF RADIOS OF ALL KINDS REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987.
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; AND WHEAT AND FLOUR.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR RICE; AND SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISION, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 37 PER CENT.
THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; FOOTWEAR; AND CLOTHING.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS; AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 24 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987.
/THE MAJOR........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN MAN-MADE FIBRES; IRON AND STEEL; THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS; AND SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR COTTON YARN AND THREAD; AND YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 33 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER .1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987.
’IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1988 OVER OCTOBER 1987.
THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
COMPARING OCTOBER 1988 WITH OCTOBER 1987, IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES, NAMELY FOODSTUFFS, CONSUMER GOODS, RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED, ALL BY 4 PER CENT. HOWEVER, PRICES OF IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 11 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR OCTOBER 1988 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE RANGING FROM 42 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO 106 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1987.
RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES BOTH ROSE BY 5 PER CENT. THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 18 PER CENT.
*
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE OCTOBER 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 JANUARY 12 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
4
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. 5-8234S18).
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING WITH COMMODITY GROUP OCTOBER OCTOBER UNIT VALUE % 1988 1987 VOLUME % COMPARING JAN-OCT WITH JAN-OCT 1988 1987 VOLUME %
VALUE % UNIT VALUE %
VALUE 0/ zo
CLOTHING 3 -2 5 t 2 -1
TEXTILE FABRICS -10 -2 -8 -3 2 -5
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -10 1 -11 -4 2 -6
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 2 6 -4 1 5 -4
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -43 t -43* -33 2 -34 -
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 47 -5 54 38 -2 42
FOOTWEAR -9 3 -11 2 4 -1
METAL MANUFACTURES 34 11 21 30 6 23
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 8 1 7 19 4 15
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 21 4 16 23 3 11 19
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -23 -1 -23 -10 1 -11
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -15 6 -20 -1 •J -4
ALL COMMODITIES 10 2 9 11 L. 8
II
/TABLE 2: .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, I9&9
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS END-USE VIEuORV
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING OCTOBER WITH OCTOBER 1988 1987 VOLUME % COMPARING JAN-OCT WITH JAN-OCT UNIT VALUE VALUE \ 1988 1987 OLI ME %
VALUE % UNIT VALUE %
% %
FOODSTUFFS iy 4 15 20 4 16
CONSUMER GOODS 43 4 37 36 3 31
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 29 4 24 30 5 24
FUELS -40 -11 -33 t -3 3
CAPITAL GOODS 36 4 30 36 6 28
ALL COMMODITIES 32 4 27 31 4 26
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END -L'SE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH OCTOBER OCTOBER 1988 1987 COMPARING WITH JAN-OCT JAN-OCT 1988 1987
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 68 5 61 47 2 44
CONSUMER GOODS 55 Z 52 49 2 46
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 49 5 4 2 50 4 4 3
FUELS 70 -18 106 38 -9 52
CAPITAL GOODS 79 - ’ 67 57 » 50
ALL COMMODITIES 56 4 50 50 3 4 5
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3:
* INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDEXES w j'l I DECIMAL PLACES. THEY MAY DIFFER FROM THE PERCENTAGE ’HAKGEb COMPUTEl DIRECTLY FROM THE ROUNDED FIGURES JN THE Pl Bui CATION ‘HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS”.
- - 0 -
/6
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 6 -
EFFORT MADE TO AROUSE AWARENESS OF NEEDS OF DIS iLED * * * * »
TREMENDOUS EFFORT HAS BEEN PUT INTO AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WELFARE UNITS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION AND JARDINE AMBASSADORS, MR JACOBS SAID HE DEEPLY APPRECIATED THE EFFORT AND COMMITMENT OF THESE TWO ORGANISATIONS.
'"CARE AND SUPPORT THE HANDICAPPED' IS A CONSTANTLY REPEATED THEML IN HONG KONG NOWADAYS.
"I AM DELIGHTED THAT THE PHAB CARNIVAL TODAY HAS RESPONDED SO MAGNIFICENTLY. SPECIALLY DESIGNED GAME STALLS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF DISABILITIES ARE THE HIGHLIGHT OF TODAY’S CARNIVAL.
"LET THE HANDICAPPED SHARE THE JOY AND WORK OF THE ABLE-BODIED," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TWO ORGANISERS WHICH ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WELFARE OF SOCIETY.
-----o-----
CLOSE CO-OPERATION AMONG DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS ESSENTIAL *****
DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS' CORPORATIONS ARE COMPLEMENTARY TO EACH OTHER IN THE STRUCTURE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND SHOULD CO-OPERATE CLOSELY FOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF A DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LAN SAID THE AIM OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WAS TO ENSURE A BETTER CO-ORDINATED AND RESPONSIVE APPROACH TOWARDS DISTRICT PROBLEMS AND NEEDS, AND TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
"DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
"THEY HAVE OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT CONSULTATIVE BODY ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING Of- LOCAL RESIDENTS.
/"IN RECENT .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
"IN RECENT YEARS, THE BOARDS HAVE ON MANY OCCASIONS BEEN THE TARGET FOR MANY TO SECURE SUPPORT IN CONTROVERSIAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN ORDER TO ADD WEIGHT TO THEIR VIEWS," HE ADDED.
MR LAN SAID THE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN 1987 HAD SHOWN THAT THERE WAS NO DEMAND FOR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES TO THE PRESENT ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS BUT THERE WAS, HOWEVER, CLEAR SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPING THEIR ADVISORY ROLE.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO DO THIS BY REQUIRING GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO CONSULT THE BOARDS ABOUT ALL DISTRICT MATTERS TO EXPAND THE ADVISORY ROLE OF THE BOARDS," HE SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO INCREASED GRADUALLY THE RESOURCES FOR DISTRICT BOARDS. THE FUNDS ALLOCATED TO KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAVE RISEN FROM $1 MILLION IN 1981-82 TO $3.23 MILLION IN 1988-89," MR LAN SAID.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE A FURTHER INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT IN THE ALLOCATION IN 1989-90," HE ADDED.
IN STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS, MR LAN CONTINUED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT FORGOTTEN THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
HE SAID THOSE GRASSROOT ORGANISATIONS HAD BEEN MAKING VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE THE 70’S IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS, SUCH AS THE "CLEAN HONG KONG" AND "FIGHT CRIME" CAMPAIGNS.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS ON THE ONE HAND PROVIDING SECRETARIAL SUPPORT TO AREA COMMITTEES, AND ON THE OTHER HAND STEPPING UP LIAISON WITH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS. •
"WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE ABLE TO GET OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AT LOU RENT. ALL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ARE ALSO GRANTED ALLOWANCE ENOUGH TO COVER BASIC EXPENDITURE," MR LAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BODIES IN KWUN TONG, INDICATING THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION AMONG THEM.
•
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING OF THE SEMINAR, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG, SAID DISTRICT BODIES HAD MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS IMPROVING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, REFLECTING PUBLIC VIEWS AND FACILITATING RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
"THEY ALSO HELP PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND THE WELL-BEING OF LOCAL RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
/LOOKING AHEAD, .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 8 -
LOOKING AHEAD, MR LEUNG SAID WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991, DISTRICT BODIES WOULD BE PLAYING AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT ROLE.
"BY THEN, IT IS EXPECTED THAT DISTRICT BODIES WOULD HAVE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES TO INFLUENCE CENTRAL POLICIES IN A WAY SUCH THAT THEY WOULD BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO LOCAL NEEDS AND WELL-RECEIVED BY’ RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
ABOUT 300 REPRESENTATIVES FROM DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS' CORPORATIONS IN KWUN TONG ATTENDED TODAY'S SEMINAR.
THE SEMINAR, HELD ITS IN FOURTH YEAR, IS AIMED AT EXPLORING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
-----0------
TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME IMPORTANT TO CRIME FIGHTING t * » » * t
THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, THE UPCOMING OF TASK FORCES TO COMBAT ORGANISED CRIME, AND PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION FOR CONFISCATING DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS ARE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS TO FIGHTING CRIME IN HONG KONG, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DAY AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND, MR CHAN SAID FIGTHING CRIME COULD NOT GO WITHOUT FIGHTING TRIADS, AND AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT TO SUCCESS IN CHECKING TRIAD INFLUENCE WAS A CORRECT PERCEPTION OF THE NATURE OF TRIADS.
’’MYSTIFIED OR GLAMORISED ACCOUNTS OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES ARE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE FACTORS WHICH UNFORTUNATELY ARE VERY MUCH WITH US," HE SAID.
”IN PROVIDING THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG, WITH A CORRECT PERCEPTION OF TRIADS, THE MEDIA WITH ITS POWERFUL INFLUENCE HAVE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE.”
MR CHAN NOTED THAT A LOT WAS BEING DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE YOUNGER GENERATION FROM THE EVIL HANDS Oh THE TRIADS.
”TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE WRONG PATH, THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME IS THERE TO ASSIST THEIR REHABILITATION,” MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO ADVISED YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXERCISE SELF-D1SCIPLIM AND AWARENESS ON THEIR PART.
/APPEALING TO........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 9
\PPEALING TO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP IN FIGHTING CRIME, MR CHAN SAID: AWARENESS OF A PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY BY THE FAMILY, THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY, AND CO-OPERATION AMONGST ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, ARE ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE ANY DEGREE OF SUCCESS."
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME DAY WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED Bl THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE KOWLOON CITY JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
TODAY'S PROGRAMMES INCLUDED GAME STALLS, CRIME PREVENTION EXHIBITION, PERFORMANCE BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ROTARY BAND AND POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ALSO PRESENTED "FRIENDS OF THE POLICE AND CITIZENS AWARDS" TO 16 LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HELPED THE POLICE IN COMBATTING CRIME.
-----o------
LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMP ISSUE ON JANUARY 18 *****
SPECIAL STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE SNAKE WILL BE RELEASED ON JANUARY 18, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ISSUE COMPRISES FOUR DENOMINATIONS - 60 CENTS, Si.40, $1.80 AND $5. A SOUVENIR SHEET CONTAINING A SET OF THE FOUR STAMPS AND A STAMP FOLDER AT $12 EACH WILL ALSO BE ISSUED.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR KAN TAI-KEUNG AND PRINTED BY JOH ENSCHEDE EN ZONEN OF HOLLAND.
THEY WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE GROUND FLOOR ENTRANCE ARENA OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA ON JANUARY 7 AND 8 AND THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FROM JANUARY 7.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 50 CENTS EACH ARE ALREADY ON SALE.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF FIRST DAY* COVERS ARE NOW ACCEPTED UNTIL JANUARY 13 AT ALL POST OFFICES. THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE COVERS. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOJ CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF FOUR STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELIC BUREAl DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $10.30 EACH AT DESIGNATED COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING 21 OFFICES ON JANUARY 18:
/HONG KONG ......
SUNDAY. JANUARY 8. 19&9
10
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
NEW TERRITORIES
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TAI PO POST OFFICE SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE TUEN MUN SAN HUI POST OFFICE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
-----0-----
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TO BE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS
*****
EIGHTEEN OUTSTANDING YOUTH VOLUNTARY WORKERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE SERVICES THEY RENDERED TO THE COMMUNITY UNDER THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SYP COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE, SAID IT HAD BEEN THE PRACTICE SINCE 1977 TO AWARD OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS TO OUTSTANDING YOUTH VOLUNTARY WORKERS OF EACH YEAR’S SYP IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRAMME AND THE COMMUNITY.
"THE NUMBER OF AWARDS HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM 10 IN 1987 TO 18 IN 1988 AS MANY OF THE CANDIDATES WERE FOUND TO BE DESERVING OF THE SCHOLARSHIP," HE SAID.
/THE 18
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
11
THE 18 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WERE SELECTED FROM A TOTAL OF 59 NOMINATIONS OF DEDICATED YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WHO HAD ALL DEVOTED A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE 1988 SYP.
THE CANDIDATES WERE ASSESSED BY A SELECTION BOARD COMPRISING A MEMBER OF THE SYP COMMITTEE, MR KWOK KA-MING, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL.
CANDIDATES WERE FIRST INDIVIDUALLY INTERVIEWED BY THE SELECTION BOARD AND FURTHER OBSERVED IN A RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE HELD FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 6) TO TODAY AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
"WE HOPE THAT THE SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD SERVE AS INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY DOING VOLUNTARY WORK AT THEIR LEISURE," CONCLUDED MR PETER LEE.
THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE THREE-DAY RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE WERE SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
-----0-----
YAU TSIM CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY » t * » »
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ROAD SAFETY WAS HELD IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING CEREMONY AT THE ARTHUR STREET PLAYGROUND, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHIU YU-HEI, URGED DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS TO BE MORE ALERT WHEN USING THE ROAD.
"THIS WILL BENEFIT THEMSELVES AS WELL AS OTHER USERS OF THE ROAD," HE SAID.
MR CHIU SAID THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WAS TO EDUCATE INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS, CYCLISTS AND ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS ON THE CORRECT USE OF ROADS.
ACTIVITIES HELD DURING THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDED SELECTION OF MODEL ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS, CHILDREN'S DRAWING CONTEST, CALLIGRAPHY CONTEST AND DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICITY LEAFLETS.
A SURVEY WAS ALSO BEING UNDERTAKEN TO ASSESS ELDERLY PEOPLE’S KNOWLEDGE ON TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND THEIR OPINION ON TRANSPORT FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, HE SAID.
"THE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT MONTH, AND THE FINDINGS WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS FOR INFORMATION AND IMPROVEMENT," MR CHIU ADDED.
/AT TODAY'S .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8,*1989
12
AT TODAY’S CARNIVAL, PARTICIPANTS LEARNED TRAFFIC RULES THROUGH THE USE OF REMOTE-CONTROLLED MODEL CARS AS WELL AS ENJOYING A PROGRAMME OF SINGING, MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCES AND STALL GAMES ON ROAD SAFETY.
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN; CHAIRMAN OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR IP KWOK-CHUNG.
THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
-----0-----
LAUNCHING OF NEW CYC TELEVISION SERIES * t t * »
A NEW TELEVISION SERIES PRODUCED JOINTLY BY DEPARTMENT AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO PROMOTE \OLTH CLUB (CYC) SCHEME WILL COMMENCE BROADCASTING ON 0.45 PM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 14.
THE EDUCATION
THE COMMUNITY
TVB-JADE AT
T° MARK LAUNCHING OF THE SERIES, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MR LI: AND THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE >•FILIATE AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10) AT BROADCASTING HOUSE, BROADCAST DRIVE. ' (JANUARY 10)
THE
WILL
AT THE CEREMONY CYC MEMBERS WILL NUMBER OF PROJECTS TO HELP THE
---- --- ELDERLY AND THE
PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
BE TASKED TO EMBARK
HANDICAPPED
ON A
AND TO
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AREAS WOULD BE FEATURED IN THE
SPOKESMAN SAID CYC ACTIVITIES 13 EPISODES OF THE TV SERIES.
IN
THESE
™E FIRST SERIES, WHICH WAS BROADCAST SUCCESSFUL IN AROUSING STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN THE RECEIVED BY THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, SCHEME AND
WAS
•was
VERY
WELL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED BROADCASTING HOUSE IN (JANUARY 10).
TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT BROADCAST DRIVE, AT 2.30
THE CARPARK OF
PM ON TUESDAY
-----o-----
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 13 -
ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT CRIME CONCERT IN WONG TAI SIN »»«»»»
THE MESSAGES OF ANTI-NARCOTICS AND FIGHTING CRIME WILL BE DRIVEN HOME DURING A POP CONCERT TO BE HELD AT MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN IN THE EVENING OF JANUARY 16.
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
IT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN LOCAL SINGERS, AS WELL AS A DRAMA CARRYING THE ANTI-NARCOTICS AND ANTI-SHOPTHEFT MESSAGES.
AT THE FUNCTION, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE "ANTI-SHOPTHEFT SLOGAN" AND THE "HOME SAFETY COLOUR-SHADING" COMPETITIONS.
ADMISSION TO THE CONCERT IS FREE. TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CONCERT WILL BE ACAN MEMBER, MR FREDERIC YU; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR LEE YUK-KWAN, DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, AND DISTRICT COMMANDER OF POLICE, MR D.L. SHACKLETON; CHIEF MANAGER, LEISURE SERVICES (KOWLOON EAST) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JOHN WOO; REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), MR M.P. LOK; AND ICAC REGIONAL OFFICER (KOWLOON CENTRAL), MR LAWRENCE TSE.
- - 0 - -
FREE HANDBOOK ON LABOUR DEPARTMENT SERVICES *****
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE WIDE-RANGING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR THE INFORMATION OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
BEING THE LATEST ISSUE OF A SERIES OF PUBLICATIONS, THE HANDBOOK IS ENTITLED "THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFERS YOU ITS SERVICES".
"IT OUTLINES THE WORK OF VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICES AVAILABLE," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THESE SERVICES INCLUDE CONCILIATION OF LABOUR DISPUTES AND PROMOTION OF LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS; EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE DISABLED AND THOSE WITH HIGHER EDUCATION; CAREERS GUIDANCE; ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND; AND ATTESTATION OF CONTRACTS OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG AND LOCAL MANUAL WORKERS WORKING OVERSEAS.
/"TEE HANDBOOK
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
1<+
THE HANDBOOK ALSO COVERS SERVICES REGARDING EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY, PRESSURE EQUIPMENT CONTROL AND MINING AND EXPLOSIVE SAFETY."
TO FACILITATE THE PUBLIC TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE, THE BOOKLET LISTS OUT THE LOCATION AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF ALL BRANCH OFFICES FROM WHICH FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE CAN BE OBTAINED.
THE BOOKLET, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ALSO CONTAINS A LIST OF PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS LABOUR SUBJECTS AS WELL AS LEGISLATIONS OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT.
IT IS OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
-----o-----
PAMPHLET ON PROPER ERECTION OF SIGNS
*****
GUIDELINES ON THE ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VARIOUS ADVERTISING SIGNS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
A BILINGUAL PAMPHLET, ENTITLED "PUTTING UP SIGNS", SETS OUT THE PROPER PROCEDURES THAT SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
FOR THOSE REQUIRING MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, THERE IS A TECHNICAL GUIDE ON THE ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ADVERTISING SIGNS WHICH SUPPLEMENTS THE PAMPHLET AND OUTLINES THE VARIOUS LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
"YOU SHOULD NOT ERECT ANY SIGN ON A BUILDING WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE BUILDING’S OWNERS, MANAGERS OR OWNERS’ CORPORATION.
"YOU SHOULD ALSO CONFIRM WITH THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE THAT THE SIGN DOES NOT CONTRAVENE THE BUILDING’S DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT OR THE CONDITIONS OF THE LAND LEASE," A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SIGNS SHOULD BE SECURELY FIXED TO THE BUILDING TO AVOID SWINGING OR FALLING.
THEY SHOULD BE INSPECTED ANNUALLY BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE IN A STRUCTURALLY SOUND CONDITION.
"SIGNS OF SUBSTANTIAL SIZE SHOULD BE DESIGNED BY AN AUTHORISED PERSON/REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND BE INSTALLED UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION," HE SAID.
/OTHER REQUIREMENTS .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 15 -
OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHICH HAVE TO BE MET ARE OUTLINED IN THE TECHNICAL GUIDE AND THE PAMPHLET.
COPIES OF THESE WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
"IT IS HOPED THAT BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES, ADVERTISING SIGNS CAN BE PROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED, THEREBY ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE REQUIREMENTS COULD RESULT IN IMPROPERLY ERECTED SIGNS BEING REMOVED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION AND OWNERS'BEING REQUIRED TO BEAR THE COST OF REMOVAL," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
---O------
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS » » » » »
THE DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM (BMCT) OF KOWLOON CITY IS ORGANISING A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR OFFICE-BEARERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
THE SEMINAR IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN ON JANUARY 23 (MONDAY), FROM 8 PM TO 10.30 PM.
IT IS AIMED AT ENABLING OFFICE-BEARERS TO DEVELOP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONS OF THEIR CORPORATIONS, ROUTINE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING MAINTENANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE KOWLOON CITY BMCT WAS SET UP IN LAST NOVEMBER-, AND CONSISTED OF A HOUSING MANAGER, AN ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER AND TWO HOUSING ASSISTANTS.
SINCE THEN IT HAD CONDUCTED SERIES OF ACTIVITIES IN AN EFFORT TO ASSESS PROBLEMS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICE-BEARERS OF • MUTUAL YID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
AFTER ANALYSING THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED, THE BMCT DECIDED TO HOLD A SEMINAR ON JANUARY 23. REPRESENTATIVE'S FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ICAC, POLICE, A BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS A BUILDING SURVEYOR HAVE BEEN INVITED TO GIVE TALKS.
/THESE TALKS .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 16 -
THESE TALKS WILL BE ON PROCEDURES IN CONDUCTING A MEETING, ON ACCOUNTING AND LEGISLATION, AND ON SECURITY, MAINTENANCE, CLEANLINESS AND URE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS.
THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR MAY TELEPHONE THE BMCT ON 3-7663540 OR 3-7663548 FOR BOOKING OR FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES.
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVISED DB FINANCIAL RULES ♦ »»»»»
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) MORNING PROPOSALS TO REVISE THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCIAL RULES AND TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINGENCY FUNDS.
A WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE ISSUE WILL PRESENT A PAPER RECOMMENDING NEW STANDARD RATES OF SUBSIDY TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, REVISED FINANCIAL RULES ON SUBSIDIES AND THE RESERVATION OF $350,000 OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE VARIOUS DISTRICT-WIDE ACTIVITIES IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER FOUR APPLICATIONS TOTALLING $205,000 FOR GRASS CUTTING AT THE MUI LEE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA; INSTALLATION OF MAIL BOXES AT HUNG MUI KUK VILLAGE; CONSTRUCTION OF DRAINAGE AND FOOTPATH AT SIU LEK YUEN; AND CONSTRUCTION OF VAN TRACK AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT AT TAO FUNG SHAN ROAD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROGRESS REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AS WELL AS EXPENDITURE HEADS AND TENTATIVE CEILINGS FOR 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM TOMORROV (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
-----o------
/17........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
- 17 -
SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROJECTS CONCERNING SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES UNDER THE TAI PO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10).
THEY WILL ALSO NOTE THE REPORTS OF AN ELDERLY PROJECT AND OF A SURVEY ON THE PROBLEM OF MARGINAL YOUTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------0----------
DB PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10).
REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND THE WORKING GROUP ON "WELCOME TO TAI PO" SIGN WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10). THE MEETING WILL' BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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/18........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN WAN CHAI * t t »
A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND HOME SECURITY WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) FOR MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, AS WELL AS BUILDING MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, IN WAN CHAI.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
IT AIMS AT INCREASING THE PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE WHO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRYAN CHAN; OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT IN WAN CHAI, MISS WONG YIN-KWAN; AND SENIOR STATION OFFICER (PUBLICITY) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR LI CHUN-FAT.
THE HOUSING MANAGER OF THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MR JAMES LAU, WILL ALSO SPEAK.
THEY WILL GIVE TALKS ON PROBLEMS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND WAYS OF SOLVING THEM, SECURITY AND FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, AND THE ROLES AND DUTIES OF CARETAKERS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ON THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 7.45 PM IN ROOM 103, DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING, 15 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
- - 0
TENDERS INVITED FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT * t ♦ * *
WORKS ON RECLAMATION, RIVER TRAINING, ROADS AND DRAINAGE k i BE CARRIED OUT IN MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND, EARLY THIS YEAR. ‘
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FO.i THE PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES FURTHER RECLAMATION NORTH OF SILVER RIVER, RIVER TRAINING WORKS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND FOOTPATHS PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES ACROSS THE RIVER, CYCLE TRACKS, DRAINAGE AN;’ SEWER.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC CARPARKS, BUS STOP, TAXI STAND AND LOADING/UNLOADING AREA.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN MARCH \N WILL TAKE ABOUT 26 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION FO TENDERS IS NOON ON ANLaRY 27
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, January 9, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CJ SPEAKS ON JUDICIARY RECRUITMENT ........................ 1
AG OUTLINES LEGAL AGENDA FOR 1989 ......................... 5
GOVERNOR PRAISES ROLE OF HK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL........... 9
LORD GLFMARTHUR VISITS HK CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE 10
CO-OPERaTIUN NECESSARY IN REGULATING FINANCIAL MARKETS .... 10
HONG KONG/BRUNEI AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT SIGNED ............ 13
SEVERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ................. 13
MARINE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE SHIP FIRE ................ 11!
POLICE Talk ON TRIAD EXTORTION jiND CRIME PREVENTION ...... 15
TRAINING COURSE FOR PRIVATE ELDERLY HOME HEALTH WORKERS
STaRTS .................................................. 16
DIAMOND hill clearance on db AGENDA ....................... 17
COMMUNITY FACILITIES ON NORTH DB COMMITTEE z.GENDa ........ 17
KWAI TSING DB COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW................... 18
NEW PARKING METERS TO BE TESTED IN WaN CHAI ............... 19
.\MUSENENT GaMES CENTRES ON AGENDa......................... 19
DB WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS STOPPAGE OF IRRIGATION SUPPLY . 20
SECOND Tnl PO FESTIVAL TO OPEN ON SATURDAY................. 20
SINGING CONTEST OPEN TO YaU TSlM RESIDENTS ................ 21
CAKE MIKING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN ............... 22
Water storage figure ...................................... 22
BUS SERVICE aRR»u.GIMH:TS IN WONG TaI SIN ................. 23
HUNG MUI KUK RO..D CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ...................... 24-
T..I CHUNG KIU ROaD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ..................... 21*
RIGHT-TURN BaN, BUS LaNE DESIGNATED........................ 25
INTERRUPTION OF W..TER SUPPLY TO THREE aREaS .............. 25
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
CJ SPEAKS ON JUDICIARY RECRUITMENT *****
FOR MANY MORE YEARS AND AS A MATTER OF PRACTICALITY, HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON EXPATRIATES OF HIGH STANDARD AT ALL LEVELS OF THE COURTS, THOUGH AS TIME PASSES THERE WILL BE MORE LOCAL OFFICERS AND CONSEQUENTLY A REDUCTION OF OUR NEED FOR OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
AS A LONG TERM OBJECTIVE, IT IS BOTH NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE THAT ALL HOLDERS OF JUDICIAL OFFICE SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE LOCAL PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, AS LONG AS WE STILL HAVE EXPATRIATES WITHIN OUR RANKS THEY SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY AND NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST; THEY ARE ENTITLED TO A FAIR CHANCE TO COMPETE WITH THEIR LOCAL COLLEAGUES ON MERITS, SIR TI LIANG SAID IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1989 LEGAL YEAR HELD AT THE CITY HALL.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT TO HIM, MERIT WAS ALL IMPORTANT AND IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT HE ALWAYS AVOIDED USING THE MUCH HACKNEYED WORD "LOCALISATION", WHICH TO HIM IMPLIED EMPLOYING OR ELEVATING A LOCAL PERSON SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WAS CHINESE.
"MUCH HAS BEEN SAID IN RECENT MONTHS ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT OF LOCALS INTO THE JUDICIARY. IT IS THEREFORE APPROPRIATE THAT I SHOULD STATE IN BROAD TERMS WHAT MY OWN VIEWS ARE ON THE SUBJECT," HE SAID.
"BY LOCALS, I MEAN THOSE WHO ARE IN THE MAIN PEOPLE OF CHINESE RACE (BUT CERTAINLY NOT EXCLUSIVELY SO) WHO REGARD HONG KONG AS THEIR PERMANENT HOME. THE TERM THEREFORE INCLUDES BOTH CHINESE AND NON-CHINESE, BUT EXCLUDES THOSE OF THE CHINESE RACE WHO MAKE THEIR HOME ELSEWHERE.
"THIS DESCRIPTION IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THOSE WHO CALL HONG KONG THEIR HOME HAVE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, A SPECIAL SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO THIS CITY, A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS, AND A WARMER SYMPATHY WITH OUR ASPIRATIONS. THE ABILITY TO SPEAK, READ AND WRITE CHINESE IS OF COURSE A MAJOR ADVANTAGE."
SIR TI LIANG EMPHASISED THAT WHILE IT WAS PROPER TO GIVE FIRST PRIORITY TO LOCALS OF ABILITY AND INTEGRITY WHEN RECRUITING, HE WAS SURE THAT ONCE INSIDE THE JUDICIARY, BOTH LOCALS AND EXPATRIATES SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF CAREER ADVANCEMENT, WITH FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN FOR A KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE.
"EXPATRIATE OFFICERS, WHETHER ON CONTRACT OR ON THE PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT MUST HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT THEIR BENEFITS AND ASPIRATIONS ARE PROTECTED IN THE INTEREST OF COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
/ON THE
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 2
ON THE PERCENTAGE OF LOCALS IN THE JUDICIARY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAW DIFFICULTY IN CONCURRING WITH THE ESTIMATE ONCE MADE THAT THE JUDICIARY WOULD BE "50 PER CENT LOCALISED" IN 10 YEARS AND THAT THE TARGET WAS ATTAINABLE BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY ABOUT 35 PER CENT LOCALISED.
"ALL THAT CAN BE SAID IS THAT WE SHALL CONTINUE TO TRY OUR UTMOST TO ATTRACT LOCAL LAWYERS AND BE RECEPTIVE TO NEW IDEAS WHICH WOULD HELP US IN OUR ENDEAVOUR.
"IF WE HAVE TO TALK OF PERCENTAGE AT ALL, THEN THE SAME PERCENTAGE MUST EVENTUALLY BE APPLIED MORE OR LESS ACROSS THE BOARD, TO EACH AND EVERY LEVEL OF THE COURTS.
"HAVING REGARD TO THE RELATIVE YOUTH OF THE BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS IN HONG KONG, HOWEVER, THE EARLY YEARS WILL SEE A PREPONDERANCE OF RECRUITS TO THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS RATHER THAN THE DISTRICT COURT AND ABOVE," HE SAID.
SIR TI LIANG POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT THERE ARE SOME 21 LOCAL MAGISTRATES OUT OF A TOTAL OF 64, 10 OF THEM BEING SPECIAL MAGISTRATES WHO ARE NOT LEGALLY QUALIFIED. OF 36 DISTRICT JUDGES ONLY 11 ARE EMPLOYED ON LOCAL TERMS; OF THE 30 SUPREME COURT JUDGES, ONLY FOUR ARE LOCALS INCLUDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
"BUT WE ARE NOT IN A PERCENTAGE GAME. THE STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF THE JUDICIARY MUST NOT BE ALTERED OR DIMINISHED BY ANY SLAVISH ADHERENCE TO QUOTAS," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE CHIEF JUSTICE MENTIONED A NUMBER OF MEASURES AND CONSIDERATIONS TAKEN BY THE JUDICIARY TO ATTRACT MORE LOCAL LAWYERS TO WORK IN THE JUDICIARY:
(I) AS PART OF THE SEPARATION OF THE JUDICIARY FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIAL SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAS BEEN APPOINTED.
THIS COMMITTEE NOW CONSIDERS PROPOSALS FOR THE JUDICIARY IN ISOLATION FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE, AND MAY APPLY DIFFERENT CRITERIA IN REACHING ITS CONCLUSIONS. THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY FROM THE GOVERNMENT IS THEREBY EMPHASISED.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER, INTER ALIA —
(A) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SO-CALLED "CASH FOR
PERKS"; AND
(B) THE ELIMINATION OF THE LAST VESTIGE IN THE
DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN LOCALS AND EXPATRIATES, NAMELY, LEAVE TERMS.
/(II) THE PERMANENT
MONDAY, JANUARY 9. 1989
(II) THE PERMANENT MAGISTRATES HAVE BEEN UPGRADED AND AWARDED A SALARY INCREASE. THIS NOT ONLY REFLECTS THEIR INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT SHOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE THE RECRUITING OF LOCAL PEOPLE TO THAT POSITION.
(Ill) THOSE SUITABLE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER LEVELS, WILL INEVITABLY BE MATURE BOTH IN TEMPERAMENT AND YEARS. UNDER PRESENT GOVERNMENT PENSION REGULATIONS A PRACTISING LAWYER, PERHAPS TAKING JUDICIAL OFFICE IN HIS LATE 40'S, IS NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE PENSION SCHEME. THIS MAY DETER HIM FROM MAKING THE TRANSFER.
THE NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR THE JUDICIARY MAKES SPECIAL PROVISION FOR THESE LAWYERS AND PROPOSES AN EARNING RATE FROM AGE 50 ONWARDS WHEREBY EACH MONTH’S ACTUAL SERVICE WILL COUNT AS 2 MONTHS’ PENSIONABLE SERVICE.
THIS SCHEME IS INTENDED TO OFFER AN INDUCEMENT TO SENIOR PRACTITIONERS WITH JUDICIAL AMBITIONS, BUT REMAIN DOUBTFUL OF THEIR SECURITY ON RETIREMENT.
(IV) SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF LOCAL BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS NOW SIT EVERY YEAR AS TEMPORARY MAGISTRATES. IF THEY ARE CONSIDERING APPLYING TO JOIN THE JUDICIARY PERMANENTLY, THIS ENABLES BOTH PARTIES TO ASSESS THEIR SUITABILITY AND LIKING FOR THE JOB. EVEN IF THEY DO NOT SEEK PERMANENT APPOINTMENT, THEIR PERIOD ON THE BENCH LEAVES THEM WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF A MAGISTRATE'S PROBLEMS AND CONTRIBUTES TO A HEALTHY DIALOGUE BETWEEN BENCH AND PROFESSION.
(V) IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CHINESE LANGUAGES BE USED MORE WIDELY IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. THIS APPLIES TO ALL COURTS, BUT PARTICULARLY TO THE MAGISTRACY WHICH DEALS WITH BY FAR THE GREATEST NUMBER OF HONG KONG’S CITIZENS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE’S WORKING PARTY ON THIS SUBJECT HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED, AND THEIR PRACTICAL APPLICATION IS BEING STUDIED. IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT, BUT THEY FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
BEFORE SIR TI LIANG CONCLUDED HIS ADDRESS, HE PAID TRIBUTE TO MR JUSTICE GARCIA WHO WOULD BE LEAVING THEM AFTER 28.5 YEARS WITH THE JUDICIARY.
"HE IS A FIRM JUDGE WHO KNOWS HONG KONG WELL, AND WE SHALL MISS HIM.
/"BUT THIS
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
"BUT THIS CITY WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM HIS PUBLIC -MINDEDNESS AS A COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS. WE WISH HIM WELL IN THIS IMPORTANT POST," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT BY ANY STANDARDS, HONG KONG MAY JUSTIFIABLY BE PROUD OF THE JUDICIARY WHICH HE HAD THE GREAT HONOUR TO HEAD.
"WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A JUDICIARY WHOSE COMPETENCE, INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY HAVE, OVER MANY DECADES, EARNED THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE NOT ONLY OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS BUT ALSO OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS WORLD."
HE SAID THAT THOSE WHO HAD FALLEN SHORT OF THE HIGH STANDARDS THAT THEY SET FOR THEMSELVES AND WERE EXPECTED OF THEM, WERE BUT EXCEPTIONS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY SOME 153 JUDICIAL OFFICERS ALL DID THEIR WORK CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND QUIETLY, LARGELY UNNOTICED BY THE PUBLIC AND UNREPORTED BY THE PRESS.
"I NEED MAKE NO APOLOGY FOR SELF-CONGRATULATION, BECAUSE IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT CREDIT BE GIVEN WHERE IT IS DUE."
AT THE END OF HIS ADDRESS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE EXPRESSED HIS MOST SINCERE GRATITUDE TO ALL THE JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES, TO THE REGISTRARS AND THE MASTERS, TO ALL THE PRESIDING OFFICERS AND CORONERS, AND TO ALL THE SUPPORTING STAFF IN THE JUDICIARY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, MR ROBERT TANG; AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR SIMON IP.
THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR ORGANISED BY THE JUDICIARY WAS WELL ATTENDED BY JUDGES, MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES.
IT BEGAN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH AT 4 PM, AT WHICH THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG, CARDINAL JOHN BAPTIST WU, OFFICIATED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE INSPECTED A GUARD OF HONOUR PROVIDED BY THE DRAGON COMPANY OF THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS WITH MUSIC BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S ROYAL REGIMENT AT EDINBURGH PLACE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE INSPECTION WAS FOLLOWED BY ADDRESSES IN THE CONCERT HALL OF CITY HALL WHICH FINISHED AT ABOUT 6 PM.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 9,
1989
- 5 -
AG OUTLINES LEGAL AGENDA FOR 1989 « * « «
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY (MONDAY) SET OUT AN AGENDA OF REFORMS FOR A BETTER LEGAL SYSTEM IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
IN A WIDE-RANGING SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE 1989 LEGAL YEAR HELD AT THE CITY HALL, MR MATHEWS SAID: "WE ENTER 1989 WITH A FULL AGENDA, RECOGNISING THE NEED TO PRESERVE ALL THAT IS GOOD IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM BUT KEENLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO INTRODUCE CHANGE WHERE NOT TO CHANGE WOULD RESULT IN THE LAW FAILING IN ITS SOCIAL PURPOSE OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY."
AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST FOR REFORM WAS THE NEED TO MAKE THE LEGAL SYSTEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY WHICH, HE BELIEVED, WOULD STRENGTHEN CONFIDENCE IN IT.
"GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN AT LEAST ALL COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE MUST BE ACHIEVED IF ACCESS TO THE COURTS IS TO BE MADE EASIER FOR THE BULK OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
IT WAS IN RECOGNITION OF THIS NECESSITY THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAD CONVENED A WORKING PARTY ON THE GREATER USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN COURTS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS.
"BUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORKING PARTY’S RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NOT BE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"IT WILL REQUIRE RESOURCES BOTH HUMAN AND FINANCIAL AND CANNOT BE ACHIEVED OVERNIGHT."
ANOTHER VITAL STEP IN MAKING THE LAW ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WAS THE PRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION IN CHINESE, HE SAID.
REPORTING ON PROGRESS IN THIS AREA, MR MATHEWS SAID THAT, SHORTLY, ALL NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BE ENACTED IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH WITH BOTH TEXTS BEING EQUALLY AUTHENTIC.
IN PARALLEL WITH THIS, HIS CHAMBER’S LAW DRAFTING DIVISION WOULD ALSO BE PRODUCING AUTHENTIC CHINESE TEXTS OF HONG KONG'S VAST BODY OF EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"THE TASK WILL TAKE SOME YEARS TO COMPLETE, BUT, LIKE THE PROMOTION OF GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN THE COURTS, IT WILL OFFER US ALL A CHALLENGE AND A VISION OF A BETTER SYSTEM," HE SAID.
IN THE CHANGE TO BILINGUALISM, THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL EDUCATION WAS GATHERING MOMENTUM, MR MATHEWS SAID.
TRAINING NEEDS IN LINGUISTIC ABILITIES WERE BEING PROVIDED AT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE LAWYERS.
/IN ADDITION, .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 9. 1989
6
IN ADDITION, THE LAW SOCIETY LAST YEAR FORMED A WORKING PARTY TO CONSIDER THE NECESSITY AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A COURSE ON THE USE OF CHINESE IN LAW FOR LEGAL PRACTITIONERS.
"THE INCREASED DIVERSITY OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN CHINESE IS HEALTHY AND ENCOURAGING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BILINGUAL LEGAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
ON THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID: "THE OVERALL PHILOSOPHY IS TO CREATE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH LOCAL LAWYERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED, BY FAIRLY EARLY PROMOTION AND THE REALISTIC PROSPECT OF LONG-TERM CAREERS, TO STAY IN GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE."
THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW PUTTING INTO OPERATION IT8 "DOUBLE-LADDER” PROMOTION SCHEME FOR LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL AIMED AT GIVING THOSE COUNSEL WITH ABILITY AND POTENTIAL THE GREATER BENEFITS AND HIGHER SALARY OF SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL.
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE EXERCISE WAS TO CONSIDER LOCALISATION MEASURES FOR THE DIRECTORATE RANKS.
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT WHILE THERE WAS A CLEAR NEED FOR DETERMINED MEASURES TOWARDS INCREASED LOCALISATION, CARE MUST BE TAKEN NOT TO DRIVE AWAY DEDICATED AND EXPERIENCED EXPATRIATES WHOSE SERVICES WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE LOCALISATION EXERCISE WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERING HOW THESE KEY EXPATRIATES MIGHT BE RETAINED.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID ANOTHER MAJOR TASK FACING HIS CHAMBERS AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION, WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THOSE UNITED KINGDOM STATUTES WHICH APPLIED TO HONG KONG, AND FOR WHICH THERE WOULD BE A CONTINUING NEED AFTER 1997, WITH HONG KONG LEGISLATION.
PARTICULAR AREAS WHICH NEEDED TO BE TACKLED WERE IN THE FIELDS OF MERCHANT SHIPPING, CIVIL AVIATION, COPYRIGHT AND PATENTS.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE PROCESS OF REPLACEMENT OF LAWS HAD ALREADY STARTED. THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL ON ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 11.
THE ENORMOUS TASK OF LOCALISING SHIPPING LAW WAS WELL ADVANCED AND WORK ON THE OTHER IMPORTANT SUBJECTS WAS ALSO MAKING GOOD PROGRESS, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROSECUTION OF CRIME, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT WHILE THIS WAS A MAJOR AREA OF WORK IN HIS CHAMBERS, MUCH OF THIS WAS BRIEFED OUT IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE MAGISTRACY TO LAWYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/"AT PRESENT, ........
MONDAY, JANUARY % 1989
"AT PRESENT, SUCH BRIEFING OUT IS LIMITED TO THOSE CASES WHERE MANPOWER IS SHORT AND WHERE OTHERWISE THE CASE DEMONSTRATES A NEED FOR OUTSIDE SERVICES," HE SAID.
IN 1987, 833 CASES WERE UNDERTAKEN BY THE BAR, RISING TO 1,248 LAST YEAR.
IN ADDITION, COUNSEL WERE BRIEFED ON A DAILY BASIS IN THE MAGISTRACIES FOR 1,900 DAYS IN 1987 AND 3,703 LAST YEAR.
"THERE MAY BE JUSTIFICATION FOR GOING BEYOND THE LIMITS OF STRICT NEED,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
"IT IS BY NO MEANS NECESSARY NOR DESIRABLE THAT THE PROSECUTION OF CRIME AND THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE HANDS OF LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
"I BELIEVE THAT A CASE CAN BE MADE, IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, FOR SOME CASES TO BE BRIEFED OUT BEYOND THE BOUNDARY OF STRICT NEED."
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THIS MUST BE BALANCED AGAINST THE NEED TO MAINTAIN PROSECUTING SKILLS WITHIN CHAMBERS.
ALSO, THERE WERE MANY TASKS THAT GOVERNMENT LAWYERS PERFORMED FOR WHICH THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO EQUIVALENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THERE WERE MATTERS WHICH COULD NOT BE BRIEFED OUT.
MOREOVER, WORK AT ALL LEVELS MUST BE DONE IN-HOUSE TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCE FOR NEWLY QUALIFIED LAWYERS JOINING THE CHAMBERS.
ON MANPOWER, MR MATHEWS SAID CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR MORE LAWYERS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL EDUCATION, WITH THE HELP OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WAS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF THE PROFESSION AS A WHOLE.
IT WAS HOPED THE SURVEY COULD BE COMPLETED IN APRIL. "THIS WILL ASSIST GREATLY IN DETERMINING THE SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF FUTURE LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AT BOTH GRADUATE AND POST-GRADUATE LEVEL," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE AREA OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, MR MATHEWS SAID HONG KONG HAD NOT MOVED WITH THE TIMES AND THERE MUST BE CHANGE.
FORMS, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN 19TH CENTURY ENGLAND WERE STILL BEING RELIED ON ALTHOUGH SOME OF THESE PROVISIONS WERE OBSCURE AND OTHERS WERE QUITE IRRELEVANT TO MODERN NEEDS, HE SAID.
/A WORKING
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 8
A WORKING PARTY COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JUDICIARY AND HIS CHAMBERS HAD BEEN WORKING TOWARDS REFORM IN THIS AREA.
THE GROUP HAD PRODUCED A REPORT RECOMMENDING THE ABOLITION OF THE ANCIENT DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS, A PROPOSAL ENDORSED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY.
MR MATHEWS SAID HE EXPECTED TO SEE LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROPOSAL INTRODUCED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE SAME WORKING PARTY WAS ALSO LOOKING AT THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO ESTABLISHING A NEW MAGISTRATES COURT AND SIMPLIFYING AND MODERNISING PROCEDURES.
HE SAID THE LAW SOCIETY, THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE FACULTY OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WERE BEING CONSULTED ON A NEW AND SIMPLE PROCEDURE FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS TO REPLACE THE EIGHT EXISTING PROCEDURES.
ON THE WORK OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, MR MATHEWS SAID THREE TOPICS WERE REFERRED TO THE COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION LAST YEAR.
TWO WERE CONCERNED DIRECTLY WITH FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE POWERS THE LAW GAVE TO POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS THAT AFFECTED THAT FREEDOM.
THESE CONCERNED THE OFFENCE OF LOITERING AND THE LAWS RELATING TO POWERS OF STOP, SEARCH, SEIZURE, ARREST AND DETENTION.
HE SAID HE EXPECTED THE REPORT ON LOITERING TO BE PUBLISHED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR AND THE REPORT OF POWERS OF ARREST TO BE COMPLETED ABOUT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THE THIRD REFERENCE TO THE COMMISSION AROSE FROM A RECOMMENDATION CONTAINED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT ON COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES.
THE COMMISSION WOULD CONSIDER WHETHER HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A SUBSTANTIVE OFFENCE OF FRAUD AS EXISTED IN CERTAIN COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.
A SUB-COMMITTEE WAS AT WORK ON THIS TOPIC AND WAS EXPECTED TO PRESENT ITS REPORT TO THE COMMISSION THIS YEAR.
MR MATHEWS ADDED THAT LATER THIS YEAR HE EXPECTED THE COMMISSION WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, THE CODIFICATION OF THE GENERAL PART OF THE CRIMINAL LAW.
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/9........
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 9 -
GOVERNOR PRAISES ROLE OF HK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL * * * * *
THE SPECTACULAR GROWTH OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONA!. SCHOOL HAS PARALLELLED, AND SUPPORTED, THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG ITSELF DURING THE PASI TWO DECADES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAV).
:-.!•• DAVID WAS SPEAKING AT THE DEDICATION CEREMONY OF ">HF NEW EXTENSION OF THE SCHOOL - AN EXTENSION WHICH HF DESCRIBED AS SYMBO. SING THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY’S CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
<1 ECONOMY HAS DEVELOPED, so the NUMBER OF COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS COMING HERE HAS INCREASED." THE GOVERNOR SAID.
WELCOME THIS. AND, AS HONG KONG MOVES TOWARDS CENTUM! ANU ITS NEW STATUS, IT WILL CONTINUE To NEED AND, I TO WEI ‘ME OVERSEAS PARTICIPATION IN ITS ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY . "
THE NFXT AM SURE, JN ITS
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SUITABLE SCHOOLING WAS AN IMPORTANT j^ACTOR FOR FAMILIES PLANNING TO MOVE TO HONG KONG.
"THERE WILL BE A CONTINUING NEED FOR SCHOOLS, LIKE THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, WHICH PROVIDE AN EDUCATION SYSTEM DIFFERENT FROM THE HONG KONG ONE," HE SAID.
"THEY MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR DYNAMIC AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY."
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS NOW 25 YEARS SINCE A FAR-SIGHTED GROUP IN THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY TOOK THE BOLD STEP OF PLANNING A SCHOOL IN HONG KONG TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION ON AMERICAN LINES.
FROM THE START THE PROJECT HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAD PROVIDED THE INITIAL SITE IN REPULSE HAY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY TWO MORE SITES INCLUDING THE ONE ON WHICH THE NEW CAMPUS HAD BEEN BUILT.
"HAVING STARTED WITH ONLY 185 STUDENTS IN 1966, WITH THESE NEW BUILDINGS THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WILL NOW HAVE A TOTAI •CAPACITY OF OVER 2,000 PLACES," HE SAID.
* j
IN PLAYING TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE SCHoOI 'S BOARD Vl> STAFF, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THOUGH THE SCHOOI AI''PTID AMERICAN
CURRICULUM IT HAD AN IMPRESSIVELY INTERNATIONA! OUTLOOK.
"SOME 40 COUNTRIES ARE REPRESENTED I Till STUDENT ‘ OIO , ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF STUDENTS ARE NOT UNITED STATE.' NATIONALS. ONE STUDENT % llN 10 IS FROM A HONG KONG FAMILY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO STUDY III RI "HI GAIN INVALUABLE, AND PRACTICAL, EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL Co ’I El MON.
"THAT CAN ONLY BE GOOD FOR THEM AND FOR HONG KONG."
- O - -
/1O........
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989 .
- 10 -
Lord glenarthur visits hk convention and exhibition centre
* * * * »
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE TERRITORY’S NEWEST LANDMARK, THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR COMPLEX BY THE TDC CHAIRMAN, DAME LYDIA DUNN.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS BRIEFED ON THE NUMEROUS FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE CENTRE WHICH INCLUDE A TOTAL OF 18,000 SQUARE METRES OF EXHIBITION SPACE IN TWO HALLS, THE MAIN CONVENTION HALL ACCOMMODATING UP TO 2,600 DELEGATES, AND NUMEROUS MEETING ROOMS AND PRE-FUNCTION AREAS.
THERE ARE ALSO TWO THEATRES EQUIPPED WITH ADVANCED AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT, RESTAURANTS AND VARIOUS OTHER SERVICES.
THE COMPLEX WILL ALSO HOUSE TWO MAJOR HOTELS WITH NEARLY 1,500 ROOMS WHEN FULLY COMPLETED.
• -r
LORD GLENARTHUR LATER TOURED THE CENTRE AND SAW ITS VARIOUS FACILITIES.
BEFORE DEPARTURE, HE TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE FOUND THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRE MOST IMPRESSIVE AND TRULY MAGNIFICENT. HE PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OF THE CENTRE.
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CO-OPERATION NECESSARY IN REGULATING FINANCIAL MARKETS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS THE CO-OPERATION OF PEOPLE IN THE MARKET PLACE IF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (.' DAY )■ .
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "FINANCE IN
SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STU Ilf -
ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY HONG
KONG.
Ml. NENDICK STRESSED THAT TN PREPARING FOR THE SETTING UP rF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC), THE GOVERNMENT I1A!> MACE EVERY EFFORT TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE.
/"WE ARE
MONDAY, JANUARY 9» 1989
"WE ARE FULLY CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE AVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATE POWERS TO COMBAT FRAUD AND MARKET ABUSES AND THE NEED TO PRESERVE CIVIL LIBERTIES; AND BETWEEN ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF MARKETS AND ENSURING THAT THEY DO NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL," HE SAID.
"A DRAFT BILL ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION’S CONSTITUTION, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND POWERS HAS NOW BEEN FINALISED AND THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS TO BE SOUGHT SHORTLY."
MR NENDICK SAID THAT VARIOUS MARKET ORGANISATIONS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEIR VIEWS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FINALISING THE BILL.
"UNFORTUNATELY, SOME PEOPLE BELIEVED, WRONGLY, THAT GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY MADE UP ITS MIND ON THE MAJOR ISSUES AND THAT CONSULTATION WAS THEREFORE A MERE SHAM," HE SAID.
"LET ME ONCE AGAIN STRESS THAT THE CONSULTATION PROCESS HAS BEEN A GENUINE ONE AND THAT SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS, IN PARTICULAR WHERE THE POWERS SOUGHT FOR THE NEW COMMISSION WERE PERCEIVED AS TOO DRACONIAN."
ON THE COMMISSION’S FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS, MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT IN DRAWING UP THE PROPOSALS THE GOVERNMENT HAD KEPT TWO PRINCIPLES FIRMLY IN MIND.
"FIRST, THAT OVER THE LONGER TERM MOST OF THE FUNDING SHOULD COME FROM THE MARKET BUT WITH A CONTINUING CONTRIBUTION FROM GOVERNMENT - THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
"SECONDLY, THAT OVERALL TRANSACTION COSTS, WHICH DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY WILL FALL TO BE MET BY INVESTORS, SHOULD NOT RESULT IN HONG KONG’S MARKETS BECOMING UNCOMPETITIVE WITH THOSE IN OTHER MAJOR CENTRES BOTH IN THE REGION AND WORLDWIDE."
THE COMMISSION’S ANNUAL BUDGET WOULD NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR, AFTER SCRUTINY BY THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE COMMISSION’S BOOKS WHENEVER HE SO REQUIRED, HE EXPLAINED.
"THE COMMISSION WILL ALSO HAVE TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT AND THIS, TOGETHER WITH ITS ANNUAL ACCOUNTS, WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," MR NENDICK SAID.
"FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO NEED TO APPROVE EACH YEAR THE PROPOSED GRANT FROM GOVERNMENT.
/"TAKING ALL
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 12 -
"TAKING ALL THESE FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT, I BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE ADEQUATE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT FEARS THAT THE COMMISSION WILL, IN EFFECT, BE ABLE TO DETERMINE ITS OWN LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE AND THUS BE TEMPTED TO EMPIRE-BUILD OR INDULGE IN OVER-REGULATION WILL PROVE UNFOUNDED.
"IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL, AS I HOPE IT WILL, THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A FEW WEEKS TIME AND WE CAN EXPECT THE NEW COMMISSION TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR."
MR NENDICK ALSO TOUCHED ON THE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE (SRC).
HE NOTED THAT THE STOCK EXCHANGE, TO ITS GREAT CREDIT, PROMPTLY ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SRC REPORT AND TOOK THE INITIATIVE IN AMENDING ITS CONSTITUTION.
AS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SYSTEM FOR STOCK TRANSACTIONS, MR NENDICK SAID THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED WERE NOW ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THE NEW SYSTEM.
"WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT ACTIVE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE EXCHANGE TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE EXCHANGE WAS ALSO IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF IMPLEMENTING A NEW CLEARING AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SRC.
"IT MAY BE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS LEFT THE INITIATIVE FOR THIS TO THE FUTURES EXCHANGE ITSELF," HE SAID.
”1 SEE THIS AS RIGHT AND PROPER, FOR A FUTURES MARKET CAN ONLY CONTINUE IN HONG KONG IF THERE ARE THOSE PREPARED OVER THE LONG TERM TO COMMIT CAPITAL TO THE MARKET ADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE RISKS INVOLVED."
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/15........
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 13 -
HONG KONG/BRUNEI AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT SIGNED
* * » » »
AN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT (ASA) BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI WAS SIGNED IN HONG KONG TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG UNDER THE AUTHORISATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO SERI LAILA JASA AWANG HAJI ZAKARIA BIN DATU MAHAWANGSA HAJI SULAIMAN, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI.
SIGNATURE OF THE ASA FOLLOWS DISCUSSION DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS BETWEEN UK AND BRUNEIAN DELEGATIONS AT WHICH PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE TEXT.
HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED IN THE UK DELEGATION AT THOSE TALKS.
THE HONG KONG/BRUNEI ASA IS THE FOURTH SUCH AGREEMENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION IN MIND.
THE ASA, WHICH PROVIDES FOR SCHEDULED SERVICES BY THE DESIGNATED AIRLINES OF THE TWO SIDES, ENTERS INTO FORCE UPON SIGNATURE.
----o------
SEVERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
» » » * »
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT MR PETER NG WILL TAKE OVER AS COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 11).
MR NG PREVIOUSLY HELD THE POST OF DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MR DARWIN CHEN WILL TAKE UP A NEW POST OF DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DAY.
MEANWHILE, MR LEO KWAN HAS TAKEN UP THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (MONDAY) TO SUCCEED MR PETER NG.
/IN NOVEMBER 1987,
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
14
IN NOVEMBER 1987, MR KWAN WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES (SPECIAL DUTIES) RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING ALL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
IN HIS NEW OFFICE, MR KWAN WILL CONTINUE TO CHAIR THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WHICH SERVES AS A FORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS.
------0-------
MARINE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE SHIP FIRE
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL INVESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE FIRE WHICH BROKE OUT ON BOARD THE "LAVIA" ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) EVENING.
THE INVESTIGATION WAS ORDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, FOLLOWING AN INSPECTION VISIT WITH SENIOR MARINE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS TO THE 12,000-TONNE PASSENGER VESSEL OFF KAU YI CHAU THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID AN INVESTIGATION WAS NECESSARY IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE FIRE WHICH THREATENED THE SAFETY OF THE PORT.
"ACTION WILL BE TAKEN SHOULD ANY IRREGULARITIES BE FOUND IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIRE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WAS INFORMED OF THE FIRE ON BOARD THE PANAMANIAN-REGISTERED VESSEL AT ABOUT 6 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7). THE CENTRE IMMEDIATELY INFORMED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
OWING TO THE THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THE PORT POSED BY THE FIRE, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO BEACH THE VESSEL OFF KAU YI CHAU LATER IN THE EVENING, THE SPOKEMAN SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT SUBSEQUENTLY MADE ALL THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS AND THE VESSEL WAS SUCCESSFULLY BEACHED ON A SHALLOW PATCH OFF KAU YI CHAU THE SAME EVENING TO FACILITATE FIRE-FIGHTING OPERATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE VESSEL HAD BEEN LAID UP IN HONG KONG FOR REPAIR AND RENOVATION WORK SINCE OCTOBER 1982.
REGULAR INSPECTIONS, AT AN INTERVAL OF ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE MARINE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE VESSEL WAS LAST INSPECTED ON DECEMBER 30 LAST YEAR AND THE WORK WAS FOUND IN COMPLIANCE WITH MARINE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0------- /15....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 15 -
POLICE TALK ON TRIAD EXTORTION AND CRIME PREVENTION
» * » » »
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO REPORT TO THE POLICE PROMPTLY OR CALL THE '999' DIRECT WHEN APPROACHED BY UNRULY OR TRIAD ELEMENTS FOR MONEY, ESPECIALLY DURING THE FORTHCOMING FESTIVE SEASON.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE TODAY (MONDAY) BY SENIOR INSPECTOR HONG SHING OF THE ANTI-TRIAD SECTION, KOWLOON CITY POLICE DISTRICT, DURING A TALK ON TRIAD EXTORTION AND CRIME PREVENTION WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 100 SHOP OPERATORS FROM WHAMPOA GARDEN.
ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY POLICE DIVISION AND THE WHAMPOA GARDEN ESTATE MANAGEMENT, THE TALK WAS HELD IN THE LIGHT OF SEVERAL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED RECENTLY BY THE POLICE CONCERNING SHOP THEFT AND EXTORTION.
SENIOR INSPECTOR HONG POINTED OUT THAT ILLICIT ACTIVITIES BY THE LOCAL 'SUN YEE ON' TRIADS MAINLY CENTRED AROUND ILLEGAL QUEUEING FOR FLATS ON SALE, AND EXTORTION FROM SHOP OPERATORS FROM WHAMPOA GARDEN THROUGH DIFFERENT DEVIOUS MEANS.
"UNRULY ELEMENTS, WHO CLAIMED TO BE TRIAD MEMBERS, OFTEN APPROACH SHOP OPERATORS FOR PROTECTION FEES," MR HONG SAID, "AND THOSE WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THEIR DEMANDS WILL BE INTIMIDATED."
ANOTHER POPULAR METHOD USED BY TRIADS, MR HONG ADDED, WAS TO FORCE SHOP OPERATORS TO PURCHASE AT A HIGH PRICE PLANTS, SUCH AS TANGERINES, DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON.
"USUALLY THE TRIADS WILL PLACE A POT OF TANGERINES OUTSIDE THE SHOP, AND COME BACK A FEW DAYS LATER TO ASK FOR MONEY RANGING FROM $200 TO $500. FAILURE TO PAY UP WILL ALSO RESULT IN INTIMIDATION."
"UNLESS THE PUBLIC COME FORWARD AND REPORT TO THE POLICE, THERE IS LITTLE THAT WE COULD DO TO STOP THE MALPRACTICE," SAID MR HONG WHILE CITING A RECENT SUCCESSFUL CASE IN WHICH A MAN WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND FINED $1,500 BY THE COURT FOR BLACKMAILING A MEDICINE SHOP OPERATOR.
MR HONG ALSO URGED SHOP OPERATORS TO TAKE HEED OF A NOVICE MEANS USED BY TRIADS IN EXTORTION - THROUGH THE SALE OF BANQUET TICKETS.
"THE TRIAD WILL FIRST MAKE BOOKINGS FOR SPRING GATHERINGS FROM A LOCAL RESTAURANT, AND THEN SELL THE TICKETS AT EXORBITANT PRICE."
HE REITERATED THAT PUBLIC CO-OPERATION WAS MOST ESSENTIAL IN THE SUCCESSFUL DETECTION OF BLACKMAILS AND INTIMIDATIONS.
MEANWHILE, ADVICE ON CRIME PREVENTION, PARTICULARLY FOR SHOP OPERATORS, WERE ALSO GIVEN DURING THE TALK BY STATION SERGEANT AU WING-LIN OF THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU.
O
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
16
TRAINING COURSE FOR PRIVATE ELDERLY HOME HEALTH WORKERS STARTS
*****
A TRAINING COURSE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HEALTH WORKERS WORKING IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY COMMENCED TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (FAMILY WELFARE), MR ALFRED CHUI WING-MAN, SAID THE TRAINING SECTION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ORGANISING REGULAR TRAINING COURSES FOR PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN BOTH THE SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
"THE COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF THE STAFF CONCERNED, AND ARE WELL PATRONISED," MR CHUI SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE NATURE AND TRAINING OF THIS PARTICULAR COURSE ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS ONES AS ALL THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE RECEIVED RELEVANT TRAINING OUTSIDE HONG KONG, AND MOST OF THEM ARE WORKING IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY," MR CHUI SAID.
ALSO ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS MORNING WERE THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG NURSES ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG COLLEGE OF NURSING, MISS PAULA CHOY; CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG NURSES ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG COLLEGE OF NURSING, MISS SUSIE LUM SHUN-SUI; AND COURSE CO-ORDINATOR, MISS SUEN SUK-BING.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE AIMS AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE GIVEN BY PERSONNEL SERVING IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
DURING THE NEXT THREE MONTHS, PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN LOOKING AFTER THE ELDERLY, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGES OF THE ELDERLY, INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES IN RUNNING A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AND PASSING AN EXAMINATION.
MEANWHILE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED THE FIRST BATCH OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES TO THREE PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH HAVE MET THE REGISTRATION STANDARDS.
MORE CERTIFICATES WILL BE ISSUED TO OPERATORS WHOSE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED AND HAVE REACHED THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WHO WISH TO JOIN THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME CAN WRITE TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S REGISTRATION OFFICE OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ON THE 21ST FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG OR TELEPHONE 5-773942.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
. t•- 4 - 17 -
DIAMOND HILL CLEARANCE ON DB AGENDA
* » » » »
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE INFORMED AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHASE III DIAMOND HILL CLEARANCE PROGRAMME FOR TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
THE PHASE III CLEARANCE IS SCHEDULED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE OPERATIONS ON JANUARY 18, 19 AND 25 RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S EARLIER DECISION NOT TO OPEN URBAN TRANSIT CENTRES AS TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR SQUATTER FIRE VICTIMS AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR FIRE VICTIMS IN SQUATTER AREAS WHERE CLEARANCE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
THEY WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL MADE BY A DB MEMBER, MR NG NGOK-SHING, THAT UNISESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOLING SHOULD BE PROMOTED IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER A REPLY FROM THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ON THE TAXI FARE INCREASE ISSUE AND SOME TAXI DRIVERS’ MALPRACTICE OF REFUSING PASSENGERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE FUNG MING HALL OF THE SIK SIK YUEN IN WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM. # • / f •
COAIMI ’N I TY FAC ILITIES ON * t
NORTH DB COMMITTEE AGENDA t t t
MEMBERS pF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO CONSIDER VARIOUS PROPOSED COMMUNITY FACILITIES AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THEA WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS, IN PARTICULAR, ON THOSE PROJECTS WHI.CH ARE DUE TO BE UNDERTAKEN WITHIN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR. t
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER ( 'ONS TRL’CT I NG A FOOTBRIDGE AT SING PING SUN TSUEN IN TA KWI LING AND IMPROVING A VAN TRACK AT ON PO V ILLAGE IN SHFUNG SHU I .
/OTHER ITEMS
MONDAY, JANUARY 9. ">989
!
- 18 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE 1 PUI’I.I" WORKS PROJECTS , SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT ‘•’PROGRAMME.
AGENDA INCLUDE SITUATION
ANO M I NOR ENV I RONMENTAL PROJECTS AS WEI.I. \S THE
REPORTS ON LOCAL I >1PRO\ FMENT AND VILLAGE LIGHTING
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER I’HE MEETING OE THE NORTH DI SI RUI BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BIGIN A'l 51 *3° ^M TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OE THE NOR’I H DISIRICI iOFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
KWAI TSING DB COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
A WORKING GROUP UNDER KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ARTS AND : CULTURE COMMITTEE WILL REPORT THE PROGRESS OF THEIR LOBBYING TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR SETTING UP A CIVIC CENTRE IN THE DISTRICT AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
OTHER WORKING GROUPS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT’S SECOND ARTS FESTIVAL AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LANTERN FESTIVAL.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DRAW UP THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR ORGANISING ARTS • ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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/19
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 19 -
NEW PARKING METERS TO BE TESTED IN WAN CHAI *****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) A PAPER PREPARED TIIL TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON a FIELD TEST OF ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE DISTRICT EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE NEW METERS, WHICH ARE POWERED BY BATTERIES LASTING ABOUT A WILL BE INSTALLED IN LOCKHART ROAD FOR 12 MONTHS TO TEST WHETHER THEY ARE SUITABLE TO THE LOCAL OPERATING ENVIRONMENT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A WRITTEN QUESTION ON THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ALONG GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND NEAR CHINA RESOURCES BUILDING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, BEGINNING AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
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AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES ON AGENDA * * * * »
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CUL TURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: WILL EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE POLICY AND CRITERIA FOR GRANTING LICENCES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES AT A MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 11).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE VIEWS ON PROJECTS TO PROVIDE RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES UNDER THE TAI PO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
IN ADDITION, REPORTS ON COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR TAI PO THIS MONTH AND NEX'I MONTH WILL BE TABLED FOR COMMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COY ER Till' MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO I) I S'l'R I ( I BOARD on THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FIE ROAD ON WEDNESDAY. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
20
DB WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS STOPPAGE OF IRRIGATION SUPPLY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 11) TO DISCUSS THE DISCONNECTION OF THE IRRIGATION SUPPLY TO WAI TAU, LAM TSUEN.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENT TO THE FACILITIES OF MARICULTURE ZONES IN TAI PO AND THE PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF A NEW MARICULTURE ZONE IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WORKING GROUP TO BE HELD IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON WEDNEDSAY (JANUARY 11). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL TO OPEN ON SATURDAY » » » » t
THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) WITH A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY OF FESTIVE LIGHTING ON KWONG FUK BRIDGE.
THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL, WITH NEARLY 60 COLOURFUL AND •ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES, WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 20.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR HO YUNG-SANG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TRIENNIAL EVENT WAS AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG TAI PO RESIDENTS AND CULTIVATING A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
THE FESTIVAL WOULD ALSO HELP PROMOTE THE IDENTITY OF TAI PO, HE ADDED.
"DURING THE FESTIVAL, ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT TAI PO AND SAI KUNG NORTH TO ALLOW AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE JOIN IN," MR HO POINTED OUT.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY ON KWONG FUK BRIDGE ON SATURDAY TO MARK THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING, A BANQUET FOR ABOUT 1,400 ELDERLY PEOPLE AND A PERFORMANCE BY AN ARTS TROUPE FROM JIANGSU.
/OTHER ACTIVITIES .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 21 -
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SPORTS COMPETITIONS, MUSIC AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, DRAWING AND COLOURING CONTESTS FOR CHILDREN, AND A PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GALA AND CARNIVAL EVENTS TO BE STAGED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND VILLAGES.
THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE FESTIVAL IS ABOUT $800,000, OF WHICH $250,000 WILL BE SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, $160,000 BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE REST DONATED BY PRIVATE FIRMS, LOCAL BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS.
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SINGING CONTEST OPEN TO YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
*****
YAU TSIM DISTRICT RESIDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A CONTEST BEING ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION.
SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE CONTEST AIMS AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS' INTEREST IN MUSIC AND IDENTIFYING SINGING TALENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO POPULAR AND CLASSICAL SECTIONS. THE FIRST ROUND OF THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 25 AND THE FINAL ON MARCH 18 AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE.
BOTH SOLOISTS AND GROUPS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART. EACH SECTION WILL HAVE THREE WINNERS WHO WILL RECEIVE CASH COUPONS OF $800, $500 AND $300 RESPECTIVELY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 31.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-323791 OR 3-322716.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
CAKE MAKING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
» » * » »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S HOME ECONOMICS SECTION WILL HOLD A CAKE MAKING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12) AFTERNOON.
THE COMPETITION, ENTITLED "FAMILY CELEBRATION", AIMS TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HARMONY IN FAMILY LIFE AND TO DEVELOP THEIR CREATIVE SKILLS IN FANCY CAKE DECORATION.
MORE THAN 150 GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS, PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE HEATS OF THE COMPETITION HELD LAST MONTH.
ABOUT 50 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR FINAL JUDGING BY A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE ON THURSDAY STARTING 2 PM.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS KONG LI CHI-HO, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT A CEREMONY AT ABOUT 3 PM ON THE SAME DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BEGIN AT 2 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12) AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ » *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 39.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 229.447 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 343.847 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 58.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
/25
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
- 2J -
BUS SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN *****
!'E TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE THE UONSTRU I ION WORKS OF THE APPROACH ROADS TO TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS WILL BE RELOCATED TO A TEMPORARY TERMINUS >N CHOI HUNG ROAD OUTSIDE BLACKDOWN BARRACKS FROM THURSDAY (JANUARY 2).
AS A RESULT, THE EXISTING SEVEN BUS ROUTES TERMINATING AT CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS WILL BE RE-ROUTED.
ROUTES 5, 13 AND 113 WILL TRAVEL VIA CHOI HUNG ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROUNDABOUT, CHOI HUNG ROAD AND CHOI HUNG TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS ON JOURNEYS TO CHOI HUNG, i
AT THE SAME TIME, ROUTE 113 WILL TRAVEL VIA CHOI HUNG
TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS, CHOI HUNG ROAD, HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG
CHEUNG OAD ON JOURNEYS TO WEST POINT.
ROUTES 90, 91, 92 AND 93R ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM CHOI HUNG
WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD AND CHOI
HUNG TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS.
IP'
THE EXISTING SIX PASSING BUS ROUTES AT CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED.
ROUTES 3D AND 3M WILL TRAVEL VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD, CHOI HUNG TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS, CHOI HUNG ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO TSZ WAN SHAN (NORTH).
AT THE SAME TIME, ROUTE 3M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO DIAMOND HILL MTR STATION.
IN ADDITION, ROUTE 9 WILL TRAVEL VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO STAR FERRY WHILE ROUTE 29M WILL TRAVEL VIA PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO SHUN LEE.
ROUTE 121 WILL TRAVEL VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SHA TIN RACE COURSE RECREATION ROUTE 889 WILL TRAVEL VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE.
NOTICES WILL BE PUT UP AT CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS AND AFFECTED BUS STOPS TO INFORM BUS PASSENGERS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
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/2*........
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
24
HUNG MUI KUK ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
» ♦ « » ♦
TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WESTBOU-'ID NEAR CHUNG PAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY). ’’
FROM 10.30 AM TOMORROW TO 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 2, THE WES-BOUND SECTION OF THE SLOW LANE FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHUNG PAK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE BUS STOP ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WEST OF CHUNG PAK ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
A TEMPORARY BUS STOP FOR KMB ROUTES NOS. 89B, 8IM, 85, 86C, 87A AND 170 WILL BE PROVIDED ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AT A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF.CHUNG PAK ROAD.
AS CONGESTION IS ANTICIPATED DURING THE LANE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID USING THIS SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD..APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC *****
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS, A SECTION OF THE KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD BETWEEN SHA KOK STREET AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 PM ON FEBRUARY 2.
DURING THE PERIOD OF LANE CLOSURE, THE BUS STOPS ALONG THIS ROAD SECTION WILL BE SUSPENDED.
A TEMPORARY BUS STOP FOR KMB ROUTES NOS. 48, 85A AND 82M WILL BE PROVIDED ON SHA KOK STREET OUTSIDE TSANG TAI UK RECREATION GROUND.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1989
25
RIGHT-TURN BAN, BUS LANE DESIGNATED * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12), VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND TO KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE.
MOTORISTS FROM HOI YUEN ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN HOI YUEN ROAD/WAI YIP STREET ROUNDABOUT AND KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE OFF-SIDE LANE AT THE ENTRY TO THE SLIP ROAD LINKING WESTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND NORTHBOUND WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A BUS LANE. NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUS LANE.
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INTERRUPTION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THREE AREAS * t t t *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 11) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY CHOI HUNG ROAD, SZE MEI STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO BLOCKS 4-32, TSZ LOK ESTATE, TSZ WAN SHAN, WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
ALSO ON THURSDAY, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY ICE HOUSE STREET, GLENEALY, CAINE ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD, SANDS STREET, KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
ALL THREE SUSPENSIONS OF SUPPLY ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF WATER
WORKS.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UK COMMITTED TO HELPING RESETTLE REFUGEES................ 1
LORD GLENaRTHUR VISITS VR CENTRES ......................... 2
LORD GLENARTHUR PRESENTS COMPUTERS TO KKUST ............... 3
STI HOSTS LUNCH FOR LORD GLENaRTHUR ....................
OMELCO MEMBERS MEET WITH LORD GLENaRTHUR ............
12 QUESTIONS, FOUR BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA .................. 5
FUNDS APPROVED FOR SECOND STAGE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME . 5
CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS ON TOY EXPORTS POSE PROBLEM ...... 6
SOCIAL CENTRES ESSENTIAL FOR THE ELDERLY .................. 7
TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES AVAILABLE ..................... 7
IMPROVEMENT TO TUiM MUN NULLAH ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ..... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LICENSING OF AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES ................................................... 9
SOCIAL DaNCE COMPETITION open to all....................... 10
METAL BADGE TO PROMOTE FAMILY WALKS ....................... 11
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED .................................. 12
NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR SHA TIN ........................... 12
NO-STOPPING RESTRICTIONS .................................. 13
TEMPORARY URBaN CLEARWAYS IN WAN CHAI, WESTERN ........... 14
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL EXIT ..... 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL RO.iD .............. 15
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH aND SALT WATER SUPPLY .............. 15
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
UK COMMITTED TO HELPING RESETTLE REFUGEES
*****
THE UNITED KINGDOM IS COMMITTED TO DOING ALL IT CAN TO HELP BRING ABOUT A BETTER OPPORTUNITY OF RESETTLEMENT FOR THE MANY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THREE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES IN TUEN MUN, LORD GLENARTHUR SAID THAT WHILE THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM WAS A DEPRESSING ONE, EFFORTS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE RESETTLEMENT OF ALL THOSE WHO SHOULD BE RESETTLED DID IN FACT TAKE PLACE.
”WE ARE, AS YOU KNOW, EMBARKED UPON A NEW INITIATIVE OURSELVES TO TAKE 1,000 MORE PLACES ON RESETTLEMENT,” HE SAID.
"HAND IN HAND WITH THAT GOES AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT STIMULATED ON OUR BEHALF BY OURSELVES, TO TRY AND ARRANGE FOR FURTHER RESETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES."
LORD GLENARTHUR SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS PLAYING ITS PART IN TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE WIDER INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PROVIDED MORE RESETTLEMENT PLACES.
A VERY POWERFUL DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN HAD STARTED AS A RESULT OF THIS INITIATIVE TO FURTHER DEVELOP ALL THE OTHER CAMPAIGNS WHICH HAD TAKEN PLACE UP UNTIL NOW, HE SAID.
LORD GLENARTHUR SAID THE REFUGEE PROBLEM WAS NOT PECULIAR TO BRITAIN, HONG KONG OR ANYWHERE ELSE, BUT THAT IT WAS AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE.
"A LOT OF OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE PLAYED THEIR PART. WE HAVE PLAYED OUR PART. WE HAVE TAKEN SOME 13,000 OR SO PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS.
"WE HAVE NOW SAID WE WOULD TAKE THESE 1,000 EXTRA BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE’VE GOT TO ENSURE THAT OTHER COUNTRIES INCREASE THEIR OFFTAKE," HE SAID.
"IT’S ALL PART OF A PACKAGE, IF YOUR LIKE," HE ADDED.
"I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT THE OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES WILL TAKE CAREFUL HEED OF WHAT WE’VE SAID, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AND THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO TRY AND HELP THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE, THAT IS TO SAY, THOSE WHO SHOULD BE RESETTLED.
"AND INDEED, THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE BURDEN WHICH THE REFUGEE PROBLEM, THE RESETTLEMENT PROBLEM, THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM AS A WHOLE, POSES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG." LORD GLENARTHUR SAID.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
2 -
LORD GLENARTHUR VISITS VR CENTRES * * » *
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, SPENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON IN TUEN MUN VISITING THREE CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVED BY HELICOPTER AT THE PILLAR POINT VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRE WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 1,600.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, TUEN MUN, MR JOHN HUI, ON THE EXPANSION WORK AT THE CENTRE, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT MARCH, WHICH WOULD DOUBLE THE PRESENT REFUGEE POPULATION AT PILLAR POINT.
LORD GLENARTHUR VISITED DORMITORIES TO SEE LIVING CONDITIONS AND LOOKED IN ON THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AT THE CENTRE.
HE ALSO VISITED A CHILDREN’S SCHOOL, A CLINIC AND SAW THE OPEN SPACES AROUND THE CENTRE WHICH PROVIDE AMPLE ROOM FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
TRAVELLING BY CAR, LORI) GLENARTHUR WENT TO THE SAN Y1CK VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE CENTRE’S FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK.
THE II-STOREY FACTORY BUILDING HOUSES 2,854 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO WOULD EVENTUALLY MOVE OUT OF THE BUILDING WHEN OTHER ACCOMMODATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
LORD GLENARTHUR VISITED THE DORMITORIES, RECREATION AREA, WORKSHOP, SICK-BAY, CLASSROOMS, KITCHEN AND THE OFFICE OF THE SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND.
THE FINAL STOP FOR LORD GLENARTHUR WAS AT THE TUEN MUN REFUGEE CENTRE WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 2,970 VIETNAMESE.
HE VISITED THE CANTEEN AND MIN I-SUPERMARKET, A DORMITORY, A WORKSHOP WHICH MANUFACTURES LAMPS, CLASSROOM AND LANGUAGE LABORATORY.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
- 3 -
LORD GLENARTHUR PRESENTS COMPUTERS TO HKUST ♦ » * t t
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED TWO COMPUTERS AS GIFTS FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
LORD GLENARTHUR PRESENTED THE COMPUTERS TO HKUST VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR CHIA-WEI WOO, DURING A VISIT TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION.
SPEAKING AT A BRIEF CEREMONY, LORD GLENARTHUR SAID THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT, ESPECIALLY IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS STUDIES, THERE WOULD BE AN EVER INCREASING NEED FOR THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INSTITUTES OF ADVANCED LEARNING AND INDUSTRY.
’’THERE IS SO MUCH THEY CAN DO TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY,” HE SAID.
’’THE SCIENCE PARKS ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE. THE LARGEST IN BRITAIN IS AT CAMBRIDGE.
"IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY TRINITY COLLEGE TN THE EARLY 1970’S AND OCCUPIES A VERY LARGE SITE. IT HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAMBRIDGE AS A CENTRE FOR HIGH TECH RESEARCH,” HE ADDED.
THERE ARE 35 SCIENCE PARKS IN BRITAIN AND SEVEN MORE ARE PLANNED. THEY CONTAIN HIGH-TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES THAT HAVE FORMAL AND OPERATIONAL LINKS TO THE UNIVERSITIES.
THE TWO ARCHIMEDES 440 COMPUTERS PRESENTED TO HKUST ARE THE PRODUCT OF ACORN OF CAMBRIDGE.
"THE ARCHIMEDES IS THE FASTEST SYSTEM IN ITS CLASS; AN EXAMPLE OF MODERN BRITISH EXPERTISE IN A FIELD IN WHICH WE WERE, OF COURSE, PIONEERS,” LORD GLENARTHUR SAID.
ACORN’S HONG KONG OFFICE WOULD SUPPLY THE SOFTWARE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POWERFUL AND VERSATILE DESK-TOP PUBLISHING UNIT WITHIN THE HKUST, LORD GLENARTHUR SAID.
"SOFTWARE AND THE DESIGNING OF NEW SYSTEMS IS AN AREA WHERE BRITAIN HAS WON AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION; AS A MATTER OF FACT THE COMPUTING SERVICES INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING SECTORS OF THE BRITISH ECONOMY,” HE ADDED.
LORD GLENARTHUR ALSO SAID HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR rO-rPERATlON AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN BRITISH UNIVERSITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND HKUST.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
STI HOSTS LUNCH FOR LORD GLENARTHUR ♦ * * t t
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (TUESDAY) HOSTED A LUNCH FOR THE VISITING MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR.
LORD GLENARTHUR MET SENIOR FIGURES FROM LOCAL INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, INCLUDING A LEADING TEXTILES INDUSTRIALIST, MR KENNETH FANG; CHAIRMAN OF WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AGENCY, DR HELMUT SOHMEN; CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, MR PAUL E. SELWAY-SWIFT; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DAH SING BANK, MR DAVID WONG SHOU-YEH.
ALSO AT THE LUNCH WERE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE OFFICIAL BRITISH PARTY; THE ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR THOMAS TSO; AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INDUSTRY, MRS CLARIE LO.
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OMELCO MEMBERS MEET WITH LORD GLENARTHUR
*****
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS HELD A MEETING WITH LORI) GLENARTHUR, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
ISSUES RAISED AT THE MEETING INCLUDED THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG; THE DRAFT BASIC LAW; REQUEST FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP BY SPOUSES OF EX-SERVICEMEN; ROLE OF HONG KONG IN THE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UK AND CHINA; AND TREATMENT OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS BY IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AT THE UK PORTS OF ENTRY.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
- 5 -
12 QUESTIONS, FOUR BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
DEBATE IS TO RESUME ON THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WHICH IS THEN DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
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FUNDS APPROVED FOR SECOND STAGE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS ACCEPTED THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SECOND STAGE OF THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME COVERING SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC NOISE.
THESE ARE ESTIMATED AT $79,866,000 FOR CAPITAL WORKS AND $9,604,000 IN ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
AT PRESENT IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 92 SCHOOLS ARE AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC NOISE OF ABOVE 75 DECIBELS. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE DOUBLE-GLAZING AND AIR-CONDITIONING FOR THE AFFECTED CLASSROOMS.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL BE PHASED OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FROM 1990 TO 1992, WITH HIGHER PRIORITY TO BE ACCORDED TO SCHOOLS WORST AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC NOISE.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO APPROVED A NEW PROJECT ESTIMATE OF $2,210,000 FOR IMPLEMENTING NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES IN THE FIRST THREE AIDED SCHOOLS COVERED BY THE SECOND STAGE PROGRAMME.
THESE ARE THREE OF THE MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED SCHOOLS IN THE STAGE TWO PROGRAMME AS THEY ARE EXPOSED TO AN EXTERNAL NOISE LEVEL ABOVE 82 DECIBELS. WORKS FOR THEM WILL BE ADVANCED TO 1989.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A NEW PROJECT ESTIMATE OF $19,140,000 FOR IMPLEMENTING NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES THIS YEAR IN 11 AIDED SCHOOLS IN THE FINAL PHASE OF THE FIRST STAGE PROGRAMME WHICH DEALS WITH SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY AIRCRAFT NOISE.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
- 6 -
CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS ON TOY EXPORTS POSE PROBLEM t t ♦ * *
THE HONG KONG TOYS INDUSTRY IS STILL STRONG BUT THE GROWTH OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF TOY SAFETY, IS A FURTHER PROBLEM FOR THE INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"BY EARLY 1990, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S TOY DIRECTIVE WILL HAVE REQUIRED THE GOVERNMENTS OF ALL MEMBER STATES TO HAVE TOYS TESTED FOR SAFETY IN ACCREDITED LABORATORIES BEFORE THEY CAN BE PUT ON SALE," HE SAID.
ADDRESSING THE HONG KONG TOYS COUNCIL, MR YEUNG SAID THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME HAD NOW REACHED A DEGREE OF MATURITY AND WAS REGARDED ACCORDINGLY IN THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE.
"WE HAVE BEGUN NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRITAIN’S LABORATORY ACCREDITATION AUTHORITY, AND ARE PLANNING TO DO THE SAME WITH SIMILAR AUTHORITIES IN NORTH AMERICA AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF TEST CERTIFICATES, HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE TOY DIRECTIVE BEGINS TO BITE," HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID SOME LOCAL MANUFACTURING EXPORTERS PERIODICALLY ENCOUNTERED TROUBLE BECAUSE THEY HAD IGNORED KNOWN PRODUCT AND SAFETY STANDARDS.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG TOYS COUNCIL SHOULD INFORM MANUFACTURERS THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU PROVIDED A FREE INFORMATION SERVICE ON A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCT AND SAFETY STANDARDS, AS WELL AS A FREE TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICE ON THE INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF THOSE STANDARDS.
"WE SHOULD ALSO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER TO URGE OUR MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE GREATER USE OF TESTING LABORATORIES ACCREDITED UNDER THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME," HE ADDED.
IN THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD 1983 TO 1987, THE TOYS INDUSTRY'S EXPORTS MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF NINE PER CENT AND THE INDUSTRY IS STILL THE LARGEST EXTERNAL SUPPLIER TO THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
SOCIAL CENTRES ESSENTIAL FOR THE ELDERLY
* * * ♦
SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY ARE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S SERVICE PLANS FOR THE ELDERLY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BERT JAMES YOUNG SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE ENDEAVOURERS IN KORNHILL, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT POLICY WAS TO SET UP ONE SUCH CENTRE FOR EVERY 30,000 POPULATION.
’’THE EXISTING 99 SOCIAL CENTRES AND 14 MULTI-SERVICES CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE INCREASED TO 150 AND 19 RESPECTIVELY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE ENDEAVOURERS GROUP FOR ITS VARIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
APART FROM ORGANISING VOLUNTEER WORK FOR THE ELDERLY, THE BERT JAMES YOUNG SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY ALSO PROVIDES VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS INTEREST CLASSES, SOCIAL GROUPS, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PROGRAMMES AND SEMINARS TO CATER FOR THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF ITS 350 MEMBERS.
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TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES AVAILABLE *****
TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES SHOWING THE NEW TAXI FARE SCALES AS AGAINST THE EXISTING FARE SCALES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY TAXI OWNERS FROM SATURDAY (JANUARY 14), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
NEW FARES FOR URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 22.
CONVERSION TABLES FOR URBAN TAXIS CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES; PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, SECOND FLOOR, LOW BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG; AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF ALL URBAN DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN SHA TIN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN.
CONVERSION TABLES FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES; PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, SECOND FLOOR, LOW BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG; AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF ALL NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES EXCEPT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
/TAXI OWNERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
8
TAXI OWNERS SHOULD PRODUCE THEIR TAXI REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY COLLECT THE CONVERSION TABLES. THE TABLES SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AT A PROMINENT POSITION INSIDE THE TAXIS BEFORE TAXI METERS ARE RECALIBRATED AND SEALED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
TAXI OWNERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE TAXI FARE PLATE AT THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE REAR LEFT DOOR OF TAXIS SHOULD SHOW THE NEW FARE SCALES FROM JANUARY 22.
TAXI ASSOCIATIONS WHICH WISH TO COLLECT THE CONVERSION TABLES IN A LOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THEIR MEMBERS SHOULD APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION.
FROM JANUARY 23, THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON BAY VEHICLES EXAMINATION CENTRE WILL OPERATE OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS UNTIL 8 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND 5 PM ON SATURDAYS (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS) FOR RESEALING OF THE RECALIBRATED TAXI METERS.
TAXI OWNERS MAY USE THE HOTLINE 3-7597573 FROM JANUARY 16 TO MAKE TELEPHONE APPOINTMENTS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE ORIGINAL GEARBOX SEAL REMAINS INTACT, AND THAT THE FARE PLATE INSIDE THE REAR LEFT DOOR SHOWS THE NEW FARE SCALE.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT TAXIS WHICH ATTEND FOR THIS SPECIAL SEALING ARRANGEMENT WILL STILL HAVE TO ATTEND THE NEXT PROGRAMMED CHECK, EITHER AT ANNUAL INSPECTION OR AT THE APPOINTED DATE .
TAXI OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE APPOINTMENTS WITH VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES FOR TAXI METER TESTING WITHIN NORMAL OFFICE HOURS SHOULD STICK TO THEIR ORIGINAL BOOKINGS.
TAXI OWNERS ARE REMINDED THAT A TAXI CANNOT BE USED UNLESS THE TAXI METER IS CORRECTLY STAMPED AND SEALED.
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IMPROVEMENT TO TUEN MUN NULLAH ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LAND OFI ICE WILL TABLE A DISCUSSION PAPER ON A LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE TUEN MUN NULLAH AT A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE < THURSDAY JANUARY 12).
THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WILL COVER SUCH ASPECTS AS LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL, CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGE, ROUTEING MAINTENANCE AND THE SETTING UP OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS ALONG THE NULLAH.
/MEMBERS WILL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS ANOTHER PAPER FROM THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WHICH OUTLINES DETAILS OF PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGES TO BE CONSTRUCTED OVER CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND PUI TO ROAD AS WELL AS FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSIONS AT SIU HONG COURT.
THEY WILL ALSO LOOK INTO A REQUEST FOR THE WEEDING OF A FOOTPATH NEAR KAM FEI GARDEN, THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN THE VILLAGES AND THE NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY TRAFFIC TO SOME OF THE SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN.
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM THE CLEAN TUEN MUN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FOR ORGANISING A HOME CLEANING COMPETITION, PRINTING BOOKMARKS AND HOLDING A TREE PLANTING AND ENVIRONMENT DAY.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON A REVIEW ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, THE COMMITTEE’S FINANCIAL POSITION, AND THE PROGRESS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LICENSING OF AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES » * » » »
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD'S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY WILL BE PRESENT TO EXPLAIN THE DOCUMENT AND COLLECT MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
- 10 -
SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION OPEN TO ALL
*****
EIGHTY PAIRS OF DANCE ENTHUSIASTS WILL COMPETE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN A TERRITORY-WIDE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG WELFARE ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, IS ONE OF THE FUNCTIONS ORGANISED TO CELEBRATE THE THREE-WEEK SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
PARTICIPANTS ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS - "BEGINNERS," "PRE-AMATEURS" AND "AMATEURS". THEY WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS IN EITHER WALTZ-TANGO OR RUMBA-JIVE.
SIX RENOWNED DANCING EXPERTS WILL ADJUDICATE AT THE COMPETITION
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE COMPETITION WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPETITION ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW MUN.
OTHER EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL THIS WEEK INCLUDE A CANTONESE OPERA, ANTI-SHOPTHEFT TELEMATCH, CHILDREN’S PAINTINGS AND HANDICRAFTS EXHIBITION AND CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM OF THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THOSE WHO WISH TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD CONTACT MISS CHRISTINE LEONG OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON TEL. 3-7204251 BY NOON ON THURSDAY.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
11
METAL BADGE TO PROMOTE FAMILY WALKS *****
A NEWLY DESIGNED METAL BADGE PRODUCED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE FAMILY WALKS WILL BE ON SALE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE METAL BADGE IS ROUND BUTTON IN SHAPE WITH A DIAMETER OF 7.5 CENTIMETRES.
IT FEATURES THE NOW-FAMILIAR LOGO - A FAMILY OF THREE IN BRIGHT ORANGE AND BROWN COLOURS - WHICH HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH FAMILY WALKS IN LOCAL COUNTRY PARKS.
THE METAL BADGE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $2.80 EACH FROM THE VISITOR CENTRES IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.
THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE METAL BADGE WAS ONE OF THE TWO SOUVENIR ITEMS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT WAS PRODUCING FOR SALE THIS YEAR.
THE OTHER ITEM IS A CLOTH BADGE ON THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL WHICH WAS FIRST PRODUCED IN 1980.
"THE AIMS OF PRODUCING SOUVENIRS FOR SALE ARE TO REINFORCE OUR COUNTRY PARK MESSAGES AND TO INCULCATE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND OF IDENTIFICATION, AMONG PARK USERS, WITH POPULAR FACILITIES WHICH ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE,” MR CHEUNG SAID.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 13 FAMILY WALKS IN VARIOUS COUNTRY PARKS WHERE THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN STROLL, ENJOY THE TRANQUILITY AND FRESH AIR OF THE SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL VEGETATION, WILDLIFE AND HISTORIC REMAINS.
THESE WALKS ARE ALL EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY VEHICULAR TRANSPORT AND RANGE FROM 1 KILOMETRE TO 3.5 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH WITH VERY GENTLE GRADIENT. IT TAKES A YOUNG CHILD OR AN ELDERLY PERSON ONLY ABOUT 30 TO 90 MINUTES TO COMPLETE THE WALK WITH EASE.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT FAMILY WALKS CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON 3-7332121.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
12 -
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LI SHU-LING ON FEBRUARY 19, 1986 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON AU KWOK-WAH ON JULY 9, 1987 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
LI WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHOW SHUK-KING AND AU WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF YEUNG SHUK-YEE.
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NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR SHA TIN ♦ ♦ * *
A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL IS TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWN.
COVERING A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 4,600 SQUARE METRES IN AREA 51 A, THE SCHOOL IS OF THE STANDARD ”FLEX1-DES I GN” TYPE.
IT WILL HAVE 30 CLASSROOMS, FOUR SPECIAL ROOMS AND AN ASSEMBLY HALL.
OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE A COVERED PLAYGROUND, A ROOF-TOP PLAYGROUND AND A BASKETBALL COURT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 27.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
NO-STOPPING RESTRICTIONS » » » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 13).
IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, TAI NAN WEST STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THE SERVICE ROAD OF EASTBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI NAN WEST STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES
EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL ALSO BECOME A PEAK HOUR DAILY URBAN
CLEARWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, TAM KON SHAN ROAD IN TSING YI, BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH TAM KON SHAN INTERCHANGE AND A POINT ABOUT 250 METRES
NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED A PEAK HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN YAU 01 ESTATE, TUEN MUN, WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
♦ THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE SECTION OF ROAD El FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF ROAD 15A TO ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD 15A.
» THE EASTERN KERBSIDE SECTION OF ROAD 15A FROM A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES NORTH OF ROAD El TO ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD El.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE SECTION OF ROAD E3 FROM THE ACCESS
ROAD LEADING TO THE CARPARK SOUTH OF ROAD E3 TO A POINT
ABOUT 60 METRES EAST OF THE SAME ACCESS ROAD.
» THE EASTERN KERBSIDE SECTION OF THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO
THE CARPARK SOUTH OF ROAD E3 FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD E3
TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
MEANWHILE, IN CENTRAL, WELLINGTON STREET BETWEEN GRAHAM STREET AND ABERDEEN STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10,
1989
14
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WAN CHAI, WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 13), THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING FUNG STREET IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND WING FUNG STREET WEST WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FOR WATERMAIN LAYING WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE MADE PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR WATER PIPE INSTALLATION WORKS:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH EASTERN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WILMER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL EXIT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE HAPPY VALLEY EXIT OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.15 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 13) TO JANUARY 15 FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR HAPPY VALLEY AND ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE CAUSEWAY BAY EXIT, GLOUCESTER ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD TO JOIN THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES 121 AND 122 WILL ALSO USE THIS ROUTE BEFORE CONTINUING THEIR NORMAL ROUTEINGS.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1989
- 15 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
* * » « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, A SECTION OF THE SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND AT A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES NORTH OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL BOOTHS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 9.30 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM THURSDAY (JANUARY 12) FOR TWO NIGHTS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN DIAMOND HILL PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 13) FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY SHEUNG YUEN LENG, HA YUEN LENG, TAI HOM VILLAGE AND DIAMOND HILL VILLAGE.
ALSO, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN AND KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM ON THE SAME DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY CHUK YUEN ROAD, SHA TIN PASS ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TSEUK LUK STREET, KING TAI STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, CARPENTER ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, FU MEI STREET, FU YUE STREET, WANG TAU HOM NORTH ROAD, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, FUNG MO STREET, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND WING CHUK STREET.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUaRY 11, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
SECTION 27 OF POO REPEALED .............................. 1
GOVT SHOULD CONTINUE TO UPHOLD SPIRIT OF ACCOMMODATION . 2
WISE DECISION 'TO REPEAL SECTION 27 ..................... 3
CONSTANT REVIEW OF LAW TO SAFEGUARD HUMAN RIGHTS ........ 4
PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL BACKED WITH RESERVATIONS . 5
BILL A FIRST STEP IN LOCALISATION OF LAWS PROGRAMME .... 6
REVISED BILL TO FACILITATE FASTER PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION ............................................. 7
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS AMENDMENT BILL RE-SUBMITTED............................................... 8
HOSPITaL-BaSED NURSING TRAINING SATISFACTORY .......... 9
MEASURES TAKEN TO REDUCE FREIGHT TRaIN NOISE ............ 10
EDUCATION COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER MINIMUM PRIMARY SCHOOL ENTRY AGE ......................................... 10
STUDY OFFERS OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING TRAFFIC SITUATION ... 11
NO PLaNS TO BAN SALE OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS TO PEOPLE UNDER 18.................................................. 11
GOVT FIRM IN OBSERVING GaTT RULES ....................... 12
/MEASURES to .......
MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS .. 1J FEW POLICY OPTIONS OPEN IN RELATION TO INFLATION .... 14 VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF VBP MAI STaRT SOON.......... 15 ^deCjUate Safeguards .gainst registration of societies
-iSSOCL.TED WITH CRIME ................................. 16
OLD ..GE ALLOWANCE DECK-JL.TION CONSIDERED REASONABLE .... 18
NO DATE YET FOR BILINGUAL ^DV.JICED LEVEL EX. JIS.............. 19 one bill passed........................................... 20 BEST YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ............. 21 VOCATIONAL TRAINING H-iS VIT.TL ROLE ...................... 25
FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES NEW PAY SCALES................. 2b FUNDING .APPROVED FOR 1991 CENSUS...................................................... 25 COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR STORING HK LAWS........................... 26
LORD GLSU.RTHUR VISITS JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, HKUST ............ 27
GOVT STRESSES ’NO .JINESTY’ POLICY.................. 29 DB TO DISCUSS PROPOSAL ON REFUGEES .................................. JO CONSULTANCY STUDY ON UNSEWERED DEVELOPMENTS COMMISSIONED .. JO LUCKY 7 FOR aUCTION aT LUNAR NEW YEAR ........................ J1 NEW OFFICES FOR MSB DIVISION ................................ J2
CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL TO OPEN IN SH.< TAU KOK ............. 52 SOUTHERN DB TO DISCUSS LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR G.JtES
CENTRES .......................................................... 53 COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES SYSTEM .................... 5*+ STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE ON AGENDA................................ 5^ TUEN MUN DB ORGANISES STUDY TOUR TO SOUTH KOREA............. 55
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
SECTION 27 OF POO REPEALED
* * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A BILL TO REPEAL SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE.
IN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTENCE OF SECTION 27 HAD CAUSED CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY OF KEEPING IT.
IN THANKING SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO SPOKE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT BILL, MR TSAO SAID THAT VERY WIDE CONSULTATION WAS UNDERTAKEN THROUGH VISITS TO HIS OFFICE BY A VARIETY OF PEOPLE INCLUDING THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, LAWYERS, PUBLISHERS AND OWNERS OF NEWSPAPERS.
’’ALSO AN OUTGOING EFFORT WAS MADE WHEREBY WE WERE ABLE TO REACH OUT AND CONSULT A WIDE SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO COMMENTS BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, MR TSAO SAID: "I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MR CHEONG THAT WHEN I REFERRED TO WATER HAVING GONE UNDER THE BRIDGE, THERE WAS NO INTENTION OF BEING COMPLACENT.”
"THESE WERE EXPRESSIONS OF CONCILIATION, THAT I WAS HOPING ON THE REPEAL OF THIS SECTION, THE WOUNDS WOULD NOT BE OPENED,” HE ADDED.
ON MR CHEONG’S QUESTION AS TO WHY SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO SUPPORTED THE BILL WERE NOT CONSULTED, MR TSAO SAID: "SOME WERE CONSULTED, NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOLLOWED THE STANDARD AND ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE."
HE SAID A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BRIEF WAS ISSUED TO MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 30 WHICH MARKED THE PERIOD OF CONSULTATION.
MR TSAO SAID HE WAS STRUCK BY SOME OF THE REMARKS MADE BY MR CHEONG IN RELATION TO THE QUALITY OF THE PRESS.
"HE ASKED A FEW PERTINENT QUESTIONS. HE ASKED WHAT QUALITY CAN WE EXPECT OF THE PRESS? WHAT KIND OF TRAINING ARE 1HE\ GOING IO GET, OR ARE GETTING? ARE THEY PAID ADEQUATELY? ARE WE GETTING A RIGHT CALIBRE OF JOURNALISTS AND REPORTERS?”
"THESE ARE THE VERY QUESTIONS THAT OCCURRED TO ME ALSO, FREQUENTLY, AND I WOULD LIKE MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THE PRESS, WHO OWN THE PRESS, WHO DIRECT IHE PRESS, TO ASK THESE SAME QUESTIONS.
"THEY SHOULD PONDER OVER THESE POINTS RAISED BY MR ( HEONG AND SOME SOUL-SEARCHING ON THEIR PART WOULD NOT BE AMISS,' MR TSAO SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
2
GOVT SHOULD CONTINUE TO UPHOLD SPIRIT OF ACCOMMODATION
* » » * *
THE SPIRIT OF ACCOMMODATION AND THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN ABOUT THE ANXIETY OF THE PUBLIC OVER SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE MUST CONTINUE AND SHOULD HOPEFULLY REMAIN AS ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES IN THE CONDUCT OF FUTURE REVIEWS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES.
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR CHEONG NOTED HOWEVER THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND HIMSELF HAD WANTED SECTION 27 OF THE ORDINANCE SCRAPPED FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.
HE SAID THAT HIS CONCERN WAS THE NEED FOR SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARD FOR MEMBERS OF THE FOURTH ESTATE TO CARRY OUT THEIR RIGHTFUL DUTIES, IN THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO DISCLOSE THEIR SOURCES.
THE GOVERNMENT STILL BELIEVED IN THE MERIT OF THE LAW, BUT OUT OF RESPECT TO THE PUBLIC’S WISH AND CONCERN, HAD ACCEDED TO THEIR WISH, MR CHEONG SAID.
NOTING THAT THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION HAD MADE AN EFFORT TO CONSULT THE MEDIA DURING THE REVIEW, MR CHEONG SAID THIS WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN, TO EXPLAIN AND TO DISCUSS MUST NOT STOP AT THIS ONE ISSUE BUT MUST CONTINUE IN ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF ADMINISTRATION.
HE CAUTIONED AGAINST AN ATTITUDE OF COMPLACENCY WHICH HE SAID HE DISCERNED IN THE SASI’S SPEECH WHEN HE INTRODUCED THE BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR CHEONG SAID IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO HEAR FROM SASI WHAT LESSONS THE GOVERNMENT HAD LEARNT FROM THE EPISIODE. FOP EXAMPLE, WHETHER PROBLEMS OF COMMUNICATION EXISTED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY, WHAT PROBLEMS WERE THERE IN THE WAY CONSULTATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT, AND WHETHER LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON HOW THE REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE WAS CONDUCTED.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT WHILE SECTION 27 HAD BEEN DUBBED BY SOME CRITICS AS "A DRACONIAN SWORD ON THE NECK OF THE MEDIA", THE PUBLICATION OF FALSE NEWS, WITH OR WITHOUT MALICIOUS INTENT, MUST REMAIN EQUALLY HAUNTING TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND NEEDED TO BE DETERRED.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
HE SAID THAT, IN EXPLORING THIS QUESTION, IT WOULD BE FRUITFUL TO CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WHETHER THE CONSCIENCE AND ETHICS OF MEDIA PRACTITIONERS WAS ENOUGH SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE PUBLICATION OF FALSE NEWS AND WHETHER THERE WAS ANY NEED FOR SOME FORM OF SELF-REGULATORY DETERRENT.
FOR THE MEDIA, MR CHEONG MAINTAINED THAT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS HE POSED IN THE DEBATE TWO YEARS AGO WERE JUST AS LEGITIMATE TODAY.
THESE CONCERNED THE INHERENT WEAKNESSES OF THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY, THE BENEFIT OF HAVING BETTER-PAID AND BETTER-TRAINED REPORTERS, THE NEED FOR AN IN-TRADE WATCHDOG BODY FOR THE MEDIA IN HONG KONG AND THE NEED FOR SUFFICIENT CHANNELS FOR THE PUBLIC TO REFLECT MORE DIRECTLY THEIR VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF LOCAL MASS MEDIA.
MR CHEONG ALSO SAID THAT WHILE THERE ALREADY EXISTED VARIOUS FORUM WHERE PUBLISHERS, SENIOR JOURNALISTS AND REPORTERS DISCUSSED ISSUES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INTERESTS, CONSIDERATION MIGHT BE GIVEN TO EXPANDING THESE FORUM TO TAKE A CROSS-SECTOR REVIEW OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED QUESTIONS OR TO MORE EFFECTIVELY IRON OUT DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS NOW AT A STAGE OF CHANGES WHEN IT NEEDED A BALANCED MEDIA TO FACILITATE THE FREE FLOW OF UNBIASED INFORMATION AND SERVE AS FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, AND TO CARRY THE RESPONSIBILITY AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE TRUTH.
"IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE REPEAL OF SECTION 27 WOULD NOT BE SEEN, ON THE PART OF THE MEDIA, AS A VICTORY TO BE SAVOURED, OR ON THE PART OF ADMINISTRATION, AS A SAGA TO BE FORGOTTEN," HE SAID.
WISE DECISION TO REPEAL SECTION 27 » ♦ » » »
THE DECISION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REPEAL SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE IS A WISE ONE, THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR 1 OLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, MR MCGREGOR SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER THE ^CLUSION OF SECTION 27 IN THE ORDINANCE DEMONSTRATED IN THE CLEAREST POSSIBLE WAY THAT DEMOCRACY WAS "ALIVE AND KICKING" IN HONG KONG.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
HE SAID THAT PUBLIC ANGER AND CONCERN OVER WHAT WAS SEEN AS A POSSIBLE POTENTIAL RESTRAINT ON THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, THROUGH THE MEDIA AND IN OTHER WAYS, MUST SURELY BE REGARDED AS A HEALTHY AND HEARTENING SIGN THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE UTMOST FREEDOM IN A SOCIETY THAT HAD PROVIDED ALMOST ALL THE FREEDOMS EXPECTED IN A DEMOCRATIC TERRITORY.
NOT THE LEAST OF THESE HAD BEEN THE RIGHT OF THE MEDIA AND OTHERS TO ISSUE INFORMATION ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHOUT FEAR OF PROSECUTION, MR MCGREGOR ADDED.
MR MCGREGOR NOTED THAT NOT EVERY TERRITORY IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ENJOYED THE WIDE FREEDOM WHICH EXISTED LN HONG KONG TO PUBLISH, TO PRINT AND TO DISCUSS PUBLIC ISSUES, PARTICULARLY POLITICAL ISSUES OR THOSE HAVING SOME BEARING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
HE STRESSED THAT IN THESE CHANGING TIMES, IT WAS MANIFESTLY IMPORTANT THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO NOTHING TO ENDANGER, OR TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF ENDANGERING, THE FREEDOM AND THEM RIGHT OF PEOPLE AND THE MEDIA TO DISCUSS AND TO REPORT.
FINALLY, HE SAID THAT A FREE PRESS WAS VITAL TO A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND THAT THOSE WHO WERE SHAPING HONG KONG'S FUTURE WOULD BE WISE TO LEARN THAT FREEDOMS IN A FREE SOCIETY WERE WORTH MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO RETAIN.
-------0 ---------
CONSTANT REVIEW OF LAW TO SAFEGUARD HUMAN RIGHTS *****
THE REPEAL OF SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE CAN ONLY BE TAKEN AS THE END OF THE BEGINNING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE’S REPULSION AGAINST PROVISIONS THAT UNDERMINED THEIR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, DR LEONG SAID WHETHER WE LIKED IT OR NOT, HONG KONG WAS TO COME ACROSS MORE PUBLIC SENTIMENTS RELATING TO THE CHANGING POLITICAL SITUATIONS AND CONSERVATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DURING THE RUN-UP TO 1997.
HE THEREFORE URGED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE ALERT ENOUGH AND TO MAKE CONSTANT REVIEWS ON GREY AREAS IN EXISTING LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT INFRINGE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.
/IN SUPPORT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 111 1989
- 5 -
IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, DR LEONG SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE ’’DRACONIAN PROVISION” HAD BEEN PROVED TO BE UNNECESSARY IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, DR LEONG FOUND IT MISLEADING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION REPEALED THE PUBLIC ORDER AMENDMENT ORDINANCE AND STILL THOUGHT THAT THE FACTORS SUPPORTING RETENTION OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PROVISION WERE ”AS VALID TODAY AS THEY WERE NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO”.
"IT GIVES AN IMPRESSION THAT THE REPEAL WAS MADi TO TRY TO AVOID TROUBLES AND TO PLEASE THE PUBLIC FOR THE SAKE OF PLEASING THEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A MORE CONVINCING REASON," HE SAID.
"THE FACT REMAINS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS WRONG IN THE FIRST PLACE TO INTRODUCE THE AMENDMENT BILL WHICH HAS WIDEN RATHER THAN NARROWED THE CONTROL OVER THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION," HE ADDED.
"NONETHELESS, LATE CORRECTIONS ARE BETTER THAN NO CORRECTIONS,” DR LEONG CONCLUDED.
--------0----------
PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL BACKED ♦ * » » »
WITH RESERVATIONS
THE DELETION OF SECTION 27 FROM THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE WAS SUPPORTED WITH SOME RESERVATIONS BY THE HON KINGSLEY SIT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE
(AMENDMENT) THERE WAS OF FALSE
PUBLIC ORDER
WONDERED IF
BILL 1988 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SIT STILL A NEED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM THE POTENTIAL RISKS NEWS REPORTING AS THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ARGUED TWO YEARS AGO.
’’WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE MEANTIME TO ENCOURAGE THE
ADMINISTRATION’S CHANGE OF HEART NOW?
"IF THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR LEGAL PROTECTION FOR I HE COMMUNITY AGAINST THE DANGER OF FALSE NEWS REPORTING, ARE OTHER EXISTING LAWS ADEQUATE TO DO SO?” HE ASKED.
HE SAID THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE GIVEN AN ASSURANCE EITHER WAY.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
BILL A FIRST STEP IN LOCALISATION OF LAWS PROGRAMME * * » » *
THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS A FIRST STEP FORWARD IN THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS PROGRAMME, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID THIS BILL MARKED THE START OF A PROGRAMME OF LEGISLATION AIMED AT REPLACING WITH HONG KONG ORDINANCES THE EXTENSIVE BODY OF UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS WHICH APPLIED TO HONG KONG AND WERE CONSEQUENTLY PART OF OUR LAW.
HE SAID THAT MUCH OF THE PRESENT LAW RELATING TO MERCHANT SHIPPING, CIVIL AVIATION, COPYRIGHT AND PATENTS WAS CONTAINED IN UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS APPLYING TO HONG KONG.
"THESE UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS CANNOT REMAIN PART OF OUR LAW AFTER 1997 AS THIS WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE STATUS OF HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"STEPS MUST THEREFORE BE TAKEN TO REPLACE THOSE WHICH WILL NEED TO CONTINUE BEYOND 1997 WITH OUR OWN LEGISLATION," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS A SMALL BUT USEFUL BILL THAT STARTED THE FORMIDABLE TASK OF LAW REPLACEMENT.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE JURISDICTION OF THE HIGH COURT IN RELATION TO ADMIRALTY MATTERS WAS AT PRESENT CONTAINED IN CERTAIN UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS WHICH APPLIED OR HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.
"THIS JURISDICTION IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG FOR IT RECOGNISES AND COMPLEMENTS HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR CENTRE FOR SHIPPING, SHIP-OWNING AND SHIP MANAGEMENT AND AS A FORUM WHERE SHIPPING DISPUTES CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH OUR COURTS, USING THE SERVICES OF HIGHLY EXPERIENCED JUDGES AND LAWYERS SPECIALISING IN MARITIME LAW.
"CLEARLY, THE HIGH COURT’S JURISDICTION OVER MARITIME DISPUTES MUST CONTINUE BEYOND 1997.
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO AMEND THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE SO THAT THE CIVIL JURISDICTION OF THE HIGH COURT IN RELATION TO ADMIRALTY MATTERS IS SPECIFIED IN THAT ORDINANCE AND TO REPEAL, SO FAR AS THEY ARE PART OF OUR LAW, THOSE UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS FROM WHICH THE HIGH COURT’S PRESENT ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION IS DERIVED," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPLAINED.
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 7 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SUBSTANCE OF THE EXISTING LAW RELATING TO ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION WAS CONTAINED IN SECTIONS 20 TO 24 OF THE SUPREME COURT ACT 1981 AS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG BY THE ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION (HONG KONG I ORDER 1985.
"THIS BILL RE-ENACTS THOSE PROVISIONS WITH ONLY MINOR AMENDMENTS, MADE FOR THEIR BETTER APPLICATION TO HONG KONG.
"THERE IS THUS NO CHANGE IN THE SUBSTANCE OF THE EXISTING LAW.
"THE BILL REPEALS THE 1985 ORDER, AND OTHER UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS CONCERNED WITH ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION INSOFAR AS THEY ARF PART OF OUR LAW.
"THE BILL ALSO REPEALS SECTION 54(3) OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE, REMOVING THE PRESENT REQUIREMENT FOR RULES OF PROCEDURE AND PRACTICE RELATING TO ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT RULES COMMITTEE TO BE APPROVED BY HER MAJESTY IN COUNCIL BEFORE THEY CAN COME INTO OPERATION," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
REVISED BILL TO FACILITATE FASTER PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION * * * * *
THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS INTENDED TO FACILITATE FASTER AND MORE ECONOMICAL PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE REVISED EDITION OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 7(3) OF THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS ORDINANCE 1985 REQUIRED THAT, AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH ORDINANCE, THERE SHOULD BE SET OUT IN THE MARGIN A LIST OF ALL ORDINANCES THAT HAD AMENDED (T SINCE IT WAS ENACTED.
"THE BILL AMENDS THAT SECTION TO ENABLE THIS INFORMATION TO BE SET OUT AS A NOTE ACROSS THE PAGE RATHER THAN IN THE MARGIN," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE REASONS FOR THE AMENDMENT WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR AMENDING THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
"IN JUNE LAST YEAR, THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED TO PERMIT A CHANGE IN THE FORMAT OF ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS BY ELIMINATING NOTES FROM THE MARGIN AND REPOSITIONING MARGINAL NOTES AS SECTION HEADINGS," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
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/8........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 8
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS AMENDMENT BILL RE-SUBMITTED * * * * *
THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT CONTAINS MAINLY ENABLING PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE THE MAKING OF REGULATIONS BY THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BOARDS SET UP UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1980.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE FIVE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS OF THE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS -- MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS, RADIOGRAPHERS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND OPTOMETRISTS --- WOULD BE GIVEN POWER TO HOLD EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FULL REGISTRATION AND PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION.
THE BILL IS THE SAME AS THE ONE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR BUT WHICH LAPSED BECAUSE ITS PASSAGE COULD NOT BE COMPLETED BEFORE DISSOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AT THE END OF ITS 1987-88 SESSION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE NEW BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, EXPLAINED THAT A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP TO CONSIDER THE BILL WHICH HAD BEEN INTRODUCED LAST YEAR.
"WITH REGARD TO CLAUSE 8(2) OF THE BILL, WHICH PROPOSED TO AMEND SECTION 26 OF THE ORDINANCE BY REQUIRING ALL CODES OF PRACTICE AND AMENDMENTS TO THEM TO BE NOTIFIED BY THE PARAMEDICAL BOARDS TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL, THE AD HOC GROUP WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE BILL DID NOT ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOR A SMOOTH WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS," MR CHAU SAID.
IN RESPONSE, THE ADMINISTRATION UNDERTOOK TO CONSULT THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS ON THE MATTER, BUT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE CONSULTATIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR CHAU SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE POINT IN QUESTION IN NOVEMBER.
"IT DID NOT CONSIDER IT NECESSARY, AT THIS STAGE, TO SEEK AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL IN RESPECT OF TH! RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS," HE SAID. IT HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE BILL BE RE-SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/MR CHAU
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
MR CHAU SAID THAT CONCERNING THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS IN RESPECT OF THE PREPARATION AND REVISION OF CODES OF PRACTICE, THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL CONCLUDED THAT THE BOARDS SHOULD BE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR CODES OF PRACTICE TO THE COUNCIL BEFORE THEY WERE FINALISED.
"THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD ENABLE IT TO CONDUCT ITS SUPERVISORY AND COORDINATING FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND THAT, IF THERE WAS ANY MAJOR DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS REGARDING SUCH CODES OF PRACTICE, THEN BOTH THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS SHOULD BE CONSULTED AS TO WHETHER AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE WAS REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS," HE SAID.
SINCE NO CHANGE WAS BEING PROPOSED IN THE BILL TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL AND THE PARAMEDICAL BOARDS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT CONSULTED THE BOARDS.
MR CHAU WENT ON TO OUTLINE THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, WHICH HE SAID WERE MAINLY ENABLING ONES.
THE REMAINING AMENDMENTS WERE OF A MINOR AND TECHNICAL NATURE, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 - -
HOSPITAL-BASED NURSING TRAINING SATISFACTORY * » » * *
SINCE THE FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NURSING SERVICE ARE BEING MET, THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF NURSING TRAINING WITH DEGREE LEVEL COURSES BASED AT LOCAL ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW.
MR CHAU SAID THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF HOSPITAL-BASED TRAINING PRODUCED NURSES WHO MET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION SET BY THE NURSING BOARD OF HONG KONG.
"IN ADDITION, THE STANDARD OF TRAINING IS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE TO ENABLE NURSES TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER," HE ADDED.
/1O
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 10 -
MEASURES TAKEN TO REDUCE FREIGHT TRAIN NOISE
*****
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION HAS IMPLEMENTED SEVERAL MEASURES TO REDUCE FREIGHT TRAIN NOISE AFTER MIDNIGHT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR LEUNG SAID THESE MEASURES INCLUDED:
» INSTALLING NEW SILENCERS ON THE EXHAUSTS OF DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES, PENDING THE RESULTS OF TESTS TO BE CONDUCTED ON THEIR EFFECTIVENESS;
* REDUCING THE NUMBER OF FREIGHT TRAIN PATHS FROM FOUR TO THREE DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN 11 PM TO 2 AM WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONTH; AND
* LUBRICATING THE RAIL TRACKS AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF NOISE CAUSED BY THE WHEEL AND RAIL INTERACTION.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT AS PART OF A CONTINUING EXERCISE, THE CORPORATION HAD ESTABLISHED A RAILWAY NOISE WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY OTHER NOISE-REDUCING MEASURES, AND THEN EVALUATE AND IMPLEMENT THEM WHENEVER PRACTICABLE.
MRS LAM HAD ASKED WHETHER ANY ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY FREIGHT TRAINS RUNNING BETWEEN 11 PM AND 2 AM AND BY TRAINS PASSING THROUGH THE AREAS NEAR THE TAI WAI END OF THE BEACON HILL TUNNEL.
------o ------
EDUCATION COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER MINIMUM PRIMARY SCHOOL ENTRY AGE
*****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IS NOW STUDYING THE CURRICULA AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS DURING THE NINE YEARS OF FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE STUDY THE COMMISSION WOULD RECONSIDER WHETHER IT WAS DESIRABLE TO LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE OF ENTRY TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
MR BRIDGE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT POSITION WAS THAT CHILDREN MIGHT START PRIMARY SCHOOL FROM THE AGE OF FIVE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS, THOUGH ATTENDANCE WAS NOT COMPULSORY UNTIL THE AGE OF SIX.
-------o ---------
/11........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
11
STUDY OFFERS OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING TRAFFIC SITUATION ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING TRAFFIC UP TO 2001 ARE BEING ANALYSED UNDER THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY AND WILL BE SET OUT FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN A GREEN PAPER TO BE ISSUED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN.
MR TIEN HAD ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THE OPTION OF FREEZING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BY CATEGORIES AT CURRENT LEVELS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL MORE ROADS WERE BUILT.
MR LEUNG SAID HE WOULD ARRANGE FOR MR TIEN’S SUGGESTION TO BE EXAMINED BY THE STUDY TEAM.
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NO PLANS TO BAN SALE OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS TO PEOPLE UNDER 18 ♦ * t ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS BY RETAIL OUTLETS TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AS THE PROBLEM OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG THESE PEOPLE IS NOT SERIOUS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S IMPRESSION, WHICH WAS SHARED BY THE POLICE, WAS THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT ALCOHOLISM WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AMONG PERSONS UNDER 18.
THIS IMPRESSION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S WORK WITH FAMILIES THROUGH ITS FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES.
THE DEPARTMENT’S STATISTICS SHOWED THAT IN THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN 1983-84 AND 1987-88, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 41,900 CASES REFERRED BY THE COURTS FOR SOCIAL ENQUIRY REPORTS, ONLY 61 PERSONS, OR 0.145 PER CENT, WERE CHARGED WITH THE OFFENCE OF "DRUNKENNESS AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT".
OUT OF A TOTAL OF 13,172 CASES PUT ON PROBATION DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ONLY 20 CASES, OR 0.15 PER CENT, INVOLVED THIS OFFENCE.
/ALTHOUGH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
12 -
ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S STATISTICS DID NOT PROVIDE A BREAKDOWN BELOW THE AGE OF 18, MR CHAU SAID THEY DID SHOW THAT OF THE 61 AND 20 PERSONS MENTIONED ABOVE, ONLY 10 AND FOUR RESPECTIVELY WERE BELOW THE AGE OF 16.
ON THE RECOMMENDATION THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO PERSONS UNDER 18, MR CHAU SAID A DECISION ON THIS WOULD BE MADE FOLLOWING A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WHICH WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE HONG KONO COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, A STATUTORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATED TO SMOKING AND HEALTH.
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GOVT FIRM IN OBSERVING GATT RULES *****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM INTENTION TO CONTINUE TO BE THE LEADING EXAMPLE OF AN OPEN MARKET OBSERVING THE RULES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE TO THE FULL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAUL CHENG, MR JACOBS SAID IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GATT, THERE WAS A BROADLY ACCEPTED MEANING OF THE TERMS "UNFAIR PRACTICES" AND "RETALIATION" AS FAR AS TRADE IN GOODS WAS CONCERNED.
THESE PRACTICES REFERRED BASICALLY TO ACTIONS OF GOVERNMENTS RATHER THAN OF INDIVIDUALS OR FIRMS, MR JACOBS SAID.
"WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH UNFAIR PRACTICES IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
"TRADE IN SERVICES IS, OF COURSE, ENTIRELY DIFFERENT IN NATURE," MR JACOBS CONTINUED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RELEVANT MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT IN EXISTENCE, THERE WAS AS YET NO ACCEPTED MEANING OF "UNFAIR PRACTICES" IN TERMS OF SERVICES.
MR JACOBS ASSURED MEMBERS THAT EFFORTS WERE UNDER WAY IN THE URUGUAY ROUND TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT ON SERVICES.
"WE SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HONG KONG HAD AN EXCELLENT RECORD IN THE SERVICES FIELD.
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/13........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 15 -
MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS » t t » »
OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALLATIONS ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED WITHIN THEIR PRIVATE PREMISES.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON C.K. POON.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, MR BARNES SAID, ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT ELECTRICITY IS NOT SUPPLIED TO INSTALLATIONS WHICH MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE.
"TO ENSURE THAT ALL NEW INSTALLATIONS ARE SAFE AND FREE FROM FIRE HAZARDS, OWNERS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE OBLIGED TO CONFORM WITH REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE SUPPLY RULES OF THE TWO POWER COMPANIES FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND TO PASS TESTS CONDUCTED BY THE POWER COMPANIES BEFORE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS CONNECTED TO THE BUILDINGS.
"POWER COMPANIES ARE ALSO EMPOWERED TO INSPECT AND TEST INSTALLATIONS IN CONSUMERS’ PREMISES IF THE LATTER WERE SUSPECTED TO BE IN A DEFECTIVE CONDITION.
"AFTER INSPECTION AND TESTING, IF THE COMPANY IS SATISFIED THAT DEFECT EXISTS AT SOME PART OF THE CONSUMERS’ INSTALLATION, THE COMPANY MAY BY NOTICE REQUIRE THE CONSUMER TO REMOVE THE DEFECT.
"THE COMPANY MAY ALSO DISCONTINUE THE SUPPLY OF POWER TO THE PREMISES IN QUESTIONS UNTIL THE DEFECT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY REMOVED," MR BARNES SAID.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT SUCH AS RESTAURANTS AND CINEMAS ARE SUBJECT TO MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS IN THAT ONE OF THE LICENSING CONDITIONS IS THE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN THESE PREMISES.
"APPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF THESE PREMISES ARE REFERRED TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO WILL THEN INSPECT THE PREMISES TO ENSURE THAT, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY. UNTIL THIS IS DONE, LICENCES ARE NOT ISSUED.
"SIMILAR PROCEDURES ARE ADOPTED, ON AN ADMINISTRATIVE BASIS, FOR OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES AND BED-SPACE APARTMENTS," MR BARNES SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO TAKE ACTION ON INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARDS, AND ANYONE WHO SUSPECTED THAT THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN HIS BUILDING WERE UNSAFE MAY CONTACT EITHER THE FIRE SERVICES, OR THE POWER COMPANY, OR BOTH, AND REQUEST THAT AN INSPECTION BE CARRIED OUT.
/14........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
14
FEW POLICY OPTIONS OPEN IN RELATION TO INFLATION
*****
THERE ARE FEW POLICY OPTIONS OPEN TO HONG KONG IN RELATION TO INFLATION ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME ONE OF THE TERRITORY’S MAJOR WORRIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT INFLATION WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT PROCESS, HE SAID THAT BEYOND CONTAINING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, THERE WERE FEW POLICY OPTIONS IN RELATION TO INFLATION OPEN TO A SMALL EXTERNALLY ORIENTED ECONOMY SUCH AS HONG KONG, WHICH HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY INTERDEPENDENT WITH OTHER ECONOMIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
"WE WILL, IN DUE COURSE, EXPERIENCE A SLOWING DOWN OF OUR ECONOMY, AND WITH IT LOWER INFLATION," MR JACOBS SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG.
"I AM AFRAID THIS MAY NOT PROVIDE MUCH COMFORT TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF INFLATION BUT I WOULD POINT OUT THAT, DESPITE THE INCREASE IN INFLAION AND SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 1988, WAGES AND SALARIES STILL INCREASED ON AVERAGE IN REAL TERMS."
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS FOR WHICH THERE WERE COMPLETE FIGURES, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) HAD INCREASED, ON A YEAR ON YEAR BASIS, BY 8.8 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, BY 7.6 PER ENT IN OCTOBER AND BY 8.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER.
"PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE DECEMBER INCREASE WILL NOT BE OUT OF LINE WITH THESE FIGURES," HE ADDED.
THE CPI(A) IS THE BROADEST BASED INDICATOR OF CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION, RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG.
IT IS ALSO THE INDICATOR IN WHICH GOODS FROM CHINA, IN PARTICULAR FOODSTUFFS, HAVE THE HEAVIEST WEIGHT.
MR JACOBS SAID ALTHOUGH IT WAS TRUE THAT THE RETAIL PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS HAD BEEN INCREASING FASTER THAN CONSUMER PRICES GENERALLY, THERE WAS AS YET LITTLE INDICATION THAT THE PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS FROM CHINA HAD BEEN LEADING THE WAY.
FOOD FROM CHINA CONSTITUTED LESS THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE FOOD CONSUMED IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"THUS, ALTHOUGH INFLATION IN THE PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS IS CONTRIBUTING TO GENERAL INFLATION, IT IS HARI) TO PUT MUCH OF THE BLAME ON INFLATION IN THE PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS FROM CHINA."
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 15
VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF VBP MAY START SOON
» « » » »
REPATRIATION OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE VOLUNTARILY ASKED TO RETURN TO VIETNAM MAY START TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH OR IN FEBRUARY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPATRIATION OF THESE VOLUNTEERS TO VIETNAM, AND HAS RECENTLY CONCLUDED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION," MR BARNES SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI.
THE UNHCR HAD RECENTLY LAUNCHED AN INTERNATIONAL APPEAL FOR US$577,000 TO PAY FOR THE REPATRIATION OF SOME 500 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, OF WHICH AROUND 300 SEEMED LIKELY TO COME FROM HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT PLANNING WE HOPE THAT A START ON REPATRIATIONS WILL BE MADE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH OR IN FEBRUARY," MR BARNES SAID.
TALKING ON THE WITHDRAWALS OF APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION, MR BARNES SAID OF THE 464 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE JUNE 16 LAST YEAR, 179 (OR 38.6 PER CENT) HAD SUBSEQUENTLY SOUGHT TO WITHDRAW.
THE 285 APPLICATIONS WHICH REMAINED OPERATIVE WERE CURRENTLY BEING PROCESSED, HE SAID.
"THE APPLICATIONS FOR REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM MADE BY BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING AFTER JUNE 16, 1988 HAVE ALL BEEN VOLUNTARY AND APPLICANTS HAVE NOT BEEN QUESTIONED AS TO THEIR REASONS FOR WISHING TO RETURN," MR BARNES POINTED OUT.
"NOR HAVE THOSE WHO CHANGE THEIR MINDS BEEN REQUIRED TO EXPLAIN THEIR REASONS FOR DOING SO.
"WE THUS HAVE NO RELIABLE INFORMATION AS TO WHY SOME APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN."
HOWEVER, MR BARNES BELIEVED THE EARLY AND SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION OF A SIZEABLE GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY ASSIST AND PROMOi THE PROCESS OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION.
/"ONCE THOSE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 16
"ONCE THOSE VIETNAMESE IN DETENTION CENTRES IN HONG KONG RECOGNISE THAT REPATRIATION CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT FEAR OF PERSECUTION, AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE UNHCR WILL, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN VIETNAM, WE BELIEVE THAT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE WILL CONSIDER THIS TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION COMPARED WITH THE PROSPECT OF REMAINING INDEFINITELY IN DETENTION IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME WE HOPE THAT THE MESSAGE TAKEN BACK BY THOSE RETURNING, THAT HONG KONG HOLDS NO HOPE FOR THOSE SEEKING RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS, WILL DETER OTHERS FROM MAKING A HAZARDOUS JOURNEY TO HONG KONG TO NO AVAIL."
MR BARNES REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S SCREENING POLICY AND ITS NATURAL CONSEQUENCE, WHICH WAS THE RETURN TO VIETNAM OF ALL THOSE NOT CLASSFIED AS REFUGEES, WOULD CONTINUE UNCHANGED.
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ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME *****
ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY LAW AGAINST THE REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CH I-FA I, MR BARNES SAID THE PRESENT CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES HAD BEEN IN USE FOR MANY YEARS AND WERE WORKING WELL.
THE ENQUIRIES INTO THE BACKGROUND OF THE PROMOTERS, AND SECTIONS 6 AND 7 OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, HAD PROVIDED ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME, HE SAID.
"AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FROM TIME TO TIME TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LEGISLATION, NOTABLY IN 1982 WHEN CONTROLS OVER INFILTRATION BY TRIAD ELEMENTS AND OVER EVASION OF REGISTRATION WERE INCREASED," MR BARNES SAID.
"ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO INTENTION TO CHANGE THE ORDINANCE AT THE MOMENT, ITS OPERATION IS KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW," HE ADDED.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 17 -
MR BARNES NOTED THAT EACH APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN MERITS. AN APPLICATION MUST COMPRISE A CONSTITUTION WHICH SHOULD BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOCIETIES RULES, A PROMOTERS’ LIST, AND AN APPLICATION FORM SIGNED BY THREE PROMOTERS.
THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES MIGHT REGISTER THE SOCIETY OR EXEMPT IT FROM REGISTRATION AFTER ENQUIRIES HAD BEEN MADE BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER AND DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER.
ON REPORTS THAT SOME ASSOCIATION PREMISES HAD RECENTLY BEEN USED FOR ILLEGAL PURPOSES, MR BARNES SAID SECTION 10 OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, CAP 151, PROVIDED FOR THE CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION OF SUCH SOCIETIES.
"CERTAIN SOCIETIES, SUCH AS CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
"THIS EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CAN BE REMOVED UNDER SECTION 10 IF THE PREMISES ARE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN USED FOR ILLEGAL PURPOSES," HE SAID.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT SURPRISE INSPECTIONS WOULD BE CONDUCTED BY THE POLICE IF INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED THAT OFFENCES MIGHT BE BEING COMMITTED INSIDE SOCIETY PREMISES.
"SECTION 8(3) OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR A NOTICE TO BE SERVED ON A SOCIETY ORDERING IT TO DESIST FROM ACTIVITIES NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY AS SET OUT IN
ITS CONSTITUTION OR RULES," HE SAID.
IF THE NOTICE WAS IGNORED, THEN CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO CANCELLING THE REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION OF THE SOCIETY UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE ORDINANCE, MR BARNES SAID.
ON THE NUMBER OF SOCIETIES THAT HAI) APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, MR BARNES SAID THE NUMBER OF REGISTRATION RESPECTIVELY WAS 242, 235 AND 279, WHEREAS THE NUMBER OF EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION WAS 31, 37 AND 43.
CATEGORIES INCLUDE ASSOCIATIONS OF ALUMNI, CLANSMEN AND NATIVES, RECREATIONAL, SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, SPORTS, TRADERS, BENEVOLENT ORGANISATIONS, AND OWNERS AND TENANTS.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT IF ANY ORGANISATION OPERATING WITHOUT REGISTRATION CAME TO POLICE ATTENTION BY VIRTUE OF ITS ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN.
"HOWEVER IF IT IS A BONA FIDE ORGANISATION THAT HAS NOT REGISTERED DUE TO AN OVERSIGHT, THE LEGALITIES REQUIRED WILL BE POINTED OUT TO THE ORGANISATION, AND THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES WILL CONSIDER REGISTERING IT UPON RECEIPT OF ITS APPLICATION," HE SAID.
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/18
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 18 -
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE DECLARATION CONSIDERED REASONABLE
*****
THE REQUIREMENT FOR AN INCOME AND ASSET DECLARATION BY APPLICANTS FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR PEOPLE AGED FROM 65 TO 69, WHO WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE, IS CONSIDERED REASONABLE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR, MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT THE REQUIREMENT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL WELFARE POLICY OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT IN OCTOBER 1987 PROPOSALS WERE ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAIN SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES, INCLUDING THE PHASED EXTENSION OF THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO PERSONS IN THE 65-69 AGE GROUP.
"ONE ELEMENT OF THIS PROPOSED PACKAGE WAS THAT ALL NEW APPLICANTS FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE THAT THEIR INCOME AND ASSETS DID NOT EXCEED SPECIFIED LEVELS," HE SAID.
"THESE PROPOSALS WERE GENERALLY WELCOMED BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AMONGST OTHERS."
MR CHAU ADDED THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE DECLARATION FOR NEW APPLICANTS AGED OVER 70, WHILST RETAINING IT FOR THOSE BETWEEN 65 AND 69.
THIS DECISION WAS MADE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF VIEWS EXPRESSED AGAINST THE PROPOSED INCOME AND ASSET DECLARATION, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE OVER 70 YEARS OLD, MR CHAU EXPLAINED.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE EXTENSION OF THE ALLOWANCE TO THE 65-69 AGE GROUP WAS IMPLEMENTED ON SEPTEMBER. 1 LAST YEAR.
PERSONS AGED 68 AND 69 WERE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE ALLOWANCE, SUBJECT TO A DECLARATION THAT THEIR MONTHLY INCOME DID NOT EXCEED THE LEVELS OF $1,700 FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND $2,800 FOR A MARRIED COUPLE.
THEIR ASSETS LEVELS HAD ALSO BEEN SET AT $100,000 FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND $150,000 FOR A MARRIED COUPLE.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR ELIGIBILITY WOULD BE EXTENDED TO THOSE AGED 67 WHILST THOSE AGED 66 AND 65 WOULD BECOME ELIGIBLE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1990 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
"THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PLANS TO DISPENSE WITH THE DECLARATION FOR THIS AGE GROUP," HE ADDED.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 19 -
NO DATE YET FOR BILINGUAL ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMS t » » * »
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE DATE FOR INTRODUCING BILINGUAL ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATIONS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, BUT THE EARLIEST DATE CANNOT BE BEFORE 1992.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR BRIDGE NOTED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE HAD URGED THAT SUCH EXAMINATIONS BE INTRODUCED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE.
THE CHAIRMAN ALSO INFORMED HIM OF THE COMMITTEE’S VIEW THAT THERE WAS NO DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE AVAILABILITY OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF BILINGUAL EXAMINATIONS.
HOWEVER, THE SIXTH FORM WORKING GROUP HAD NOT YET FINALISED ITS VIEW ON THE APPROPRIATE TIMING, MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR TO ASCERTAIN THE LIKELY REQUIREMENT FOR CHINESE-MEDIUM A-LEVELS FROM 1992 ONWARDS, AND FOUND THAT VERY FEW SCHOOLS INTENDED TO ENTER STUDENTS FOR THESE EXAMINATIONS BEFORE 1994," HE SAID.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AT THE REQUEST OF THE SIXTH FORM WORKING GROUP, WAS NOW CONDUCTING A SECOND SURVEY OF SCHOOLS TO SEE WHETHER MORE SCHOOLS WOULD WISH TO ENTER CANDIDATES FOR CHINESE-MEDIUM A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS BEFORE 1994.
"WHILE A FINAL DECISION ON THE TIMING FOR INTRODUCING BILINGUAL A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER THE SIXTH FORM WORKING GROUP HAS COMPLETED ITS REPORT, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE FOR SUCH EXAMINATIONS CANNOT BE BEFORE 1992," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THE GROUP WILL REPORT TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR ON MEASURES RELEVANT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS."
AS FOR THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, MR BRIDGE SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT AN ADDITIONAL $220,000 PER YEAR WOULD BE REQUIRED INITIALLY.
"THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY ESTIMATES THAT BILINGUAL A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS WILL COST $200,000 EACH YEAR IN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO EXAMINATION PERSONNEL, AND TRANSLATION OF SYLLABUSES WILL COST ABOUT $20,000 WITH SMALLER COSTS THEREAFTER WHENEVER SYLLABUSES ARE REVISED," HE EXPLAINED.
/"UNTIL THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 111 198)
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’’UNTIL THE HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION IS ABOLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL FEE INCOME IS EXPECTED AS A RESULT OF A-LEVELS BEING AVAILABLE IN BOTH LANGUAGES.”
THE HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION WOULD NEED TO BE RETAINED UNTIL ALL CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS WERE ABLE TO OPERATE TWO-YEAR SIXTH FORMS, HE POINTED OUT.
"ANY PERIOD OF OVERLAP BETWEEN THE ABOLITION OF HIGHER LEVELS, WHICH THE AUTHORITY RUNS AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF BILINGUAL A-LEVELS WOULD IMPOSE A CONSIDERABLE EXTRA WORKLOAD ON THE AUTHORITY’S STAFF AND WOULD REQUIRE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 16 PER CENT IN FEES FOR A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS'.”
EXPLAINING THE PROGRESS MADE SINCE THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED IN MAY LAST YEAR THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON SIXTH FORM EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE AVAILABILITY OF A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS IN CHINESE, MR BRIDGE SAID THREE COURSES HAD BEEN FOLLOWED.
FIRSTLY, HE SAID THE SIXTH FORM WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP, COMPRISING MEMBERS FROM TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
SECONDLY, THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY HAD BEEN ASKED TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR THE PROVISION OF BILINGUAL A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS.
THIRDLY, THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE, HAD BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS IN CHINESE SUITABLE FOR USE IN CHINESE-MEDIUM A-LEVEL COURSES.
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ONE BILL PASSED t * *
THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEBATE ON THREE OTHER BILLS WAS ADJOURNED. THEY ARE THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1987-88 AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1987-88 WERE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 21
BEST YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION *****
THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION HAS GRANTED A RECORD 19.6 HECTARES OF LAND IN 1987-88 THROUGH 20 AGREEMENTS FOR LEASE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CORPORATION, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR, MR CHEONG SAID THAT BY COMPARISON THE AVERAGE AREA OF LAND GRANTED IN THE THREE PREVIOUS YEARS HAD BEEN 8.5 HECTARES, WITH THE AMOUNT IN THE PREVIOUS BEST YEAR, 1985-86, TOTALLING 11.2 HECTARES.
"THE STRONG DEMAND REPORTED IN THE TWO PREVIOUS YEARS CONTINUED BUT AT AN EVEN QUICKER PACE," MR CHEONG SAID.
HE SAID THE VARIED NATURE OF THE COMPANIES APPLYING AND MEETING THE CORPORATION’S SELECTION CRITERIA UNDOUBTEDLY HELPED TO BROADEN HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL BASE.
MOREOVER, THE RISE IN THE AVERAGE COMMITTED INVESTMENT OF GRANTEES -- FROM $53 MILLION PER HECTARE TO $68 MILLION -- WAS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN OF MORE CAPITAL INTENSIVE OPERATIONS BEING ATTACHED TO HONG KONG.
MR CHEONG SAID A LARGE SITE HAD BEEN GRANTED ON THE TAI PO ESTATE TO THE FIRST OF A NUMBER OF MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES INVOLVED IN COMPOUNDING AND PRODUCTION OF MASTER BATCHES AND FEEDSTOCK FOR USE BY THE PLASTICS CONVERSION INDUSTRY.
AN AGREEMENT HAD BEEN SIGNED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADVANCED SEMI-CONDUCTOR FACILITY INCORPORATING AN IMPORTANT DESIGN CENTRE ON ANOTHER LARGE SITE IN THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY ZONE ON THE TAI PO ESTATE.
"WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ABOUT THREE HECTARES OF LAND REMAINING ON THE TAI PO ESTATE WHICH IS BEING RESERVED FOR APPLICATIONS INVOLVING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF SITES AT TAI PO HAD BEEN GRANTED BY THE ENI) OF THE YEAR," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID THE DEMAND FOR SITES ON THE YUEN LONG ESTATE HAD CONTINUED TO BE STRONG, ASSISTED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S UPGRADING OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FAVOURABLE RESULTS HAD ENABLED THE CORPORATION TO MAKE RECORD REPAYMENTS OF $219 MILLION TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND, THUS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE CORPORATION’S INDEBTEDNESS TO THE FUND.
"THE CORPORATION IS NOW ON A SOUND FINANCIAL FOOTING. IT WILL NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO REPAY ALL THE LOANS DUE BEFORE THE REMAINING SITES ON THE TWO ESTATES ARE SOLD, BUT WILL PRODUCE A SURPLUS AS A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF A THIRD ESTATE," HE SAID.
/MR CHEONG........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
22 -
MR CHEONG ALSO SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE CORPORATION WAS NOT TO DISPOSE OF INDUSTRIAL LAND WITH MAXIMUM PROFIT, THE BOARD CONSIDERED IT PRUDENT TO REVIEW ITS LAND PREMIA FROM TIME TO TIME HAVING REGARD TO MARKET TRENDS.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE PREMIA ON THE TWO ESTATES WERE INCREASED MODERATELY LAST AUGUST. THEY NOW STOOD AT $1,250 PER SQUARE METRE FOR SITES ON THE TAI PO ESTATE AND $1,100 AT YUEN LONG, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE CORPORATION WAS ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IN ENSURING THAT APPLICANTS UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF THEM AT AN EARLY STAGE.
"A SET OF GUIDELINES HAS BEEN IN USE FOR SOME YEARS AND THESE WERE CAREFULLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED DURING THE YEAR. THEY ARE BOTH PRACTICABLE FOR THE INDUSTRIALISTS AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROSPECTS FOR 1988-89, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS PROMISING, MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE CORPORATION HAD, IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, GRANTED SITES TOTALLING 10 HECTARES TO 11 APPLICANTS; AND THE PROJECTS AND PROPOSED INVESTMENTS WERE ON AVERAGE LARGER THAN BEFORE.
HE NOTED THAT THREE SIZEABLE PROJECTS ON THE YUEN LONG ESTATE TAKEN TOGETHER REQUIRED FIVE HECTARES OF LAND AND WOULD INVOLVE INVESTMENTS TOTALLING $1,000 MILLION, AND ALL THREE CAME FROM MAJOR OVERSEAS GROUPS.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT, TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN THE SUPPLY OF INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR SELECTED APPLICANTS, THE CORPORATION HAD ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER GRANTING IT A SITE TO DEVELOP A THIRD ESTATE.
"THIS HAS BEEN ENDORSED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND CONSULTANTS ARE NOW CARRYING OUT A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A LARGE SITE TO BE RECLAIMED TO THE SOUTHEAST OF JUNK BAY," HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE CORPORATION HAD NOTICED A GROWING DEMAND FOR SITES FROM THE SUPPORTING AND LINKAGE INDUSTRIES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
"THIS IS CONTINUING PARTICULARLY AS THE REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS BUILDS UP," HE SAID.
"SUCH INDUSTRIES CERTAINLY HELP TO BROADEN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE AND BRING NEW SKILLS TO OUR WORK FORCE THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF THE LATEST AUTOMATED PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE CORPORATION’S INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ARE BEST SUITED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THESE AND OTHER HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES IN THE YEARS AHEAD."
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11,
1989
- 25 -
VOCATIONAL TRAINING HAS VITAL ROLE *****
VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS VITAL TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC), MR CHEONG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE COUNCIL’S OUTGOING CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, UNDER WHOSE LEADERSHIP IN THE PAST TWO YEARS MANY IMPORTANT PROJECTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
MR CHEONG SAID THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE 1987-88 YEAR FOR THE VTC WAS THE OPENING OF THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE LARGEST IN HONG KONG WITH A CAPACITY OF 2,700 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENT PLACES.
"WITH ITS COMPLETION, THERE ARE NOW OVER 10,500 FULL-TIME PLACES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AN INCREASE OF OVER 135 PER CENT SINCE THE COUNCIL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 AND TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE INSTITUTES," HE SAID.
"THE NUMBER OF PART-TIME PLACES HAS ALSO INCREASED FROM ABOUT 35,800 TO 49,000 IN THE LAST SIX YEARS."
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE WAS THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE COUNCIL’S JEWELLERY INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE AND THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRE.
MEANWHILE, THE PROJECTS EMBARKED ON BY THE COUNCIL TO IMPROVE THE TEACHING FACILITIES AND STUDENT AMENITIES IN THE OLDER TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WERE PROGRESSING MOST SATISFACTORILY.
THESE INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ANNEXES AT THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ANNEXE, WHICH WERE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE LATER PART OF THIS YEAR AND IN EARLY TO MID-1990 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE FIRM COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"FOR THIS I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOVERNMENT MOST SINCERELY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EQUALLY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE," MR CHEONG SAID.
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/24........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11,
1989
24 -
FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES NEW PAY SCALES
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED FOR THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES NEW SALARY SCALES EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR AND CHANGES TO ALLOWANCES WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT A SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF ABOUT $534 MILLION WOULD BE REQUIRED IN 1988-89 TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICES.
THE NEW SALARY SCALES WERE APPROVED SUBJECT TO NO REDUCTION ONGROSS INCOME OF ANY INDIVIDUAL OFFICER AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WERE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST MONTH.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED, RETROSPECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR, RECALCULATED PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AS RECOMMENDED BY A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY WHICH LOOKED INTO THE 1988 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENTS DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE STAFF SIDE.
THE ORIGINAL PAY ADJUSTMENTS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH TOOK EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR, WERE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING PAY TREND INDICATORS:
UPPER PAY BAND 6.54 PER CENT
MIDDLE PAY BAND 7.28 PER CENT
LOWER PAY BAND 8.50 PER CENT
THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY RECOMMENDED, AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED THAT THESE ADJUSTMENTS BE RECALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING REVISED PAY TREND INDICATORS:
UPPER PAY BAND 9.56 PER CENT
MIDDLE PAY BAND 9.93 PER CENT LOWER PAY BAND 9.62 PER CENT
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED SIMILAR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PAY SCALES AND RATES OF PAY OF ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING DEFICIENCY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS, WHICH WERE NORMALLY ADJUSTED IN LINE WITH CIVIL SERVICE.
TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN FULL IN 1988-89, COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOTED THAT SUPPLEMNTARY PROVISION OF ABOUT $508.3 MILLION WOULD BE REQUIRED.
THEY ALSO NOTED THAT SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF ABOUT $18.6 MILLION SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, ON APPLICATION, TO DISCRETIONARY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS IN 1988-89 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERITS OF EACH CASE.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 25 -
FUNDING APPROVED FOR 1991 CENSUS *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ACCEPTED THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, ESTIMATED AT $151.4 MILLION, INVOLVED IN CONDUCTING A POPULATION CENSUS IN 1991.
THE CENSUS WILL OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE BENCHMARK INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
SUCH INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT FOR PLANNING, PARTICULARLY IN SUCH AREAS AS HOUSING, EDUCATION, TRANSPORT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, AND SOCAIL SERVICES.
IT (S ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR BUSINESS AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
TO MEET THE CENSUS OBJECTIVES MOST COST-EFFECTIVELY, THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BE A TWO-PHASE OPERATION.
THIS WILL CONSIST OF, FIRSTLY, A 100 PER CENT ENUMERATION OF ALL PERSONS BY AGE AND SEX; AND SECONDLY, A ONE-IN-SEVEN SAMPLE ENQUIRY OF THE BROAD RANGE OF DETAILED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
AS IN PREVIOUS CENSUS, THERE WILL BE A PRE-TEST AND A PILOT CENSUS TO TEST THOROUGHLY ALL ASPECTS OF THE CENSUS BEFOREHAND IN ORDER TO RECTIFY, IN GOOD TIME, ANY DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM.
THE ENUMERATION STAFF REQUIREMENT FOR THE CENSUS IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND 16,000, WHICH WILL BE MET BY EMPLOYING SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS.
THE ENTIRE OPERATION OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS IS PROPOSED TO BE CARRIED OUT AS FOLLOW:
(A) PRE-TEST : FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 5, 1989
(B) PILOT CENSUS :
(C) MAIN CENSUS :
(D) DATA PROCESSING AND
DISSEMINATION :
NOVEMBER 3-12, 1989
MARCH 15 - 24, 1991
APRIL 1991 - MARCH 1993
O--------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 26 -
COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR STORING HK LAWS t t ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON SET UP A BILINGUAL COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR STORING ALL 31 VOLUMES OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
THE COMPUTERISED INFORMATION SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE SET UP IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT’S LAW DRAFTING DIVISION IS PRIMARILY AN AID TO RESEARCH AND IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF DRAFTING.
ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSED TIME-TABLE, TENDERS FOR THE COMPUTER WILL BE CALLED IN JANUARY, THE EQUIPMENT WILL BE INSTALLED IN OCTOBER AND THE SYSTEM WILL BE READY FOR OPERATION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE LEGAL INFORMATION SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL TO LAWYERS WORKING ON THE BILINGUAL DRAFTING AND THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS PROGRAMMES.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENT OF $8.44 MILLION TO MEET THE CAPITAL COSTS OF EQUIPMENT, SITE PREPARATION AND OTHER EXPENDITURE.
IN ADDITION, THE STAFF COSTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED AT $1.3 MILLION BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL 1990.
THEREAFTER THE ANNUAL RECURRENT COST OF MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $1 MILLION.
AT PRESENT, THE LAWS OF HONG KONG CONSISTING OF ABOUT 20,000 PAGES, INCLUDES 536 ORDINANCES, IN 31 VOLUMES AND IS MAINTAINED MANUALLY BY THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION.
”A MANUAL SYSTEM MEANS THAT THE LACK OF AUTOMATED FACILITIES FOR RETRIEVING CROSS-CONNECTING TEXT CONTENT WHEN DRAFTING NEW LEGISLATION OR MAKING AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LAWS, OR ANY OTHER RESEARCH ON THE CONTEXT OF THE LAWS, NECESSITATES LABORIOUS AND TIME-CONSUMING EFFORT,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
ONE OF THE EXPECTED BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM IS TO ENABLE NEWLY ENACTED LAWS OR AMENDMENTS TO BE MORE ACCURATE AND CONSISTENT.
IT SHOULD ALSO REDUCE THE NEED FOR AMENDING LEGISLATION DUE TO ERRORS AND OMISSIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THAT EXTENSIVE CHANGES TO EXISTING LAWS ARE ENVISAGED IN THE TRANSITION TO 1997. THESE INCLUDE LOCATING AND THEN CHANGING ALL REFERENCES TO ENGLISH LEGISLATION AND COLONIAL STATUS.
FURTHERMORE, AN ESTIMATED FIVE VOLUMES OF ENGLISH LAWS NOW APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG MUST BE LOCALISED AND ENACTED BEFORE 1997.
/ANY POSSIBLE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 27 -
ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE EXISTING LAWS AND THE FUTURE BASIC LAW WILL ALSO NEED TO BE IDENTIFIED AND RESOLVED BEFORE 1997 TO ENSURE THEIR HARMONISATION.
THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL HELP TO MAKE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO THE EXISTING LAWS FASTER /'ND MORE THOROUGH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANOTHER MAJOR ACTIVITY FOR THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD IS THE TRANSLATION OF THE EXISTING LAWS OF HONG KONG FROM ENGLISH INTO CHINESE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: “IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT BOTH LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF HONG KONG’S LEGISLATION ARE CONSISTENT WITH EACH OTHER, AGREED EQUIVALENTS MUST BE SETTLED AND USED CONSISTENTLY.
’’THIS IS AGAIN A TASK THAT REQUIRES EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH INTO THE EXISTING LAWS AND FOR WHICH THE EMPLOYMENT OF MANUAL SEARCHES IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.”
HE SAID THAT THE BILINGUAL LEGAL INFORMATION COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL HELP THE DRAFTSMAN TO ACHIEVE A CONSISTENT TRANSLATION OF THE LAWS .
THIS WOULD MINIMISE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LITIGATION AND OTHER ARGUMENTS ARISING SOLELY FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF BILINGUAL LEGISLATION.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME WILL BE EXPEDITED SINCE STATUTORY RESEARCH WILL BE CONDUCTED FASTER WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMPUTER FACILITIES.
THE NECESSARY PROVISION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE 1989-90 DRAFT ESTIMATES.
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LORD GLENARTHUR VISITS JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, HKUST *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOURED JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND VISITED THE SITE FOR THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SAI KUNG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR MICHAEL SUEN, LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVED BY HELICOPTER AT HANG HAU AND WAS MET BY SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN.
/FROM A .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 28 -
FROM A VANTAGE POINT NEAR HONG SING COURT, LORD GLENARTHUR HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE AREA INCLUDING THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL PROJECT WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF JUNK BAY BY THE PROJECT MANAGER (NEW TERRITORIES/SOUTH), MR CHOW CHE-KING.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS TOLD THAT JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WAS BEING PLANNED TO ENSURE A BALANCED AND LARGELY SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY WITH A TARGET POPULATION OF 440,000 WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THE POPULATION WOULD BE SERVED BY SCHOOLS, MARKETS, TRANSPORT AND SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES WITHIN THE ESTATES AND BY MORE LARGE-SCALE FACILITIES WHICH WOULD SERVE THE ENTIRE NEW TOWN.
THESE INCLUDE A TOWN HALL, COMMUNITY CENTRES, LIBRARIES, SPORTS CENTRES, THEATRES, CLINICS, POLICE STATIONS, FIRE STATIONS, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
EMPLOYMENT FOR THE MAJORITY OF JUNK BAY’S WORKING POPULATION WOULD BE PROVIDED IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS TO THE SOUTH OF THE NEW TOWN AND CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO DEVELOPING HONG KONG’S THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT JUNK BAY.
THE AREA’S MAIN LINK WITH KOWLOON WOULD BE A TWIN-TUBE ROAD TUNNEL, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER 1990, AND DISCUSSIONS WERE CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE FOR A POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO JUNK BAY.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS TOLD THAT THE CURRENT POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN WAS ABOUT 33,000 WHICH INCLUDED 9,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING IN VILLAGES AND OTHER SETTLEMENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AREA FOR MANY YEARS.
TRAVELLING BY CAR TO PO LAM ESTATE, LORD GLENARTHUR VISITED THE PO LEUNG KUK YICK CHARK FUNG KINDERGARTEN WHERE HE LOOKED IN ON CHILDREN ENGAGED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
AT A NEARBY HOUSING BLOCK, LORD GLENARTHUR VISITED A FAMILY LIVING IN A FLAT IN PO TAI HOUSE.
DURING A WALK THROUGH THE ESTATE, LORD GLENARTHUR VISITED A MARKET WHERE HE STOPPED TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THE STALL OPERATORS.
FROM JUNK BAY, LORD GLENARTHUR WENT TO THE SITE FOR THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT CLEARWATER BAY, SAI KUNG WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HKUST COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS BRIEFED ON THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AND VARIOUS OTHER PLANS FOR HONG KONG’S THIRD UNIVERSITY.
/THE UNIVERSITY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 29 -
THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IS BEING BUILT ON A 60-HECTARE SITE ON THE CLEARWATER BAY PENINSULA OF SAI KUNG OVERLOOKING PORT SHELTER.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR ABOUT 2,000 STUDENTS IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY MAY 1991, IN TIME FOR THE FIRST STUDENT INTAKE IN OCTOBER THAT YEAR. PHASE TWO FOR ABOUT 5,000 STUDENTS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1993.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS TOLD THAT SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS, PHASE THREE FOR ANOTHER 3,000 STUDENTS WHICH WOULD BRING THE OVERALL STUDENT POPULATION TO 10,000 SHOULD BE READY BY MAY 1995.
HE WAS TOLD THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD GENEROUSLY DONATED SI.5 BILLION TO HELP FINANCE THE CAPITAL COST AND THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASES I AND II WAS ESTIMATED AT $590 MILLION.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO BEAR THE COST OF SPECIALIST AND TEACHING EQUIPMENT AND ALL RECURRENT COSTS.
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GOVT STRESSES ’NO AMNESTY’ POLICY » « » » »
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS NOT GIVING ANY CONSIDERATION TO AN AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SUCH AS THAT GIVEN IN MACAU, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAINTAIN ITS POLICY OF RETURNING ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO CHINA, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE POLICE AND ARMY UNITS ON THE BORDER WOULD BE STEPPING UP THEIR VIGILANCE IN CASE ANY PEOPLE SHOULD MISTAKENLY SUPPOSE THERE WOULD BE AN AMNESTY IN HONG KONG AND TRY TO ENTER THE TERRITORY.
THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF A REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO ENSURING 'THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROL.'I AGAINST II.I.EGAI. IMMIGRATION I HA I ALL I I.LEGAL IMMIGKANTH WOULD BE CAPTURED AND WOULD BE RETURNED To CHINA, THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
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/3O........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 30 -
DB TO DISCUSS PROPOSAL ON REFUGEES
* * * * »
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT THE SHAM SHUI PO REFUGEE CENTRE.
AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS AT THE SAN YICK REFUGEE CENTRE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO MOVE NOT MORE THAN 1,500 REFUGEES TO A NEW SECTION OF THE SHAM SHUI PO REFUGEE CENTRE WHICH OFFER MORE SATISFACTORY ACCOMMODATION.
UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE WHOLE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE IN JUNE OR JULY THIS YEAR, THIS BATCH AND SOME 1,000 PEOPLE FROM THE EXISTING SHAM SHUI PO CENTRE ARE EXPECTED TO BE REHOUSED THERE.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS CARRIE YAU, WILL EXPLAIN THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL AT THE MEETING.
FOLLOWING THE SPECIAL MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TO DISCUSS ROADWORKS AND TRAFFIC ARISING FROM THE TAI WOR PING HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME DEVELOPMENT.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED ARE AN INCREASE IN CHARGES AT THE SHEK KIP MEI CARPARK, IMPROVEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AT BEACON HILL, DEMOLITION OF THE PEI HO STREET FOOTBRIDGE AND RELOCATION OF SIGNAL-CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT THE JUNCTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND KWEILIN STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A MEETING OF THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING.
------o -------
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON UNSEWERED DEVELOPMENTS COMMISSIONED *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ABOUT 100 UNSEWERED VILLAGES AND DEVELOPMENTS.
THESE VILLAGES AND DEVELOPMENTS ARE WITHIN THE TOLO HARBOUR CATCHMENT AREA INCLUDING THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO NEW TOWNS.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 51 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EPD SAID THIS WAS ONE OF THE ELEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN WHICH AIMED AT IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY IN TOLO HARBOUR.
THE STUDY WILL EXAMINE ALL SEWAGE POLLUTION SOURCES WITHIN THESE UNSEWERED DEVELOPMENTS, ASSESS THE RESULTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND INVESTIGATE THE APPROPRIATE MITIGATORY MEASURES FOR THE FORMULATION OF A LONG-TERM POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN.
A PROGRAMME FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING WORKS INDENTIFIED WILL ALSO BE PRODUCED, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A LIST OF THE PRIORITY SCHEMES FOR AREAS WHERE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ACTIONS ARE REQUIRED.
THE CONTRACT SIGNING OF THE CONSULTANCY STUDY TOOK PLACE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR MIKE STOKOE, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF BALFOURS INTERNATIONAL (ASIA).
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF $12 MILLION, WILL TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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LUCKY 7 FOR AUCTION AT LUNAR NEW YEAR « » t t »
ENTHUSIASTS OF LUCKY CAR NUMBERS SHOULD NOT MISS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LUCKY VEHICLE NUMBER AUCTION ON JANUARY 21 (SATURDAY).
THE SPECIAL NEW YEAR DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE AT AUCTION, ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
TOPPING THE LIST AUCTION IS CAR NUMBER ” OF THE 7” WITH 20 LUCKY NO PREFIX. NUMBERS AVAILABLE AT THE
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CAR NUMBER DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR SAW THE AUSPICIOUS PREFIX, FETCH A RECORD OF $5 MILLION. AUCTION NUMBER ORGANISED ”8”, ALSO BY THE WITHOUT
THE 20 LUCKY CAR FOLLOWS: NUMBERS 1 PUT FOR AUCTION THIS TIME ARE AS
BM9 CG6789 7 CD777
378 AR3 XX89 BM525
HK3333 BC99 AC323 CC8888
AS 18 133 HK9898 HK5
66 EA1 BD1 AC8338
ALL THE NUMBERS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE.
SINCE MAY 1973 A TOTAL OF 133 AUCTIONS HAD BEEN HELD BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, RAISING $69.14 MILLION FOR THE CHARITABLE LOTTERIES FUND.
- - 0 -
/52
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 3? -
NEW OFFICES FOR MSB DIVISION * * » »
THE FOOD SECTION (KOWLOON) AND THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE HYGIENE DIVISION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BE MOVING TO NEW OFFICES ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET, KOWLOON TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE FOOD SECTION (KOWLOON) AND THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WILL BE 3-7870007 AND 3-7871230 RESPECTIVELY.
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CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL TO OPEN IN SHA TAU KOK
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ON JANUARY 26.
THE $11 MILLION SCHOOL, SITUATED WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, IS THE SECOND CENTRALLY LOCATED PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE 1981 WHITE PAPER ON PRIMARY EDUCATION AND PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES.
THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IS PART OF THE $300 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN SHA TAU KOK.
OTHER FACILITIES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE A RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE BUILT BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY TO ACCOMMODATE SQUATTERS AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE, A RECREATION GROUND AND A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN AIR-CONDITIONED COMMUNITY HALL WITH A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, A KINDERGARTEN, A MARKET AND COOKED FOOD COMPLEX, A WATERFRONT PROMENADE AND A PERMANENT SHELTERED ANCHORAGE FOR FISHING BOATS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ON JANUARY 26 (THURSDAY). YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10.30 AM.
AFTER THE OPENING, A GUIDED TOUR WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR THE PRESS TO VISIT THE VARIOUS REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN SHA TAU KOK.
/TO FACILITATE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
TO FACILITATE APPLICATIONS FOR FRONTIER CLOSED AREA PERMITS, REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS COVERING THE FUNCTION SHOULD SEND PHOTOCOPIES OF THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO MRS ANGELA WONG, INFORMATION OFFICER OF NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING BEFORE JANUARY 17 (TUESDAY). LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE PROVIDED ON JANUARY 26.
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SOUTHERN DB TO DISCUSS LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR GAMES CENTRES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE GRANTING AND RENEWAL OF LICENCES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH AND THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO INTRODUCE A DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF THE NEW GUIDELINES AND ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
ON THE MA HANG VALLEY REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME, THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE INFORMED ON WHETHER LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN REHOUSED IN OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES CAN CHOOSE TO MOVE BACK TO MA HANG WHEN THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT THERE IS COMPLETED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR 1989/90.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE MEMBERSHIP AND THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR 1989/90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES SYSTEM
» » » » »
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL MADE BY A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER ASKING THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ITS AGREEMENT WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES ON THE APPROVAL OF FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS.
AT THE MEETING, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN CHI-KWAN, WILL ASK WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING TO ENSURE WATERBORNE TRANSPORT SAFETY AND TO CONTROL WIND-SURFING ACTIVITIES IN THE HARBOUR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE ON AGENDA * » t »
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE NEW STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE SCHEME.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL TABLE A PAPER ON THE LICENSING AND MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL BUSES FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
35
TUEN MUN DB ORGANISES STUDY TOUR TO SOUTH KOREA ♦ » * t ♦
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD IS ORGANISING A STUDY TOUR TO SOUTH KOREA FROM JANUARY 18 TO 25.
MEMBERS WILL LOOK AT THE COUNTRY'S NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MATTERS AS WELL AS THE TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES.
APART FROM VISITING SEOUL, THEY WILL SPEND TWO DAYS IN THE SCENIC CHEJU.
IN ORDER TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SOUTH KOREA, A BRIEFING SESSION WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING DURING WHICH STAFF FROM THE KOREAN CONSULATE WILL TALK ABOUT THE COUNTRY’S CUSTOM, CULTURE AND LATEST DEVELOPMENT.
A VIDEO SHOW WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED DURING THE BRIEFING WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TEA RECEPTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE TEA RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR STUDY TOUR TO SOUTH KOREA.
THE RECEPTION WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
DIB SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 198?
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY
LORD GLENARTHUR, MINISTER OF STATE,
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
ON JANUARY 11, 1989
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
1
LORD GLENARTHUR GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE * t » t t
THE FOLLOWING IS A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY LORD GLENARTHUR, MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG:
LORD GLENARTHUR: THIS HAS BEEN MY FOURTH VISIT TO HONG KONG IN 18 MONTHS, AS MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY 1 REGARD IT AS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP IN CLOSE AND REGULAR TOUCH WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
AS IN THE PAST, I HAVE HAD A VERY FULL AND WORTHWHILE VISIT I HAVE HAD TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. 1 HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. 1 HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO HEAR THE \JEWS OF URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, BUSINESSMEN AND A WIDE VARIETY OF OTHER HONG KONG PEOPLE.
I HAVE ALSO VISITED VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES IN THE TUEN MUN AREA. I HAVE SEEN THE SPLENDID NEW EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE. AND I HAVE VISITED JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND THE SITE OF THE THIRD UNIVERSITY.
MY VISIT HAS BEEN DOMINATED BY TUB PROBLEM OF THE 25,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. I HAVE THE GREATEST ADMIRATION FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE COPED WITH THIS INTRACTABLE PROBLEM OVER THE PAST VERY DIFFICULT MONTHS.
LET ME SAY AT ONCE THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ARE COMMITTED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP. WE ARE NOT DUCKING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO. LET ME DESCRIBE WHAT WE ARE DOING.
FIRST AS REGARDS THE 15,000 VIETNAMESE WHO HAVE REFUGEE STATUS. AS YOU KNOW WE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED OUR READINESS TO TAKE A FURTHER 1,000 REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG - ON TOP OF THE MORE THAN 13,000 WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN - OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS. THAT WOULD AMOUNT TO A DOUBLING OF OUR PRESENT INTAKE OF REFUGEES.
WE HAVE SAID THAT WE WILL DO THIS PROVIDED OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ALSO AGREE TO TAKE MORE. SOME IN HONG KONG HAVE CRITICISED LACK OF COMMITMENT ON OUR PART. I CANNOT SEE WHY. WE NEED THE HLEP OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SEE THE REFUGEES RESETTLED. SURELY IT MAKES SENSE TO USE OUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE MORE AS A LEVER TO GET MORE RESETTLEMENT PLACES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES?
WE HAVE MOUNTED \ VIGOROUS DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN OTHER COUNTRIES TO EOLLOW OUR LEAD AND ALTHOUGH IT IS DAYS, 1 AM ENCOURAGED BY THE FIRST RESPONSES WE HAVE REPRESENTATIONS.
TO PERSUADE
STILL EARLY
HAD TO OUR
/SECONDLY, THERE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
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SECONDLY, THERE ARE THE 10,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ARRIVED SINCE JUNE LAST YEAR. THE FUTURE OF THOSE WHO, AFTER SCREENING, PROVE NOT TO BE REFUGEES, MUST LIE IN VIETNAM, AND ONLY IN VIETNAM. TOGETHER WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WE HAVE HELD TWO ROUNDS OF TALKS WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS THE REPATRIATION OF THESE PEOPLE. WE HAVE AGREED ON THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS TO COVER ALL THOSE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES.
WE ARE NOW PRESSING THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES TO FINALISE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPATRIATION OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY ASKED TO RETURN TO VIETNAM. UNHCR ARE CLOSELY INVOLVED AND HAVE REACHED THEIR OWN AGREEMENT WITH THE VIETNAMESE ON THE HUMANITARIAN TREATMENT OF THOSE WHO RETURN. THOUGH WE DO NOT YET HAVE A DATE I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS WILL GO BACK SOON.
I AM VERY CONSCIOUS THAT THE PRESENCE OF SO MANY VIETNAMESE HERE IMPOSES FINANCIAL AS WELL AS OTHER BURDENS. IN THAT CONTEXT I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THREE NEW STEPS WHICH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS TAKING.
FIRSTLY, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS PLEDGING A FURTHER 1 MILLION POUNDS TO UNHCR, SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR THEIR OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG. THAT IS OF COURSE IN ADDITION TO THE 1 MILLION POUNDS WHICH WE ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
SECONDLY, IN RESPONSE TO UNHCR’S RECENT APPEAL, HMG IS PLEDGING 125,000 US DOLLARS - THAT’S ABOUT 1 MILLION HK DOLLARS - TOWARDS THE BUDGET FOR UNHCR’S REPATRIATION PROGRAMME WHICH IS DUE TO START SHORTLY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING MAKING AN APPROPRIATE CONTRIBUTION.
THIRDLY, TRAINING, PARTICULARLY LANGUAGE TRAINING, IS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE ABILITY OF REFUGEES TO ADAPT TO THEIR NEW LIVES IN THE WEST AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN RESETTLED. WITH THIS IN MIND, WE ARE MAKING A DONATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING EQUIPMENT WORTH 2,500 POUNDS FOR THE USE OF REFUGEES IN HONG KONG AWAITING RESETTLEMENT.
THESE ARE CONCRETE, PRACTICAL MEASURES.
FINALLY, LET ME SAY THAT WE ARE PLAYING OUR FULL PART IN THE PREPARATIONS FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN THE REGION AS A WHOLE. IF ALL GOES WELL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER THIS YEAR, AND WE SHALL BE PRESSING HONG KONG’S INTERESTS VERY HARD. AND WE ARE PLAYING OUR PART, NOT LEAST TO RESOLVE THE CAMBODIAN ISSUE WHICH IS CLOSELY BOUND UP WITH THE WHOLE PROBLEM.
/I HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
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I HAVE DEVOTED SO MUCH TIME TO THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT IMPORTANCE AND THE CONCERN EXPRESSED TO ME ABOUT IT. BUT OF COURSE I HAVE DISCUSSED OTHER ISSUES, NOT LEAST THE VITAL QUESTION OF THE BASIC LAW, NOW UNDER DISCUSSION AT A PLENARY MEETING OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE IN CANTON. I WILL MAKE ONLY TWO POINTS. FIRSTLY, I HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE WAY IN WHICH THE DRAFTERS HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE FIRST DRAFT. SECOND, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL STUDY THE NEXT DRAFT VERY CAREFULLY AND, AS WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO, WILL WISH TO SATISFY OURSELVES THAT IT DOES REFLECT THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
I SEE IT AS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO REMAIN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG. VISITS SUCH AS THIS ONE ARE EXTREMELY USEFUL. I ALWAYS WELCOME THE CHANCE TO HEAR A WIDE RANGE OF VIEWS: THIS I HAVE CERTAINLY DONE OVER THE PAST FIVE DAYS.
MAGGIE NELSON (RTHK): COULD YOU ELABORATE ON THE VIGOROUS DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, IT IS PRECISELY WHAT I SAID IT IS. WE HAVE OF COURSE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, EXPLAINING THE PROPOSAL THAT WE HAVE PUT AND WE ARE NOW COLLECTING THEIR RESPONSES. OF COURSE WE HAVE ONLY HAD INITIAL RESPONSES SO FAR AS I SAID IN THE STATEMENT. THEY WILL, OF COURSE, BE LOOKING AT THE PROBLEMS, LOOKING AT THE ISSUE THEMSELVES.
MAGGIE NELSON: AND WERE YOU ENCOURAGED BY THE INITIAL RESPONSE?
LORD GLENARTHUR: YES, I WAS ENCOURAGED.
MAGGIE NELSON: BUT WHY?
LORD GLENARTHUR: BECAUSE THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSES ARE ENCOURAGING BECAUSE NOBODY HAS RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY. THERE ARE SOME POSITIVE SIGNS. RATHER THAN •? ING ' NTO THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF DIPLOMATIC PROCEDURES, IT I' A POSITIVE 1GN AND AN ENCOURAGING ONE.
CHAN CHEUK-HAY (TVB): MAA I ASK IN CHINESE
LORD GLENARTHUR: YES.
CHAN CHEUK-HAY (QUESTION ASKED IN CANTONESE): LORD GLENARTHUR, YOU SAID YESTERDAY THAT THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM. BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, HONG KONG’S VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM IS CREATED BY P.l? TAIN’S POLICY. IN 1979, BRITAIN ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG MADE A COMMITMENT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAM! , BRITAIN ALJ IKED
HONG KONG TO ADOPT A SCREENING l'('i ICY. WAS BRITAIN PREPARED TO SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITES WHEN DECIDING ON SUCH POLICIES? IS UK PREPARED TO ACCEPT ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE WHEN UK WITHDRAWS FROM HONG KONG IN 1997?
/LORD GLENARTHUR: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
LORD GLENARTHUR: I SAID IT WAS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM BECAUSE SO MUCH OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD AND THE EFFECT THAT SOUTHEAST ASIA’S DIFFICULTIES HAVE HAD UPON IT MUST BE INTERNATIONAL. IT IS ALL VERY WELL LOOKING BACK TO 1979 BUT I DON’T THINK THAT ANY OF US COULD POSSIBLY HAVE FORETOLD THAT THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE LEADING TO SUCH AN OUTFLOW OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, BOAT PEOPLE, FROM THAT PART OF THE WORLD WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED AS IT HAS. WE INTRODUCED THE CHANGE OF POLICY IN JUNE LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE ARE CAUSING HONG KONG, AND OF COURSE ONE CANNOT BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN IN ADVANCE OF CONSEQUENCES THAT MIGHT FLOW FROM AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION THAT DEVELOPS AS TIME GOES BY. THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN PROMOTING THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN IN THE PAST TO TAKE RESETTLEMENT CASES. WE HAVE PLAYED A PART OURSELVES. I HAVE GIVEN YOU JUST NOW DETAILS OF WHAT WE HOPE TO DO IN THE FUTURE. WE DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, YES, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS A STRAIGHT BRITISH PROBLEM. IT IS ESSENTIALLY ONE WHICH DOES INVOLVE THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED BY THOSE INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES WHO HAVE ACTUALLY TAKEN RESETTLEMENT CASES.
CHAN CHEUK-HAY: MAY I ASK IN CHINESE AGAIN?
LORD GLENARTHUR: YES, HOLD ON.
CHAN CHEUK-HAY (QUESTION ASKED IN CANTONESE): BUT THE SCREENING POLICY WILL ALSO EXONERATE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE SIGNED THE 1979 AGREEMENT ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM ACCEPTING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES. HOW CAN BRITISH GOVERNMENT CONVINCE HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT EFFORTS BY BRITAIN WOULD BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM COMPLETELY BEFORE 1997? THAT IS, ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WOULD BE REMOVED FROM HONG KONG WITHOUT INCURRING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY AND NO GRADUAL INTEGRATION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES INTO THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY. COULD YOU MAKE A GUARANTEE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT BRITAIN WILL DEFINITELY BE ABLE TO REMOVE ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES BEFORE 1997?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WE HAVE TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO TRY AND ACHIEVE THE RESETTLEMENT OF THESE PEOPLE. IN ANY CASE, 1997 IS A POINT IN THE FUTURE AND IS REALLY IRRELEVANT TO THIS PARTICULAR DISCUSSION. THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN THAT HAS BEEN MOUNTED IS IMPORTANT. IT HAS ALREADY BORNE FRUIT IN THE PAST. I SEE NO REASON WHY THE NEW ONE WHICH WE HAVF STARTED SHOULD NOT DO SIMILARLY, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING TO ACHIEVE. BUT THE OTHER ASPECT OF IT IS THAT THOSE WHO COME TO HONG KONG AND ARE SCREENED OUT AS NOT BEING THE CORRECT -- NOT BEING REFUGEES UNDER THE DEFINITION, THE INTERNATIONALLY UNDERSTOOD DEFINITION, THEIR FUTURE LIES IN VIETNAM ULTIMATELY. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE MADE PLAIN IN THE STATEMENT. THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR THEM HERE, OTHER THAN IN THE MEANTIME THE POSSIBILITY, THE FACT THAT THE! WILL BE LOCKED UP UNTIL THEY CAN GO HOME.
/CHAN BO SHUN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 5 -
CHAN BO SHUN (HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL): I WOULD LIKE TO ASK BECAUSE SOME DEMOCRATS IN HONG KONG ARE ASKING FOR A REFERENDUM IN HONG KONG BEFORE 1997 TO DETERMINE THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE SAR. AND IN UK’S VIEW DO YOU THINK IT IS AN APPROPRIATE SUGGESTION?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, IT IS AN ISSUE WHICH IS REALLY UP TO THE BASIC LAW DRAFTERS TO DECIDE THE FORM OF CONSIDERATION THAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE ON THE SECOND DRAFT. I MEAN, IT IS A LIVE ISSUE AT THE MOMENT. IT HAS TO BE LOOKED AT BY THOSE CONCERNED BUT IT IS CLEARLY A FACT THAT THE MORE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO REACH A CLEAR VIEW ON THE WAY FORWARD, THE EASIER IT IS GOING TO BE FOR THE DRAFTERS TO TAKE THOSE VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT.
JOHN ELLIOT (FINANCIAL TIMES): WHICH OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE YOU APPROACHED ABOUT TAKING REFUGEES AND WHAT LEVEL OF RESPONSE DO YOU REQUIRE FROM THEM IN ORDER TO TRIGGER THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S WILLINGNESS TO TAKE THE THOUSAND?
LORD GLENARTHUR: ALL THE MAIN RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN APPROACHED. YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT A LIST OF THOSE THAT HAVE SO FAR TAKEN RESETTLEMENT CASES TO KNOW WHO THOSE ARE. THE LEVEL OF APPROACH WE HAVE TO JUDGE IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESPONSES THAT WE GET. AS I SAID, THE INITIAL RESPONSES ARE ENCOURAGING. WE HAVE ACTUALLY NOW GOT TO SEE MEAT BEING PUT ON THE BONES OF THOSE RESPONSES BEFORE WE CAN JUDGE.
JOHN ELLIOT: BUT YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA, IF YOU HAVE SAID YOU WILL DO SOMETHING ON CONDITION OF SOMEBODY ELSE DOING SOMETHING ELSE, YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT YOU EXPECT THOSE PEOPLE TO DO?
LORD GLENARTHUR: I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE WILL BE A SATISFACTORY ONE. WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THAT RESPONSE IS. BEYOND THAT I CAN’T GO.
STEVE VINES (OBSERVER): CAN I ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR REMARKS ON THE BASIC LAW. YOU SAY YOU WILL BE LOOKING AT THE SECOND DRAFT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT COMPLIES WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION. HAVING SEEN THE FIRST DRAFT, WERE THERE ANY ELEMENTS IN THE FIRST DRAFT THAT YOU FELT DIDN'T COMPLY WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WERE THOSE ISSUES RAISED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: I THINK THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ARE WELL AWARE OF THE CONCERN THAT WAS EXPRESSED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FORA FROM HONG KONG PARTTCULARI.Y ON THE PERCEIVED INADEQUACIES OF THE BASIC LAW. INDEED FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN PARLIAMENT WHERE WE HAD A DEBATE ON IT IN THE LORDS, AND INDEED THERE WAS ONE IN THE COMMONS AS WELL, A NUMBER OF CASES WHERE, A NUMBER OF ISSUES WERE RAISED THERE, AND I AM QUITE CERTAIN THAT DUE NOTE WAS TAKEN OF THEM BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. WE NOW HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE NEW DRAFT PRODUCES. I AM QUITE CERTAIN THAT THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF SATISFACTORY CHANGES THERE.
/STEVE VINES:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
6
STEVE VINES: CAN I JUST ASK YOU THE SPECIFIC QUESTION AGAIN. DID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT RAISE ITEMS OF CONCERN TO HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. THE SECRETARY OF STATE NATURALLY SPEAKS TO HIS OPPOSITE NUMBER. THE GOVERNOR HERE HAS MET SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS IN PEKING. I HAVE RAISED THE MATTER PERSONALLY WITH MY CHINESE OPPOSITE NUMBER, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT A NUMBER OF POINTS ARE PUT ACROSS.
AGNES LAM (SCMP): I HAVE GOT TWO QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE. THE FIRST ONE IS, LORD GLENARTHUR, YOU SAID IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON JANUARY 20, 1986 THAT THE WHOLE AIM OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WAS TO PROVIDE A SECURE FUTURE FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG, ONE IN WHICH THEY CAN FEEL CONFIDENT AND CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE AND PROSPER, AND THE AGREEMENT GUARANTEES THAT. IT IS QUITE CLEAR NOW THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE DON’T SEE THAT AND THEY WANT TO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE RIGHT OF ABODE. THIS WAS SHOWN BY THE FACT THAT ABOUT 45,000 PEOPLE EMIGRATED LAST YEAR. SO MY QUESTION IS: DOES BRITAIN FEEL SUFFICIENTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TERRITORY'S BRAIN DRAIN PROBLEM AND TO RECONSIDER ITS POLICY ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND FOLLOWS THE EXAMPLE OF PORTUGAL WHICH WILL EXTEND CITIZENSHIP TO THE PEOPLE OF MACAU?
LORD GLENARTHUR: THANK YOU. THE QUESTION OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG IS OF COURSE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND I STAND BY PRECISELY WHAT I SAID IN 1986. INDEED I THINK THAT THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY ENCOURAGING ASPECTS OF THE WAY THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE APPROACHED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THEIR HALF OF THE' SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION IS A VERY POSITIVE SIGN INDEED. NOW I KNOW THAT THE QUESTION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION RULES AND THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT IS ONE THAT HAS CAUSED A CERTAIN AMOl/NT OF CONCERN. I DON’T THINK IT IS WORTH GOING OVER THE OLD GROUND ALL OVER AGAIN, NOR DO I THINK THAT IT IS REALLY CORRECT TO COMPARE, AS YOUR QUESTION IMPLIES, WHAT THE UNITED KINGDOM DOES ON THAT ASPECT WITH THE PORTUGUESE PASSPORT ISSUE. BRITAIN AND PORTUGAL HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT HISTORY. THEY HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT CONSTITUTIONAL EVOLUTION AND ONE RESULT IS THAT BRITISH AND PORTUGUESE NATIONALITY LAWS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. OF COURSE I KNOW HOW STRONGLY HONG KONG PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE WHOLE NATIONALITY QUESTION BUT AS I HAVE SAID IT HAS BEEN MUCH DEBATED AND I REALLY DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY POINT IN GOING OVER THE OLD GROUND AGAIN.
AGNES LAM: MY SECOND QUESTION IS THAT TALKING ABOUT THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT, SECTION 4(5) ENABLES THE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT AUTOMATIC CITIZENSHIP TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO HAVE FAITHFULLY SERVED THE CROWN AND THIS IS RESTRICTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND DISCIPLINARY SERVICES, AND ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT IN OUR PAPER PUBLISHED LAST WEEK IT SHOWS THAT ONLY 54 OF THE APPLICANTS WERE GRANTED THEIR CITIZENSHIP AND ALL BUT 8 WERE EX-SERVICES. AND WHAT I AM ASKING IS COULD BRITAIN BE MORE GENEROUS AS 1997 IS COMING AND EXTEND THIS PRIVILEGE TO OTHER CIVIL SERVANTS OR EVEN THE HONG KONG PUBLIC AS A WHOLE?
/LORD GLENARTHUR.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 198?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, SECTION 4(5) OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXPLAINED TO THOSE CONCERNED AS BEING ONE AT WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL CASES WOULD BE LOOKED AT ON THEIR MERITS AND I MADE IT PLAIN IN 1986 THAT IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED THAT DISCRETIONARY FLEXIBILITY SHOULD BE USED VERY SPARINGLY AND THE CRITERION IS ONE OF HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE AND THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL CASES ON THEIR OWN MERITS. IT DOESN’T MEAN TO SAY WE UNDER-VALUE IN ANY SENSE THOSE WHO DON’T OR AREN’T IN THE END SUCCESSFUL. BUT IT IS ONE OF INDIVIDUAL CASES.
TOM MCMULLAN (PRESS ASSOCIATION, UK): CAN I TAKE YOU BACK TO THE ISSUE OF MACAU. ARE YOU ACTUALLY SAYING THAT IT IS REASONABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MACAU TO BE ABLE TO ENTER THE UNITED KINGDOM MORE EASILY THAN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND IF NOT WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO ABOUT IT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: I AM SAYING THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF HISTORY BETWEEN THE WAY THAT MACAU AND THE PORTUGUESE HAVE DEVELOPED AND THE WAY THAT HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE DEVELOPED AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THOSE DIFFERENCES REMAIN AND THAT THERE IS --I REALLY SEE NO PROSPECT OF FURTHER CHANGES IN THE BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW TO ALLOW HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BRITISH NATIONALITY THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
TOM MCMULLAN: DO YOU THINK THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MIGHT TAKE THIS UP WITHIN THE EEC, OR NOT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, IT IS SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY I SHALL NEED TO LOOK AT IN SOME DETAIL WHEN I GET BACK HOME. IT HAS CROPPED UP IN A PARTICULARLY LIVE WAY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS SINCE I HAVE BEEN AWAY. IT IS A MATTER THAT AFFECTS OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS THE FOREIGN OFFICE, BUT I SHALL HAVE TO TALK TO OTHERS WHEN I GET HOME.
TOM MCMULLAN: HAVE YOU ANY CONCERN, OR NOT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, THERE ARE PLENTY OF THINGS IN LIFE WHICH GIVE ONE CONCERN, BUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT IS A MATTER WHICH I CAN’T SAY ANY MORE ABOUT NOW.
DAVID SCHLESINGER (REUTERS): 1 WOULD LIKE TO JUST CONTINUE WITH THIS. YOU STRESSED THAT BRITAIN AND PORTUGAL HAVE DIFFERENT HISTORIES BUT THE POINT IS THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE, AND ESPECIALLY AFTER 1992 (INAUDIBLE) FALLING ALL OVER EUROPE; ISN’T IT RATHER STRANGE FROM THE BRITISH POINT OF VIEW THAT PEOPLE IN MACAU SHOULD HAVE SUCH DIFFERENT RIGHTS IN EUROPE AS PEOPLE IN HONG KONG?
LORI) GLENARTHUR: WELL AT FACE VALUE THAT MAY APPEAR TO BE THE CASE.
/DAVID SCHLESINGER: ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
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DAVID SCHLESINGER: COULD YOU PUT IT ANOTHER WAY?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, THERE ARE SOME FAIRLY FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES TO MAKE. ONE IS FRANKLY THE QUESTION OF NUMBERS. THERE ARE ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED IN MACAU AS I UNDERSTAND IT AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THREE OR SO MILLION HERE. SO THERE IS A PRACTICAL SIDE OF IT. THERE ARE A WHOLE DIFFERENT, A RANGE OF DIFFERENT ISSUES WHICH ARE CONCERNED HERE. I HAVE SAID THAT I DO NOT SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER CHANGES IN BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW TO REFLECT THAT BUT AS I HAVE ALSO SAID, SOMETHING WHICH I HAVE GOT TO LOOK AT AND I WILL DO WHEN 1 GET BACK.
WONG SAU-YING (AFP) (QUESTION ASKED IN CANTONESE): I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO THE VR PROBLEM. YOU HAVE ASSURED US OF THE UK GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO THIS PROBLEM. YOU SAY THAT IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS, YOU INCREASE YOUR INTAKE BY ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE. BUT IF OTHER COUNTRIES DO NOT INCREASE INTAKE SIGNIFICANTLY, WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT STEP TAKEN BY THE UK GOVERNMENT0
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, AS I HAVE SAID, I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT OTHER COUNTRIES WILL RESPOND. LET'S NOT CROSS HURDLES BEFORE WE ACTUALLY GET TO THEM. THE FACT IS THAT WE HAVE MOUNTED THIS VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN. OTHER CAMPAIGNS IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, AND THE LEVERAGE THAT OUR RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT MADE WILL, I AM SURE, PROVIDE THE RIGHT SORT OF RESPONSE.
JULIE MAPLESTON (ATV): LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT BRITAIN SHOULD PROPOSE A THREE YEAR PLAN TO SOLVE THE WHOLE REFUGEE PROBLEM. IS THAT UNREALISTIC AND HAVE YOU DISCUSSED IT WITH THEM?
LORD GLENARTHUR: IT WAS CERTAINLY MENTIONED. WHETHER OR NOT IT IS REALISTIC DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE PROGRESS THAT IS MADE ACROSS THE BOARD. PART OF THE ISSUE IS RESETTLEMENT. PART OF IT IS THE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO TRY AND SOLVE THE VIETNAM PROBLEM, ALLIED WITH CAMBODIA AND EVERYTHING ELSE. RESETTLEMENT, REPATRIATION, THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL DIMENSION OF THE PROBLEMS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ALL PLAY THEIR PART, SO ONE CAN’T SAY WITH CERTAINTY THAT IT IS REALISTIC BUT ON THE OTHER HAND I’D HOPE THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE VERY RAPID PROGRESS.
SERENA CHOI (EXPRESS): YOU SAID THE DIFFERENCE OF MACAU AND HONG KONG IS THE NUMBER. DO YOU MEAN THAT IF THE BRITISH ISSUE THE BRITISH PASSPORT TO HONG KONG, YOU MEAN THE HONG KONG PEOPLE, YOU ARE AFRAID THE HONG KONG PEOPLE ALL GO TO BRITAIN, SO YOUR COUNTRY DON’T ISSUE THE BRITISH PASSPORT TO HONG KONG, SO DO YOU, WERE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT, THEY ISSUED THE EC COUNTRY PASSPORT TO MACAU. YOU DON’T HAVE CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE?
/LORD GLENARTHUR: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
LORD GLENARTHUR: IT'S ONE ELEMENT IN IT, YES. THE CONCERN THAT’S EXPRESSED REALLY IS ONE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ENTER THE UNITED KINGDOM MORE EASILY BECAUSE OF THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, FROM MACAU, THEN IS IT NOT UNFAIR ON THOSE FROM HONG KONG? THE ANSWER IS THAT I DON'T THINK IT IS REASONABLE THAT THAT SHOULD BE THE CASE. THE IMPORTANT PROBLEM AND THE DIFFICULTY, IS WHAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO ABOUT IT, AND THAT IS WHAT HAS GOT TO BE LOOKED AT IF YOU TRY TO TAKE THIS SORT OF THING FORWARD, AND IT MAY WELL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT DOES AT FACE VALUE SEEM UNFAIR. BUT THAT’S THE WORLD WE ARE IN. HAVING SAID THAT WE MUST | OBVIOUSLY LOOK TO SEE WHAT.........
SERENA CHOI: REGARDING THE BRITISH PASSPORT FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, THEY MAY NOT ALL GO TO BRITAIN, IF YOU JUST GIVE A PASSPORT, YOU WILL GIVE CONFIDENCE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE. DO YOU THINK THAT PORTUGAL IS MORE FAIR TO MACAU PEOPLE THAN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, THAT MAY BE A POINT OF VIEW, BUT THE FACT IS THAT IT IS DIFFERENCES IN THE PAST WHICH LEAD TO THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE NOW AT. YOU SAY IT IS UNFAIR THAT THAT SHOULD BE THE CASE. WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME AND THAT YOU HAVE MADE CLEAR, BUT I DO SEE REAL PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN TRYING TO MEET THE CONCERNS THAT YOU EXPRESSED.
SERENA CHOI: WHAT DIFFICULT SITUATION?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL 1 THINK THAT IF YOU READ ALL THE DEBATES THAT TOOK PLACE IN PARLIAMENT AND THE DISCUSSIONS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN A WIDE RANGE OF COUNTRIES ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT, IN 1986, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BE BROUGHT UP TO THE POSITION THEN ON PRECISELY WHAT VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED.
YOJANA SHARMA (DAILY TELEGRAPH): GOING BACK TO YOUR OWN COMMENTS ON THE PORTUGUESE NATIONALITY AND THE RESPONSE TO A HISTORICAL PROBLEM, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO, ARE YOU THEN SAYING THAT NUMBERS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN HISTORICAL OBLIGATION?
LORD GLENARTHUR: NO, I......
YOJARA SHARMA: TO HONG KONG PEOPLE, PERHAPS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER IT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: NO, OF COURSE NOT. THAT IS A THOROUGH TWIST OF WHAT 1 SAID. AND WELL YOU KNOW IT. THE FACT IS THAT NUMBERS MUST BE PART OF CONSIDERATION, THERE ARE HISTORICAL PATTERNS WHICH HAVE EVOLVED BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES, THAT IS TO SAY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAU AND PORTUGAL OVER THE YEARS, WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE THAT EXIST BETWEEN AND HAVE EVOLVED BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG. THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CAME INTO BEING AND AS A RESULT THERE HAVE BEEN CERTAIN CHANGES. NOW WHETHER IT IS POSSIBLE TO MEET THE CONCERNS THAT ARE EXPRESSED, 1 DON’T KNOW, BUT AS 1 HAVE SAID THAT IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING I WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT.
/JOHN ELLIOT .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
10
JOHN ELLIOT (FINANCIAL TIMES): ARE YOU SAYING NUMBERS ARE A FACTOR, OR ARE NOT A FACTOR?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL OF COURSE NUMBERS EXIST, YOU CAN’T GET AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 100,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED, ROUGHLY, IN MACAU, AND IT IS IN EXCESS OF 3 MILLION HERE.
YOJARA SHARMA: BUT THE POPULATION OF PORTUGAL IS SMALLER THAN THE POPULATION OF BRITAIN, AND IT’S A SMALLER COUNTRY, AND A POORER COUNTRY.
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, YES, YOU POINT AT A PROBLEM WHICH IS DIFFERENT IN ITS DIMENSIONS WITHIN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
MAGGIE NELSON (RTHK): CAN I HAVE YOUR RESPONSE TO THE MOUNTING PRESSURE TO GIVE FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TO THE WIVES OF EX-SERVICEMEN?
LORD GLENARTHUR: YES, THIS WAS A POINT THAT WAS RAISED WITH ME LAST NIGHT, AND WHAT I HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO DO IS TO LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT THE INDIVIDUAL CASES, AND I EXPECT OMELCO NOW TO SUBMIT DETAILS AND DOSSIERS OF THOSE CASES AND I WILL HAVE THEM LOOKED AT STRAIGHT AWAY.
TOM MCMULLAN (PRESS ASSOCIATION): TO CLARIFY ONE OF YOUR EARLIER ANSWERS WHEN YOU MENTIONED 100,000 AGAINST 3 MILLION, WHY DID YOU ACTUALLY MENTION 3 MILLION? DO YOU THINK THAT 3 MILLION PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO COME TO BRITAIN?
LORD GLENARTHUR: I DIDN’T MENTION IT BECAUSE I THINK 3 MILLION COULD, IT’S THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO, THEY’VE GOT BRITISH NATIONALITY, THAT’S ALL, THAT’S THE RATIO.
TOM MCMULLAN: AND HOW MANY DO YOU THINK MIGHT COME IF THE OFFER WERE OPEN TO THEM?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL I'M NOT OPEN TO MAKE ANY CALCULATIONS OF THAT SORT AT ALL. WHAT I’M PREPARED TO SAY IS THAT I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT ALL THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO IMPLEMENT THE SINO-BRIT1SH JOINT DECLARATION, IS BEING CARRIED FORWARD IN DISCUSSIONS NOW WITH THE CHINESE, THAT THE NEED WOULD NOT ARISE IN ANY CASE.
STEVE VINES (OBSERVER): LORD GLENARTHUR, CAN I ASK YOU FROM IMMIGRATION FROM A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW. AS YOU KNOW THE KNOW THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT WHICH IS THE, OR RATHER AUSTRALIA, WHICH IS THE SECOND LARGEST RECIPIENT OF HONG KONG IMMIGRANTS, IS SUFFICIENTLY CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DOWNTURN IN IMMIGRATION FROM HONG KONG AND INVESTMENT FROM HONG KONG TO BE SENDING A GOVERNMENT MINISTER HERE TO REASSURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THEY WILL BE WELCOME IN AUSTRALIA. BRITAIN I THINK IS THE FOURTH, AND THE FOURTH BY A VERY LONG MARGIN AWAY FROM THE UNITED STATES AS THE THIRD POSITION RECIPIENT OF HONG KONG IMMIGRANTS; DO YOU THINK BRITAIN IS MISSING OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES BY HAVING SO FEW IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG, AND SO LITTLE INVESTMENT COMING IN FROM THIS PLACE?
/LORD GLENARTHUR: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
11
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL I THINK THERE ARE TWO QUESTIONS, INVESTMENT ON THE ONE HAND AND IMMIGRATION, SORRY, HAVE I GOT YOUR QUESTION ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT........?
STEVE VINES: I AM WONDERING WHETHER BRITAIN IS LOSING OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES WHICH OTHER COUNTRIES SEEM VERY ANXIOUS TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF, FROM HONG KONG IMMIGRATION AND THE INVESTMENT THAT IT BRINGS WITH IT, IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL I THINK THAT IT’S QUITE UNDERSTANDABLE THAT WE SHOULD BE IN THE POSITION THAT WE ARE AT; I MEAN WE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN SAY THAT WE ARE MISSING OUT, I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU REALLY QUALIFY THAT; I MEAN THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE ALL OVER THE PLACE WHO MAY FIND IT ATTRACTIVE AND USEFUL TO COME TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL DO DEPENDS ON A WHOLE RANGE OF DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF RESETTLEMENT, THEN IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH AS SOME OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, BUT THE OVERALL EFFECT IS THAT WE ARE KEEN TO ACHIEVE RESETTLEMENT FOR PEOPLE AS NECESSARY WHEREVER IT MAY BE, INCLUDING OUR OWN COMMITMENT.
STEVE VINES: COULD I PUT THE QUESTION TO YOU ANOTHER WAY ROUND THEN? DO YOU THINK THAT IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG WOULD HAVE A USEFUL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM? THIS SEEMS TO BE THE ATTITUDE THAT OTHER GOVERNMENTS ARE TAKING AND THEY SEEM TO BE VERY KEEN IN FACT TO HAVE IMMIGRANTS FROM THIS PLACE.
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO COULD PLAY A USEFUL ROLE I DARE SAY, BUT I THINK IT’S ALSO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE REMAIN IN HONG KONG BECAUSE THEY HAVE A FUTURE HERE AS WELL, AND THAT HAS BEEN MADE PERFECTLY CLEAR THROUGHOUT.
SANDY LI CHAU-WA (SING TAO JIH PAO): I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ONE QUESTION ABOUT TAIWAN BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE UK INTENDS TO ORGANISE 10 ECONOMIC TOURS TO TAIWAN THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE CLOSE TIES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BUT SUCH RAPID DEVELOPMENT CAN’T BE SEEN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. IS IT THE RIGHT TIME FOR UK GOVERNMENT TO THINK THAT IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO SHIFT THE HONG KONG BASE TO TAIWAN?
LORD GLENARTHUR: I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHAT LIES BEHIND YOUR QUESTION.
SANDY LI: IT IS PUBLISHED FROM THE NEWSPAPER.
LORD GLENARTHUR: COULD YOU SAY IT AGAIN? I AM AFRAID IT WAS VERY INDISTINCT. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT POINT YOU WERE DRIVING AT.
SANDY LI: THE UK INTENDS TO ORGANISE 10 ECONOMIC TOURS TO TAIWAN ....
/LORD GLENARTHUR: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
- 12
LORD GLENARTHUR: PROMOTION OF TRADE WITH TAIWAN, IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE DRIVING AT? PROMOTION OF TRADE, YES. I MEAN, THERE IS SCOPE I THINK FOR INCREASING OUR TRADE LINKS WITH TAIWAN. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROPOSALS. IT IS QUITE INTERESTING TO NOTE, TOO, THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN ECONOMIC TRADE ACTIVITY BETWEEN MAINLAND CHINA AND TAIWAN.
SANDY LI: TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENT HASN’T BEEN SEEN IN THE PAST YEARS.
LORD GLENARTHUR: RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN...?
SANDY LI: PAST FEW YEARS.
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, THERE HAS BEEN RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN TAIWAN. THERE IS ALSO THE NEED TO TRY AND BUILD UP THE LINKS BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND TAIWAN ON A TRADE BASIS AND WE ARE CONTINUALLY LOOKING AT WAYS OF IMPROVING THAT.
AGNES LAM (SCMP): ABOUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT, RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG TRUST WHICH IS AIMED TO FOSTER THE LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND BRITISH BUSINESSMEN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WILL BE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE TRUST AND DO YOU FEEL THAT HONG KONG, I MEAN LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, ARK SUFFICIENTLY AWARE OF THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN UK?
LORD GLENARTHUR: I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. IT IS ESSENTIALLY A PRIVATE VENTURE, AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE GIVEN IT OUR BLESSING SO FAR AS ITS EXPRESS PURPOSE OF IMPROVING TWO-WAY TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG IS CONCERNED. LORD YOUNG AND I ARE GOING TO HOST A DINNER, AN INAUGURAL DINNER, ON MARCH 21 I THINK, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL FLOURISH. I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA.
AGNES LAM: BUT WHAT WILL THE BRITISH COMMITMENT ON THE TRUST BE?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, IT HASN’T EVEN REALLY HAPPENED YET. IT IS STILL IN ITS FORMATION. IT IS A PRIVATE VENTURE. I MEAN OUR COMMITMENT IS TO SUPPORT IT SO FAR AS WE CAN TELL IT IS GOING TO DEVELOP. 1 MEAN IT IS ALL PART OF A MEANS OF TRYING TO DEVELOP THE MUTUAL, THE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC IN TRADE AND INVESTMENT. SO OUR COMMITMENT IS AS WHOLEHEARTED AS 1 HAVE DESCRIBED IT.
AGNES LAM: MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THE AWARENESS OF LOCAL BUSINESSMEN.
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE VERY KEEN TO TRY AND INCREASE, AWARENESS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES HERE FOR BRITISH FIRMS TO COME. IT IS SOMETHING WHICH LORD YOUNG AND I HAVE BOTH CONCENTRATED ON IN THE PAST AND THERE IS A TWO-WAY SIDE TO IT. WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE COMPANIES THAT ARE BASED HERE TO SET UP THE OTHER WAY, AND SO ON.
/MAGGIE NELSON (RTHK): ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
MAGGIE NELSON (RTHK): COULD I JUST GO BACK TO BRITAIN’S CONDITIONAL OFFER TO ACCEPT ANOTHER THOUSAND IF OTHER COUNTRIES TAKE MORE. WHY WOULD YOU NOT SAY HOW MANY MORE OTHER COUNTRIES WILL HAVE TO TAKE?
LORD GLENARTHUR: BECAUSE WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE REACTION IS, WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE DEEPER REACTION IS TO THE INITIAL RESPONSES WHICH WE HAVE SO FAR RECEIVED AND UNTIL WE GET THAT I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO SAY.
MAGGIE NELSON: BUT IF YOU DON’T SAY, HOW DO PEOPLE THEN KNOW THAT YOU CARRIED OUT WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, WON’T YOU.
AGNES LAM: WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THE RESULT?
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, I HOPE THAT IT WON’T BE TOO LONG. I CAN’T SAY PRECISELY WHEN BUT IT IS SOMETHING WHICH WE REGARD AS EXCEEDINGLY IMPORTANT. THAT IS WHY THE CAMPAIGN IS BEING TAKEN FORWARD IN THE VIGOROUS WAY THAT IT IS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GROWING DEMAND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION : GOVERNOR .................. 1
SFC BILL TO BE PUBLISHED......................................... 2
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS BEGINS TOMORROW 6
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED ................. 8
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, PURCHASES FOR 3RD QUARTER ........................................................ 16
FLAT TRANSACTIONS RISE BY 21.2 PER CENT ...................... 19
INCREASE IN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS ......... 21
FUNDS APPROVED FOR PROVISION OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS ............. 23
PROFESSIONALS, BUSINESSMEN URGED TO HELP ENVIRONMENT ........... 24
HOLIDAY TRAVELLERS URGED TO GET DOCUMENTS EfiRLY................ 25
CIVIC EDUCATION SURVEY RESULTS ANNOUNCED ....................... 26
JOINT SCHOOL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ANTI-DRUG EDUCATION ......... 27
BOE MEMBERS VISIT RESOURCE TEACHING CENTRE ..................... 28
ELDERLY /ND CYCLISTS TARGETS OF ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ........... 30
ANTI-SHOPTHEFT TELEMATCH IN SHAM SHUT PO........................ 30
ISLANDS DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS YOUTH ACTIVITIES ............... 31
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR GAMES CENTRES 32
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE .......... 33
NEW TERRITORIES LOT TO LET BY TENDER ........................... 35
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND..................... 54
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES ........................................ 55
PARTIAL CLOCBRE OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND................... 35
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
GROWING DEMAND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION t « * * *
GOVERNOR
HONG KONG NEEDS TO PRODUCE MORE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY’S INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES DURING THE NEXT DECADE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY)
THESE GRADUATES MUST ALSO BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG IN THE 21ST CENTURY, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LADY SHAW BUILDING OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WAS EXPANDING TODAY AS NEVER BEFORE — AND IT WAS MORE IN DEMAND THAN EVER.
HE NOTED THAT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WAS RESPONDING TO THESE DEMANDS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, SUCH AS DEVELOPING NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES IN ENGINEERING, STRENGTHENING ITS RESEARCH CAPABILITY AND PLACING INCREASING EMPHASIS ON HIGH-TECHNOLOGY.
’’BUT INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT ENOUGH,” SIR DAVID SAID, ’’UNIVERSITIES ALSO NEED TO ESTABLISH AND SUSTAIN CONTACTS WITH THE WORLD OUTSIDE, TO FACILITATE THE INTERCHANGE OF IDEAS.
’’IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT THIS UNIVERSITY HAS AMBITIOUS PLANS TO ESTABLISH INSTITUTES WHICH WILL SERVE AS BRIDGES BETWEEN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE REST OF THE ACADEMIC WORLD, THE FIRST OF THESE BEING THE PROPOSED INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY."
SIR DAVID PAID SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SIR RUN RUN SHAW FOR HIS DONATIONS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE ARTS, AND TO MANY INSTITUTIONS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
’’SIR RUN RUN HAS ALWAYS DONATED MORE THAN JUST HIS WEALTH. HE HAS GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF HIS TIME AND ENERGY TO CHARITABLE CONCERNS AND PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY,” SIR DAVID NOTED.
’’THE NEW LADY SHAW BUILDING IS AN EXCELLENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY IN PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR THE UNIVERSITY’S EXPANDING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES.”
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12,
1989
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SFC BILL TO BE PUBLISHED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAVE ACCORDED TOP PRIORITY TO THE PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION TO BRING THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) INTO EARLY EXISTENCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE SFC BILL, MR JACOBS STRESSED THAT THE COMMISSION’S EARLY ESTABLISHMENT WAS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM IN IMPLEMENTING THE REFORM PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE (SRC) LAST JUNE.
HE EXPRESSED HIS THANKS TO THE TWO EXCHANGES FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS THEY HAD MADE IN RECONSTITUTING THEMSELVES AND STRENGTHENING THEIR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES AS EFFECTIVE SELF-REGULATORY ORGANISATIONS.
"OUR AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG FULLY MEASURES UP TO THE STANDARDS REQUIRED OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES SO THAT WE CONTINUE TO ATTRACT THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTING COMMUNITY," STRESSED MR JACOBS.
"THE BILL IS BASED ON THE SRC RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN JUNE LAST YEAR AND WERE WELL RECEIVED BY THE MARKETS AND THE INVESTING PUBLIC. MANY OF THE POWERS GIVEN TO THE COMMISSION IN THE BILL ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN OUR EXISTING ORDINANCES AND IN OTHER MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES," HE SAID.
"CAREFUL ACCOUNT HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN OF THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS OF INTERESTED PARTIES WHO HAD BEEN CONSULTED FROM A VERY EARLY STAGE OF THE DRAFTING PROCESS," HE ADDED.
"WHILST GIVING THE SFC THE NECESSARY POWERS FOR IT TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY DURING THE INITIAL STAGE OF ITS OPERATIONS, THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO OVER-REGULATION OR UNDUE INTERFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MARKETS," MR JACOBS EMPHASISED.
"THE OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF MARKETS AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL," HE ADDED.
"THE BILL REPRESENTS A FIRST BUT IMPORTANT PHASE OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE SFC HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONTEXT, MR JACOBS ALSO ANTICIPATED THAT IN DUE COURSE, AN INCREASED PART OF THE REGULATORY AND SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS WOULD BE PERFORMED BY THE EXCHANGES.
"GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP THIS MATTER UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW," HE SAID.
/"THE BILL ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
"THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 18," HE 3A1D.
EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING CONSULTATION, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE BILL DURING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
THE MAIN PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD IN THE BILL ARE -
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC AND ITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IT VESTS IN THE SFC THE FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE EXISTING REGULATORY BODIES, THAT IS THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING.
ALTHOUGH THE SFC WILL BE OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, IT WILL BE PART OF THE WIDER GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR WILL APPOINT AND HAVE POWER TO DISMISS THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE SFC. HE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE POLICY DIRECTIONS TO THE SFC AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL HAVE POWER TO ASK FOR INFORMATION FROM THE SFC RELATING TO ITS ACTIVITIES.
THE SFC WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT AN ANNUAL REPORT AND AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, WHICH WILL BE LAID BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ITS ANNUAL BUDGET MUST BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WILL BE ABLE TO EXAMINE ITS BOOKS.
THE SFC BOARD WILL HAVE FIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN AND FIVE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WILL PROVIDE INDEPENDENT ADVICE ON THE SFC’S MANAGEMENT AND WILL BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN POLICY FORMATION.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPELLATE BODY
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SECURITIES AND FUTURES BOARD OF APPEAL TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS BY THE SFC TN RELATION TO APPLICATIONS FOR, OR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION, AND AGAINST THE EXERCISE OF THE INTERVENTION POWERS.
/THE BOARD .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
THE BOARD WILL HAVE 12 MEMBERS, COMPRISING A STANDING CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, BOTH QUALIFIED IN LAW, AND FIVE OTHER INDEPENDENT PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS WELL AS THE FIVE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SFC.
EACH APPEAL CASE WILL BE HEARD BY A GROUP OF THREE CONSISTING OF THE CHAIRMAN (OR DEPUTY CHAIRMAN), ONE INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND ONE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SFC, THUS ENSURING A MAJORITY OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS.
UNDER THE PRESENT ORDINANCES, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION TAKES IMMEDIATE EFFECT, EVEN IF AN APPEAL IS LODGED. THE NEW APPEAL PROVISIONS WILL ALLOW PERSONS CONCERNED TO REMAIN IN BUSINESS WHILE THE APPEAL IS BEING HEARD. THE INTERVENTION POWERS ARE, HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE.
REGISTRATION OF INTERMEDIARIES
THE EXISTING ANNUAL REGISTRATION SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY A CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION SYSTEM. ANY PERSON REGISTERED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGISTERED.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES A MORE DETAILED SET OF "FIT AND PROPER" CRITERIA TO GOVERN THE REGISTRATION OF INTERMEDIARIES AND ALLOWS THE SFC TO DEVELOP NEW RULES FOR CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTERED PERSONS WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE LAID BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THESE PROPOSALS ARE IN LINE WITH THE SRC RECOMMENDATIONS.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION
TO CLOSE SERIOUS GAPS IN EXISTING STATUTORY PROVISIONS, THE BILL PERMITS THE SFC TO CONDUCT SPOT CHECKS OF REGISTERED PERSONS’ BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.
IT ALSO PERMITS THE SFC TO OBTAIN MORE DETAILED INFORMATION TO FACILITATE INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE BREACHES OF THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES, INCLUDING FRAUDS, MARKET MANIPULATION, INSIDER TRADING AND OTHER MALPRACTICES.
REGISTERED PERSONS WILL HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GIVE ACCESS TO THEIR RECORDS TO AUTHORISED PERSONNEL OF THE SFC, WHO WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE BUSINESS PREMISES NOTIFIED TO THE SFC.
/THIS RIGHT .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 5 -
THIS RIGHT OF ACCESS WILL NOT EXTEND TO ANY PREMISES OTHER THAN THOSE NOTIFIED TO THE SFC, AND THERE WILL BE NO POWERS OF FORCIBLE ENTRY OR SEIZURE OF DOCUMENTS. IF ACCESS IS REFUSED, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES APPEAR TO JUSTIFY IT, THE SFC WILL APPLY FOR A MAGISTRATE’S WARRANT IN THE ORDINARY MANNER.
DURING AN INVESTIGATION BY THE SFC, THE PERSON CONCERNED WILL BE OBLIGED TO GIVE INFORMATION, BUT THE INFORMATION SO GIVEN MAY NOT BE USED AGAINST HIM IN SUBSEQUENT CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. THIS IS IN LINE WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND SECURITIES ORDINANCE.
THESE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN FORMULATED AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY MARKET USERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE EROSION OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AND THE NEED FOR PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS.
POWER TO INTERVENE IN INTERMEDIARIES’ BUSINESS
THE BILL EMPOWERS THE SFC TO INTERVENE IN THE BUSINESS OF A REGISTERED PERSON UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC.
TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE SFC AND THE EXCHANGES, THE BILL REQUIRES THE SFC TO GIVE PRIOR NOTIFICATION TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG OR THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE BEFORE EXERCISING ANY INTERVENTION POWER AGAINST ANY OF ITS MEMBERS.
REGULATION OF THE EXCHANGES
THE BILL ALLOWS THE SFC, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, TO TRANSFER SOME OF ITS REGULATORY POWERS TO THE TWO EXCHANGES IN FUTURE.
THE BILL EMPOWERS THE SFC TO ISSUE RESTRICTION NOTICES REQUIRING THE EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES TO AMEND THEIR CONSTITUTION OR TO MAKE CHANGES IN THEIR MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS.
IT ALSO EMPOWERS THE SFC TO ISSUE SUSPENSION ORDERS RELATING TO THE FUNCTIONS Ol THE GOVERNING BODIES, COMMITTEES OR CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES.
THE SFC MAY NOT EXERCISE SUCH POWERS WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THESE POWERS ARE IN LINE WITH THE SRC RECOMMENDATION.
/FUNDING FOR .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12/1989
6
FUNDING FOR THE SFC
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SRC, THE SFC WILL BE FUNDED LARGELY BY THE MARKETS BUT ALSO PARTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE BILL CONTAINS PROPOSALS TO EFFECT THIS RECOMMENDATION.
MARKET CONTRIBUTION WILL BE IN THE FORM OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY THE SFC ON A BROAD COST RECOVERY BASIS AND A STATUTORY LEVY ON TRANSACTIONS RECORDED ON THE TWO EXCHANGES. THE LEVEL OF THE LEVY AND REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION WILL BE PAID OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE AS APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION WILL TAKE THE FORM OF AN INITIAL START-UP GRANT, AN INTEREST FREE ADVANCE AND AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE SFC'S COSTS, WITH PROVISION FOR THE SFC TO BORROW FROM GOVERNMENT, AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE, IF ITS RESERVES FALL BELOW A CERTAIN LEVEL.
THE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS AIM TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF THE MARKET USERS ON THE ONE HAND AND THE PUBLIC PURSE ON THE OTHER.
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NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS BEGINS TOMORROW ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 9 THIS YEAR WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND LAST UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH (JANUARY 31).
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR JOHN CHAN, URGED CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE WHO ARE KEEN TO SERVE THE COMMUNITV TO COME FORWARD AS CANDIDATES.
EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES, MR CHAN SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE 27 SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES TO BE CONTESTED: 15 FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN THE 10 URBAN DISTRICTS; AND 12 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN THE NINE DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/EACH DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
EACH DISTRICT OFFICER HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR HIS DISTRICT, AND NOMINATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED BY HIM OR HIS ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER DURING OFFICE HOURS ON WEEKDAYS (MONDAY TO FRIDAY), EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, HE SAID.
"GENERALLY, ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE NOMINATION DATE IS QUALIFIED TO STAND FOR ELECTION.
"WHILE A PERSON CAN BE NOMINATED FOR ANY CONSTITUENCY, HE CANNOT BE NOMINATED TO STAND FOR MORE THAN ONE CONSTITUENCY," MR CHAN SAID.
A CANDIDATE WILL NEED TO BE NOMINATED BY 10 ELECTORS, INCLUDING A PROPOSER AND A SECONDER, REGISTERED IN THE CONSTITUENCY IN WHICH HE IS SEEKING ELECTION. EACH ELECTOR MAY NOMINATE ONLY ONE CANDIDATE AS ALL CONSTITUENCIES ARE SINGLE-SEATED.
BEFORE SUBMITTING THE NOMINATION PAPER, A CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO PLACE A DEPOSIT OF $3,000 WITH THE TREASURY, WHICH WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE CANDIDATE IF HE POLLS NOT LESS THAN ONE-EIGHTH OF THE VALID VOTES CAST.
IF A CANDIDATE STANDS UNOPPOSED, HE WILL BE DECLARED AS HAVING BEEN ELECTED IN THE CONSTITUENCY AND NO VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE.
NOMINATION PAPERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
MR CHAN URGED POTENTIAL CANDIDATES TO COMPLETE THE NOMINATION PROCESS IN GOOD TIME AS ANY ERRORS IN THE NOMINATION PAPERS HAD TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE THE CLOSE OF NOMINATION.
"AN INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE PAPER MAY RENDER THE NOMINATION INVALID," HE SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO REFERRED TO THE BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES BEING PROVIDED BY THE TWO COUNCILS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BOTH THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"BOTH COUNCILS ARE FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS. THEY HAVE DONE MUCH IN PROMOTING CULTURE AND THE ARTS, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
"THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES COMPRISES THE HOLDING OF CULTURAL AND SPORTS EVENTS, THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, GARDENS, RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACES, STADIA, SWIMMING POOLS, MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES, THE UPKEEP OF IOOD HYGIENE, PEST CONTROL, STREET CLEANSING AND REFUSE COLLECTION, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF HAWKERS AND MARKETS, ABATTOIRS, CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA," HF. SAID.
/MR CHAN ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1?89 .
- 8 -
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THE FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS FOR THE ELECTIONS WOULD BE PUBLISHED AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION FROM TOMORROW.
THE RELEVANT PART OF THE FINAL REGISTER RELATING TO A CERTAIN DISTRICT WAS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONCERNED.
“THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE 1988 FINAL REGISTER STANDS AT 1,604,048 (1,610,998 IN THE 1987 ISSUE) OF WHICH 558,975 (544,843) ARE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 1,045,073 (1,066,155) LIVE IN THE URBAN AREAS," HE SAID.
ON THE PUBLICITY SIDE, MR CHAN SAID A MASS CAMPAIGN WOULD BE LAUNCHED IN THE FOLLOWING TWO MONTHS TO URGE ELECTORS TO VOTE.
"THE PUBLICITY PACKAGE INCLUDES EXTENSIVE COVERAGE IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND THE PRESS, DISTRICT FORUMS, TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS, POSTERS, ADVERTISING IN MTR STATIONS AND SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPERS.
"THE PLATFORMS OF THE CANDIDATES AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS," MR CHAN ADDED.
MR CHAN ALSO NOTED THAT AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS WOULD BE GAZETTED TOMORROW TO IMPROVE ON SOME OF THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMING ELECTIONS.
"THESE WILL FACILITATE THE SEALING OF BALLOT BOXES AND ELECTORAL DOCUMENTS AND THE MORE SYSTEMATIC PACKAGING AND ACCOUNTING OF BALLOT PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS, EMPOWER PRESIDING OFFICERS TO ALLOW PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE POLLING STATIONS AND REFLECT THE NEW TIME-TABLE FOR ELECTIONS IN 1991," MR CHAN SAID.
-------O---------
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED ♦ ♦♦It
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN GREW BY 39 PER CENT IN VALUE T ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES 1988 RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) DEPARTMENT.
NOVEMBER 1988, AT $95,984 MILLION,
<RMS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987, ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN NOVEMBER
BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT TO $20,052 IN NOVEMBER 1988, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 58 PER ('ENT TO MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1988 TO MILLION WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 38 PER CENT OVER
MILLION $27,706 $47,758 NOVEMBER
1987.
/OVER THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1989
- 9 -
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 41 PER CENT TO $48,226 MILLION.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER 1987, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA (+48 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+39 PER CENT), JAPAN (+29 PER CENT) AND THE NETHERLANDS (+29 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE U.S.A. AND CANADA ALSO INCREASED, BY 19 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY GREW BY ONLY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN NOVEMBER 1988 OVER NOVEMBER 1987, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+69 PER CENT), JAPAN (+47 PER CENT), CHINA (+45 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+41 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A., ITALY AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ALSO INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT, 33 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., AUSTRALIA, CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BY 89 PER CENT, 79 PER CENT, 73 PER CENT AND 61 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE ALSO INCREASED, ALL BY 38 PER CENT.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1988, AT $892,388 MILLION, INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT TO $196,491 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 51 PER CENT TO $247,282 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3() PER CENT TO $443,773 MILLION.
IMPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO $448,615 MILLION.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 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 CHINA (+38 PER. CENT), SINGAPORE (+37 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+26 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22 PER CENT), JAPAN (+19 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+13 PER CENT) AND FRANCE (+12 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S'.A., HONG KONG’S LARGEST DOMESTIC EXPORT MARKET, DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
/IMPORTS IN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
10 -
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1988 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+57 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+.32 PER CENT), CHINA (+32 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+32 PER CENT), ITALY (+30 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+29 PER CENT), JAPAN (+29 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+29 PER CENT).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 82 PER CENT.
TO JAPAN
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (+59 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (+55 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+54 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+50
VALUE OF OF GERMANY PER CENT),
THE UNITED KINGDOM (+49 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+45 PER CENT).
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 NOVEMBER 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY FEBRUARY 1989.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 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 $4,118 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $3,337 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,797 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,305 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $939 MILLION OR 2 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $370 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $171 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR
COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE
SUMMARISED TN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
11
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 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 $16,078 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $9,733 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $8,900 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $6,878 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $4,642 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $294 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT); AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $208 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 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 $11,540 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $9,594 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $6,789 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $5,501 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $5,396 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $106 MILLION OR 27 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 PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE NOVEMBER 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND JANUARY 15, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $9 . :>0 "PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, 'HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE , WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 19KH WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-JANUAR^ AT *17.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
12 -
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234915).
TABLE 1: ft MAJOR MARKET DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY NOV 1988 (HKD MN.) 10 MAJOR MARKETS JAN-NOV 88 OVER JAN-NOV 87 (%)
NOV 88 OVER NOV 87 (%) JAN-NOV 1988 (HKD MN.1
U.S.A. 6,644 + 14 65,698 - 1
CHINA 3,850 + 48 34,415 + 38
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,298 ♦ 1 14,393 + 9
U.K. 1,430 + 16 13,920 + 22
JAPAN 1,14 1 + 29 10,311 + 19
CANADA 4 80 + 14 5,362 + 6
SINGAPORE 530 + 39 4,739 + 37
NETHERLANDS 424 + 29 4 , 407 4- 26
FRANCE 360 - 5 3,79 1 ♦ 12
AUSTRALIA 4 36 i 19 3,766 + 13
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
JAN-NOV
88
NOV 88 OVER
COMMODITY NOV OVER JAN-NOV JAN-NOV
DIVISION 1988 NOV 8 7 1 988 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.1 ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES
5,773 +14
59,641
/MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 1J -
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,765 + 10 27,574 - ♦
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES
AND CLOCKS 1,999 + 27 17,477 ♦ 24
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS
THEREOF 1,569 + 20 16,003 + 21
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 1,695 ♦ 26 15,806 + 17
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 1,549 4- 4 14,073 - 3
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS NOV 88 NOV OVER JAN-NOV JAN-NOV 88 OVER JAN-NOV
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1988 NOV 87 1988 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
CHINA 15,632 + 45 139,119 + 32
JAPAN 8,923 4 47 83,248 ♦ 29
TAIWAN 4,430 + 41 39,867 + 32
U.S.A. 3,578 4- 34 37,609 + 32
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,672 + 69 23,590 4- 57
SINGAPORE 1,676 + 20 16,772 + 29
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,212 + 31 11,776 + 29
U.K. 1,238 4- 12 11,743 4- 11
SWITZERLAND 910 + 22 8,314 4- 26
ITALY 772 + 33 7,294 4- 30
/TABLE ..........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1?89
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION NOV 1988 (HKD MN.) NOV 88 OVER NOV 87 (%) JAN-NOV 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-NOV 88 OVER JAN-NOV 87 (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6, 168 + 27 56,688 + 9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,129 + 63 47,421 * 51
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,522 + 70 29,255 + 50
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,205 + 50 28,663 + 21
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,795 + 41 26,113 + 36
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,566 + 34 24,466 + 32
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
JAN-NOV
MAJOR MARKET NOV 1988 (HKD MN.) NOV 88 OVER NOV 87 (%) JAN-NOV 1988 (HKD MN.) 88 OVER JAN-NOV 87 (%)
CHINA 10,195 + 73 84,552 + 59
U.S.A. 4,964 + 89 44,555 + 50
/JAPAN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
JAPAN 1,680 + 33 15,744 + 82
TAIWAN 1,292 + 38 12,647 + 45
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,000 + 28 10,775 + 33
SINGAPORE 835 + 38 7,844 4- 35
F.R. OF GERMANY 847 + 38 7,656 + 55
U.K. 598 + 61 5,790 4- 49
AUSTRALIA 511 + 79 3,965 4- 54
MACAU 318 + 13 3,569 4- 19
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS COMMODITY DIVISION BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-NOV 88 OVER JAN-NOV 87 (%)
NOV 1988 (HKD MN.) NOV 88 OVER NOV 87 (%) JAN-NOV 1988 (HKD MN.)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,521 4- 37 31,025 + 21
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,731 4- 65 25,853 4- 59
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,863 4- 78 25,774 4- 81
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,343 4- 74 22,166 4- 33
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,322 4- 73 17,561 4- 63
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,129 4- 54 9,446 + 28
-------0 ---------
/16........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
16 -
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, PURCHASES FOR 3RD QUARTER »*»»»«
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, ESTIMATED AT $6,925 MILLION, WAS 14 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1987, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
VOLUME WAS 3 PER CENT HIGHER.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $3,001 MILLION, WHICH WAS 13 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE THIRD 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 THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (18 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (12 PER CENT), "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES” COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY ETC. (8 PER CENT) AND BARS (7 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND BARS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED.
COMPARING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 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 (12 PER CENT), "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" (10 PER CENT) AND BARS(5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS AGAIN SHOWED THE LARGEST INCREASE, AT 19 PER CENT.
THE GROWTH, IN VOLUIME TERMS, RECORDED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND BARS WAS 9 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/COMPARING THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISION IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS-TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 13 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND BARS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN VOLUME TERMS WERE 11 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPES OF RESTAURANTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 AND FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987 ARE GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234941).
/TABLE 1 : ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 18 -
/
TABLE I : TOTAL RESTAURAMT RECEIPTS AMD PURCHASES
2nd otr. 1988 (Revised figures) 3rd otr. 1988 (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HKS aillion) 0 301 b 925
Total purchases by restaurants (in HK4 aillion) 2 661 3 001
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURAMT
RECEIPTS FOR 2ND QUARTER 19BB AMD 3RD QUARTER 1988
(Quarterly average of October 84 - September 85 3 IOO)
Type of restaurant Index of total restaurant receiots 2nd quarter 1988 ***•»*****••«»«•■ 3rd Quarter 1988 3rd atr. catoarea 2nd otr. 1988 with 1988 3rd otr. 1988 coeoared with 3rd atr. 1987 1 lst-3rd atr. 198^ coaoared with ist-3rd atr. 1981
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points Points X Points I
Chinese restaurants Value 132 145 13 10 15 12 15 12
Vol use 112 119 t 6 t 1 j 2
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 140 154 *.4 10 •^4 19 •»4b 19
Volute 116 125 a 8 9 7 10 9
Fast food shoos Value 163 186 14 39 27 34 25
Joluae 146 162 •- 1! 25 :3 •• 19
Bars value • xw 128 c 4 9 1 b 5
Vol use 106 110 4 j 4 3 2 t
Other eatino and drinking places Value 133 149 i 8 11 a 13 10
Voluee 120 128 Q 7 5 4 6 5
Entire restaurant sector Value 136 149 13 10 18 14 18 14
1 Volute 115 123 a 7 4 3 6 5
Notes: 1. Figures denotino changes are derived froe unrounded fioures.
2. I denotes a figure within 10.5.
- 0 -
/19
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 19 -
FLAT TRANSACTIONS RISE BY 21.2 PER CENT *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS REGISTERED ROSE TO 66,483 IN 1988, AN INCREASE OF 21.2 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE FOR 1987, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN REPORTING ON LAND OFFICE STATISTICS FOR 1988, MR GLEESON SAID THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE AGREEMENTS INCREASED BY 47 PER CENT FROM $54,427 BILLION IN 1987 TO $79,986 BILLION IN 1988.
DURING THE YEAR, 90,486 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 94,436 IN 1987.
OF THESE, A TOTAL OF 4,418 ASSIGNMENTS WERE COMPLETED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT'S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 8,107 IN 1987.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS INCREASED BY 27.7 PER CENT FROM $61,918 BILLION TO $79,096 BILLION.
THERE WERE 992 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 2.5 PER CENT MORE THAN IN 1987.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS ROSE DURING 1988 BY 80.9 PER CENT FROM $17,915 BILLION IN 1987 TO $32,411 BILLION.
FIFTY-FIVE BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 97,123 OTHER MORTGAGES WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 51 AND 100,272 RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR ROSE BY 2.3 PER CENT, FROM $0,765 BILLION TO $0,783 BILLION.
THE AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES ROSE BY 54.5 PER CENT, FROM $47,928 BILLION TO $74,034 BILLION.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEES’ RECEIPTS, ROSE BY 17.3 PER CENT, FROM $24,436 BILLION IN 1987 TO $28,656 BILLION IN 1988.
SEARCHES IN THE LAND OFFICE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REACHED A RECORD OF 1,667,665, UP BY 13.9 PER (’ENT.
DURING THE YEAR, THE SEVEN NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 223,027 INSTRUMENTS, AGAIN A RECORD.
/THESE INCLUDED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989'
20 -
THESE INCLUDED 46,301 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, 51,798 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS, 4,262 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 39 BUILDING MORTGAGES, 66,245 OTHER MORTGAGES AND 31,929 MORTGAGEES* PECEIPTS, REASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION.
THEY HAD A TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATION OF $30,539 BILLION, $27,568 BILLION, $4,787 BILLION, $1,125 BILLION, $19,396 BILLION AND $8,743 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, MR GLEESON SAID THEY REFLECTED A CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET DURING THE YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE TERRITORY NOW STOOD AT 1,116,209, AN INCREASE OF 92,574 OR 9 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE AT THE END OF 1987, WHICH ITSELF WAS AN INCREASE OF 12.9 PER CENT OVER 1986.
THE TOTAL PREMIUM FROM ALL GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS, IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, DURING THE YEAR AMOUNTED TO $11,854 BILLION.
AMONGST THE MORE SIGNIFICANT OF THESE TRANSACTIONS WERE THE FOLLOWING:
♦ ON JANUARY 28, A MAJOR LAND EXCHANGE INVOLVING SHELL OIL, THE CHEUNG KONG GROUP, HONG KONG ELECTRIC AND HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARDS WAS COMPLETED.
AS A RESULT, 15.5 HECTARES AT AP LEI CHAU AND 8.84 HECTARES AT KWUN TONG WILL BE REDEVELOPED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, AND SHELL OIL’S DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE FACILITIES AT KWUN TONG WILL BE RELOCATED TO TSING YI. THE TOTAL PREMIUM INVOLVED AMOUNTED TO $1.5 BILLION.
» THE SALE BY CASH TENDER ON APRIL 20 OF A 3 I .5-HECTARE SITE (KWAI CHUNG LOT NO. 7) AT LAI CHI KOK TO HIT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $4,390 BILLION FOR A CONTAINER TERMINAL.
* THE GRANT ON JULY 29 OF A 1,600-SQUARE-METRE SITE (KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 10880) AT HONG TAT PATH, TSIM SHA TSUI TO KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION BY WAY OF EXCHANGE AT A PREMIUM OF $354,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
♦ THE MODIFICATION ON OCTOBER 12 OF THE CONDITIONS OF SALE OF RURAL BUILDING LOT NO. 1051 AND THE EXTENSION THERETO (PARKVIEW DEVELOPMENT) AT A PREMIUM OF $510,050,000 SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND ASSIGNMENT OF GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE LOT.
/♦ THE SALE.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
21
» THE SALE BY AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 29 OF A 4,500-SQUARE-METRE SITE (KWUN TONG INLAND LOT NO. 713) AT HOI BUN ROAD TO OLINDA LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $420,000,000 FOR
NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL AND GODOWN BUT INCLUDING A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK) PURPOSES.
» THE SALE BY AUCTION ON DECEMBER 22 OF A 5,889-SQUARE-METRE SITE (KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 10972) AT THE JUNCTION OF ARGYLE STREET AND TIN KWONG ROAD TO PUI HAY ENTERPRISES LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $299,000,000 FOR PRIVATE
RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
MR GLEESON SAID THAT OF THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT
LAND REGISTRIES, SEVEN HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE REGISTRAR
GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT AND, WITH INCREASES OF STAFF AND BETTER
ACCOMMODATION, HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE OVER THE REMAINING ONE, AT NORTH DISTRICT, IN JULY THIS YEAR.
------O -------
INCREASE IN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS * * * * ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED THE INCREASED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR PIG AND POULTRY FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME OR DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE.
THE REVISED RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TYPES OF LIVESTOCK KEEPING STRUCTURE PER CAPITA* $/BIRD» BUILDING AREA $/SQUARE METRE
CHICKEN 26.92 392.7
LEGHORN 4 5.41 489.4
PIGEON 34.00 453.3
QUAIL 3.4 2 367.7
DUCK/GOOSE 20.15 -
PIG - 327.6
PIG PENS ACCOMMODATING GILTS/SOWS AND WITH GESTATION AND FARROWING CRATES - 457.6
/• ONLY APPLICABLE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 121 1989
- 22 -
» ONLY APPLICABLE TO ’’BACKYARD” AND FREE RANGE POULTRY FARM IN WHICH THE NUMBER OF POUL1 ,Y IS SMALL AND CAN BE PRACTICALLY COUNTED, THAI IS LESS THAN 1,000.
A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE RATES WERE REVISED AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION FARMERS’ VIEWS AS EXPRESSED IN THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WHICH WAS FORMED UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
"THE REVISED RATES ARE EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR,” HE ADDED. "THE NEW RATES WILL APPLY TO THOSE ELIGIBLE FARMERS WHO HAVE CEASED BUSINESS COMPLETELY AFTER JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR AND WHOSE CESSATION OF BUSINESS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.”
THE RATES WERE LAST REVISED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR. SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME ON JUNE 24 LAST YEAR, OVER $18 MILLION IN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN RELEASED TO AFFECTED FARMERS.
THE REVISED RATES WERE EXPLAINED TO THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON EX GRATIA ALLOW/ ICES AT ITS MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE WORKING GROUP COMPRISES FARMERS’ REPRESENTATIVES, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM EPD, THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
TO PREPARE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE, THE EPD HAS CONDUCTED A PRE-OPERATIONAL SURVEY IN THE RIVER INDUS, UPPER SHENZHEN, TSUEN WAN ENVIRONS, LIU VILLAGE AND ENVIRONS AND TAI LAM CHUNG AREA DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN MAY 16 AND DECEMBER 22 LAST YEAR.
DURING THE EXERCISE, SOME LIVESTOCK FARMS WERE FOUND TO BE LOCKED UP AND AS A RESULT COULD NOT BE SURVEYED. IN SUCH CASES, EPD STAFF HAD LEFT LETTERS IN THE FARM INFORMING THE OPERATORS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A FUTURE SURVEY.
FARMERS IN THE ABOVE AREAS WHOSE FARMS HAVE NOT YET BEEN SURVEYED ARE URGED TO CONTACT EPD BEFORE FEBRUARY 28 THIS YEAR.
SOME 4,000 ADVISORY LEAFLETS EXPLAINING THE DETAILS OF THE SCHEME HAD BEEN SENT OUT TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE ABOVE AREAS LAST WEEK.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS WILL ALSO BE SENT TO AFFECTED FARMERS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
FARMERS WHO HAVE ANY QUERIES ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT EPD ON 3-7800126, 3-7804416 OR 3-7801165.
0
/23
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
FUNDS APPROVED FOR PROVISION * » t »
OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS »
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE TERRITORY’S FIRST PILOT VEHICLE WEIGH-STATION WAS TAKEN ON WEDNESDAY WHEN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED $2.85 MILLION FOR THE PROVISION OF THREE COMPREHENSIVE SIGNALLING SYSTEMS WHICH WILL DIRECT OVERLOADED LORRIES TO THE NEW MA LIU SHUI WEIGH-STATION.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO TACKLE OVERLOADING MORE EFFECTIVELY IT WAS PROPOSED TO PROVIDE THE POLICE WITH UP TO FOUR VEHICLE WEIGH-STATIONS TO THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
ALL WOULD INVOLVE SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT UNDER ROADS ENABLING INSTANT IDENTIFICATION OF OVERLOADED VEHICLES. AS THEY APPROACHED ALONG A HIGHWAY CONNECTED TO A SYSTEM OF SIGNS OFFENDING OVERLOADED VEHICLES WOULD BE DIRECTED OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A POUND WHERE THEIR EXACT OVERWEIGHT COULD BE CONFIRMED, THE EXCESS REMOVED AND AN APPROPRIATE PENALTY IMPOSED BEFORE THE DRIVER WAS ALLOWED TO LEAVE.
SO FAR TWO SUITABLE SITES HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED, ONE AT MA LIU SHUI OFF TOLO HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER AT SIU LAM OFF TUEN MUN HIGHWAY. SITE SEARCHES WERE CONTINUING IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FIRST WEIGH-STATION BE SET UP AT MA LIU SHUI THIS YEAR AS IT IS HEAVILY USED BY TRUCKS GOING TO AND FROM CHINA. THIS COULD SERVE AS A PILOT PROJECT SO THAT ANY PROBLEMS THAT EMERGE COULD BE IRONED OUT AND ADJUSTMENTS MADE FOR INCORPORATION INTO SUBSEQUENT PROJECTS.
LOCATION OF THE WEIGH-STATION AT MA LIU SHUI WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO APPREHEND IN ONE LOCATION NOT ONLY ALL THE PRESENT NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND OVERLOADED VEHICLES ON TOLO HIGHWAY BUT ALSO THOSE USING THE TRUCK ROAD CONNECTING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
AS THERE ARE THREE APPROACHES TO THE WEIGH-STATION BACH WILL REQUIRE A HIGH SPEED AXLE LOAD MEASURING SENSOR.
EQUIPMENT (MOSTLY PORTABLE) AT PRESENT AVAILABLE TO THE POLICE, AND THAT OPERATED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE LEVEL REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF OVERLOADING OFFENCES.
ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF POLICE CHECK POINTS CAN REALISTICALLY BE SET UP, THEREFORE, AND EVEN WHERE DRIVERS AS SUSPECTED IT TAKES A CONSIDERABLE TIME TO ESCORT THEIR VEHICLES, SOMETIMES FROM RELATIVELY REMOTE AREAS WHERE THEY MIGHT BE APPREHENDED, TO DEPARTMENTAL WEIGH-STATIONS.
/SURVEYS CONDUCTED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 24
SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAVE REVBALED THAT OVERLOADING OF TRUCKS CAUSES VERY SIGNIFICANT ROAD DAMAGE IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS DIRECT TRAFFIC SAFETY RISKS THROUGH BRAKE-FAILURE.
IF ALL OVERLOADED VEHICLES WERE REMOVED BY ENFORCEMENT ACTION IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AN ANNUAL SAVING OF $27 MILLION IN ROAD MAINTENANCE MIGHT BE ACHIEVED.
- 0-----------
PROFESSIONALS, BUSINESSMEN URGED TO HELP ENVIRONMENT
* * » * »
HONG KONG PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESSMEN WERE THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING URGED TO MAKE THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT BY DOING THE RIGHT THING ENVIRONMENTALLY.
"THEY CAN DO SO BY BEING ALIVE TO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AVOIDING POLLUTION PROBLEMS, OR INDEED IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THEIR DAY TO DAY DECISION MAKING," THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID.
DR REED MADE THIS APPEAL TO ABOUT 150 LIONS CLUB MEMBERS AT A JOINT MEETING OF FOUR ('LUBS.
"NEARLY EVERY MAJOR DECISION THAT IS MADE BY DEVELOPERS, ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND INDUSTRIALISTS HAS EITHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
"IT IS AT THE TIME THAT THESE DECISIONS ARE MADE, THAT THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS FOR YOU TO HELP IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, BY DOING THE RIGHT THING."
DR REED POINTED OUT ALSO THAT THE CONTRIBUTION THAT WAS REQUIRED OF THE PROFESSIONAL OR BUSINESSMAN WAS ADDITIONAL TO THAT REQUIRED FROM THE MAN IN THE STREET WHO COULD MAKE HIS ' OWN CONTRIBUTION.
"WHAT THE MAN IN THE STREET, WHICH MEANS ALL OF US, CAN CONTRIBUTE IS THE NORMAL SORT OF HOUSEKEEPING ONE MIGHT EXPECT OF ANY SELF-RESPECTING ADULT SUCH AS NOT LITTERING, AVOIDING DISTURBING NEIGHBOURS BY TURNING UP THE RADIO OR TV TO EXCESSIVE VOLUMES,KEEP I NG THE CAR SERVICED SO THAT IT DOESN’T SMOKE AND SO ON," HE SAID.
"THE PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESSMAN CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT," HE ADDED.
/DR REED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
25
DR REED ACKNOWLEDGED THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION MADE ALREADY BY THE LIONS CLUBS OF HONG KONG, THROUGH THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
HE ALSO SAID THAT HE FELT THE LIONS CLUBS COULD MAKE NO GREATER. CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY THAN TO GET TOGETHER TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT AN INTEGRATED PROGRAMME AIMED AT FOCUSSING THE ATTENTION OF BOTH INDIVIDUAL LIONS CLUB MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE NEED TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.
"IF NOT FOR OUR OWN SAKES, WE MUST DO THIS FOR THE SAKE OF THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HOLIDAY TRAVELLERS URGED TO GET DOCUMENTS EARLY t » t * »
PERSONS INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS SHOULD APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS NOW.
"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID A LAST MINUTE RUSH, PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT OR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IT NORMALLY TAKES 10 WORKING DAYS TO ISSUE A BRITISH (HONG KONG) PASSPORT IF APPLICATIONS ARE MADE AT IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS BUT LONGER IF MADE AT THE BRANCH OFFICES.
"THE PROCESSING TIME FOR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT AND HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WILL BE THE SAME IF THE APPLICANT IS IN POSSESSION OF A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, OTHERWISE IT WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE WEEKS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ARRANGE FOR THE APPLICANT TO BE ISSUED WITH A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD AT THE SAME TIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
RE-ENTRY PERMITS AND DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS VISITING OFFICES AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON A SATURDAY.
"THE PERIOD BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS IS THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR.
"BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- 0 - -
/26
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
26
CIVIC EDUCATION SURVEY RESULTS ANNOUNCED
♦ * » » ♦
MORE PEOPLE HAVE GAINED AN UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC EDUCATION DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, ACCORDING TO A TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DR DANIEL TSE SAID THAT WHEN COMPARED WITH A SIMILAR SURVEY IN 1986, THE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION WHO HAD SHOWN AN UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC EDUCATION HAD INCREASED FROM 30 PER CENT TO 34 PER CENT.
’’CIVIC EDUCATION IS PERCEIVED AS A PROCESS OF PROMOTING PEOPLE'S UNDERSTANDING OF SOCIETY, CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND WAYS TO EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES,” DR TSE SAID.
DR TSE SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY WAS TO IDENTIFY CHANGES, IF ANY, IN PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND THE EXERCISE OF CIVIC-RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILTIES, USING THE 1986 SURVEY RESULTS AS A BENCHMARK.
THE SURVEY ALSO AIMED TO ASCERTAIN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLICITY EFFORTS IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND TO ESTABLISH INDICATORS OF CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF CIVIC MINDEDNESS.
"THIS IS REQUIRED FOR IDENTIFYING AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION," DR TSE SAID.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (HK) LTD FROM MID-SEPTEMBER TO EARLY NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, AND INVOLVED PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH 1,000 RESPONDENTS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 64.
THE SURVEY FOCUSSED ON AREAS LIKE AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS, ATTITUDE TOWARDS CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLICITY IN CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGES.
THE FINDINGS INDICATED THAT PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY. EIGHTY PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD RAISED A RANGE OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS AS THEIR CONCERN.
AMONG THEM, NEARLY HALF WERE CONCERNED ABOUT PROBLEMS HAVING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE. SIXTEEN PER CENT OF THEM HAVE TAKEN SOME FORM OF ACTION TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS, INCLUDING MAKING COMPLAINTS TO THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND SEEKING ADVICE FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS AGREED THAT "A GOOD CITIZEN SHOULD FIRST OF ALL HELP AND CARE ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD", THAT "IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD", AND THAT "EVERY PARENT SHOULD INSTIL IN THEIR CHILDREN A SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG".
/ON PARTICIPATION .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 27 -
ON PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS, 81 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO EITHER CLAIMED TO HAVE REGISTERED OR WERE LIKELY TO REGISTER AS VOTERS INDICATED THAT THEY WERE LIKELY TO VOTE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE MAIN REASONS GIVEN FOR REGISTERING OR VOTING INCLUDE "IT IS THE DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF A CITIZEN", "CAN DO SOMETHING FOR MY COMMUNITY", "TO SUPPORT THE CANDIDATE I LIKE", "A WAY OF AIRING OPINION", "WORK FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE", AND "IT IS THE RIGHT OF A CITIZEN".
REASONS FOR NOT REGISTERING OR VOTING ARE "DO NOT HAVE TIME", "NO INTEREST IN POLITICS", "LOW EDUCATION LEVEL/NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE", AND "DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR POLITICAL PLATFORMS".
TEN PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE MEMBERS OF SOCIAL OR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. OVER HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE OF THE OPINION THAT PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF THESE ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
ON PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION, 44 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD OF PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION WAS THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING TELEVISION, RADIO AND NEWSPAPERS.
THIRTY-SEVEN PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS REGARDED IT MOST EFFECTIVE TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHILE NINE PER CENT FELT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO AIR THEIR OPINIONS ON SOCIAL ISSUES.
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JOINT SCHOOL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ANTI-DRUG EDUCATION ««****»
A JOINT SCHOOL DESIGN EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE ANTI-DRUG EDUCATION WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP (YVG) OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
IT IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE AWARENESS OF RESIDENTS, IN PARTICULAR YOUNG PEOPLE, AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.
DESIGNED BY PARTICIPATING TEAMS FROM 14 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FROM THE YVG, EXHIBITION BOOTHS ON VARIOUS DRUG-RELATED TOPICS WILL BE PUT UP AT THE DISPLAY VENUE.
/THE SCHOOL .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989 '
- 28 -
THE SCHOOL TEAMS ARE FROM YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL COLLEGE NO. 2; ST JOAN OF ARC SECONDARY SCHOOL; HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE; KWAI CHUNG METHODIST COLLEGE; PO LEUNG KUK YAO LING SUN COLLEGE; HENRIETTA SCHOOL’ KUNG LEE COLLEGE; YING WA COLLEGE; ST JOSEPH'S ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL’ KEI HEEP SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL; ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI’S COLLEGE; KEI YUEN COLLEGE; ST SIMON’S LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL.'
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE THREE TEAMS WITH THE BEST DESIGNED EXHIBITS.
OFFICIATING AT THE EXHIBITION’S OPENING ON SATURDAY WILL BE THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY; THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS KONG LI CHI-HO; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YVG ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MISS CHAN OI-WAH.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM 2.30 PM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) AND FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JOINT SCHOOL ANTI-DRUG DESIGN EXHIBITION AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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BOE MEMBERS
VISIT RESOURCE TEACHING CENTRE
*****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) AND FIVE MEMBERS TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESOURCE TEACHING CENTRE TO SEE HOW INTENSIVE REMEDIAL TEACHING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS ATTENDING ORDINARY SCHOOLS WHO HAVE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS.
THE GROUP COMPRISED MRS RITA FAN (CHAIRMAN), MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MISS SO YAN-LAP, MR TAM MAN-KWAN, THE REV J.G. FOLEY, AND MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MR LUCAS CHAN, AND THE BOE SECRETARY, MR P.K. CHIU, THE VISITORS FIRST WENT TO THE RESOURCE TEACHING CENTRE AT THE SAN WUI COMMERCIAL SOCIETY KOWLOON SCHOOL IN KWONG LEE ROAD, SHAM SHU1 PO.
THE SHAM SHUI PO CENTRE IS ONE OF THE FIVE RESOURCE TEACHING CENTRES CATERING FOR ABOUT 1,260 SECONDARY STUDENTS. THERE ARE THREE CENTRES OF THIS KIND WHICH PROVIDE SERVICE TO 264 PRIMARY STUDENTS.
/SECONDARY STUDENTS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
SECONDARY STUDENTS REQUIRING THIS SERVICE ARE IDENTIFIED BY INSPECTORS OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BASED ON INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION.
THEY ARE STUDENTS ATTENDING CLASSES IN SCHOOLS WHICH ARE UNABLE TO OPERATE RESOURCE CLASSES FOR VARIOUS REASONS.
REMEDIAL TEACHING SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO PRIMARY STUDENTS ON REFERRAL BY PARENTS OR SCHOOLS AND AFTER ASSESSMENT BY EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS OR INSPECTORS OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION.
REMEDIAL TEACHING IS AVAILABLE TO BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS IN BASIC SUBJECTS INCLUDING CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS.
SECONDARY STUDENTS IN WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS RECEIVE INTENSIVE REMEDIAL HELP IN THE CENTRES ON SATURDAY MORNING.
THOSE SECONDARY STUDENTS AND PRIMARY STUDENTS IN BI-SESSIONAL SCHOOLS ATTEND THE CENTRES ON WEEKDAYS TWICE A WEEK.
THE BOE MEMBERS LATER WENT TO THE ADJUSTMENT UNIT WHERE SUPPORTING AND GUIDANCE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS WITH BEHAVIOUR AND ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS.
THE UNIT IS STAFFED BY SPECIALIST TEACHERS WITH SUPPORT FROM EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND EDUCATIONAL COUNSELLORS.
THE VISITORS WERE TOLD THAT CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS COULD DISPLAY HOSTILE, AGGRESSIVE OR DISRUPTIVE ATTITUDES.
THEY WERE REFERRED TO THE UNIT BY PARENTS, SCHOOLS OR STUDENTS GUIDANCE OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION.
THE SERVICES IN THE UNIT RANGE FROM PART-TIME COUNSELLING OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS TO FULL-TIME CARE FOR CHILDREN TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOLS TEMPORARILY.
SOME PROGRAMMES IN THE UNIT CONSIST OF A STRONG ELEMENT OF COUNSELLING AND BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION AIMED AT HELPING STUDENTS TO OVERCOME THEIR DIFFICULTIES, AND TO BUILD UP A POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE AND TO IMPROVE THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS SO THAT THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM EDUCATION IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS.
-----0-----
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 30 -
ELDERLY AND CYCLISTS TARGETS OF ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN * * * * *
ELDERLY RESIDENTS AND CYCLISTS ARE THE TARGETS OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AND A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE FORBES STREET TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND IN KENNEDY TOWN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE.
APART FROM A VARIETY SHOW AND STALL GAMES, THERE WILL BE DEMONSTRATIONS AND GAMES ON CYCLING SAFETY, AND QUIZZES ON BASIC ROAD SAFETY RULES FOR THE ELDERLY AND PRIMARY STUDENTS AT THE CARNIVAL.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM. OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER.
STARTING FROM 1.30 PM, FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE RESIDENTS FROM THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE IN CENTRAL AND CENTRE STREET IN SAI YING PUN TO THE VENUE.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE, AREA COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8170196.
NOTE TO EDITORS.:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE FORBES STREET TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND IN KENNEDY TOWN.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAY TAKE THE SHUTTLE BUS WHICH WILL LEAVE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT 1.30 PM.
-------0---------
ANTI-SHOPTHEFT TELEMATCH IN SHAM SHUI PO
******
AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFT TELEMATCH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND AS ONE OF THE EVENTS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
PARTICIPANTS FROM 19 LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE IN A NUMBER OF GAMES WITH THE ANT I-SHOPTHEFT THEME AIMED TO AROUSE PARTICIPANTS’ AWARENESS OF THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF COMMITTING SUCH A CRIME.
/THE TELEMATCH .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
THE TELEMATCH IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT'S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT’S OPENING ON SATURDAY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEES, MR FAN KAM-PING; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHOI WAN-HOE.
THEY WILL INSPECT AND TAKE SALUTE FROM A PARADE OF UNIFORMED TEAMS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS, SUCH AS THE BOY SCOUTS, GIRL GUIDES, RED CROSS, ROAD SAFETY PATROL, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.
PRIZES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A NUMBER OF ANTI-SHOPTHEFT COLOURING, DRAWING, SLOGAN AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS HELD EARLIER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT TELEMATCH AND SCHOOL SERVICE CORPS PARADE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14).
- - 0 - -
ISLANDS DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS YOUTH ACTIVITIES «*»»♦»
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL FOR CO-ORDINATING CIVIC ACTIVITIES FOR THE DISTRICT’S YOUTH AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
IT IS PROPOSED THAT A YOUTH AFFAIRS CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE BE SET UP UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THIS WOULD ADVISE ON PROVISION OF A FULL RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS, VET SUBSIDY APPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES, AND FORMULATE A LONG-TERM YOUTH POLICY FOR THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF POOR TELEVISION RECEPTION IN SUN KEI PANG AND SUN SHA PANG AT TAI O, AND GIVE ADVICE ON IMPROVEMENT MEASURES.
/OTHER ITEMS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1989
- 3a -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED ESTIMATE FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES IN 1989-90, PROGRESS OF THE CURRENT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
-------0----------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR GAMES CENTRES * » ♦ * t
THE KWAI FS1NG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY). AI
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE SETTING UP OF A NEW COMMITTEE ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MATTERS CONCERNING REHOUSING ARRANGEMENT FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY THE FORTHCOMING CLEARANCE OF SHEK YAM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
EIGHT WORKING GROUPS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WILL REPORT THE PROGRESS OF THEIR WORK AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2 30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWAI CHUNG.
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/33........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989
- 33 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE »»»»«»
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM WORKING GROUPS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISCUSSION ON SOCIAL SERVICES TO BE OFFERED IN THE YAU MA HOM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) 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.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0---------
NEW TERRITORIES LOT TO LET BY TENDER
* » » * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TO LET BY TENDER A 5,850-SQUARE-METRE LOT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE LOT IS IN AREA 25, SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IT IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) BELONGING TO THE TENANT ONLY OR FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) WHICH ARE CURRENTLY LICENSED FOR USE IN PUBLIC STREETS AND ROADS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 27 THIS YEAR.
/FORM OF .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 f 1989
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND THE TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT:
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES;
♦ THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
- - 0
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CLEVELAND STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) FOR THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL DAY STREET CARNIVAL.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD HEADING FOR PATERSON STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CANNON STREET, LOCKHART ROAD, EAST POINT ROAD AND GREAT GEORGE STREET.
ALSO, AIRBUS ROUTE A3 WILL NOT SERVE PATERSON STREET AND PARK LANE HOTEL BUT WILL OBSERVE A BUS STOP ON GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD NEAR CLEVELAND STREET BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
IN CENTRAL, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND H.M.S. TAMAR WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY FOR THE PAINT AND PLAY DAY.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, ELECTRIC ROAD IN NORTH POINT BETWEEN TS1NG FUNG STREET AND YACHT STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR ROAD WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
/55
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12,
1989
- 35 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
♦ * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 11 PM AND 7 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM JANUARY 15 TO 17 AND ON JANUARY 22 FOR THE REPAINTING OF A SIGN GANTRY.
IN ADDITION, THE TRAFFIC LANES ON TSUEN WAN ROAD BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TUEN MUN ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM JANUARY 15 TO MARCH 4 FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
-----0------
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND ♦ * * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND NEAR LUNG PING ROAD WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) FOR WATER WORKS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8^^ JaNUAHY
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT PROPOSES CHANGES TO ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR LaWYERS ... 1
52.4 3ILLI0N WR0V31ENT PACKAGE PROPOSED FOR KAI TAK......... 5
25 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR ELECTIONS .......................... 8
NEW MEMBERSHIP OF EDUCATION COMMISSION, BOARD OF EDUCATION
ANNOUNCED ................................................... 12
GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE ........... 13
CS: TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL RECEIVES 670 ENQUIRIES .... 14
MANPOWER SHORTAGE Di EDP PROFESSION ........................... 15
SEPTEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED....................................................... 17
PEAK TRAM MODERNISATION WORKS APPROVED ........................ 23
TENDERS INVITED FOR BUILDING RC/RSD HEADQUARTERS ............ 23
NEW MTRC CHAIRMAN TO TAKE UP POST IN MaRCH .................... 24
KCRC HIMBER RE-APPOD'TED ...................................... 25
GIRL WINS SPORTS AID FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ................... 25
LESS CLOUD, MORE RaIN IN DECEMBER ............................. 26
SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL TO OPEN TOMORROW ....................... 28
EXCITING PROGRAMME LINED UP FOR TSUEN W/J> /.RTS FESTIVAL ... 29
KWUN TONG FIGHT CRIME CaRaIV^L ON SUND..Y ..................... 30
,iNTI-CRIME C.1RNIV..L IN KWAI TSING .......................... 30
CHILDREN'S DRAWING COMPETITION IN MEI FOO ..................... 31
CLEaN-UP EXERCISE „T PaK SHa W«N ............................ 32
PaINT aND PLaY D..Y FOR CHILDREN ON SUNDAY .................... 32
NEW PREMISES FOR JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE ................. 33
FLYOVER FOR CASTLE PE..K ROAD, TSUEN W/Ji ..................... 34
TENDERS INVITED FOR LAI CHI KOK B..Y RECLAMATION ............. 35
NEW LINK RQ.D TO BE BUILT IN YUEN LONG ........................ 35
NEW ROaD TO BE BUILT IN NORTHERN KWAI CHUNG .................. 36
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS ........................... 37
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KING'S RO..D SECTION ..................... 38
TRAFFIC ..RR.1NGSMENTS IN YAU YaT CHUEN, YUEN LONG............. 38
URB.iN CLE-iRWaYS, LEARNER DRIVER BAN ......................... 39
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF T..I PO RO,J) SECTIONS ................... 39
TEMPORARY RO.lD CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ........................... 4o
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE Di TAI PO .............................. 40
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
GOVT PROPOSES CHANGES TO ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR LAWYERS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE LAW TO RATIONALISE TIE CRITERIA UNDER WHICH LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND C 17J.N OTHER COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE ADMITTED T 1 \CTISE AS SOLICITORS OR BARRISTERS IN HONG KONG.
THREE CHANGES TO THE EXISTING ADMISSION CRITERIA ARE PROPOSED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FIRST AFFECTS LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SEEKS TO RESTRICT THE RIGHT OF ADMISSION OF UK SOLICITORS AND B/J.RISTERS.
THE SECOND CONCERNS LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS WHO ARE CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE JUDICIARY OR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE.
THE THIRD PROPOSAL RELATES TO LIMITED RIGHTS OF PRACTICE FOR LAW LECTURERS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE LEGAL EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHO ARE SOLICITORS QUALIFIED IN CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
THEY ARE BASED ON THE REPORT OF A COMMITTEE WHICH WAS SET UP IN AUGUST 1986 UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE THEN CHIEF JUSTICE. THE COMMITTEE’S TASK WAS TO SUGGEST HOW TO IMPLEMENT A RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE THEN UMELCO STANDING PANEL ON SECURITY, FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF A PETITION FROM CERTAIN AUSTRALASIAN LAWYERS IN THE GOVERNMENT, THAT BARRISTERS QUALIFIED IN CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG WITHOUT EXAMINATION AFTER A PERIOD OF SERVICE AS A GOVERNMENT LAWYER. THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO INVITED TO SUGGEST OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW AFFECTING ADMISSIONS OF LAWYERS WHICH IT CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE.
IN ITS REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN JANUARY LAST YEAR THE CJ’S COMMITTEE, COMPOSED OF MEMBERS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE LAW SOCIETY AND MR PETER POON WING-CHEUNG, MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
THE AMENDMENTS CONCERN THE THREE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CJ’S REPORT INVOLVING CHANGES TO THE EXISTING ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR LAWYERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CHANGES TO THE LAW WILL BE GAZETTED ON JANUARY 20 AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 15.
/ADMISSION OF
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13» 1989
- 2 -
ADMISSION OF UK SOLICITORS
AT PRESENT A SOLICITOR QUALIFIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS E .LGIDLE FOR AUTOMATIC ADMISSION WITHOUT FURTHER QUALIFICATION AND E JAJ:J 1 'SS OF HOW LONG HE HAS LIVED IN HONG KONO.
THE PRESENT SITUATION REFLECTS THE HISTORICAL POSITION, WHICH 0 PAINED BEFORE HONG KONG BEGAN TO TRAIN LAWYERS LOCALLY, WHEN ONLY UK-QUALIFIED LAWYERS COULD BE ADMITTED TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW.
THE GOVERNMENT NOW PROPOSES THAT THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE BE AMENDED SO THAT A UK SOLICITOR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY I 'ORE HE CAN APPLY FOR ADMISSION AND FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS (WHICH CAN NCLUDE THE PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS) BEFORE HE CAN’ APPLY FOR AN UNCONDITIONAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATE.
"IT IS THOUGHT DESIRABLE TO IMPOSE A MINIMUM RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR UK SOLICITORS WISHING TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG TO ENSURE AT LEAST SOME BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ADMISSION OF UK BARRISTERS
BARRISTERS QUALIFIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO BE ADMITTED TO THE HONG KONG BAR WITHOUT FURTHER EXAMINATION OR QUALIFICATIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT THE RIGHT OF ADMISSION TO AN APPLICANT WHO HAS HAD THREE YEARS' PRACTICE IN THE UK (THE "THREE YEARS RULE"); OR A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT; OR HAS HONG KONG AS HIS NATURAL PLACE OF DOMICILE; OR HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.
COMMENTING ON THE "THREE YEARS RULE", THE CJ’S COMMITTEE SAID IT APPEARS TO BE "A RECOGNITION BY OMELCO OF THE CONCERNS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED AT THE DANGER THAT UK ADMISSIONS, IF TOO EASILY GRANTED, MAY DETER HONG KONG QUALIFIED LAWYERS, ON WHOM THE FUTURE STRENGTH OF THE PROFESSION MUST MAINLY RELY, FROM JOINING IT.”
COMMONWEALTH QUALIFIED LAWYERS
THERE ARE AT PRESENT LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS WORKING IN THE JUDICIARY OR THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE. THEY WERE RECRUITED IN THE PAST BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING SUFFICIENT NUMBERS OF LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN HONG KONG AND THE UK. MORE RECENTLY, THEY INCLUDE HONG KONG CHINESE LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
/Under the .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
UNDER THE EXISTING RULES THEY MAY PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW AS JUDICIAL OFFICERS OR AS MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE (THE LEGAL, LEGAL AID AND REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENTS) WITHOUT RESTRICTION. THEY ARE NOT, HOWEVER, ENTITLED TO PRACTISE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, UNLESS THEY OBTAIN THE POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF LAWS (PCLL) AND, IN THE CASE OF SOLICITORS, ALSO UNDERGO TWO YEARS OF ARTICLED CLERKSHIP.
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE SO THAT EXPERIENCED BARRISTERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE WILL BE ENTITLED TO BE ADMITTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS BARRISTERS AND PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITHOUT BEING REQUIRED FIRST TO OBTAIN A PCLL, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
» THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED IN A JURISDICTION LISTED IN A SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE. THE SCHEDULE LISTS THOSE SPECIFIC JURISDICTIONS FROM WHICH LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE HAVE BEEN RECRUITED IN THE PAST. COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE ARE AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA (EXCEPT QUEBEC) AND ZIMBABWE. THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL CONNECTION OF IRISH LAWYERS WITH HONG KONG;
* THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS’ RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG;
» THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE JUDICIARY OR THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE;
» THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE, FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS, UNDERTAKEN WORK APPROPRIATE TO A BARRISTER OF 10 YEARS’ SENIORITY;
* BEFORE ADMITTING AN APPLICANT UNDER THE SCHEME, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SHOULD CONSULT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION;
» THERE SHOULD BE A QUOTA OF FIVE ADMISSIONS TO PRACTISE BACH YEAR.
/IN THE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
IN THE CASE OF SOLICITORS IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE BE AMENDED SO THAT EXPERIENCED SOLICITORS FROM THE JUDICIARY AND THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE WILL BE ENTITLED TO APPLY TO BE ADMITTED AS A HONG KONG SOLICITOR AND PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS BEING MET:
* THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED IN A JURISDICTION TO BE LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE;
* THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS’ RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG;
* THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE JUDICIARY OR THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE;
* BEFORE ADMITTING AN APPLICANT UNDER THE SCHEME THE CHIEF JUSTICE SHOULD CONSULT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE LAW SOCIETY;
* THERE SHOULD BE A QUOTA OF 10 ADMISSIONS TO PRACTISE EACH YEAR.
THE PROPOSAL IS THE RESULT OF A PETITION TO UMELCO IN MAY 1986 FROM A GROUP OF AUSTRALASIAN LAWYERS EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THEY CALLED FOR A CHANGE IN THE LAW TO ENABLE THEM TO BE ADMITTED TO PRACTISE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AFTER CONSIDERING THEIR ARGUMENTS, UMELCO RECOMMENDED THAT THE LAW BE CHANGED TO ALLOW CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH QUALIFIED LAWYERS TO BE ADMITTED ON SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.
THE THIRD PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE EXISTING ADMISSION CRITERIA RELATES TO LECTURERS OF THE POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LAW (PCLL) COURSE.
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CJ COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION TO ALLOW CERTAIN LAW LECTURERS A LIMITED RIGHT OF PRIVATE PRACTICE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT SOME OF THE LECTURERS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL LEGAL EDUCATION ARE SOLICITORS QUALIFIED IN JURISDICTIONS OTHER THAN HONG KONG AND THE UK. THEY TEACH SUBJECTS RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN HONG KONG AND IT WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS FOR STUDENTS IF THEIR LECTURERS HAVE EXPERIENCE OF PRACTICE IN HONG KONG.
/THE PROPOSAL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
5 -
THE PROPOSAL GIVES EFFECT COMMITTEE THAT CERTAIN LECTURERS ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION AS HONG APPLICANT -
TO THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE
IN THE PCLL COURSE SHOULD BE
KONG SOLICITORS PROVIDED THE
» HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO PRACTISE AS A SOLICITOR IN A
JURISDICTION SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE;
» HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN AT LEAST TWO YEARS* PRACTICE AS A SOLICITOR IN THAT JURISDICTION; AND
» IS EMPLOYED, AND HAS BEEN EMPLOYED FOR ONE YEAR, AS A FULL TIME, NON-PROBATIONARY, NON-TEMPORARY LAW LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL LEGAL EDUCATION OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OR AT ANY OTHER INSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE CJ AFTER CONSULTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW SOCIETY.
SUCH ADMISSION WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY DURING THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT AS A LECTURER AND A PERSON ADMITTED UNDER THE SCHEME WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRACTISE ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT OR AS A PARTNER.
-------0---------
12.4 BILLION IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE PROPOSED FOR KAI TAK * t t t ♦
A GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED CONSULTANCY STUDY HAS RECOMMENDED A $2.4 BILLION PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION FOR KAI TAK AIRPORT TO ENABLE IT TO REALISE ITS ULTIMATE POTENTIAL CAPACITY UNTIL THE M1D-199O’S.
ACCORDING TO THE FINAL REPORT OF THE KAI TAK CONSULTANCY, THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL REACH CAPACITY BY 1992 IF AIR TRAFFIC GROWS AT THE RATE FORECAST BY CONSULTANTS.
A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED TO ENABLE KAI TAK TO COPE WITH FURTHER GROWTH IN AIR TRAFFIC FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
THE REPORT ALSO ENVISAGES THAT IF THE HONG KONG AIRPORT CANNOT MEET ITS AIR TRAFFIC NEEDS BEYOND THE SATURATION YEAR, THE ECONOMY WILL SUFFER SIGNIFICANT LOSSES. CUMULATIVE ECONOMIC D1SBENEFITS ESTIMATED AT $101 BILLION WORLD ARISE FROM THE PERIOD 1997 TO 2010.
ANNOUNCING THESE TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONSULTANTS WERE ASKED TO EXAMINE KAI TAK’S ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL.
/’’THE STUDY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
6
"THE STUDY HAS IDENTIFIED THAT MANY ELEMENTS OF KAI TAK’S SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE RUNWAY, AIRCRAFT PARKING FACILITIES AND ROAD ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT, ARE OPERATING CLOSE TO CAPACITY AND WILL REACH SATURATION BY 1992 IF GROWTH IN AIR TRAFFIC IS SUSTAINED AT THE RATE FORECAST BY CONSULTANTS," HE SAID.
"THE CONSULTANTS HAVE RECOMMENDED A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE AIRPORT FACILITIES AND ADJACENT ROAD NETWORK WHICH WILL DEFER THE SATURATION DATE TO 1996.
"THESE INCLUDE MEASURES TO EXPAND AIRSIDE FACILITIES, OPTIMISE USAGE OF THE SINGLE RUNWAY, IMPROVE THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, TERMINAL COMPLEX FACILITIES AS WELL AS ON AND OFF-AIRPORT ACCESS SYSTEMS.
"OF THE $2.4 BILLION WORTH OF IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED, $610 MILLION ARE ALREADY IN THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAMME FOR THE AIRPORT UP TO 1992-93 AND IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
"THE BALANCE OF $1.8 BILLION REPRESENTS ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS FOR WHICH NO FINANCIAL PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE.
"SUBJECT TO FURTHER SCRUTINY OF INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, THEIR PHASING AND COSTS, AND THE PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO ENABLE KAI TAK TO COPE WITH DEMAND."
UNDERTAKEN BY RMP ENCON, LTD, THE KAI TAK CONSULTANCY WAS STARTED IN OCTOBER 1987 AND COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE CONSULTANTS WERE REQUIRED TO PREPARE AIR TRAFFIC FORECASTS FOR KAI TAK UP TO THE YEAR 2010, IDENTIFY SHORTFALLS IN CAPACITY, RECOMMEND MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESS THE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS WHICH WOULD ARISE SHOULD DEMAND EXCEED CAPACITY.
THE STUDY FORECASTS THAT BETWEEN 1987 AND 2010, PASSENGER TRAFFIC WILL GROW AT AN AVERAGE OF 5.7 PER CENT PER ANNUM, REACHING SOME 46.4 MILLION IN 2010.
CARGO SERVICES DEMAND IS FORECAST TO INCREASE AT AN AVERAGE OF 6.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM, REACHING 2.61 MILLION TONNES IN 2010. CIVIL INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS ARE FORECAST TO GROW AT 5.2 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
THE MAIN FEATURE OF AIRSIDE IMPROVEMENTS IS TO INCREASE AIRCRAFT PARKING FACILITIES FROM 39 STANDS TO OVER 60 STANDS. THIS WILL INVOLVE EXTENSION OF THE EAST APRON TO PROVIDE 12 STANDS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH APRON ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION TO PROVIDE 11 STANDS.
/DEMAND MANAGFMENT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO OPTIMISE THE USAGE OF KAI TAK’S SINGLE RUNWAY CAPACITY BY SCHEDULING MORE FLIGHTS IN NON-PEAK HOURS.
CONSULTANTS HAVE ALSO RECOMMENDED MEASURES FOR AUGMENTING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFF AND MODERNISING THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM TO ENHANCE HANDLING CAPACITY TO 32 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS PER HOUR.
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROAD ACCESS SYSTEM TO KAI TAK AIRPORT ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED.
OFF-AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED INCLUDE CONSTRUCTING THE SUNG WONG TOI ROAD-OLYMP1C AVENUE FLYOVER, WIDENING OLYMPIC AVENUE AND HAVING A LINK INTO THE HUNG HOM BYPASS.
ON-AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE MODIFYING THE TAXI TERMINUS AND BUS SHELTER, CONSTRUCTING AN EASTERN EXTENSION FOR THE DEPARTURE LEVEL PODIUM AND UPGRADING THE CONCORDE ROAD-EASTERN ROAD FLYOVER.
IN CONSIDERING OTHER CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT MEASURES, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE EXAMINED THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A SECOND RUNWAY AT KAI TAK.
THEY HAVE CONCLUDED THAT WHILE TECHNICALLY IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO CONSTRUCT A NEW PARALLEL RUNWAY, IT WOULD ONLY ENHANCE THE RUNWAY CAPACITY FROM 30 TO 36 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS PER HOUR.
CONSTRUCTION AND RECLAMATION WOULD COST $6.9 BILLION. IN ADDITION, EXISTING FACILITIES SUCH AS THE MA TAU KOK GASWORKS WOULD NEED TO BE REPROVISIONED.
THE SECOND RUNWAY WOULD DISRUPT WATER FLOW AND HARBOUR FACILITIES AROUND LEI YUE MUN AND INCREASE NOISE POLLUTION. EFFECTIVELY, IT WOULD CLOSE THE EASTERN APPROACH TO VICTORIA HARBOUR.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONSIDERABLE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL COSTS INVOLVED, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT A SECOND RUNWAY WOULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED.
THE CONSULTANTS ALSO STUDIED THE CONTRIBUTION OF KAI TAK TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY BY ASSESSING THE VALUE-ADDED CONTENT OF VISITOR SPENDING, AND ON-AIRPORT ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE AIRPORT DEPENDENT.
THEY THEN ASSESSED THE VALUE-ADDED CONTENT WHICH WOULD BE LOST TO HONG KONG IF PART OF THE FORECAST INCREASE IN AIR TRAFFIC COULD NOT BE MET BEYOND KAI TAK’S SATURATION BY 1996.
FOR THE PERIOD 1997 TO 2010, THE CUMULATIVE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $101 BILLION IN PRESENT VALUE TERMS.
/IN ADDITION
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 8 -
IN ADDITION TO THESE QUANTIFIABLE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS, THE ECONOMY WOULD ALSO SUFFER INTANGIBLE LOSSES ARISING FROM LOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS AND FROM THE SUBSEQUENT DIMINUTION OF HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIVENESS AS A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ADEQUATE AIRPORT FACILITIES TO UNDERPIN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE KAI TAK CONSULTANCY STUDY HAS INDICATED THE SCOPE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXISTING AIRPORT TO SERVE HONG KONG IN THE 1990’S.
"AT THE MOMENT, OTHER AIRPORT-RELATED STUDIES ARB UNDERWAY. THESE INCLUDE THE CHEK LAP KOK MASTER PLAN REVIEW, THE ALTERNATIVE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITES CONSULTANCY, AND THE FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL STUDY.
"THESE STUDIES WILL GIVE A BASIS FOR EVALUATING THE RELATIVE ADVANTAGES OF SITING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK OR THE WESTERN HARBOUR. CONSULTANTS WILL ALSO RECOMMEND THE OPTIMAL FINANCING PACKAGE AND APPROPRIATE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.
"THE FINDINGS OF THESE CONSULTANCY STUDIES WILL BE DRAWN TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A FIRM BASIS FOR A FINAL DECISION TO BE MADE ON PORT ANT) AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR."
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25 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR ELECTIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
TWENTY-FIVE NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MARCH WERE RECEIVED UP TO 5 PM TODAY (FRIDAY), THE FIRST DAY FOR NOMINATIONS.
FOURTEEN WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND 11 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THERE WERE 79 CANDIDATES (39 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 40 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL) CONTESTING THE 1986 ELECTIONS.
TWENTY-EIGHT CANDIDATES (18 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 10 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL) LODGED NOMINATION PAPERS ON THE FIRST DAY OF NOMINATION ON THAT OCCASION.
NOMINATION PAPERS ARE NOT ACCEPTED ON SATURDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 9 -
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED IS IN THE WONG TAI SIN SOUTH CONSTITUENCY WITH THREE CANDIDATES.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY.
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL NO.
WAN CHAI WONG HON-CHING M 36 COST ENGINEER 5-546519
HILTON CHEONG-LEEN M 66 COMPANY DIRECTOR 5-228332
NORTH POINT MAN SAI-CHEONG M 44 SOLICITOR 5-667888(R) 5-265775(0)
KOWLOON CITY EAST PAO PING-WING M 40 COMMUNITY SERVICE CONSULTANT 3-7656362
KWUN TONG WEST ELSIE TU F 75 SCHOOL SUPERVISOR 3-412932
MONG KOK WONG YUEN-WEI M 59 SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 3-7870015 3-7871701
SHAM SHUT PO WEST MA LEE-WO M 28 SOCIAL WORKER 3-600161
WONG TAI SIN SOUTH FOK PUI-YEE F 38 HOUSEWIFE 3-7262150
MOK YING-FAN M 38 HERBALIST 3-236255
YEUNG CHIU-MING M 41 PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER 3-7955366 3-915341 PAGE 1689
WONG TAI SIN NORTH NG NGOK-SHING M 42 SOCIAL WORKER 3-268588
KAN CHI-HO M 42 AIRCRAFT TECHNICIAN 3-258744
YAU TSIM WONG KWOK-TUNG M 39 SOLICITOR 5-236934
WOO YAN-YUE F 47 PRINCIPAL OF DANCING SCHOOL 5-8931213
/REGIONAL COUNCIL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1>, 1989
10
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL NO.
ISLANDS KWONG PING-YAU M 68 MERCHANT 5-9810219
SHA TIN WEST FUNG CHI-WOOD M 32 CLERGYMAN 0-6010789
LAU KONG-WAH M 31 RESEARCH STUDENT 3-7970666 PAGE 6676
TSUEN WAN CHAN WAI-YIP, ALBERT M 33 SOCIAL WORKER 0-4113107
TUEN MUN WEST NG MING-YUM M 32 TEACHER 0-4572649
KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI WONG MAN-TAI JAMES, M 33 SOCIAL WORKER 0-4110030
TUEN MUN EAST POON CHIN-HUNG, ALMON M 32 SOLICITOR 0-4570088
CHEUNG YUET-LAN F 31 DB MEMBER 0-4517066
YUEN LONG CHUNG KWAI-PING M 33 SOCIAL WORKER 0-4744562
NGAN KAM-CHUEN M 41 BANK MANAGER 0-792643
KWAI CHUNG EAST CHOW YICK-HAY M 30 STAFF OF CUHK 0-6952637
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL RECEIVED SO FAR: BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN *
2. WAN CHAI 2
3. NORTH POINT 1
4. SHAU KEI WAN -
5. SOUTHERN -
/6. KOWLOON CITY WEST .........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
11
6. 7. KOWLOON CITY WEST KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUN TONG WEST 1
9. KWUN TONG EAST -
lOr MONG KOK 1
11. SHAM SHUI PO EAST -
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 3
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH 2
154 YAU TSIM 2
SUB-TOTAL 14
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 1
2. NORTH -
3. SAI KUNG -
4. SHA TIN EAST -
5. SHA TIN WEST 2
6. TAI PO -
7. TSUEN WAN 1
8. TUEN MUN EAST 2
9. TUEN MUN WEST 1
10. YUEN LONG 2
11. KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI SUB-TOTAL 1 11
-------0--------- /12......................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 12 -
NSW MEMBERSHIP OF EDUCATION COMMISSION, BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE NEW MEMBERSHIP OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
SIR QUO-WEI LEE WILL CONTINUE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, WHILE MISS MARIA TAM WAI-CHU AND MISS KATHLEEN ESTHER BARKER HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
SIX NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY, HE SAID. THEY ARE MRS ANGELA CHEUNG WONG WAN-YIU, MR DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG, MR TIMOTHY HA, MR HO SAI-CHU, DR PAUL MORRIS AND MR TSIM TAK-LUNG.
MRS ANGELA CHEUNG IS THE EDUCATION SERVICES SECRETARY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND IS THE MANAGER OF TUNG WAH SCHOOLS. SHE IS ACTIVE IN A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL BODIES INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF SPONSORING BODIES OF SCHOOLS AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION.
MR DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG IS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE CARMEL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. HE SITS ON THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AND IS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE. HE SERVED PREVIOUSLY ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
MR TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IS THE PRINCIPAL OF ST PAUL'S COLLEGE, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE. MR HA IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN MANY EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
DR PAUL MORRIS IS THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, SENATE AND COURT. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION.
MR HO SAI-CHU IS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE DIRECTOR OF A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S BUILDINGS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD.
MR TSIM TAK-LUNG IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY PRESS. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG AND A MEMBER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY. HE IS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS TELEVISION SERIES ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ARE THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1989
- 15 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE. THEY ARE MR JAMES TIEN PET-CHUN AND MISS SANSAN CHING TEH-CHI.
MR TIEN, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND KWAI TSTNG DISTRICT BOARD, IS AN INDUSTRIALIST WITH AN EXTENSIVE RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD, THE HONG KONG PORTS COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
MISS SANSAN CHING IS THE HEADMISTRESS OF A KINDERGARTEN AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES.
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE MUST BECOME MORE PROFESSIONAL AND SOPHISTICATED TO COUNTER THE GROWING SOPHISTICATION OF THOSE WHO SEEK TO EVADE THE LAW, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS SPECIAL GUEST NIGHT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY.
’’HONG KONG HAS PASSED THE STAGE WHERE WE CAN HOPE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS SIMPLY BY CREATING MORE POSTS AND EMPLOYING MORE STAFF,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAI’ THIS WAS A CHALLENGE THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT WAS FACING, AND POINTED OUT THAT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAD RESPONDED TO IT WI TH WILLINGNESS AND IMAGINATION.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SERVICE HAD A LONG AND HONOURABLE HISTORY, WITH RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH WERE PROBABLY WIDER THAN THOSE OF ANY OTHER CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION IN THE WORLD.
"AND THEY ARE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT.” HE SAID.
THE SERVICE HAD TO COUNTER THE TRADE IN NARCOTICS, TO WHICH HONG KONG ATTACHED A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE AND WHERE ITS SUCCESS HAD WON PRAISE ELSEWHERE, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE SERVICE WAS ALSO TASKED TO PREVENT SMUGGLING TO AND FROM CHINA, COLLECT EXCISE DUTY AND ENFORCE BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS, HE SAID.
/’’THESE ACTIVITIES.......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
14
"THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE SEEN NOT AS HINDERING TRADE BUT ACTING TO HELP PROMOTE LEGITIMATE TRADE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE SERVICE DID NOT DEAL ONLY WITH THE CRIMINAL OR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL.
"FOR HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF TRAVELLERS ARRIVING AT OUR SHORES, THE CUSTOMS OFFICER IS ONE OF THE FIRST REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG THEY SEE.
"YOUR EFFICIENCY AND COURTESY CAN DO A GREAT DEAL TO CREATE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION OF HONG KONG FOR OUR MANY VISITING TOURISTS AND BUSINESSMEN," HE SAID.
ON THE FUTURE OF THE SERVICE, SIR DAVID SAID THAT ONE OF THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS THAT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WOULD BE A SEPARATE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION.
"THE CONTINUING EXISTENCE OF, AND NEED FOR, A SEPARATE HONG KONG CUSTOMS SERVICE WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY IS BEYOND DOUBT," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG’S ADMITTANCE TO THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL IN ITS OWN RIGHT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ESTABLISHING THAT SEPARATE IDENTITY.
"SO IS THE GROWTH OF YOUR BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH OTHER CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS."
-------0----------
CS: TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL RECEIVES 670 ENQUIRIES
« » « » »
BETWEEN DECEMBER 8, 1988 AND YESTERDAY THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL HAD RECEIVED SOME 670 ENQUIRIES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
'SOME 460 APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND 42 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO REPORT THESE FIGURES, WHEN SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, OF WHICH HE IS CHAIRMAN, AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
/SIR DAVID
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 15 -
STR DAVID NOTED THAT THE BRIEFING SESSION ON THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME LAST DECEMBER, WHICH WAS INSTIGATED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WAS VERY WELL SUPPORTED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES OF YAU TSIM, SOUTH, SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN WILL FURTHER PUBLICISE THE SCHEME AT THE ANTI-TRIAD FUNCTIONS IN THEIR DISTRICTS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES IN FIGHTING CRIME OVER THE PAST YEAR.
HE SAID THE TWO-TIER STRUCTURE OF THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK FOR CONSIDERATION OF POLICY ISSUES WHICH AFFECTED THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG BOTH AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND DISTRICT LEVELS.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT THERE IS GOOD COMMUNICATION, EXCHANGE OF VIEWS, AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO TIERS," HE SAID.
"I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES HAVE MAINTAINED CLOSE LINKS AND CO-OPERATION IN PURSUING ISSUES TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY."
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST YEAR, ALL DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES HAD CONTINUED TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN REPORTING CRIME AND MONITORING THE CRIME SITUATION IN THEIR DISTRICTS.
THEY HAD MADE GOOD USE OF GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN THE FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WHICH CENTRED ON ANTI TRIAD, ANTI-SHOPTHEFT AND HOME SECURITY.
-------o---------
MANPOWER SHORTAGE IN EDP PROFESSION * * * * *
A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SURVEY INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING (EDP) PROFESSION WAS SEVERELY SHORT OF TRAINED PERSONNEL AND IT ALSO ESTIMATED THAT THIS YEAR THE FIELD WOULD NEED 2,000 MORE STAFF TO COPE WITH ITS MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS.
THE SURVEY FOUND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN VACANCIES, A HIGH STAFF MOBILITY RATE AND A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES AS A RESULT OF RAPID BUSINESS EXPANSION AND EMIGRATION.
/THESE AND .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 16 -
THESE AND OTHER FINDINGS SUPPORTED THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL IN THE PROFESSION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORT ON MANPOWER IN THE PROFESSION FOUND THAT IN NOVEMBER 1987, A TOTAL OF 13,300 PERSONS WERE EMPLOYED IN EDP RELATED JOBS, AND THERE WERE ABOUT 1,000 VACANCIES IN THE SURVEYED ORGANISATIONS.
THIS NUMBER OF VACANCIES REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 48 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS SURVEY IN 1985.
A VERY HIGH STAFF MOBILITY RATE RECORDED IN THE SURVEY AND A COMPARISON OF THE 1985 AND 1987 FIGURES ON THE EXPERIENCE ON DATA PROCESSING MANPOWER SHOWED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES FROM THE LOCAL DATA PROCESSING PROFESSION.
THE SURVEY ALSO REVEALED THAT THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE OF SYSTEMS ANALYSTS AND APPLICATION PROGRAMMERS FELL SHORT OF THE EXPERIENCE PREFERRED BY EMPLOYERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS SUGGESTED THAT EMPLOYERS HAD TO SETTLE FOR WHAT THEY COULD RECRUIT.
THESE MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS INDICATED THAT THE EDP FIELD WAS EXPERIENCING A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF STAFF, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
IN THE SURVEY, EMPLOYERS FORECAST THAT THE TOTAL MANPOWER WOULD HAVE RISEN TO 15,000 IN 1988 AND WOULD FURTHER INCREASE TO 17,000 IN 1989 - WHICH WOULD MEAN AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 RECRUITS THIS YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING, WHICH CONDUCTED THE SURVEY, SAID THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES TRAINED BY LOCAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE INADEQUATE TO MEET THIS MANPOWER DEMAND.
EMPLOYERS WOULD HAVE TO RELY ON OVERSEAS GRADUATES TO MEET PART OF THE SHORTFALL.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO URGED LOCAL TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND THE COUNCIL’S EDP TRAINING CENTRE TO INCREASE THEIR EFFORTS IN THE TRAINING OF NEW ENTRANTS.
THE 1987 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON THE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING INDUSTRY CONTAINS DETAILED STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE MANPOWER STRUCTURE OF THE PROFESSION, AND IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CENTRAL, AT S26 A COPY.
-------O--------- /17........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
17 -
SEPTEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED
♦ » » ♦ »
THERE WERE 844,600 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER 1988, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 3.5 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 698,500 IN SEPTEMBER 1988, WAS 7.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1987.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 230,500, WAS UP BY 9.9 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 2.5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987.
. A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN SEPTEMBER 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 CONSTRUCTION SITES.
/THE OVERALL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1}t 1989
- 18 -
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1987 AND JUNE 1988, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT)IN » PERCENTAGE CHANGE » «
SELECTED MAJOR
SECTORS OF THE SEPT 88 ON SEPT 88 ON
ECONOMY SEPT 87 JUNE 88 SEPT 88 SEPT 87 JUNE 88
MANUFACTURING 875,300 869,000 844,600 m co I i i C\3 00
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 71,300 70,300 73,100 + 2.5 + 4.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 647,600 710,400 698,500 + 7.9 -1.7
FINANCING, 209,900 225,700 230,500 + 9.9 + 2.1
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED.
*♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH JUNE 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTORS DECREASED BY 2.8 PER CENT AND 1.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES AND IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED BY 4.0 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS (EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH ARE COVERED IN A SEPARATE SURVEY).
THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE
CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1987 AND JUNE 1988 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/NUMBER OF REPORTED
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1), 1989
- 19 -
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN*
PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR
SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 87 JUNE 88 SEPT 88 SEPT 88 ON SEPT 87 SEPT 88 ON JUNE 88
MANUFACTURING 53,890 48,460 55,070 ♦ 2.2 + 13.6
WHOLESALE AND 25,620 27,590 34,380 + 34.2 + 24.6
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 7,610 8,320 9,640 +26.7 +15.9
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST TEN.
*» BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
RELATIVE TO SEPTEMBER 1987, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.2 PER CENT. ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE OF 34.2 PER CENT AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AN INCREASE OF 26.7 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1988, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 13.6 PER CENT, 24.6 PER CENT AND 15.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
/ALSO AVAILABLE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
20 -
MONTHLY • RETAIL, AND THE
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, StNC INSURANCE? REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING
QUARTERLY TOTALS TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 3RD QTR. 1987 3RD QTR. 1988 3RD 3RD QTR. 1988 ON QTR. 1987
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 9,253 10,137 + 9.6
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 6,708 8,184 +22.0
FINANCING, 3,728 4,435 + 18.9
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
» BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS SECTORS INCREASED BY 9.6 PER CENT, 22.0 PER CENT
COMPARED
THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED Bi
™ 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
IN AND
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN SEPTEMBER 1987 AND SEPTEMBER 1988, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THEO? SpLOTOEHT. A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO AI LOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED^ BY ^HE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF payroll per person engaged, these two indices for September 1987 and SEPTEMBER 1988 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW
/NOMINAL INDEX OF
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1), 1989
- 21
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 87 SEPT 88 SEPT 88 ON SEPT 87
MANUFACTURING 243.4 277.1 + 13.8
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 226.8 258.7 + 14. 1
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 232.2 -■■■• *»■» * tr-- 246.5 - - - - , < - •t V • + 6.2 1*1 . • • • • • ?, 1 11i• ■ 1
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 =■ 100) .1 % .CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY ... ; , < ivi ; e... ' — — — — , SEPT 87 SEPT 88 SEPT 88 ON SEPT 87
140.4 146.8 + 4.6
MANUFACTURING
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 130.8 137.1 + 4.8 * ?
FINANCING, 133.9 130.6 -2.5
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
/BETWEEN SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 19®9
• a • A
_______________ t 'A.
BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 198T AND SEPTEMBER 1988, AN INCRKASE Of 13.8 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENOAOBD IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 14.1 PER CBNT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, RBAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 6.2 PER CENT.
OVER TO 8AMB PERIOD, THE RBAL INDBX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 4.8 PER CBNT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND 4.8 PER CBNT FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, BUT A DECREASE OF 2.5 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, RBAL 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 SEPTEMBER 1987 AND SEPTEMBER 1888.
THE DECLINE WAS LARGELY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE DECREASES IN THB REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THB INSURANCE (BY 6.6 PER CENT> AND BUSINESS SERVICES (BY 15.3 PER CENT) GROUPS, WHICH WERE MAINLY DUB TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER PR 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 HALARIEH,
HOWEVER, WITHIN THE
financing, instance, R BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THB FINANCIAL INSTITUTION INCLUDES BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND 6 INSTITUTIONS, REGISTERED A RISE OF 8.9 PER CENT IN TH PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED OVER THE SAMB PERIOp.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARB AVAILABLE FROI THE QUARTERLY REPORT OP EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AN0 PAYROLL STATISTICS SEPTEMBER 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT 111 RBB Copy PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING. PROUN CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THB SALES COUNTER Op THE CE STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE I STH FLOPB, WANPHAI TOWER I,' 12 ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONO, "
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 25 -
PEAK TRAM MODERNISATION WORKS APPROVED * ♦ * t *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION BY THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY TO CARRY OUT MODERNISATION WORKS FOR ITS TRAMWAYS SYSTEM.
ON SEPTEMBER 2 LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT EXTENDED THE COMPANY’S FRANCHISE TO RUN AND OPERATE THE PEAK TRAM SERVICE FOR A FURTHER 10 YEARS FROM JANUARY 1, 1994, AFTER THE COMPANY HAD MADE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO CARRY OUT A MODERNISATION PROGRAMME FOR THE TRAMWAY SYSTEM.
THE CAPACITY OF THE MODERNISED SYSTEM WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT 540 PASSENGERS PER HOUR IN ONE DIRECTION TO ABOUT 1,400 PASSENGERS PER HOUR.
MAJOR INSTALLATION WORKS OF THE MODERNISATION PROGRAMME WILL COMMENCE IN MAY THIS YEAR AND THE PEAK TRAMWAY WILL HAVE TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR SIX WEEKS FROM MID-JUNE TO END OF JULY TO FACILITATE THE WORKS.
THE MODERNISED TRAMWAY WILL BEGIN OPERATION IN AUGUST.
THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY WILL GIVE ADEQUATE ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE CLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR TO THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND TOUR OPERATORS.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS INVITED FOR BUILDING RC/RSD HEADQUARTERS ♦ * * * *
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON A PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND ITS EXECUTIVE ARM, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (RSD), IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL.
TENDERS FOR BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE HEADQUARTERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL CONSIST OF A LOW-RISE TO ACCOMMODATE THE COUNCIL FACILITIES AND A 20-STOREY HIGH-RISE TO HOUS! RSD OFFICES.
PILING FOUNDATION WORK FOR THE PROJECT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AT THE JUNCTION OF PAI TAU STREET AND SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD IN AREA 20 OF SHA TIN.
THE PROJECT ARCHITECT, MR PETER KEEPING, SAID THE BUILDING IS INTENDED TO CENTRALISE ALL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES AND DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES, WHICH ARE NOW LOCATED IN TSUEN WAN AND SEVERAL LEASED COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON RESPECTIVELY.
/’’THIS ARRANGEMENT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGES IN ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE AND GREATLY IMPROVE LOGISTIC SUPPORT TO ALL COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENT STAFF.
"THE BUILDING OCCUPIES A 0.4 HECTARE SITE WITH CONVENIENT TRANSPORT LINKS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY," MR KEEPING SAID.
EXCLUDING CIRCULATION AND SERVICE AREAS, THE COUNCIL COMPONENTS WILL TAKE UP OVER 2,500 SQUARE METRES.
THESE WILL INCLUDE A 500-SQUARE-METRE CHAMBER SEATING 80 PEOPLE AS WELL AS PRESS AND SPECTATOR GALLERIES.
BOTH THE CHAMBER AND A 250-SQUARE-METRE COMMITTEE ROOM WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION AND BROADCASTING FACILITIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE INDIVIDUAL OFFICES FOR THE CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIRMAN, COUNCILLORS AND THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT.
OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A RECEPTTON/EXHIBTTION HALL, LIBRARY, COMMON ROOM, DINING ROOM, AUDIO-VISUAL ROOM, PRESS ROOM, INTERVIEW ROOM, RECREATION AND FUNCTION ROOM, KITCHEN, WASHROOMS, AND BUILDING SERVICES AND STORE ROOMS.
THE RSD OFFICES WILL COVER MORE THAN 6,700 SQUARE METRES, NOT INCLUDING CIRCULATION AND SERVICE AREAS.
THEY WILL HOUSE ALL HEADQUARTERS DIVISIONS AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT’S SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY 1991.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 3.
- 0 -
NEW MTRC CHAIRMAN TO TAKE UP POST IN MARCH
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF APPOINTMENT OF MR HAMISH T. MATHERS AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IS ADVANCED FROM APRIL 1, 1989 TO MARCH 4, 1989.
THIS WILL ENABLE MR MATHERS TO SUCCEED THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN, MR C.W. NEWTON, WHO WILL RETIRE AND LEAVE HONG KONG SOON TO TAKE UP THE POST OF CHAIRMAN OF THE LONDON REGIONAL TRANSPORT.
MR MATHERS IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG SHORTLY AND WILL BECOME MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN (DESIGNATE) OF THE CORPORATION FROM JANUARY 16, 1989.
- - 0 -
/25
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13,
1989
25
KCRC MEMBER RE-APPOINTED ♦ * * *
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI, JP AS A MEMBER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1989.
A NOTICE ON THE RE-APPOINTMENT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
-------0---------
GIRL WINS SPORTS AID FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
*****
A 19-YEAR-OLD GIRL, MISS MALINA NGAI MAN-LIN, HAS WON THE FIRST SPORTS AID FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP UNDER THE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION WHICH WAS FORMED BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT IN FEBRUARY 1987.
THE SCHOLARSHIP AIMS AT ENABLING OUTSTANDING ATHLETES WITH NECESSARY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS TO UNDERTAKE A COURSE OF STUDY IN SPORTS-RELATED SUBJECTS NOT AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG BUT IN A TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OVERSEAS.
AFTER A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS BY THE SELECTION BOARD, MISS NGAI WAS CHOSEN TO RECEIVE THE 1988 SCHOLARSHIP.
MISS NGAI WILL UNDERTAKE A DEGREE COURSE IN SPORTS ADMINISTRATION AT THE CANBERRA COLLEGE OF ADVANCED EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA.
SHE IS THE HONG KONG NATIONAL RECORD HOLDER IN THE DISCUS THROW AND IN THE JUNIOR SHOT PUT.
MISS NGAI WAS ELECTED SPORTSGIRL OF THE YEAR BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION IN 1985-86, 1986-87 AND 1987-88.
SHE WAS ELECTED THE JUNIOR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR BY THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION IN 1985, 1986 AND 1987.
MISS NGAI REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN THE FIRST ASIAN JUNIOR TRACK AND FIELD MEET IN 1986 AND IN THE SEVENTH ASIAN TRACK AND FIELD MEET IN 1987.
-------0----------
/26........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13,
1989
26
LESS CLOUD, MORE RAIN IN DECEMBER * * *
THERE WAS LESS CLOUD BUT MORE RAINFALL THAN USUAL IN DECEMBER, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN ITS MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY.
THE MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT OF 30 PER CENT FOR THE MONTH IS THE SIXTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR DECEMBER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A WET SPELL AT THE END OF THE MONTH BROUGHT THE TOTAL DECEMBER RAINFALL TO 106.6 MILLIMETRES. THIS IS ABOUT FOUR TIMES THE NORMAL MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 25.3 MILLIMETRES AND IS THE SIXTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR DECEMBER.
THE WEATHER WAS FINE DURING THE FIRST SIX DAYS OF DECEMBER. FRESHENING EASTERLIES BROUGHT CLOUDY SKIES ON DECEMBER 7. IT RAINED THAT EVENING AND THE NEXT MORNING.
EARLY ON DECEMBER 9, WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY BRINGING MUCH DRIER AIR AND THE WEATHER IMPROVED ALBEIT BEING COOLER.
A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON FROM THE NORTH BROUGHT THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE ON THE MORNING OF DECEMEBR 11 TO 12.9 DEGREES CELSIUS, WHICH WAS THE MONTH’S LOWEST.
FINE WEATHER CONTINUED UNTIL EARLY ON DECEMBER 17 WHEN A BRIEF BURST OF EASTERLIES BROUGHT CLOUDY PERIODS. HOWEVER, FINE CONDITIONS RETURNED DURING THE DAY. TEMPERATURES ALSO BEGAN TO RISE. BY DECEMBER 20, TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 23.4 DEGREES, THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
GENERALLY FINE AND MILD WEATHER PREVAILED THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD EXCEPT ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 26 WHEN WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE EAST AND THERE WAS ALSO SOME LIGHT RAIN FOR A FEW HOURS.
THEREAFTER, APART FROM OVERNIGHT CLOUDINESS, FINE CONDITIONS CONTINUED UNTIL THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 28. MOIST EASTERLIES TOGETHER WITH AN APPROACHING UPPER-LEVEL DISTURBANCE BROUGHT OVERCAST SKIES AND LIGHT RAIN.
WEATHER WORSENED DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS WITH PERIODS OF RAIN WHICH WERE HEAVY AT TIMES. THE RAIN LET UP DURING THE DAY ON DECEMBER 31 AND CLOUDS CLEARED UP THAT EVENING.
DURING THE MONTH, NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.
/THE RED.......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 27 -
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 4, 5 AND BETWEEN 10 AND 13.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 3, 4,
16, 17, 18 AND BETWEEN 24 AND 27.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE OF TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON DEC.8 11.30 PM DEC.9 12.05 PM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON DEC.17 11 PM DEC.18 7.05 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 231.1 HOURS > 51.8 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 12.22 MJ/SQ. M * 0.01 MJ/SQ. M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 106.6 MM 81.3 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 30 % » 22 % LESS THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 68 % » 1 % LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 20.2 DEGREES CELSIUS * 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 17.7 DEGREES CELSIUS * NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 15.5 DEGREES CELSIUS » 0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 11.4 DEGREES CELSIUS » NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 81.4 MM » 34.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
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/28........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 28 -
SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL TO OPEN TOMORROW * » * » »
THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WITH A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY OF FESTIVE LIGHTING ON KWONG FUK BRIDGE.
THE FESTIVE LIGHTING DEPICTING A FIREWORK DISPLAY WILL LIGHT UP PO HEUNG STREET, KWONG FUK BRIDGE, PO HEUNG BRIDGE, AND THE RIVERSIDES OF LAM TSUEN RIVER.
OFFICIATING AT THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY WILL BE THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR MICHAEL SUEN. THERE WILL BE A LION DANCE AND A COCKTAIL RECEPTION.
ALSO, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A POSTER DESIGN AND A SLOGAN COMPETITION HELD RECENTLY TO PUBLICISE THE FESTIVAL.
THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL, WITH NEARLY 60 COLOURFUL AND ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES, WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 20.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON KWONG FUK BRIDGE BESIDE THE TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 1 TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 29 -
EXCITING PROGRAMME LINED UP FOR TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL
t * * * ♦
A FULL PROGRAMME OF QUALITY PERFORMANCES HAS BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE 11TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 21 AND FEBRUARY 27.
BOTH LOCAL AND VISITING ARTISTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL.
THE GRAND OPENING WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY THE JIANGSU ARTISTIC TROUPE AND TAIPEI’S YOUTH FOLK ARTS TROUPE. THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ALSO GIVE ITS DEBUT PERFORMANCE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
EVENTS SUCH AS CANTONESE OPERA, POP FOLK CONCERTS, ORCHESTRAL CONCERT, BALLET, DRAMA, FILM SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME THIS YEAR.
THE FESTIVAL IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION TO STIMULATE RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN THE APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS.
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE FESTIVAL OF ABOUT $2 MILLION IS PARTLY FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND PARTLY BY LOCAL SPONSORSHIP.
PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
PEOPLE INTENDING TO ATTEND SHOWS ARE ADVISED TO BOOK THEIR
TICKETS AT THE URBTIX OUTLETS NOW.
TELEPHONE RESERVATION CAN BE MADE ON 5-739595 AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4145501 OR 0-4140144.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE 11TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) AT 2.15 PM AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, TSUEN WAN.
YOU ARE TNVTTED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HOSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL, MR CHEUNG CHUNG-YAN.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 30 -
KWUN TONG FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY *****
A CARNIVAL WHICH AIMS AT DRIVING HOME THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND IN KWUN TONG.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE KWUN TONG AND SAU MAU PING DISTRICTS OF THE POLICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID THE CARNIVAL WOULD HIGHLIGHT THE DISTRICT'S FIGHT CRIME EFFORTS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION OF WINNING ENTRIES IN THE COLOURING AND DRAWING COMPETITIONS HELD EARLIER TO PUBLICISE THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE, A VARIETY SHOW, GAME STALLS AND A BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN WHICH WINNERS IN A SERIES OF FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES.
ELEVEN RESIDENTS WILL BE AWARDED THE ’’GOOD RESIDENTS AWARD” FOR BRAVE ACTIONS AND OTHER EFFORTS IN COMBATTING CRIME.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 1 PM WILL BE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (KWUN TONG), MR M.N.W. PELLY; DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (SAU MAU PING), MR S.G. CHANDLER; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR MAU KEI-ON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL BEGINNING AT 1 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
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ANTI-CRIME CARNIVAL IN KWAI TSING *****
THE ANNUAL FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT WILL BE HELD AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) TO PROMOTE ANTI-CRIME MESSAGES AMONG RESIDENTS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE DEMONSTRATIONS BY A SCHOOL CYCLING TEAM, TAEKWONDO TEAM OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND BY POLICE DOGS.
/THERE WILL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1Jt 1989
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISPLAY OF FIRE ENGINES AND THE POLICE "FIGHT CRIME BUS" WILL BE AT THE VENUE. RESIDENTS MAY ALSO TAKE PART IN STALL GAMES.
PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A CHILDREN’S COLOURING COMPETITION AND MODEL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONTEST. GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHOI BING-SHUN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG; KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; AND POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR J.R. ELLIOTT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND (NEAR KWAI FONG MTR STATION).
- 0 - -
CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION IN MEI FOO ♦ » » » *
CHILDREN IN SHAM SHUI PO WIL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENT IN A DRAWING COMPETITION TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15).
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE LAI WAN AREA COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - ONE FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN NINE AND 12 YEARS OLD AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE UNDER NINE.
IT WILL BE HELD FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM IN MEI FOO SUN CHURN. THOSE WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION SHOULD APPROACH THE MEI FOO SUB-OFFICE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON THAT DAY.
IN THE AFTERNOON, A CHILDREN’S HEALTH COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.
THE COMPETITION AIMS AT PROMOTING PARENTS’ CONCERN FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR CHILDREN AND A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO GENERATIONS.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
52
CLEAN-UP EXERCISE AT PAR SHA WAN
» » ♦ ♦
A CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO COLLECT THE FLOATING REFUSE AT PAK SHA WAN, SAI KUNG.
THE EXERCISE AIMS AT SPREADING THE ’’KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN” MESSAGE TO VILLAGERS AND BOAT DWELLERS IN THE AREA TO AROUSE THEIR AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, LOCAL STUDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM KAU SAI VILLAGE AND PAK SHA WAN VILLAGE WILL TAKE PART IN THE CLEANING UP. THEY WILL ALSO HELP DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO BOAT DWELLERS AND FISHERMEN.
THE EXERCISE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SAI KUNG OFFICE). IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM AT THE PAK SHA WAN PIER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PAK SHA WAN CLEAN-UP EXERCISE TOMORROW (SATURDAY). TRANSPORT TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO SAI KUNG WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI AT 9 AM.
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PAINT AND PLAY DAY FOR CHILDREN ON SUNDAY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ABOUT 200 CHILDREN WILL BE TAKING PART IN A CREATIVE PROGRAMME KNOWN AS THE "PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY” AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15).
THERE WILL BE 20 ART ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WOODWORK, WATER-COLOUR PAINTING, DOUGH MODELLING, SANDWICH MAKING, CLAYDOLL MAKING, BUBBLES GAME AND COLLAGE ART.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 12.30 PM. OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MR HUI YIN-FAT; CENTRAL AND WESTERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS JOEY LAM; AND CHAIRMAN OF CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, MR LAWRENCE LAM.
/THE FUNCTION .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 33 -
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUNPS ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT "PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY" WHICH WILL BEGIN AT NOON ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL. THE PROGRAMME IS EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL 4.30 PM.
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NEW PREMISES FOR JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE « * * « »
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED FUNDS FOR BUILDING NEW PREMISES AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT i15.9 MILLION TO REPROVISION THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE AT A SITE AT AREA 31A IN TUEN MUN.
THE SCHOOL STARTED OPERATION AS A PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN 1977 AND BECAME FULLY SUBSIDISED IN SEPTEMBER 1982.
THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY OPERATES BI-SESSIONAL CLASSES IN TWO TEMPORARY SUB-STANDARD PREMISES IN SEPARATE LOCATIONS IN TUEN MUN AFTER THE LEASE OF ITS ORIGINAL PREMISES AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD xN TUEN MUN EXPIRED IN 1986.
ON COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN MAY 1991, THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS, 12 SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
IN THE NEW PREMISES, THE SCHOOL WILL OPERATE 30 CLASSES UNDER A STRUCTURE OF 6664422 FROM SECONDARY ONE TO SEVEN.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 3*+ -
FLYOVER FOR CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A FLYOVER ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT SHA TSUI ROAD IN TSUEN WAN.
THE FLYOVER WILL INCORPORATE A FOOTBRIDGE.
A TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING ON YUK ROAD WITH THE FLYOVER WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
THE EXISTING JUNCTIONS OF ON YUK ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED, RESULTING IN THE TRAFFIC FLOWS ALONG THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO AND FROM TUEN MUN ROAD BEING IMPROVED.
AT PRESENT, THE ONLY ACCESS TO TSUEN WAN NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT IS VIA TSUEN KING CIRCUIT FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE NEW FLYOVER WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITION ACCESS TO THIS AREA.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE WORKS WILL START IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1991.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A NOTICE HAS ALSO BEEN POSTED AT THE SITE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT 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 MARCH 14 THIS YEAR.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 55 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR LAI CHI KOK BAY RECLAMATION *****
RECLAMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN LAI CHI KOK BAY TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AND A TRANSPORT LINK TO THE NEW CONTAINER PORT ROAD NETWORK.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN APRIL.
WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDE THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 6.3 HECTARES OF LAND, CONSTRUCTION OF 150 METRES OF SEAWALL, EXTENSION O THE EXISTING FOUR-CELL BOX CULVERT BY 280 METRES AND ASSOCIATED D AINAGE.
PIERS STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING BRIDGE AT THE LAI CHI KOK BAY ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1991.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 17.
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NEW LINK ROAD TO BE BUILT IN YUEN LONG
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A LINK ROAD FROM MA TIN ROAD TO TAI TONG ROAD PARALLEL TO AND SOUTH OF SAI CHING STREET IN YUEN LONG.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WIDTH OF THE LINK ROAD IS FROM 7.3 METRES TO 10.5 METRES WITH PROVISION OF A FOOTPATH ON BOTH SIDES.
A PERMANENT VEHICULAR BRIDGE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OVER THE EXISTING NULLAH.
AN AMENITY AREA WITH LANDSCAPING WORKS WILL BE PROVIDED TO SEPARATE THE NEW ROAD FROM SAI CHING STREET.
A HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ON COMPLETION THE NEW ROAD WOULD FORM PART OF THE ROUTE FOR HAULAGE TRAFFIC GOING TO AND FROM THE TAI TONG EAST BORROW AREA, THUS AVOIDING HAVING TO TRAVEL THROUGH KAU YUK ROAD.
IT WOULD ALSO BECOME AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE BETWEEN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF YUEN LONG TOWN CENTRE, THUS EASING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT KAU YUK ROAD.
/A PLAN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- ^6 -
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND SCHEME 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, NEW TERRITORIES.
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 14 THIS YEAR.
NEW ROAD TO BE BUILT IN NORTHERN KWAI CHUNG * » ♦ » *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE WORKS RELATING TO THE BUILDING OF A ROAD BETWEEN TAI PAK TIN STREET AND SHEK PAI STREET WITH ROAD CONNECTIONS WITH SHEK LI STREET AND ON CHIT STREET.
THE WORKS ARE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN SHEK LEI AREA, KWAI CHUNG.
THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE FORMED SITES AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
THE WORKS WERE ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PLAN AND SCHEME PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE LAST YEAR ON MAY 20 AND 27.
/THE PROPOSED ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1989
- 57 -
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT INVOLVES:
» REALIGNMENT OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE TAI ELECTRIC SUB-STATION;
* DELETION OF THE PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED ROAD SOUTHEASTERN BEND OF ON CHIT STREET; AND
PAK TIN STREET
CLOSURE AT THE
» SHORTENING OF AN ACCESS ROAD.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START THIS YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1992.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAsi; PUBLISHED IN THE
GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). H
THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY;
« KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 1OTH AND 11TH FLOORS, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
» KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE WORKS MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN MARCH 14 THIS YEAR.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS ♦ » * *
THE SECTION OF CASTLE ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 3 AND HOUSE NO. 7 WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR URGENT SLOPE WORK WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED UNTIL TUESDAY (JANUARY 17).
CHINA MOTOR BUS ROUTE NO. 23B ON ITS EASTBOUND JOURNEYS WILL CONTINUE TO BE DIVERTED VIA SEYMOUR ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD INSTEAD OF CAINE ROAD.
CMB ROUTE NO. 13 ON ITS EASTBOUND JOURNEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE DIVERTED VIA SEYMOUR ROAD, ROBINSON ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD INSTEAD OF CAINE ROAD, ARBUTHNOT ROAD, WYNDHAM STREET, LOWER ALBERT ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET.
_ _ _ -o - - - - /58 ..................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KING’S ROAD SECTION
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE WATERWORKS, A SECTION OF KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND OUTSIDE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY.
HOWEVER, THE ACCESS TO THE KING'S ROAD FLYOVER LEADING TO HONG ON STREET WILL REMAIN OPEN.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KORNHILL ROAD AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
EASTBOUND JOURNEYS ON BUS ROUTES 2, 20, 80, 81, 82 AND 102 AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 32 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA KORNHILL ROAD.
0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU YAT CHUEN, YUEN LONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16), OSMANTHUS ROAD TN YAU YAT CHUEN WILL RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
MOTORISTS FROM MAGNOLIA ROAD HEADING FOR OSMANTHUS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASSIA ROAD, DIANTHUS ROAD AND TAT CHEE AVENUE.
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCT TON OF A NULLAH BRIDGE, MA TIN ROAD IN YUEN LONG BETWEEN KAU YUK ROAD AND THE UNNAMED NULLAH-BUND ROAD LEADING TO MA TIN TSUEN WILL BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM FROM MONDAY FOR TWO NIGHTS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ENTERING OK LEAVING THE UNNAMED NULLAH-BUND ROAD LEADING TO MA TIN TSUEN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MA TIN ROAD AND TAI YUK ROAD.
ALSO, TRAFFIC ALONG YUEN LONG ON HING STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ON HONG ROAD AND KAU YUK ROAD.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
- 59 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS, LEARNER DRIVER BAN ♦ * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THREE ROAD SECTIONS IN MONG KOK WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16).
THE FOLLOWING TWO SECTIONS OF SHANGHAI STREET WILL BECOME 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS: THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHANTUNG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SOY STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
IN ADDITION, RECLAMATION STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MONG KOK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 22 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE BANNED FROM PUI TAK STREET IN SHAM SHUT PO ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD SECTIONS t ♦ ♦ t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 16) FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE NORTHBOUND OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM JANUARY 16 TO 18 WHILE THE NORTHBOUND OUTERMOST LANE NEAR KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED FROM JANUARY 23 TO 25.
IN ADDITION, THE NORTHBOUND INNERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE AND KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 30 AND 31 RESPECTIVELY.
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/4O........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1989
40 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN SHA TIN * » ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 9.30 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 16) FOR TWO NIGHTS.
THEY ARE THE MERGING LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES NORTH OF SUN TIN WAI FOOTBRIDGE AND THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 8 AM THE NEXT DAY ON JANUARY 16 AND 17 FOR WEIGH BRIDGE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TAI PO
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROADS LINKING TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 16) FOR TWO NIGHTS.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND LAM KAM ROAD HEADING FOR FANLING MAY USE TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST AT HONG LOK YUEN.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES FROM THE NORTH HEADING FOR THE AT-GRADE JUNCTIONS AT HONG LOK YUEN ROAD AND LAM KAM ROAD MAY EITHER USE TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST IN WO HOP SHEK OR TRAVEL VIA TOLO HIGHWAY, TAI PO NORTH INTERCHANGE AND TAI PO TAI WO ROAD IN SHUI WAI.
- 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO CELEBRATE 5OTH ANNIVERSARY................................................. 1
STUDIES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK ................ 2
FUNDS APPROVED FOR REPLACING VEHICLE LICENSING SY; TIM ..... 3
CP WARNS YOUNG PEOPLE AGAINST SHOP THEFT ................... 4
YOUNGSTERS URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS ................... 5
POLICE UPDATING COMPUTER SYSTEM............................. 6
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR SEPT-NOV
RELEASED •••••••••••••■••••••••••••••••••••••••••••*••••• 8
COMMUNICATION, CO-OPERATION AMONG RESIDENTS IMPORTS..... 9
OUTLINE OF SPECIAL INDUSTRY IN TUEN MUN ................... 10
SECURITIES DEALER REPRIMANDED ............................. 11
ROYAL HK REGIMENT RECRUITS JUNIOR LEADERS ................. 11
CARNIVAL TO MARK ’CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL DAY’ ............... 12
SURVEY REPORT ON VOTING BEHAVIOUR TO BE RELEASED........... 12
KOWLOON CITY DB OFFERS OUTSTANDING CITIZEN AWARDS.......... 13
MORE FACILITIES PLANNED FOR SWIMMERS aT STANLEY BEkCH... 14
YUEN LONG TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR.................. 14
PUMPING STATIC!: .J4D SCREENING PLANT TO BE CONSTRUCTED. 15
WATER CUT IN SHaM SHUI PC.................................. 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF nP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROaD SLIP ROitD .... 15
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
1
NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
« » » » «
THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (NCE) -- HONG KONG’S FIRST FULL-TIME TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE FOUNDED IN 1939 — WILL CELEBRATE ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE WITH A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CELEBRATIONS WILL INCLUDE A GOLDEN JUBILEE EXHIBITION AND OPEN DAY, A REUNION DINNER FOR GRADUATES OF THE COLLEGE AND THE PUBLICATION OF A SOUVENIR BOOKLET.
THE EXHIBITION ON THE THEME OF "NCE PAST AND PRESENT” WILL BE OPENED OFFICIALLY BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, ON JULY 6.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO FORMER STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BETWEEN JULY 6 AND 8. VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLLEGE IN THE PAST 50 YEARS.
A PAMPHLET ENTITLED "THE HISTORY OF NCE" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION.
THE GOLDEN JUBILEE DINNER WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 16. IT WILL PROVIDE A "GOLDEN" OPPORTUNITY FOR THE "NORTHCOTIANS" IN THE PAST 50 YEARS TO GET TOGETHER IN SEARCH OF FOND MEMORIES OF THEIR COLLEGE LIFE.
A SOUVENIR PUBLICATION ON THE GOLDEN JUBILEE WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED EARLY NEXT YEAR. PAST STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE PUBLICATION BEFORE THE END OF OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
THE NCE, ADMINISTERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WAS KNOWN BEFORE 1967 AS THE NORTHCOTE TRAINING COLLEGE AND COMMENCED OPERATION 50 YEARS AGO IN TEMPORARY PREMISES IN HOSPITAL ROAD.
THE FIRST INTAKE CONSISTED ONLY 24 STUDENTS IN EACH OF THE ENGLISH AND THE CHINESE SECTIONS.
IN 1940, THE COLLEGE MOVED TO ITS FIRST PERMANENT HOME AT BONHAM ROAD WHICH WAS FORMALLY OPENED BY Till THEN GOVERNOR, SIR GEOFFREY NORTHCOTE, IN NOVEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR.
TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR MORE TRAINED TEACHERS FOR THE RAPIDLY INCREASING SCHOOL POPULATION, THE COLLEGE CONTINUED TO EXPAND AND MOVED AGAIN TO THE EXISTING PREMISES AT SASSOON ROAD IN POK FU LAM IN 1962.
THE NCE’S BONHAM ROAD BUILDING WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE UNITED COLLEGE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BEFORE ITS REVERSION TO THE COLLEGE IN 1973 TO ACCOMMODATE ITS CONTINUING EXPANSION.
SINCE THEN THE NCE HAS BEEN OPERATING COURSES AT BOTH THE SASSOON ROAD AND THE BONHAM ROAD PREMISES. THE COMBINED ENROLMENT OF THE TWO CAMPUSES NOW IS 766 FULL-TIME COURSE STUDENTS AND 450 PART-TIME COURSE STUDENTS.
THE NCE TODAY CONTINUES TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TEACHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. OVER THE YEARS, THE COLLEGE HAS PRODUCED 8,308 QUALIFIED TEACHERS IN ITS FULL-TIME COURSES AND 5,471 QUALIFIED TEACHERS IN ITS PART-TIME COURSES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
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STUDIES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK
» » » » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT LARGE-SCALE TRANSPORT STUDIES AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN MONITORING THE BUS NETWORKS THROUGH FIELD SURVEYS OF INDIVIDUAL ROUTES AND SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE DATA COLLECTED. THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN SATISFACTORY.
THE STUDIES, TO BE MADE WITH THE AID OF COMPUTERS, WILL FURTHER HELP TO IDENTIFY THE STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES IN THE EXISTING NETWORKS.
THEY COULD OPTIMISE FREQUENCIES AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE FLEETS FOR BUS ROUTES, AND WOULD ALSO HELP QUANTIFY THE EFFECT ON EXISTING AND POTENTIAL PASSENGERS AS A RESULT OF POSSIBLE RESTRUCTURING OF THE BUS NETWORKS.
BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, THE ENHANCED EVALUATION OF THE TRANSPORT NETWORK WILL IN THE LONG TERM HELP TO REDUCE THE PRESSURE FOR HIGHER TRANSPORT FARES AND BRING ABOUT OVERALL BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE STUDIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, ASSISTED BY PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TECHNICAL PROPOSALS FROM CONSULTANT FIRMS WITH A VIEW TO SELECTING THE BEST COMPUTER PROGRAM AND CONSULTANT SUPPORT FOR THE STUDIES.
SHA TIN, TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT IN THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES ARE LIKELY TO BE SELECTED FOR THE FIRST SUB-REGIONAL STUDY. THE TRAVEL HABITS OF THE PUBLIC AND THEIR CHOICE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL BE ANALYSED.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A PROVISION OF $2.2 MILLION IN 1989-90 AND $2 MILLION LN 1990-91 FOR THE STUDIES, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN DECEMBER.
THE STUDIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE LAST YEAR THAT THE EXPANSION OF THE FRANCHISED BUS NETWORKS SHOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND SERVICE EXPANSION TO MEET PASSENGERS’ TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
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FUNDS APPROVED FOR REPLACING VEHICLE LICENSING SYSTEM *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF REPLACING THE VEHICLES AND DRIVERS LICENSING INFORMATION DATA (VALID) SYSTEM.
THE TOTAL NON-RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IS ESTIMATED AT $34,066,000 AND THE ANNUAL ADDITIONAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AT $2,144,000 FROM 1991-92 ONWARDS.
THE VALID SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1976 TO PROVIDE RAPID AND EFFICIENT INFORMATION SERVICES FOR THE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND DRIVERS.
ITS DATA IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR POLICE ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES RELATING TO TRAFFIC OFFENCES.
THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN OPERATING ON ONE OF THE TWO MAINFRAME COMPUTERS AT THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY (GDPA), WITH 62 OUT-STATION TERMINALS INSTALLED AT THE VARIOUS LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
CURRENTLY, THE SYSTEM PROCESSES ABOUT 8,000 TRANSACTIONS A DAY FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE FOR LICENCE RENEWAL, TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND ENQUIRIES ABOUT VEHICLES AND OWNERSHIP PARTICULARS.
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN 1987 BY THE GDPA WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT A COMPLETE REDESIGN AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM WAS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY.
AFTER A FURTHER STUDY BY THE GDPA IN MID-1988 TO EXAMINE THE VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES FOR REDEVELOPMENT. IT WAS PROPOSED TO REDEVELOP AND REDESIGN THE VALID SYSTEM ON A SEPARATE NEW CENTRAL COMPUTER IN THE GDPA, USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN DATABASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AND NETWORKING.
THE NEW VALID SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE FOR A HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE IN THE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND DRIVERS, AND IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF DRIVING AND PARKING LAWS THROUGH THE FIXED PENALTY SCHEME.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT WILL MAINTAIN A CENTRAL ENVIRONMENT FOR INTRA-DEPARTMENTAL AND INTER-DEPARTMENTAL ACCESS TO VEHICLES, DRIVERS AND OTHER TRANSPORT/TRAFFIC DATA INFORMATION.
IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY IN PROVIDING SYSTEM CHANGES TO MEET FUTURE LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE THE TECHNOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.
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A....
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
CP WARNS YOUNG PEOPLE AGAINST SHOP THEFT
*****
•'SHOP THEFT IS A CRIME AND MAY HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE," ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING.
THE COMMISSIONER MADE THIS REMARK THIS AFTERNOON (SATURDAY) WHEN HE GAVE AN ADDRESS AT THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT DAY ORGANIZED BY POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH AT CITYPLAZA, TAI KOO SHING.
"THE CRIME AFFECTS US ALL BECAUSE THE LOSSES SUSTAINED BY SHOPKEEPERS ARE UNDERSTANDABLY PASSED ON TO US - THE CONSUMERS. SO ALL OF YOU, BY PLAYING YOUR PART IN HELPING TO COMBACT THIS CRIME, WILL ALSO BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION," HE SAID.
"IT IS THE EARNEST WISH OF THE POLICE FORCE THAT SHOP THEFT, WHICH IS A SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBI.EM AS WELL AS A CRIME, CAN BE EFFECTIVELY TACKLED THROUGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, PUBLICITY EVENTS SUCH AS TODAY'S, AND WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF SHOPKEEPERS AND ALL MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SHOP THEFT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE YEAR IN DIFFERENT VENUES; IN HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON, THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE LARGER OUTLYING ISLANDS," THE COMMISSIONER ADDED.
TOGETHER WITH THE COMMISSIONER TO OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM.
ALSO SPEAKING DURING THE EVENT, MRS TAM SAID: "THE FACT THAT SHOP THEFT FIGURE IS SHOWING AN ENCOURAGING SIGN OF DROPPING SHOULD IN NO WAY MAKE US COMPLACENT WITH THE SITUATION."
QUOTING THE FIGURE THAT FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 5,201 REPORTED CASES WHICH COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH THAT OF 6,210 IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, MRS TAM CONTINUED BY SAYING THAT \S THE ('HAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, SHE WAS MOST CONCERNED WITH THE COMPARATIVELY HIGHER PROPORTION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN SHOP THEFT.
"I BELIEVE MOST OF THEM COMMIT THE CRIME ONLY OUT OF GREED, AND THEY HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IT WILL BRING TO THEM.
"THE ANT I-SHOP THEFT DAY, A LARGE-SCALE ACTIVITY AIMING AT YOUNGSTERS, WOMEN AND SHOPKEEPERS, IS TASKED WITH AROUSING THE CONCERN OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE FORMER TWO GROUPS, THAT SHOP THEFT IS NOT A GAME, BUT IS INDEED A (’RIME THAT WOULD BEAR SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES ON THEIR FUTURE," SAID MRS TAM.
AN ELECTRONIC ANIMATED ROBOTIC SYSTEM - TUI- "ROBOTCOP", WHICH WOULD BE TASKED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON CRIME PREVENTION, WAS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, INTRODUCED TO THE PUBLIC IN Till- CEREMONY.
TO JOIN THE DRIVE AGAINST SHOP THEFT, BESIDES JACKIE CHAN, THE RENOWED MOVIE STAR, JACKIE ('HEUNG AND ALEX TO, BOTH FAMED SINGERS, ALSO ATTENDED THE HOUR-LONG PROGRAMME AND CONTRIBUTED THEIR PARTS IN SINGING AND DRAMA PLAYING.
/5.......
o
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
- 5 -
YOUNGSTERS URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, TODAY (SATURDAY) APPEALED TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS AND TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AND HEALTHY PURSUITS.
MR MULLOY WAS ADDRESSING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A "JOINT SCHOOL ANTI-NARCOTICS DESIGN COMPETITION" HELD AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP (YVG) OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
WHILE COMMENDING THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN THE COMPETITION, MR MULLOY POINTED OUT THAT ITS PURPOSE WAS TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS, AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR, AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE VOLUNTEERS’ DEVOTION, ENTHUSIASM, INITIATIVE AND RESOURCEFULNESS — ALL OF WHICH PLAYED \N IMPORTANT PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE DRUG MENACE.
A TOTAL OF 15 EXHIBITION BOOTHS, DESIGNED BY PARTICIPATING TEAMS FROM 11 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE YVG, WERE ERECTED AT THE VENUE. EACH HAD A SPECIFIC DRUG-RELATED TOPIC.
THE SCHOOL TEAMS WERE FROM YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL COLLEGE NO. 2; ST JOAN OF ARC SECONDARY SCHOOL; HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE; KWAI CHUNG METHODIST COLLEGE; PO LEUNG KUK YAU LING SUN COLLEGE; HENRIETTA SCHOOL: KUNG LEE COLLEGE; YING WA COLLEGE; ST JOSEPH’S ANGLO CHINESE SCHOOL; KEI HEEP SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL; ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI’S COLLEGE; KEI YUEN COLLEGE; ST SIMON LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND DE LA SALLE SECONDARY SCHOOL.
TOPICS COVERED RANGED FROM THE DEFINITION OF DRUGS AND LEGAL CONTROLS ON THEM TO PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE AND ITS ADVERSE EFFECTS AND THE DRUG SITUATION IN THE TERRITORY.
ANTI-DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES, AND PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES WERE ALSO COVERED.
THE EXHIBITION WILL REMAIN OPEN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
MR MULLOY PRESENTED PRIZES TO THREE SCHOOL TEAMS, KEI HEEP SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, ST JOSEPH’S ANGLO CHINESE SCHOOL AND HENRIETTA SCHOOL. FOR THE BEST EXHIBIT DESIGNS.
THOSE ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT INCLUDED THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS KONG LI CHI-HO, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YVG ORGANISING COMMITTEE. MISS CHAN OI-WAH.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
6
POLICE UPDATING COMPUTER SYSTEM *****
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IS TO LAUNCH A SERIES OF COMPUTERISATION PROGRAMMES WHICH WILL FURTHER ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND RESPONSE TIME TO EMERGENCIES.
THE FIRST IN THE PIPELINE WILL BE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING POLICE OPERATIONAL NOMINAL INDEX COMPUTER SYSTEM (PONICS) IN THE CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU.
OTHER PROJECTS UNDER PLANNING INCLUDE THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND DISASTER SUPPORT SYSTEM AND A PILOT STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF INSTALLING A STATION INFORMATION COMMUNAL SYSTEM.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $42.5 MILLION, PHASED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, FOR A REPLACEMENT PONICS AND ITS ASSOCIATED HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
PONICS, WHICH HAS BEEN USED BY THE CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU ROUND-THE-CLOCK SINCE APRIL 1983, IS AN ON-LINE SYSTEM WHICH MAINTAINS INFORMATION AND SUPPORT ENQUIRIES ON PERSONS WITH PREVIOUS CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, PERSONS OF INTEREST TO THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU AND THE NARCOTICS BUREAU, AND MISSING AND WANTED PERSONS.
NUMEROUS BUREAUX AND UNITS WITHIN THE FORCE HAVE ACCESS TO PONICS THROUGH THE 58 VISUAL DISPLAY TERMINALS WHICH THE SYSTEM SUPPORTS.
THE BULK ENQUIRIES, HOWEVER, COME FROM THE FOUR REGIONAL COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRES WHICH BEAT OFFICERS, PERFORMING STOP AND SEARCH OPERATIONS, CONTACT BY RADIO FOR VERIFICATION OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF SUBJECTS.
PONICS PROVIDES \ RESPONSE WITHIN SECONDS AND HAS PROVED TO BE A VITAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM AND INTEGRAL TO POLICE WORK ON PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF CRIME.
THE SYSTEM AT PRESENT IN USE HAS BECOME UNRELIABLE AND FREQUENT FAILURES HAVE RESULTED IN THE INCREASING UNAVAI LABILITY OF THE SYSTEM TO USERS.
FURTHERMORE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT PONICS WILL NEED TO EXPAND TO COPE WITH THE GROWTH IN TRANSACTION VOLUMES AND TO INTERFACE IN FUTURE WITH OTHER SYSTEM CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT. THE PRESENT CONFIGURATION CANNOT HANDLE BOTH THE PROJECTED VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS OR THE INTERFACE REQUIREMENTS.
/THE PROPOSED .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
7 -
THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM WILL HAVE AN OPEN-ENDED DESIGN TO FACILITATE SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE TYPES OF INFORMATION STORED AND WILL INTERFACE WITH A FULLY INTEGRATED CRIME INFORMATION SYSTEM, THE ENHANCED COMMAND AND CENTROL COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE COMPUTER SYSTEM NOW UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES WILL BE AN AVAILABILITY TO THE USER OF 99.5% AND A CAPABILITY OF SUPPORTING A WORKLOAD OF 40,000 TRANSACTIONS A DAY WITH A PEAK LOAD OF 6,500 TRANSACTIONS AN HOUR.
THE COMMITTEE APPROVED ANOTHER $5.4 MILLION FOR THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND DISASTER SEPPORT SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY OPERATED ON A MANUAL BASIS.
MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED A NON-RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $5.5 MILLION AND AN ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF $824,000 FOR THE PROJECT.
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WILL BE A STAND-ALONE ON-LINE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH CAN BE USED FOR BOTH MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND MAJOR DISASTER SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, TO BE LOCATED CENTRALLY FOR ACCESS BY USER UNITS THROUGH VISUAL DISPLAY TERMINALS.
NORMALLY THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL BE USED FOR MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND/OR MINOR CRIME INVESTIGATIONS BY THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIME BUREAU AND REGIONAL CRIME UNITS, AND FOR TRAINING BY THE CASUALTY ENQUIRY UNIT (CEU) AND THE DISASTER VICTIM IDENTIFICATION UNIT (DVIU).
IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR DISASTER, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL BE REDEPLOYED TO THE CEU/DVIU FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO NEED, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE TOTAL SYSTEM WILL BE GIVEN OVER IF NECESSARY.
A FURTHER $4.1 MILLION, WHICH WILL BE USED TO CARRY OUT A PILOT STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF INSTALLING A STATION INFORMATION COMMUNAL SYSTEM, WAS ALSO APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
AT PRESENT, DATA KEPT IN DIFFERENT PHYSICAL LOCATIONS OF THE FORCE ARE PROCESSED AND MAINTAINED MANUALLY. A RECENT REVIEW SHOWED THAT SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WERE EXTREMELY TEDIOUS AND INEFFICIENT.
THE ONE-YEAR PILOT SCHEME, IF PROVED TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE, WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPED INTO A FORCE-WIDE COMMUNAL SYSTEM CONTAINING INFORMATION AT STATIONAL, REGIONAL AND HEADQUARTERS LEVELS.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
8
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR SEPT-NOV RELEASED *****
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASED FURTHER DURING THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1988, WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED LOW, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED VERY TIGHT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER -NOVEMBER 1988 WAS 1.3 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.8 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1988 AND 1.9 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER. THE DECREASES OF 0.5 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD AND 0.6 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 36,900, COMPARED WITH 49,100 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1988 AND 53,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1987.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1988 WAS 0.6 PER CENT, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1988. THE RATE FOR SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 1987 WAS 1.1 PER CENT. THE DECREASE OF 0.5 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR SEPTEMBER -NOVEMBER 1988 WAS 18,100, COMPARED WITH 16,500 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1988 AND 29,800 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 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 REGARED 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 (FOR EXAMPLE 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
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1988 WAS 1.3 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.7 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 50,000 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 DECEMBER 1988 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND MARCH 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
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COMMUNICATION. CO-OPERATION AMONG RESIDENTS IMPORTANT t t t » »
RESIDENTS OF TAI PO SHOULD KEEP IN TOUCH AND CO-OPERATE WITH NEWLY ARRIVED RESIDENTS TO MAKE THE DISTRICT A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
MR SUEN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL. HELD AT THE KWONG FUK BRIDGE.
HE NOTED THAT SINCE THE POPULATION OF THE DISTRICT WOULD REACH 300,000 BY THE MID-1990'S, AND MOST OF THE RESIDENTS WOULD BE PEOPLE WHO HAD MOVED IN FROM OUTSIDE TAI PO, PERSONAL LINKS \ND CO-OPERATION WERE SIGNIFICANT.
REFERRING TO THE FESTIVAL. HE SAID THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND CLOSE CO-OPERATION OF LOCAL BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS WERE VITAL IN ORGANISING SUCH A LARGE-SCALE EVENT.
/MR SUFK
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
10
MR SUEN NOTED THAT THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE FESTIVAL WOULD BE HELD IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS, TO ALLOW AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO JOIN IN.
THE ACTING SECRETARY THEN SWITCHED ON THE FESTIVE LIGHTING FOR THE KWONG FUK BRIDGE, PO HEUNG BRIDGE, THE BANKS OF THE LAM TSUEN RIVER AND PO HEUNG STREET. THIS MARKED THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVE LIGHTING WILL LIGHT UP THE AREA EACH NIGHT UNTIL FEBRUARY 20, WHEN THE FESTIVAL WILL CLOSE.
TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME INCLUDED A LION DANCE AND A COCKTAIL RECEPTION.
IN ADDITION, WINNERS OF POSTER DESIGN AND SLOGAN COMPETITIONS HELD RECENTLY TO PUBLICISE THE FESTIVAL RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
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OUTLINE OF SPECIAL INDUSTRY IN TUEN MUN * » * * *
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL INDUSTRY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF TUEN MUN WILL BE OUTLINED AT A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16).
THE OUTLINE WILL BE GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
THEY WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS RAISED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CONCERNING THE SETTING UP OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES IN THE DISTRICT.
A REVIEW ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND VETTING PRINCIPLES AS WELL AS A REPORT ON THE SALE/OCCUPANCY OF FLATTED FACTORY UNITS IN TUEN MUN WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 16 (MONDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
0
/11
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
11
SECURITIES DEALER REPRIMANDED * * * *
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES HAS REPRIMANDED A SECURITIES DEALER, MR PETER KOH KWING-CHANG (TRADING AS KELLY & CO.) FOR MISCONDUCT.
THE MISCONDUCT COMPRISED MR KOH HAVING TRADED IN THE SHARES OF ASEAN RESOURCES LIMITED KNOWING THAT THE SHARES HAD BEEN SUSPENDED BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE. PURSUANT TO RULE 539 OF THE RULES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE A MEMBER SHALL, IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES, DEAL IN A SUSPENDED STOCK.
MR KOH ALSO FAILED TO SECURITIES ORDINANCE NAMELY CONTRACT NOTES) AND SECTION ACCOUNTS) IN RELATION TO THE
COMPLY WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS SECTION 75 (CONCERNING THE 83 (CONCERNING THE KEEPING SAME TRANSACTIONS.
UNDER THE
ISSUE OF OF PROPER
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ROYAL HK REGIMENT RECRUITS JUNIOR LEADERS
*****
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) IS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR ITS JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS. THE NUMBER OF NEW RECRUITS THIS YEAR IS TARGETTED AT 140.
APPLICANTS MUST BE MALE, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 16, PHYSICALLY FIT AND OF GOOD CONDUCT.
THEY MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO SPEAK AND WRITE CHINESE AND ENGLISH, SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING, AND HAVE THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS FOR JOINING THE CORPS.
SELECTED APPLICANTS WILL ATTEND A FOUR-YEAR PROGRESSIVE TRAINING COURSE AIMED AT DEVELOPING AND STRENGTHENING CHARACTER AND SELF-RELIANCE AND PROMOTING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP.
THE TRAINING INCLUDES FOOT ORIENTEERING, FIRST AID, RADIO CANOEING AND LIFE SAVING. PART OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME.
DRILLS, CAMP CRAFT, MAP READING, COMMUNICATION, SHOOTING, SWIMMING, THE TRAINING IS GEARED TOWARDS THE
MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS ARE
PROVIDED WITH A UNIFORM
AND RATIONS.
FROM THE REGIMENTAL ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE RECEIVING APPLICATIONS
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED HEADQUARTERS AT 1 SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY AND BY TELEPHONING 5-761371. THE CLOSING DATE FOR
IS JANUARY 31 THIS YEAR.
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/12........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
12
CARNIVAL TO MARK ’CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL DAY’
*****
ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN A CARNIVAL TO BE HELD IN CAUSEWAY BAY TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO MARK THE "CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL DAY".
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE SINGING PERFORMANCES, LION AND DRAGON DANCES, CHINESE AND FOLK DANCES, AND DRAMA.
THE CARNIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE IN CLEVELAND STREET WHICH WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM TOMORROW.
THE FUNCTION, PROVIDING FREE CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT TO RESIDENTS AND SHOPPERS IN THE AREA, IS AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, AND SPONSORED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN CHOW; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LEE KON’ AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR PANG KING-WO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EVENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL DAY" TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM IN CLEVELAND STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY.
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SURVEY REPORT ON VOTING BEHAVIOUR TO BE RELEASED
*****
THE REPORT OF A SURVEY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF RESIDENTS IN MONG KOK WILL BE RELEASED AT A SEMINAR TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, AND LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES OF POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, MR MAK HOI-WAH.
COMMITTEE A SENIOR THE CITY
DR TSE WILL TALK ABOUT CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AND THE DIRECTION OF DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WHILE MR MAK WILL DISCUSS THE SURVEY REPORT.
/BOTH THE .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
- 13 -
BOTH THE SURVEY AND THE SEMINAR ARE PART OF THE 1988-89 CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
A CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN, TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, WILL TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR AND THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE MONG KOK CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL AT 627-641 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, STARTING AT 3 PM.
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KOWLOON CITY DB OFFERS OUTSTANDING CITIZEN AWARDS ♦ * » t »
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD IS ORGANISING AN ’’OUTSTANDING CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME” TO HONOUR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE PERFORMED COMMENDABLE DEEDS IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AND DISCHARGING CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES.
ORGANISED BY THE BOARD’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE SCHEME IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: YOUTH (UNDER 30 YEARS OLD), ADULT (30 TO 60 YEARS OLD) AND ELDERLY (OVER 60 YEARS OLD) .
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, FACTORIES AND COMPANIES ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARD. NOMINATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME.
CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARD MUST EITHER LIVE, STUDY, WORK OR SERVE IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
EACH SECTION WILL CARRY EIGHT AWARDS. THE AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED ON MARCH 12 AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS JANUARY 21. NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, AND ITS HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE AT BULKELEY STREET AND HO MAN TIN SUB-OFFICE AT HO MAN TIN ESTATE.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7110171 EXT. 28.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 14,
1989
14
MORE FACILITIES PLANNED FOR SWIMMERS AT STANLEY BEACH
*****
SWIMMERS AT THE STANLEY MAIN BEACH CAN LOOK FORWARD TO IMPROVED FACILITIES IN SUMMER NEXT YEAR.
TWO BUILDINGS WILL BE BUILT TO SERVE SWIMMERS AT THE BEACH.
THE TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE MAIN BEACH, ADJACENT TO STANLEY BEACH ROAD.
THE LARGER OF THE TWO BUILDINGS WILL CONTAIN CHANGING AND SHOWER FACILITIES, AN OPEN DECK LINKED TO THE EXISTING CARPARK AND A REFRESHMENT KIOSK.
THE SECOND BUILDING WILL INCLUDE A STAFF ROOM, LOOKOUT OFFICE, CHANGING FACILITIES, AND STORAGE FOR RESCUE CRAFT.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS, EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND TAKE 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 20.
- 0-----------
YUEN LONG TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR *****
A SEMINAR AIMING AT INCREASING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL IN YUEN LONG ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16).
ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON YUEN LONG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, THE SEMINAR IS ONE OF THE 14 CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE DISTRICT.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL BE PRESENT.
THEY WILL GIVE BRIEFINGS RESPECTIVELY ON THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, CONSUMER RIGHTS AND INTERESTS, AND THE LAW THE ACCEPTANCE OF ADVANTAGES.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AND RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND, AND ASK QUESTIONS.
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I
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1989
- -
PUMPING STATION AND SCREENING PLANT TO BE CONSTRUCTED
» » » » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT A PUMPING STATION AND TWO SCREENING PLANTS AS PART OF THE NORTHWEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SCHEME.
THE WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUBSTRUCTURES AND SUPERSTRUCTURES FOR A PUMPING STATION AND SCREENING PLANT AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, ANOTHER SCREENING PLANT AT SHAM SHUI PO AND ANCILLARY STRUCTURES.
THE SCREENING PLANTS WILL COARSE SCREEN THE SEWAGE FROM YAU MA TEI, TAI KOK TSUI AND LAI CHI KOK, CURRENTLY DISCHARGED TO SEA AT THE SHORELINE OF NORTHWEST KOWLOON.
THE PUMPING STATION WILL DISCHARGE THESE AND OTHER FLOWS TO TREATMENT FACILITIES AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR FURTHER TREATMENT PRIOR TO DISPOSAL BY MARINE OUTFALL TO VICTORIA HARBOUR.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORKS IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 1991.
THIS CONTRACT FORMS PART OF THE ONGOING COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR NORTHWEST KOWLOON AND CONTROL OF THE POLLUTANTS CURRENTLY DISCHARGED TO THE COASTAL WATERS OF NORTHWEST KOWLOON AND VICTORIA HARBOUR.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 17.
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WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO ♦ * ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN SHAM SHUI PO PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KWEILIN STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET INCLUDING APLIU STREET, KI LUNG STREET AND PEI HO STREET.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD SLIP ROAD ♦ t * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM WONG CHUK HANG ROAD WESTBOUND TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A LAMP POST.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD WESTBOUND, ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD EASTBOUND AND ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD EASTBOUND.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY .............................. 1
PLANS FOR THREE HOTELS APPROVED............................. 2
LABOUR HOTLINES PROVIDE PROMPT SERVICES .................... 5
CARNIVAL DRIVES HOME FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ................... 4
LONG-TERM PLANS FOR TALENTED CHILDREN URGED ................ 5
1988 RAINFALL 24 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL ..................... 6
VBP LIAISON GROUP ON SHA TIN DB AGENDA ..................... 8
TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL BEGINS ON SATURDAY.................. 9
SAI KUNG TO LAUNCH DISTRICT FESTIVAL ...................... 10
VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS SURVEYED ........... 12
COMPETITION FOCUSSES ATTENTION ON CHILD HEALTH ............ 1?
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AT CHUN YEUNG ST ON AGENDA................ 14
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS ...... 14
FUND APPLICATION GUIDELINES ON AGENDA...................... 15
TUEN MUN DISTRICT CLEAN HOME COMPETITION................... 16
NEW CLUBHOUSE FOR DISTRICT ASSOCIATION .................... 16
NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59 ............... 17
RENOWNED MUSICIAN TO GIVE MUSTER CLASS .................... 19
TEMPORARY URB/iN CLEARWAY ON WING LOK STREET............... 19
METERED PARKING SPACES IN SHA TIN ......................... 20
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
1 GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY *****
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO AWARD THE FIRST GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY BEGINNING IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE AWARD AIMS TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THEIR PRODUCTS.
IT WILL EXPAND THE ORIGINAL GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR DESIGN INTO OTHER KEY AREAS, SUCH AS QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND INNOVATION.
AFTER CONSULTATIONS WITH THE RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO INSTITUTE A NEW GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY ANNUALLY FROM 1989 ONWARDS.
IT WILL CONSIST OF FOUR CATEGORIES:
* THE CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN AWARD TO BE ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES;
* THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN AWARD TO BE ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION;
« THE PRODUCTIVITY AWARD TO BE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL; AND
♦ THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT AWARD TO BE ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST TWO CATEGORIES OF AWARD WILL BE PRODUCT-BASED, AND WILL RECOGNISE RESPECTIVELY THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD DESIGN IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING.
THE SECOND TWO WILL BE COMPANY-BASED AND WILL RECOGNISE ENDEAVOURS BY HONG KONG COMPANIES TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND TO APPLY QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
IN EACH CATEGORY THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE GOVERNOR'S AWARD.
THERE WILL, HOWEVER, BE A NUMBER OF SUPPLEMENTARY AWARDS BY LEADING ORGANISERS OR SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, AND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT.
THE GOVERNOR'S AWARD WILL ENTITLE ITS HOLDER TO DISPLAY AN OFFICIAL LOGO FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
THE FIRST GOVERNOR'S AWARD PRESENTATION WILL BE MADE IN THE CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN AND MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN CATEGORIES ON JUNE 27 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
PRESENTATIONS IN ALL FOUR AWARD CATEGORIES WILL BE HELD IN JUNE 1990 AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
2
PLANS FOR THREE HOTELS APPROVED ******
PLANS FOR THREE HOTELS, WITH A TOTAL OF 986 ROOMS, WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THEY WERE AMONG 54 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE OFFICE DURING THE MONTH.
THE HOTEL SITES ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND. ONE IS IN ELECTRIC ROAD IN NORTH POINT, ONE IN JAFFE ROAD AND ONE IN HENNESSY ROAD.
ALSO APPROVED WERE 20 PLANS FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, NINE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND EIGHT FOR FACTORIES.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED, 20 WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE FOR PROJECTS IN KOWLOON AND 25 FOR PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
CONSENT TO START WORK WAS GIVEN FOR 52 PROJECTS. THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THESE PROJECTS WAS 192,741.2 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 100,931.1 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-DOMESTIC USES.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS 202,361.2 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 42,427 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-DOMESTIC USES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,081 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 34 OCCUPATION PERMITS --- NINE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, SIX FOR KOWLOON AND 19 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 29 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 62 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 736 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS DURING THE MONTH, CARRIED OUT 862 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 199 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 462 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED ONE CLOSURE ORDER.
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/3........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
- 5 -
LABOUR HOTLINES PROVIDE PROMPT SERVICES
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYEES TO MAKE USE OF ITS TWO HOTLINES TO REPORT MALPRACTICES IN THEIR WORKPLACES.
THE HOTLINES -- 5-8150678 AND 5-8152200 -- ARE MANNED BY STAFF OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISIONS RESPECTIVELY. AUTO-RECORDING FACILITY IS ALSO INSTALLED TO CATER FOR AFTER-OFFICE-HOUR CALLS.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE HOTLINE WAS ORIGINALLY SET UP FOR REPORTING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
ITS SERVICE WAS LATER EXTENDED TO COVER COMPLAINTS ON UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS AND PROVIDE ADVICE ON ANY INDUSTRIAL SAFELY MATTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID EMPLOYEES WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE HOTLINE SERVICE AND OVER 6,000 CALLS WERE RECEIVED LAST YEAR COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF SAFETY MATTERS.
OF THESE, 124 CALLS WERE COMPLAINTS RELATING TO NUISANCES CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES, FIRE RISKS AND CONSTRUCTION SAFETY.
THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION’S HOTLINE RECEIVED JUST OVER 900 COMPLAINTS LAST YEAR INVOLVING LONG WORKING HOURS, PROVISION OF REST DAYS, CHILD EMPLOYMENT, SHORTENED MEAL BREAK, AND EMPLOYMENT OF TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED WOULD BE INVESTIGATED PROMPTLY AND THOROUGHLY.
TO FACILITATE FOLLOW-UP ACTION, HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO STATE CLEARLY THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AGAINST WHICH THE COMPLAINT IS DIRECTED, THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT AND WHERE POSSIBLE, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE COMPLAINANT.
EVERY COMPLAINT WILL BE HANDLED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE, HE STRESSED.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
CARNIVAL DRIVES HOME FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE
*****
HUNDREDS OF KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ENJOYED AN EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING AFTERNOON WHEN THEY ATTENDED A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE KWUN TONG AND SAU MAU PING POLICE DISTRICTS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID THE CARNIVAL ILLUSTRATED THE CO-OPERATION AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IN FIGHTING CRIME.
HE SAID THE EVENT ALSO ILLUSTRATED THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO THE DFCC BY THE AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
MR WAN THEN SUMMED UP THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DFCC IN THE PAST YEAR.
THESE INCLUDED VISITS TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, SAU MAU PING POLICE STATION, PIK UK PRISON AND KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY.
"THESE VISITS HAD ENABLED MEMBERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS ON CRIME-FIGHTING AND PREVENTION AND ALSO ENHANCED THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES PLAYED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CRIME," HE SAID.
THE DFCC HAD ALSO ORGANISED A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES TO INCULCATE THE CONCEPT OF CRIME-FIGHTING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, INCLUDING AN ANTI-TRIAD SEMINAR FOR STUDENTS AND A COLOURING AND DRAWING COMPETITION FOR PUPILS.
MR WAN SAID PLANS WERE IN HAND TO SET UP DISPLAY SIGNBOARDS IN THE DISTRICT TO REMIND RESIDENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
THE CARNIVAL PROGRAMME INCLUDED AN EXHIBITION, A VARIETY SHOW AND STALL GAMES, ALL HAVING CRIME PREVENTION AND ANTI-TRIAD THEMES.
WINNERS IN A SERIES OF FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES ALSO RECEIVED PRIZES.
AMONG THEM WERE 11 RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVED THE "KWUN TONG GOOD RESIDENTS AWARD" FOR THEIR BRAVE ACTIONS AND OTHER EFFORTS IN COMBATTING CRIME.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CARNIVAL WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DFCC, MR MAU KEI-ON; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (KWUN TONG), MR M.N.W. PELLY; AND POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (SAU MAU PING), MR S.G. CHANDLER.
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/5........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
- 5 -
LONG-TERM PLANS FOR TALENTED CHILDREN URGED
THE GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONALISTS WERE URGED TODAY (SUNDAY) TO MAP OUT LONG-TERM PLANS FOR DISCOVERING GIFTED CHILDREN AND DEVELOPING THEIR POTENTIAL.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MR HUI YIN-FAT, WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY” IN CENTRAL.
MR HUI SAID THAT OWING TO THE ABSENCE OF A LONG-TERM, PRACTICABLE POLICY, TALENTED CHILDREN COULD NOT GET PROPER CARE AND THEIR TALENTS WERE RESTRICTED BY THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM.
THE FUNCTION, HELD AT EDINBURGH PLACE, WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 300 CHILDREN.
THEY TOOK PART IN A VARIETY OF CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, AND ALSO LEARNT HOW TO HANDLE PROBLEMS BY THEMSELVES.
THE CREATIVE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED WOODWORK, HANDICRAFT, SANDWICH MAKING, COLLAGE ART, JUNK ART, CLAY-DOLL MAKING, DOUGH MODELLING AND SAND GAMES.
AT THE EVENT PARENTS ALSO LEARNT HOW TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL.
OTHER GUESTS INCLUDED THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MISS JOEY LAM; CHAIRMAN OF CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, MR LAWRENCE LAM; CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER, MRS PATRICIA CHU; THE CHAIRMAN OF PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION, MRS SUSAN KERLEY; AND THE CO-ORDINATOR OF THE. SALVATION ARMY, MS ROSE HO.
THE "PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY" WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ('HUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION AND THE SALVATION ARMY TO CELEBRATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'HIE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD.
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/6........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
1988 RAINFALL 24 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL
»»»»»»
THE TOTAL RAINFALL IN 1988 WAS 1,685 MILLIMETRES, 24 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 2,224.7 MILLIMETRES, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY (SUNDAY).
BOTH THE YEAR’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 22.8 DEGREES CELSIUS AND MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 78 PER CENT WERE THE SAME AS THE NORMAL FIGURES, THE OBSERVATORY SAID IN ITS REPORT ON THE YEAR’S WEATHER.
JANUARY WAS WARM WITH LITTLE RAINFALL. THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 17.9 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS 2.3 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL AND THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 16.1 DEGREES WAS 2.9 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL. BOTH WERE THE SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY.
ALTHOUGH RAIN WAS RECORDED ON 13 DAYS, THE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO ONLY 1.0 MILLIMETRE.
CLOUDY SKIES PREVAILED MOST OF THE TIME DURING FEBRUARY, GIVING A MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT OF 81 PER CENT, WHICH WAS 10 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE MONTH. HOWEVER, THE TOTAL RAINFALL WAS ONLY 11.9 MILLIMETRES.
MARCH WAS A RATHER COOL AND CLOUDY MONTH. THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 16.8 DEGREES FOR THE MONTH WAS 1.7 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A WARM AND MOIST AIRSTREAM FROM THE PACIFIC, MIST AND FOG DEVELOPED ON MARCH 12, LIMITING VISIBILITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT WAGLAN ISLAND TO 100 METRES. FOGGY CONDITIONS PREVAILED FROM MARCH 12 TO 15.
IT WAS COOLER AND ALSO DRIER THAN USUAL IN APRIL WITH A MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 78 PER CENT, WHICH WAS THE THIRD LOWEST ON RECORD FOR APRIL. ON APRIL 24, X DAY OF SUNNY AND DRY CONDITIONS, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 17 HILL FIRES.
MAY WAS CLOUDIER. THAN NORMAL. ALTHOUGH RAINFALL WAS RECORDED ON 26 DAYS, THE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNT DURING THE MONTH WAS ONLY 115.2 MILLIMETRES, 61 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO.1 WAS HOISTED FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE YEAR DUE TO THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON SUSAN ON MAX 31.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR JUNE AMOUNTED TO ONLY 296.9 MILLIMETRES, 31 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1988, A TOTAL OF 548.0 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN WAS RECORDED. MAKING IT THE FOURTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE PERIOD.
JUNE WAS ALSO DRIER AND WARMER THAN NORMAL. THE MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 78 PER CENT, EQUALLED IN 1967, WAS THE LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH. THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 28.6 DEGREES WAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JUNE.
/OWING TO .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1J. 1989
OWING TO THE APPROACH OF AN ACTIVE TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE, THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY SHOWERS AFFECTED HONG KONG DURING THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 23 TO 27. CONSEQUENTLY, 25 RESIDENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN HAD TO BE EVACUATED FROM THEIR HUTS DUE TO SUBSIDENCE OF THE GROUND ON JUNE 24.
THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO.1 WAS AGAIN HOISTED FROM JUNE 28 TO 29 DUE TO THE APPROACH OF TROPICAL STORM VANESSA.
ANTECEDENT RAIN AND HEAVY SHOWERS ON JUNE 30 CAUSED A MINOR LANDSLIP IN KWAI CHUNG WHERE 27 RESIDENTS HAD TO BE EVACUATED.
JULY WAS THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR WITH MONTHLY RAINFALL SLIGHTY ABOVE NORMAL. MOST OF THE RAINFALL DURING THE MONTH WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO TYPHOON WARREN WHICH REQUIRED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE YEAR.
ALMOST 250 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING JULY 19 TO 20 AND OVER 300 MILLIMETRES FELL IN PARTS OF THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES WHERE SEVERE FLOODING OCCURRED. A TOTAL OF 270 HECTARES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WAS FLOODED. SIXTY-FIVE TONNES OF FRESH-WATER FISH AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF LIVESTOCK WERE LOST.
THE HEAVY RAIN ALSO RESULTED IN SEVERAL LANDSLIPS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH, RAINFALL IN AUGUST WAS ABOVE NORMAL. ALL RAIN DURING THE MONTH COULD BE ATTRIBUTED EITHER TO A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS OR TO AN ACTIVE SOUTHWEST MONSOON.
NONE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL CYCLONE. THIS WAS THE SECOND AUGUST SINCE 1950 IN WHICH NO TROPICAL CYCLONE OCCURRED OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
A WATERSPOUT ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED OFF THE SOUTHEAST COAST OE' AP LEI CHAU AT AROUND NOON ON AUGUST 16. THE WATERSPOUT MOVED OVER LAND BRIEFLY AND CAUSED SOME MINOR DAMAGE BEFORE IT DISSIPATED.
FLOODING ALSO OCCURRED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY DURING THE RAIN EPISODES ON AUGUST II AND 18. THF WEATHER WAS ALSO RAINY ON AUGUST 30 TO 31.
ALTHOUGH TYPHOON KIT POSED A THREAT TO HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER AND NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG WIND 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.
OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THF SOUTH CHINA SEA, TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY WAS VERY INTENSE DURING THE MONTH. SINCE 1946, THIS WAS THE FIFTH SEPTEMBER WHEN AS MANY AS EIGHT TROPICAL CYCLONES FORMED IN THE REGION.
/OCTOBER WAS .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
8
OCTOBER WAS COOLER AND DRIER THAN USUAL. THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 15.3 DEGREES RECORDED ON OCTOBER 31 WAS THE FIFTH LOWEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH.
THE RAINFALL AMOUNT OF 61.8 MILLIMETRES RECORDED DURING THE MONTH FELL SHORT OF THE NORMAL 121.2 MILLIMETRES BY 49 PER CENT ALTHOUGH TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES, PAT AND RUBY, THREATENED HONG KONG AND BOTH NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3.
IT WAS NOT EXCEPTIONALLY DRY; NONETHELESS A TOTAL OF 110 HILL FIRES OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 19, CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY. ONE THOUSAND TREES AND 97 HECTARES OF PLANTATION LAND WERE SCORCHED.
THE RAINFALL IN NOVEMBER CONTINUED TO BE BELOW NORMAL. THE TOTAL AMOUNT FOR THE MONTH, 25.6 MILLIMETRES, WAS ONLY 74 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL FOR NOVEMBER.
THE MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 22.4 DEGREES WAS THE FIFTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR NOVEMBER WHILE THE MEAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OF 1,019.7 HECTOPASCALS WAS THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH.
THE MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT OF 30 PER CENT IN DECEMBER WAS THE SIXTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A WET SPELL AT THE END OF DECEMBER BROUGHT THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH TO 106.6 MILLIMETRES. THIS WAS ABOUT FOUR TIMES THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 25.3 MILLIMETRES AND THE SIXTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR DECEMBER.
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VBP LIAISON GROUP ON SHA TIN DB AGENDA
* * * * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) MORNING THE DESIRABILITY OF SETTING UP A LIAISON GROUP CONCERNING THE FUTURE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRE IN WHITEHEAD, WU KAI SHA.
A MEMBER, MR LAU KONG-WAH, WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL FORM A LIAISON GROUP CONSISTING OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND ALL DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR THE RELEASE OF ACCURATE INFORMATION AND TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE CENTRE.
ANOTHER MEMBER, MR LAM HUNG-CHIU, WILL ASK IF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS CONSIDERED ANY POSITIVE SOLUTION TO PREVENT FACTORY OPERATORS FROM LOSING CONFIDENCE IN INVESTMENT IN VIEW OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE.
HE WILL ALSO ASK IF THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAS CONDUCTED A PUBLICITY DRIVE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WORK IN ARE\S WHERE THEY LIVE.
/MR JUSTEIN .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15. 1989
MR JUSTEIN WONG WILL ASK IF THERE ARE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT WAYS OF RELEASING INFORMATION TO COMMUTERS CONCERNING CONGESTION AT APPROACHES TO AND FROM THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE NOISE POLLUTION AFFECTING SCHOOLS; LICENSING GUIDELINES IN RESPECT OF AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES; HAWKER PROBLEMS IN HOUSING AREAS; AND LAYOUT OF APPROACH ROADS TO THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL BEGINS ON SATURDAY t ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE 11TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL, FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ARTISTS, WILL BE LAUNCHED ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) EVENING.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (SUNDAY), THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, SAID TSUEN WAN WAS A PIONEER IN ORGANISING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVALS.
“THE TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL HAS, THROUGH HARD WORK OVER THE PAST YEARS, ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS AN IMPORTANT ANNUAL CULTURAL EVENT WELL SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
’’NOW ENTERING THE 11TH YEAR, WE WILL AGAIN ADHERE TO THE FESTIVAL’S OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING THE VARIOUS FORMS OF PERFORMING ARTS BY PRESENTING RENOWNED OVERSEAS AND LOCAL ARTISTS, AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
"THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS MADE EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF HIGHLY COLOURFUL CULTURAL PERFORMANCES FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF RESIDENTS.”
TURNING TO THE PROGRAMME FOR THE FESTIVAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG CHUNG-YAN, SAID THERE WOULD BE A GRAND OPENING, FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY THE JIANGSU ARTISTIC TROUPE AND THE TAIPEI YOUTH FOLK ARTS TROUPE.
"THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ALSO STAGE ITS PREMIERE SHOW AT THE OPENING CEREMONY,” HE SAID.
/’’HIGHLIGHTS OF.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1% ^989
’’HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE A CANTONESE OPERA BY THE CHEERS AND GLORY OPERATIC TROUPE, ’ROMEO AND JULIET’ BY THE HONG KONG BALLET AND A CANTONESE DRAMA BY THE ARTISTE TRAINING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
"THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME IS ALSO MARKED BY THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE MANY DISTRICT PERFORMING GROUPS WHO GIVE THE FESTIVAL ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT.
"OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE A POP CONCERT BY WELL-KNOWN SINGERS, ORCHESTRAL CONCERT BY THE SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC, SPANISH AND CLASSICAL GUITAR PERFORMANCES AND A NAM YIN (SOUTHERN MELODIES) CONCERT," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
POPULAR FILMS TO BE SHOWN INCLUDE "THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING", "SURRENDER", "OSMANTHUS ALLEY", "MY FAVOURITE SEASON", "THE HEARTBREAK YAKUSA", "LAPUTA" AND "BLUE VELVET".
THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION.
THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IS ABOUT $2 MILLION, WITH FUNDS COMING FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL SPONSORSHIP.
PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT TO MISS ANY PARTICULAR SHOW IN THE FESTIVAL ARE ADVISED TO BOOK THEIR TICKETS AT THE URBTIX OUTLETS NOW.
TELEPHONE RESERVATION CAN BE MADE ON 5-739595 AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4145501 OR 0-4140144.
- - 0 -
SAI KUNG TO LAUNCH DISTRICT FESTIVAL ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
ALL SAI KUNG RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED INTO JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES IN THE 1989 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) AND CONTINUE UNTIL FEBRUARY 19
THE FESTIVAL, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ANNUAL EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT, WILL COMPRISE A VARIETY OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
/THESE ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
11
THESE ACTIVITIES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND, TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL, HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR, CHAM SHAN MONASTERY, MAN YEE PLAYGROUND AND VARIOUS HOMES FOR THE AGED IN THE DISTRICT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE SAID THIS MEANINGFUL EVENT IS HELD TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.
"IN ORDER TO SHOW OUR LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY IN SAI KUNG, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THEM WITH SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT BEING 'THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD-FEASTS’ TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 21 AND JANUARY 22.
"MORE THAN 1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE GRAND FEASTS," HE SAID.
OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS, MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AND MUTUAL VISITS.
"BY MEANS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES, WE HOPE THAT THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WILL KNOW ONE ANOTHER BETTER AND MEANWHILE WE CAN PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS OF VARIOUS AGES AND INTERESTS SO THAT THEY MAY JOINTLY CELEBRATE A COLOURFUL AND FESTIVE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
CANTONESE OPERA LOVERS WILL BE TREATED TO THREE NIGHTS OF ENTERTAINMENT ON FEBRUARY 11, 12 AND 13 WITH PERFORMANCES AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL AND THE CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL IN JUNK BAY.
SPORTS FANS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE NEW YEAR SOCCER COMPETITION TO BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 17 AND 31 AT THE TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND, OR IN THE NEW YEAR MARATHON TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 19 ALONG THE SCENIC HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SPORTS DAY AND DISCO NIGHT AT THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL. ADMISSION TO THE ACTIVITIES, EXCEPT THE DISCO NIGHT, WILL BE FREE.
ADMISSION TICKETS AND PROGRAMME PAMPHLETS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
SOME OF THE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICES.
STAGING THE FESTIVAL WILL COST ABOUT $370,000, OF WHICH $210,000 COMES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REMAINDER FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE COMPRISING 50 MEMBERS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
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/12........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
- 12 -
VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS SURVEYED
******
THE EDUCATION LEVEL AND OTHER DETAILS OF PERSONAL BACKGROUND ARE UNRELATED TO THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR IN ELECTIONS OF RESIDENTS IN MONG KOK, A SURVEY HAS FOUND.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE SURVEY SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN 1988-89.
IT ALSO FOUND THAT VOTERS RELIED HEAVILY ON THE MASS MEDIA FOR INFORMATION ON ELECTION CANDIDATES INSTEAD OF TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WERE RELEASED AT A SEMINAR TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR ON A SAMPLE OF 1,200 REGISTERED VOTERS IN MONG KOK. A TOTAL OF 274 QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
IT WAS FOUND DURING THE SURVEY THAT MANY VOTERS COULD NOT BE LOCATED AT THEIR REGISTERED ADDRESSES.
THIS, THE SURVEY SUB-COMMITTEE POINTED OUT, REFLECTED THE INACCURACY OF THE ELECTORAL ROLL, WHICH MIGHT BE DUE TO THE AGEING POPULATION AND HIGH MOBILITY IN THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS TO VOTERS NOT REGISTERING AGAIN WITH UPDATED ADDRESSES.
THIS MIGHT POSSIBLY ACCOUNT FOR THE LOW TURNOUT RATE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION LAST MARCH IN MONG KOK BECAUSE VOTERS FAILED TO RECEIVE THEIR NOTICES IN TIME.
IN ANALYSING THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, FIVE FACTORS WERE FOUND TO HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON THE FUTURE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF THE VOTERS.
IN ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE, THEY WERE: PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BEFORE ELECTION; THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE DISTRICT BOARD; CIVIC-MINDEDNESS; VOLUNTARINESS IN VOTER REGISTRATION; AND FAMILY INFLUENCE.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, THE SURVEY FOUND, INCLUDED READING THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER, JOINING LOCAL GROUPS AND DISCUSSING DISTRICT AFFAIRS WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, THE FINDINGS SHOWED THAT ONLY 20 PER CENT OF THE INTERVIEWEES PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND DISCUSSED DISTRICT BOARD MATTERS WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
TODAY’S SEMINAR MARKED THE CLOSING OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION 'CAMPAIGN 1988-89 OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
/THE DISTRICT........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
THE DISTRICT OFFICER THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THAT PUBLIC WOULD BE MORE AWARE EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS
, MRS LORNA MA, SAID AT THE FUNCTION THAT
THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION MEMBERS OF THE
OF EVENTS AND UNDERSTAND AS WELL AS
AND OBLIGATIONS.
MRS MA ALSO HOPED THAT RESIDENTS HARMONIOUSLY AND CO-OPERATE IN FACING FUTURE WHEN HONG KONG WAS MARCHING TOWARDS A NEW AGE.
COULD LIVE TOGETHER
CHALLENGES AT A TIME
ofpicia™ DIS™,CT B0ARD' MR CHUN-FAI'
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COMPETITION FOCUSSES ATTENTION ON CHILD HEALTH
THIRTY CHILDREN TOOK PART IN THE FINAL OF A CHILDREN’S HEALTH COMPETITION IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AND ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF MANY RESIDENTS.
THEY HAD BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE FINAL BY A REGISTERED DOCTOR FROM A TOTAL OF 54 CHILDREN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE COMPETITION.
THE FINAL WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS: FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 24 MONTHS; 25 AND 42 MONTHS; AND 43 MONTHS AND FIVE YEARS.
THE PARTICIPANTS WERE ASSESSED BY A PANEL OF FOUR JUDGES ON THEIR FEATURES, PHYSIQUE, APPEARANCE, CHARACTER AND RESPONSE.
IN ADDITION, EACH PARTICIPANT IN THE OLDEST GROUP HAD TO GIVE A PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS SINGING, DANCING OR STORY TELLING.
THE BEST THREE CHILDREN IN EACH GROUP WERE AWARDED TROPHIES AND GIFT COUPONS.
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE LAI WAN AREA COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL, WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING PARENTS' AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HEALTH OF THEIR CHILDREN. IT ALSO HELPED TO FOSTER A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO GENERATIONS.
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/14........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
1't -
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AT CHUN YEUNG ST ON AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NO-STOPPING RESTRICTION (NSR) ALONG CHUN YEUNG STREET AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17).
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NSR IN MID-AUGUST, TWO SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE NSR WAS EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING DELAYS TO TRAMS USING THE TURNING LOOP.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO INTRODUCE A PROPOSAL ON THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR THE VICINITY OF THE JUNCTION OF KING'S ROAD AND SHELL STREET.
AT THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR YUE HUI-KWONG, WILL REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED TO CARRY OUT A REVIEW TO SEE IF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN CO. LTD. HAI) KEPT ITS PROMISE TO THE COMMITTEE IN REGARD TO THE RELOCATION OF THE TRAM DEPOT FROM SHARP STREET TO SHAU KEI WAN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES AND CAR PARKING AT THE CLOUDVIEW ROAD SERVICE RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TRAFFIC TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO SET UP TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT THE INTERSECTION OF AUSTIN ROAD, PINE TREE HILI ROAD AND COX'S ROAD AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SIGNALS Wil,I, HELP IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS.
/MEMBERS WILL
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
MEMBERS WILL LOOK INTO MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY VEHICLES LETTING PASSENGERS ALIGHT ALONG THE SOUTHBOUND SECTION OF SHANGHAI STREET BETWEEN PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND NANKING STREET.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE RELAXATION OF THE BUS-ONLY LANE ON THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF JORDAN ROAD BETWEEN PARKES STREET AND NATHAN ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
0 - -
FUND APPLICATION GUIDELINES ON AGENDA » » * » *
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO WORK OUT A SET OF GUIDELINES IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE NEW SET OF GUIDELINES IS TO BE PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CRITERIA FOR VETTING APPLICATIONS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR HOLDING LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A FINANCIAL STATEMENT ON DB FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LATTER PART OF THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN CAMERA.
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/16
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
TUEN MUN DISTRICT CLEAN HOME COMPETITION * * t t *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS LAUNCHED A HOUSEHOLD CLEAN-UP COMPETITION, WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JANUARY 24, TO DRIVE HOME THE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE.
A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING LOCAL PERSONALITIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL VISIT EACH PARTICIPATING HOUSEHOLD TO SELECT A MODEL HOUSEHOLD. OTHER TIDY HOUSEHOLDS WILL ALSO RECEIVE AWARDS.
PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS WILL BE PRESENTED DURING A VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 27 IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM, BEGINNING AT 8 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE TUEN MUN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS REBECCA PUN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAU WONG-FAT; MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MESSRS ALFRED TSO AND PANG HOK-DUEN; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR FUNG YAU-WAI.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR, TUEN MUN ARTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND POPULAR SINGERS.
FREE TICKETS FOR THE VARIETY SHOW ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-824104.
- - 0 -
NEW CLUBHOUSE FOR DISTRICT ASSOCIATION » » » * *
A NEW VENUE FOR TRAINING AND REHEARSING ACTIVITIES BY DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN WAN CHAI WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ARTS, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE.
SPEAKING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE CLUBHOUSE, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) HE BELIEVED THE ASSOCIATION WOULD TAKE ON AN EVEN MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN PROMOTING RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FUNCTIONS IN THE DISTRICT ONCE THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED.
/THE ASSOCIATION
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1$, 1989
- 17 -
THE ASSOCIATION HAD BECOME A MAJOR PROMOTER OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS IN WAN CHAI SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1983, MR CHOW SAID.
IT HAD ORGANISED FUNCTIONS SUCH AS PERFORMANCES OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL ARTS, VARIETY SHOWS, SPORTS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES, ALL OF WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO ENRICHING RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE.
THE CLUBHOUSE, AT A LOCATIOIN UNDER THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER AT MORETON TERRACE, IS TO BE BUILT ON A PIECE OF LAND GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE CONSTRUCTION COST, AMOUNTING TO $1.2 MILLION, IS BEING MET IN PART BY DONATIONS BY PRIVATE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS.
WHEN COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE CLUBHOUSE WILL HOUSE A FUNCTION ROOM, AN OFFICE AND A CHANGING ROOM, OCCUPYING A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 400 SQUARE METRES.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, AND THF CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR HSU CHUNG-HSI.
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NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59 » * t ♦ *
WOMEN BORN IN 1957, 1958 OR 1959 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM JANUARY 16 TO MARCH 11.
WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
’’THE NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES 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 OR AFTERNOONS," HE ADDED.
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 : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TEL. NO. 5-747070
/EAST KOWLOON : .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
- 1& -
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 7 7 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD 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 : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHATIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN.
TEL. NO.0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 0-793291 (BEFORE JANUARY 21) 0-4771543 (JANUARY 21 ONWARDS)
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 (BEFORE JANUARY 21) 0-6727191 (JANUARY 21 ONWARDS)
"APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING ID 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 ID 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 ELIGIBLLITY FOR A PERMANENT ID CARD.
"THE DOCUMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT, HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, ETC."
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
RENOWNED MUSICIAN TO GIVE MASTER CLASS
« * * » t
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A MASTER CLASS BY THE RENOWNED CLARINETIST, MR DANIEL SILVER, AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE ON JANUARY 21.
MR SILVER WAS THE PRINCIPAL CLARINET OF THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA FROM 1980 TO 1987, AND HIS PERFORMANCES HAD RECEIVED WIDE ACCLAIM FROM CRITICS.
THE MUSIC COLUMN OF A NEWSPAPER ONCE COMMENTED THAT IT HAD BEEN "A DELICIOUS OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE SOMETIMES FLUID, SOMETIMES ARTICULATE AND ALWAYS FLAWLESS TALENTS OF DANIEL SILVER.”
HE IS NOW THE PRINCIPAL CLARINET OF THE NATIONAL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA IN WASHINGTON, WHERE HE APPEARS FREQUENTLY WITH SUCH FAMOUS GROUPS AS THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, THE NATIONAL GALLERY ORCHESTRA AND THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FORUM.
AT THE MASTER CLASS TO BE HELD FROM 10 AM TO NOON ON JANUARY 21, MR SILVER WILL EXPLAIN THE TECHNIQUES OF CLARINET PLAYING. ADMISSION TO THE MASTER CLASS IS FREE AND RESERVATION CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235321 .
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY ON WING LOK STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 176 AND 202 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/20
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1989
20 -
METERED PARKING SPACES IN SHA TIN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT 49 PARKING METERS IN FU TIN LANE IN TIN SAM, SHA TIN, WILL BEGIN OPERATION FROM 8 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18) TO REGULATE THE USAGE OF THE PARKING SPACES THERE.
FORTY-THREE OF THE PARKING METERS WILL BE TWO-HOUR METERS CHARGING $1 PER 30 MINUTES FOR PRIVATE CARS AND THE REMAINING SIX WILL BE ONE-HOUR METERS CHARGING 50 CENTS PER 30 MINUTES FOR GOODS VEHICLES.
THESE METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM DAILY EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
-------o---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS SEES SCOPE FOR VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY...................... 1
MOVE TO PLUG LOOPHOLES IN MONEY CHANGERS LAW.................... 3
LAB AGREES TO SET UP NEW INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COMMITTEE.......... 5
BANKING TRAINING CENTRE TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED................. 5
PRISONER AWARDED CERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETING DEGREE PROGRAMME 6
NEW YEAR STAMPS ON SALE FROM WEDNESDAY.......................... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOLIDAY FLATS’ PROBLEMS ................ 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR SPORTS GROUND PROJECT ...................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ACTIVITY PLAN........................... 9
WINNERS OF C AND W DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST SELECTED.......... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .................... 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMZUNTTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT......... 11
WATER SUSPENSION IN FIVE DISTRICTS............................. 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................... 13
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL .... 13
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ............................. 13
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
1
FS SEES SCOPE FOR VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY » « » * »
HONG KONG HAS AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS RECEPTIVE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE KNOWLEDGE AND CAPITAL INTENSIVE OPERATIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC VENTURE CAPITAL CONFERENCE 1989 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR JACOBS SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS "TECHNOLOGY-FRIENDLY" AND THIS BODED WELL FOR THE COMING OE AGE OF ITS VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY.
TRACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF VENTURE CAPITAL FINANCING IN HONG KONG, HE SAID IT WAS A COMPARATIVELY NEW CONCEPT HERE.
"WITH THE GROWING REALISATION THAT THE UPGRADING OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG IS NECESSARY IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVENESS IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, MANY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEGUN TO FOCUS ON THE AVAILABILITY OF A METHOD OF EQUITY FINANCING WHICH COULD HELP IN PROJECTS WHICH REQUIRE LONGER START-UP AND PAYBACK PERIODS." MR JACOBS SAID.
MANY OF THESE PROJECTS WERE IMAGINATIVE AND INNOVATIVE, AND OFTEN THERE WERE GOOD PROSPECTS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
"BUT THE INITIAL RISK IS USUALLY HIGH. AS A RESULT, IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN CONVENTIONAL FINANCING FROM BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
"HOWEVER, IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES TO HONG KONG, IT IS CLEARLY DESIRABLE THAT THESE PROJECTS BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT A WORKING PARTY HAD BEEN FORMED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN NOVEMBER 1986 TO ASS'SS THE SUITABILITY OF THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY.
AS A RESULT OF ONE OF THE WORKING PARTY’S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE HONG KONG VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED IN NOVEMBER 1987 TO FACILITATE THE FLOW OF INFORMATION REGARDING VENTURE CAPITAL AMONG ITS MEMBERS AND BETWEEN ITSELF AND OUTSIDE PARTIES WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED.
THE ASSOCIATION HAD ATTRACTED 25 FULL MEMBERS AND 25 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
"THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE GROWING INTEREST IN AND VITALITY’ OF THE LOCAL VENTURE CAPTTAl INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
/MR JACOBS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
2
MR JACOBS SAID THE FORMATION OF AN ORGANISED VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE TIMELY AS FAR AS HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS CONCERNED.
"MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG HAS RECENTLY BEEN UNDERGOING A QUIET REVOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE CONSTRAINTS OF FULL EMPLOYMENT AT HOME AND STRONG COMPETITION IN OUR MAIN EXPORT MARKETS.
"MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN OBLIGED TO THINK MORE SERIOUSLY, NOT JUST ABOUT PRODUCTION COST, BUT ALSO ABOUT INCREASED INVESTMENT IN AUTOMATION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER LEVEL OF QUALITY, PRECISION AND INNOVATION," HE POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THIS CALLED FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN MATERIALS, MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND ENGINEERING DESIGNS.
"BECAUSE THE PROCESSES ARE OFTEN UNTRIED OR UNTESTED, VENTURE CAPITAL IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE FINANCING MEDIUM," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS OWN PART, RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO UPGRADE.
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO LEAVE INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT DECISIONS TO INDUSTRIALISTS, WE ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT IN FACILITATING THIS PROCESS OF UPGRADING," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE GOVERNMENT’S PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN THE ADOPTION OF AUTOMATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
"OUR THIRD UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS DEDICATED TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WILL START ITS FIRST STUDENT INTAKE IN 1991.
"WE HAVE ENGAGED CONSULTANTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, AND POSSIBLY A FOURTH, TO ACCOMMODATE SPECIALISED MANUFACTURING PROCESSES WHICH ' ANNOT BE OPERATED IN ORDINARY MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, FEASIBILITY STUDIES ON A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN HONG KONG WERE WELL UNDERWAY, HF SAID, POINTING OUT THAI' THIS CENTRE, WHEN ESTABLISHED, WOULD F'' iE CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
MOVE TO PLUG LOOPHOLES IN MONEY CHANGERS LAW *****
THE MONEY CHANGERS ORDINANCE IS TO BE REVISED TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR TOURISTS AND OTHERS WHO CHANGE FOREIGN CURRENCY.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFIED IN THE MONEY CHANGERS ORDINANCE NEEDED AMENDMENT TO REMOVE A NUMBER OF LEGAL LOOPHOLES AND AMBIGUITIES.
A WORKING GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE PROBLEM HAD FOUND THAT SOME MONEY CHANGERS WERE PROVIDING FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION, AND FAILING TO COMPLY WITH OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE. DIFFICULTIES IN ENFORCEMENT MEANT THAT THESE INFRINGEMENTS OF THE LAW WERE NOT BEING PUNISHED, AND THE LAW WAS BEING FLOUTED.
THE WORKING GROUP, ESTABLISHED IN 1986 BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, AND OFFICIALS FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED TO SPECIFY PRECISELY WHAT MUST BE SHOWN ON THE NOTICE BOARD AND THE TRANSACTION NOTE SO THAT CUSTOMERS HAD A CLEAR IDEA OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OF MONEY.
THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF A NEW BILL DUE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE INCLUDE -
* A REQUIREMENT THAT A MONEY CHANGER MUST COMPLETE A TRANSACTION NOTE BEFORE THE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION IS FINALISED. THE NOTE IS TO BE BILINGUAL AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD:
* THE MONEY CHANGER MUST ONLY USE NET RATES OF EXCHANGE, THAT IS AFTER DEDUCTING ALL CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS, IN THE NOTE;
* THE MONEY CHANGER MUST MAINTAIN A BOARD DISPLAYING CLEARLY THE NET BUYING AND SELLING RATES OF EXCHANGE, FOR
CURRENCIES LISTED IN A SCHEDULE TO THE BILL.
FOR OTHER CURRENCIES NOT LISTED ON THE BOARD, THE MONEY CHANGER MUST ADVISF A CUSTOMER IN WRITING OF THE NET RATES HE IS PREPARED TO OFFER;
* A NEW CLAUSE PROHIBITING A MONEY CHANGER FROM DISPLAYING FALSI- OR MISLEADING NOTICES OR MAKING FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS;
* Till- EXTENSION OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY TO DIRECTORS, MANAGERS OR SECRETARIES OF CORPORATE MONEY CHANGERS.
/AT A .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, MR MACLEOD SAID THE PRESENT ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN APRIL 1985, HAD NOT FULFILLED EXPECTATIONS IN THAT THE CURRENT PRACTICES ADOPTED BY MANY MONEY CHANGERS DID NOT ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO EASILY COMPARE THE RATES ON OFFER.
FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF FORMAL COMPLAINTS. HOWEVER, AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF MALPRACTICE CONTINUED WITHIN THE MONEY CHANGING TRADE.
"THIS GENERATES A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF ADVERSE PUBLICITY BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS DID NOT REVEAL THE TRUE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS BECAUSE TOURISTS NORMALLY ONLY STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR A FEW DAYS.
EVEN WHEN DISSATISFIED, THE RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED WAS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT OF THEM MAKING A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE POLICE.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD MAKE ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION MUCH EASIER.
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL RECEIVED 41 COMPLAINTS REGARDING MONEY CHANGERS IN 1987 AND 14 COMPLAINTS FOR THE FIRST 10 MONTHS LAST YEAR.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP WERE MADE PUBLIC IN NOVEMBER 1987 FOR CONSULTATION.
ACCORDING TO MR MACLEOD, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF MONEY CHANGERS DID NOT EXPRESS A VIEW WHILE THE REACTION OF OTHERS NOT IN THE BUSINESS WAS POSITIVE.
THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 IS DUE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20) AND ITS FIRST READING AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 25.
MR MACLEOD ADDED THAT A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS WOULD BE ALLOWED AFTER ENACTMENT FOR THE TRADE TO ADJUST TO THE NEW RULES.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
- 5 -
LAB AGREES TO SET UP NEW INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COMMITTEE
THE NEW LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, AT ITS FIRST MEETING THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO SET UP A NEW COMMITTEE ON APRIL 1 TO ADVISE THE BOARD ON MATTERS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LEGISLATION.
IT WILL REPLACE THE OLD INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE FORMED UNDER THE BOARD.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD CONCENTRATE ITS RESOURCES ON REVIEWING, DEVELOPING, PUBLICISING AND ENFORCING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LEGISLATION.
THE NEW COMMITTEE WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LEGISLATION, AND WILL RECOMMEND MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING HIGHER STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK.
IT WILL ALSO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING SAFETY AND HEALTH LEGISLATION AND ADVISE ON THE DESIRABILITY OF INTRODUCING ANY AMENDMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS.
THE BOARD ALSO AGREED ON THE NEW MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXISTING COMMITTEES ON EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS, LABOUR RELATIONS, AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION.
THE BOARD THEN NOTED A LIST OF AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LABOUR LEGISLATION WHICH WERE CONSIDERED BY THE LAST BOARD DURING 1987 AND 1988, AND A LIST OF NEW ITEMS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE REFERRED TO THE BOARD FOR ADVICE THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS FURTHER NOTED THE BOARD’S TERMS OF REFERENCE AND COMPOSITION AS WELL AS A PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR 1989.
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BANKING TRAINING CENTRE
TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED * ♦
t « *
THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD, MR DAVID K.P. LI, TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE CENTRE HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE LAST APRIL, PROVIDING UPGRADING TRAINING FOR BANKING STAFF.
/THE COURSES........
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
- 6 -
THE COURSES OFFERED HAVE PROVED EXTREMELY POPULAR. BY THE END OF 1988, MORE THAN 1,700 PEOPLE HAD RECEIVED TRAINING, THE MANAGER OF THE CENTRE, MR LYLE DAVISON, SAID.
"MOREOVER, IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING THAT THE CENTRE HAS RECEIVED 4,000 APPLICATIONS FOR 10 DIFFERENT TYPES OF COURSES BEING PLANNED FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
"EVENTUALLY, THE CENTRE WILL OFFER A PORTFOLIO OF SOME 40 COURSES TO BANKING STAFF AT ALL LEVELS," MR DAVISON ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE SIXTH FLOOR, VICWOOD PLAZA, 102 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG. THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM.
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PRISONER AWARDED CERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETING DEGREE PROGRAMME * K « * *
A PRISONER WHO STUDIED HARD IN A PENAL INSTITUTION WAS PRESENTED A CERTIFICATE TODAY (MONDAY) FOR HAVING SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE CHINESE DEGREE PROGRAMME - A DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMME OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES RUN BY THE EAST ASIA OPEN INSTITUTE IN MACAU.
HE WAS PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATE BY THE UNIVERSITY SECRETARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA, MACAU, MR E.G. FIELD, AT A CEREMONY AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS’ CLUB.
THE PRINCIPAL OF THE CHINESE SCHOOL OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, EAST ASIA OPEN INSTITUTE, PROFESSOR CHIU WING-KIN, SAID THE CEREMONY MARKED A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE THREE PARTIES, NAMELY THE PRISONER HIMSELF, THE CSD AND THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA.
HE SAID THE CHINESE DEGREE PROGRAMME BEGAN IN 1983, AND UP TO NOW, ABOUT 300 PEOPLE HAD BEEN AWARDED BACHELOR DEGREES BY THE UNIVERSITY.
THE 29-YEAR-OLD INMATE, SURNAMED CHAN, ENROLLED IN THE DEGREE PROGRAMME IN 1983. AFTER FIVE YEARS’ DILIGENT STUDIES, MR CHAN COMPLETED ALL THE COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUISITE EXAMINATIONS.
/A CSD .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALWAYS MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO HELP ADULT INMATES, IF THEY SO WISHED, IN THEIR PRIVATE STUDIES.
"IN MR CHAN’S CASE, OUR STAFF HAVE RENDERED HIM MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE, INCLUDING BORROWING REFERENCE BOOKS FOR HIM FROM PUBLIC LIBRARIES, HELPING HIM IN THE ACQUISITION OF NECESSARY STATIONERY AND GIVING HIM PRIVATE TUITION WHENEVER REQUIRED.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO HELPED HIM SEND HIS COURSE ASSIGNMENTS TO THE OPEN INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY," HE ADDED.
AT A SEPARATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT STANLEY PRISON EARLIER TODAY, CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED TO 10 PRISONERS WHO HAD PASSED THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNICIANS EXAMINATION AND TO 21 PRISONERS WHO HAD COMPLETED MONOCHROME DRAWING COURSES CONDUCTED BY THE EXTRA-MURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE COUNCIL OF EAST ASIA OPEN INSTITUTE, MR K.W.J. TOPLEY.
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NEW YEAR STAMPS ON SALE FROM WEDNESDAY t t t t t
THF POST OFFICE REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE SNAKE SPECIAL STAMPS WILL GO ON SALE ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY IB).
THE SET COMPRISES FOUR DENOMINATIONS - 60 CENTS, $1.40, $1.80 AND $5.
A SOUVENIR SHEET CONTAINING A SET OF THE FOUR STAMPS AT $8.80 EACH AND A STAMP FOLDER AT $12 EACH WILL ALSO BE ISSUED.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS ARE ALREADY ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES.
ALL POST OFFICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CROWDED WITH CUSTOMERS ON WEDNESDAY AND TO ASSIST MEMBERS OE THE PUBLIC WISHING TO TRANSACT NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS, ADDITIONAL COUNTERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN POST OFFICES.
"EXTRA STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT MOST POST OFFICES ON WEDNESDAY BUT QUEUES ARE' NEVERTHELESS EXPECTED TO FORM AND, IF POSSIBLE, THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSACT THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS ON THE PRECEDING DAY OR THE DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THF SPECIAL ISSUE," A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/8 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOLIDAY FLATS’ PROBLEMS ♦ ♦****•
MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUEDAY) TO REVIEW THE LATEST SITUATION C< ICERNTNG HOLIDAY FLATS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS.
THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE SITUATION IN CHEUNG CHAU IN PARTICULAR TC SEE WHETHER THERE HAVE BEEN IMPROVEMENTS AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF SELF-REGULATORY RULES BY HOLIDAY FLAT OWNERS, AND WILL ADVISE ON F’ STH ER ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE OUTLYING ISLANDS WATERTOURS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND A COST ESTIMATE FOR ORGANISING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN 1989-90.
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF PRINTING PAMPHLETS TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND INSTALLING TOURIST MAP BOARDS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROPOSALS TO OPERATE NON-PROFIT MAKING HOLIDAY CAMPS ON LANTAU, TO SET UP A MINI-FOLK MUSEUM IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, AND TO PRESERVE THE ROCK INSCRIPTIONS AT TAI SHEK HAU, CHEUNG CHAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20’1’11 FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR SPORTS GROUND PROJECT ♦ ♦ t t *
ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARF TO BE PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPORTS GROUND AT ARFA 5, ADJACENT TO THE TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND.
/THE PROJECT........
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
- 9 -
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2,000-SEAT COVERED SPECTATOR STAND WITH CHANGING ROOMS AND BOOKING OFFICE.
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE SIX SYNTHETIC SURFACED TENNIS COURTS AN) TWO CONCRETE TENNIS COURTS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT /EAR.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ACTIVITY PLAN
» » * * *
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE COMMITTEE'S ACTIVITY PLAN FOR 1989-90 AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS, AND WILL REVIEW THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE DISTRICT’S RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD
DISTRICT
IN
THE ROAD,
KOWLOON.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
10
WINNERS OF C AND W DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST SELECTED *»♦***
FIVE GROUPS AND 13 SOLOISTS COMPETED IN THE FINALS OF THE SEVENTH CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST LAST (SUNDAY) NIGHT AT THE THEATRE OF SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE.
THE COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN D RICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION, WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST IN SINGING AMONG THE PUBLIC.
THE SINGING CONTEST WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES: CLASSICAL SONG - SOLO SECTION, POP/FOLK SONG - SOLO SECTION AND POP/FOLK SONG - GROUP SECTION.
THE EVENT HAD RECEIVED VERY GOOD RESPONSE FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS OVER THE YEARS. THIS YEAR’S FINALISTS WERE SELECTED FROM ABOUT 200 ENTRANTS AT AN AUDITION HELD IN DECEMBER.
THE WINNER OF THE CLASSICAL SONG - SOLO SECTION IS MISS CHIK WING-SHEUNG. WINNERS FOR THE POP/FOLK SONG - SOLO SECTION AND POP/FOLK SONG - GROUP SECTION ARE MISS CHAN YUK-LING AND THE CUCKOO.
THE CHAMPION AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP IN EACH SECTION WERE AWARDED TROPHIES AND CASH PRIZES OF $1,000, $700 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY. ALL FINALISTS WERE ALSO GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
OFFICIATING AT THE CONTEST, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MISS LOLLY CHIU, POINTED OUT THAT THE COMPETITION HAD PROVED TO BE A POPULAR EVENT IN THE DISTRICT.
”1 MUST CONGRATULATE ALL CONTESTANTS FOR HAVING QUALIFIED FOR TONIGHT’S FINAL. MANY OF THEM MUST HAVE DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT TOWARDS ATTAINING THEIR PRESENT STANDARD. I WOULD LIKE TO WISH THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS,” MISS CHIU SAID.
THE FINALS ALSO FEATURED GUEST PERFORMANCES BY THE BAND "BEYOND” AND POP SINGER MR HO KWOK-SING.
ALSO ATTENDING THE EVENT LAST NIGHT WERE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, MISS LAM KAM-PING; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
11
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS * * * * *
THE CULTURAL AND RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAT DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR FINANCING THE SPRING RECEPTIONS ORGANISED BY THF CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AND THE WAN CHAI EAST AREA COMMITTEES; THE ANNUAL DRAMA PERFORMANCE BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION; AND A CHINESE NEW YEAR DINNER RECEPTION FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURAL AND RECREATION COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDSAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, WAN CHAI.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
*****
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) (SAI KUNG) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LI WING-WAI, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE AIMS OF THE PROJECT AND THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES FOR RESIDENTS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
- 12 -
WATER SUSPENSION IN FIVE DISTRICTS t t t *
A WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI HANG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY. THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN LI KWAN AVENUE, FUK KWAN AVENUE, YIK KWAN AVENUE, WANG FUNG TERRACE, 6-113 TAI HANG ROAD, TAI HANG DRIVE AND CHUN FAI ROAD.
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THE SAME DAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT 127 TO 133 HOLLYWOOD ROAD (ODD NUMBERS), 76-130 HOLLYWOOD ROAD (EVEN NUMBERS), A SECTION OF LADDER STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND CIRCULAR PATHWAY, CIRCULAR PATHWAY, A SECTION OF SHING WONG STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND GOUGH STREET, 1-2 TSUI ON LANE, 270-276 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL AND LOWER LASCAR ROW.
♦ FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 PM THE SAME DAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TA CHUEN PING STREET AND WO YI HOP ROAD.
* FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN STANLEY WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY STANLEY GAP ROAD, STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY BEACH ROAD, STANLEY MOUND ROAD, CARMEL ROAD, TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, WONG MA KOK ROAD, HOI FUNG PATH, STANLEY LINK ROAD, STANLEY NEW ROAD, STANLEY MARKET ROAD, STANLEY MAIN STREET, STANLEY PRISON, MA HANG PRISON AND A SECTION OF TAJ TAM ROAD FROM RED HILL TO STANLEY GAP ROAD.
♦ ALSO ON THURSDAY, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM.
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/15........
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1989
- 13 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* * * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD A 38.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 227.118 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 337.884 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 57.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN ICE HOUSE STREET AND BANK STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 4.30 AM FROM THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) FOR THREE NIGHTS FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING BUS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED:
* WESTBOUND BUS ROUTES 2, 6, 111, 113 AND 121 WILL BE
DIVERTED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND JUBILEE STREET;
* WESTBOUND BUS ROUTES 101, 104 AND 105 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL: AND
» EASTBOUND BUS ROUTES 5B, 10, 101, 104, 105, 111, 113 AND
121 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATER ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD.
-----O-----
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE HUNG MUI KUK SLIP ROAD TIN SAM-BOUND LEADING FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES HEADING FOR TIN SAM AREA FROM KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD WESTBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ALL-NIGHT GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 63K WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD WESTBOUND ON JOURNEYS TO PAK TIN (MUI LEE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
O -------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.. 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOW INCREASES ................... 1
GOVT TO HIRE CONSULTANTS ON ANTI-DUMPING .................... J
TRAINED BANKING PERSONNEL SUSTAIN GROWTH OF FINANCIAL SECTOR 4
FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET SURVEY .............................. 5
TRANSFER OF INSURANCE DIVISION PLANNED ...................... 6
LEGCO QUESTION ON GAS SUPPLIES TO HOSPITALS ................. 7
CAREERS DAYS HELP STUDENTS PLAN FOR FUTURE................... 7
TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT STAGE 1 COMPLETED.................... 8
CAR NUMBERS PRING IN MONEY FOR CHARITY....................... 10
SLOW LORIS A PROTECTED ANIMAL ............................... 12
MAINS WATER SUPPLY NOW EXTENDS TO MA WAN..................... 1?
GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION STUDY ON DB AGENDA ................. 14
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ROADWORKS PROJECTS ........... 15
ENTRIES INVITED FOR TAI PO PHOTO CONTEST .................... 16
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION ................. 16
KWAI TSENG DISTRICT Oj/IvER TO MEET MAC/OC MEMBERS .......... 17
DB CULTURE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .......... 18
SEMINAR TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE........................ 18
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG ......... 19
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING SINGING CONTEST ............ 19
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1^88 ............................. 20
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS SOUGHT .................... 24
TRAFFIC .ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON AND NT...................... 25
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST............. 25
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN ............................. 26
TUESDAY. JANUARY 17, 1989
1 COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOW INCREASES * t * » *
FIGURES FOR TUI COMPANIES REGISTRY OF TH! REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT INDICATE MAJOR INCREASES IN ACTIVITY IN SOME AREAS AND MINOR DECREASES IN OTHERS IN 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1987.
THIS WAS REPORTED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL. MR NOEL GLEESON, IN RELEASING THE FIGURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES NOW REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAD INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT FROM 185,588 TO 213,515.
THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR HAD INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT FROM 26.380 TO 30,474.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH HAD AN ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF THE YEAR INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT FROM 2,289 TO 2,348.
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEAS COMPANIES THAT HAD ESTABLISHED A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING 1988 WAS 250, AN INCREASE OF FOUR PER CENT OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES IN 1987.
NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEAS
COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $45,052 MILLION, A DECREASE OF EIGHT PER CENT FROM THE INCREASE OF $48,995 MILLION IN 1987, WHILE THF NOMINAL CAPITAI OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING THE YEAR INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT FROM $4,133 MILLION TO $4,400 MILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY (HARGIS REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES INCREASED BY 17 PEI CNET > • Ri »M $(.5,187 MILLION TO $76,515 MILLION WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, DI-'CEA D RA 19 PER CENT FROM $9,349 MILLION TO $7,539 MILLION.
DURING THE YEAR, A TOTAL > F 153 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 67 IN RESPECT ' T MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED COMPARED WITH 155 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 68 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER • >F DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE YEAR INCREASED BY 22 PER CEM )• I >M 51',(.,815 TO 692,571.
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE NAMES DURING 1988 WAS 240,679 WHICH WAS A 188,360 IN 1987.
RESERVATION OF NEW I OMPANA
28 PER CENT INCREASE OVER
/ON THE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
2
ON THE SUBJECT OF COMPANY NAMES, MR GLEESON DREW ATTENTION TO THE CONTINUED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN APPLICATIONS FOR NAMES, AND THESE NOW AVERAGED MORE THAN 20,000 PER MONTH.
THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM THE PRESENT LAW WHEREBY A COMPANY NAME COULD BE RESERVED BEFORE THE COMPANY WAS INCORPORATED.
IDEALLY, THIS WAS A GOOD SYSTEM BUT IN PRACTICE THE TIME TAKEN TO RESERVE OR REJECT A NAME HAD BUILT UP TO A PERIOD OF ABOUT SEVEN TO EIGHT WEEKS, MR GLEESON SAID.
THIS WAS DUE TO THE HUGE VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS AND THE NEED FOR STAFF TO CHECK EACH AND EVERY NEW NAME AGAINST THE NAMES OF THE EXISTING 213,000 REGISTERED COMPANIES AND MAKE A SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT IN EACH AND EVERY CASE TO SEE IF THE NEW NAME WAS IDENTICAL WITH AN EXISTING COMPANY NAME OR "SO NEARLY RESEMBLED THAT NAME AS TO BE CALCULATED TO DECEIVE".
THE REST OF THE PROCEDURE FOR INCORPORATION OF A NEW COMPANY TOOK ABOUT ANOTHER SEVEN WEEKS, SO THE WHOLE PROCEDURE, ASSUMING EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER, NOW TOOK ABOUT 14 WEEKS OR MORE, MR GLEESON SAID.
DESPITE STAFF INCREASES, OVERTIME AND COMPUTERISATION, THERE WERE NOW MORE THAN 20,000 OUTSTANDING APPLICATIONS.
SINCE ALL OF THIS WAS HIGHLY UNSATISFACTORY, MR GLEESON SAID HE HAD PROPOSED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM THAT THE LAW BE CHANGED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM SYSTEM UNDER WHICH A NEW NAME WAS REJECTED BY THE REGISTRAR ONLY IF IT WAS IDENTICAL WITH AN EXISTING COMPANY NAME.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE HAD AGREED, AND ITS SUBSEQUENT RECOMMENDATION TO THAT EFFECT WAS ACCEPTED AND PROPOSALS FOR THE NECESSARY AMENDING LEGISLATION WERE NOW WELL IN HAND, MR GLEESON SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE NEW LEGISLATION, HOWEVER, IT WCULI) BE NECESSARY TO UPGRADE THE COMPUTER FACILITIES OF THE COMPANIES REGISTRY SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD MAKE THEIR OWN SEARCHES OF THE COMPUTERISED INDEX OF COMPANY NAMES.
MR GLEESON SAID III': HAD MADE A REQUEST FOR THIS UPGRADING, WHICH WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR. BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, IN 1988 WAS 369. ANOTHER 85 SUMMONSES WERE OUTSTANDING FROM 1987.
OF THIS TOTAL OF 454 SUMMONSES, 238 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS (COMPARED WITH 261 IN 1987) AND 182 REMAIN TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN 1988 WAS $446,715, COMPARED WITH $343,413 IN 1987.
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/3
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 5 -
GOVT TO HIRE CONSULTANTS ON ANTI-DUMPING *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO HIRE TWO CONSULTANT FIRMS TO HELP IN DEALING WITH ALLEGATIONS OF DUMPING IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF PENINSULA, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO HIRE MALMGREN, GOLT AND KINGSTON AND CO, A SPECIALIST TRADE POLICY FIRM BASED IN LONDON, TO ASSIST IN THE DETERMINATION OF EEC POLICIES RELATING TO DUMPING.
VAN BAEL AND BELLIS, A LAW FIRM BASED IN BRUSSELS, WOULD ADVISE ON DETAILED LEGAL QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE EEC’S ANTI-DUMPING LAW AND PRACTICES.
HE SAID BOTH FIRMS WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT’S OFFICES IN BRUSSELS, LONDON AND GENEVA.
HE STRESSED THAT, IN ADDITION, INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES SUBJECT TO ANTI-DUMPING ACTION WERE STRONGLY ADVISED TO HIRE THEIR OWN LAWYERS AND/OR ACCOUNTANTS TO DEAL WITH THE DETAILS OF THEIR CASES. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DEAL WITH THE MORE GENERAL ISSUES AT STAKE.
”WE VIEW THESE ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS VERY SERIOUSLY AND WILL BE DEVOTING CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS AND RESOURCES TO COMBATTING ANY UNFAIRNESS WHICH EMERGES,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS NOT CLEAR THAT THE EEC PAID SUFFICIENT ATTENTION AT THE INITIATING STAGE TO WHETHER DUMPING AND INJURY AS DEFINED UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE HAD TAKEN PLACE.
THE EEC COMMISSION’S FINDINGS MAY BE SUBJECTIVE AND ARE APPARENTLY HARD TO CHALLENGE IN COURT. LEGISLATION AND PRACTICE ARE EXTREMEI. V (’()M P LIC ATED .
IN VDDITION THE EEC’S ANT 1-DUMPING LEGISLATION HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY ONE LEGAL EXPERT AS HAVING ”A STRUCTURAL BI AS TOWARDS FINDING DUMPING". ONCE DEFINITIVE DUTIES ARE IMPOSED, THE PROVISIONS FOR REVIEW ARE INADEQUATE AND SLOW.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE COMMISSION IMPOSES ’’RESIDUAL DUTY”, THE HIGHEST DUTY RATE FOUND IN RESPECT OF COMPANIES UNDER COMPLAINT, ON ALL NEW COMPANIES OR THOSE NOT NAMED IN THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION.
"THIS RESIDUAL DUTY EFFECTIVELY CONDEMNS THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY.
AND SEEMS ON THE FACE OF IT TO BE \GAINST NATURAL JUSTICE," HE SAID.
/ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS, .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, IMPOSE HEAVY TOLLS ON THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED. COMPANIES AFFECTED HAVE TO DEVOTE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES TO DEFENDING THEMSELVES. THE UNCERTAINTY THESE LENGTHY PROCEEDINGS BRING ABOUT AFFECTS BUSINESS PLANS AND DISRUPTS ORDERS.
MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG WANTED TO ENSURE THAT ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES WERE NOT IMPOSED WHERE NOT JUSTIFIED. THERE WAS ALSO THE DANGER OF OTHER INDUSTRIES IN IMPORTING COUNTRIES JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON.
THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED RECENTLY AGAINST HONG KONG COMPANIES HAD TO BE DEALT WITH ROBUSTLY, HE SAID. COMPANIES WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT HAD TO RESPOND AND PROVIDE INFORMATION.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD COMPREHENSIVELY ADVISE THE COMPANIES INVOLVED AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT LEGISLATION AND PROCEDURE.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNMENT CAN EXAMINE INDIVIDUAL PROCEEDINGS TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMPANIES ARE BEING TREATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RELEVANT DOMESTIC LEGISLATION AND MAKE REPRESENTATIONS AS APPROPRIATE. WE ARE DOING THIS IN THE VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES CASE,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
’’THE GOVERNMENT CAN EXAMINE THE DOMESTIC LEGISLATION IN QUESTION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT THEIR PROVISIONS CONFORM WITH THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE.
’’EVEN IF SUCH DOMESTIC LEGISLATION IS TECHNICALLY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE GATT CODE, IF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE GATT CODE AS AT PRESENT WORDED IS NOT ENSURING THAT MANUFACTURES UNDER COMPLAINT ARE BEING TREATED FAIRLY AND REASONABLY, IT WILL SEEK TO REMOVE ANY LOOPHOLE IN THE GATT CODE ITSELF,” HE SAID.
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TRAINED BANKING PERSONNEL SUSTAIN GROWTH OF FINANCIAL SECTOR
*****
THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL HELP TRAIN SKILLED BANKING PERSONNEL SO AS TO SUSTAIN THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S BANKING TRAINING BOARD, MR DAVID K.P. LI, SAID THIS AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
’’HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE. OF THE TOP 100 INTERNATIONAL BANKS, THREE QUARTERS HAVE SOME KIND OF PRESENCE HERE,” MR LI SAID.
/’’WHAT MAKES .........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 5 -
"WHAT MAKES A FINANCIAL CENTRE WORK, HOWEVER, IS TRAINED MANPOWER," HE STRESSED.
"AS OUR FINANCIAL SECTOR HAS GROWN, AS MORE AND MORE INTERNATIONAL BANKS HAVE OPENED OFFICES AND BRANCHES HERE, THE NEED FOR QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AT ALL LEVELS HAS GROWN."
MR LI SAID THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE, WHICH BEGAN OPERATION LAST APRIL, WOULD HELP MEET THAT NEED.
"CAPABLE OF PROVIDING OVER 4,000 PLACES ANNUALLY, THIS WELL-EQUIPPED FACILITY PROVIDES SKILLS AND UPGRADING TRAINING FOR STAFF IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY," HE POINTED OUT.
THE COURSES OFFERED BY THE CENTRE HAVE PROVED POPULAR.
BY THE END OF LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 1,700 BANKING STAFF HAD RECEIVED TRAINING, THE MANAGER OF THE CENTRE, MR LYLE DAVISON, REPORTED.
"MOREOVER, IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING THAT THE CENTRE HAS RECEIVED 4,000 APPLICATIONS FOR 2,000 PLACES IN 10 DIFFERENT TYPES OF COURSE WHICH ARE BEING DEFERRED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
"EVENTUALLY, THE CENTRE WILL OFFER A PORTFOLIO OF SOME 40 COURSES TO BANKING STAFF AT ALL LEVELS," MR DAVISON ADDED.
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FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET SURVEY ♦ * t *
THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL CARRY OUT A SURVEY OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET IN HONG KONG IN APRIL.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE EXERCISE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY): "THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET IS A MAJOR AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENT CONTRIBUTING TO HONG KONG'S ROLE AND STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
’’HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO OFFICIAL STATISTICS ON THE SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS IN HONG KONG. THIS SURVEY IS INTENDED TO HELP US UNDERSTAND BETTER THIS IMPORTANT SEGMENT OF OUR FINANCIAL MARKET AND TO GAUGE ITS DEVELOPMENT.”
THE SURVEY WILL COINCIDE WITH SIMILAR SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES, INCLUDING LONDON AND NEW YORK.
TOKYO, OTTAWA, TORONTO, ZURICH AND PARIS ARE ALSO LIKELY TO CONDUCT THESE SURVEYS ROUND ABOUT THE SAME TIME.
/’’THIS WILL..........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 198?
6
"THIS WILL ENABLE USEFUL COMPARISONS TO BE MADE OF THE SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DIFFERENT CENTRES," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE SURVEY HAD JUST BEEN SENT OUT.
"THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND DEPOSIT BROKERS’ ASSOCIATION, WHICH ARE ALL SUPPORTIVE OF THE EXERCISE," HE SAID.
"THE REPORTING INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO REPORT THEIR FOREIGN EXCHANGE BUSINESS CONTRACTED DURING APRIL 1989 AND TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH ON OR BEFORE MAY 19, 1989.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT SURVEY FINDINGS ON AN AGGREGATE BASIS WILL BE PUBLISHED SOME TIME IN AUGUST 1989," HE SAID.
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TRANSFER OF INSURANCE DIVISION PLANNED ♦ » ♦ ♦ t
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO ESTABLISH THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF HIS DEPARTMENT AS A SEPARATE REGULATORY COMMISSION UNDER THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
HE SAID IT WAS NOW APPROPRIATE TO DO THIS BECAUSE THE 1983 INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAD RADICALLY CHANGED THE WORK OF HIS INSURANCE DIVISION FROM THE REGISTRATION OF AUTHORISED INSURERS TO THE REGULATION OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW INSURANCE COMMISSION WOULD ALSO MARK THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS AN INSURANCE MARKET.
THE DIVISION HAD NOW DEVELOPED SUFFICIENTLY TO WARRANT ITS ESTABLISHMENT AS A SEPARATE COMMISSION.
LIKE THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSIONS, THE NEW INSURANCE COMMISSION WOULD BE A POLICY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS.
THE NEW INSURANCE COMMISSION WILL REMAIN WITHIN THE CIVIL. SERVICE, BUT THE TRANSFER, WHEN IT TAKES PLACE, WILL PLACE IT ALONGSIDE THE OTHER AGENCIES CHARGED WITH PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SERVICES.
THE TRANSFER IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, SUBJECT TO THE NECESSARY GOVERNMENT APPROVALS BEING GIVEN.
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/7.......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 7 -
LEGCO QUESTION ON GAS SUPPLIES TO HOSPITALS *****
DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG WILL ASK A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) CONCERNING CONTROLS OVER THE SUPPLY OF MEDICINE AND GAS FOR USE IN HOSPITALS.
DR LEONG’S QUESTION READS: "IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECENT MISHAP INVOLVING A PATIENT BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH A WRONG GAS DURING AN OPERATION, WILL THE ADMINISTRATION INFORM THIS COUNCIL OF THE EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS OVER THE SUPPLY OF MEDICINE, GAS AND GASEOUS PRODUCTS FOR USE IN PUBLIC, SUBVERTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS?".
THE QUESTION IS ONE OF 13 ON THE COUNCIL'S AGENDA.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL ALSO MOVE A MOTION THAT THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1989, MADE BY THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS ON JANUARY 3 THIS YEAR, BE APPROVED.
-------o---------
CAREERS DAYS HELP STUDENTS PLAN FOR FUTURE
*****
A SERIES OF SEVEN CAREERS DAYS IS BEING ORGANISED BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH TO PROVIDE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WORLD OF WORK.
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL. THE ANNUA!, EVENTS ARE INTENDED MAINLY FOR FORM THREE TO FORM FIVE STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAI' THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENTS, STUDENTS COULD OBTAIN UP TO--DAT> INFORMATION ON DIFFERENT TRADES AND INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AT THE COUNCIL’S VARIOUS TRAINING CENTRES AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
"THIS CAN HELP INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE AS YET UNDECIDED ON THEIR FUTURE CAREER, OR THOSE WHO HAVE SOMEHOW SET THEIR MINDS ON A LIMITED CHOICE, TO LOOK FURTHER AFIELD AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT MIGHT MATCH THEIR RANGE OF INTERESTS," HE ADDED.
/THIS YEAR'S .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 8 -
THIS YEAR’S CAREERS DAYS WILL BE HELD AT THE COUNCIL’S TWO TRAINING CENTRES AND FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
THE SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:
KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX - JANUARY 20
KWAI CHUNG TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX - JANUARY 27
MAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - FEBRUARY 23
TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - FEBRUARY 27
SHA TIN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - MARCH 1
CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - MARCH 3
LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - MARCH 10
EACH CAREERS DAY WILL FEATURE A SERIES OF SPECIALIST TALKS ON VARIOUS TRADES, INDUSTRIES OR PROFESSIONS, VISITS TO TRAINING CENTRES AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND A DISPLAY OF CAREERS INFORMATION.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST CAREERS DAY AT THE VTC KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------o - - - -
TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT STAGE 1 COMPLETED * T t t ♦ 1
STAGE 1 OF THE WIDENING ( " TAI PO ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WAS AIMED AT WIDENING THAT PARTICULAR SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD TO AT LEAST THREE LANES THROUGHOUT.
/THIS WOULD .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 9
THIS WOULD PROVIDE EXTRA CAPACITY FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN AND THUS HELP RELIEVE SERIOUS CONGESTION AT LION ROCK TUNNEL.
THE PROJECT IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THREE STAGES.
STAGE 1 INCLUDES THREE SECTIONS BETWEEN THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
* KOWLOON GOVERNMENT EXPLOSIVE DEPOT AND SHA TIN LOOKOUT;
* LOK HOP VILLAGE AND KENG HAU ROAD; AND
» SHA TIN HEIGHTS ROAD AND CHIK WAN STREET.
FROM FRIDAY, THERE WILL BE ONE NORTHBOUND LANE AND TWO KOWLOON BOUND LANES ALONG THESE SECTIONS.
TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRAFFIC, "NO STOPPING" RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ADJOINING THE KOWLOON RESERVOIR THERE WOULD BE TWO NEW PUBLIC CARPARKS WITH A TOTAL OF 80 PARKING SPACES.
THESE CARPARKS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY VISIORS TO THE KAM SHAN AND LION ROCK COUNTRY PARKS, HE SAID.
THE STAGE 1 IMPROVEMENT WORKS, COSTING $35 MILLION, BEGAN IN APRIL 1986.
THE STAGE 2 WORKS COVER THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD FROM TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE TO THE KOWLOON RESERVOIR.
THESE BEGAN IN DECEMBER 1986 AND ARE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER. THE COST IS $37 MILLION.
THE REMAINING SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE ARE COVERED UNDER STAGE 3, WHICH WILL COST $41 MILLION.
THESE WORKS BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER AND ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT AND THE OPENING OF ROUTE 5 AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME WOULD CERTAINLY PROVIDE SOME EASING OF THE CONGESTION AT LION ROCK TUNNEL BEFORE THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL OPENED IN LATE 1991.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO COINCIDE WITH HIE OPENING OF THE STAGE 1 TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WILL Bi ANNOUNCED BY TH'. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
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/1O........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 10
CAR NUMBERS BRING IN MONEY FOR CHARITY
» « » * *
INCREASING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE OUTLAYING AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF MONEY IN QUEST OF LUCKY CAR NUMBERS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHARITY.
IN 1988, A TOTAL OF 14 AUCTIONS OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE HELD BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT RAISING MORE THAN $19 MILLION FOR THE LOTTERIES FUND. THIS COMPARED WITH $7.88 MILLION RAISED IN NINE AUCTIONS IN 1987 AND $4.63 MILLION RAISED IN AUCTIONS IN 1986.
NOT ONLY THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE BECOMING FOND OF LUCKY CAR NUMBERS, MORE OF THEM ARE ALSO READY TO PAY BIG MONEY FOR A GOOD NUMBER, OCCASIONALLY IN TERMS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
ON FEBRUARY 13 LAST YEAR THE AUSPICIOUS REGISTRATION NUMBER "8", WITHOUT PREFIX, FETCHED $5 MILLION, A RECORD FIGURE THAT FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS.
ONLY THREE NUMBERS MADE THE NAME OF "MILLION DOLLAR" PLATES. APART FROM NUMBER "8", THE OTHER REGISTRATION MARKS WERE ”162", SOLD FOR $2 MILLION ON OCTOBER 8 LAST YEAR, AND "3", WHICH WAS AUCTIONED FOR $1.03 MILLION ON JULY 30, 1983.
INTEREST IS NOW MOUNTING ON HOW MUCH THE LUCKY CAR NUMBER "7”, ALSO WITHOUT PREFIX, WILL BE ABLE TO FETCH AT A SPECIAL LUNAR NEW YEAR AUCTION ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21).
IN FACT, ALL OF THE 20 NON-TRANSFERABLE CAR NUMBERS THAT WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION FROM 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON THAT DAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BRING IN GOOD MONEY IN AID OF CHARITY.
THE 20 CAR NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
BM9 CG6789 7 CD77 7
378 AR3 XX89 BM525
HK3333 BC99 AC323 CC8888
AS18 133 HK9898 HK5
66 EA1 BD1 AC8338
SINCE THE FIRST AUCTION WAS HELD IN MAY 1973, THE FOLLOWING 22 NUMBERS HAD BEEN SOLD FOR $200,000 OR MORE:
/REGISTRATION MARK ......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
11
REGISTRATION MARK PRICE DATE OF AUCTION
(HK $)
8 5,000,000 13.2.88
162 2,000,000 8.10.88
3 1,030,000 30.7.83
828 550,000 8.10.88
38 540,000 22.9.84
HK 3 420,000 23.11.85
6 330,000 9.12.78
DL 1 318,000 17.1.87
CY 3 300,000 13.2.88
7777 290,000 17.4.82
AK3333 250,000 14.11.87
DP 1 230,000 15.8.87
XX 28 230,000 13.2.88
CM 1 210,000 28.3.81
125 210,000 16.5.87
HK 77 210,000 13.2.88
10 206,000 12.3.77
CH 8 200,000 27.9.80
118 200,000 29.5.82
CW 888 200,000 13.2.88
213 200,000 13.2.88
DW 1 200,000 13.2.88
THE TOTAL PROCEEDS THAT CAME FROM CAR NUMBER AUCTIONS TO DATE HAVE AMOUNTED TO $69,140,032.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 12 -
SLOW LORIS A PROTECTED ANIMAL
******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT SLOW LORIS IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTED BY THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESSION OF THIS SCHEDULED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND MANDATORY FORFEITURE OF THE SPECIMEN.
REPEATED OFFENDERS WILL BE PENALISED BY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ JAIL SENTENCE.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID THAT DESPITE THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION SCENE IN HONG KONG, THE RECENT UPSURGE OF CASES INVOLVING SLOW LORIS HAD CAUSED THE DEPARTMENT SOME CONCERN.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 298 PROSECUTION CASES IN BREACH OF THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE. THIS REPRESENTS A DROP OF ABOUT 20 PER CENT OVER THE 1987 FIGURE OF 366 CASES.
"IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS, THE DEPARTMENT DISCOVERED SIX CASES INVOLVING 10 SLOW LORIS," MR CHEUNG SAID.
"FIVE OF THEM WERE ILLEGALLY IMPORTED FROM CHINA AND INTERCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT THE BORDER CHECKPOINT. THREE WERE CONFISCATED AS ILLEGAL POSSESSIONS WHILE THE REMAINING TWO WERE STRAYS HANDED OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR CUSTODY."
HE SAID THE NUMBER OF SUCH CASES DISCOVERED WITHIN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME INDICATED THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT THESE PROTECTED ANIMALS INTO HONG KONG EITHER KNOWINGLY OR UNKOWINGLY.
"THE DEPARTMENT TAKES SUCH OFFENCES SERIOUSLY AND IS STEPPING UP CONTROL MEASURES AT ALL CUSTOMS CHECKPOINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS WHILE STRENGTHENING INSPECTIONS OF PET SHOPS AND MARKET PLACES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE BY REPORTING ANY SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES TO THE DEPARTMENT’S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION AT 3-7332124.
SLOW LORIS BELONGS TO THE PRIMATE FAMILY AND IS ORIGINATED IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES AND SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST CHINA.
ITS BODY LENGTH RANGES FROM 26.5 CENTIMETRES TO 38 CENTIMETRES.
IT WEIGHTS BETWEEN 1 KILOGRAMME AND 1.6 KILOGRAMMES.
/GREY OR .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 13 -
GREY OR GREYISH BROWN IN COLOUR WITH DARK PATCHES AROUND THE EYES, THE ANIMAL HAS A ROUND HEAD, A SMALL TAIL AND A STOUT BODY WITH VERY DENSE FUR CHARACTERISED BY A WIDE DARK BAND IN THE MIDDLE OF ITS BACK.
IT IS A SOLITARY ANIMAL OF NOCTURNAL . HABIT THAT SPENDS THE DAY CURLED IN TREE HOLLOWS AND MOVES MUCH FASTER DURING NIGHT TIME. IT FEEDS ON INSECTS, FRUITS, BIRDS AND BIRD EGGS.
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MAINS WATER SUPPLY NOW EXTENDS TO MA WAN
» * * » *
MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO MA WAN ISLAND, LONG AWAITED BY RESIDENTS, TODAY (TUESDAY) BECAME A REALITY FOLLOWING A SYMBOLIC SWITCHING ON CEREMONY PERFORMED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR CHAN YAN-KEE.
MR CHAN STOOD IN FOR THE DIRECTOR, MR WONG KWOK-LAI, WHO WAS INDISPOSED.
ON HAND TO WITNESS THE EVENT WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF DISTRICT PERSONALITIES.
MR CHAN SAID THE CEREMONY MARKED A NOTABLE STEP FORWARD IN THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO EXTEND MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO REMOTE AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"THE PROPOSAL TO SUPPLY MAINS WATER TO MA WAN WAS FIRST CONSIDERED SOME YEARS AGO," HE SAID.
"AT ONE STAGE THIS WAS PROGRAMMED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FIXED CROSSING PLANNED FOR NORTH LANTAU.
"FOLLOWING A DECISION IN 1984 ON THE DEFERMENT OF THE FIXED CROSSING SCHEME, ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF PROVIDING SUPPLY TO MA WAN WERE EXPLORED, WHICH LATER DEVELOPED INTO PRESENT PROJECT," HE ADDED.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES SEVEN KILOMETRES OF 200-MILLIMETRE DIAMETER WATER MAIN BETWEEN YAU KOM TAU AND MA WAN, LAID IN THREE SECTIONS.
THIS INCLUDES A FIVE-KILOMETRE LAND SECTION ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM YAU KOM TAU TO SHAM TSENG, FOLLOWED BY A 1.4-KILOMETRE SUBMARINE SECTION ACROSS MA WAN CHANNEL AND A FURTHER 600-METRE LAND SECTION ON MA WAN LEADING TO THE SERVICE RESERVOIR ON THE ISLAND.
THE SERVICE RESERVOIR HAS A CAPACITY OF 500 CUBIC METRES.
/WATER IS .......
TOESDAT, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 14
WATER IS DISTRIBUTED EROM IT THROUGH A NETWORK OF DISTRIBUTION MAINS TOTALLING ABOUT THREE KILOMETRES AND RANGING IN SIZES FROM 75 TO 200 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER, PROVIDING FILTERED SUPPLY TO ALL VILLAGES ON THE ISLAND.
THE PROJECT COST WAS ABOUT $60 MILLION AND CONSTRUCTION TOOK JUST OVER 18 MONTHS.
REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO REMOTE AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR CHAN SAID STEADY PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE.
"OUR EFFORTS SO FAR HAVE ENABLED EXTENSION OF MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO COVER MOST PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, LEAVING ONLY A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF VERY REMOTE VILLAGES WHICH ARE STILL DEPENDENT ON LOCAL SOURCES OF SUPPLY," HE SAID.
SUPPLY TO 33 OF THESE REMOTE VILLAGES IS CURRENTLY UNDER DESIGN WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING MAINS SUPPLY TO THEM IN EARLY 1991.
"PLANNING IS ALSO IN HAND FOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL SUMP AND PUMP SYSTEMS AND TREATMENT FACILITIES TO BE COMPLETED BY 1992 FOR THE PROVISION OF FILTERED WATER TO ANOTHER 50 SUCH REMOTE VILLAGES," MR CHAN ADDED.
MR CHAN THANKED THE CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE MA WAN SUPPLY PROJECT, AND CONGRATULATED THEM ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS ON A JOB WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS "NO SIMPLE ENGINEERING WORKS".
-------o ---------
GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION STUDY ON DB AGENDA t » t » t »
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) TO DISCUSS THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION FEASIBILITY STUDY.
CONSULTANTS UNDERTAKING THIS STUDY WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PRELIMINARY REPORT.
THE ISLAND RECLAMATION, COVERING AN AREA OF 170 HECTARES, WOULD EVENTUALLY ACCOMMODATE A TOTAL POPULATION OF ABOUT 210,000 IF CARRIED OUT.
/MEMBERS WILL .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 15 -
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL FOR ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ROLE OF THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ROADWORKS PROJECTS *****
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER VARIOUS ROADWORKS PROJECTS SCHEDULED TO START IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN AND IN SHA TAU KOK.
AMONG THESE PROJECTS WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, SHEUNG SHUI, NEAR FUNG KAI SECONDARY SCHOOL.
AN ENGINEER FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROJECTS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR PROVISION OF ROAD CROSSING FACILITIES AT THE TIN SAM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, FANLING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO BEGIN AT 2 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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/16........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 16 -
ENTRIES INVITED FOR TAI PO PHOTO CONTEST *****
PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A PHOTOGRAPHY
COMPETITION TO COINCIDE WITH THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL.
SPONSORED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE TAI PO JOINT SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY PROMOTION SCHEME ASSOCIATION.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO AN OPEN SECTION AND A STUDENT SECTION.
THE THEME OF THE ENTRIES SHOULD BE EITHER TAI PO’S SCENERY OR LOCAL TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ACCESSORIES.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PHOTOMATE PHOTO FINISHING SERVICE, 64 PO HEUNG STREET, TAI PO; THE RAINBOW PHOTO SUPPLIES COMPANY, 30A ON FU ROAD, TAI PO; THE 88 PHOTO FINISHING CENTRE, 19A TSUN FU STREET, SHEUNG SHUI; THE 80 PHOTO SERVICE COMPANY, 28 WO LUNG STREET, LUEN WO MARKET, FANLING; THE JADE STUDIO COMPANY, BLOCK C, SECOND FLOOR, CHIT WING LAU, 34 TAI TONG ROAD, YUEN LONG; THE LUNG CHEUNG PHOTO SUPPLIES LIMITED, 64 ARGYLE STREET, MONG KOK; AND THE ARTIST PHOTO FINISHING CENTRE, 189A JOHNSTON ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JANUARY 25.
--------o ---------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LEI YUE MUN ROAD WHEN IT MEETS ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF WORKS AND WILL DISCUSS WAYS TO RELIEVE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION CUASED BY ROAD WORKS AND ASSOCIATED UTILITY DIVERSIONS IN THE AREA BETWEEN TSUI PING ROAD AND JUNK BAY ROAD.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER A REQUEST BY THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE BUILDINGS ASSOCIATION LTD FOR THE PROVISION OF A FOOTBRIDGE FROM YUET WAH STREET BUS TERMINUS TO THE KWUN TONG MARKET TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS CROSSING HIP WO STREET.
/IN ADDITION, .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF LOCAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19), IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
- - 0 - -
KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER TO MEET MAC/OC MEMBERS
» * * » »
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI, WILL BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE COMING MONTHS IN MEETING OFFICE BEARERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’S) AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS (OC’S) IN THE DISTRICT.
THE MEETINGS, IN THE FORM OF TEA GATHERINGS, ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND MEMBERS OF THE MAC’S AND OC’S AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR VIEWS TOWARDS DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
THE GATHERINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE EVENINGS SO THAT MORE MAC AND OC MEMBERS, WHO MIGHT HAVE TO WORK DURING DAYTIME, CAN ATTEND.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE OVER 300 MAC'S AND 100 OC’S IN THE SEVEN AREAS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT. THE SEVEN AREAS ARE NAMELY WEST KWAI CHUNG, CENTRAL KWAI CHUNG, NORTH KWAI CHUNG, EAST KWAI CHUNG, SOUTH KWAI CHUNG, KWAI SHING AND TSING YI.
MR TANG WILL FIRST MEET THE MAC AND OC MEMBERS FROM KWAI SHING AREA ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) IN THE KWAI SHING COMMUNITY HALL.
AFTER THIS, HE WILL INVITE MEMBERS OF OTHER AREAS TO SIMILAR TEA GATHERINGS AS PART OF HIS LIAISON WORK SINCE TAKING UP OFFICE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
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/18
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 18 -
DB CULTURE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FROM APRIL TO JUNE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY PROGRESS REPORTS ON CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS, ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES, LIBRARY EXTENSION ACTIVITIES AND DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
- - 0 ----------
SEMINAR TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE
*****
RESIDENTS OF HANG HAU, RENNIE’S MILL AND JUNK BAY NEW TOWN ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) AT THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL TN JUNK BAY.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE KWUN TONG POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.
THE AIM IS TO INCREASE RESIDENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF CRIME PREVENTION AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAINTAIN CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH THE POLICE.
SPEAKERS IN THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE SUB-DIVISIONAL 0(1 I ANDER OF THE RENNIE’S MILL DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION, MR I,AU SIU-WAH. AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER, MR CHEUNG KAM-CHUEN.
THEY WILL BRIEF’ RESIDENTS ON THE PROOFDUNES OF REPORTING CRIME AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THEM ON THE CRIME SITUATION IN THE AREA. SLIDES WILL BE SHOWN TO SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT H PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
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/19........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG « ♦ » * *
ABOUT 70 MEMBERS OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND FACTORY OWNERS IN KWUN TONG WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY)
EVENING.
THE SEMINAR IS ONE OF THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
THE HOUSING MANAGER OF THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM, MR CHAN SIK-KWAN, WILL GIVE AN OPENING ADDRESS ON GENERAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND WAYS TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS.
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY TALKS BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, DR ELLEN CHAN, ON DRAINAGE PROBLEMS: SENIOR STATION OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WONG KWONG-CHI, ON FIRE PREVENTION; AND SENIOR INSPECTOR OF POLICE, MR WONG HAK-KFUNG ON SECURITY MATTERS JN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PANEL DISCUSSION DURING WHICH PARTICIPANTS MAY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND ASK RELATED QUESTIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
- - 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING SINGING CONTEST » t ♦ * t
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD'S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE FUNDING OF A SINGING CONTEST FOR THE WORKING POPULATION IN TSUEN WAN AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SINGING CONTEST, TO BE HELD IN MARCH, IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LIAISON GROUP FOR THE WORKING POPULATION.
/PROGRESS REPORTS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1?» 1^9
- 20 -
PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
WORKING GROUPS WILL
ALSO BE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) 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.
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WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 ♦ * * *
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER 1988, AT 164.7, INCREASED BY 10.2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987 AND BY 2.3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE SEPTEMBER 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 1987 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 8.6 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 12.8 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 10.4 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 17.0 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 17.6 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE SEPTEMBER 1988 AND JUNE 1988 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.8 PERCENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 3.1 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.0 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.3 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 6.7 PER CENT.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1987 TO SEPTEMBER 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 109.2 IN SEPTEMBER 1988, .WAS 1.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1987 AND 0.5 PER CENT LOWER THAN THAT IN JUNE 1988.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1987 TO SEPTEMBER 1988 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
/THESE NOMINAL .......
#■
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 21 -
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.
THEY COVER 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 SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND SERVICES SECTOR.
TRANSPORT PERSONAL
THE
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 THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982. WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
IN WAGE RATES IN BY DEFLATING THE MEASURES CHANGES
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH INTERVALS.
AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY
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, 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 TN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
/AS THE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
22 -
AS THE LABOUR MARKET TIGHTENS, THE RATE OF INCREASE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED CAN NORMALLY BE EXPECTED TO EXCEED SLIGHTLY THE RATE OF INCREASE IN WAGES.
HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE OCCASIONS WHERE, ON ACCOUNT OF RAPID LABOUR TURNOVER AND ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE, MORE EXPERIENCED AND BETTER PAID WORKERS ARE TEMPORARILY SUBSTITUTED BY THOSE WITH LESS EXPERIENCE AND LOWER PAY, RESULTING IN THE LATTER RATE OF INCREASE EXCEEDING THE FORMER RATE.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOLUME I, SEPTEMBER 1988 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE VOLUME 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 EARLY NEXT MONTH.
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) % CHANGE - SEP.88/ SEP.87
SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987 MAR. 1988 JUN. 1988 SEPT. 1988
MANUFACTURING 148.4 149.5 154.6 158.3 161.1 + 8.6
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 141.5 146.5 151.6 154.8 159.6 + 12.8
TRANSPORT SERVICES 170.4 170.3 177.9 184.6 188.2 + 10.4
BUSINESS SERVICES 155.8 155.8 168.2 178.2 182.3 + 17.0
PERSONAL SERVICES 145.7 14 6.6 155.3 160.5 171.3 + 17.6
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 14 9.4 151.2 156.9 161 .0 164.7 + 10.2
/TABLE 2 : .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1989
TABLE
NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE SEP.88/ SEP.87
SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987 MAR. 1988 JUN. 1988 SEPT. 1988
GARMENTS 132.5 133.1 135.7 138.0 139.7 + 5.4
GLOVES 154.3 153.9 159.5 164.2 169.3 ♦ 9.7
HANDBAGS 141.9 142.8 147.2 146.9 151.4 6.7
COTTON SPINNING/ WEAVING 164.6 165.5 172.0 173.6 174.7 + 6.1
KNITTING 148.3 148.2 150.0 152.4 152.9 + 3.1
BLEACHING AND DYEING 168.3 169.3 175.2 180.1 181.9 + 8.1
PRINTING 162.4 164.1 170.5 182.5 186.7 *15.0
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 146.8 146.4 151,. 2 156.5 159.9 4- 8.9
METAL PRODUCTS 153.0 154.3 160.9 166.3 170.4 4-11.4
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCESW 165.6 i 168.6 177.2 182.5 186.7 12.7
ELEc’t'ROklCS 162.3 165.0 175.3 180.4 183.9 4-13.3
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 174.9 176.1 182.8 187.3 191.0 4- 9.2
MANUFACTURING 148.4 149.5 154.6 158.3 161.1 4- 8.6
/TABLE 3 : .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
24
TABLE 3: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE SEPT.88/ SEP.87
SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987 MAR. 1988 JUN. 1988 SEPT. 1988
MANUFACTURING 106.9 105.6 107.7 108.0 106.8 -0.1
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 101.9 103.4 105.6 105.6 105.8 + 3.8
TRANSPORT SERVICES 122.8 120.2 124.0 125.9 124.7 + 1.5
BUSINESS SERVICES 112.2 110.0 117.2 121.6 120.8 + 7.7
PERSONAL SERVICES 105.0 103.6 108.2 109.5 113.5 + 8.1
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 107.7 106.8 109.4 109.8 109.2 . +1-4
-------0----------
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS SOUGHT ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS IN CHAI WAN SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS ARE IN THE SIDE LANE ADJACENT TO SHOP 1, KIN YIP COURT, 14-32 LIN SHING ROAD, CHAI WAN.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE LAST SEPTEMBER 21, REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 28 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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/25........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 25 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON AND NT
♦ ♦ * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, WING KIN ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20).
AT THE SAME TIME, IN SHAM SHUI PO, ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM FAT TSEUNG STREET SOUTHBOUND TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND.
VEHICLES FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA HING WAH STREET.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, IN TUEN MUN, THE SECTION OF THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO YAU 01 ESTATE BETWEEN ITS SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20), TWO SECTIONS OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR TRAM TRACK CONNECTION WORKS.
THESE URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CHIU KWONG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE EAST AND ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES TO THE WEST.
THEY WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR TWO WEEKS AND SIX WEEKS RESPECTIVELY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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/26........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
- 26 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT STAGE I, SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BECOME PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* THE SECTION BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHIK WAN STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 375 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, EXCLUDING THE LAYBY ALONG THIS ROAD SECTION;
* THE SECTION BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KENG HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 430 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, EXCLUDING THE TWO LAYBYS ALONG THIS ROAD SECTION; AND
* THE SECTION FROM A POINT ABOUT 960 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH GOLDEN HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 140 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, EXCLUDING THE TWO LAYBYS ALONG THIS ROAD SECTION.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING NORTHBOUND SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
* THE SECTION FROM A POINT ABOUT 140 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH GOLDEN HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 960 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, EXCLUDING THE TWO LAYBYS ALONG THIS ROAD SECTION;
* THE SECTION FROM A POINT ABOUT 430 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KENG HAU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SECTION BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LOWER SHING MUN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 315 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT TAI PO ROAD/CHIK WAN STREET/LOWER SHING MUN ROAD JUNCTION.
CHIK WAN STREET BETWEEN CHIK TAI LANE AND TAI PO ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD ENTER CHIK WAN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MEI TIN ROAD AND EXIT FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO ROAD.
/ALSO, THE ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1989
ALSO, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS AT TAI PO ROAD/CHIK WAN STREET/LOWER SHING MUN ROAD JUNCTION WILL BE BANNED:
» THE RIGHT-TURN FROM TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND TO LOWER SHING MUN ROAD;
* THE LEFT-TURN FROM TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND TO CHIK WAN STREET;
* THE STRAIGHT ON MOVEMENT FROM LOWER SHING MUN ROAD
EASTBOUND TO CHIK WAN STREET; AND
* THE RIGHT-TURN FROM LOWER SHING MUN ROAD EASTBOUND TO TAI PO ROAD.
MOTORISTS ON TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR LOWER SHING MUN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MEI TIN ROAD AND CHIK WAN STREET.
THOSE ON LOWER SHING MUN ROAD HEADING FOR TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND, MEI TIN ROAD AND CHIK WAN STREET.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
BILL PROPOSES HK SOLUTION FOR INVESTOR PROTECTION ...... 1
REVISED FEES FOR REGISTRATION OF PATENTS ............... 4
REVIEWS CONDUCTED ON EQUAL PAY ......................... 4
NON-COMMONWEALTH DOCTORS FOR CENTRES UNDER STUDY ....... 5
ORDINANCE AIMS AT STRIKING REASONABLE BALANCE .......... 7
KEY POSITIONS BEING FILLED SATISFACTORILY .............. 8
RAISING OF KINDERGARTEN STANDARDS BEING STUDIED ........ 9
AIMS OF SUBVENTIONS FOR PERFORMING ARTS ................ 10
CODES OF AID FOR SCHOOLS SIMPLIFIED .................... "'1
AG: REVIEW OF USE OF NOLLES PROSEQUI ................... 12
EARLIER GATE OPINING AT LO WU TO BE CONSIDERED ......... 14
MORE VEHICLES TO RE TESTED FOR SMOKE EMISSION .......... 15
CURRENT LEGISLATION ADEQUATE TO ENSURE RAILINGS SAFETY .... 15
STEPS TAKEN TO REDUCE BORDER TRAFFIC CONGESTION ........ 16
TESTS CARRIED OUT ON HOSPITAL OXYGEN TANKS ............. 17
REGISTRATION OF PATENTS RULES APPROVED ................. 19
VISIT OF PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES .................... 20
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT TO BE FORMED ............ 20
APPLICATIONS FOR TRADE Mj JJKS INCREASE IN 1988 .......... 21
TUEN MUN DB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR SOUTH KOREA ............ 22
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SERVICES FOK THE ELDERLY .... 22
SOUTHERN DB TO REPORT ON YEAR'S WORK...................... 2?
FREE TICKETS FOR CONCERT IN TAI PO........................ 24
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC CONGESTION NEAR TSING YI BRIDGES .................................................. 25
SAI KUNG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS VAN TRACK IMPROVEMENT....... 25
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT, MONG KOK.................. 26
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN KWUN TONG, HUNG HOM............ 26
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD .............. 27
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ........... 27
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
BILL PROPOSES HK SOLUTION FOR INVESTOR PROTECTION
*****
IN SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A DURABLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK CONDUCIVE TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF STABLE, FAIR AND ORDERLY FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM HAS BEEN TO PUT FORWARD A SOLUTION WHICH IS RIGHT FOR HONG KONG.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989.
"IN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS BILL, WE HAVE BEEN ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO AVOID OVER-REGULATION, WHICH WOULD STIFLE THE VIGOUR AND INNOVATION OF OUR MARKETS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST ESTABLISH A REGULATORY BODY WITH SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY AND RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF INVESTOR PROTECTION WHICH IS BROADLY COMPARABLE TO THAT IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES.
"WHILE LOOKING OVERSEAS FOR USEFUL REFERENCES, AND INDEED FOR INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED REGULATORY STANDARDS, WE MUST NOT OVERLOOK LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES," MR JACOBS EMPHASISED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL DID NOT SEEK TO LAY DOWN ALL THE REGULATIONS AND RULES.
"THESE WILL HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT BY THE COMMISSION, AFTER IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, IN CONSULTATION WITH THOSE IN THE MARKET PLACE.
"IT DOES, HOWEVER, SET OUT THE PARAMETERS WITHIN WHICH SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS SHOULD BE FORMULATED," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN PUTTING TOGETHER THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSULTED THOROUGHLY MARKET ORGANISATIONS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
"AS A RESULT, WE HAVE INTRODUCED SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS INTO THE BILL.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE BILL IN ITS PRESENT FORM STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN GIVING THE NEW COMMISSION ADEQUATE POWERS TO CARRY OUT ITS TASKS AND PROVIDING THE MARKETS WITH THE FREEDOM THEY NEED TO THRIVE AND ADAPT TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS THEN TURNED TO SEVERAL AREAS WHICH ATTRACTED PARTICULAR ATTENTION DURING THE CONSULTATION PROCESS.
/REGARDING THE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 2 -
REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) AND THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE ACCOUNTABILITY, HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD STILL BE PART OF THE WIDER GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"WHILE THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF AUTONOMY IN ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, ANY MAJOR CHANGES TO AND DEVELOPMENTS IN POLICY WILL STILL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE STRESSED.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NEW COMMISSION AND THE TWO EXCHANGES, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD HAD EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH BOTH EXCHANGES ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SFC.
"WE ARE AGREED THAT, WITHIN THE PROPOSED REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, FIRST LINE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY, EFFICIENCY AND FAIRNESS OF MARKETS AND FOR ENSURING THE FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS AND CORRECT BUSINESS CONDUCT OF MEMBERS SHOULD REST WITH THE EXCHANGES.
"THE COMMISSION, FOR ITS PART, SHOULD MONITOR CLOSELY PERFORMANCE BY THE EXCHANGES OF THEIR SELF-REGULATORY FUNCTIONS, GIVE GUIDANCE, CO-ORDINATE REGULATION WITHIN HONG KONG AND INTERNATIONALLY, AND ONLY USE ITS POWER TO DIRECT THE EXCHANGES IF IT BELIEVES THAT THEY ARE FAILING TO FULFIL THEIR REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES EFFECTIVELY," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK, THERE MUST BE CLOSE, FREQUENT AND REGULAR TWO-WAY CONTACT AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE EXCHANGES.
"WITHOUT SEEKING TO INTERFERE IN THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE EXCHANGES, THE COMMISSION MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP ITSELF INFORMED OF MARKET ACTIVITIES AND THE CONDUCT OF MEMBERS.
"IN EXERCISING THEIR REGULATORY FUNCTIONS, AS WELL AS IN PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE COMMISSION AND THE EXCHANGES HAVE SIMILAR INTERESTS AND OBJECTIVES AND WILL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RESOURCES AND POWERS ARE USED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL REGARDING THE POWERS OF THE SFC OVER THE EXCHANGES AND THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE SFC AND THE EXCHANGES FOLLOWED ' VERY CLOSELY THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, "EXCEPT THAT WE HAVE MADE PROVISION IN THE BILL FOR THE COMMISSION TO BE ABLE TO TRANSFER TO THE EXCHANGES CERTAIN FUNCTIONS ADDITIONAL TO THOSE ENVISAGED IN THAT REPORT."
"IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT, AS AND WHEN THE TWO EXCHANGES DEVELOP THEIR ROLE AS SELF-REGULATORY ORGANISATIONS, AN INCREASED PART OF THE REGULATORY AND SUPERVISORY FUNCTION SHOULD BB DEVOLVED TO THEM.
/"I INTEND .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- J -
"I INTEND AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THIS BILL TO MOVE AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 4 TO ADD TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NEW COMMISSION, THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-REGULATION BY MARKET BODIES," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE MATTER OF FUNDING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL.
"LET ME MERELY SAY AT THIS STAGE THAT OUR OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN TO DEVISE ARRANGEMENTS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE LARGELY FUNDED BY THE MARKET BUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE A CONTRIBUTION.
"THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE MARKET CONTRIBUTION TO BE IN THE FORM OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY THE COMMISSION ON A BROAD COST RECOVERY BASIS, AND A STATUTORY LEVY ON TRANSACTIONS RECORDED ON THE EXCHANGES,” HE SAID.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMM13 i'EE, THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION WOULD TAKE THE FORM OF AN INITIAL START-UP GRANT, AN INTEREST-FREE ADVANCE AND AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COMMISSION’S COSTS, WITH PROVISION FOR THE COMMISSION TO BORROW FROM THE GOVERNMENT, AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE, IF ITS RESERVES FELL BELOW A CERTAIN LEVEL, HE SAID.
MR JACOBS WENT ON TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MAJOR ASPECTS OF THE BILL WHICH SOUGHT TO VEST IN THE SFC THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXISTING REGULATORY BODIES - SECURITIES COMMISSION, THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER.
HE NOTED THAT THE BILL DID NOT IMPLEMENT ALL THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT, BUT IT DID GIVE THE NEW COMMISSION THOSE ADDITIONAL POWERS WHICH WERE CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR IT TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY DURING THE INITIAL PHASE OF ITS OPERATION.
THESE INCLUDED PROVISIONS FOR A MORE ROBUST REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR INTERMEDIARIES AND FOR THE BETTER SUPERVISION OF THEIR BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO ENSURE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS AND TO PROTECT INVESTORS.
EARLIER, MR JACOBS SAID THE SFC BILL REPRESENTED A FIRST BUT IMPORTANT STEP IN THE OVERHAUL OF SECURITIES LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG.
HE ALSO REFERRED BRIEFLY TO SOME OF THE MAJOR PROPOSALS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD AIM TO BECOME THE PRE-EMINENT CAPITAL MARKET IN SOUTH EAST ASIA AND, TO THAT END, SHOULD PROMOTE THE PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONALISATION OF ITS SECURITIES MARKETS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
A....
-------0----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 4 -
REVISED FEES FOR REGISTRATION OF PATENTS
*****
THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1989 WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE RULES WERE MADE BY THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS ON JANUARY 3.
MOVING THE MOTION OF APPROVAL, UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE FEES PAYABLE TO THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS WERE LAST REVISED IN 1985.
"FOLLOWING A COSTING EXERCISE RECENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE TREASURY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT CERTAIN FEES BE AMENDED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION AND THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
"THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WELL ESTABLISHED POLICY OF USERS PAYING THE FULL COST FOR THE SERVICES RENDERED," MR JACOBS SAID.
- - 0 - -
REVIEWS CONDUCTED ON EQUAL PAY
*****
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN 1978 AND 1986 FOUND THAT THERE WAS GENERALLY NO PAY DISCRIMINATION IN THE LABOUR MARKET AGAINST EITHER SEX, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE REVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS, MR BRIDGE ADDED.
MR BRIDGE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
MR TAM HAD ASKED WHY THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 7(A)(1) OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, WHICH PROVIDED THAT MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK, HAD BEEN POSTPONED IN RELATION TO HONG KONG SINCE 1976.
MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THIS ISSUE IN 1976, IT HAD ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK.
IT, HOWEVER, FELT THAT TO APPLY ARTICLE 7 OF THE ECONOMIC COVENANT WITHOUT RESERVATION WOULD CAUSE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS, HE ADDED.
"AT THAT TIME THE GOVERNMENT FELT THAT ANY DIFFERENCES IN CONDITIONS OF WORK BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN WERE MAINLY DUE TO THE DIFFERENCES IN THE POSITIONS THEY HELD, RATHER THAN TO DISCRIMINATION.
/"IN ORDER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 5 -<
"IN ORDER TO BE SURE OF FULL COMPLIANCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE HAD TO LEGISLATE,” HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT THIS WAS NECESSARY AND HAD THEREFORE ASKED THE UK GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE RESERVATION, IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE COVENANT IN 1976.
SINCE THEN THE QUESTION OF EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK FOR MEN AND WOMEN HAD BEEN REVIEWED TWICE, IN THE CONTEXT OF REVIEWING INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS, IN 1978 AND 1986, HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ADDED THAT WAGE RATES IN INDUSTRY AND SALARIES IN COMMERCE WERE DETERMINED BY MARKET FORCES WITH REFERENCE TO SUCH FACTORS AS JOB NATURE, LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY, QUALIFICATIONS, ETC.
"IT DID NOT THEREFORE SEEM NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE," HE NOTED.
NEVERTHELESS, HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ASKED TO KEEP THE SITUATION UNDER REGULAR REVIEW.
-----0------
NON-COMMONWEALTH DOCTORS FOR CENTRES UNDER STUDY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE SPECIAL PROVISION FOR NON-COMMONWEALTH DOCTORS TO PRACTISE STRICTLY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF VIETNAMESE CENTRES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID IT WAS CLEARLY DESIRABLE THAT THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) AND THE BELGIAN MEDICAL CHARITY, MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF), SHOULD BE HELPED IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE TO ASSUME FULL OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES IN VIETNAMESE CENTRES.
HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT GOVERNMENT’S MEDICAL RESOURCES SHOULD NOT BE DIVERTED FROM SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY THE NEEDS IN THE VIETNAMESE CENTRES.
THE QUESTION OF ALLOWING NON-COMMONWEALTH DOCTORS TO PRACTISE IN THESE CENTRES WOULD BE CONSIDERED FURTHER, AND AS URGENTLY AS POSSIBLE, SINCE THE LIKELY NEED FOR ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES WAS ALREADY APPARENT, MR BARNES SAID.
/REPLYING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR BARNES SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THE MSF HAD ALREADY RECRUITED TWO VOLUNTEER DOCTORS FROM COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES TO SERVE THE REFUGEES AT SHAM SHUI PO AND TUEN MUN (BOWRING).
THEY WERE ALSO RECRUITING A THIRD DOCTOR FOR THE CENTRE AT PILLAR POINT, HE ADDED.
"IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF ONE DOCTOR PER REFUGEE CENTRE WILL HAVE BEEN MET," MR BARNES SAID.
"BUT THE PROBLEM WILL STILL REMAIN OF RECRUITING DOCTORS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS REPLACEMENTS IN FUTURE, OR TO PROVIDE IMPROVED MEDICAL SERVICES."
SPEAKING ON THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, MR BARNES SAID THE MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CLOSED CENTRES, EXCEPT SHAM SHUI PO AND THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRES, WERE PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT DOCTORS ASSISTED BY OTHER STAFF FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
"THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION SINCE IT MEANS THAT IT PUTS AN ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING MEDICAL SERVICES AND DIVERTS GOVERNMENT DOCTORS FROM SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY," MR BARNES SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDED A STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNHCR ON SEPTEMBER 20 LAST YEAR, HE SAID.
UNDER THE STATEMENT, THE UNHCR AGREED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES AT ALL REFUGEE CENTRES, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES AT DETENTION CENTRES.
MR BARNES SAID THE UNHCR HAD SUBSEQUENTLY ARRANGED FOR THE MSF TO TAKE OVER THE MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE EXISTING CLOSED CENTRES FOR REFUGEES.
"HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A POOL OF VOLUNTEER DOCTORS WITH QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED IN BELGIUM, THE UNHCR HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THESE DOCTORS CANNOT AT PRESENT PRACTISE IN HONG KONG SINCE THEY ARE NOT LOCALLY REGISTRABLE UNDER THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE," MR BARNES EXPLAINED.
UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, ONLY PERSONS WHO HELD A HONG KONG, UK, IRISH OR RECOGNISED COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMA WERE ENTITLED TO BE REGISTERED AS MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO BE EXEMPTED FROM REGISTRATION: MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS SERVING IN HER MAJESTY’S FORCES, SHIPS SURGEONS, PERSONS IN FULL-TIME SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OR THE UNIVERSITIES AND PERSONS IN TEACHING OR RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS.
/"UNFORTUNATELY, THESE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
"UNFORTUNATELY, THESE EXEMPTIONS DO NOT EXTEND TO DOCTORS SERVING IN REFUGEE CENTRES," MR BARNES SAID.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG HAD THE POWER TO GRANT A PERSON A LICENCE TO PRACTISE MEDICINE, HE SAID.
THE CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING SUCH A LICENCE NORMALLY INCLUDED A LICENTIATE EXAMINATION AND A SUBSEQUENT PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT.
HOWEVER, THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE MEDICAL COUNCIL MIGHT, SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AS IT THOUGHT FIT, EXEMPT ANY PERSON WISHING TO BECOME A LICENTIATE FROM ANY REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED UNDER THE ORDINANCE, MR BARNES SAID.
"WE HAVE THEREFORE APPROACHED THE MEDICAL COUNCIL AND ASKED WHETHER THEY WOULD CONSIDER A LICENCE OR EXEMPTION FOR MSF DOCTORS TO ENABLE THEM TO WORK IN REFUGEE CENTRES.
"THE INITIAL REACTION OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL WAS THAT THEY SAW DIFFICULTY IN THIS, BUT WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE COUNCIL WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEM," MR BARNES SAID.
---------------------o-------- ORDINANCE AIMS AT STRIKING REASONABLE BALANCE * * * ♦ ♦
THE INTENTION UNDERLYING THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE IS TO STRIKE A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND EXPRESS ITS VIEWS AND THE BROADER INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY THE HON GEOFFREY BAINES SAII THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO \ QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID LI ON THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE'S POWE? TO CONTROL PUBLIC MEETINGS, GATHERINGS AND PROCESSIONS.
MR BARNES SAID THAT WITH ANY SYSTEM WHERE CONDI'! IONS WERE LAID DOWN, INEVITABLY THERE WOULD BE INSTANCES WHERE APPLICANTS WERE DISSATISFIED, BUT THESE CASES HAD BEEN RARE.
THE GOVERNMENT AT PRESENT HAD NO PLANS TO AMEND PART III OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE WHICH CONCERNED MEETINGS, GATHERINGS AND PROCESSIONS, HE SAID.
"I HAVE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE OMELCO OFFICE HAS BEEN IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CONCERNING OPERATION OF THIS ASPECT OF THE ORDINANCE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT TUB OMELCO SECURITY PANEL IS CONSIDERING THE MATTER," HE SAID.
/MR BARNES........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 8
MR BARNES SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DID NOT HAVE UNLIMITED POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, WHICH PLACED CLEAR LIMITS ON HIS POWERS AND PROVIDED A CHANNEL FOR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE COMMISSIONER WAS GIVEN WIDE DISCRETION BY THE ORDINANCE AS TO THE CONDITIONS THAT MIGHT BE IMPOSED ON A GATHERING BECAUSE OF THE VERY WIDE RANGE OF GATHERINGS THAT WERE POSSIBLE AND THE WIDE VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY MIGHT BE TAKING PLACE.
"CONDITIONS MEED TO BE OBSERVED NOT SIMPLY IN THE INTERESTS OF PRESERVING PUBLIC ORDER BUT ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES, SUCH AS AVOIDING NUISANCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PREVENTING OBSTRUCTIONS TO TRAFFIC," HE SAID.
"THE URBAN AREAS, PUBLIC PLACES AND ROADS OF HONG KONG ARE BUSY AND CROWDED, YET THE HOLDING OF GATHERINGS, MEETINGS AND PROCESSIONS IS NOT UNDULY RESTRICTED, AND ONLY A TINY PROPORTION ARB DISALLOWED OR REFUSED.
"IF SUCH EVENTS ARE TO TAKE PLACE FREQUENTLY, AS THEY DO, WITHOUT CAUSING DISRUPTION TO THE COMMUNITY, CONTROL IS OBVIOUSLY ESSENTIAL," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT RECENT PERFORMANCE SUGGESTED THAT THE LICENSING AUTHORITY EXERCISED ITS DISCRETION AND JUDGEMENT REASONABLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
-----0-----
KEY POSITIONS BEING FILLED SATISFACTORILY ******
THE CIVIL SERVICE CONTINUES TO BE ABLE TO F LL ITS KEY POSITIONS WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE CALIBRE IT NEEDS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNC L TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON NELLIE FONG, SIR DAVID SAID THE VACANCY AND TURNOVER SITUATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE CAMPARED VERY FAVOURABLY WITH THE POSITION N THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT WAYS OF IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY OF INDIVIDUALS AND DEPARTMENTS THROUGH GOOD MANPOWER PLANNING AND TRAINING SCHEMES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND OTHER OFFICE EQUIPMENT," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE RESOURCES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE MUST BE PUT TO THE BEST POSSIBLE USE TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO iE COMMUNITY WERE OF HIGH QUALITY.
/SIR DAVID........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 9 -
SIR DAVID SAID VACANCIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AROSE AS A RESULT OF THE CREATION OF NEW POSTS AND WASTAGE.
HE NOTED THAT ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR THERE WERE 194,612 CIVIL SERVICE POSTS AND 9,735, OR FIVE PER CENT, VACANCIES.
THIS COMPARED WITH A VACANCY RATE OF BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR PER CENT FOR THE FIVE YEARS FROM 1983 TO 1987 AND BETWEEN 8.5 AND NINE PER CENT FROM 1978 TO 1982, HE SAID.
"THE SLIGHT INCREASE IN VACANCIES REFLECTS THE SMALL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL GROWTH WHICH HAS FOLLOWED THE RELAXATION OF THE ZERO GROWTH POLICY.
"HIGHER WASTAGE HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE EXISTENCE OF VACANCIES AT THE PRESENT LEVEL WAS NOT AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC TO ANY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT.
BUT, IN A FEW AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING SERVICES OR NEW SERVICES AS QUICKLY AS WISHED, HE SAID.
THE GRADES WHERE THERE WERE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS INCLUDED ANALYST PROGRAMMERS, WITH A VACANCY RATE OF 16.5 PER CENT; SOCIAL WORKERS, WITH 13 PER CENT; AND CROWN COUNSEL, WITH 13.5 PER CENT.
"STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO DEAL WITH SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED DOUBLE-LADDER PROMOTION SYSTEM FOR LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL BEING ONE EXAMPLE," SIR DAVID SAID.
-----0-----
RAISING OF KINDERGARTEN STANDARDS BEING STUDIED ♦ » » ♦ »
A WORKING GROUP SET UP IN 1986 HAS BEEN FOCUSSING ON WAYS TO RAISE STANDARDS IN KINDERGARTENS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"I HOPE TO HAVE PROPOSALS READY FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," MR BRIDGE ADDED IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
/MR BRIDGE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989'
10
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, IN ITS SECOND REPORT, HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE UNIFICATION OF PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES SHOULD BE THE GOAL, BUT THAT THE FIRST TASK IN THE PROCESS OF UNIFICATION WAS TO BRING TOGETHER THE STANDARDS OF KINDERGARTENS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES.
"ONCE A PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENTS TO KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION HAS COMMENCED, THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE ABLE TO TURN ITS ATTENTION TO THE LONGER TERM QUESTION OF WHETHER ALL PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES SHOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER THE SAME REGULATORY FRAMEWORK," HE SAID.
-----0------
AIMS OF SUBVENTIONS FOR PERFORMING ARTS
* ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES SUBVENTION FOR PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES, THROUGH THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN REPLY TO \ QUESTION FROM THE HON PAUL CHENG.
MR SUEN SAID SUCH FUNDS WERE DISBURSED TO ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO ASSIST WITH RUNNING EXPENSES AND PROJECTS.
LAST YEAR, TWO OF THESE ORGANISATIONS HAD ENCOUNTERED FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CPA) UNDERTOOK A FULL EXAMINATION OF THEIR REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
"DURING THIS PROCESS, THE COUNCIL CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE II JED TO MONITOR MORE CLOSELY THE WORK OF GRANT RECIPIENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE COST-EFFECTIVE.
"THE COUNCIL ALSO CAME TO THE TWIN CONCLUSIONS THAT A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE TN GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WAS NEEDED AND THAT MORE COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.” MR SUEN SAID.
NOTING THAT THE £PA WAS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING VARIOUS
PROPOSALS REGARDING THE FUTURE LEVEL OF SUBVENTION FOR THE PERFORMING
ARTS, HE SAID THESE WOULD BE PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR
APPROVAL TN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
HE ADDED THAT THE CPA WAS ALSO LOOKING INTO PROPOSALS TO
ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO INCREASE ITS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS DRAWING ON EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE SUCH ENDEAVOURS HAD PROVED REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL.
/’’RESULTS SHOULD..........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
"RESULTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN ABOUT NINE MONTHS," HE
SAID.
AS REGARDS ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT PERFORMING ARTS AND RELATED CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS WERE MANAGED EFFICIENTLY, MR SUEN SAID THE CPA HAD RECENTLY APPROVED A PROPOSAL FOR "ARTS AUDITS".
"THE IDEA IS TO SET UP A TEAM OF EXPERTS, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ORGANISATION CONCERNED TO REVIEW ALL ASPECTS OF THE LATTER'S FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AND CONTROL.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THIS SYSTEM WILL EVENTUALLY BE EXTENDED TO COVER ALL HONG KONG’S MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS GROUP," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CODES OF AID FOR SCHOOLS SIMPLIFIED * » » » »
ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO SIMPLIFY THE CODES OF AID FOR AIDED SCHOOLS IN THREE AREAS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"FIRSTLY, THE AMOUNTS WHICH SCHOOLS MAY SPEND ON MAJOR REPAIRS WITHOUT FIRST GOING THROUGH TENDERING EXERCISES HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED," MR BRIDGE SAID IN REPLYING A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG.
PREVIOUSLY ANY REPAIRS COSTING MORE THAN *2,000 IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL OR *8,000 IN A SECONDARY SCHOOL REQUIRED TENDERS.
"WITH EFFECT FROM LAST SEPTEMBER TENDERS MAY BE WAIVED FOR REPAIRS COSTING UP TO *30,000," !■■■' BRIDGE SAID.
CEILINGS FOR PURCHASES OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMEN' WITHOUT
NEEDING TO TENDER WOULD ALSO il RAL'LD, PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND FROM $9,000 TO Sit), 000
FROM *2,000 TO *5,000 FOR
FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS,
STARTING FROM NEXT MON.' I, H. ADDED.
"THIS WILL RELIEVE SCHOOLS OF A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PAPERWORK, AND ALSO ENABLE ’’HEN TO CARR', OUT REPAIRS, OR BU EQUIPMENT, RATHER MORE QUICKLY," MR BRIDGE SAID.
A CIRCULAR ON THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE ISSUED TO ALL AIDED SCHOOLS BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
/"SECONDLY, AGREEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
12
"SECONDLY, AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL, FROM APRIL 1, 1989, TAKE OVER ALL INTERNAL MAINTENANCE OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON ITS ESTATES, IN ADDITION TO ITS EXISTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXTERNAL MAINTENANCE," MR BRIDGE CONTINUED.
"THIS TOO WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON SUCH SCHOOLS."
THIRDLY, HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WAS CONSIDERING WHAT GRANTS UNDER THE CODES OF AID COULD BE AMALGAMATED TO GIVE AIDED SCHOOLS MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF THEIR SUBSIDY.
THE DIRECTOR HAD TAKEN THESE ACTIONS AFTER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED IN JULY LAST YEAR SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE PATTERN OF GRANTS PAYABLE TO AIDED SCHOOLS.
THESE CHANGES BOTH SIMPLIFIED THE SYSTEM AND GAVE GREATER RECOGNITION TO THE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOLS OF DIFFERENT SIZES, MR BRIDGE SAID.
SPEAKING ON THE PROGRESS OF PHASING OUT BISESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION HAD BEEN CONDUCTING A DETAILED STUDY OF THE NUMBER OF NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH WOULD BE NEEDED TO PHASE OUT HALF-DAY SCHOOLS.
"AS THE STUDY HAS PROGRESSED, WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS NEEDED IS NOT AS LARGE AS WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.
"HOWEVER, THE STUDY IS NOT YET COMPLETE, AND I AM NOT YET IN A POSITION TO ANNOUNCE A DEFINITE PHASING-OUT PROGRAMME," MR BRIDGE SAID.
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AG: REVIEW OF USE OF NOLLES PROSEQUI
* » * » »
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE HAS DIRECTED THAT A REVIEW OF THE USE OF NOLLES PROSEQUI BL CARRIED OUT.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE REVIEW, ALREADY BEGUN, WOULD EXAMINE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, THE APPROACH ELSEWHERE, AS WELL AS CONSIDERATIONS PECULIAR TO HONG KONG.
THE REVIEW WOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF WHETHER AND, IF SO, TO WHAT EXTENT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S POWER TO ENTER A NOL' ti PROSEQUI SHOULD BE DELEGATED.
/THE POWER .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
THE POWER TO ENTER A NOLLE PROSEQUI WAS USED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TERMINATE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, HE SAID.
ITS USE DID NOT OPERATE AS AN ACQUITTAL OF THE ACCUSED AND FRESH PROCEEDINGS MIGHT LATER BE COMMENCED AGAINST THE ACCUSED FOR THE SAME OFFENCE.
MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT IN HONG KONG THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS PERMITTED BY LAW TO DELEGATE MANY OF HIS FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THIS ONE.
THE POWER TO ENTER A NOLLE PROSEQUI HAD BEEN DELEGATED TO THE CROWN PROSECUTOR AND TO THE THREE DEPUTY CROWN PROSECUTORS.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH AN EXHAUSTIVE CRITERIA ADOPTED WHEN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO ENTER A NOLLE PROSEQUI AS THE FACTS OF EACH CASE DIFFERED.------'
"IN GENERAL THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN SEEING THAT THOSE SUSPECTED OF CRIMINAL ACTS ARE BROUGHT TO TRIAL MUST BE WEIGHED AGAINST THE INTEREST OF AN ACCUSED TO BE TRIED WITHOUT UNDUE DELAY OR PREJUDICE TO HIS DEFENCE," HE SAID.
HE CITED THREE EXAMPLES OF CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH NOLLES PROSEQUI HAD BEEN ENTERED.
THE FIRST WAS WHERE BECAUSE OF HIS PHYSICAL OR MENTAL INFIRMITY, A TRIAL WOULD BE UNFAIR TO THE ACCUSED BUT AT THE SAME TIME AN ACQUITTAL WAS NOT WARRANTED.
THE SECOND WAS WHERE THERE WAS INFORMATION THAT A KEY WITNESS TO A SERIOUS OFFENCE HAD BEEN BRIBED OR INTIMIDATED NOT TO ATTEND COURT TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE AN ACQUITTAL AS A RESULT OF SUCH MISCONDUCT WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
THE THIRD EXAMPLE WAS WHEN CHARGES HAD BEEN BROUGHT iN THE WRONG COURT AND WHERE THE ENTRY OF A NOLLE PROSEQUI WAS THE ONLY MEANS OF EFFECTING JUSTICE IN THE APPROPRIATE FORUM.
NOLLES PROSEQUI WERE ENTERED 49 TIMES IN 1986, 23 1IMES IN 1987 AND 23 TIMES LAST YEAR, MR MATHEWS SAID.
"I DO NOT CONSIDER IT PROPER TO DISCLOSE REASONS FOR THE ENTRY OF NOLLES PROSEQUI IN INDIVIDUAL CASES, SINCE CASES CAN BE RESURRECTED, AND SUCH DISCLOSURE COULD WELL BE PREJUDICIAL: HOWEVER THE GROUNDS ON THESE OCCASIONS HAVE VARIED AND HAVE INCLUDED CASES OF THE KIND TO WHICH I HAVE ALREADY REFERRED," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 14 -
EARLIER GATE OPENING AT LO WU TO BE CONSIDERED
******
CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO ADVANCING DAILY GATE OPENING TIMES AT THE LO WU KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TERMINAL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR BARNES SAID CONSIDERATION WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO ARRANGING TRAIN ARRIVAL TIMES MORE CLOSELY WITH GATE OPENING AND OPERATING TIMES.
HE SAID HE APPRECIATED THE CONCERN REGARDING CROWD CONTROL AT LO WU, NOTING THAT IT WAS HONG KONG'S BUSIEST LAND BORDER CROSSING POINT AND 27 MILLION PERSONS TRAVELLED THROUGH IT TO AND FROM CHINA LAST YEAR.
MR BARNES SAID THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO LINE UP IN THE LOBBY OF THE TERMINAL WOULD BE RE-EXAMINED.
"THE REASON FOR NOT FOLLOWING THIS PROCEDURE HITHERTO WAS BECAUSE OF POOR VENTILATION IN THE LOBBY," HE SAID.
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER WAYS OF SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, HE ADDED.
ON A SUGGESTION THAT A SPECIAL COUNTER BE RESERVED FOR THE ELDERLY AND THOSE PEOPLE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, MR BARNES SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DO SO DUE TO THE NEED TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF STAFF AT THE TERMINAL.
"HOWEVER, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR SUCH PEOPLE AND THE REGULATORS WILL DIRECT THEM TO CHANNELS NORMALLY RESERVED FOR STAFF WHERE THEY WILL RECEIVE HELP-THROUGH FACILITIES," HE SAID.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT BORDER CROSSING TIMES WERE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND CHINESE AUTHORL IES-
BORDER OPENING HOURS HAD BEEN EXTENDED SEVERAL TIr-fSS AND TRE LAST EXTENSION WAS ON JANUARY 16, 1987.
AS TO INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF TRAINS AND EXTI-MDING THE BORDER CROSSING TIMES DURING MAJOR FESTIVE PERIODS, MF BARNES SAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF TRAVELLERS DURING THESE PERIODS.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, BORDER CROSSING TIMES WERE EXTENDED TO COPE WITH THE HEAVY TRAFFIC DEMAND AT CHRISTMAS AND CHINESE NEW YEAR.
"DURING THE COMING CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD THE BORDER OPENING HOURS WILL BE ADVANCED FROM 7.30 AM TO 4.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 3, 4, 5, AND 6 THE CLOSING TIME WILL BE I/TENDED BEYOND 11 PM ON FEBRUARY 11, 12 AND 13.
"ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE GUANGDONG RAILWAY AUTHORITY,' HE ADDED.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989 - 15 -
MORE VEHICLES TO BE TESTED FOR SMOKE EMISSION
♦ ♦ » ♦ *
OF THE 8,256 SMOKE EMISSION TESTS WHICH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR ON SMOKY VEHICLES, 646 OF THE VEHICLES REQUIRED A SECOND TEST BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO MEET THE EMISSION STANDARD OF 60 HARTRIDGE SMOKE UNITS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR.
STATING THAT THE NUMBER OF TESTS ON SMOKY VEHICLES WOULD BE DOUBLED THIS YEAR, MR BARNES ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING IMPOSING A FINE AND PENALTY POINTS ON REPEATED OFFENDERS, AND ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF TAKING VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD.
HE NOTED THAT 74 OF THE VEHICLES TESTED LAST YEAR REQUIRED A THIRD TEST, SEVEN REQUIRED A FOURTH TEST AND ONE REQUIRED A FIFTH TEST, BEFORE THEY MET THE EMISSION STANDARD.
MR BARNES SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WAS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING A REVIEW ON SMOKY VEHICLES.
"WE WILL ALSO, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE REVIEW, CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF AN INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME WHICH WILL ENTAIL REGULAR CHECKS OF OTHER AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS," HE ADDED.
THE REVIEW WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL.
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CURRENT LEGISLATION ADEQUATE TO ENSURE RAILINGS SAFETY
THE CURRENT PROVISIONS UNDER THE BUILDING (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS AND BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS ARE CONSIDERED ADEQUATE, FROM THE DESIGN POINT OF VIEW, IN ENSURING SAFETY RELATING TO BUILDING RAILINGS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI.
THE QUESTION WAS RELATED TO THE DEATH OF A CHILD IN A FALL FROM A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
MR BARNES SAID THAT WITH REGARD TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY’S ESTATES, THE RAILINGS AND PARAPETS WERE ALREADY OF A HEIGHT IN EXCESS OF THAT STIPULATED UNDER THE BUILDING REGULATIONS -1.2 METRES AS AGAINST 1.1 METRES.
/THE HEIGHT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 16 -
THE HEIGHT AND DESIGN OF THE RAILINGS AND PARAPETS FOR THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY’S ESTATES ALSO COMPLIED WITH EXISTING REGULATIONS, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, PLANTERS ON TOP OF PARAPETS WERE PROVIDED TO PREVENT AGAINST CLIMBING OVER.
"IT SHOULD PERHAPS BE POINTED OUT THAT INCIDENTS SUCH AS REFERRED TO DO NOT NECESSARILY OCCUR AS THE RESULT OF THE HEIGHT OF A PARAPET OR BALCONY," MR BARNES SAID.
"BETTER SUPERVISION OF SMALL CHILDREN, FOR EXAMPLE, IS PROBABLY MORE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING INCIDENTS OF THIS KIND.
"NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, BOTH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO MAKE THEIR PROPERTIES AS SAFE AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE.
"FEEDBACK FROM INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE IS TAKEN ACCOUNT OF IN THE DESIGN OF NEW BLOCKS AND THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS," HE ADDED.
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STEPS TAKEN TO REDUCE BORDER TRAFFIC CONGESTION * * * * *
MUCH HAS BEEN DONE TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE BORDER BY BOTH THE HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF MORE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION STAFF, OPENING MORE PROCESSING LANES AND THE PROVISION OF AN EXTRA LANE ON THE MAN KAM TO ROAD, MR BARNES SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
AFTER CAREFULLY CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE EXISTING HOURS OF 7.30 AM TO 8 PM DURING WHICH THE CROSSING POINT WAS OPEN, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD DECIDED NOT TO SEEK ANY EXTENSION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, MR BARNES SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SERIOUS CONGESTION AT THE MAN KAM TO BORDER CROSSING POINT IN THE PAST, PARTICULARLY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1987, THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN LESS SERIOUS LAST YEAR.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING POINT WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
/"WITH A .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
"WITH A 12-AND-A-HALF HOUR WORKING DAY, THE NEW FACILITY WILL HAVE A DAILY PROCESSING CAPACITY OF 15,750 VEHICLES, BRINGING THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF THE CROSSING POINTS, LOK MA CHAU, MAN KAM TO AND SHA TAU KOK TO AROUND 28,000 VEHICLES PER DAY," MR BARNES SAID.
"THIS SHOULD PREVENT CONGESTION PROBLEMS UNTIL AT LEAST 1995," HE ADDED.
THEREAFTER, PHASE II OF LOK MA CHAU WOULD PROVIDE CAPACITY FOR A FURTHER 11,250 VEHICLES PER DAY.
MR BARNES SAID THAT AN ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC AT MAN KAM TO SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A NORTHBOUND PEAK IN THE MORNING, EXTENDING INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON, AND A SOUTHBOUND PEAK IN THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.
"WHILE THERE MIGHT BE ADDITIONAL DEMAND FOR CROSSINGS AFTER 8 PM, IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT THERE WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT DEMAND DURING THE NIGHT," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT EXTENDING THE OPENING HOURS WOULD PRESENT PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES.
AS CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION CURRENTLY WORKED A TWO-SHIFT SYSTEM AT MAN KAM TO AND SHA TAU KOK, IT WOULD MEAN ADDITIONAL STAFF AND SPLIT SHIFTS.
HOWEVER, THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS WOULD BE MONITORED, MR BARNES SAID.
IT MIGHT BE THAT THE OPTION OF EXTENDING OPENING HOURS WOULD NEED TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE PHASE II OF LOK MA CHAU REACHED CAPACITY.
"ON CURRENT PROJECTIONS THIS WILL BE IN THE YEAR 2000, IF NO FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE FACILITIES IS UNDERTAKEN," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
TESTS CARRIED OUT ON HOSPITAL OXYGEN TANKS t » t * »
SINCE LAST SATURDAY, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS CARRIED OUT TESTS ON ALL OXYGEN TANKS AND CYLINDERS IN EVERY GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL AND CLINIC, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MR CHAU SAID, "AS A RESULT, I CAN CONFIRM THAT ALL THESE TANKS AND CYLINDERS CONTAIN OXYGEN OF THE SPECIFIED QUALITY.
/"I CAN
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 18 -
"I CAN ALSO CONFIRM THAT ALL OPERATING THEATRES ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO GUARD AGAINST CONNECTIONS TO THE WROtL’- GAS SOURCE."
MR CHAU SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO ADVISED ALL SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAI THE OXYGEN STORED IN THOSE INSTITUTIONS WAS TN FACT OXYGEN AND THAT ’HERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY OF THE WRONG GAS BEING ADMINISTERED TO PATIENTS.
CHECKS CARRIED OUT BY THOSE HOSPITALS SINCE SATURDAY CONFIRMED THAT THEIR OXYGEN SUPPLY WAS IN GOOD ORDER, HE SAID.
DR LEONG’S QUESTION WAS: "IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECENT MISHAP INVOLVING A PATIENT BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH A WRONG GAS DURING AN OPERATION, WILL THE ADMINISTRATION INFORM THIS COUNCIL OF THE EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS OVER THE SUPPLY OF MEDICINE, GAS AND GASEOUS PRODUCTS FOR USE IN PUBLIC, SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS?"
MR CHAU SAID THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE THE EMERGENCY MEASURES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS UNTIL THE REASON FOR THE MISTAKE IN QUESTION HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND PERMANENT STEPS HAD BEEN WORKED OUT TO PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT IN THE FUTURE.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED ALL SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS TO DO LIKEWISE," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU EXPRESSED THE GOVERNMENT’S DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED, AND SAID HE WAS SURE THIS WAS FELT BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
"I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT, AND I AM SURE MEMBERS WILL UNDERSTAND, THAT IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO COMMENT ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE TRAGIC CASE TO WHICH THE QUESTION REFERS," HE SAID.
"THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE AND A REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CORONER FOR HIM TO CONSIDER WHETHER AN INQUEST SHOULD BE HELD."
MR CHAU ALSO SAID: ” AS SOON AS WE HAVE THE FULL REPORT OF WHAT OCCURRED IN THIS CASE WE SHALL WORK OUT URGENTLY WHAT LONG TERM ARRANGEMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THERE CANNOT AGAIN BE A CASE WHERE THE WRONG GAS IS USED IN AN OPERATION."
ON EXISTING LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS, MR CHAU SAID THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE GOVERNED THE MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY. QUALITY AND EFFICACY OF SUCH PRODUCTS, THERE WERE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS COVERING THE REGISTRATION OF PRODUCTS AND THE LICENSING OF IMPORTS, IMPORTERS, RETAILERS, WHOLESALERS AND LOCAL MANUFACTURERS, HE SAID.
/’’INSPECTIONS OF.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 19 -
"INSPECTIONS OF SUPPLIERS’ PREMISES AND SAMPLING OF THEIR PRODUCTS FOR ANALYSIS ARE CARRIED OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
"THESE CONTROL MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED ADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF MONITORING THE QUALITY OF MEDICINE SUPPLIED TO THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
IN RESPECT OF GASES SUCH AS OXYGEN AND NITROGBN WHICH WERE COVERED BY THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, MR CHAU SAID A LICENCE WAS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 6 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, CONVEYANCE OR USE.
SUCH LICENCES HAD TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY. BEFORE LICENCES WERE ISSUED OR RENEWED, THE PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT FOR MANUFACTURE AND STORAGE AND THE VEHICLES FOR CONVEYANCE WAS INSPECTED TO ENSURE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
THERE WERE AT PRESENT NO LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS OVER THE ADMINISTRATION OF GASES SUCH AS OXYGEN OR NITROGEN TO PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS OR CLINICS, HE SAID.
"NEITHER GAS IS DANGEROUS IN ITSELF AND SUPPLIERS AND HOSPITALS ARE ALREADY UNDER A COMMON-LAW DUTY OF CARE TO PATIENTS TO ENSURE THAT THE CORRECT GAS IS SUPPLIED AND ADMINISTERED," MR CHAU SAID.
"IN THE FIVE MAJOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, REGULAR CHECKS ARE CARRIED OUT TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PIPING SYSTEM FOR THE SUPPLY OF OXYGEN TO OPERATING THEATRES AND WARDS.
"AS A PART OF THIS PROCEDURE, THE IDENTITY AND QUALITY OF THE OXYGEN IS ALSO CHECKED."
MR CHAU SAID THAT SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS OPERATED THEIR OWN SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES.
ENQUIRIES MADE AFTER THE TRAGIC INCIDENT LAST SATURDAY REVEALED THAT NOT ALL SUBVENTED OR PRIVATE HOSPITALS CARRIED OUT SIMILAR CHECKS ON A REGULAR BASIS, HE SAID.
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REGISTRATION OF PATENTS RULES APPROVED » » » » «
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1989 IN A MOTION MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
ALSO AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 WAS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/2O........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
20 -
VISIT OF PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES
» » * » *
THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE BY PRESS OFFICE TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
THE BUCKINGHAM PALACE
"THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES ARB TO PAY A VISIT TO CHINA AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FROM NOVEMBER 1-6, 1989.
"THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES WILL ALSO VISIT HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 8-10, 1989."
FROM
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT TO BE FORMED * ♦ * *
A NEW DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING ALL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WILL BE SET UP UNDER THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH, TENTATIVELY ON APRIL 1, 1990.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BECAUSE OF THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS INTERNATIONALLY, ESPECIALLY IN DISCUSSIONS OF TRAME-RELATED ASPECTS IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEN TO CREATE THE NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT (IPD) TO PROVIDE SPECIALIST ADVICE AND NEW IMPETUS IN THIS AREA, MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE BELIEVED BETTER CO-ORDINATION AND EFFICIENCY WOUL"> BE ACHIEVED BY CONSOLIDATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS 'NDER ONE ROOF.
THE EXISTING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ARE SHARED BY THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THAT THE NEW DEPARTMENT WOULD BE FORMED AROUND A NUCLEUS COMPRISING THE EXISTING TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS REGISTRIES IN HIS DEPARTMENT.
"THE MAJORITY OF EXISTING STAFF IN THE PATENTS REGISTRIES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW NEW EXAMINER (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) GRADE WILL GLEESON SAID.
TRADE MARKS AND DEPARTMENT AND A BE PROPOSED," MR
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 21
HE NOTED THAT DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH WOULD START SOON.
MR MACLEOD ADDED THAT A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF NEW POSTS, AT BOTH DIRECTORATE AND NON-DIRECTORATE LEVELS, WERE ALSO LIKELY TO BE NEEDED.
’’DETAILS HAVE TO BE FINALISED WITH CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND FINANCE BRANCH,” HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE WORKLOAD OF THE NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT A HEAVY SCHEDULE OF NEW LEGISLATION IN THIS AREA HAD BEEN SET FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THE NEW IPD WOULD HELP IMPLEMENT NEW PROPOSALS ON PATENTS, SERVICE MARKS, COPYRIGHT, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND DESIGNS.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WOULD REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME, MR MACLEOD SAID.
THE IPD WOULD BECOME THE FOURTH EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. THE EXISTING THREE ARE THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 ---------
APPLICATIONS FOR TRADE MARKS INCREASE IN 1988
******
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR TRADE MARKS IN 1988 TOTALLED 8,956 COMPARED WITH 8,510 IN 1987.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, REPORTED THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN RELEASING THE 1988 FIGURES FOR THE TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS REGISTRIES OF HIS DEPARTMENT.
AT 4,360, THE NUMBER OF NEW TRADE MARKS REGISTERED WAS HIGHER THAN IN 1987, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRADE MARKS NOW REGISTERED TO 51 , 493.
IN THE PATENTS REGISTRY, THE NUMBER OF UNITED KINGDOM PATENTS RE-REGISTERED LOCALLY DURING 1988 WAS 1,070, COMPARED WITH 1,020 IN 1987.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ’’LIVE” OR VAILD PATENTS RE-REGISTERED WAS NOW APPROXIMATELY 14,000, MR GLEESON SAID.
IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE A PRECISE FIGURE AS THIS DEPENDED ON THE LIVES OR VALIDITY OF THE PATENTS AS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN THE UK PATENTS OFFICE IN LONDON.
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/22........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 22 -
TUEN MUN DB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR SOUTH KOREA
A GROUP OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) LEFT FOR SOUTH KOREA ON A WEEK-LONG STUDY TOUR.
PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THIS AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DELEGATION, MR LAU WONG-FAT, SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A DISTRICT BOARD HAD ORGANISED A STUDY TOUR TO SOUTH KOREA.
MR LAU SAID SOUTH KOREA WAS CHOSEN IN VIEW OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN ITS ECONOMY, INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC FACILITIES.
THE TRIP WILL LAST UNTIL JANUARY 25. MEMBERS WILL LOOK AT THE COUNTRY'S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES, HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND TOWN PLANNING.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, THE DELEGATION WILL CALL ON THE ENVIRONMENT ADMINISTRATION, MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION, KOREAN NATIONAL ROAD CORPORATION AND THE RENOWNED SAMSUNG ELECTRONIC COMPANY IN SEOUL.
WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR YIP HING-CHUNG AS VICE-CHAIRMAN AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, AS ADVISOR, THE 23-MEMBER DISTRICT BOARD DELEGATION ALSO COMPRISED MEMBERS OF THE PRESS.
MR LAU ALSO SAID THAT A REPORT ON THE VISIT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AND A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION WOULD BE HELD SHORTLY AFTER THEIR RETURN.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
THE COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
A PAPER WILL ALSO BE SUBMITTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN THE DETERMINING FACTORS IN THE ADJUSTMENT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
/TWO WORKING .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- -23 -
TWO WORKING GROUPS OF THE COMMITTEE, ONE ON STUDY ROOM FACILITIES AND THE OTHER ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCOMMODATION OF SINGLETONS AND TWO-PERSON FAMILIES IN SHAM SHUI PO, WILL REPORT ON THEIR WORK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
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SOUTHERN DB TO REPORT ON YEAR’S WORK
******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL REPORT ON ITS FIRST YEAR’S WORK FOR THE 1988-91 TERM AT A SEMINAR FOR THE DISTRICT'S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL IN LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP
CHAIRMEN OF THE REPORT ON THE PROBLEMS MADE IN THE PAST YEAR,
LEI CHAU.
DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS FIVE COMMITTEES WILL ENCOUNTERED AND THE PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS AS WELL AS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
THEY INCLUDE MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD; MADAM SO CHAU YIM-PING OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE; MR CHAN YAU-YUE OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE; MR KO TAM-KAN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE; MR MAN HON-MING OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE; AND MR ALBERT S.K. POON OF THE WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE.
A 10-MINUTE SLIDE SHOW ON THE WORK OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AT THE SEMINAR.
ABOUT 100 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AREA COMMITTEES WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR. DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL HOLD GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON VARIOUS DISTRICT PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG, AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE SEMINAR ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/DURING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989 •
24 -
DURING THE SEMINAR, A BRIEF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TO PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 11 MULTI-STOREY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WHICH TOOK PART IN THE DISTRICT’S CLEAN BUILDING CAMPAIGN.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SEMINAR WAS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE TIES AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE AREA COMMITTEES.
THE SEMINAR FOLLOWS A SERIES OF SEVEN DISTRICT AFFAIRS SEMINARS HELD EARLIER BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT SEMINARS OF THIS NATURE WILL HELP THE DISTRICT BOARD TO HAVE A MORE THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, AND AT THE SAME TIME BOOST ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH AREA COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU.
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FREE TICKETS FOR CONCERT IN TAI PO
*****
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR AN ORCHESTRAL CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE BEGINNING AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21).
THE CONCERT IS ONE OF THE PROGRAMMES OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL.
THE TICKETS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 1 TING KOK ROAD; TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE, HEUNG SZE WUI STREET; TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE, ON PONG ROAD; AND COMMUNITY HALLS IN TAI PO.
THE CONCERT IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE MUSIC OFFICE, AND SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
PERFORMING IN THE CONCERT WILL BE THE INSTRUCTORS ORCHESTRA (WESTERN) OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
- 25 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC CONGESTION NEAR TSING YI BRIDGES ******
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM IN THE VICINITY OF THE TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE LORRY PARKING SPACES AND ILLEGAL PARKING ON TSING YI ISLAND, AND THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF ALIGHTING PASSENGERS FROM PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
MEMBERS WILL ASK ABOUT THE PROVISION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AND PROPOSE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWAI CHUNG.
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SAI KUNG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS VAN TRACK IMPROVEMENT
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO A VAN TRACK AT MANG KUNG WO AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN, WILL ALSO REPORT ON A VISIT TO A PAINT FACTORY IN SAI KUNG TOWN TO LOOK AT ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT, MONG KOK
* * ♦ » ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21), TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD IN NORTH POINT BETWEEN HEALTHY STREET WEST AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE DESIGNATED A PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN MONG KOK, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PORTLAND STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YU CHAU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KI LUNG STREET WILL ALSO BE MADE A PEAK HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN KWUN TONG, HUNG HOM
♦ » * » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT KING YIP STREET BETWEEN WAI YIP STREET AND HUNG TO ROAD, KWUN TONG, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM DAILY FROM SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) FOR THREE DAYS.
MOTORISTS FROM WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND HEADING FOR KING YIP STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUN YIP STREET NORTHBOUND, HUNG TO ROAD EASTBOUND AND KING YIP STREET NORTHBOUND.
MEANWHILE, IN HUNG HOM, THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON SATURDAY FOR CLEANSING OF THE UNDERPASS.
VEHICLES FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR HUNG HOM ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE OR VIA GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18,
1989
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD
* * » » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CASTLE PEAK ROAD WESTBOUND AT CHEUNG WING ROAD INTERCHANGE IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM FROM SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) FOR TWO NIGHTS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWAI CHUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, KWAI ON ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN
♦ * * ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN WONG TAI SIN AND WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS DUE TO A WATERMAIN BURST.
WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD BETWEEN FU MEI STREET AND WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD HAS BEEN RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD BETWEEN WANG TAU HOM SOUTH ROAD AND THE EXIT OF LOK FU BUS TERMINUS HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
ALSO, VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD TO WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD.
THE FOLLOWING BUS ROUTES ARE ALSO DIVERTED:
» ROUTES 7B, 1 ID AND 84M ARI DIVERTED VIA WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, FU MEI STREET, FUNG MO STREET HENG LAM STREET AND JUNCTION ROAD ON JOURNEYS FROM LOK FU BUS TERMINUS.
♦ ROUTE 7M IS DIVERTED VIA FUNG MO STREET, HENG LAM STREET, JUNCTION ROAD, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM SOUTH ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO LOK FU;
» ROUTE 11C IS DIVERTED VIA FUNG MO STREET AND TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO SAU MAU PING (CENTRAL); AND
» CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 103 IS DIVERTED VIA FUNG MO STREET, HENG LAM STREET AND JUNCTION ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO POKF’ iLD ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
CONTENTS - PAGE NO.
HOUSING AUTHORITY STRIVES TO BUILD BETTER PUBLIC HOUSING .. 1
CP OPENS NEW TEACHING BLOCK ................................ 2
GOVERNOR VISITS MICROCOMPUTER MANUFACTURER ................. 2
SEMINAR Oi’ PARTICIPATION IN HK'S ADMINISTRATION ........... 4
TRANSLATION WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT /OR HK .............. 5
19 PASS MEDICAL EXaMH'ATION ................................ 5
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES' GRADUATES WELL RECEIVED BY EMPLOYERS 6
NEED FOR MONITORING BODY ON SaHR BEING CONSIDERED........... 7
NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAI’D, EMPLOYMENT ,JID PAYROLL FIGURES
RELEASED 7
REMINDER ON LEVY TO FINANCE SAFETY COUNCIL ................ 12
ENTRIES INVITED FOR NEW YnAR MmRaTHON .................. 12
MOCK DB MEETINGS FOR SSP RESIDENTS ........................ 13
TWO-DAY OPEN DANCE CONTEST STARTS ON SATURDAY ............. 1^
KEEP HK CLEaN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING .................. 15
PERMANENT FLOWER BAZAAR TO BE DISCUSSED ................... 16
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ............................ 16
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CaSTLE PEhK RD WORKS .............. 17
LONG SERVICE PAYMENT BRIEFING FOR COMMITTEE ............... 17
SHA TIN LOT TO LET BY TENDER .............................. 18
TEMPORARY REDUCTION Hi TR.J-1 SERVICES .................... 18
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
HOUSING AUTHORITY STRIVES TO BUILD BETTER PUBLIC HOUSING
*****
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ITS CONSTRUCTION WORK TO ACHIEVE BETTER AND MORE DURABLE PUBLIC HOUSING, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CONSTRUCTION), MR DEREK MESSLING, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S STEEL TESTING LABORATORY IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, MR MESSLING SAID A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN MANY ASPECTS OF QUALITY CONTROL SINCE THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONCRETE TESTING LABORATORY IN 1985.
HE SAID THE CONCRETE LABORATORY, BY ITS VERY ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AND THE SKILL AND DEDICATION OF ITS STAFF, WAS NOW ACTING AS A BENCH MARK AND AS A POLICING AGENCY IN REGARD TO PRIVATE LABORATORIES EMPLOYED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
"THE EFFECTS OF THIS ARE ALREADY NOTICEABLE IN BOTH ENCOURAGING CONCRETE SUPPLIERS TO TAKE ACTION TO UPGRADE THEIR OWN QUALITY ASSURANCE SCHEMES, AND IN ENSURING THAT PRIVATE LABORATORIES PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY SERVICE," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE NEW STEEL TESTING LABORATORY, MR MESSLING SAID ITS FULLY COMPUTERISED EQUIPMENT, COSTING $4 MILLION, WAS THE MOST ADVANCED OF ITS TYPE AND A FIRST FOR HONG KONG.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD NOW BE ABLE TO TEST THE PROPERTIES OF STEEL BUILDING PRODUCTS IN FULL ACCORDANCE WITH THE RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARDS, HE NOTED.
MR MESSLING ADDED THAT THE QUALITY ASSURANCE OF REINFORCING STEEL WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE SINCE THE AUTHORITY’S PROGRAMME CONSUMED 150 000 TONNES A YEAR.
HE ALSO REVEALED THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE AUTHORITY’S QUALITY ASSURANCE CAPABILITY WOULD BE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE DESIGN OF THE NEW HARMONY BLOCKS, AND TO GREATLY EXPAND TH' NUMBER OF BUILDING COMPONENTS MANUFACTURED OFF SITE.
HE SAID: "WE SHALL BE SEEKING TO CREATE AN APPRECIATION WITHIN THE INDUSTRY THAT IF IT IS TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE AUTHORITY IN THE FUTURE, THEN IT WILL ONLY DO SO IF ITS PRODUCTS MEET OUR SPE; ! FIED REQUIREMENTS."
SUPPLIERS OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS WOULD FIRSTLY BE ENCOURAGED AND ULTIMATELY BE DEMANDED TO SET UP THEIR OWN QUALITY MANAGEMENT SCHEMES.
HE HOPED THAT IN THE FUTURE THE AUTHORITY WOULD NOT HAVE TO RELY ON INSPECTING AND FINDING ANY FAULTS AT THE COMPLETION STAGE OF A PROJECT, AS QUALITY MUST START AT THE BEGINNING WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS, AND CONTINUE RIGHT THROUGH THE WHOLE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.
THE MAJOR FUNCTION OF THE STEEL TESTING LABORATORY IS TO TEST THE STRENGTH, HARDNESS AND DUCTILITY OF STEEL BARS, PRESTRESSING WIRES, STRUCTURAL SECTIONS AND BOLTS.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989.
- 2 -
CP OPENS NEW TEACHING BLOCK ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, TODAY (THURSDAY) OPENED THE NEW TEACHING BLOCK OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR ANNING SAID THAT THE $35 MILLION COMPLEX WOULD ASSIST THE FORCE TO MAINTAIN HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF TRAINING AT A TIME WHEN THE NUMBERS OF OFFICERS TO BE TRAINED WERE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
MR ANNING NOTED THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW BLOCK, MOST JUNIOR OFFICERS UNDERGOING BASIC TRAINING COULD NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME BE ACCOMMODATED IN PURPOSE-BUILT, FULLY EQUIPPED AND AIR-CONDITIONED CLASSROOMS.
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENT THAT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE STUDY ENVIRONMENT FOR THESE OFFICERS," SAID MR ANNING, ADDING THAT IT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS THAT THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG RIGHTLY DEMANDED OF ITS POLICE FORCE.
THE NEW TEACHING BLOCK HAS TAKEN 11 YEARS TO COMPLETE THROUGH ITS PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PHASES, AND PROVIDES SOME 10,000 SQUARE METRES OF ACCOMMODATION TO THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL.
CONSISTING OF EIGHT STOREYS, THE BUILDING HAS 36 CLASSROOMS, A 264-SEAT AUDITORIUM, TWO EXAMINATION HALLS, A LIBRARY AND A TV STUDIO.
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GOVERNOR VISITS MICROCOMPUTER MANUFACTURER » « » » »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID W USON, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED WYSE TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED IN TUEN MUN TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS It COMPUTER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K. Y. YEUNG.
AFTER BEING RECEIVED BY THE COMPANY’S DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER, MR GARWING WU, STR DAVID TOURED THE 10-STOREY PLANT WHICH MANUFACTURES MICROCOMPUTER AND MICROPROCESSOR-BASED COMPUTER PRODUCTS, MAINLY FOR MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS IMPRESSED BY THE MATERIAL FLOW AUTOMATION SYSTEM INSTALLED THERE, DESPITE LIMITATIONS ON BOTH FLO AREA AND CEILING HEIGHTS OF THE PLANT.
/"IT SHOWS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1% 1989
"IT SHOWS THAT EVEN MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS, WHICH IS WHERE MOST MANUFACTURERS HAVE TO OPERATE IN HONG KONG, CAN BE ADAPTED TO AUTOMATED PRODUCTION LINES," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE WYSE TECHNOLOGY PLANT IN TUEN MUN HAS A MAXIMUM OUTPUT OF 3,000 MICROCOMPUTER SETS PER DAY.
WYSE TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED IS A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF WYSE TECHNOLOGY INC, WHICH IS A PUBLIC COMPANY LISTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.
THE COMPANY WAS HELPED TO SET UP IN HONG KONG IN 1987 BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INVESTMENT PROMOTION DIVISION AND IS ALREADY THE TERRITORY’S LARGEST COMPUTER MANUFACTURER.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A TOUR OF THE FACTORY, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "LONG-TERM INVESTMENT FROM OVERSEAS IS PRECISELY THE SORT OF THING HONG KONG NEEDS TO SHOW THAT MAJOR COMPANIES DO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY AS BEING THE RIGHT PLACE TO MOVE THEIR FACTORIES TO.
"IT'S THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT, WE HAVE A FREE ECONOMIC SYSTEM, WE HAVE EXTREMELY GOOD COMMUNICATIONS, WE HAVE STAFF WHO ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND HIGHLY MOTIVATED."
"THE FACT THAT A MAJOR COMPANY LIKE THIS HAS DECIDED TO MOVE ITS OPERATIONS TO HONG KONG GIVES ALL OF US, I THINK, CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT MORE SIMILAR INVESTMENTS," HE ADDED.
"THIS FACTORY IS VERY IMPRESSIVE AS BEING PRECISELY THE SORT OF INVESTMENT THAT WE WANT TO ATTRACT TO HONG KONG, AND THAT IS, IT'S HIGH-TECH, IT’S HIGHLY AUTOMATED, IT’S RIGHT AT THE TOP RANGE OF THE MARKET," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS BOTH A CREDIT TO THE FACTORY AND TO THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION DIVISION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT THAT THE COMPANY ONLY BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 1987 AND WAS NOW THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE SIMILAR HIGH-TECH INVESTMENTS FROM ELSEWHERE - THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, EUROPE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE THEY COME FROM AS LONG AS THEY ARE OF HIGH QUALITY AND OF USE TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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A....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
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SEMINAR ON PARTICIPATION IN HE’S ADMINISTRATION
*****
A HALF-DAY SEMINAR TO EXPLORE THE CHANGING ATTITUDE AND FORMS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG’S ADMINISTRATION WILL BE HELD AT THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21).
ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, THE SEMINAR HOPES TO SUSTAIN AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY INTEREST IN CIVIC EDUCATION BY PROVIDING A FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCES ON THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND WAYS IN SOLVING THEM.
ABOUT 120 PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTING A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
THEY INCLUDE PEOPLE FROM THE MASS MEDIA, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES IN THE DISTRICTS, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS, AND OTHER BODIES THAT ORGANISE ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS GENERATED FROM THE SEMINAR WOULD PROVIDE A VALUABLE REFERENCE FOR THE COMMITTEE IN FORMULATING PROPOSALS ON HOW TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION EFFECTIVELY IN FUTURE.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE SEMINAR INCLUDES GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND TWO PLENARY SESSIONS DURING WHICH KEY-NOTE SPEECHES WILL BE DELIVERED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN YING-LUN, AND DR LAU SIU-KAI OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
THEY WILL BOTH SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT OF THE CHANGING FORMS AND ATTITUDE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG’S ADMINISTRATION.
AFTER THE PLENARY SESSION, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO GROUPS EACH DEALING WITH A DIFFERENT DISCUSSION TOPIC.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SEMINAR'S OPENING AT 8.30 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 12.45 PM IN THE FANLING ROOM OF THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21).
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
- 5 -
TRANSLATION WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT FOR HK
* * ♦ » *
TRANSLATION WOULD BECOME MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT IN THE YEARS TO COME AS HONG KONG WOULD FORGE CLOSER LINKS WITH CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES ECONOMICALLY, CULTURALLY AND POLITICALLY, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR FUNG WAS ADDRESSING A CEREMONY IN WHICH HE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 39 CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS WHO HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE 9TH, 10TH AND 11TH BASIC TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF HIS BRANCH.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS WOULD KEEP UP WITH THEIR GOOD WORK AND ENDEAVOUR TO COPE WITH THE NEW CHALLENGE AHEAD.
‘'THE CONTENTS OF THE BASIC TRAINING COURSE ARE BOTH SOLID AND COMPREHENSIVE, TAILORED TO MEET THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS IN THE EXECUTION OF THEIR DAILY DUTIES,” HE SAID.
MR FUNG ENCOURAGED THE NEWLY-RECRUITED OFFICERS TO BROADEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVE THEIR PROFICIENCY.
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19 PASS MEDICAL EXAMINATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT 19 CANDIDATES HAD PASSED PART I OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS.
A TOTAL OF 138 CANDIDATES SAT THE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION PAPER ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE ON JANUARY 4.
PART II OF THE EXAMINATION, DESIGNED TO TEST THE CANDIDATES' ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 7 AND MAY 2.
IN ADDITION TO THE 19 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FROM PART I, SEVEN OTHER CANDIDATES WHO FAILED PART II IN PREVIOUS YEARS WILL BE SITTING THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION.
CANDIDATES MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE PART II LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ON EITHER DATE.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
- 6 -
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES’ GRADUATES WELL RECEIVED BY EMPLOYERS
*****
A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL FOUND THAT GRADUATES OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES CONTINUED TO BE WELL RECEIVED BY EMPLOYERS IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF THE 5,400 FULL-TIME GRADUATES OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WAS ENCOURAGING.
THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT 67 PER CENT OF THEM WERE EMPLOYED WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
OF THOSE EMPLOYED, ABOUT HALF HAD TAKEN UP JOBS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES IN JULY, AND ABOUT 90 PER CENT WERE IN JOBS RELATED TO THEIR COURSE OF STUDY AT THE INSTITUTES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT 39 PER CENT OF THE WORKING GRADUATES WERE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES, AND 55 PER CENT WERE IN THE COMMERCE AND SERVICE SECTORS.
THE REST WERE IN OTHER SECTORS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED BODIES AS WELL AS PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES.
NOTABLE INCREASES IN THE MONTHLY INCOME OF THESE GRADUATES WERE RECORDED COMPARED WITH THE FIGURES COLLECTED IN 1987.
THE AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY WAS $3,500 FOR THE TECHNICIAN LEVEL GRADUATES AND $2,600 FOR THOSE AT CRAFT LEVEL, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 26 AND 28 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES PURSUING FURTHER FULL-TIME STUDIES HAD INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS TO 27 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
NEVERTHELESS, ABOUT HALF OF THE EMPLOYED GRADUATES CONTINUED TO ENROL IN PART-TIME STUDY AT THE POLYTECHNICS OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
MANY OF THEM SAID THE COURSES WERE RELATED TO THEIR FORMER STUDIES AND USEFUL TO THEIR PRESENT EMPLOYMENT.
ANOTHER 36 PER CENT OF THE EMPLOYED CRAFT LEVEL GRADUATES HAD ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS, THE SURVEY SHOWED.
-------o ---------
/?........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19,
1989
- 7
NEED FOR MONITORING BODY ON SAHR BEING CONSIDERED » » ♦ » *
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION TODAY (THURSDAY) FURTHER CONSIDERED THE NEED FOR A MONITORING BODY ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION (SAHR).
MEMBERS CONSIDERED ISSUING AN INTERIM REPORT TO INVITE MORE PUBLIC OPINION IN THIS FIELD.
THE DRAFT FORMAT OF THE REPORT WAS APPROVED AT TODAY’S MEETING AND THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT WILL BE FINALISED AT THE NEXT MEETING.
MEMBERS ALSO CONSIDERED THE GENERAL ISSUE OF SEX SELECTION IN THE CONTEXT OF SAHR AND WILL BE LOOKING AT THE DETAILS OF ITS SOCIAL, CULTURAL, LEGAL AND MORAL ASPECTS AT THE NEXT MEETING.
’’THE COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO WELCOME VIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THEIR PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON SURROGACY, ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONER,” CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, DR LEONG CHE-HUNG, SAID.
’’ANY COMMENTS AND OPINIONS CAN BE SENT TO US THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, AT SECOND FLOOR, ST JOHN’S BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.”
- 0 ----------
NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED 3Y THE 200 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN NOVEMBER 1988 SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 T REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL AS IN NOVEMBER 1987.
THESE ARE THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODA' (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH OCTOBER 1988, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. HOWEVER, A MODERATE DROP IN THE ORDERS POSITION WAS RECORDED FOR THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
/COMPARED WITH .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989 ■
8
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION IN NOVEMBER 1988 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE ORDERS POSITION DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AND SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL 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. I
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THE NOVEMBER 1988 LEVEL WAS LOWER BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 AND BY 6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH OCTOBER 1988, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES, BUT DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987. EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1988 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND MODERATELY IN MOST OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, EXCEPT FOR THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WHICH RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED, IN MONEY TERMS, BY 1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988, BUT INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH OCTOBER 1988, FER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE PLASTIC ’DUCTS INDUSTRIES AND SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS REGISTERED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1988 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL \ND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
/IN THE.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
- 9 -
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1988 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY OVER NOVEMBER 1987.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1988 DECREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF BONUSES BY SOME FIRMS IN THE PRECEDING MONTH, BUT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS SECTOR 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 NOVEMBER 1988 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY OVER NOVEMBER 1987.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1988 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF BONUSES BY SOME PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANIES IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN BANKS AND HOTELS.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3 BELOW.
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 WOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A USEE’. 1 ! CATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEV! L( ' ’S' IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1988 IS NOW ON SALE A! I’HE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUP,I IC ATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234820.
/Table i .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1% 1989
10
TABLE 1 : 0RDERS-0N-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
NOVEMBER 1988 OCT. 88 NOV. 87
(MONTHS) (%) < * > ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.34 +1 * WEARING APPAREL 4.73 +2 -3 TEXTILES 2.37 +1 PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.41 -4 FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.71 +6 +9 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5.16 +1 + 3 OTHERS 4.21 +1 * * CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5% TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1988
CHANGE WHEN OCT. 88 COMPARED WITH NOV. 87
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -1 -6
FOOD AND DRINKS *1 WEARING APPAREL * TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS -11 FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS +2 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS * OTHERS -1 CONSTRUCTION# * -3 -6 -5 -19 + 1 -5 -4 + 4
SERVICES * + 4
BANKS HOTELS PUBLIC UTILITIES OTHERS + 1 + 1 * + 1 ♦ 4 * * + 12
/X- CHANGES WITHIN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
11
» CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
AVERAGE AS IN CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
NOVEMBER 1988 OCT. 88 NOV. 87
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4,428 -1 ♦ 17
FOOD AND DRINKS 4,928 -5 + 14
WEARING APPAREL 3,849 t + 15
TEXTILES 4,367 -1 + 17
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,203 -5 + 21
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4,452 + 3 + 20
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS 4,221 t + 19
OTHERS 5,703 -1 + 16
CONSTRUCTION# 6,185 -6 + 12
SERVICES 7,189 -3 + 15
BANKS 7,031 t + 19
HOTELS 4,824 * + 19
PUBLIC UTILITIES 7,131 -7 + 13
OTHERS 8,048 + 10
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5X
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
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.
/12........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
REMINDER ON LEVY TO FINANCE SAFETY COUNCIL
» * » * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE LAW GOVERNING THE PAYMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL ONE PER CENT LEVY ON EVERY EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE POLICY PREMIUM HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEVY FORMS THE MAIN SOURCE OF FINANCE FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL WHICH WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL ORDINANCE, INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO COLLECT THE LEVY FROM EMPLOYERS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL AND REMIT IT TO THE COUNCIL AFTER DEDUCTING A HANDLING CHARGE.
INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL BE INFORMING THEIR CLIENTS OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO PAY THE LEVY UPON RENEWAL OF POLICIES.
AN EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO PAY THE LEVY AT THE TIME SPECIFIED IS LIABLE TO A SURCHARGE OF UP TO 10 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT OF THE LEVY.
AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF FIVE PER CENT MAY ALSO BE IMPOSED IF THE SURCHARGE AND ANY OUTSTANDING LEVY ARE NOT PAID TO THE COUNCIL WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THE NOTICE BEING SERVED.
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ENTRIES INVITED FOR NEW YEAR MARATHON
*****
PEOPLE AGED 16 OR OVER ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE NEW YEAR MARATHON ORGANISED AS PART OF THE 1989 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
THE MARATHON WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, AT THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
PARTICIPANTS WILL START THE EVENT AT A PAVILION AT THE JUNCTION OF SAI WAN ROAD AND MAN YEE ROAD.
THEY WILL RUN TO THE WEST COFFER DAM OF THE RESERVOIR AND THEN TURN BACK AND FINISH AT THE PAVILION.
THE COURSE FOR THE MALE DIVISION WILL BE ABOUT 6.6 KILOMETRES WHILE THAT FOR THE FEMALE DIVISION WILL BE FIVE KILOMETRES.
/THE MAXIMUM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ENTRANTS IN THE MALE AND FEMALE DIVISIONS WILL BE 250 AND 100 RESPECTIVELY.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A SOUVENIR.
THE MARATHON IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS FEBRUARY 10. ENTRY IS FREE.
FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SAI KUNG OFFICE), BOTH IN THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON 3-7924149.
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MOCK DB MEETINGS FOR SSP RESIDENTS *****
FORTY PEOPLE FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WILL OBTAIN AN INSIGHT INTO THE ROLES OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHEN THEY TAKE PART IN TWO MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21).
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL INCLUDE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND ALSO PEOPLE WHO WORK IN SHAM SHUI PO. THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS, EACH OF 20, AND WILL DISCUSS MATTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY THE BOARD.
THE TOPICS CHOSEN FOR THE NOCK MEETINGS ARE THE LIBERALISATION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES AND TH LOITERING LAW.
IN ORDER TO MAKE THE MEETINGS AS SIMILAR TO REAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS AS POSSIBLE, THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN REAL DISTRICT BOARD PAPERS FOR REFERENCE DURING THEIR DISCUSSIONS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, AND DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOI WAN-HOE, WILL PRESIDE AT THE TWO MEETINGS.
POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PANG KUI-SAN, AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR JIMMY CHAN, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO ANSWER PARTICIPANTS’ QUERIES.
/AFTER THE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989"
AFTER THE MEETINGS, PARTICIPANTS WILL REVIEW THEIR PERFORMANCE AND SHARE EXPERIENCE, WHILE MR CHOI WILL OFFER HIS COMMENTS.
THE FUNCTION, ORGANISED AS PART OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL BY THE DISTRICT’S COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, AIMS AT ENABLING THE PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FUNCTIONS AND OPERATION.
IT IS ALSO PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S YEAR-ROUND EFFORT IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ORGANISING A TALK ON JANUARY 24 ON SERVICES OFFERED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8.45 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) AT THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
- 0 -
TWO-DAY OPEN DANCE CONTEST STARTS ON SATURDAY
*****
A TOTAL OF 77 TEAMS WILL TAKE PART IN THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) AND SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) IN KWUN TONG.
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS JOINLTY ORGANISED BY THE KWH-! TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE ANU RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION. IT IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND OPEN SECTIONS. PARTICIPANTS CAN PERFORM A DANCE OF THEIR CHOICE, SUCH AS CLASSICAL, MODERN, ORIENTAL OR WESTERN.
THE WINNING GROUPS WILL BE INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE CITY HALL IN APRIL.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 7.30 PM ON SATURDAY AT THE NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE IN SHUN TIN ESTATE, KWUN TONG. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CHINESE DANCE COMPETITIONS IN THE OPEN SECTION.
/OFFICIATING GUESTS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
- 15 -
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHI-FAI; URBAN COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRMAN, MRS ELSIE TU; AND THE PRESIDENT (DESIGNATE) OF THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB, MR LEUNG WAI-SUM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM, ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) AT THE NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE IN SHUN TIN ESTATE, KWUN TONG.
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KEEP HK CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
*****
MEMBERS OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REG1ONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
* PROGRESS REPORT ON THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES.
* PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31.
* IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
* A CAMPAIGN ON THE DISCRIMINATE USE/REUSE/RECYCLING OF PLASTIC BAGS IN THE 1989-90 CAMPAIGN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER, THIRD FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
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/16........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19,
1989
- 16 -
PERMANENT FLOWER BAZAAR TO BE DISCUSSED » ♦ » * ♦
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS A REQUEST FOR PROVISION OF A PERMANENT FLOWER BAZAAR IN HONG KONG.
THE REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE BY A COMMITTEE MEMBER IN VIEW OF THE RECENT ARREST OF SOME FLORISTS FOR ILLEGAL HAWKING AT THE FLOWER MARKET (FA HUI) IN KOWLOON BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL DUTIES TEAM.
THE ARREST HAS AROUSED CONCERN AMONG FLORISTS IN NORTH DISTRICT. IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD REFLECT VIEWS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR JOINT CONSULTATION REGARDING THE PROVISION OF A PERMANENT HAWKING PLACE FOR FLORISTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
-----0------
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIFTH MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/17........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
17 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CASTLE PEAK RD WORKS « » » * »
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS IMPROVEMENT AND WIDENING WORKS REQUIRED FOR CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FROM THE PAK TIN PA SAN CHUEN FIRE WATCH TEAM.
REPORTS OF THE MA WAN FRESH WATER SUPPLY PROJECT AND VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) 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----------
LONG SERVICE PAYMENT BRIEFING FOR COMMITTEE *■»««»
THE KWAI TSTNG DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AT A MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WILL PRESENT A PUBLICATION ON "HOW TO ABATE AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION PRODUCED BY POLLUTING INDUSTRIES" FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.
THE COMMITTEE'S WORKING GROUPS ON AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT SCHEME, PROMOTION OF AN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE EXHIBITION AND A SURVEY ON LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE DISTRICT WILL REPORT PROGRESS OF THEIR WORK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE MEETING (FRIDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH OFFICES, KWAI CHUNG.
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT
o
/18........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1989
18 -
SHA TIN LOT TO LET BY TENDER » * ♦ »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TO LET BY TENDER A GOVERNMENT LOT IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE 1,549 SQUARE-METRE LOT IN AREA 11 IS FOR STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHILCES AND CONTAINERS).
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN NOON ON FEBRUARY 3 THIS YEAR.
THE FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN.
THEY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE OFFICES.
-------0----------
TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN TRAM SERVICES t ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE EQUIPMENT RENEWAL AT CHIU LUNG STREET ELECTRIC SUB-STATION, TRAM SERVICES BETWEEN WAN CHAI (NEAR THE CHINESE METHODIST CHURCH) AND KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE REDUCED ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22).
ALSO, THERE WILL BE NO THROUGH TRAM SERVICE FROM HAPPY VALLEY OR EAST OF CAUSEWAY BAY VTA CENTRAL TO WESTERN MARKET, WHITTY STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN.
HOWEVER, A SPECIAL TRAM ROUTE PLYING BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY
AND KENNEDY TOWN WILL OPERATE AT SIX-MINUTE INTERVALS THAT DAY.
IN ADDITION, SERVICES ON BUS ROUTES 5B AND 10 WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO CATER FOR AFFECTED TRAM PASSENGERS.
NOTICES WILL BE PROVIDED AT TRAM STOPS TO INFORM TRAM PASSENGERS OF THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS.
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STEPS BEING TAKEN TO EASE SOCIAL WORKER SHORTAGE........... 1
VIEWS TO BE SOUGHT ON DMC’S ............................... 2
BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON FOOD IMPORTATION ............ A
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS 1989 COME INTO EFFECT ... 5
BILL AIMS AT STRENGTHENING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY .............. 6
ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ................ 7
CUSTOMS OFFICERS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ECONOMY............ 8
URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME MAY EXPAND............................. 9
COMPREHENSIVE, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ESSENTIAL TO CAREERS CHOICE..................................................... 10
MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH INCREASE IN MAIL TRAFFIC ........ 11
TWO NEW FLOATING CLINICS COME INTO SERVICE................. 12
FURTHER EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LRT SAFETY ..................... 1J
ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS ............ 1?
APPOINTMENT TO FILL TSUEN WAN DB VACANCY................... 14
DB MEMBERS VISIT FACILITIES ON LANTAU ..................... 15
ISLANDERS URGED TO KEEP CHEUNG CHAU CLEAN ................. 15
SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL TO START TOMORROW .............. 16
TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL TO START TOMORROW.................. 17
CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY THIS SUNDAY........................... 18
CARNIVAL TO CONCLUDE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ........ 19
COLOURING, DRAWING CONTEST FOR TAI PO CHILDREN ............ 20
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN TAIKOO SHING ................ 20
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADULT EDUCATION SUBVENTIONS ...... 21
INTERCHANGE AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/HAMMER HILL ROAD........... 22
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT ....................... 2?
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR TWO ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES ....... 25
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS............................. 2A
ENROLMENT FOR COURSE IN PUTONGHUA BEGINS .................. 24
FARE INCREASES ON THREE NT GMB ROUTES ...................... 25
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD................. 25
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUNNEL SLOW LANE...................... 26
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
STEPS BEING TAKEN TO EASE SOCIAL WORKER SHORTAGE *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS IMPLEMENTING A PACKAGE OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO REDRESS THE PROBLEM OF A SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID THE FINDINGS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER PLANNING SYSTEM REPORT NO. 1, PUBLISHED LAST YEAR, INDICATED THAT UNLESS STEPS WERE TAKEN, THERE WOULD BE A SERIOUS SHORTFALL OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS LOCALLY INTO THE 1990'S.
MR CHAU WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION.
"WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE INCLUDE, IN THE MAIN, ADDITIONAL INTAKE OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS TO TRAIN MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE RECRUITMENT OF OVERSEAS TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED MID-TERM AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS,” HE SAID.
"THE LOCAL SOCIAL WORK TRAINING COURSES AT PRESENT ARE QUITE WELL-DEVELOPED. COURSES OF DIFFERENT LEVELS AND NATURE ARE PROVIDED IN SIX TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND THE NUMBER OF LOCALLY TRAINED SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES RANGES FROM 400 TO 500 EACH YEAR.
"YET, TO MEET THE PRESSING NEED IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO CONTINUE RECRUITING NON-SOCIAL-WORK-TRAINED GRADUATES AS ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICERS TO WHOM QUALIFYING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED.
"THIS MEASURE WILL CERTAINLY HELP TO INCREASE MANPOWER SUPPLY IN THE SHORT RUN SO THAT VARIOUS WELFARE PLANS AND PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE CAN BE IMPLEMENTED."
AS REGARDS QUALITY, MR CHAU SAID THAT THROUGH THE EXCHANGE OF WORKING EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN POTENTIAL, THEREBY ALSO IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICES.
"IT IS MY BELIEF THAT GREATER PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND A WIDER ACCEPTANCE BY THE COMMUNITY CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT," HE SAID.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT SOCIAL SERVICES HAD BECOME MOKI AND MORE SPECIALISED, AND THAT THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS WAS NO LONGER CONFINED TO BEING CASEWORKERS OR (.ROUP WORKERS ONLY.
"MORE PRECISE DIVISION OF LABOUR AND MORE SPECIALISED SERVICES ARE INEVITABLE,” HE SAID.
"THE IMPACT OF SPECIALISATION IS THAT THE LINKAGE AND COMPLETENESS OF SERVICES MAY BE JEOPARDISED. IT IS THEREFORE VERY IMPORTANT THAT THERE SHOULD BE MORE CO-ORDINATION AND CO-OPERATION AMONG SOCIAL WORKERS FROM DIFFERENT FIELDS."
/MR CHAU .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
- 2 -
MR CHAU ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE RANGE OF SERVICES WAS BEING CONSTANTLY BROADENED IN SPITE OF THE EVER INCREASING SPECIALISATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
"AS THE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES HAS BECOME MORE EXTENSIVE, SOCIAL WORKERS MUST ACCORDINGLY ENRICH THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE SO AS TO DEVELOP MORE NEW WORKING STRATEGIES AND SKILLS," HE SAID.
"FRONT-LINE WORKERS SHOULD ALSO MATCH THEIR PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH ACADEMIC RESEARCH FINDINGS SO THAT THE PROFESSIONAL FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK WILL BE BROADENED AND ENRICHED."
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VIEWS TO
BE SOUGHT ON DMC’S * * * *
A CONSULTATIVE PAPER WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY TO SOLICIT PUBLIC VIEWS ON PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT (DMC’S) OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ENTERED INTO BEFORE DECEMBER 1987.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG, SAID THE PROPOSALS WERE MADE FOLLOWING DETAILED DELIBERATIONS BY A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP SET UP IN APRIL 1987 TO EXAMINE WAYS TO RECTIFY DEFICIENCIES IN DMC’S.
"THE GROUP FOUND THAT CERTAIN EXISTING DMC’S CONTAIN PROVISIONS UNFAIR TO SMALL FLAT OWNERS AND RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS CURRENTLY BOUND BY THESE PROVISIONS BE GRANTED RELIEF," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A DMC IS PREPARED BY SOLICITORS APPOINTED BY THE DEVELOPER AND ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND THE FIRST PURCHASER.
ASSIGNMENT OF THE UNITS IN THE DEVELOPMENT TO SUBSEQUENT PURCHASERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE BENEFIT AND BURDEN OF THE DMC THE PURCHASER HAS NO REAL FREEDOM TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THE DFED.
"THIS SITUATION CAN BE OPEN TO ABUSE BY SOME DEVELOPERS WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE PROVISIONS OF THE DEED UNFAIRLY FAVOURING THEM AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PURCHASERS," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION HAD LED TO THE INTRODUCTION ON DECEMBER 1, 1987 OF SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE DRAFTING OF NEW DMC’S.
THE GUIDELINES WERE DRAWN Up BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH 'ME LAW SOCIETY AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
/•’THEY WERE..........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
"THEY WERE AIMED AT STRIKING A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPERS AND THOSE OF THE PURCHASERS," MR LEUNG SAID.
AS FROM DECEMBER 1, 1987, SOLICITORS HAVE HAD TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES IN DRAWING UP NEW DMC'S.
AS FOR DMC'S ENTERED INTO BEFORE THAT DATE, THE WORKING GROUP NOW SUGGESTS THAT OWNERS OF ALL RESIDENTIAL FLATS CURRENTLY BOUND BY UNFAIR AND OPPRESSIVE CLAUSES BE GRANTED RELIEF THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION CONTAINING A CODE OF FAIR CLAUSES MODELLED ON THE EXISTING GUIDELINES.
THE PROPOSED CODE PROVIDES FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A PROCEDURE FOR THE TERMINATION OF A MANAGER'S SERVICE AFTER TWO YEARS FROM THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE ENABLING LEGISLATION.
IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR A FAIR WAY OF SHARING MANAGEMENT EXPENSES, THE KEEPING OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND PREPARATION OF ANNUAL BUDGETS BY THE MANAGER, A DETAILED INTERPRETATION AS WELL AS THE USE OF COMMON PARTS.
"THE LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT EXISTING DMC PROVISIONS CONTRAVENE THE CODE, THEY WILL BE SUPERSEDED, AND THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY OMIT OBLIGATIONS SPELT OUT IN THE CODE, THEY ARE TO BE SUPPLEMENTED ACCORDINGLY," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE WORKING GROUP DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE AN UNJUSTIFIABLE INTERFERENCE WITH PRIVATE CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF ANY REAL FREEDOM TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THE DMC'S IN THE FIRST INSTANCE," HE SAID.
FOR THE SAME REASON, THE WORKING GROUP DID NOT CONSIDER THAT THIS PROPOSED RELIEF WOULD GIVE RISE TO ANY JUSTIFIABLE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION, HE ADDED.
THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERS THAT A MAJOR DEFICIENCY IN SOME EXISTING DMC'S IS THAT DEVELOPERS OFTEN RESERVE EXCESSIVE RIGHTS FOR THEMSELVES. THESE INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO USE COMMON AREAS AND THE POWER TO APPOINT MANAGERS OF THE BUILDING.
OTHER MAJOR DEFICIENCIES INCLUDE UNFAIR RECOVERY OF EXPENSES AND MANAGERS BEING GIVEN OVERWHELMING POWERS.
THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER WHICH GIVES THE BACKGROUND TO THE ISSUE AND DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS WILL BE ISSUED SHORTLY.
THE VIEWS OF THE NEWLY FORMED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER INTERESTED BODIES SUCH AS THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS, PROFESSIONAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT INSTITUTES, THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE SOUGHT.
- - 0 -
A
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON FOOD IMPORTATION »»»»«»
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, A BILL SEEKING TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL LEGAL BASIS FOR STATUTORY CONTROL ON THE IMPORTATION OF FOOD WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 55 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 132) PROVIDED, INTER ALIA, THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY MAKE REGULATIONS TO PROHIBIT OR REGULATE THE IMPORTATION OF ANY FOOD.
"THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 ADDS A NEW PROVISION TO THIS SECTION AS AN ADDITIONAL AVENUE TO INTRODUCING STATUTORY CONTROL ON THE IMPORT OF FOOD AND FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH CONTROL BY MEANS OF CONDITIONS AND DIRECTIONS IMPOSED BY A HEALTH OFFICER," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, TO BEGIN WITH, THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAD IT IN MIND TO SUBJECT THE IMPORTATION OF "GAME" TO THIS MODE OF CONTROL, WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A STATUTORY DEFINITION FOR GAME.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IMPORTED MEAT AND POULTRY REGULATIONS, WHICH PROVIDED CONTROL ON THE IMPORTATION OF MEAT AND POULTRY, DID NOT PROVIDE SPECIFIC CONTROL ON THE IMPORTATION OF FRESH OF FROZEN CARCASSES, FLESH AND OTHER EDIBLE PARTS OF GAME.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THESE INCLUDE HARE, GROUSE, PHEASANT, ETC. AND ALSO FROG," HE SAID.
"FOR MANY YEARS, IMPORTERS OF SUCH COMMODITIES HAVE VOLUNTARILY APPLIED TO THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES (THE AUTHORITY) FOR PERMISSION TO IMPORT.
"IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, THESE COMMODITIES ARE INSPECTED BY HEALTH INSPECTORS AT THEIR RESPECTIVE COLD STORES BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASED FOR SALE.
"FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND IN ORDER TO REGULARISE EXISTING PRACTICES, WE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE STATUTORY IMPORT CONTROL ON GAME."
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE STATUTORY IMPORTATION CONTROL ON THESE COMMODITIES SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH PERMISSION BY THE AUTHORITY AND BE SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITIONS THE AUTHORITY MIGHT IMPOSE ON INDIVIDUAL CASES.
/'ITHE NEW..........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
- 5
"THE NEW PROVISION TO SECTION 55 OF CHAPTER 132 WOULD ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE EMPOWERING A HEALTH OFFICER TO PERMIT, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, THE IMPORT OF SUCH FOOD AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED, REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION TO INSPECTION OF SUCH FOOD, AND IMPOSE CONDITIONS AND DIRECTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE FOOD AFTER THE PROCESS OF IMPORTATION IS COMPLETE," HE SAID.
"THESE PROPOSALS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ENDORSED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE.
"THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 15."
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AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS 1989 COME INTO EFFECT
* » * « »
REGULATIONS PROHIBITING INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS FROM USING FUELS THAT HAVE A SULPHUR CONTENT OF MORE THAN ONE PER CENT BY WEIGHT IN CERTAIN RURAL DISTRICTS CAME INTO FORCE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS 1989 PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE APPLY IMMEDIATELY TO FANLING/SHA TAU KOK, JUNK BAY, PORT SHELTER AND TAI PO. IN SHA TIN, ONLY GASEOUS FUELS MAY BE USED.
A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE REGULATIONS ARE AIMED AT CONTROLLING THE AIR QUALITY IN THESE AREAS.
THESE AREAS ARE TOPOGRAPHICALLY CONSTRAINED, POORLY VENTILATED, AND THEREFORE TEND TO TRAP AIR POLLUTANTS.
SULPHUR DIOXIDE, WHICH IS RELEASED BY THE BURNING OF SULPHUR-BEARING FUELS, IS LIKELY TO REACH AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL UNLESS CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ARE IMPOSED. SUCH RESTRICTIONS HAVE IN THE PAST BEEN ENFORCED IN THESE AREAS THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS.
"THESE REGULATIONS SIMPLY PUT INTO A LEGAL FORM THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING FUEL RESTRICTIONS IN THE SAID AREAS WHICH HAVE BEEN WIDELY ADOPTED BY THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED. THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONAL EFFECT ON EXISTING INDUSTRIES.
/"IN THE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
- 6 -
"IN THE COURSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S MONITORING OF THE TERRITORY’S AIR QUALITY, IT IS EVIDENT THAT FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN THE LEVEL OF AIR POLLUTANTS WILL REQUIRE THE EXTENSION OF SULPHUR-BEARING FUEL RESTRICTIONS TO OTHER AREAS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE ARE THEREFORE CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A TERRITORY-WIDE FUEL RESTRICTION POLICY."
HE ASSURED THAT AFFECTED INDUSTRIES WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY NEW CONTROL MEASURES TO HELP IMPROVE HONG KONG’S AIR QUALITY.
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BILL AIMS AT STRENGTHENING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
* * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO IMPOSE GENERAL DUTIES ON EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND TO INTRODUCE CUSTODIAL PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES IN RESPECT OF WORK SAFETY.
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO THIS, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE BILL, IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING TO TAKE MEASURES, SO FAR AS IS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE, TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PERSONS EMPLOYED BY HIM AT THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING.
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES EVERY EMPLOYEE WHILE AT WORK TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PROPRIETOR IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH MEASURES, AND TO TAKE REASONABLE CARE FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF HIMSELF AND OF OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY HIS ACTS OR OMISSIONS AT WORK.
TO STRENGTHEN THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LEGISLATION, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE CUSTODIAL PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES WHICH ARE LIABLE TO CAUSE FATAL OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR RISK TO HEALTH AND WHICH ARE COMMITTED WILFULLY AND ARE WITHIN THE OFFENDERS’ ABILITY TO PREVENT.
IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT WOULD BE ATTACHED AS AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY TO SUCH OFFENCES WHICH NOW CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000, AND A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT TO THOSE WHICH NOW CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000.
THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS A PROVISION RELATING TO THE ONUS OF PROOF IN PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
/IT IS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROVISIONS IMPOSING GENERAL DUTIES RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND CUSTODIAL PENALTIES WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION 12 MONTHS AFTER THE BILL IS PASSED INTO LAW SO AS TO GIVE AMPLE TIME FOR THE PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AND OTHER AFFECTED PARTIES TO COMPLY WITH THEM.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 25).
- 0 - -
ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED BY THE POLICE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 49 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, 12 WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 37 ARE BEING FURTHER INVESTIGATED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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 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
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
- 8 -
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 27,086 PERSONS, 4,101 VEHICLES WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
SIXTEEN PERSONS WERE SUMMONED AND 11 PERSONS WERE CHARGED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY AND A FURTHER 13 WERE WARNED IN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000.
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CUSTOMS OFFICERS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ECONOMY
* t t » *
CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN VARIOUS POSTS ALL SHARE A MUTUAL GOAL OF CONTRIBUTING WHOLEHEARTEDLY TOWARDS THE ECONOMY AND PUBLIC ORDER OF HONG KONG, AND FUL-FILLING ITS OBLIGATIONS TN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND CONVENTIONS, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K. S. TONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND, MR TONG SAID THAT CUSTOMS OFFICERS WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT HEAVY WORK PRESSURE AND FACE HIDDEN DANGER IN THE EXECUTION OF THEIR DUTIES.
"BY DAY AND NIGHT, THEY BATTLE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKERS, SMUGGLERS, SWINDLERS, COPYRIGHT PIRATES, TRADE MARK THIEVES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS," HE SAID.
THE FIGHT WENT ON IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND UNDER VARYING CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THEY RUMMAGE SHIPS IN SEARCH OF CONTRABAND AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG WATERS, EXAMINE SUSPECT IMPORT AND EXPORT CARGO CONSIGNMENTS, INTERCEPT DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND SEIZE COUNTERFEIT GOODS IN STREETS AND ALLEYS," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID THAT CARGO EXAMINATION OFFICERS HAD ALWAYS TO BE ON THE ALERT FOR NEW RUSES BECAUSE THE TACTICS EMPLOYED BY TRAFFICKERS IN SMUGGLING DANGEROUS DRUGS WOULD OFTEN CHANGE.
"EACH CUSTOMS OFFICER IS DEVOTED TO HIS JOB," HE SAID.
"THROUGH THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF WORK, THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN CONTAINED AND REVENUE FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES IS PROTECTED," HE ADDED.
MR TONG SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF CUSTOMS OFFICERS, SMUGGLING HAD BEEN CURBED AND ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH PIRACY AND COUNTERFEITING WIPED OUT.
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/9........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
- 9 -
URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME MAY EXPAND
*****
THE URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME, A PILOT SCHEME FOR STREET SLEEPERS, WILL EXPAND IF PROVED SUCCESSFUL, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, f. ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SALVATION ARMY LOK r HOSTEL IN YAU MA TEI FOR STREET SLEEPERS, MRS WONG SAID ASSIS.
WAS AVAILABLE TO STREET SLEEPERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
SHE NOTED THAT MORE THAN 300 STREET SLEEPERS HAD BEEN ASSISI AND OFFERED ACCOMMODATION IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. AN AVERAGE OF 30 STREET SLEEPERS HAD EXPRESSED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT ASSIS” . < । EACH MONTH.
"HOWEVER, DUE TO THE PROXIMITY TO THEIR WORK, SPECIAL WORKING HOURS AND OTHER REASONS, SOME STREET SLEEPERS ARE RELUCTANT TO MOVE ELSEWHERE," MRS WONG ADDED.
"STREET SLEEPERING IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND WOULD NEED TIME TO RESOLVE," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE FORMS OF ASSISTANCE RENDERED TO STREET SLEEPERS, MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE COUNSELLING SERVICE, FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS REFERRAL FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE SUCH AS SHELTERS FOR STREET SLEEPERS, HOSTELS AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED.
OTHER ASSISTANCE INCLUDED REFERRAL FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, MEDICAL TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT. THEY WOULD A!,SO BE ASSISTED IN APPLYING FOR REPLACEMENT OF IDENTITY CARDS.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE SALVATION ARMY, KWAN FONG CHARITABLE FUNDATION AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN SETTING UP THE URBAN HOSTEL.
SHE SAID THE PILOT SCHEME WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS AND STARTED RECEIVING RESIDENTS LAS I NOVEMBER.
THE HOSTEL IS RUN BY THE SALVATION ARMY AT THE INVITATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. ALSO INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT WERE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, BUILDING AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WATER SUPPLIES, YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD.
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/1O .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
10 -
COMPREHENSIVE, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ESSENTIAL TO CAREERS CHOICE ******
THE CAREERS DAYS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE RECEIVED VERY FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, CAREERS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ALIKE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR TONY HAMMOND, WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THIS YEAR’S EVE •IT AT THE VTC’S KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX.
THIS YEAR, A SERIES OF SEVEN CAREERS DAYS WILL BE HELD FROM NOW UNTIL MARCH AT THE VTC’S TWO TRAINING CENTRES AND FIVE TECHNI'Al INSTITUTES.
EACH WILL COMPRISE A NUMBER OF SPECIALIST TALKS ON VARIOUS TRADES, INDUSTRIES OR PROFESSIONS, VISITS TO TRAINING CENTRES AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND A DISPLAY OF CAREERS INFORMATION.
"AS YOU ARE AWARE, COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE CAREERS INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL TO AN INDIVIDUAL IN MAKING HIS OR HER CAREERS CHOICE," MR HAMMOND SAID.
"I HOPE THAT THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN TODAY’S EVENT WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WORLD OF WORK AND TO COLLECT RELEVANT CAREERS INFORMATION.
"AT THE SAME TIME, VISITS TO TRAINING CENTRES OFFER GOOD CHANCES FOR STUDENTS TO ACTUALLY SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE VARIOUS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM."
MR HAMMOND ALSO CALLED ON STUDENTS TO VISIT THE DEPARTMENT’S THREE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES FOR GUIDANCE.
A FOURTH CENTRE TO CATER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPENED IN SHA TIN SHORTLY.
AND WITH FUNDS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE WAS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING A SERIES OF CAREERS FILMS ON VARIOUS TRADES AND PROFESSIONS, AS WELL AS ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHOOSING A CAREER WHICH WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, MR HAMMOND ADDED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS VTC CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHEONG.
MR CHEONG TOLD THE GATHERING THAT A YOUNG PERSON IN HONG KONG SPENT ON AVERAGE NINE TO 16 YEARS IN SCHOOLS, AND MIGHT EXPECT TO WORK FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS THEREAFTER.
/"SO MY .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
"SO MY ADVICE TO ALL STUDENTS IS THAT IRRESPECTIVE OF WHEN YOU LEAVE SCHOOL TO ENTER THE WORLD OF WORK, MAKE SURE YOU EITHER OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT WHICH GUARANTEES AN ELEMENT OF TRAINING AS PART OF THE JOB, SUCH AS AN APPRENTICESHIP, OR ARM YOURSELF WITH SOUND SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE FIELD IN WHICH YOU ARE INTERESTED BEFORE GETTING A JOB," HE STRESSED.
"YOU MUST ALSO AIM AT REGULARLY UPDATING YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO KEEP YOURSELF ABREAST OF ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY."
IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID, THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND 16 TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED BY THE VTC WERE THE VERY PLACES WHERE STUDENTS COULD OBTAIN SOUND SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE RELEVANT TO A LARGE SPECTRUM OF INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
APART FROM TODAY’S OPENING SESSION, THE SCHEDULE FOR THE OTHER CAREERS DAYS IS AS FOLLOWS:
KWAI CHUNG TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX - JANUARY 27
HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - FEBRUARY 23
TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - FEBRUARY 27
SHA TIN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - MARCH 1
CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - MARCH 3
LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - MARCH 10
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MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH INCREASE IN MAIL TRAFFIC « * » « »
A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO DEAL WITH THE ABNORMAL INCREASE IN MAIL TRAFFIC POSTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS MONTH, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE INCLUDE DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF TO REINFORCE THE OPERATIONAL STRENGTH, EMPLOYMENT OF MORE TEMPORARY STAFF AND EXTENSION OF WORKING HOURS.
ADDITIONAL VEHICLES HAVE ALSO BEEN HIRED AND A SPECIAL SUNDAY DELIVERY INTRODUCED FOR THOSE AREAS WHICH RECEIVE THE MOST MAIL.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE MAIL POSTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS MONTH WAS 20 PER CENT MORE THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, AND THE POST OFFICE HAD BEEN UNABLE TO MEET THE USUAL DELIVERY SERVICE STANDARDS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
HE SAID THAT IN THE PAST THE MAIL TRAFFIC DURING THE POST CHRISTMAS PERIOD WAS RELATIVELY LIGHT AND THIS PROVIDED A BREATHING SPACE FOR THE STAFF.
"HOWEVER, THE POSTINGS IN THE FIRST HALF OF JANUARY THIS YEAR -CONTINUED TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY; SOME 2.5 MILLION MAIL ITEMS HAD TO BE HANDLED DAILY," HE SAID.
THE POST OFFICE EXPECTED THAT THE NORMAL SERVICE STANDARDS WOULD BE RESUMED EARLY NEXT WEEK, HE SAID.
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TWO NEW FLOATING CLINICS COME INTO SERVICE ♦ t ♦ * »
TWO NEW MEDICAL BOATS WILL BE PUT INTO SERVICE BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEXT WEEK TO LOOK AFTER THE POPULATION IN THE REMOTE AREAS OF THE OUTLYING ISLANDS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE VESSELS WILL OFFICIALLY REPLACE THE EXISTING LAUNCHES -"CHEE WAN" AND "CHEE HONG" - AFTER A COMMISSIONING CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24) AT QUEEN'S PIER IN CENTRAL.
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUESTS.
OPERATED SINCE 1958, THE MEDICAL LAUNCHES RENDER OUT-PATIENT SERVICE WITH "CHEE WAN" VISITING THE VILLAGES OF TOLO HARBOUR AND "CHEE HONG" THE NORTHERN PART OF LANTAU, SOUTHERN AND WESTERN SEABOARDS OF PO TOI AND SAI KUNG PENINSULA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE TWO NEW FLOATING CLINICS, "CHEE HONG" AND "CHEE WAN", OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24) AT QUEEN’S PIER, CENTRAL.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE QUEEN’S PIER AT 2.30 PM. INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM MHD WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
FURTHER EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LRT SAFETY *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRODUCED A TELEVISION PROGRAMME, A POSTER AND A STICKER IN ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE SAFE USE OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THE FIVE-MINUTE TV PROGRAMME, METRORAMA, PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL EDUCATE CYCLISTS, MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS ON CORRECT PROCEDURES AT LRT ROAD JUNCTIONS.
THE PROGRAMME ALSO CARRIES A MESSAGE REMINDING PEDESTRIANS OF THE NEED TO PUSH THE BUTTON OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN ORDER TO ACTIVATE THE "GREEN MAN" FOR CROSSING.
IT WILL BE SCREENED ON ATV ’ S CHINESE CHANNEL AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE PROGRAMME COMPLEMENTS TWO TELEVISION AND TWO RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS AIMED AT EDUCATING SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS AND CYCLISTS ON THE SAFETY RULES, WHICH HAVE BEEN BROADCAST SINCE NOVEMBER.
THE POSTERS AND STICKERS DEPICTING SPECIAL SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LRT SYSTEM WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE POLICE.
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ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS » ♦ » » »
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL DOG INOCULATION DRIVE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS FOR FISHERMEN TO HAVE THEIR DOGS IMMUNISED AGAINST RABIES.
THE DRIVE, THE 17TH SINCE 1980, IS SPECIALLY TIMED TO SUIT THE CONVENIENCE OF FISHERMEN AS MOST OF THEM WILL BE BACK FROM THEIR FISHING TRIPS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
STARTING FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 23), THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE DOG INOCULATION TEAMS WILL MAKE BOAT-TO-BOAT VISITS IN ALL SIX FISHING PORTS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM DAILY. THE WHOLE OPERATION WILL LAST FOR EIGHT WORKING DAYS UNTIL FEBRUARY 2.
THEY WILL VISIT THE FISHING PORTS IN SHA TAU KOK, SAM MUN TSAI AND SHAU KEI WAN ON JANUARY 23 AND 24; CHEUNG CHAU ON JANUARY 25 AND 26; ABERDEEN ON JANUARY 30 AND 31; AND SAI KUNG ON FEBRUARY 1 AND 2.
/THE DEPARTMENT'S
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
14
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR NORMAN CHENG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE DRIVE WAS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE DEADLY DISEASE INTO HONG KONG.
SINCE THE DRIVE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1980, A TOTAL OF 3,399 DOGS OWNED BY FISHERMEN HAD BEEN INOCULATED, HE SAID.
“RABIES IS A DEADLY DISEASE TRANSMISSABLE FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS AND DOGS ON FISHING VESSELS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR BEING IN CONTACT WITH OTHER ANIMALS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
“BY PROTECTING THEIR DOGS WITH INOCULATIONS, PEOPLE HELP TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
“IT IS, THEREFORE, IMPORTANT THAT THEIR DOGS ARE INOCULATED AGAINST THE DISEASE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS TO KEEP UP THE IMMUNITY,” DR CHENG ADDED.
HE URGED FISHERMEN WHO OWN DOGS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SPECIAL SERVICE.
THE LAW REQUIRES ALL DOGS OVER FIVE MONTHS' OLD TO BE LICENSED AND INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RENDER THE OWNER LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
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APPOINTMENT TO FILL TSUEN WAN DB VACANCY ♦ * t * *
THE GAZETTE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR CHAN YAN-LEUNG TO THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY TO MARCH 31, 1991.
THE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO FILL AN EXISTING VACANCY ON THE BOARD AS A RESULT OF THE DEATH OF AN APPOINTED MEMBER, MR HO CHI-PING, AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
MR CHAN, AGED 51, IS A SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN TSUEN WAN AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.
HE IS AT PRESENT CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN EAST AREA COMMITTEE AND THE TSUEN WAN SHEK WAI KOK COMMUNITY HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
IN THE PAST, HE HAD SERVED AS AN ACTIVE CO-OPTED MEMBER ON THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ON THE ORGANISING COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT’S ARTS AND SPORTS FESTIVALS.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
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DB MEMBERS VISIT FACILITIES ON LANTAU * * * *
A GROUP OF SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISITED LANTAU ISLAND TODAY (FRIDAY) TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE FACILITIES PROVIDED THERE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG, MEMBERS FIRST TOURED THE NEW NGAN WAN ESTATE WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.29 HECTARES.
WHEN FULLY OCCUPIED, THE ESTATE WILL HOUSE ABOUT 1,600 PEOPLE IN ITS FOUR BLOCKS WHICH HAVE FIVE TO 13 STOREYS.
A KINDERGARTEN AND A FAMILY HEALTH CARE CENTRE ARE LOCATED IN THE ESTATE. THERE ARE ALSO A PUBLIC LIBRARY, POST OFFICE, POLICE STATION, BUS TERMINUS, FERRY PIER AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE VICINITY.
MEMBERS ALSO WENT TO THE PUI O CAMP SITE WHICH IS UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
CAMP OFFICIALS BRIEFED MEMBERS ON THE FACILITIES PROVIDED AT THE SITE. THESE INCLUDE PICNIC TABLES, BARBECUE PITS, PARK LIGHTS AND TOILETS. THE 50 CAMP BAYS IN PUI O CAN ACCOMMODATE 100 TENTS.
THE VISIT IS ONE IN A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE FOURTH SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD LAST YEAR TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SERVICES AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
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ISLANDERS URGED TO KEEP CHEUNG CHAU CLEAN
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A LUNAR YEAR-END HOUSEHOLD CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WAS HEID ON CHEUNG CHAU TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH ISLANDERS BEING URGED IO LEH STREETS AND THE TYPHOON SHELTER CLEAN.
"FAI CHUN" (SPRING SCROLLS) BEARING KEEP CLEAN MESSAGES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO SHOPS AND HOUSEHOLDS WHILE BOAT DWELLERS IN I Hr. !’>1’HOON SHELTER WERE GIVEN PLASTIC BAGS i 'REFUSE.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SO KAM-SHING, SAID THAT KEEPING CHEUNG CHAU CLEAN WOULD ADD TO THE ATTRACTION OF I HE ISLAND WHICH WAS ESSENTIAL FOR ITS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.
HE URGED RESIDENTS TO DO 'LL THEY COULD TO KEEP THE ISLAND CLEAN.
/MR SO .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, I989
16
MR SO NOTED THAT VISITORS MIGHT ALSO BE CONTRIBUTING TO LITTERING, AND HE CALLED FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION IN MAINTAINING CHEUNG CHAU AS A NEAT AND TIDY PLACE FOR BOTH RESIDENTS AND HOLIDAY MAKERS.
THE HOUSEHOLD CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WAS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
SIMILAR EXERCISES WILL ALSO BE HELD ON PENG CHAU, LAMMA AND LANTAU THIS WEEKEND, AND A CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN TAI O ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) AFTERNOON TO ROUND UP THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN.
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SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL TO START TOMORROW
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THE 1989 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL START TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AND A VARIETY SHOW AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE SAI KUNG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS BETTY CHING; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE, MR WONG KWOK-YEE.
AFTER THAT, A "THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD FEAST" WILL BE HELD AT A RESTAURANT IN SAI KUNG OLD TOWN. ABOUT 1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART.
GOLD MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TWO OLDEST PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, ALL THE ELDERLY WILL BE GIVEN COUPONS FOR THE "SAI KUNG DISTRICT SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY." THESE COUPONS WILL ENABLE THEM TO BUY GOODS AT LOWER PRICES AT 17 COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 15.
THE AIM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT AND PROMOTE THEIR RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE FESTIVAL, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 19, WILL FEATURE A NUMBER OF OTHER ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL. A "THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD FEAST" WILL ALSO BEGIN AT THE WING WO RESTAURANT, SAI KUNG OLD TOWN, AT 2 PU. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBi 1C PIER, NEXT TO STAR FERRY, AT 11.15 AM.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
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TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL TO START TOMORROW * » ♦ * »
THE 11TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL WILL START WITH A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 8 PM AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN.
THE OPENING SHOW WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY THE JIANGSU ARTISTIC TROUPE AND THE TAIPEI YOUTH FOLK ARTS TROUPE. THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ALSO STAGE ITS DEBUT PERFORMANCE.
THE FESTIVAL WILL RUN FOR 38 DAYS, AND A FULL PROGRAMME OF QUALITY PERFORMANCES BY RENOWNED OVERSEAS AND LOCAL ARTISTS HAS BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF RESIDENTS.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE CANTONESE OPERA BY THE CHEERS AND GLORY OPERATIC TROUPE, ’'ROMEO AND JULIET” BY THE HONG KONG BALLET, AND CANTONESE DRAMA BY THE ARTISTE TRAINING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE A POP CONCERT BY WELL-KNOWN SINGERS, AN ORCHESTRAL CONCERT BY THE SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC, SPANISH AND CLASSICAL GUITAR PERFORMANCES AND A NAM YIN (SOUTHERN MELODIES) CONCERT.
POPULAR FILMS TO BE SHOWN INCLUDE "THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING”, "SURRENDER”, "MY FAVOURITE SEASON", "BLUE VELVET”, "SPRING BELL”, "TOTORO” AND "LAPUTA”.
THE FESTIVAL IS BEING ORGANISED BY BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AS A JOINT EFFORT FORMS OF PERFORMING ARTS AND TO ENCOURAGE CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION TO PROMOTE THE VARIOUS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE FESTIVAL IS ABOUT $2 MILLION AND THIS IS PARTLY FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL SPONSORSHIP.
PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
PEOPLE INTENDING TO ATTEND THE SHOWS ARE ADVISED TO BOOK THEIR TICKETS AT THE URBTIX OUTLETS NOW.
/TELEPHONE RESERVATION
FRIDAY, JANUARY ?0, 19&9
TELEPHONE RESERVATION CAN BE MADE ON 5-739595 AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4145501 OR 0-4140144.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING SHOW OE THE 11TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL TO BEGIN AT 8 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
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CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY THIS SUNDAY *****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, TOGETHER WITH REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES WILL TAKE THE LEAD IN CLEANING UP A SLOPE NEAR TSING YI TAI WONG HA VILLAGE ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22).
THE PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, MR CHOY SHU-KAI; DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER, MR LIU WING-KWONG; KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT, AND MEMBERS, MR WONG YIU-CHUNG AND MR CHAN TIN-SUNG; AND REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS, MS HO ON-NEI AND WONG MAN-TAI.
THEIR MOVE IS IN SUPPORT OF A CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON CLEAN HONG KONG AND HOME SAFETY OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
THE WORKING GROUP HAD HELD OTHER ACTIVITIES 1NCUDING A CLEAN BUILDINGS COMPETITION AND A SCHEME TO REPORT REFUSE BLACKSPOTS
A CEREMONY TO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE CLEAN BUILDINGS COMPETITION WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE START OF THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ON SUNDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) AT TSING YI TAI WONG HA VILLAGE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAY TAKE A COACH WHICH WILL LEAVE THE KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION), KWAI CHUNG, AT 10.30 AM.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20. 1989
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CARNIVAL TO CONCLUDE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN
«*»*»»
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) AS A CONCLUSION TO THE DISTRICT’S 1988-89 FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
THE THEMES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE ANTI-TRIAD, ANTI-SHOPTHEFT AND HOME SECURITY.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL WILL START AT 1 30 PM IN THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE. ALL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
IN ADDITION TO A VARIETY OF STALL GAMES FOCUSSED ON THE ANTI-CRIME THEMES, THE FOUR-HOUR FUNCTION WILL FEATURE AN ANTI-TRIAD DRAMA STAGED BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN RADIO AND TV ARTISTES AND THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
ALSO, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFTT SLOGAN CONTEST AND AN ANTI-TRIAD BASKETBALL COMPETITION HELD EARLIER IN THE DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE DISTRICT CAMPAIGN’S CLOSING CERFMONY WILL BE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; POLICE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR R.C. TOAL; POLICE ABERDEEN DIVISION COMMANDER, MR F. MURPHY- THE DISTRICT'S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR KAN MAN-LEE* THE CAMPAIGN'S ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR ALBERT POON,’ AND COMMITTEE MENBERS, MR CHAN KWONG, MADAM MAN YUET-HAR, MADAM SO CHAU YIM-PING,MR TSO KIT-TO AND MR YUNG CIIEK-CHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE THE 1988-89 SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) IN THE AP CHAU ESTATE.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX
CARNIVAL AND CLOSING CEREMONY FOR CRIME CAMPAIGN, BEGINNING AT 1.30 LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI
LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
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COLOURING, DRAWING CONTEST FOR TAI PO CHILDREN ♦ * ♦ * *
CHILDREN LIVING IN TAI PO WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW THEIR ARTISTIC TALENT IN A CHILDREN'S COLOURING AND DRAWING COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE EVENT, PART OF THE PROGRAMME FOR THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL, IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL PUBLICITY COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE COMPETITION, BEGINNING AT 2 PM, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS: JUNIOR GROUP FOR CHILDREN FROM SIX TO NINE YEARS OLD; AND SENIOR GROUP FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 10 AND 12.
THE THEME FOR THE JUNIOR GROUP WILL BE "MY HOME TAI PO" WHILE ENTRIES IN THE SENIOR GROUP SHOULD DEPICT THE SCENERY OF THE DISTRICT.
CHILDREN SHOULD TAKE COLOURING AND DRAWING MATERIALS WITH THEM TO THE VENUE.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY BEGINNING AT 4 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY CHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHILDREN'S COLOURING AND DRAWING COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THE COMPETITION WILL COMMENCE AT 2 PM AND THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4 PM.
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN TAIKOO SHING ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦ *
A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22), FROM NOON TO 3 PM.
"THIS IS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF EIGHT FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
/’’IT IS..........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1?8?
21
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE EXHIBITIONS, THE PUBLIC WILL BE MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND HOW TO REACT IF A FIRE OCCURS."
EXHIBITION PANELS PROVIDED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ELABORATE ON THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN "IF THERE IS A FIRE, SOUND THE ALARM".
'’IN ORDER TO HELP THE PUBLIC HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT, OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A NEW FIRE PREVENTION LEAFLET WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC AT THE VENUE.
THE EXHIBITIONS ARE BEING HELD IN DIFFERENT ARFAS ON ALTERNATE SUNDAYS.
THE NEXT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 12 AT CHOI WAN ESTATE IN KOWLOON.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADULT EDUCATION SUBVENTIONS *♦♦♦**
REGISTERED NON-PROFIT-MAKING VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WHICH OPERATE ADULT EDUCATIONAL COURSES TO COMPLEMENT OR SUPPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTIONS FOR THE 1989-90 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE SUBVENTION SCHEME IS NOW IN ITS 10TH YEAR OF OPERATION.
IT COVERS MAINLY THE COSTS OF TEACHING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLERICAL STAFF, BASIC TEACHING EQUIPMENT AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT, AND HIRE CHARGES FOR ACCOMMODATION AT THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT RATE.
THERE IS ALSO AN AMOUNT OF ABOUT $550 EACH QUARTER TO COVER TELEPHONE, WATER AND ELECTRICITY CHARGES.
THE SCHEME SUBSIDISES COURSES TO IMPROVE BASIC LITERACY IN CHINESE, AND GENERAL EDUCATION FOR PARTICULAR GROUPS SUCH AS FACTORY WORKERS AND FISHERFOLK INCLUDING RE-ORIENTATION TO LAND-BASED LIVING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
ALSO PROVIDED ARE RE-ORIENTATION AND CANTONESE LANGUAGE COURSES FOR NEWCOMERS TO HONG KONG FROM OTHER PARTS OF ASIA.
IN ADDITION, THE SCHEME COVERS CAREERS EDUCATION AND JOB-ORIENTED COURSES; PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAIN I NG, ADULT EDUCATION COURSES AND ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS; AND SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS.
/SOCIAL AND
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
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SOCIAL AND MORAL EDUCATION; PRE-RETIREMENT AND RETIREMENT EDUCATION; AND ACTIVITIES IN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS NOT COVERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO COVERED.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE APRIL 29.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO MR BERT CHEUNG ON 5-8392304 OR TO MR S.K. TSUI ON 5-8392626, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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INTERCHANGE AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/HAMMER HILL ROAD
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THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD A GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGE AT THE JUNCTION BETWEEN HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD NEAR CHOI HUNG ESTATE IN KOWLOON.
A NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITING CONTRACTORS TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR BUILDING THE INTERCHANGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROJECT INCLUDED A FLYOVER BETWEEN HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD OVER LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, AND A SYSTEM OF FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAYS ACROSS HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE A SECTION OF THE FLYOVER LINKING THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE AND THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE WORKS WOULD INVOLVE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING ROADS, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD JUNCTION BETWEEN LUNG 'HEUNG ROAD, HAMMER HILL ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD, AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND UTILITY DIVERSION.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MID-1989 AND BE COMPLETED IN 1991.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
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CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT t * * » »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN KOWLOON TONG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IS AT FLAT F, FIRST FLOOR OF MARCONI COURT, 2 MARCONI ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON APRIL 14 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 APRIL 19 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
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NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR TWO ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES * * t t t
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE YUEN LONG AND SHEUNG SHUI NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT SHOULD USE THE FOLLOWING NEW NUMBERS:
* YUEN LONG NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE
HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD
TEL. NO.: 0-4771543
♦ SHEUNG SHUI NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE
TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO.: 0-6727191
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/24
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20,
1989
- 24 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS * * » t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
A TOTAL OF 20 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
BM9 CG6789 7 CD777
378 AR3 XX89 BM525
HK3333 BC99 AC323 CC8888
AS18 133 HK9898 HK5
66 EA1 BD1 AC8338
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 134TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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ENROLMENT FOR COURSE IN PUTONGHUA BEGINS * t t ♦ ♦
JOURNALISTS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE IN PUTONGHUA TO BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES OF THE HONG KONG CITY POLTECHNIC.
CLASSES IN THE "PUTONGHUA FOR JOURNALISTS COURSE" WILL BE HELD EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY MORNINGS, STARTING FROM FEBRUARY 17 AND CONTINUING UNTIL MARCH 23.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS FEBRUARY 1. ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON TEL. 5-8932341 EXT. 283.
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/25
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
- 25 -
FARE INCREASES ON THREE NT GMB ROUTES *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FARES FOR THREE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES IN YUEN LONG WILL BE INCREASED FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 23).
THE FULL FARES FOR GMB ROUTE 36 (YUEN LONG TOWN - TAI SANG WAI RURAL OFFICE), ROUTE 37 (YUEN LONG TOWN - YAU TAM MEI VILLAGE OFFICE) AND ROUTE 38 (YUEN LONG TOWN - HA CHUK YUEN) WILL BE INCREASED FROM $2.50 TO $3.
AT THE SAME TIME, A NEW SECTION FARE OF $1.50 WILL BE INTRODUCED ON EACH OF THESE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES FOR THE LINK ROAD BETWEEN THE TERMINUS AT TAI SANG WAI, YAU TAM MEI AND HA CHUK YUEN RESPECTIVELY AND THE LINK ROAD’S JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE EXISTING SECTION FARE POINTS ON THESE THREE ROUTES WILL BE MAINTAINED BUT THE AMOUNT FOR EACH ONE WILL BE RAISED BY 50 CENTS.
THE INCREASES HAVE BEEN APPROVED OWING TO A RISE IN OPERATING COSTS.
ALSO FROM MONDAY, THE LAST DEPARTURES OF GMB ROUTE 36 FROM YUEN LONG TOWN AND TAI SANG WAI RURAL OFFICE WILL BE EXTENDED BY 30 MINUTES TO 9 PM AND 9.15 PM RESPECTIVELY.
-------O---------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE INNER-MOST LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 11 PM AND 7 AM THE NEXT DAY ON MONDAY (JANUARY 23) FOR REPAINTING OF A SIGN GANTRY.
THE SAME MEASURE WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED ON JANUARY 24, 29,
30 AND 31.
IN ADDITION, THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL BOOTH 13S INSIDE THE SOUTHBOUND LION ROCK TUNNEL AREA WILL BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM MONDAY FOR TWO NIGHTS FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
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/26........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989
26
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUNNEL SLOW LANE
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, A 200-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND NORTH OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL BOOTHS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 10 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 23) FOR TWO NIGHTS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SaFETY GUIDELINES- ON USE OF OXYGEN FOR HOSPITALS............ 1
manpower survey.to include wastage, retention situation ... 2
SPECIAL C,Ji NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ........................ 3
DRt- TO ATTEND MANAGEMENT COURSE IN THE U.S.................. **
taxi fares to rise tomorrow.................................. 11
GRAND OPENING FOR tai KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL ................ 5
ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR DAY NURSERIES EXPLAINED ............. 6
ANTI-TRIAD VARIETY SHOW IN SHA TIP TOMORROW ................. 7
DIS..BLED URGED TO REGISTER NEEDS FOR SERVICE ............... 8
MORE DEMAND FOR YOUTH FACILITIES IN SHA TIN ................. 9
CURTAIN KISES ON D.'iNCE CONTlST ............................ 10
CONTEMPOR.iRY CHINESE PAINTING EXHIBITION IN MONG KOK........ 11
’ART i-l.tRKST1 IN SHaM SHUT PO TOMORROW .................... 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC aRRaNGEMl-NTS IN W..N CHAI ................ 12
aNTI-RAT CAMPAIGN BEING HELD BEFORE LUI.aR NEW YEAR..........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
SAFETY GUIDELINES ON USE Ob t t ♦ ♦
OXYGEN FOR HOSPITALS *
A SET OF GUIDELINES ON THE SUPPLY AND USE OF OXYGEN IN HOSPITALS AND CLINICS HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE PRINTED GUIDELINES ARE BEING SENT OUT TODAY (SATURDAY) TO ALL HOSPITALS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT, SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
THE AIM OF PRODUCING THIS SET OF GUIDELINES IS TO ADVISE MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF OXYGEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE GUIDELINES ARE OF ADVISORY NATURE LISTING OUT CERTAIN MEASURES FOR HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO FOLLOW TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF OXYGEN.
"THEY ARE BY NO MEANS COMPREHENSIVE OR EXHAUSTIVE AND COULD BE MODIFIED TO SUIT INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION’S OPERATIONAL NEEDS," HE EXPLAINED.
UNDER THE GUIDELINES, HOSPITAL MANAGEMENTS ARE ADVISED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO ENSURE THAT OXYGEN PIPING SYSTEMS ARE PROPERLY DESIGNED AND THAT THEY FUNCTION PROPERLY.
THEY ARE ALSO ADVISED TO CHECK INDIVIDUAL OXYGEN TANKS AND CYLINDERS FOR IDENTITY OF GAS.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF OXYGEN SUPPLY FAILURE ALARMS IN OPERATING THEATRES AND ANAESTHETISING LOCATIONS TO MONITOR OXYGEN SUPPLY PRESSURES.
ATTACHED TO THE GUIDELINES ARE EXTRACTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF PIPED SYSTEMS CONTAINED IN THE HEALTH TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 22 ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY IN LONDON.
COPIES OF THE GUIDELINES ARE ALSO SENT TO FOUR MAJOR ASSOCIATIONS, NAMELY THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (HONG KONG BRANCH), HONG KONG COLLEGE OF PRACTITIONERS AND THE FEDERATION OF MEDICAL SOCIETIES OF HONG
MEDICAL BRITISH GENERAL KONG.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO INTERESTED MEDICAL BODIES AT THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 10TH FLOOR, SUNNING PLAZA, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
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/2
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
MANPOWER SURVEY TO INCLUDE WASTAGE,
*****
RETENTION SITUATION
MANPOWER WASTAGE AND THE RETENTION SITUATION OF WELFARE WORKERS WILL BE AMONG THE NEW ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN I’HE FORTHCOMING WELFARE MANPOWER SURVEY WHICH WILL BE COMMENCED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON THE CAREER PROSPECTS OF WELFARE WORKERS, MR LAW NOTED THAT OF THE 1,834 INCUMBENT WELFARE WORKERS, 134 WERE HOLDING SENIOR WELFARE WORKER POSTS.
MR LAW POINTED CONSULTATION WITH THE NEW QUESTIONNAIRES IN WASTAGE AND RETENTION
OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN WELFARE GROUP OF OMELCO, HAL) DECIDED TO INCLUDE THE SURVEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER THERE WERE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE RANK.
"THESE QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE SENT TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND THE RELEVANT DATA SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF MAY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ASCERTAIN THE WASTAGE AND RETENTION SITUATION BY THEN.
"IF THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT IS FOUND TO BE A MAJOR CAUSE FOR STAFF WASTAGE, INCREMENTAL CREDITS FOR WELFARE WORKERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT POLICY WILL BE CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
MR LAW EXPLAINED THAT INCREMENTAL CREDITS WERE EXTENDED TO ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICER AND SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT GRADES AS THESE GRADES REQUIRED THE OFFICERS TO HAVE SPECIALISED TRAINING IN SOCIAL WORK, AND WERE FACED WITH STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS.
"UNDER THE CURRENT CIVIL SERVICE RECRUITMENT POLICY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT GROUNDS TO PROVIDE INCREMENTAL CREDITS TO WELFARE WORKERS UPON APPOINTMENT AS WE DO NOT HAVE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
"AS FOR THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTIES OVER RECRUITMENT OF SUCH RANK. THE RETENTION SITUATION, WHICH WE HAVE INSUFFICIENT DATA, IS THEREFORE THE ONLY AREA THAT WE SHOULD EXPLORE," HE SAID.
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS OF I’HE WELFARE WORKER RANK ONLY REQUIRE THE APPLICANTS TO HAVE COMPLETED FORM 5 AND BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IS NOT A PREREQUISITE.
/NIR LAW............
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
MR LAW POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT START RECRUITING ITS FIRST BATCH OF WELFARE WORKERS UNTIL JULY 1984, AND ONLY 31 OF THE DEPARTMENT’S 144 WELFARE WORKERS HAD OVER FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
AS AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WAS NEEDED BEFORE A WELFARE WORKER COULD BE PROMOTED TO THE SENIOR WELFARE WORKER RANK, ALL THE SENIOR POSTS FOR THIS RANK AT THE MOMENT WERE IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, HE SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW REVIEWING ITS ESTABLISHMENT TO SEE IF SENIOR WELFARE WORKER POSTS COULD BE CREATED TO PROVIDE PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELFARE WORKERS WHO WILL SOON HAVE FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE DEPARTMENT," MR LAW SAID.
THE WELFARE WORKER RANK HAS BEEN EXPANDING RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND IT CURRENTLY COVERS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF SERVICES INVOLVING SERVICE UNITS SUCH AS COMMUNITY CENTRES, SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES, HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR CHILDREN.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION
*****
TWENTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $9,948,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 7 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $4,800,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER, 66, WAS SOLI) \T THE SE< OND HIGHEST PRICE OF $2,100,000, WHILE THE LOWEST PRl'E was $28,000 FOR CG0789.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’ S AUCTION :
$ $ $ $
BM9 41,000 CG6789 28,000 7 4 ,800,000 CD777 100,000
378 155,000 AR3 155,000 XX89 56,000 BM525 35,000
HK3333 190,000 BC99 55,000 AC323 56,000 CC8888 560,000
AS 18 100,000 133 500,000 HK98?8 155,000 HK5 440,000
66 2 ,100,000 EA1 160,000 BD1 200,000 AC8338 62,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL Ill- ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 134TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $79,088,032.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
- A -
DRS TO ATTEND MANAGEMENT COURSE IN THE U.S.
*****
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG, WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES SHORTLY TO ATTEND A MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
THE THREE-MONTH PROGRAMME, TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 1, IS AIMED AT FURTHER DEVELOPING THE MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND BROADENING THE PERSPECTIVE OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES.
MR LEUNG, WHO IS SPONSORED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WILL BE THE SOLE PARTICIPANT FROM HONG KONG.
DURING MR LEUNG'S ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG, WILL ACT AS DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
SHAM SHUI PO ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS JENNY CHOK, WILL ACT IN MR GREGORY LEUNG'S PLACE.
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TAXI FARES TO RISE TOMORROW *****
URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI FARES WILL GO UP FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY.
FOR URBAN TAXIS, THE OLD FARES AND NEW FARES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
OLD FARES NEW FARES
FIRST TWO $5.50 $6.50
KILOMETRES
EVERY SUBSEQUENT $0.70 $0.80
0.25 KILOMETRE
WAITING TIME $0.70 $0.80
(FOR EVERY (EVERY MINUTE)
1.5 MINUTES)
/FOR NEW TERRITORIES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
- 5 -
FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS, THE OLD AND NEW FARES ARE:
OLD FARES NEW FARES
FIRST TWO KILOMETRES $4.50 $5.50
EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.25 KILOMETRE $0.90 (EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.4 KILOMETRE) $0.70 (EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.25 KILOMETRE)
WAITING TIME $0.90 (EVERY TWO MINUTES) $0.70 (EVERY MINUTE)
TAXI CONVERSION TABLES SHOWING THE NEW FARE SCALES AS AGAINST THE FARE SHOWN ON THE TAXI METER WILL BE DISPLAYED INSIDE THE TAXIS BEFORE THE TAXI METERS ARE RECALIBRATED.
THE CONVERSION TABLES HAVE REFLECTED THE NEW FARES FOR THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED, BUT CANNOT FULLY REFLECT THE INCREASE IN WAITING TIME CHARGES BECAUSE THE ACTUAL WAITING TIME FOR EACH JOURNEY CANNOT BE MEASURED BEFOREHAND. THEREFORE THE FULL NEW WAITING TIME CHARGES CAN ONLY BE EFFECTED AFTER A TAXI METER HAS BEEN RECALIBRATED.
UNTIL THE TAXI METERS ARE RECALIBRATED, PASSENGERS SHOULD PAY THE NEW RATES SHOWN ON THE CONVERSION TABLES.
-----o------
GRAND OPENING FOR SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL « « » * »
ABOUT 1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE SA1 KUNG DISTRICT TOOK PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1989 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL AND A "THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD-FEAST" TODAY (SATURDAY).
THEY FORMED THE FIRST GROUP OF RESIDENTS TO BE ENTERTAINED IN THE FESTIVAL.
ANOTHER GROUP OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL ENJOY A SIMILAR FEAST TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE SAID THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME WAS DESIGNED TO FOSTER THE ■ ESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, AND ALSO TO SHOW RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
/OTHER FESTIVAL .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
OTHER FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS, MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AND VISITS.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR COUPONS FOR THE "SAI KUNG DISTRICT SPECICAL OFFER SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY" TO BE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE "THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD-FEASTS".
THESE COUPONS WILL ENABLE THE ELDERLY TO BUY GOODS AT CHEAPER PRICES AT 17 COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SCHEME WILL BE IN OPERATION BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 15.
IN GENERAL, A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE FESTIVAL SO THAT RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES MAY CELEBRATE A MORE COLOURFUL AND FESTIVE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CANTONESE OPERA, NEW YEAR SOCCER TOURNAMENT, NEW YEAR MARATHON, VARIETY SHOWS, CHILDREN’S SPORTS DAY AND A DISCO NIGHT.
ADMISSION TO THE ACTIVITIES, EXCEPT THE DISCO NIGHT, WILL BE
FREE.
THE COST FOR THE FESTIVAL IS ABOUT $370,000, OF WHICH $210,000 COMES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REMAINDER FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL PEOPLE.
- - 0 -
ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR DAY NURSERIES EXPLAINED * * * * »
ABOUT 250 CHILD CARE CENTRE OPERATORS AND WORKERS ATTENDED A BRIEFING SESSION TODAY (SATURDAY) ON THE CONTENT AND APPLICATION OF THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED ACTIVITY GUIDELINES ON DAY NURSERIES.
THE SESSION WAS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT/HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR DAY NURSERIES.
THIS COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT, THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND THE TEACHING INSTITUTES.
THE GUIDELINES ARE INTENDED TO SERVE AS A REFERENCE FOR DAY NURSERIES ON THE CONTENT AND THE TECHNIQUES OF TRAINING THEY PROVIDE SO AS TO BETTER MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL 'TEDS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN.
/THEY OUTLINE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
THEY OUTLINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VARIOUS STAGES IN A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT, THE OBJECTIVES OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMMES AND CURRICULUMS, AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE PLANNED AND DEVISED.
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALSO MADE ON THE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT SHOULD BE ORGANISED TO DEVELOP THE APTITUDES OF A CHILD AND HOW DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES COULD BE CORRELATED.
COPIES OF THE GUIDELINES WERE SENT TO CHILD CARE CENTRES AND RELEVANT BODIES LAST MONTH.
THE FEEDBACK WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN FUTURE REVISIONS OF THE GUIDELINES.
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ANTI-TRIAD VARIETY SHOW IN SHA TIN TOMORROW *****
SHA TIN RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A COLOURFUL AND EDUCATIONAL ANTI-TRIAD VARIETY SHOW TO BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN AREA, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
THE FUNCTION WILL FEATURE KARATE DEMONSTRATION BY A JAPANESE MARTIAL ART GROUP; FOLK DANCE BY THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE; CHINESE MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION CHINESE ORCHESTRA; VIOLIN BAND BY MEI LAM PRIMARY SCHOOL; AND FOLK SONGS BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
THE OCCASION WILL ALSO BE TAKEN TO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE SLOGAN, ESSAY, QUIZ AND COLOURING COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN SZE-BUN; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER HALLIDAY; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND SHA TIN DB MEMBER, MR ANDREW WONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ANTI-TRIAD VARIETY SHOW AND FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN AREA, LEVEL 3, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
- 8
DISABLED URGED TO REGISTER NEEDS FOR SERVICE
» t « » »
PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME AND PERSONNEL WORKING WITH SUCH CHILDREN SHOULD APPROACH THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICES UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR REGISTRATION SHOULD THEY REQUIRE ANY PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES.
THE ADVICE WAS MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (SATURDAY).
SHE ALSO ADVISED PARENTS WITH INFANTS TO MAKE USE OF THE MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE CENTRES AND THE COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SO THAT ANY DEFECTS THERE MIGHT BE COULD BE DETECTED AND IDENTIFIED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT IN THE PAST, THERE HAD BEEN TOO LITTLE KNOWLEDGE AND TOO MUCH NEGATIVE INFORMATION ON DOWN’S SYNDROME AND PEOPLE WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME.
ADDRESSING A WORKSHOP ON DOWN'S SYNDROME AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC THIS MORNING, MRS WONG SAID THAT CHILDREN WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT UP WITH AFFECTION, ATTENTION AND PATIENCE.
"GIVEN EARLY STIMULATION AND PROPER TRAINING, PEOPLE WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF ATTAINING A PERFORMANCE LEVEL OF AN AVERAGE PERSON IN DAILY LIVING AND CAN MANAGE TO LEAD AN INDEPENDENT LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY."
MRS WONG STATED THAT STARTING FROM THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, IMPROVEMENT OF UP TO 40 PER CENT IN STAFFING WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES IN PHASES AND THERE' WOULD BE ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FROM OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
"THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME OR OTHER DISABILITIES CAN BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO MASTER SELF-CARE, DAILY LIVING AND COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS, AND TO DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND ACCEPTABLE WORK HABITS," SHE EXPLAINED.
IN ADDITION TO TRAINING, SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN A STEP FORWARD IN TRYING TO EXPLORE NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED, ESPECIALLY FOR PERSONS WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME.
"WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOCK ON THE DOORS OF THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS FOR MORE JOBS IN THE OPEN MARKET.
/"I HOPE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
- 9 -
"1 HOPE THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS WILL GIVE THEIR SUPPORT. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW OF THE POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME,” MRS WONG ADDED.
TURNING TO DISABLED CHILDREN IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS, MRS WONG SAID THAT THEY WERE GIVEN THE SAME ATTENTION.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT EARLY IN 1988, A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW SPECIAL SCHOOL CURRICULA AND ADMISSION CRITERIA TO POST-SCHOOL INSTITUTIONS HAD BEEN FORMED UNDER THE REHAB ILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE’S EDUCATION AND PERSONNEL SUB-COMMITTEE.
"WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, AND EXPERTS IN EDUCATION, I'I' IS EXPECTED THAT MORE FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS WOULD BE RECOMMENDED FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME.” SHE ADDED.
ON THE SUBJECT OF ACCOMMODATION, MRS WONG STRESSED THE ULTIMATE FACTOR THAT WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON OF THE DISABLED. THE EXISTING SERVICES PROVIDED COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING AND HOSTELS FOR THE MODERATELY AND HAND I CAPPED.
THIS WAS
THE LIFE
INCLUDED SEVERELY
SHE SAID THAT TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE SERVICE, TWO NEW RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN THE FORM OF SUPPORTED HOUSING AND SUPPORTED HOSTEL FOR SMALL GROUP LIVING WERE PROPOSED.
"I WOULD LIKE TO URGE PARENTS AND FAMILIES WITH DISABLED PERSONS TO MAKE THEIR NEEDS KNOWN AND REGISTER WITH THE CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED ADULTS THROUGH THE FAM ILY SERVICES CENTRES AND MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICES UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
"THEIR REGISTRATION WOULD HELP US IN THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE SERVICES,” SHE CONCLUDED.
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MORE DEMAND FOR YOUTH FACILITIES IN SHA TIN t ♦ t t t
THERE IS AN URGENT DEMAND FOR YOUTH SERVICES, PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, IN SHA TIN WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 21 MADE Up ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF IIS 500,000 POPULATION.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOU I AL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TH IS TODA\ (SATURDAY! AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HANG ON CH I LDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OF THE IIONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES IN SHA TIN.
/MRS WONG .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
10
MRS WONG NOTED THAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES PROVIDED ANOTHER PLACE OF LEARNING OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL AND THE FAMILY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS HELPED YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME, DEVELOP HOBBIES AND SOCIAL SKILLS, GROOM THEIR POTENTIALS AND LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, MRS WONG SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THROUGH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, THESE CENTRES ALSO HELPED TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS WOULD STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND HELP PROMOTE A HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE, SHE SAID.
’’THERE ARE AT PRESENT 18 SUCH CENTRES IN SHA TIN AND AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN CENTRES WILL BE SET UP IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT IN 1989-90,” SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1978. THESE INCLUDE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, SMALL GROUP HOMES, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES.
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CURTAIN RISES ON DANCE CONTEST t t t t *
A TWO-DAY OPEN DANCE CONTEST FEATURING A RICH VARIETY OF CHOREOGRAPHY WAS LAUNCHED THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING WITH COMPETITIONS IN THE CHINESE DANCE SECTION.
THE CONTEST, HELD IN ITS 18TH YEAR, IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION. IT IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE, Till' KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN. SAID THE EVENT NOT ONLY HELPED FOSTER \ SENSE OF COMMON I TV BELONGING BUT ALSO RAISE THE STANDARD OF LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS.
MR WAN PRAISED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, PARTICULARLY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, FOR SUCCESSFULLY STAG I NG THE EVENT.
/HE SAID........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1?89
HE SAID THE DISTRICT-BASED ASSOCIATION SHOULD TAKE PRIDE IN ITS SUCCESS IN PRESENTING A TERRITORY-WI DE CONTEST FOR 18 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 77 TEAMS HAVE JOINED THE CONTEST WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND OPEN SECTIONS.
AFTER TONIGHT’S OPENING, COMPETITIONS WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 10 AM TO 10.30 PM AT THE SAME VENUE.
PRIZE-PRESENTATION AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL IN APRIL.
- - 0 - -
CONTEMPORARY CHINESE PAINTING EXHIBITION IN MONG KOK » * t ♦ »
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME HOLD AN EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY CHINESE PAINTINGS FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO THURSDAY (JANUARY 26), AT THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL.
THE WORKS OF 44 ARTISTS FROM HONG KONG, CHINA AND TAIWAN WILL BE SHOWN IN THE EXHIBITION WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN MONG KOK.
IN ORDER TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT, A SOUVENIR ALBUM OF THE PAINTINGS ON DISPLAY WILL BE PUBLISHED, AND DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL, 627-641 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENIN': CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY" CHINESE PAINTINGS TO BE HELD FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM \T (.RAND TOWER HOTEL, 627-641 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
- 12 -
’ART MARKET’ IN SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW » * ♦ » *
SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES IN AN "ART MARKET" TO BE HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AS PART OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL, THE EVENT AIMS AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN APPRECIATING ART PROGRAMMES.
THE DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED "ART MARKET" WILL COMPRISE A MIXTURE OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN ART PERFORMANCES.
APART FROM CHINESE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND CANTONESE OPERA SINGING, THERE WILL BE SOCIAL DANCES SUCH AS RUMBA, JIVE AND CHA-CHA, EASTERN AND BRITISH FOLK DANCES, AND MIME SHOWS.
CLOWN SHOWS WILL BE STAGED FOR CHILDREN.
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE EVENT, THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS IN MAKING PAPER DOLLS AND POTTERY AND IN DRAWING CARTOONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE "ART MARKET" WILL BE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TA 1 TUNG-NGOK; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR FAN KAM-PING; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHOI WAN-HOO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO "ART MARKET" WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3.15 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI * * t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24), FENWICK STREET IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR LAYING OF WATERMAINS.
VEHICLES ON HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUARD ROAD.
CMB BUS ROUTES IM, 10A, 20, 21, 22, 70, 70M, 81M, 720, 721, 722, 781, AIRBUS ROUTE A2 AND CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES 104 AND 105 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA LUARD ROAD.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
- 13 -
ANTI-RAT CAMPAIGN BEING HELD BEFORE LUNAR NEW YEAR * » » * «
TO TIE IN WITH THE ANNUAL YEAR-END CLEAN-UP BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-RAT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IS BEING HELD TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF RAT PREVENTION.
ORGANISED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND SPONSORED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RAT PREVENTION AND HENCE LESSEN THE THREAT OF RAT-BORNE DISEASES.
"RATS ARE CARRIERS OF DISEASES LIKE PLAGUE, TYPHUS, AND FOOD POISONING," A HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THEY ARE ALSO A NUISANCE AND CAUSE PHYSICAL DAMAGES AND FINANCIAL LOSSES TO HUMAN PROPERTIES.
"THEY MAY EVEN BITE ELECTRIC WIRES, THUS POSING FIRE HAZARDS," HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE WAYS TO PREVENT RATE INFESTATION, SUCH AS NOT TO LET RATS HAVE FOOD; NOT TO LET RATS HAVE A HOME; AND NOT TO LET RATS ENTER YOUR HOME.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND ADVISORY LETTERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT OFFICES, FOOD PREMISES AND MARKETS TO CALL FOR POSITIVE RAT-PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
"IF RESIDENTS REQUIRE ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE ON RODENT CONTROL, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE STAFF OF THE PEST CONTROL UNITS OF THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE) OF THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------o---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUI,TAY, <L.NUaRY 22, 1989
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
FINES FOR LaBOUR offences go up .............................. 1
POST CARDS to promote hong KONG flora ........................ 2
TWO DR.1FT OZP'S REFERRED EaCK FOR REVISIONS ................. <+
YOUNG PEOPLE WARNED AGAINST INVOLV.HM.JiT WITH TRIADS......... 5
Sal KUNG HaS FESTIVE <>TMOSFHERE.............................. 6
SHA TIN CONTINUES TO DEVELOP E .. HSiLTHY WaY ................ 7
AREA COMMITTEES SHOW TE.J1 SPIRIT IN SPORTS C.aRNIVAL......... 8
KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO HOLD CLEJi-UP ACTIVITIES............... 8
MUSIC OFFICE HOLDING /JINU.JL G«L/. NEXT MONTH ............... 9
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FULL-TIME CRaFT COURSES ............. 10
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE SPRING FESTIVAL ............ 11
CHILDREN DEMONSTRATE TaLEMTS IN VEGETABLE GROWING ............ 12
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS UC CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME ............. 1?
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMIN.JI FOR KLN CITY OC'S ............... 1A
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
1
FINES FOR LABOUR OFFENCES GO UP ♦ * * ♦
THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS FOR BREACHES OF VARIOUS LABOUR LAWS IN 1988, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID THE AVERAGE FINES IN ALL TYPES OF PROSECUTIONS SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 34 PER CENT - FROM $2,348 IN 1987 TO $3,151 LAST YEAR.
DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THE DEPARTMENT’S PROSECUTIONS DIVISION SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT 4,019 CASES TO THE COURTS, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FINE OF $12,662,935 BEING IMPOSED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN COMPARISON, THE FIGURES FOR 1987 WERE 3,861 CASES AND $9,065,600 RESPECTIVELY.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE STATISTICS ALSO SHOWED THAT 1,298 CASES OF CONVICTIONS CONCERNED BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS AND 877 RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
THE FINES IN THESE TWO CATEGORIES AMOUNTED TO $5,033,350 AND $5,027,200 RESPECTIVELY.
CASES CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF THE WELFARE PROVISIONS UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS AND PART IVB OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TOTALLED 1,496 WITH $1,991,435 IN FINES.
ANOTHER 266 OFFENCES WERE RELATED TO THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE. THESE CASES RESULTED IN FINES TOTALLING $472,250.
THE REMAINING 82 CASES WERE FOR BREACHES OF EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS. FINES TOTALLING $138,700 WERE IMPOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN WELCOMED THE INCREASE IN FINES AS "HEAVIER FINES WILL MAKE OFFENDERS TAKE SAFETY MORE SERIOUSLY".
HE BELIEVED THAT MOST FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYERS WERE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS WHO SAW TO THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE WORKERS UNDER THEIR EMPLOY.
"HOWEVER, IT IS THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT OFFENDERS AGAINST THE LABOUR LEGISLATION SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE COURT AND GIVEN THE HEAVY FINES THEY DESERVE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OPERATIONAL DIVISIONS, WOULD CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION AND CONCENTRATE ON BRINGING BLATANT OFFENDERS TO JUSTICE THIS YEAR.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 22,
1989
- 2 -
POST CARDS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG FLORA ♦ * » * *
NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW THAT IN ITS LAND MASS OF ONLY 1,071 SQUARE KILOMETRES, HONG KONG IS POPULAR INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS RICH FLORA WHICH IS DIVERSE IN CHARACTER AND SURPRISINGLY NUMEROUS IN GENERA AND SPECIES.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OF THE 2,500 SPECIES OF VASCULAR PLANTS FOUND IN THE TERRITORY, ABOUT 1,800 HIGHER PLANTS ARE NATIVE TO HONG KONG.
AMONG THEM, CAMELLIA GRANTHAM1ANA IS SO UNIQUE THAT IT CANNOT BE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD. MANY OTHERS ARE CONSIDERED RARE AND VALUABLE AND QUITE A NUMBER OF THEM WERE FIRST DISCOVERED IN HONG KONG.
TO PROMOTE THIS NATURAL TREASURE OF HONG KONG, THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, HAS PRODUCED A SERIES OF FULL-COLOUR POST CARDS ENTITLED ’’FLORA FIRST DISCOVERED IN HONG KONG”.
THE SERIES FEATURES CAMELLIA GRANTHAMIANA AND NINE OTHER REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF THOSE FIRST-DISCOVERED IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE NOTEWORTHY FOR THEIR NAMES AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS.
THESE RARE PLANTS ARE CAMELLIA HONGKONGENSIS, RHODODENDRON HONGKONGENSE, MANGLIETIA FORDIANA, RHODOLEIA CHAMPIONI, TUTCHERIA SPECTABIL1S, RHODODENDRON WESTLAND11, ILLIC1UM DUNNIANUM, CAMELLIA CRAPNELLIANA AND MICHELIA MAUDIAE.
THE POST CARDS, CONTAINED IN A NICELY-DESIGNED FOLDER, WILL BE PUT ON SALE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT $12 PER SET AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE VISITOR CENTRES OF THE SAI KUNG AND SHING MUN COUNTRY PARKS.
THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AFD, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE AIMS OF PRODUCING THESE POST CARDS WERE TO PROMOTE HONG KONG OVERSEAS AND TO INCULCATE A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.
’’BECAUSE OF THEIR HIGH EDUCATIONAL VALUE, THE POST CARDS WILL BE OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AS WELL AS ECOLOGISTS AND NATURE CONSERVATIONISTS,” HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE SELECTED SPECIES FEATURED IN THE SERIES COULD BE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF UNIQUENESS.
CAMELLIA GRANTHAMIANA IS ON TOP OF THE LIST FOR ITS RARITY AS A SPECIES THAT CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN HONG KONG.
/this UNIQUE
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
THIS UNIQUE SPECIES WAS FIRST DISCOVERED BY A FOREST GUARD, MR CHAN PO, AT TAI MO SHAN IN 1955 AND NAMED AFTER THE THEN GOVERNOR, SIR ALEXANDER GRANTHAM.
IT IS A CAMELLIA OF ABOUT THREE METRES HIGH WITH SMOOTH GREY BARK AND ALTERNATE AND SHORT-STALKED LEAVES. ITS SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS LIES IN THE SIZE OF ITS FLOWER WHICH CAN GROW UP TO , 12 CM OR EVEN MORE IN DIAMETER WHEN FULLY OPEN, MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AMONG CAMELLIAS.
THE SECOND GROUP COMPRISES CAMELLIA HONGKONGENSIS AND RHODODENDRON HONGKONGENSE, BOTH OF WHICH WERE NAMED AFTER HONG KONG TO MARK THE FIRST DISCOVERY OF THESE SPECIES.
ONLY A FEW TREES OF THE FORMER SPECIES WERE FOUND IN HONG KONG WHEN COLONEL EYRE FIRST REPORTED THIS VARIETY IN 1849. IT IS NOW MORE NUMEROUS IN THE FORESTED RAVINES OF VICTORIA PEAK AND POK FU LAM.
CAMELLIA HONGKONGENSIS IS UNIQUE AMONG WILD CAMELLIAS IN HONG KONG IN THAT ITS FLOWER IS NOT WHITE BUT DEEP GLOWING PINK IN COLOUR. THIS SPECIES IS ALSO FOUND IN SOUTH CHINA.
THE LATTER SPECIES WAS DISCOVERED BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL J.G. CHAMPION IN 1840 ON HONG KONG ISLAND. RHODODENDRON HONGKONGENSE IS A SPECIES DESERVING PROTECTION BECAUSE AS IT ONLY GROWS IN THE WILD, * ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
OTHERS SPECIES FEATURED IN THE SERIES ARE THOSE FIRST DISCOVERED IN HONG KONG BETWEEN 1840 AND 1908 AND NAMED AFTER THEIR DISCOVERERS.
TUTCHERIA SPECTABILIS WHICH WAS NAMED AFTER MR W.J. TUTCHER, A FORMER SUPERINTENDANT OF BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY IN HONG LONG, AND RHODOLEIA CHAMPIONI, WHICH WAS NAMED AFTER LIEUTENANT COLONFL J.G. CHAMPION, ARE TWO TYPICAL EXAMPLES.
MR CHEUNG ADDED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO Wl. NOW
MORE ABOUT THESE RARE SPECIES ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE KONG
HERBARIUM RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE HERBARIUM, WHICH HAS A STOCK OF OVER 35,<
SPECIMENS INCLUDING KNOWN INDIGENOUS SPECIES AND RELATED IN
OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, IS ON THE THIRD FLOOR, CAN' ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO SCHOOL GROUPS IH PRIOR BOOKING, WHICH CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 3-7332121.
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A....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 4 -
TWO DRAFT OZP’S REFERRED BACK FOR REVISIONS ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS REFERRED TWO DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVISIONS, BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS.
THEY ARE THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS COVERING POK FU LAM AREA AND TSING YI ISLAND. *
’’THE BOARD HAS A DUTY UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO SUBMIT DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS TOGETHER WITH ANY OUTSTANDING OBJECTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," A TOWN PLANNING BOARD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"HAVING CONSIDERED THE SUBMITTED PLANS AND THE OBJECTIONS, IT IS THE USUAL PROCEDURE FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO REFER THE PLANS BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SHOULD THEY REQUIRE FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
"THE POK FU LAM PLAN IS LIKELY TO BE AMENDED AS A RESULT OF REVISED PLANNING PROPOSALS SUCH AS THOSE FOR THE RECLAMATION AT TELEGRAPH BAY.
"AMENDMENTS TO THE TSING YI PLAN ARE ALSO ANTICIPATED DUE TO THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT INVESTIGATIONS SUCH AS THE ALIGNMENT OF ’ROUTE 3’ AND THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
AS BOTH PLANS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO REVISIONS, THEY ARE NOT READY FOR APPROVAL AT THIS STAGE.
"DUE TO RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR MORE PLANS TO BE REFERRED BACK TO THE BOARD JN SUCH A MANNER IN FUTURE," THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.
HE FURTHER SAID THAT SHOULD THE PLANS BE AMENDED IN THE FUTURE, THE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS A\D OLJECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF 1 HE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
YOUNG PEOPLE WARNED AGAINST * » t t
INVOLVEMENT WITH TRIADS
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED WITH TRIADS, EVEN IF UNDER DURESS OR INDUCEMENTS, BECAUSE THIS WOULD RUIN THEIR LIVES, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), SHE ASKED THOSE WHO HAD BEEN INITIATED AS TRIAD MEMBERS TO TAKE TO THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME SO THAT THEY CAN START A NEW LIFE.
HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS WERE DRAWN TO TODAY’S CARNIVAL AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE WHICH OFFERED A VARIETY OF GAMES WITH AN ANTI-CRIME THEME, PERFORMANCES BY RENOWNED RADIO AND TELEVISION ARTISTES AND THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S CHOIR, AND AN ANTI-TRIAD PLAY BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
THE FUN-FILLED CARNIVAL MARKED THE CONCLUSION OF THE 1988-89 FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDED A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT AND HOME SECURITY THEMES.
"THESE INCLUDED A SEMINAR FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY ELDERLY PEOPLE, TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO USE THE ’EMERGENCY HOTLINE SERVICE’ OUTSIDE POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITS, AND A SERIES OF VISITS TO SCHOOLS BY DFCC MEMBERS AND POLICE STAFF,” THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR KAN MAN-LEE, SAID.
"THERE WERE ALSO AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFT SLOGAN COMPETITION AND AN ANTI-TRIAD BASKETBALL COMPETITION ESPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,” HE ADDED.
THE WINNERS OF THE TWO COMPETITIONS WERE AWARDED PRIZES DURING TODAY’S CARNIVAL.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CARNIVAL AND CAMPAIGN CLOSING CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; POLICE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR R.C. TOAL; POLICE ABERDEEN DIVISION COMMANDER, MR F. MURPHY; CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR XLBERT POON, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS MR CHAN KWONG, MR TSE KIT-TO, MISS MAR YUET-HAR AND MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 6 -
SAI KUNG HAS FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE t * ♦ *
THE ORGANISERS OF THE 1989 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL HAVE SPARED NO EFFORT IN ENSURING THAT RESIDENTS KNOW ABOUT THE FESTIVAL AND ITS WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES.
ATTRACTING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO THE ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN A KEY AIM OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, AND MANY FESTIVAL BANNERS AND ITEMS OF BUNTING HAVE BEEN PUT UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT TO ACHIEVE THIS.
THE FESTIVAL BEGAN YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FEBRUARY 19.
COLOURFUL BANNERS PUBLICISING THE FESTIVAL. ARE MOUNTED ON STREET-SIDE RAILINGS AND AT VARIOUS VENUES WHERE NUMEROUS RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD.
BUNTING, BEARING THE DISTRICT LOGO, HAS BEEN PUT ON LAMP-POSTS ALONG CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, HIRAM'S HIGHWAY AND PO TUNG ROAD AND IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE SAID THE BANNERS AND BUNTING WILL ADD MORE COLOUR TO THE ALREADY HAPPY ATMOSPHERE IN THE DISTRICT, AND PARTICULARLY DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR EARLY NEXT MONTH.
A TOTAL OF 20,000 LEAFLETS, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, AND HUNDREDS OF POSTERS AND INVITATION CARDS HAVE BEEN SENT TO RURAL COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, VILLAGES AND SCHOOLS, INFORMING THEM OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE FESTIVAL.
LEAFLETS GIVING DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT 1 HE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL IN JUNK BAY AND THE TWO RURAL COMMITTEES.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 7 -
SHA TIN CONTINUES TO DEVELOP IN A HEALTHY WAY t * t * ♦
WITH THE SUPPORT OF RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL FURTHER DEVELOP SHA TIN INTO A HEALTHY COMMUNITY SO THAT ADVERSE INFLUENCES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE ROOT IN THE FAST DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.
SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE ANTI-TRIAD VARIETY SHOW AND FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA.
”WE ARE GLAD THAT THE TRIAD PROBLEM IN SHA TIN IS NOT SERIOUS TN ANY WAY. HOWEVER, WE WILL NOT RELAX OUR EFFORTS IN FIGHTING TRIADS," HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL STEP UP OUR EFFORTS TO COMBAT ALL CRIMES TO MAKE SHA TIN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN."
MR YUNG ADDED THAT A LARGE-SCALE SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL WOULD BE HELD AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AS PART OF THE DISTRICT'S EFFORT TO DEVELOP A PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY COMMUNITY.
CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (STDFCC), MR CHAN SZE-BUN, NOTED THAT GOOD RESULT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN COMBATTING THE DISTRICT'S JUVENILE CRIME.
"THE FIGURE OF JUVENILE ARRESTS HAD DROPPED BY ABOUT ONE-THIRD IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, COMPARED WITH A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 100 JUVENILE ARRESTS IN THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
"THIS IS A RESULT OF THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE STDFCC, THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND LOCAL RESIDENTS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM AT VARIOUS LEVELS."
THE ANTI-TRIAD VARIETY SHOW AND FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE STDFCC TODAY WAS COLOURFUL AND EDUCATIONAL.
IT FEATURED KARATE DEMONSTRATION BY A JAPANESE MARTIAL ART GROUP: FOLK DANCE BY THE KIANGSU-CHEKTANG COLLEGE; CHINESE MUSIC BY THE SHY TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION CHINESE ORCHESTRA; VIOLIN BAND BY MEI LAM PRIMARY’ SCHOOL: AND FOLK SONGS BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
THE OCCASION WAS ALSO TAKEN TO PRESENT PRIZES To WINNERS OF THE SLOGAN, ESSAY, QUIZ AND COLOURING COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE STDFCC EARLIER LAST YE YR.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD ('HAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM: POLICE DISTRTC'I COMMANDER, MR PETER HYLLIDYV: YND LEGISLATIVE CODNriLL-OR AND SIL* TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER. MR ANDREE WONG.
O -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 8 -
AREA COMMITTEES SHOW TEAM SPIRIT IN SPORTS CARNIVAL
* * * * *
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 10 AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT SHOWED THEIR STRENGTH AND TEAM SPIRIT BY PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS TELEMATCHES IN A SPORTS CARNIVAL HELD TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND.
THE SPORTS CARNIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE THREE-WEEK DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY, MR PAUL LEUNG, WHO PERFORMED THE EYE-DOTTING FOR A DRAGON DANCE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG; SPORTS ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW KWEN-LIM; AND DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOI WAN-HOE.
HUNDREDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WATCHED WITH INTEREST THE DRAGON AND LION DANCES, PARADES, RAND PERFORMANCE, MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION AND TELEMATCHES FOR AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL SCHOOLS.
THE RESIDENTS WERE JOINED BY A GROUP OF 200 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO REFUGEE CENTRE, WHO WERE ACCOMPANIED RY 20 VOLUNTARY WORKERS IN THE CENTRE.
IN RETURN FOR THE TREAT, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REFUGEES ENTERTAINED THE SPECTATORS BY GIVING CHORAL SINGING AND FOLK DANCE PERFORMANCES.
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KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO HOLD CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES » * * t »
A IWO-MONTH CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IN THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT STARTED TODAY (SUNDAY) WITH A CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY.
IHE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; CHAIRMAN OF THE CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY MR WONG MAN-TAI: AND DB AND REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS TOOK THE LEAD IN CLEANING UP A SLOPE NEAR TSING YI TAI WONG HA VILLAGE TODAY.
/THE CLEAN .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 9 -
THE CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY WAS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHICH HAS ALLOCATED OVER $60,000 FOR HOLDING A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES.
EARLIER, A CLEAN BUILDING COMPETITION AND A SCHEME TO REPORT REFUSE BLACKSPOTS HAD BEEN HELD TO DRAW RESIDENTS’ ATTENTION TOWARDS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
WINNERS OF THE CLEAN BUILDING COMPETITION’S PRIVATE BUILDING SECTION AND PUBLIC HOUSING SECTION WERE RESPECTIVELY BLOCK 14 OF WONDERLAND VILLA AND CHUNG LING SHEH, AN ELDERLY HOSTEL, OF CHO YIU ESTATE. THEY WERE EACH AWARDED A TROPHY AT TODAY'S CLEAN KWAI TSING DAY.
VOLUNTARY WORKERS FROM THE SEVEN AREAS IN THE DISTRICT TODAY ALSO TOOK PART IN CLEANING UP 10 LOCATIONS IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD WHICH HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS REFUSE BLACKSPOTS.
THE OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH STAFF OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE REFUSE BLACKSPOTS REPORT SCHEME INTRODUCED TO THE DISTRICT EARLIER.
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MUSIC OFFICE HOLDING ANNUAL GALA NEXT MONTH * » » » *
MORE THAN 1,000 YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL GIVE A CONCERT AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON FEBRUARY 19.
THE ANNUAL GALA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO REVIEW THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF ITS TRAINEES IN THE PAST YEAR UNDER THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME.
A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONCERT, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM, WILL PROVIDE TRAINEES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN PUBLIC BEFORE THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS.
"WHEN PARENTS WATCH THEIR CHILDREN PERFORMING ON STAGE AND PARTICULARLY BEFORE A LARGE AUDIENCE, THEY WILL FEEL PROUD OF THE RESULTS ACHIEVED," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
AMONG THE TRAINEES TAKING PART IN THE CONCERT WILL BE WINNERS IN THE SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL AND HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVES AT INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CAMPS HELD IN THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA IN RECENT YEARS.
/THE HIGHLIGHT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 19&9
- 10 -
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE GALA WILL BE A COMBINED PERFORMANCE BY THE 1,000-STRONG ORCHESTRA COMPRISING PLAYERS OF STRING, WIND AND CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENTS, AND MEMBERS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE CHOIR.
PIECES PRESENTED BY THE ORCHESTRA WILL INCLUDE ’’DANCE OF THE YAOS” AND THE "MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS” THEME SONG.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, MR JOHN HOSIER, WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
IN THIS, OUTSTANDING TRAINEES, ORCHESTRAL, CHOIR AND BAND MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT OR AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT DURING THE PAST YEAR.
TICKETS FOR THE ANNUAL GALA AT J10 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 5-8235314.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES t ♦ ♦ * *
SECONDARY THREE STUDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR ENTRY INTO THE FULL-TIME POST-SECONDARY THREE COURSES TO BE OFFERED IN SEPTEMBER BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE TRAINING CENTRES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE 25 COURSES BEING ORGANISED BY THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
THESE ARE IN THE AREAS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, PRINTING, CLOTHING, TEXTILES, HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, DESIGN, CHILD CARE AND HAIRDRESSING.
ANOTHER 23 COURSES RUN BY THE 11 TRAINING CENTRES AIM AT PROVIDING SIX-MONTH TO ONE-YEAR BASIC SKILLS TRAINING IN VARIOUS TRADES -- AUTOMOBILE, ELECTRICAL WORK, GAS WORK, ELECTRONICS, METAL WORK, WELDING, TEXTILES, JEWELLERY, PLASTICS MOULD MAKING, PRINTING AND SEAFARING.
"THESE COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP SECONDARY THREE STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARED TO MAKE AN EARLY ENTRY INTO THE WORLD OF WORK AND TO BUILD A CAREER," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS AND COURSE PAMPHLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SECONDARY THREE STUDENTS CAN APPLY BY RETURNING THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS NOT LATER THAN MARCH 8.
STUDENTS WHO WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PROVISIONS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES DURING THEIR OPEN DAYS WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN THE END OF JANUARY AND EARLY MARCH.
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/11
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 11
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE SPRING FESTIVAL » ♦ ♦ * *
TWO COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES TO HERALD THE COMING OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL WILL BE ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT NEXT SUNDAY (JANUARY 29).
THE ’’ORIENTAL FOLK ART CARNIVAL” WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK IN SAI YING PUN.
THERE WILL BE CHINESE PUPPET SHOW, MARTIAL ART DEMONSTRATION, LION DANCE AND CHINESE MUSIC AND ORIENTAL DANCE PERFORMANCES.
DEMONSTRATIONS ON VARIOUS CHINESE FOLK ART INCLUDING FLOUR-DOLL MAKING, SILHOUETTE CUTTING AND CALLIGRAPHY WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED.
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE POLICE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CARITAS, YWCA AND SOME LOCAL SCHOOLS.
ANOTHER ACTIVITY, THE "CHILDREN SPRING CARNIVAL", WILL BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AT THE CAINE ROAD GARDEN.
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 15 MAY TAKE PART IN A DRAWING COMPETITION, A SPRING FESTIVAL COUPLETS WRITING COMPETITION AND POTTED GAMES.
ALSO, WINNERS OF THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FESTIVAL LIGHTING PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION HELD EARLIER WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE FUNCTION.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE. URBAN COUNCIL AND THE MID-LEVELS (WEST) AREA COMMITTEE.. WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT'S ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE TWO
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
- 12 -
CHILDREN DEMONSTRATE TALENTS IN VEGETABLE GROWING
*****
JUDGING IN A COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN GROWING VEGETABLES IN POTS WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24).
THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
IT HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 400 ENTRIES FROM 114 PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
THE COMPETITION AIMS AT PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRIMARY PUPILS TO LEARN, THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND OBSERVATION, THE SHAPE, STRUCTURE AND GROWTH OF PLANTS, AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF PLANTS FOR BEAUTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT.
SEEDS OF FIVE SPECIES -- RADISH, LETTUCE, SWEET PEA, TOMATO AND CAULIFLOWER — SUITABLE FOR GROWING IN POTS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER.
INFORMATION AND TECHNIQUES ON VEGETABLE GROWING IN POTS WERE ALSO PROVIDED TO SCHOOLS AT A SEMINAR LATE LAST YEAR AT WHICH TALKS WERE GIVEN BY THE HORTICULTURIST (VEGETABLE) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.Y. HO.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VEGETABLES IN POTS OVER THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, FROM SEEDLINGS TO FULL-GROWN PLANTS WAS ACHIEVED BY THE CHILDREN UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR TEACHERS.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, HOUSED IN THE SAME BUILDING AS THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JUDGING ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
THE SENIOR CROP DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MISS VERA SO, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS.
ALL ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT A Tib FF-DAY EXHIBITION AT THE CENTRE WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY (JANUARY 26).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVEI HE TV!\\ AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
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/13........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22,
1989
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS UC CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME
*****
MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE APPROVED FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME (1988-89 TO 1992-93) FOR THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24).
AFTER HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BOARD MEMBERS' VIEWS EXPRESSED IN MID-1988 ON THE PRIORITY RATINGS OF CERTAIN CAPITAL PROJECTS UNDER THE PROGRAMME, THE URBAN COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROGRAMME IN NOVEMBER.
MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD IN MARCH TO SIT ON THE URBAN COUNCIL AND WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS TO BE ADOPTED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN EASTERN DISTRICT AND THE SETTING UP OF COMMITTEES UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING'S ROAD.
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/14
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1989
14
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR KLN CITY OC’S ♦ ♦ » * *
ABOUT 150 MEMBERS AND OFFICE-BEARERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, HO MAN TIN.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM (BMCT), IS AIMED AT INCREASING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATION OF THEIR CORPORATIONS, BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK AND METHODS TO TACKLE PROBLEMS IN THEIR BUILDINGS.
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN THE PROCEDURES OF CONDUCTING A MEETING, ACCOUNTING AND LEGISLATION, SECURITY, MAINTENANCE, CLEANLINESS AND FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG, WILL MAKE AN OPENING ADDRESS TO INTRODUCE THE BMCT AND THE TIMETABLE FOR ITS FUTURE WORK.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TALK BY A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR LEE ON, AND A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION TO BE CHAIRED BY THE BMCT HOUSING MANAGER AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, POLICE AND ICAC.
INFORMATION ON BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORKS WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED AT THE SEMINAR VENUE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR, BEGINNING AT 8 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY), AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ANNUAL BORDER LIAISON REVIEW MEETING ...................... 1
NEW FIRE STATION , AMBULANCE DEPOT TIMELY ................. 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED ............. 2
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ............... 5
PERFORMANCES TO MARK SILVER JUBILEE OF DANCE festival...... 5
road safety campaign in eastern district .................. 6
VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE CLEAN HK MESSAGE .................. 7
SEMINAR FOR TECHNICAL WORKERS IN PLASTICS INDUSTRY ........ 8
FERRY RE-ROUTEING: FARE DECREASES ......................... 8
SHEUNG SHUT LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER ........................ 9
KWAI TSDfG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SEWAGE TREATMENT .......... 10
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ............................ 10
INTERRUPTION OF JaTER SUPPLIES TO TWO AREaS ............... 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHA TIN ROAD ......................... 11
TJMPORaRY RO. J) CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN ...................... 11
MONDAY, JANUARY 23,
1989
1 ANNUAL BORDER LIAISON REVIEW MEETING ♦ » * * »
A GROUP OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR DICK CLIFT, TODAY (MONDAY) LEFT FOR SWATOW FOR A VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE. THEY WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 26).
ANNOUNCING THIS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GROUP WOULD ATTEND THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF BORDER LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS.
THE BORDER LIAISON SYSTEM PROVIDES FOR EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION ON CONTROL AT THE BORDER BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR GUANGDONG COUNTERPARTS, HE SAID.
THE SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1981. SINCE THEN, REVIEWS HAVE BEEN HELD ALTERNATELY IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG. THE LAST ONE TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG.
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NEW FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT TIMELY » * » » *
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW FIRE STATION AND A NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT IN POK FU LAM IS TIMELY TO SERVE THE EVER-DEVELOPING SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND ITS GROWING POPULATION, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR LEONG CHE-HUNG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT OPENING CEREMONY OF THE POK FU LAM FIRE STATION AND THE AMBULANCE DEPOT, DR LEONG SAID THE NEW STATION WOULD NO DOUBT ENABLE FIREMEN TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET OF REACHING A FIRE SCENE IN THE AREA WITHIN SIX MINUTES OF AN ALARM BEING RAISED.
’’NOBODY APPRECIATES THE NEED OF QUICK SERVICES IN SAVING LIVES MORE THAN A DOCTOR AND A HEALTH WORKER, AND I AM SURE YOU WOULD SHARE MY FEELINGS THAT EVERY MINUTE COUNTS WHENEVER HUMAN LIFE IS AT STAKE,” HE SAID.
DR LEONG ADDED THAT IT WAS FOR THE SAME REASON THAT THE POK FU LAM AMBULANCE DEPOT WAS PLANNED AND BUILT.
"THERE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM OF STRAIN ON AMBULANCE STAFF ON HONG KONG ISLAND SINCE THERE WERE ONLY FOUR AMBULANCE DEPOTS IN THE PAST AND CALLS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND COULD ONLY BE HANDLED BY AMBULANCES DEPLOYED FROM THE ABERDEEN AND CHUNG HOM KOK FIRE STATIONS," HE SAID.
/THE POK .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 2J, 1989
THE POK FU LAM FIRE STATION IS THE 52ND FIRE STATION OPENED SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES. THE AMBULANCE DEPOT IS THE 21ST OPENED SINCE 1966.
THE NEW FIRE STATION HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE NOVEMBER 1987. IT SERVES WAH FU AND TIN WAN ESTATES, CHI FU FA YUEN, BAGUIO VILLA AND SHEK PAI WAN INDUSTRIAL AREA FORMERLY COVERED BY ABERDEEN AND KENNEDY TOWN FIRE STATIONS AND HAS RESPONDED TO 315 FIRE CALLS AND 166 SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS UP TO THE PRESENT.
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CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1988.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR DECEMBER 1988 WERE 121.7 AND 121.8 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 7.7 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1987 FOR BOTH INDEXES.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1988, AT 117.5 AND 117.6 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 7.5 PER CENT AND 7.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1987.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 1988, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.7 PER CENT PER MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(B), AT 0.8 PER CENT PER MONTH.
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 82,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
/CHANGES IN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 1989
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1988 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988 AND DECEMBER 1987, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION INDEX FOR DEC.88 CPI(A) % CHANGE OVER NOV.88 % CHANGE OVER DEC.87 INDEX FOR DEC.88 CPI(B) % CHANGE OVER NOV.88 % CHANGE OVER DEC.87
FOODSTUFFS 120.3 -0.0» + 8.6 121.4 + 0.1 + 9.2
HOUSING 117.2 + 1.2 + 5.3 113.1 + 0.6 + 4.1
FUEL AND LIGHT 92.8 + 0.6 + 0.4 93.4 + 0.7 + 0.6
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 125.4 +0.2 + 7.0 126.4 + 0.2 + 7.3
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 132.6 + 3.1 + 10.2 135.3 + 3.3 + 10.7
DURABLE GOODS 119.9 -0.0* + 5.9 119.2 -0.0» + 5.9
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 130.9 + 0.6 + 9.4 130.1 + 0.5 + 9.0
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 122.3 + 0.0* + 4.5 121.9 + 0.0» + 4.9
SERVICES 133.4 + 0.6 + 9.9 133.4 + 0.7 + 10.4
ALL ITEMS 121.7 + 0.5 + 7.7 121.8 + 0.5 + 7.7
♦ LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT
COMPARED WITH DECREASED MARGINALLY IN NOVEMBER f CPI(A) 1988, THE INDEX AND INCREASED BY FOR 0.1 PER FOODSTUFFS CENT IN
CPI(B).
/THE AVERAGE........
MONDAY, JANUARY 2J, 1989
THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH FRUIT AND SALT-WATER FISH DECREASED WHILE THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF RICE AND THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES INCREASED.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR TOWNGAS AND THE UPWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR ELECTRICITY.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 3.1 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 3.3 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OP OUTER CLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF JEWELLERY AND TOILET REQUISITES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR PACKAGE TOURS AND ADMISSION TO DISCOTHEQUES AROUND THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR DECEMBER 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG, FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 127.9 IN DECEMBER 1988, UP BY 0.5 PER CENT OVER NOVEMBER 1988 AND UP BY 9.7 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1987.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $10,000-24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
-----o------ /5....
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
- 5
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
» ♦ » * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME (1989-1993) OF THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY.
THE TAC WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY’S FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME (1989-1993).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
-----0------
PERFORMANCES TO MARK SILVER JUBILEE OF DANCE FESTIVAL
♦ » » « »
A SERIES OF DANCE PERFORMANCES WILL BE STAGED IN THE COMING MONTHS TO CELEBRATE THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL.
COMPETITION IN THE 25TH FESTIVAL HAS BEEN COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.
A TOTAL OF 399 TEAMS, COMPRISING 4,093 STUDENTS FROM 271 SCHOOLS, TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL, COMPETING FOR TOP HONOURS IN CHINESE DANCE, ORIENTAL DANCE, CREATIVE DANCE, OR WESTERN FOLK DANCE.
THIS REPRESENTED A REMARKABLE GROWTH COMPARED WITH THE 24 SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE FIRST SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL HELD IN 1965, AND WHICH FOCUSSED ON WESTERN FOLK DANCE.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AWARDS THIS YEAR REPRESENTED 36 PER CENT OF THE WINNING TEAMS: THERE WERE 125 HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS AND 20 HONOUR AWARDS.
THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE SECONDARY SECTION WAS WON BY THE BISHOP HALL JUBILEE SCHOOL.
ST PAUL’S CONVENT PRIMARY SCHOOL WON THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE PRIMARY SECTION.
THIS YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, DONATED TWO CUPS IN HIS NAME TO BE PRESENTED TO THE MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL IN THE SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SECTIONS.
/THE NEW .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
6
THE NEW AWARDS WERE ADDED TO MARK THE FESTIVAL’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE 25TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS COUNCIL.
IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, LAWS’ FOUNDATION AND SIN HUA BANK.
AS PART OF THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS, THREE PERFORMANCES WILL BE STAGED ON THREE SATURDAYS UNDER THE "25TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL SILVER JUBILEE SHOW-CASE" SERIES.
THESE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL (FEBRUARY 4), CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING (FEBRUARY 11), AND NEW WORLD CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI (FEBRUARY 18).
THE PERFORMANCES WILL BE STAGED UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SHOPPING MALLS AT THESE THREE VENUES.
IN MARCH, THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF PRIZE PRESENTATIONS AND WINNERS PERFORMANCES TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL CONCERT HALL BETWEEN MARCH 9 AND 12, AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON MARCH 21, AND AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL BETWEEN MARCH 31 AND APRIL 2.
THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO STAGE A SILVER JUBILEE JING YING PERFORMANCE IN EARLY JULY AND A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AT A LATER DATE BY OUTSTANDING DANCERS IN THE FESTIVAL.
TICKETS FOR THE WINNERS PERFORMANCES IN MARCH AND APRIL WILL BE AVAILABLE AT VARIOUS URBTIX OUTLETS INCLUDING CITY HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, SPACE MUSEUM AND HONG KONG COLISEUM FROM FEBRUARY 9.
TELEPHONE BOOKINGS CAN ALSO BE MADE BY DIALLING 5-739595.
-------o ---------
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT » * » * »
ABOUT 35 SIGNBOARDS BEARING ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES HAVE BEEN ERECTED AT VARIOUS TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS THROUGHOUT EASTERN DISTRICT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SIGNBOARDS HAD BEEN PUT UP BY THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ROAD SAFETY.
/A DECORATED .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
A DECORATED BUS, BEARING ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES, WIL) TOUR THE DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) TO BEGIN THE ROAD SAFETY CIMPAIR! IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ROAD DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY MATERIALS AT VARIOUS STOPS
SAFETY PATROLS WILL DURING THE BUS TOUR.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN VICTORIA PARK ON AT 2.30 PM.
IS A "ROAD SAFETY DAY", SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, STARTING
...... IT WIbL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW, STALL GAMES, A "ROAD SAFETY TOWN , A MINI TRAIN TRACK AND A ROAD SAFETY BUS EXHIBITION.
TICKETS FOR THE STALL GAMES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, FROM FEBRUARY 1.
EASTERN
--------0----------
VARIETY SHOW TO
PROMOTE CLEAN * * * * *
HK MESSAGE
M',N RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING KONG^FSSa?! °N FRIDAY JANUARY 27) TO PROMOTE THE Cl,EAN HONG KONG MESSAGE AND TO CONCLUDE A DISTRICT-WIDE CLEAN-UP COMPETITION.
THE SHOW HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE OPPICE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S TURN SPONSORED 11V THE REGIONAL COUNCI I..
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
THEN MUN DISTRICT MUN OFFICE. IT IS
THE PROGRAMME WILL AUDITORIUM WITH A PRIZE COMPETITION.
BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE CLEAN-UP
ETMtn ™IS CEREN0NY• THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL SING
FOUR POPULAR SONGS, INCLUDING THE CIVIC EDUCATION THEME SONG.
THE DANCE GROUP OF THE DISTRICT’S ARTS PROMOTION WILL STAGE A FUJIAN FOLK DANCE AND A SRI LANKAN DANCE.
ASSOCIATION
A NUMBER ^POPULAR SONGS^0^^ * °NG HW"HUNG’ WIbL AbS0 PRESENT
FREE TICKETS FOR THE VARIETY SHOW ARE NOW TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS FOUR SUB-OFFICES FIRST SERVED BASIS.
AVAILABLE FROM THE ON A FIRST COME,
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/8.......
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
- 8 -
SEMINAR FOR TECHNICAL WORKERS IN PLASTICS INDUSTRY * * * * *
TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR NEXT MONTH ON HOW TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOONS OF FEBRUARY 23 AND 24.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID SKILLED USE OF INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES WAS ESSENTIAL, AND ALSO COST-EFFECTIVE, IN THE MANUFACTURE OF QUALITY UP-MARKET PLASTICS PRODUCTS.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD. AND BATTENFELD AUSTRIA -- TWO LEADING INJECTION MOULDING MACHINE MANUFACTURERS — WILL CONDUCT THE TWO LECTURES TO HELP PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND THE TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED.
THE SEMINAR IS FREE OF CHARGE AND IS SUITABLE FOR IN-SERVICE PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS AND MACHINE SETTERS IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS FEBRUARY 3. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO SECRETARY OF THE BOARD ON TEL. 5-8932341, EXT. 256.
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FERRY RE-ROUTEING: FARE DECREASES
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE EXISTING CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST HOVERFERRY SERVICE WILL OPERATE FROM EDINBURGH PLACE FERRY PIER INSTEAD OF BLAKE PIER FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 25).
THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE SERVICE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED FROM BETWEEN 10.05 AM AND 6.05 PM DAILY TO BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7.10 PM DAILY, WITH DEPARTURES AT 20-MINUTE INTERVALS.
THE PEAK-HOUR FARES FOR THE SERVICE WILL BE LOWERED FROM $4 TO $3 WHILE THE OFF-PEAK CHARGES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $2.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PEAK PERIODS:
TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST
SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS; AND
7 AM TO 10 AM DAILY FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
TO CENTRAL
SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND
4.30 PM TO 5.50 PM DAILY FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS. /9.............................................................
- - 0
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
SHEUNG SHUI LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FOR SALE BY TENDER A LOT OF ABOUT 9,732 SQUARE METRES IN SHEUNG SHUI.
THE LOT, IN AREA 7A, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
THE BUILDING COVENANT SPECIFIES THAT GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES SHALL NOT EXCEED 48,110 SQUARE METRES AND GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND GODOWN) PURPOSES SHALL NOT EXCEED 700 SQUARE METRES.
THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS DEVELOPED SHALL NOT BE FEWER THAN 800 NOR MORE THAN 880.
THE LEASE IS FOR A PERIOD COMMENCING FROM THE DATE OF AGREEMENT AND EXPIRING ON JUNE 30, 2047.
THE ANNUAL RENTAL WILL BE $1.00 (IF DEMANDED, UP TO JUNE 30, 1997 AND THEREAFTER, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THREE PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE FOR THE TIME BEING OF THE LOT.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 17.
THE FORM OF TENDER,TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING,GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI T3ING, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
- O -
/1O
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
- 10 -
KWAI TSING COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SEWAGE TREATMENT
» * * * ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL ASK THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE SOURCES AND HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC SEWAGE IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT AT A MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP A NEW COMMITTEE ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUPS ON THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PROMOTION, AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL MAKE PROGRESS REPORTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWAI CHUNG.
--------0-----------
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET
♦ » ♦ » »
THE TOWN PLANNING AND AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIFTH MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 25).
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE SHA KONG WAI LAYOUT PLAN AND A PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGE AT SHEK WU WAI FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TOWN PLANNING AND AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 25) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
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/11 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1989
11
INTERRUPTION OF WATER SUPPLIES TO TWO AREAS
* * » » ♦
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN NORTH POINT PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 25) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY KING'S ROAD, MERLIN STREET, WATSON ROAD, SEAFRONT AND HING FAT STREET INCLUDING 52-68 AND 250-276 KING'S ROAD AND 1-9 COMFORT TERRACE.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN KWAI CHUNG PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 26) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY TAI WO HAU ROAD, WO TONG TSUI STREET, HING FONG ROAD AND KWAI HING ROAD INCLUDING KWAI HING ESTATE.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHA TIN ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE PUBLIC LIGHTING MAINTENANCE WORKS, A SECTION OF THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 26) TO 1.30 AM THE NEXT DAY.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
------0-------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ROAD D9 IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 5.30 AM DAILY ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 25) AND THURSDAY FOR FOOTBRIDGE DEMOLITION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL VEHICLES INCLUDNG PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD (SAN HUI).
AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS:
* THE SLIP ROADS LEADING TO ROAD P2;
* THE SLIP ROADS LEADING TO TUEN MUN ROAD AND TUEN FAT ROAD;
♦ THE SECTION OF PUI TO ROAD WEST OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD; AND
» THE SECTION OF TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD SOUTH OF TUEN MUN CLINIC.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REDUCTION IN OVERALL CRIME IN 1988 ..................... 1
TWO NEW FLOATING CLINICS COMMISSIONED................... 2
VITAL TO BRIDGE GaP BETWEEN ACADEMIC AND BUSINESS: SMA .... 3
TAC DISCUSSES ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.............. 4
FC TO CONSIDER CREATION OF LAW TRANSLATION OFFICER GJUDE .. 5
•’LAI-SEE*’ FOR 8,000 ELDERLY .......................... 6
12 QUESTIONS, THREE BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA............... 7
TWO LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION .................... 7
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN HUNG KONG BETWEEN 1981 AND 1987... 8
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS ..... 8
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS RULES FOR iUNDS ALLOCATION ........ 9
IMPROVED iJNT OF SPORTS FACILITIES FOR TLUEN WAN TO BE DISCUSSED............................................... 10
ISLANDS DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING ............... 10
DEATH SENT JiCE COMMUTED................................ 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGE}* 1OTS IN CENTRAL, WESTERN ............. 11
TEMPORARY ROaD CLOSURES ................................ 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI ..................... 12
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHEUNG SHUI, TSUEN WAN ............. 15
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEINGS; URBAN’ CLEARWAY................... 13
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WaN ............ 14
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
1
REDUCTION IN OVERALL CRIME IN 1988 * * * *
THE YEAR 1988 SAW SOME EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WITH A REDUCTION IN OVERALL CRIME, A RECORD YEAR FOR DRUG SEIZURE AND NEUTRALISATION OF HEROIN MANUFACTURING 1 ANTS, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
REVIEWING THE WORK OF THE FORCE LAST YEAR AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION THIS AFTERNOON, MR ANNING NOTED THAT SIGNIFICANT STEPS WERE r UNG TAKEN IN THE BUILDING PROGRAMME AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS WHICH WOULD ASSIST THE FORCE IN MEETING ITS COMMITMENTS UP TO THE YEAR 2000 AND BEYOND.
ON THE CRIME FRONT, MR ANNING SAID: "THE 2.5 PER CENT DROP IN REPORTED CRIME WAS A WELCOME REVERSAL, AND MEANS THAT OUR CRIME STATE RETURNED TO THE LEVEL AT WHICH IT STOOD AT THE END OF 1981, AND MEANS THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE WORLD."
THE COMMISSIONER REMARKED THAT THERE HAD BEEN REDUCTIONS IN THE QUICK CASH CRIME, HOMICIDE, SNATCHING, PICKPOCKETING AND SHOP THEFT DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.
"SNATCHING RECORDED THE LOWEST FIGURE SINCE THE TURN OF THE DECADE, AND SHOP THEFT REDUCED TO 15.3 CASES A DAY.
"THE LATTER INDICATES THAT OUR TARGETTING OF THIS CRIME BOTH BY ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLICITY HAS PAID DIVIDENDS," HE ADDED.
MR ANNING WAS ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE OVERALL DETECTION RATE REMAINED HIGH AT 46.5 PER CENT.
HE NOTED THAT, HOWEVER, THERE WERE SOME WORRYING TRENDS.
"VIOLENT CRIME WAS UP A MARGINAL 1.6 PER CENT. ALL CATEGORIES OF ROBBERIES (OTHER THAN BANK ROBBERIES) SHOWED INCREASES. TH’ NUMBER OF GENUINE FIREARMS SEIZED ROSE FROM SEVEN IN 1987 TO 19 LAST YEAR. BURGLARIES ROSE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1985," HE SAID.
ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MATTERS, MR ANNING NOTED THAT MARINE POLICE HAD BEEN KEPT BUSY IN 1988 WITH THE CONTINUED INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A DROP OF 21.4 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF IIS AND EVADERS ARRESTED AFTER THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A CHANGE OF POLICE LAST YEAR AND SEVERAL MEASURES WERE INTRODUCED TO DETER ILLEGAL ENTRY.
TURNING TO THE TRAFFIC FRONT, MR ANNING DISCLOSED THAT FIGURES FOR ACCIDENTS CAUSING DEATH AND INJURY APPEARED TO BE LEVELLING OFF FOLLOWING THE SIGNIFICANT 8.8 PER CENT RISE IN 1987.HOWEVER, AN INCREASE IN FATALITIES WAS RECORDED.
/THE GROWING........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
THE GROWING NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON THE ROADS AND THEIR INCREASING ROAD USE HAD CAUSED A NOTICEABLE CONGESTION INCREASED, HE ADDED.
"SUSTAINED TRAFFIC POLICE EFFORT WILL BE REQUIRED IF RESULTANT ACCIDENTS ARE TO BE CONTAINED."
CONSIDERING THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY OFFICERS AT ALL LEVELS TO PREVENT CRIME AND CONTROL TRAFFIC, THE FORCE CHIEF NOTED IT WAS HEARTENING THAT DURING 1988 COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE DROPPED, THUS CONTINUING A TREND WHICH WAS FIRST NOTED IN 1987.
"SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1987, THERE HAS BEEN AN OVERALL DECREASE OF 28.7 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED."
ON THE FORCE BUILDING PROGRAMME, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE COMPREHENSIVE BUILDING PROGRAMME WOULD ENABLE THE FORCE TO MEET THE GROWTH OF THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.
HE NOTED THAT DURING THE YEAR SIX MAJOR PROJECTS, INCLUDING TWO DISTRICT POLICE STATIONS, TWO DIVISIONAL STATIONS, A POLICE POST AT THE BORDER AND A NEW TEACHING BLOCK AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHLOOL, WERE COMPLETED AND BECAME OPERATIONAL.
FOUR MAJOR POLICE PROJECTS WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THIS YEAR, MR ANNING CONCLUDED.
- 0-----------
TWO NEW FLOATING CLINICS COMMISSIONED t « * *
TWO NEW MEDICAL LAUNCHES, WHICH WILL P] '^UT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN REMOTE ARE XS OF 'i G’-'Ti i , :LANDS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, WERE COMMISS.ONED TOI'A,'.
THE TWO VESSELS, THE CHEE HONG AND THE CHEE WAN, WERE BUILT WITH A $6.62 MILLION DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO EXISTING VESSELS DF SAME NAM! .
OFFICIATING AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEWARDS OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, SIR OSWA!P • HEUNG, AN!' DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. I
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, WAS ALSO PRESENT.
SIR OSWALD RECALLED THAT THE TWO EXISTING FLOAT CL 1 'ICS WERE AMONG THE FIRST FEW J'l/OJEi TS FUNDED BY THE HONG RONG JOC:'EY CUB (CHARITIES) LTD WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS AGO.
/HE WAS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
HE WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THE TWO NEW FLOATING CLINICS WOULD, ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHARITABLE COMPANY THIS YEAR, CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN PLACE OF THE OLD CLINICS AFTER THEIR 30 YEARS’ OF FAITHFUL SERVICE.
"ALTHOUGH THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF EACH VESSEL IS MORE THAN EIGHT TIMES ITS ORIGINAL COST 30 YEARS AGO, THE CLUB CONSIDERS IT MONEY WELL SPENT," SIR OSWALD SAID.
DR LEE SAID THAT OWING TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE INACCESSIBILITY OF COASTAL DISTRICTS, HIS DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN OPERATING THE FLOATING CLINIC SERVICE TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND VILLAGERS LIVING IN OUTLYING ISLANDS AS EARLY AS 1958.
THE CHEE WAN VISITS VILLAGES IN TOLO HARBOUR WHILE THE CHEE HONG VISITS THE NORTHERN PART OF LANTAU, THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN COASTS OF PO TOI ISLAND AND THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA.
TOGETHER, THEY PROVIDED OUT-PATIENT SERVICES TO MORE THAN 12,700 RESIDENTS IN REMOTE AREAS LAST YEAR.
DR LEE SAID THE TWO FLOATING CLINICS WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN CLINIC SERVICES, HAVING MEDICAL CONSULTATION ROOMS, TREATMENT AREAS AND A DISPENSARY.
"EACH VESSEL IS ABOUT 23 METRES LONG, WITH A CRUISING SPEED OF 12 KNOTS, WHICH IS MUCH FASTER THAN THE EXISTING ONES.
"BESIDES BEING AIR-CONDITIONED, VHF RADIO IS ALSO PROVIDED IN THE FLOATING CLINICS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE AMBULANCE COMMAND," HE ADDED.
ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, DR LEE THANKED THE JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS GENEROUS DONATION.
- - 0 - -
VITAL TO BRIDGE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIC AND BUSINESS: SMA * * » « »
IT IS VITAL THAT THE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIC LIFE AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS BRIDGED, FOR BOTH HAVE IMPORTANT ROLES TO PLAY IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE, SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK SAID THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BUSINESS INFORMATION DAY 89 HELD AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR NENDICK SAID SUCH AN EXHIBITION SERVED TO BRIDGE THIS GAP BY HELPING STUDENTS TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED FOR LIFE IN THE BUSINESS WORLD.
/"WE NEED
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 19^9
”WE NEED TO MARRY TOGETHER SUCCESSFULLY THE KNOWLEDGE, INTELLECTUAL STIMULUS AND CLARITY OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION WHICH OUR UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS INSTIL, AND THE INCENTIVE AND DISCIPLINE OF THE PROFIT MOTIVE PROVIDED BY THE BUSINESS WORLD,” HE SAID.
’’OTHERWISE WE WILL FALL BEHIND OUR COMPETITORS IN WORLD MARKETS,” MR NENDICK ADDED.
HE URGED STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT IT HAD TO OFFER.
HE ALSO EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT PARTICIPATING COMPANIES WOULD BE ENCOURAGED BY THE OUTCOME AND CONTINUE THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT, AND THAT MORE COMPANIES WOULD SEE THE VALUE OF JOINING THIS IN FUTURE YEARS.
SOME 12 BUSINESS FIRMS TOOK PART IN THIS ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.
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TAC DISCUSSES ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES * ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY DISCUSSED THE FIVE-YEAR FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMMES (1989-93) SUBMITTED BY THE NORTH LANTAO BUS COMPANY (NLB) AND THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (HYF).
IN ITS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 TO 1992-93, NLB PLANS TO INTRODUCE TWO NEW SERVICES IN APRIL 1990: A NO.9 SERVICE TO OPERATE BETWEEN MUI WO FERRY PIER AND MUI WO OLD TOWN AND NO.10 TO RUN FROM KEUNG SHAN INTERCHANGE TO SHA LO WAN.
THE COMPANY ALSO PROPOSES TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING SERVICE ON ITS ROUTE NO.2, BETWEEN MUI WO FERRY PIER AND NGONG PING, IN 1990, IN TIME TO MEET ADDITIONAL DEMAND ARISING FROM VISITORS TO THE GIANT BUDDHA STATUE AT NGONG PING.
TAC NOTED THAT NLB PROPOSES TO PURCHASE 27 SINGLE DECK BUSES, INCLUDING TWO AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES, OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. OF THESE, 22 WOULD BE USED TO REPLACE BUSES DUE FOR SCRAPPING, AND FIVE TO MEET NEW SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.
TO HELP IMPROVE ITS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES, THE COMPANY PLANS TO DEVELOP A SITE AT MUI WO INTO A CENTRAL BUS MAINTENANCE DEPOT AT A COST OF $1.1 MILLION.
/THE HONGKONG .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
- 5 -
THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY, IN ITS PLANNING PROGRAMME, HAS PROPOSED TWO NEW PASSENGER SERVICES: ONE BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND ANOTHER SERVICE BETWEEN TSING YI AND CENTRAL.
HYF ALSO PLANS TO IMPROVE ITS TUEN MUN - CENTRAL HOVERFERRY SERVICE, THE WAN CHAI - HUNG HOM PASSENGER SERVICE AND THE PASSENGER SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND OUTLYING DISTRICTS.
MEANWHILE, HYF WOULD CONTINUE THE WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON POINT AND OUTLYING DISTRICTS UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.
IN VIEW OF THE LIKELY ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE OPENING OF THE CROSS-HARBOUR ROAD LINK IN THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, FREQUENCY REDUCTIONS ARE PROPOSED TO RATIONALISE ITS VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN SAI WAN HO AND KWUN TONG.
MEMBERS OF TAC NOTED THAT THE LONG-TERM POTENTIAL OF THE COMPANY’S PROPOSED NEW ROUTES AND ANY REQUIREMENT FOR FURTHER RATIONALISATION OF FERRY SERVICES WERE BEING CONSIDERED UNDER THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT STUDY II, TO BE COMPLETED SOON.
TAC WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.
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FC TO CONSIDER CREATION OF LAW TRANSLATION OFFICER GRADE ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A NEW GRADE OF LAW TRANSLATION OFFICER IN THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
ARISING FROM A RECOMMENDATION OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE PROPOSAL IS TO RECRUIT ONE SENIOR AND 18 LAW TRANSLATION OFFICERS TO REPLACE THE CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS NOW DEPLOYED IN THE DIVISION.
THE LAW TRANSLATION OFFICERS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCING AN AUTHENTIC CHINESE VERSION OF ALL EXISTING AND FUTURE LEGISLATION.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE A CONTRIBUTION OF $1 MILLION TO THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES FOR ITS INITIAL VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
-----0------ /6................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
- 6 -
“LAI-SEE” FOR 8,000 ELDERLY * ♦ * t *
SOME 8,000 RESIDENTS FROM 74 HOSTELS AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED NEW YEAR “LAI-SEE" OF $100 EACH FROM THE SHANGHAI FRATERNITY ASSOCIATION.
MORE THAN $800,000 HAD BEEN ALLOCATED BY THE ASSOCIATION * 3 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR DISTRIBUTION.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, 63 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HOSTELS AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY RECEIVED THE RED PACKETS ON BEHALF OF THEIR CLIENTS AT A CHEQUE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1978 AND ITS CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY.
HE NOTED THAT IT HAD NOT ONLY SET AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE FOR OTHER INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL GROUPS BUT ALSO HELP PROMOTE THE CHINESE TRADITIONAL VIRTUE OF "HONOUR THE ELDERLY".
"OUR COMMUNITY ENCOURAGES INTEGRATING THE ELDERLY INTO THE FAMILY LEADING A HAPPY HOME," MR LAW SAID.
"OUR WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IS ALSO TAILORED TO PROVIDE A WIDE RAGNE OF SERVICES SO THAT THEY MAY PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
MR LAW SAID THE ASSOCIATION ALSO OPERATED THE SHANGHAI FRATERNITY HEALTH CENTRE AND RENDERED NON-PROFIT MEDICAL SERVICES TO ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
AS A REGULAR DONOR, THE ASSOCIATION ALSO PROMOTED WELFARE SERVICE THROUGH COMMUNITY CHEST AND SAINT MARY’S HOME FOR THE AGED RUN BY LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR.
PARTICIPANTS AT THE “LAI-SEE" DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY INCLUDED THE WIFE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MRS CHARLES WONG CHI-WAI; VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR RICHARD SUNG; MR TOMMY ZAU, AND MR CHOW SING-PAI AND THEIR WIVES; AS WELL AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR FAN CHAI .
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/7........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24,
1989
12 QUESTIONS, THREE BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA t * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER THREE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
DEBATE IS TO RESUME ON THE SECOND READING OF REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WHICH IS THEN DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
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TWO LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ♦ * » » ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
ONE LOT IS LOCATED AT HARBOUR ROAD IN WAN CHAI WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,230 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING GODOWN AND RESIDENTIAL BUT INCLUDING HOTEL AND/OR SERVICE APARTMENT.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT THE TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA IN YUEN LONG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,736 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE LAND AUCITON TO BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
IN VIEW OF THE WIDE INTERESTS IN THE AUCTION AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPECTED TO ATTEND, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE MEDIA.
THE SPACE BETWEEN THE STAGE AND THE FIRST THREE ROWS OF SEATS IN THE THEATRE HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE PRESS. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAY MOVE FREELY WITHIN THIS AREA. THE AUCTIONEER HAS REQUESTED THAT NO TV SPOT LIGHTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT HIM DURING THE AUCTION TO ENABLE HIM TO HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OF BIDDERS.
THE AUCTIONEER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AFTER THE AUCTION.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
8
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN HONG KONG BETWEEN 1981 AND 1987 * * * * *
A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED ’DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN HONG KONG: 1981-1987' APPEARS IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THIS ARTICLE ANALYSES THE TRENDS IN THE POPULATION SIZE AND STRUCTURE, DEATHS, MARRIAGE AND BIRTHS IN HONG KONG SINCE 1981, USING INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE VARIOUS VITAL STATISTICS SYSTEMS MAINTAINED BY THE CENSUS & STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE ARTICLE REVEALS THAT THE POPULATION GROWTH HAS SLOWED DOWN IN RECENT YEARS, MAINLY DUE TO THE FALLING NUMBER OF BIRTHS AND THE STABILIZED NET INWARD MIGRATION.
THE FERTILITY LEVEL HAD FALLEN FAR BELOW THE LEVEL REQUIRED EVENTUALLY FOR THE POPULATION TO REPLACE ITSELF.
MOREOVER, AS MORTALITY CONTINUED TO IMPROVE, PEOPLE WOULD LIVE LONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.
THESE CHANGES IN FERTILITY AND MORTALITY CONDITIONS HAVE RESULTED IN THE GRADUAL AGING OF THE POPULATION.
REGARDING THE TRENDS IN MARRIAGE, THERE HAS BEEN A GENERAL DECREASE IN MARRIAGE RATES FOR FIRST MARRIAGE. REMARRIAGE AT YOUNGER AGES WERE INCREASING AMONGST THE DIVORCED AND WIDOWED FEMALES.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $30 PER COPY. PURCHASES MAY BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICA1IONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
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DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS
*****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD HAS SET ASIDE $60,000 FOR SUBSIDISING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ALLOCATIONS WERE AIMED AT PROMOTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND ENHANCING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE FUNDS MAY BE MADE IN RELATION TO TWO PERIODS.
/THE DEADLINE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
- 9 -
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS RELATING TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR IS MARCH 15 AND THE SUBSIDISED PROJECTS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN MAY 1 AND OCTOBER 31.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1 AND FEBRUARY 15 NEXT YEAR IS SEPTEMBER 16.
EACH APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE IT IS CONSIDERED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO INVITING LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING PICNICS, BARBECUES, HOLIDAY CAMPS AND VISITS IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR. APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON MARCH 15.
THE APPROVED FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED AS TRANSPORT FEES AND THE SUBSIDY TO EACH PARTICIPANT IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF $7.
APPLICATIONS FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 3-7110171.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS RULES FOR FUNDS ALLOCATION * » » * ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ALLOCATING DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR LOCAL PROJECTS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL OF SETTING ‘ A NEW COMMITTEE ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS AND REV h w .uis YEAR’S NOMINATIONS OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE WORKING GROUPS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PUBLICATION^ THE DISTRICT BOARD ANNUAL REPORT, THE REPORT ON THE VISIT BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO ENGLAND AND HOLLAND I 88 AND THE DISTRICT BOARD HALF-YEARLY NEWSPAPER, WILL REPORT THEIR WORK PROGRESS AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTR*’ i BOARD’S ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTED MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN kT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, I CHUNG.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24,
1989
IMPROVEMENT OF SPORTS FACILITIES FOR TSUEN WAN TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DISTRICT’S SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE PROGRAMMES AND BUDGET OF THE SPORTS NURTURE SCHEME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY ) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTEL PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
- 0 - -
ISLANDS DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING * * * *
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE ON VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND THE APPORTIONMENT OF FUNDS FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROPOSED ESTIMATE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT OVER THE ALLOCATION TO THE COMMITTEE IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, AMOUNTS TO $510,000.
IT IS INTENDED TO BE DIVIDED AMONG FOUR TYPES OF ACTIVITIES --LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS, DRAGON BOAT RACING, SPORTS, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CRITERIA FOR SETTING THE PRIORITY FOR APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDIES IN 1989-90 AND THE REVISION OF GUIDELINES IN VETTING APPLICATIONS.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR HOLDING A LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL AT MUI WO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
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/11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
11
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEWS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON PANG SHUN-YEE ON JANUARY 29, 1987 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT. PANG WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF NICOLA SHARON MYERS AND KENNETH MCBRIDE.
0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27), ALL VEHICLES OVER EIGHT METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER DUDDELL STREET IN CENTRAL.
IN ADDITION, THE CUL-DE-SAC END OF DUDDELL STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 8-10 AND HOUSE NO. 11 WILL BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SLIP ROAD, EXCLUDING THE LAYBY, SOUTH OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE WILL ALSO BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
COTTON TREE DRIVE NORTHBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LAMBETH WALK TO A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
IN ADDITION, THE LAYBY ON THE SLIP ROAD SOUTH OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY GOODS VEHICLE RESTRICTED ZONE.
IN WESTERN, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTERN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR ROADWORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
/12
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
12
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES » * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH IN CENTRAL BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 27) FOR TWO DAYS FOR THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
MEANWHILE, TAI HA STREET IN KWAI CHUNG BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE CARPARK AND BLOCK 12 OF TAI WO HAU ESTATE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT AND 5.30 AM DAILY ON THESE TWO DAYS FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TAI HA STREET BETWEEN BLOCK 12 AND THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE OF TAI WO HAU ESTATE WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI
t * t « t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN YAU MA TEI FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27).
PUBLIC SQUARE STREET BETWEEN SHANGHAI STREET AND RECLAMATION STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHBOUND KERBSIDE LANE OF PUBLIC SQUARE STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A BUS LANE.
WING SING LANE AT ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
KMB ROUTES 1, 1A, 3C, 3E, 9, 13, 81 AND CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES 102, 104 AND 105 FROM NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET.
KMB ROUTES 2E, 4A, 12, 30, 36B, 68, 68X, AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 31M FROM CANTON ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET.
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/15........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHEUNG SHUI, TSUEN WAN
♦ * * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27):
* THE SECTION OF SAN FUNG AVENUE BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SAN HONG STREET AND A POINT OF 140 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY; AND
» THE LOOP ROAD NORTH OF NO. 24 SAN FUNG AVENUE ADJACENT TO THE PETROL STATION ADJOINING JOCKEY CLUB ROAD FOR 24 HOURS DAILY.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN TSUEN WAN, THE NEW ROAD CONNECTING CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FOR ALL VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
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TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEINGSJ URBAN CLEARWAY t ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27), SAN LIK STREET AND SAN PING CIRCUIT IN TUEN MUN AREA 12 WILL BOTH BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND AND ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE RESPECTIVELY.
THE RE-ROUTEINGS ARE IMPLEMENTED TO FACILITATE THE PARKING OF GOODS VEHICLES DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 8 AM THE NEXT DAY THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD TO A POINT OF ABOUT 90 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 10 AM TO 9 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1989
14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN » ♦ » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 5, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CHEUNG SHAN AREA IN TSUEN WAN FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27) FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 250 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH NEW SHING MUN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST AND ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO WESTBOUND TRAFFIC.
THE UNNAMED NEW ROAD LINKING CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
AT THE SAME TIME, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST AND THE NEW ROAD.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD HEADING FOR TSUEN WAN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NEW ROAD AND CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST.
IN ADDITION, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST, AND CHEUNG SHAN ROAD WEST BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD BAST AND A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BOTH BECOME PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
KMB BUS ROUTE 32 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NEW ROAD AND CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST BEFORE REJOINING CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO SHEK WAT KOK, AND TO OPERATE VIA CHEUNG SHAN ROAD EAST AND THE NEW ROAD BEFORE REJOINING CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, J ANU ABY 25, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
PROVISION OF SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT INTENDED ......... 1
MAIN PURPOSE OF MONEY CHANGERS BILL EXPLAINED .......... 2
ADVICE GIVEN ON ANTI-POLLUTION LAWS .................... 4
PETROL STATION LOCATIONS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED .......... 4
EHC WILL OFFER RELIEF TO TUNNEL CONGESTION ............. 6
WIDER HOSTEL PROGRAMME FOR HOMELESS MAY BE STUDIED...... 7
NO TOTALLY UNRESTRICTED LAND LEASES IN HK............... 8
MORE PUBLICITY ON HOME SAFETY, CHILD CARE............... 9
HOME BUYERS SHOULD PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS ......... 11
MORE THAN ONE MILLION COVERED BY FACTORIES LAW.......... 12
REVIEW OF TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR DISABLED .............. 12
ARREARS OF REVENUE BEING REDUCED........................ 1?
GOVT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PUBLIC VIEWS ......... 14
CHOOSING OF LOCATION FOR MURRAY HOUSE RE-ERECTION EXPLAINED 15
ONE BILL PASSED ........................................ 16
GOVERNOR TO VISIT LONDON NEXT MONTH ...................... 17
HARBOUR ROAD SITE SOLD FOR S5-55 BILLION ................. 17
S782 MILLION CONTRACT SIGNED FOR KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASE 2 .. 18
$1 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO REPATRIATE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE 19 EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS SCHEME TO BE MODIFIED .. 20
GOVERNOR TO VISIT CENTRAL AND WESTERN..................... 25
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER RELEASED .......... 24
SURVEY ON VACANCIES AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ... 26
STUDENTS TO BE HONOURED IN CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN....... 29
DB TO BE INFORMED OF URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL PROJECTS ...... 29
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES ............. 50
COUNTRY PARKS SURVEY RESULTS ANNOUNCED ................... 51
SEWERAGE MASTERPLAN STUDY FOR TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, AND
TSING YI ............................................... 55
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS ......................... 35
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KJNG .............................. 54
KWUN TONG URBAN CLEARWAYS ................................ 54
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN JORDAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST ......... 54
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
PROVISION OF SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT INTENDED
*****
A BILL WHICH REQUIRES BOTH FACTORY OWNERS AND WORKERS TO PLAY THEIR PARTS IN ENSURING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK WHO INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 ALSO SEEKS TO IMPOSE CUSTODIAL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID: "I HAVE LONG BEEN CONVINCED THAT WE SHOULD LAY ON EMPLOYERS A GENERAL DUTY TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, AND, ON EMPLOYEES, A DUTY TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS IN SO DOING.
"AT PRESENT, WE DEPEND SOLELY ON SPECIFIC REGULATIONS GOVERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES."
MR BRIDGE CONSIDERED THIS ARRANGEMENT UNSATISFACTORY, BECAUSE IN THESE DAYS OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, SOME REGULATIONS QUICKLY BECAME OUT OF THE DATE, REQUIRING FREQUENT AMENDMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR NEW DANGERS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE POINTED OUT THE REGULATIONS COULD NOT COVER EVERY ASPECT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND TENDED TO BE TOO SPECIFIC.
MR BRIDGE SAID CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL WOULD INTRODUCE INTO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE A REQUIREMENT FOR EVERY PROPRIETOR TO TAKE MEASURES SO FAR AS WAS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK OF ALL PERSONS EMPLOYED BY HIM.
"EVERY EMPLOYEE WHILE AT WORK WILL BE REQUIRED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PROPRIETOR SO FAR AS IS NECESSARY IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH MEASURES, AND TO TAKE REASONABLE CARE FOR HIS OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY WHAT HE DOES," HE SAID.
ON CUSTODIAL PENALTIES, MR BRIDGE SAID MANY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAD CRITICISED THE EXISTING PENALTIES AS INADEQUATE AND HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE LAW BE STRENGTHENED BY CUSTODIAL PENALTIES.
"WE THEREFORE PROPOSE IN CLAUSES 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 AND THE SCHEDULE THAT CUSTODIAL PENALTIES BE IMPOSED FOR OFFENCES WHICH ARE LIABLE TO CAUSE FATAL OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR RISK TO HEALTH, ARE COMMITTED WILFULLY AND ARE WITHIN THE OFFENDER’S ABILITY TO PREVENT.
"A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT WOULD APPLY TO THOSE OFFENCES WHICH NOW CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF *30,000, AND A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT TO THOSE OFFENCES WHICH NOW CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000," HE SAID.
/TO GIVE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 19&9
TO GIVE AMPLE TIME FOR KNOW THESE NEW PROVISIONS AND BRING THEM INTO EFFECT 12 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
FACTORY OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES TO GET TO
COMPLY WITH THEM, IT WAS PROPOSED TO
MONTHS AFTER THEIR APPROVAL BY THE
HE SAID THE LABOUR PUBLICITY COMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN
DEPARTMENT WOULD MEANWHILE THE NEW PROVISIONS.
CONDUCT A
TURNING TO OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE, MR BRIDGE SAID CLAUSE 8 OF THE BILL PROVIDED THAT A PUBLIC OFFICER WAS NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR ANY ACTION OR OMISSION DONE IN GOOD FAITH IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS POWERS OR IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"THIS WILL NOT AFFECT ANY LIABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT IN TORT FOR THAT ACT OR OMISSION," HE SAID.
IN PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF A BREACH OF AN OBLIGATION TO DO SOMETHING SO FAR AS WAS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE OR TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS, ETC., MR BRIDGE SAID THE EXISTING PROVISIONS DID NOT PROVIDE WHO SHOULD BEAR THE ONUS OF PROOF.
"CLAUSE 9 CLARIFIES THE LEGAL POSITION BY PROVIDING THAT THIS ONUS LIES ON THE ACCUSED," HE SAID
AS REGARDS CLAUSES 2 AND 3, HE SAID THEY PROVIDED FOR AMENDMENTS TO REFLECT UP TO DATE CHANGES IN THE TITLE OF PUBLIC OFFICERS WHO DISCHARGED DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
MR BRIDGE ADDED THAT THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL HAD THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
"I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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MAIN PURPOSE OF MONEY CHANGERS BILL EXPLAINED *****
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 IS TO SPECIFY CLEARLY THE INFORMATION WHICH MUST BE PROVIDED BY A MONEY CHANGER ON HIS DISPLAY BOARD AND IN THE TRANSACTION NOTE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, STATED THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
/MR JACOBS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 3 -
MR JACOBS STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE CUSTOMER PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO A TRANSACTION HAD ACCESS TO ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE TERMS THE MONEY CHANGER WAS PREPARED TO OFFER.
HE SAID THE ENACTMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IN 1985 B GHT ABOUT A WELCOME REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF FORMAL COMPLAINTS A AINST MONEY CHANGERS.
"BUT WE ARE STILL NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PRESENT LEVEL OF M PRACTICE, WHICH LEADS TO A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF ADVERSE P uICITY FOR HONG KONG.
"IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL MEASURES IN 0 PER TO ENSURE THAT UNSCRUPULOUS PRACTICES ARE ERADICATED AS FAR AS P 3SIBLE," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, MR JACOBS SAID CLAUSE 5 REQUIRED A MONEY CHANGER TO COMPLETE A TRANSACTION NOTE USING THE NET RATES OF EXCHANGE BEFORE THE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION WAS FINALISED.
"THE NOTE IS TO BE BILINGUAL AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD," HE POINTED OUT.
UNDER CLAUSE 7, THE MONEY CHANGER WAS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A BOARD DISPLAYING CLEARLY THE NET RATES OF EXCHANGE.
"CLAUSE 8 PROHIBITS A MONEY CHANGER FROM DISPLAYING FALSE OR MISLEADING NOTICES OR MAKING FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS," MR JACOBS CONTINUED.
HE ADDED THAT CRIMINAL LIABILITY WAS EXTENDED TO DIRECTORS, MANAGERS AND SECRETARIES OF CORPORATE MONEY CHANGERS IF THEY DID NOT TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO AVOID MALPRACTICE BY EMPLOYEES.
MR JACOBS SAID THESE CONTROLS SHOULD NOT IMPOSE AN ONEROUS BURDEN ON MONEY CHANGERS, AND THEY DEPARTED LITTLE FROM THE EXISTING PRACTICES OF THE MORE REPUTABLE.
HOWEVER, THE NEED FOR CONFORMITY OF PRACTICE AMONG MONEY CHANGERS WOULD REQUIRE MANY TO ADJUST THEIR MODE OF OPERATION IN SOME WAY, HE SAID.
"TO FACILITATE THIS, IT IS INTENDED THAT AT LEAST THREE MONTHS WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL BEFORE IT IS BROUGHT INTO EFFECT," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989'
ADVICE GIVEN ON ANTI-POLLUTION LAWS *****
ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRIALISTS TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS REQUIRED BY ANTI-INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION LEGISLATION IS Pl XVIDED IN THE FORM OF EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS AND INFORMAL ADVICE.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID T1 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A Q TION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN.
"THERE ARE FIRST, EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS ON POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION AND HOW TO COMPLY WITH IT AND INFORMAL ADVICE ON WHERE TO GO FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SECONDLY, THE GOVERNMENT GRANTS AN A IUAL SUBSIDY TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL,” MR BARNES SAID.
"PART OF THAT GRANT GOES TO THE COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION, WHICH PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF CONSULTANCY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN AND FABRICATION SERVICES ON AIR POLLUTION CONTROL, WASTE WATER TREATMENT, NOISE CONTROL AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT."
MR BARNES SAID THE COUNCIL HAD PROVIDED ASSISTANCE ON 193 PROJECTS LAST YEAR.
HE STRESSED THAT POLLUTION CONTROL WAS PART AND PARCEL OF THE TASK AND EXPERTISE OF RUNNING AN INDUSTRIAL CONCERN IN THE SAME WAY THAT FINANCIAL, STAFF AND OTHER CONTROLS WERE.
"IT IS THEREFORE PRIMARILY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDUSTRIALIST TO KEEP HIS OWN HOUSE IN ORDER," HE ADDED.
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PETROL STATION LOCATIONS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED
*****
THE LOCATIONS OF PETROL FILLING STATIONS ARE VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDERED TAKING MANY FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCI I. TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, WHO REFERRED TO AN OCCURRENCE OF A "FIRE AND EXPLOSION" AT A PETROL FILLING STATION CAUSED BY A GOODS VEHICLE IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
MR BARNES SAID THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION HAD OCCURRED IN WONG CHUK HANG IN JUNE 1987.
"I AM INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE BUT NO EXPLOSION," HE SAID.
/EXPLAINING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 5 -
EXPLAINING THE CRITERIA ON LOCATING PETROL FILLING STATIONS, MR BARNES SAID THE SITES WERE DETERMINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS OR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD CONSIDERING FACTORS SUCH AS NEED, LAND USE COMPATIBILITY, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FIRE SAFETY ASPECTS.
"SINCE THE CIRCUMSTANCES DIFFER FROM AREA TO AREA, THERE ARE NO HARD AND FAST RULES," HE SAID.
"EACH SITE IS VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDERED TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FACTORS MENTIONED."
SIMILAR CONSIDERATIONS ALSO APPLIED TO THE LOCATION OF BUNKERING STATIONS, MR BARNES SAID.
"HERE THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS OR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SUCH FACTORS AS SITE CHARACTERISTICS, MARINE TRAFFIC FLOW, IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY, AND FIRE SAFETY,” HE SAID.
BUNKERING STATIONS WERE LOCATED ON THE SEAFRONT MAINLY ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN THE SAI KUNG AREA.
AS REGARDS PETROL FILLING STATIONS, HE SAID THERE WERE 16 LICENSED STATIONS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOORS OF BUILDINGS AND ONE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.
OF THESE, FIVE WERE IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, THREE IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, FIVE IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND FOUR IN CARPARK BUILDINGS.
"PETROL FILLING STATIONS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOORS OF BUILDINGS MUST COMPLY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES’ GENERAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH ARE THEMSELVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS," MR BARNES SAID.
"THESE INCLUDE BURYING STORAGE TANKS UNDERGROUND, SURROUNDING EACH TANK WITH A LAYER OF SAND AND A LAYER OF FINE CONCRETE, AND SITING THE FILLING/DISPENSTNG POINTS AT A DISTANCE OF MORE THAN 4.5 METRES FROM THE PERIMETER OF THE STATION AREA."
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES ALSO STIPULATED ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE ON THE UPPER FLOORS OF THE BUILDING.
"THESE INCLUDE THE COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE PETROL FILLING STATION FROM THE REST OF THE BUILDING LATERALLY AND VERTICALLY SO THAT THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION ENSURES A FIRE RESISTANCE PERIOD OF FOUR HOURS.
"ALSO REQUIRED ARE ADDITIONAL FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS SUCH AS SPRINKLER AND DRENCHER SYSTEMS IN BOTH THE FILLING STATION AND ON THE UPPER FLOORS, AND THE SITING OF ESCAPE EXITS FOR THE UPPER FLOORS WELL AWAY FROM THE PETROL FILLING STATION," MR BARNES SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989‘
6
EHC WILL OFFER RELIEF TO TUNNEL CONGESTION
*****
LONG-TERM RELIEF TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION COULD NOT BE EXPECTED UNTIL THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING OPENED IN SEPTEMBER, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR EXAMINED WHETHER VEHICULAR FERRIES MIGHT OFFER SOME RELIEF TO TUNNEL CONGESTION BUT FOUND NO SCOPE FOR ADDITIONAL CAPACITY AS ALL AVAILABLE VESSELS WERE FULLY USED.
ADDITIONAL FERRIES COULD NOT BE BUILT IN TIME, AND, EVEN IF ADDITIONAL VESSELS COULD SOMEHOW BE OBTAINED, THEY WOULD BE SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS LATER THIS YEAR WHEN THE NEW TUNNEL OPENED.
MR LEUNG SAID THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY AT PRESENT RAN 17 VEHICULAR FERRIES ON THERE ROUTES.
THEY COULD CARRY ABOUT 870 VEHICLES, PROVIDING A TWO-WAY CAPACITY OF OVER 2,000 VEHICLES PER PEAK HOUR.
THE AVERAGE UTILISATION RATE OF AVAILABLE CAPACITY HAD INCREASED STEADILY IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FROM OVER 60 PER CENT IN 1986, TO ABOUT 85 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
MR LEUNG SAID THE ACTUAL RATE VARIED ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF DAY AND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL.
IN THE MORNING PEAK HOURS, THE FERRIES WERE USUALLY FULL TRAVELLING TOWARDS HONG KONG, AND LIKEWISE TOWARES KOWLOON IN THE EVENING PEAK.
AT THESE TIMES, VESSELS TRAVELLING AGAINST THE MAIN DIRECTION OF DEMAND HAD ABOUT 30 PER CENT SPARE CAPACITY.
DURING THE OFF-PEAK HOURS, THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 15 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT SPARE CAPACITY IN EITHER DIRECTION AS GOODS VEHICLE UTILISATION WAS AT ITS HIGHEST AT THESE TIMES.
THIS OFF-PEAK SPARE CAPACITY REPRESENTED ABOUT 150 VEHICLES AN HOUR, OR A SMALLER NUMBER OF LARGER VEHICLES.
EVEN IF THIS SPACE HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION
COULD BE FILLED, THE RELIEF TO THE WOULD BE NEGLIGIBLE, MR LEUNG ADDED.
CROSS
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 7 -
WIDER HOSTEL PROGRAMME FOR HOMELESS MAY BE STUDIED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER INITIATING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE HOSTEL PROGRAMME FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE, INCLUDING STREET SLEEPERS, IF A HOSTEL OPENED IN YAU MA TEI LAST YEAR OPERATES SUCCESSFULLY.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
MR CHAU SAID THE MAJOR CONSTRAINT TO SUCH A PROGRAMME WOULD BE IDENTIFYING SUITABLE PREMISES.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOMMODATION DIVISION AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ARE THEREFORE EXAMINING, AT MY REQUEST, WHETHER THEY HAVE ANY DISUSED OR VACANT PREMISES WHICH MAY BE SUITABLE FOR CONVERSION INTO HOSTELS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE DISUSED BUILDINGS IN THE URBAN AREA WHICH COULD BE CONVERTED INTO HOSTELS TO PROVIDE REHOUSING FOR HOMELESS PERSONS, INCLUDING STREET SLEEPERS.
"SOME SUCCESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AND A HOSTEL MANAGED BY THE SALVATION ARMY WAS OPENED IN NOVEMBER 1988 IN THE SIX STREETS REDEVELOPMENT AREA OF YAU MA TEI.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO ASSISTED THE STREET SLEEPERS SHELTER SOCIETY TO LOCATE PREMISES FOR SHELTERS IN MALLORY STREET IN WAN CHAI AND IN SHANGHAI STREET IN YAU MA TEI," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD RECENTLY ALLOCATED $2.3 MILLION TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE FLATS FOR CONVERSION INTO HOSTELS.
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAD BEEN INVITED TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING PREMISES FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
"AS TO ACCOMMODATION FOR ELDERLY STREET SLEEPERS WHO ARE ABLE TO WORK BUT CANNOT TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THE PEOPLE CONCERNED WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR IMMEDIATE PERMANENT REHOUSING UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING QUOTA," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, PEOPLE AGED OVER 55 ARE GIVEN PRIORITY IN ADMISSION INTO MOST URBAN HOSTELS AND SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS.
"THESE HOSTELS AND SHELTERS, WHICH ARE RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SUCH AS THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY, CARITAS, AND HELPING HAND, AND A FEW OF WHICH ARE IN VACANT PREMISES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, CURRENTLY PROVIDE OVER 1,000 PLACES TO HOMELESS PERSONS."
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/8........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 8 -
NO TOTALLY UNRESTRICTED LAND LEASES IN HK * * * *
ALL LAND LEASES IN HONG KONG CONTAIN SOME RESTRICTIONS TO A GREATER OR LESSER EXTENT, AND THERE ARE THUS NO TOTALLY "UNRESTRICTED" LEASES, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR BARNES SAID THAT MANY OF THE OLDER LEASES IN BOTH THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, HOWEVER, CONTAINED VERY FEW RESTRICTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT AND USE.
"WITH 30,000 LOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 23,400 LOTS IN THE URBAN AREA WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES OF RESTRICTION, THE NUMBER OF VERY LOOSELY RESTRICTED LOTS IS STILL VERY LARGE,” HE SAID.
"MOST OF THE LESS RESTRICTED OLDER LOTS ARE VERY SMALL. SO IT IS USUALLY NECESSARY TO AMALGAMATE THEM WITH OTHER ADJACENT LOTS TO MAKE REDEVELOPMENT WORTHWHILE.
"THE OLD LOTS MAKING UP THE SITE ARE SURRENDERED TO GOVERNMENT AND IN THEIR PLACE A NEW LOT IS GRANTED WITH UP TO DATE RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS CONFORMING TO THE STATUTORY TOWN PLAN OR WITH PERMISSIONS GIVEN UNDER THE ORDINANCE BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD."
MR BARNES SAID THAT IN THEORY THE GOVERNMENT COULD MODIFY A LEASE TO A USE WHICH WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE USE SPECIFIED IN THE STATUTORY PLAN, OR WHICH WAS PERMITTED BY THE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH NOTES IN THE PLAN.
"BUT IT WOULD NOT DO SO, FIRSTLY BECAUSE SUCH A CHANGE WOULD MAKE NONSENSE OF THE PLANNING PROCEDURE AND SECONDLY BECAUSE HOWEVER THE LEASE WAS PHRASED THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD BE GUIDED BY THE STATUTORY PLAN OR PERMISSIONS GIVEN BY THE BOARD IN APPROVING THE BUILDING PLANS, AND WOULD NOT APPROVE PLANS WHICH WERE IN CONFLICT," HE SAID.
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/9........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 9 -
MORE PUBLICITY ON HOME SAFETY, CHILD CARE * * * * *
EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE, BOTH AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND TERRITORY-WIDE THROUGH TELEVISION AND POSTERS, TO STEP UP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND CAMPAIGNS ON HOME SAFETY AND CHILD CARE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MIRIAM LAU, MR CHAU SAID AS FAR AS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES WERE CONCERNED, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDED A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES CONNECTED WITH CHILD CARE.
THESE PROGRAMMES, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE DANGER OF LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME, WERE TARGETTED PARTICULARLY AT PARENTS AND HOUSEWIVES.
"THESE CONCERTED EFFORTS HAVE, I BELIEVE, HELPED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THIS REGARD,” HE SAID.
TO SUPPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMMES, A MAJOR CAMPAIGN FOCUSSING IN PART ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD IN THE FAMILY AND ON WHAT RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD MEANT, WOULD BE LAUNCHED IN 1989-90, HE ADDED.
"ONE OF THE MESSAGES WE WISH TO PUT ACROSS IS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD NEGLECT," HE STRESSED.
ON THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS IN WHICH YOUNG CHILDREN, LEFT ALONE AT HOME, WERE KILLED AS A RESULT OF FALLING FROM THE BUILDING, MR CHAU SAID THE POLICE WERE NOW GATHERING THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM RECORDS KEPT BY INDIVIDUAL POLICE DIVISIONS.
STATISTICS WOULD BE PROVIDED IN WRITING ONCE THIS EXERCISE HAD BEEN COMPLETED, HE SAID.
"THE RESULTS SO FAR SHOW THAT, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE WERE 10 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10 WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF FALLING OUT OF WINDOWS.
"BUT IT HAS NOT SO FAR BEEN ESTABLISHED HOW MANY OF THESE CHILDREN WERE LEFT UNATTENDED AT THE TIME," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THERE WERE A VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHICH EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
"FAMILIES CAN MAKE USE OF CHILD CARE CENTRES IN THE FORM OF NURSERIES AND CRECHES," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS A FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME WHICH PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES TOWARDS PAYMENT OF NURSERY FEES.
/AT PRESENT.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989-
- 10 -
AT PRESENT, THERE WERE OVER 30,000 PLACES IN CHILD CARE CENTRES, INCLUDING BOTH NURSERIES AND CRECHES, AND THERE WERE PLANS TO PROVIDE 1,600 ADDITIONAL NURSERY PLACES ANNUALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF DAY NURSERIES WERE ALSO EXPERIMENTING WITH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS SUCH AS LONGER AND MORE FLEXIBLE HOURS.
THESE WERE TO CATER TO CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES WHICH HAD PROBLEMS IN TAKING CARE OF THEM IN THE EVENINGS BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, OF PARENTS' LONG WORKING HOURS.
"IN ADDITION, A HOME HELP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
"LOCAL VOLUNTARY PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO ENCOURAGE GREATER MUTUAL HELP AMONG NEIGHBOURS TO LOOK AFTER CHILDREN ON A TEMPORARY BASIS," HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS AGAINST PARENTS LEAVING CHILDREN ALONR AT HOME, MR CHAU SAID HE WOULD ENDORSE THE VIEWS OF HIS PREDECESSOR, AS EXPRESSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 28, 1986.
THESE VIEWS WERE THAT EXISTING STATUTORY PROVISIONS WERE GENERALLY ADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH CASES OF SERIOUS ABUSE AND WILFUL NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 27 OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE MADE IT AN OFFENCE TO WILFULLY ASSAULT, ILL-TREAT, NEGLECT, ABANDON OR EXPOSE ANY CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 16.
FURTHERMORE, THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO TAKE ACTION IN THE INTERESTS OF A CHILD WHO WAS LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO PHYSICAL OR MORAL DANGER.
AS FOR PARENTS LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN ALONE AT HOME DUE TO TEMPORARY ABSENCE OR NEGLIGENCE BUT THROUGH NO WILFUL NEGLECT OR WITH NO ILL INTENT, MR CHAU EXPRESSED DOUBT ON WHETHER DIRECT STATUTORY CONTROL IN THIS AREA WAS EITHER THE RIGHT ANSWER OR WAS PRACTICAL.
THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES OVER DEFINITION AND ENFORCEMENT AS TO THE LATTER POINT.
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/11 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
11
HOME BUYERS SHOULD PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS
******
MANY PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED IN THE SALE OF PROPERTY, AND A LICENSING SYSTEM WOULD BE CUMBROUS AND DIFFICULT TO MANAGE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING, MR JACOBS SAID LICENSING ON ITS OWN WOULD PROVIDE NO SOLUTION BECAUSE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM WOULD DEPEND UPON THE DEGREE OF MONITORING.
HE SAID A PRUDENT PURCHASER WOULD NO DOUBT APPROACH A PROPERTY TRANSACTION WITH A PROPER DEGREE OF CAUTION AND MANY WOULD ENGAGE THE ASSISTANCE OF A LAWYER.
"SO IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT I HAVE SAID ABOUT THE NEED TO DISPLAY CAUTION WHEN PURCHASING PROPERTY, WE TAKE THE VIEW THAT IT IS PREFERABLE THAT PURCHASERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS," MR JACOBS SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION tyAS ALWAYS ANXIOUS TO HEAR OF POSSIBLE ABUSES SO THAT ADDITIONAL PROTECTION COULD BE PROVIDED WHEREVER POSSIBLE, EITHER THROUGH AMENDING THE LAW OR THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
"BUT IN ORDER TO DO THIS, WE, OF COURSE, NEED FACTUAL INFORMATION.
"THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND WITH THE POLICE, AND THIS WE SHALL DO," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS ALSO NOTED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY ACTIVE IN RELATION TO THE SUBJECT OF HOME PURCHASE.
THE COUNCIL HAD PUBLISHED INFORMATIVE ARTICLES IN ITS CHOICE MAGAZINE AND HAD ALSO DISSEMINATED THROUGH THE MEDIA INFORMATION ON THE ESSENTIAL POINTS TO WHICH PURCHASERS OF PROPERTY SHOULD PAY ATTENTION.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
12 -
MORE THAN ONE MILLION COVERED BY FACTORIES LAW ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
ABOUT 1,007,000 PEOPLE WERE COVERED BY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WAS ABOUT 36.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORK FORCE, HE SAID IN REPLYING A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
"BECAUSE THE CATERING TRADE GIVES RISE TO MORE ACCIDENTS THAN ANY OTHER IN THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS NOW REVIEWING WHETHER IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"IT HOPES TO BE READY TO CONSULT THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ON THIS ISSUE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS."
-------O---------
REVIEW OF TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR DISABLED
THE GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW THE OVERALL PROVISION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AGREED IN DECEMBER 1988 THAT THE PILOT TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED WAS NOT WORKABLE," MR CHAU SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN.
MR CHAU SAID A SURVEY CARRIED OUT AT END OF THE TRIAL PERIOD, WHICH RAN FROM APRIL 1, 1987 TO MARCH 31 LAST YEAR, SHOWED THAT THE SCHEME HAD NOT BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY EITHER THE PARTICIPANTS OR THE TAXI-DRIVERS.
"THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE RELATIVELY CUMBERSOME APPLICATION PROCEDURES INVOLVED AND THE UNWILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF MANY TAXI DRIVERS TO ACCEPT THE VOUCHERS BECAUSE OF THE INCONVENIENCE INVOLVED IN ENCASHING THEM," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THAT ON COMMITTEE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD
THE SUGGESTION OF THE CO-ORDINATING SHORTLY SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO:
/(A) IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25. 1989
(A) IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES IN THE PRESENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR DISABLED PERSONS;
(B) RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING TRANSPORT
PROVISIONS FOR DISABLED PERSONS;
(C) SEE HOW TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED PERSONS COULD BE
INCORPORATED INTO THE PVBLTC TRANSPORT SERVICES, IN PARTICULAR DURING THEIR PLANNING STAGE; AND
(D) EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE TO ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF THE DISABLED, HAVING REGARD TO THE IMPRACTICABILITY OF THE TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WILL FINISH ITS WORK LATER THIS YEAR AND SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE," MR CHAU SAID.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT PRESENT TO SAY WHETHER OR WHEN OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE MIGHT BE IMPLEMENTED."
- - 0 - -
ARREARS OF REVENUE BEING REDUCED * * » »
THE ARREARS ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNAL REVENUE HAD BEEN FURTHER REDUCED TO $718 MILLION BY DECEMBER 31, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
MR BARROW HAD ASKED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING TO COLLECT THE OUTSTANDING ARREARS OF REVENUE TOTALLING $1,964 MILLION ON MARCH 31 LAST YEAR AND HOW MUCH OF THIS WAS EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT AS NOTED IN THE AUDIT REPORT 1987-88, THE REPORTED ARREARS OF REVENUE OF $1,964 MILLION AS AT MARCH 31 HAD BEEN REDUCED TO $1,161 MILLION BY JUNE 30.
THE TWO MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE ARREARS AS AT JUNE 30 COMPRISED $1,060 MILLION IN INTERNAL REVENUE AND $45 MILLION UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY SYSTEM RELATING TO TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS AND CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
"IN TERMS OF RECOVERY ACTION FOR ARREARS ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNAL REVENUE, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO COLLECT OVERDUE TAXES," MR JACOBS SAID.
/’’METHODS EMPLOYED
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989-
"METHODS EMPLOYED INCLUDE THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ACTIONS THROUGH THE DISTRICT COURTS, THE USE OF POWERS GRANTED UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO ISSUE RECOVERY NOTICES TO PERSONS, SUCH AS EMPLOYERS AND BANKERS, WHO OWE MONEY TO, OR HOLD MONEY FOR, DEFAULTERS, AND THE PREVENTION OF DEFAULTERS DEPARTING FROM HONG KONG."
REFERRING TO THE RECOVERY OF ARREARS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FIXED PENALTY SYSTEM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT THE NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS WAS REDUCED TO A MINIMUM.
HE ADDED THAT EX PARTE ORDERS OF THE COURT WERE SOUGHT FOR NONPAYMENT AFTER THE DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT.
"WE HAVE ALSO APPLIED TO THE COURT FOR ORDERS IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY TOGETHER WITH COSTS AGAINST DEFENDANTS WHO DO NOT RESPOND TO DULY SERVED SUMMONS," MR JACOBS SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT HAS ON OCCASIONS REFUSED TO ISSUE OR RENEW A VEHICLE OR DRIVING LICENCE UNLESS AND UNTIL ALL DEBTS IN RELATION TO PENALTIES ARE PAID.
"BECAUSE OF THE MANY FACTORS INVOLVED, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE A FULLY ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT CAN BE COLLECTED."
-------0 ---------
GOVT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PUBLIC VIEWS * * « « »
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PUBLIC VIEWS AS EXPRESSED THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS AND FORUMS, INCLUDING THE PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE COLLECTION OF VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND IN THE NEWSPAPERS, BE THEY SUGGESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS, IS ONE OF THE MAIN TASKS OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW, MR TSAO SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLATING THOSE VIEWS AND DIRECTING THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS.
THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY PERUSED SOME 60 CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES, AND ABOUT 180 HOURS EACH WEEK OF RADIO AND TELEVISION NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES.
/"IT PRODUCES .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
"IT PRODUCES SUMMARIES, TRANSLATIONS, CLIPPINGS AND REPORTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ALL RELEVANT SECRETARIAT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS FOR INFORMATION AND NECESSARY ACTION," MR TSAO SAID.
"WHERE NECESSARY, FULL TRANSLATIONS ARE PRODUCED OF COMMENTARIES AND/OR ARTICLES IN THE CHINESE PRESS, AND TRANSCRIPTS OF EXTRACTS FROM RADIO AND TELEVISION PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES," HE ADDED.
AT PRESENT THE DEPARTMENT PRODUCED ’’THE GIST", A DAILY PUBLICATION WHICH SUMMARISED NEWS AND EDITORIAL COMMENT IN THE CHINESE PRESS AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC MEDIA; "OPINION", A WEEKLY REVIEW OF CHINESE EDITORIALS AND COMMENTARIES; "WHAT THE MAGAZINES SAY”, A MONTHLY REVIEW OF ARTRICLES AND COMMENT IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL MAGAZINES; AND SPECIAL REPORTS ON TOPICAL ISSUES AS AND WHEN REQUIRED, MR TSAO POINTED OUT.
HE SAID A SIMILAR MECHANISM FOR THE DAILY PERUSING AND FEEDBACK OF VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE MEDIA EXISTED IN MORE THAN 20 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SERVED BY THEIR OWN INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNITS MANNED BY STAFF SECONDED FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THIS, HE SAID, WOULD ENSURE THAT SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL OFFICIALS WERE KEPT ABREAST OF PUBLIC SENTIMENTS ON MATTERS DIRECTLY RELATING TO OR AFFECTING THEIR DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 ---------
CHOOSING OF LOCATION FOR MURRAY HOUSE RE-ERECTION EXPLAINED * » * * *
THE HISTORIC LINK OF MURRAY HOUSE TO THE BRITISH ARMY IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR WHICH THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE SELECTION OF A SUITABLE SITE FOR THE RE-ERECTION OF MURRAY HOUSE.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO.
HE WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR CONCERNING THE REASONS FOR CHOOSING MA HANG VILLAGE AS A LOCATION FOR RE-ERECTING MURRAY HOUSE.
MR LIAO SAID MURRAY HOUSE WAS COMPLETED IN 1846. IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT AS AN OFFICERS’ MESS AND WAS USED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE PURPOSE BY THE BRITISH ARMY UP TO 1963, EXCEPT FOR AN INTERRUPTION DURING WORLD WAR II.
/IT WAS ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
16 -
IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEMOLISHED IN 1982 TO MAKE WAY FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENTS.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT MA HANG WAS SITUATED IN STANLEY WHICH WAS STILL CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRITISH ARMY.
HE SAID THE RE-ERECTED MURRAY HOUSE WOULD BECOME A FOCAL POINT IN A VILLAGE SQUARE UNDER THE NEW MA HANG VILLAGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SCHEME TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THE AUTHORITY’S PLANS ALSO INCLUDED THE REHABILITATION OF THE WATERFRONT AREA AT STANLEY AND THE PROVISION OF A NEW PROMENADE THERE TO ENHANCE ITS ATTRACTIVENESS TO TOURISTS, HE ADDED.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD INDICATED THAT IT WAS PREPARED TO MEET THE COSTS OF RE-ERECTION OF MURRAY HOUSE AND THE SUBSEQUENT MAINTENANCE COSTS.
MR LIAO ALSO SAID THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD HAD CONSIDERED THE RELEVANT MERITS OF HARCOURT GARDEN AS A POSSIBLE SITE FOR THE RE-ERECTION OF THE BUILDING.
HOWEVER, THAT PROPOSAL HAD NOT BEEN PURSUED ANY FURTHER BECAUSE THE URBAN COUNCIL, WHICH WOULD MANAGE THE GARDEN, HAD INDICATED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE PREPARED TO HAVE THE BUILDING RE-ERECTED THERE.
-----0------
ONE BILL PASSED » t * *
THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEBATES ON TWO OTHER BILLS WERE ADJOURNED. THE BILLS ARE THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25,
1989
- 17 -
GOVERNOR TO VISIT LONDON NEXT MONTH *****
THE GOVERNOR FEBRUARY 20-26 FOR OFFICIALS.
SIR DAVID WILSON, ROUTINE DISCUSSIONS
WILL WITH
VISIT LONDON FCO MINISTERS
FROM AND
THE GOVERNOR'S LAST VISIT TO LONDON WAS IN OCTOBER 1988.
-------0---------
HARBOUR ROAD SITE SOLD FOR $3.35 BILLION
*****
A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, WAS SOLD FOR $3,350 MILLION AT A PUBLIC AUCTION HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SITE, INLAND LOT NO. 8643, IS LOCATED AT HARBOUR ROAD OPPOSITE THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 7.230 SQUARE METRES, AND IS FOR NONINDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING GODOWN AND RESIDENTIAL BUT INCLUDING HOTEL AND/OR SERVICE APARTMENT.
BIDDING FOR THE LOT STARTED AT $2,500 MILLION AND WAS FINALLY BOUGHT BY CHEER CITY PROPERTIES LIMITED.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 65,000 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
ALSO SOLD AT TODAY'S AUCTION WAS A LOT AT THE TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA IN YUEN LONG.
THE AREA IS ABOUT 1,736 SQUARE METRES, AND IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 8,333 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
BIDDING STARTED AT $25 MILLION AND WAS SOLD TO MAIN CROWN DEVELOPMENT LIMITED FOR $33.5 MILLION.
TODAY'S AUCTION, WHICH ATTRACTED FULL-HOUSE ATTENDANCE, WAS CONDUCTED BY MR JIM HUGHES, GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
-------O---------
/18........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 18
$782 MILLION CONTRACT SIGNED FOR KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASE 2 *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $782 MILLION CONTRACT i-O.i THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASE 2, THE LARGEST SINGLE CONTRACT EVER.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR G. HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF A JOINT VENTURE OF TWO FRENCH CONTRACTORS, DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS AND iACHY SOLETANCHE, MR MICHEL BETANT AND MR PIERRE DUSSAUZE.
KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASE 2 WILL CONNECT PHASE 1 AT WAI YIP STREET VIA A DUAL THREE-LANE ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY ALONGSIDE THE KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER SEAWALL (ADJACENT TO HOI BUN ROAD), TO KAI FUK ROAD AT KOWLOON BAY.
MR BEATON SAID THAT THE PROJECT HAD A NUMBER OF SPECIAL FEATURES.
IN VIEW OF THE LARGE AND FAST TRACKED NATURE OF THE PROJECT, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS FOR THE FIRST TIME ASSIGNED A PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMPANY TO MANAGE ITS CONSTRUCTION.
ONLY 30 MONTHS WERE ALLOWED FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE MAIN WORKS BECAUSE THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS HAD TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL LATER IN 1991.
APART FROM THIS, THE EXISTING KWUN TONG PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA WOULD BE RE-LOCATED IN A PHASED PROGRAMME TO A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA AT CHA KWO LING AND THE NEW RECLAMATION ADJACENT TO HOI BUN ROAD.
IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE AN EARLY START TO THE RELOCATION AN ADVANCE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED LAST AUGUST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES.
MR BEATON SAID WORKS ALSO INCLUDED THE REPLACEMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE KWUN TONG PASSENGER FERRY PIER AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE KWUN TONG VEHICULAR FERRY PIER.
THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE FREEMAN
FOX/MAUNSELL AND THE PROJECT MANAGERS ARE EHC PROJECT MANAGEMENT CO.
THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING SECTION.
--------o----------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 19 -
$1 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO REPATRIATE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ******
FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A #1 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) TOWARDS ITS INITIAL PROGRAMME FOR THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
THE CONTRIBUTION IS IN RESPONSE TO AN INTERNATIONAL APPEAL LAUNCHED BY THE UNHCR TO FUND AN INITIAL REPATRIATION AND REINTEGRATION PROGRAMME FOR SOME 500 BOAT PEOPLE FROM THE REGION WHO WANT TO RETURN TO VIETNAM.
THE APPEAL AIMS TO RAISE US$557000 (HK$4345000). THIS I" REQUIRED TO TRANSPORT RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM AND TO HELP THEM RESUME NORMAL LIFE IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME. ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED IN KIND RATHER THAN IN CASH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT 296 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG HAVE SO FAR VOLUNTEERED TO BE REPATRIATED.
"THERE ARE VERY FEW OTHER VOLUNTEERS ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION AND HONG KONG WILL CERTAINLY START AS THE MAJOR BENEFICIARY OF THIS PROGRAMME.
"AND IF MORE VOLUNTEERS SHOULD COME FORWARD, HONG KONG MIGHT WELL PROVE TO BE IN EFFECT THE ONLY BENEFICIARY," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH HONG KONG MIGHT BE EXPECTED BY POTENTIAL DONOR COUNTRIES TO COME FORWARD WITH A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAMME, WE MUST AVOID CREATING THE IMPRESSION THAT WE WERE READY TO MEET THE BULK OF ALL COSTS CONNECTED WITH THE REPATRIATION OF VOLUNTEERS FROM HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"THIS CONTRIBUTION SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS A COMMITMENT TO AN EQUIVALENT SHARE OF FUTURE PROGRAMMES.
"HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HONG KONG TO ANY SUBSEQUENT PROGRAMME WHICH THE UNHCR MIGHT ORGANISE, PROVIDED THAT IT IS TO HONG KONG’S CLEAR ADVANTAGE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT ONE-OFF CONTRIBUTION OF $1 MILLION REPRESENTED 23 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET OF THE INITIAL PROGRAMME OR 38 PER CENT OF THE COST OF REPATRIATING THE 300 VOLUNTEERS FROM HONG KONG, WHO WOULD BE THE FIRST TO RETURN.
"THIS CONTRIBUTION REPRESENTS 14 PER CENT OF THE NOTIONAL COST OF KEEPING 300 BOAT PEOPLE IN DETENTION CENTRES FOR A YEAR," HE SAID.
"LORD GLENARTHUR HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT THE UK GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE US$125,000 TOWARDS THE INITIAL PROGRAMME, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS OUR CONTRIBUTION," HE ADDED.
-------O ---------
/2O........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
20 -
EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS SCHEME TO BE MODIFIED
A DECISION ON WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A PERMANENT SCHEME TO EMPLOY EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN PUBLIC-SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE MADE UNTIL AFTER THE PRESENT TWO-YEAR EELT PILOT SCHEME HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE DECISION WILL BE BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE FINAL EVALUATION REPORT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.
HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY WHILE THE PILOT SCHEME IS BEING EVALUATED, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT A MODIFIED SCHEME, WHICH WILL ALSO LAST FOR TWO YEARS, SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
THIS WILL BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT WITHOUT THIS MODIFIED SCHEME, MOST TEACHERS IN THE PILOT SCHEME WOULD LEAVE HONG KONG THIS SUMMER.
THIS WOULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF MOMENTUM, AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO INTRODUCE A PERMANENT SCHEME, IF ONE SHOULD PROVE TO BE JUSTIFIED.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE MODIFIED SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:
AIDED SCHOOLS IN THE PRESENT PILOT SCHEME MAY JOIN THE MODIFIED SCHEME IF THEY WISH BY EMPLOYING SERVING EXPATRIATE TEACHERS WILLING TO STAY IN HONG KONG FOR TWO MORE YEARS FOR THE MODIFIED SCHEME. (22 SUCH AIDED SCHOOLS
WITH 44 POSTS HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN CONTINUING TO
HAVE THE SERVICE OF EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS.
t THE AIDED SCHOOLS CONCERNED WILL EMPLOY EXPATRIATE TEACHERS DIRECTLY RATHER THAN THROUGH A THIRD PARTY.
* VACANCIES FOR GRADUATE ENGLISH TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER 1989 (ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 30) ARE TO BE FILLED BY EXPATRIATE TEACHERS THROUGH OPEN COMPETITION WITH EMPLOYMENT ON NORMAL CIVIL SERVICE TERMS. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LONG-ESTABLISHED POLICY PERMITTING THE EMPLOYMENT OF EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS. EXPATRIATE TEACHERS NOW SERVING IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE PRESENT PILOT SCHEME MAY APPLY FOR THESE POSTS AS MAY ANY SERVING EXPATRIATE TEACHER IN THE AIDED SECTOR WHO CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN THAT SECTOR OR WHO WOULD PREFER TO JOIN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR.
/* PARTICIPATING AIDED ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 21
» PARTICIPATING AIDED SCHOOLS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A TEMPORARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUBJECT GRANT TO ENABLE THE EMPLOYMENT TERMS FOR THEIR EXPATRIATE ENGLISH TEACHERS TO BE MADE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR EXPATRIATE TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.
* SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE MODIFIED SCHEME WILL BE GIVEN FLEXIBILITY TO USE THEIR EXPATRIATE TEACHERS TO TEACH MORE SENIOR FORMS (SECONDARY 3 AND ABOVE I IF THEY WISH. THIS WILL PROVIDE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXPATRIATE TEACHERS IN IMPROVING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY OF OLDER STUDENTS.
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE MODIFIED SCHEME IS THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE) WILL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO HELP NEWLY RECRUITED EXPATRIATE TEACHERS TO ADJUST QUICKLY TO THE LOCAL TEACHING SITUATION AND TO ENSURE THAT IDEAS AND MATERIALS ORIGINATING FROM THE EXPATRIATE TEACHERS ARE FURTHER DEVELOPED AND MADE WIDELY AVAILABLE.
THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM THE MODIFIED SCHEME WILL BE A USEFUL COMPLEMENT TO THE PRESENT PILOT SCHEME IN DETERMINING HOW BEST TO IMPLEMENT ANY PERMANENT SCHEME, IF THIS SHOULD BE JUSTIFIED.
IN PARTICULAR, THE MODIFIED SCHEME WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS THE MANAGEMENT OF EXPATRIATE TEACHERS DIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION TO ADOPT A MODIFIED SCHEME WAS MADE AFTER THE GOVERNMENT HAD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE FINDINGS OF AN INTERIM EVALUATION OF THE PRESENT PILOT SCHEME, WHICH IN GENERAL INDICATED THAT NO DEFINITE CONCLUSIONS COULD BE DRAWN AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE.
HE SAID THAT AN ORAL TEST AND A LISTENING TEST HAD REVEALED NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY 1, 2 AND 3 LEVELS BETWEEN STUDENTS IN THE SCHEME AND THOSE IN CONTROL GROUPS TAUGHT BY LOCAL TEACHERS.
HOWEVER, WHILE A WRITTEN TEST HAI) SHOWN NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY 1 AND 2 STUDENTS, SECONDARY 3 STUDENTS IN THE PILOT SCHEME HAD SHOWN POSITIVE RESULTS OVER THOSE IN THE CONTROL GROUPS.
THE PERCEPTIONS OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, PANEL CHAIRMEN AND THE EXPATRIATE TEACHERS THEMSELVES REGARDING THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE EXPATRIATES TO THE GENERAL AIMS OF THE SCHOOLS WERE ALSO INCONCLUSIVE.
WHILE SOME TEACHERS FELT THAT THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS HAD BEEN LIMITED BECAUSE THE METHODS AND EXPECTATION OF THE SCHOOLS WERE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEMS WITH WHICH THEY WERE FAMILIAR, MOST SCHOOLS REPORTED FAVOURABLY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXPATRIATE TEACHERS AND FELT THAT THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED POSITIVELY TO THE SCHOOLS.
/THE SPOKESMAN........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
22 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE INTERIM EVALUATION HAD ALSO BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE PILOT SCHEME STEERING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF SCHOOL COUNCILS, PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE BRITISH COUNCIL.
STATING THAT COPIES OF THE INTERIM EVALUATION REPORT WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST TO THOSE INTERESTED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: "THE BRITISH COUNCIL HAS DONE A VERY THOROUGH INTERIM EVALUATION.
"WITH WIDE EXPERIENCE IN ADMINISTERING SIMILAR SCHEMES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, 'fHE COUNCIL HAS ALSO ASSISTED THE DEPARTMENT IN ENCOURAGING POSITIVE CHANGE IN TEACHING METHODS IN SEVERAL OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DECISION NOT TO INVOLVE THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN THE MODIFIED SCHEME WAS IN NO WAY AN ADVERSE REFLECTION ON THE COUNCIL’S PERFORMANCE.
IT WAS MAINLY BECAUSE IN ANY PERMANENT SCHEME EXPATRIATE TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN THE SCHOOLS WOULD BE APPOINTED AND MANAGED BY THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES, AND THE MODIFIED SCHEME PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS TO BE TESTED.
"WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE BRITISH COUNCIL IS DOING IN THE PRESENT PILOT SCHEME AND FOR THE VERY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION, WHICH THE COUNCIL IS MAKING TN THE FIELD OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING IN HONG KONG GENERALLY," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL SCHOOLS AND EXPATRIATE TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PRESENT PILOT SCHEME WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE DETAILS OF THE MODIFIED SCHEME WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
HE SAID THAT THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL COST OF EMPLOYING A MAXIMUM OF 74 EXPATRIATE TEACHERS FOR THE MODIFIED SCHEME WOULD BE ABOUT $22 MILLION FOR THE FULL TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
THIS FIGURE INCLUDED ABOUT $5 MILLION FOR THE SALARIES OF 16 TEACHERS OCCUPYING SUPERNUMARY POSTS SPECIFICALLY CREATED FOR THE ORIGINAL PILOT SCHEME IN THOSE AIDED SCHOOLS EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MODIFIED SCHEME.
IF THE SALARIES OF THE OTHER 58 TEACHERS WERE ALSO (AND THESE WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE CONCERNED WERE LOCAL OR EXPATRIATE), THE TOTAL COST OVER THE PERIOD WOULD BE ABOUT $42 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT $53 MILLION FOR A MAXIMUM OF 84
INCLUDED TEACHERS TWO-YEAR ORIGINAL TEACHERS
UNDER THE PRESENT TWO-YEAR PILOT SCHEME.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EMPLOYMENT OF EXPATRIATE TEACHERS WERE ONE OF MANY LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES BEING IMPLEMENTED IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
/THE TRAINING........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
25
THE TRAINING OF LOCAL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH HAD BEEN IMPROVED IN RECENT YEARS BY THE RECRUITMENT OF EXPATRIATE LECTURERS FOR THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE ILE, AND BY THE INTENSIVE 23-WEEK COURSES FOR SERVING TEACHERS RUN BY THE ILE.
SINCE 1987 THESE COURSES HAD INCLUDED FOUR WEEKS OF TOTAL IMMERSION LANGUAGE TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR A TOTAL OF 153 TEACHERS. THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS SENT ANNUALLY WOULD INCREASE FROM 104 THIS YEAR TO 440 IN FINANCIAL YEAR 1993-94.
HE NOTED THAT THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS UNION HAD RECENTLY SUGGESTED AN ALTERNATIVE SCHEME UNDER WHICH NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS FROM OVERSEAS WOULD BE INVITED TO HONG KONG TO RUN LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL TEACHERS.
THIS PROPOSAL WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS A POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURE.
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GOVERNOR TO VISIT CENTRAL AND WESTERN »«**»*»
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON WILL VISIT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO LOOK AT VARIOUS RE-DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID WILL FIRST VISIT LAN KWAI FONG IN CENTRAL, AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSEFUL URBAN REDEVELOPMENT WITH PRIVATE INITIATIVE.
HE WILL THEN PROCEED TO WING ON STREET-COMMONLY KNOWN AS ’CLOTH ALLEY’, WHICH LIES WITHIN THE PROPOSED GILMAN STREET COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA.
THE GOVERNOR WILL THEN GO TO LOK SZE TERRACE AND VISIT NEARBY RESIDENTIAL TERRACES IN KENNEDY TOWN.
THE NEXT STOP WILL BE THE WHITTY STREET COMPOUND WHERE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS BEING UNDERTAKEN.
SIR DAVID WILL HAVE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE WESTERN RECLAMATION FROM A HIGH-RISE BUILDING IN SHEUNG WAN. THE GOVERNOR WILL THEN MEET MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AT A RECEPTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COV.R THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO CENTRA! AND WESTERN DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY). REPORTERS ARE REQUEST ) TO ASSEMBLE AT THE LAN KWAI FONG SITTING-OUT AREA, NEXT TO THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT 2 PM. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S TOUR.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 24 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER RELEASED * * * * *
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO SHOW MARKED INCREASES IN DECEMBER 1988, ALTHOUGH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES OF THE VARIOUS TRADE AGGREGATES WERE NOT AS HIGH AS IN NOVEMBER.
THIS IS SHOWN BY THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN DECEMBER 1988 WAS $21,175 MILLION, $2,325 MILLION OR 12.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1987, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 47.6 PER CENT OR $9,065 MILLION TO $28,121 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $49,296 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1988, WAS THUS $11,390 MILLION OR 30.0 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1987.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 29.3 PER CENT OR $11,369 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $50,186 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1988.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $890 MILLION WAS RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1988, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 1.8 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $911 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1987.
PUTTING THESE TRADE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR 1988 AS A WHOLE WAS $493,069 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $217,666 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $275,403 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH 1987, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $115,035 MILLION OR 30.4 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $22,412 MILLION OR 11.5 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $92,623 MILLION OR 50.7 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $120,853 MILLION OR 32.0 PER CENT, TO $498,801 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $5,732 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN 1988.
IN 1987, THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT WAS VIRTUALLY IN BALANCE, WITH A SMALL SURPLUS OF $86 MILLION.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FLUCTUATED DURING 1988.
/THE YEAR-ON-YEAR .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL FROM 14.6 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER TO 8.8 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER, BEFORE PICKING UP TO 9.8 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND 13.3 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT RE-EXPORTS REGISTERED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH THROUGHOUT 1988.
AS A RESULT, 55.9 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1) > WAS TAKEN UP BY RE-EXPORTS, COMPARED WITH 48.4 PER CENT IN 1987.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE F : IRES FOR DECEMBER 1988.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS: #21,175 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : #28,121 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : #49,296 MILLION
IMPORTS : $50,186 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : #890 MILLION (IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS OCT 88 TO DEC 88 HKS MN. OCT 87 TO DEC 87 HKS MN. INCREASE
HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 61,293 54,115 7,178 13.3
RE-EXPORTS 82,455 53,704 28,751 53.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 143,748 107,819 35,929 33.3
IMPORTS 144,198 107,797 36,401 33.8
TRADE BALANCE -450 22 -472
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR DECEMBER 1988 HKS MN. DECEMBER 1987 HKS MN. INCREASE
HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,175 18,850 2,325 12.3
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (43.0%) (49.7%)
RE-EXPORTS 23,121 19,056 9,065 47.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 49,296 37,906 11,390 30.0
IMPORTS 50,186 38,817 11,369 29.3
TRADE BALANCE -890 -911 21
LAST MONTH DECEMBER 1988 HKS MN. NOVEMBER 1988 HKS MN. INCREASE
HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,175 20,052 1,123 5.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (43.0%) (42.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 28,121 27,706 415 1.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 49,296 47,758 1,538 3.2
IMPORTS 50,186 48,226 1,960 4 . 1
TRADE BALANCE -890 -468 -422
/LAST 12
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 26 -
• LAST 12 MONTHS
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS
'.IMPORTS
TRADE BALANCE
JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE
1988 1987
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
217,666 195,254 . 22,412 11.5
(44.1%) (51.6%) 50.7
275,403 182,780 92,623
493,069 378,034 115,035 30.4
498,801 377,948 120,853 32.0
-5,732 86 -5,818
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SURVEY ON VACANCIES
AT BUILDING » * » » *
AND CONSTRUCTION SITES *
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS 73,077 AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES WAS 7,600, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF VACANCIES AI CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, WHICH COVERED SOME 404 SITES AND 849 PRIVATE SECTOR SITES WHICH WERE ACTIVE 1988, WERE RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PUBLIC SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER
THF VACANCY RATE, WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUM TOTAL OF THE NUMBER MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED tND THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES, WAS 9.4 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
OF THE 7,600 VACANCIES REPORTED FROM THE 5,513 WERE FOUND IN PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 2,087 SITES.
SITES ENUMERATED, IN PRIVATE SECTOR
THE
SITES WERE
VACANCY RATES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE RESPECTIVELY 17.6 PER CENT AND 4.2 PER CENT.
SECTOR
A SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS IS GIVEN IN THE TABLE BELOW
PUBLIC SECTOR SITES PRIVATE SECTOR SITES TOTAL
NO. OF ACTIVE SITES 404 849 1,253
NO. OF MANUAL WORKERS 25,804 47,273 73,077
AVERAGE NO. OF WORKERS PER SITE 63.9 55.7 58.3
/NO. OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 27 -
NO. OF VACANCIES 5,513 2,087 7,600
AVERAGE NO. OF VACANCIES PER SITE 13.6 2.5 6.1
VACANCY RATE (%) 17.6 4.2 9.4
WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BOTH
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND THE VACANCY RATE. IN MARCH 1988, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES WAS 6,003 AND THE VACANCY RATE WAS 7.5 PER CENT. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN MAKING THE COMPARISON AS THERE COULD BE SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND THE VACANCY RATE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHING EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCY STATISTICS COVERING THE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS SINCE MARCH 1976.
VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SITES WERE, HOWEVER, NOT AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUCH STATISTICS, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A SPECIAL SURVEY OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN MARCH 1988 AND REPEATED THE SURVEY IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
IT IS INTENDED TO CONDUCT THE SURVEY IN EVERY MARCH AND SEPTEMBER IN FUTURE.
THE NEW SURVEY COVERS ALL PRIVATE SECTOR SITES REGISTERED IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR SITES UNDER THE CHARGE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IN ADDITION, SITES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND MINOR ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE AND INTERIOR DECORATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS ARE, HOWEVER, NOT INCLUDED.
DATA WERE COLLECTED BY PERSONAL INTERVIEWS. DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT PAID VISITS TO EACH CONSTRUCTION SITE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SOLICIT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM SITE AGENTS OF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR OR SUB-CONTRACTORS.
FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR SITES, DATA WERE SOLICITED FORM THE RESPONSIBLE RESIDENT ENGINEER OR CLERK OF WORKS, WHO OBTAINED THE INFORMATION FROM THE CONTRACTORS.
/THE SPOKESMAN........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989 .
28 -
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN DEFINING AND OBTAINING ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, READERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE DUE NOTE OF THE DEFINITION OF VACANCY ADOPTED AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SURVEY WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
IN THE SURVEY, VACANCIES REFER TO THOSE UNFILLED, IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE JOB OPENINGS FOR WHICH ACTIVE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO RECRUIT THE WORKERS.
THIS DEFINITION IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT ADOPTED IN OTHER SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SUBSTITUTION AND RE-SCHEDULING POSSIBILITIES IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN LABOUR SUPPLY AND WORK REQUIREMENTS.
CONSEQUENTLY, VACANCIES CARRY A MUCH LOOSER SENSE AS FAR AS BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE CONCERNED.
THIS MEANS THAT VACANCY DATA SUPPLIED BY CONTRACTORS OR SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO LARGE VARIATIONS IN REPORTING BEHAVIOUR.
AMONG THE SITES SURVEYED IN SEPTEMBER 1988, SOME WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO VACANCIES AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER IN THESE SITES THE CONTRACTORS WERE ABLE TO FILL ALL VACANCIES OR THEY HAD IN FACT DELAYED THE PROJECTS INSTEAD.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A "REPORT OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES". COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $7 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE MADE TO THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234758 OR 5-8234753.
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/29........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25,
1989
- 29 -
STUDENTS TO BE HONOURED IN CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CITY HALL TO HONOUR WINNERS OF THE 1988 AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME AND THE ’’DRAWING THE RAINBOW” SCHOOL PAINTING COMPETITION.
CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE, AND VICE-CHAIRMAN, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY TOGETHER WITH THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR SO FAI-CHO.
AN EXHIBITION, DISPLAYING THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE PAINTING COMPETITION, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AFTER THE CEREMONY.
THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME AND THE ’’DRAWING THE RAINBOW” SCHOOL PAINTING COMPETITION WERE TWO MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT CAMPAIGN, AIMED AT SOLICITING STUDENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN KEEPING THE CITY CLEAN.
DURING LAST SUMMER, SOME 640 STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME TO HELP CLEAN UP URBAN BEACHES AND TO ADVISE BEACH-GOERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR REFUSE PROPERLY.
SOME 500 STUDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL ATTEND TOMORROW’S CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH STARTS AT 2.30 PM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, LOW BLOCK. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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DB TO BE INFORMED OF URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL PROJECTS
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE INFORMED OF URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL PROJECTS COSTING MORE THAN $3 MILLION WITHIN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR HAWKERS TN FA YUEN STREET UPON THE OPENING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET MARKET TN MARCH 1989.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
THEY WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON THE PROCEDURES FOR ELECTING AMONG MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS A REPRESENTATIVE TO SIT ON THE URBAN COUNCIL AND TO FIX A DAY FOR SUCH AN ELECTION IN MARCH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
- 0 - -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MFET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL BY THE HONG K<:?'G COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH TO ORGANISE JOINT ACTIVITIES FOR ANTI-SMOKING PURPOSES.
THE COUNCIL RECENTLY SENT A LETTER TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AND FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS, THE MATTER WAS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER 14 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE LUNAR NEW YEAR FUNCTIONS. IF APPROVED, TOTAL GRANT WILL AMOUNT TO MORE THAN $60,000.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 I’M AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, MAM CHEONG STREET.
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/51
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 31 -
COUNTRY PARKS SURVEY RESULTS ANNOUNCED
♦ t » * *
ALTHOUGH COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BECOME AN ACCEPTED PART OF HONG KONG LIFE, THERE HAVE BEEN FEWER FEMALE VISITORS IN RECENT YEARS, WITH THE PROPORTION OF THOSE OVER THE AGE OF 25 BEING ONLY ONE-FOURTH OF THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE FINDINGS OF A MAJOR COUNTRY PARKS VISITOR SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (COUNTRYSIDE), MR WONG FOOK-YEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE SURVEY SHOWED A MALE AND FEMALE RATIO OF 72:28 TN THE VISITOR PATTERN, COMPARED WITH 67:33 RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 1985.
"THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FEMALE VISITORS MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FACT THAT FEMALES OVER THE AGE OF 25 ARE MOSTLY ENGAGED IN FAMILY AFFAIRS ESPECIALLY IN TAKING CARE OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
"ANOTHER POSSIBLE EXPLANATION IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE PREVAILING LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE TERRITORY, MORE FEMALES HAVE TAKEN UP EMPLOYMENT," HE SAID.
THE SURVEY, THE THIRD SINCE 1983, WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY LAST YEAR IN 17 COUNTRY PARKS AND THE TAI PO KAU NATURE RESERVE.
SOME 6,790 VISITORS WERE SELECTED AT RANDOM TO FIND OUT THE USAGE PATTERN OF PARK VISITORS AND TO IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS FOR PARK FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
MR WONG SAID AMONG THE PARK VISITORS INTERVIEWED TN THE SURVEY, IT WAS FOUND THAT MORE PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 25 VISITED COUNTRY PARKS WITH THE MOST ACTIVE GROUP BEING IN THE AGE RANGE OF 25 - 29, FOLLOWED BY THE AGE GROUPS OF 30 - 39 AND 20 - 24.
THE AGE GROUP DISTRIBUTION REFLECTED IN THE SURVEY WAS 26 PER CENT TN THE 25 - 29 AGE GROUP; 23.4 PER CENT TN THE 30 - 39 AGE GROUP; 21.4 PER CENT IN THE 20 - 24 AGE GROUP; 14.6 I'ER CENT TN THE 15 - 19 AGE GROUP; 9.8 PER CENT IN THE 40 - 59 AGE GROUP; AND 3.3 PER CENT AGED 60 AND OVER.
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT ABOUT 69.7 PER CENT OF THE VISITORS WERE OF SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, 16.9 PER CENT OF POST-SECONDARY AND UNIVERSITY STANDARD AND 12.1 PER CENT HAVING RECEIVED PRIMARY EDUCATION.
"IN TERM OF OCCUPATION, THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF THE PARK VISITORS OR 30.7 PER CENT, BELONGED TO THE CLERICAL, SALES AND SERVICES CATEGORY," MR WONG SAID.
/THE SECOND
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 ♦
THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP OR 15.6 PER CENT WERE STUDENT WHILE UNSKILLED OR SEMI-SKILLED WORKERS AND TECHNICIANS OCCUPIED 14.7 PER CENT AND 11.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
’’THE COMBINED PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL GRADE MADE UP ABOUT 14.7 PER CENT WITH THE REST BELONGING TO HOUSEWIVES, RETIRED AND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE."
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE VISITORS WENT TO THE COUNTRY PARKS IN GROUPS OF VARYING SIZES WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, SCHOOL FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
"HOWEVER, THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE, OR ABOUT 9.2 PER CENT, VISITED THE COUNTRY PARKS ON THEIR OWN.
"THIS PERCENTAGE REPRESENTS A STEADY INCREASE OVER THE RATINGS OF 3.7 PER CENT AND 6.6 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE 1983 AND 1985 SURVEYS," HE SAID.
THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK REMAINED THE MOST POPULAR AMONG THE 21 COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG. FOLLOWED BY SHING MUN, ABERDEEN, KAM SHAN AND TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS.
IT ALSO SHOWED THAT BARBECUING WAS THE MOST POPULAR ACTIVITY INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS. OTHERS INCLUDED LEISURE WALKING, HIKING, SPORTING AND FITNESS EXERCISE, PICNICKING AND CYCLING.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, NIGHT VISITS TO COUNTRY PARKS HAD BECOME POPULAR.
"OF THE INTERVIEWEES, 28.7 PER CENT HAD VISITED COUNTRY PARKS AFTER. 7 PM. MOST OF THE NIGHT VISITORS WENT TO RATHER REMOTE COUNTRY PARKS WHERE PARKING SPACES ARE AVAILABLE," MR WONG SAID.
THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDED USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT VISITORS’ VIEWS, ON PARK FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
"THOUGH MOST OF THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES WERE WELCOMED BY VISITORS, 27.1 PER CENT OF THE INTERVIEWEES STILL CONSIDERED THAT IMPROVEMENT OF TOILET FACILITIES A MATTER OF PRIORITY.
"ABOUT 9.2 PER CENT SUGGESTED THAT WATER SUPPLY SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN RECREATIONAL SITES WHILE 5.5 PER CENT REQUESTED MORE RAIN SHELTERS,” MR WONG SAID.
"THE SURVEY HAS PROVIDED THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY WITH SUFFICIENT EMPIRICAL DATA ON THE NATURE, BEHAVIOUR AND EXPECTATIONS OF PARK VISITORS.
"THESE WILL ASSIST PARK PLANNERS AND MANAGERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CLIENTS AND TO CATER FOR THEIR NEEDS," HE ADDED.
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/33........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989
- 33 -
SEWERAGE MASTERPLAN STUDY FOR TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, AND TSING YI * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF POLLUTION RESULTING FROM IMPROPER CONNECTIONS OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS TO STORMWATER DRAINS AND WATERCOURSES WITHIN THE TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI REGION.
THE STUDY WILL IDENTIFY THE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE EXISTING SEWERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOP OUTLINE SCHEMES FOR REMEDIAL WORKS TO ENSURE THAT SEWAGE IS PROPERLY COLLECTED INTO THE FOUL SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND THEN DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR EPD SAID THE STUDY WILL HELP IN FORMULATING EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO ENSURE PROPER COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF ALL SEWAGE FROM THE AREA, THUS REDUCING THE CHRONIC WATER POLLUTION OF THE RAMBLER CHANNEL AREA.
A PROGRAMME FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING WORKS WILL ALSO BE PRODUCED, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A PRIORITY LIST OF SCHEMES, SO AS TO TACKLE THE WORST POLLUTION AREAS IN THE SHORTEST TIME.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR MIKE STOKOE AND MR PETER PUN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PYPUN GROUP CONSULTANTS/HOWARD HUMPHREYS AND PARTNERS.
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF $16 MILLION, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----0------
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE FOLLOWING EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO HOLD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 1981 AND NOVEMBER 30, 1981 MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY TO HONG KONG:
* HUSBANDS/WIVES (TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN) TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT SPOUSE IN HONG KONG; AND
* AGED PARENTS/DEPENDENT CHILDREN TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT CHILDREN/PARENTS IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED FROM FEBRUARY 2 (THURSDAY) BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT'S INFORMATION OFFICE A'l 3-7333126.
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/3*» .........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1989-
- 3* -FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG « t * »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY, TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS,
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES FROM FUI YIU HA TO PAK TAM CHUNG AND SAI O.
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KWUN TONG URBAN CLEARWAYS * • *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28), TWO SECTIONS OF YUE MAN SQUARE IN KWUN TONG WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK,
ONE OF THE URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL LIE ON A 29-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YUE MAN SQUARE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG NING ROAD.
THE OTHER URBAN CLEARWAY WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YUE MAN SQUARE BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 58 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG NING ROAD AND ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
------o-------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN JORDAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST t * * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAK SHING STREET IN JORDAN BETWEEN COX’S ROAD AND TAK HING STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TWO ROADS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL BECOME URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
* THE SECTION OF SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH GRANVILLE ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF GRANVILLE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
Thursday, January 26, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NO SHORT CUTS IN DECIDING ON NEW AIRPORT: CS ............... 1
1997 NOT SIGNIFICANT IN PLANNING NEW AIRPORT................ 4
GOVERNOR VISITS CENTRAL AND WESTERN ........................ 5
REPATRIATING VBP IS MaIN OBJECTIVE: GOVERNOR ............... 6
OECD PARIS MEETING ENDS WITH CONSENSUS...................... 7
HK CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY..................... 7
MARIN . DEPT COMPLETES SHIP FIRE INVESTIGATION ............. 3
TRmDE DEPARTMENT UPGRADES COMPUTER LICENSING SYSTUi.... 9
GOVERNOR. TO TAKE SaLUTE AT CSD INSPECTION ................ 10
YOUNG PEOPLE HONOURED FO KEEP HK CLEixN ACTIVITIES..... 10
3RD QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT, CnRGO STATISTICS RELEASED .... 12
SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENS .................. 15
FINALS OF 6TH HONG KONG MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD............... 16
DB MEMBERS LOOK OVER CONTAINER TERMINALS .................. 16
DB MEMBERS VISIT CONTAINER TERMINALS....................... 17
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP TO BEGIN ................................ 18
YEAR-END CLErxN-UPL IN KOWLOON CITY, YAU TSIM ............. 18
DB GIVES OUT POSTERS, LAI-SEE PACKETS ..................... 20
SELECTION OF MODEL PEDESTRLJiS DRIVERS ................... 2*»
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN EASTERN DISTRICT ........... 21
’KEEP YUEN LONG CLEaN’ PRIZE PRESENTATION.................. 22
FIREWORKS B,J4 REMINDER.............*...................... 23
ID CnRD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59............ 23
THiFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN CENTRAL............................. 25
SPECL^L TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YaU MA TEI............... 25
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSING YI BRIDGE....................... 26
TEMPORARY Lm\NE CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY.................... 26
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 1 -
NO SHORT CUTS IN DECIDING ON NEW AIRPORT: CS » » » » »
THE DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS NEEDED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ON A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT ARE EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING BUT THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID 1989 WOULD BE AN EXCITING YEAR FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF THE MAJOR DECISIONS IT WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL ACTIVITIES, OF WHICH THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT WAS ONE.
HE STRESSED THAT THE DECISION ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT HAD TO BE HANDLED WITH THE GREATEST CARE AND WITH THE BEST INFORMATION OBTAINABLE AS ITS EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY WOULD LAST WELL BEYOND 1997 AND INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"WE ARE FIRMLY ON COURSE TOWARDS A DECISION BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND ARE COMMITTED TO THAT TIME-TABLE," HE SAID.
OUTLINING THE DEVELOPMENT ON THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS TOO EARLY TO TAKE A VIEW ON WHICH WOULD BE THE BETTER OPTION.
"WE HAVE TO DECIDE NOT ONLY ON THE WHOLE PACKAGE OF WORKS FOR EACH OPTION, BUT ALSO THE ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, SIR DAVID SAID IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT WHILST MUCH DEVELOPMENT COULD PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF INCREMENTAL DECISIONS, A NEW AIRPORT REQUIRED A QUANTUM LEAP INVOLVING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF EXPENDITURE BY BOTH THE TAXPAYERS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"THE LOCATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT WILL AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
"IN A SENSE, BUILDING A NEW AIRPORT AND PORT IS LIKE HAVING A HEART TRANSPLANT EXCEPT THAT THE HEART IS PUT BACK IN A DIFFERENT PLACE," HE SAID.
"WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BIGGEST PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE PROJECT WOULD BE 12 TIMES THE COST OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND 32 TIMES THE COST OF THE TOLO HIGHWAY.
"IT INVOLVES SPENDING AT LEAST $40 BILLION, PROBABLY MUCH MORE. THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO 80 PER CENT OF A YEAR’S TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
/"WE MUST ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 2 -
"WE MUST BE SATISFIED THAT WE CAN PRODUCE A WORKABLE SOLUTION IN BROAD ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND PLANNING TERMS. CLEARLY THIS IS A DECISION WE HAVE TO GET RIGHT," HE ADDED.
ON THE WORK THAT WAS IN PROGRESS CONCERNING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID THE PREVIOUS STUDY ON CHEK LAP KOK HAD BEEN UPDATED AND THE CURRENT CAPITAL COST ESTIMATE OF AN AIRPORT THERE WAS ABOUT $29 BILLION.
"IT COMPRISES $22 BILLION FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS WHICH INCLUDE RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF TWO RUNWAYS, THREE TERMINAL MODULES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE NEW AIRPORT, AND $7 BILLION FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TENANT FACILITIES," HE SAID.
"IT DOES-NOT INCLUDE, HOWEVER, THE COST OF THE ROAD LINKS BETWEEN THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE MAINLAND," HE ADDED.
"WE BELIEVE THE WORK COULD BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT NINE YEARS FROM A DECISION BEING TAKEN, BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS OF FAST TRACKING THE PROJECT," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT WHILE A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP LOK, WITH DUAL RUNWAYS SPACED 900 METRES APART, COULD HANDLE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF KAI TAK, A LIMITATION OF THAT SITE WAS THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO BUILD ADDITIONAL RUNWAYS IN THE LONGER TERM.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAD THE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS DETAILED STUDIES, IT WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE AN EARLY START ON BUILDING IT, SIR DAVID NOTED.
AS FOR HAVING THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR, SIR DAVID SAID THAT STUDIES CARRIED OUT IN THE LATE 1970’S IDENTIFIED SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES.
"IN 1986 HOPEWELL PRESENTED TO US SOME MODIFIED IDEAS INCORPORATING NEW PORT FACILITIES AND OTHER URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
"WE ARE NOW TAKING A FRESH LOOK AT VARIOUS REACHED A POINT WHERE THREE ALTERNATIVE SITES HAVE HE SAID.
OPTIONS AND HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED,"
"THE FIELD WILL BE NARROWED TO ONE SITE WHICH WILL THEN BECOME A FIXED POINT OF REFERENCE FOR PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO PRODUCE AN ALTERNATIVE PORT DEVELOPMENT OPTION," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID A SITE IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR WOULD GIVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THAT IT COULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE SCOPE FOR DUAL RUNWAYS WITH 2,000 METRES SEPARATION WHICH, IN TURN, COULD PRODUCE A BETTER AIRPORT LAYOUT AND HAVE RESERVE CAPACITY BEYOND 2011.
"A WESTERN HARBOUR SITE WOULD ALSO BE CLOSER TO THE CITY, BUT IT WOULD OF COURSE PRESENT GREATER ENGINEERING CHALLENGES AND COST SUBSTANTIALLY MORE," HE SAID.
/THE CHIEF
5
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID A COMMITMENT TO A LONG RANGE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY MUST OBVIOUSLY BE BASED ON A CLEAR APPRECIATION OF THE BEST WAY TO FUND THE MAJOR PROJECTS INVOLVED.
"WE ARE ALREADY COMMITTED TO MAJOR EXPENDITURE ON ROADS, DRAINAGE AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE 1990'S AND IF WE ARE TO TAKE ON THIS MASSIVE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE TO BE SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SEE IT THROUGH.
"ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECTS OF SUCH A PROJECT AS THIS, IS THE OPPORTUNITIES IT PROVIDES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PARTICIPATE.
"WE MUST THEREFORE BE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO ARRANGE FUNDING AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKS IN A TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE WAY.
"ONE POSSIBILITY IS THE SETTING UP OF SEPARATE PORT AND AIRPORT AUTHORITIES," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE HAVE A MERCHANT BANK WORKING ON THIS AND THEIR ADVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN GOOD TIME FOR US TO MAKE THE MAJOR DECISION ON THE PROJECT," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROPOSALS TO CONSTRUCT NEW AIRPORTS IN MACAU AND SHENZHEN HAD ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE MEDIA ATTENTION AND RAISED THE INEVITABLE QUESTION OF WHETHER A NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG WOULD BE NEEDED.
"WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE MACAU AIRPORT WILL BE DESIGNED TO SERVE A FEW MILLION PASSENGERS AND THE SHENZHEN AIRPORT WILL MAINLY CATER FOR DOMESTIC SERVICES," HE SAID.
"WITH WELL OVER 20 MILLION AIR PASSENGERS PROJECTED TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG BY THE MID-90'S, AND THF GROWING PROSPERITY OF THE SHENZHEN ECONOMIC ZONE A'D THE PEARL IUXi-P DELTA ‘• ••GO .. T||; WILL BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT DEMAND TO UNDERPIN 'rill. DE ' LOEMENT OF AIRPORTS IN ALL THREE PLAES," S[b’ !>A\ ID SAID
"WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE\ WILL COMPLEMENT EACH !‘IFi AND CONTRIBUTE JOINTLY TO li!> PROSPER I’IV o.» THE REGION," Ill SAI'
- 0 - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 4 -
1997 NOT SIGNIFICANT IN PLANNING NEW AIRPORT
******
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS AFTER THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE DATE OF 1997 WAS NOT A SIGNIFICANT DATE IN THE PLANNING OR THE BUILDING OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.
"CLEARLY WE HAVE AGREEMENT OF THIS GOVERNMENT AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN HONG KONG IS NEEDED WELL INTO THE FUTURE.
"1997 DOES NOT FEATURE IN OUR THINKING AT ALL, WE SHALL SIMPLY FORGE AHEAD," HE SAID.
ASKED WHICH OPTION WAS THE MORE ATTRACTIVE LOCATION - CHEK LAP KOK OR THE WESTERN HARBOUR, SIR DAVID SAID BOTH HAD THEIR ADVANTAGES.
CHEK LAP KOK COULD BE BUILT QUICKER AND WAS SOMEWHAT CHEAPER, BUT THERE WERE LIMITATIONS IN TERMS OF SIZE AND SCOPE.
THE WESTERN HARBOUR OPTION WOULD PROVIDE A LARGER SCALE AIRPORT WITH A GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANSION, BUT IT WOULD TAKE LONGER AND COST MORE.
"SO ALL THESE ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE ARE NOW LOOKING INTO VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE A FINAL DECISION IS TAKEN," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE ROLE OF A PORT AND AIRPORT AUTHORITY IN FUTURE, SIR DAVID SAID OPTIONS ABOUT HOW THE PORT AND AIRPORT SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED WERE STILL BEING CONSIDERED.
"THE RAISING OF FUNDS AND WORKING ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS IS SIMPLY ONE OF THOSE OPTIONS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PRESSURE FOR A DECISION ON THE AIRPORT CAME FROM WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO GET A DECISION ON THE AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENT.
"IT CLEARLY WILL AFFECT THE WHOLE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING AND IT SEEMS VERY CLEAR FROM THE STUDIES WHICH WE'VE ALREADY DONE ON KAI TAK THAT KAI TAK WILL REACH SATURATION POINT IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 1990'S.
"AND WE MUST HAVE CLEAR ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE IF WE ARE NOT TO HAVE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS BY OVERCROWDING AT KAI TAK, SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED HOW CHEK LAP KOK WOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN IT DID NOT OFFER THE MINIMUM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF 1,300 METRES FOR RUNWAY SEPARATION, SIR DAVID SAID IT DID OFFER I HF MINIMUM SEPARATION AND IT WAS QUITE ACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS.
"THERE ARE MANY AIRPORTS NOW WHICH ARE OPERATING ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS WITH 900-METRE SEPARATION,” HE ADDED.
- - - - 0 ---------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 5 -
GOVERNOR VISITS CENTRAL AND WESTERN *****
RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BENEFIT FROM A WIDE RANGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO BOTH THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AS A RESULT OF URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES NOW UNDER WAY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID DURING A VISIT TO THE DISTRICT TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID THAT APART FROM THE PROVISION OF MUCH NEEDED DISTRICT FACILITIES, THE JCJIEMES WOULD ALSO BOOST THE DISTRICT’S COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL AND IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR ITS RESIDENTS.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME IN IMPLEMENTING URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THESE INCLUDED THE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTIES AND THE NEED TO REHOUSE TENANTS. SUCH PROBLEMS WERE NOW BEING TACKLED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INITIATIVES.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR AMBROSE LAU, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER.
HE FIRST VISITED LAN KWAI FONG, AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AS RESULT OF PRIVATE INITIATIVE.
SIR DAVID THEN WENT TO WING ON STREET, WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MR F.K.HU.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CORPORATION, MR ABRAHAM RAZACK, ON THE PROBLEMS OF OLD URBAN AREAS AND THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE GILMAN STREET COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE PLANS TO INCORPORATE A COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND AN OPEN SPACE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
THERE IS ALSO A TENTATIVE PROPOSAL FOR A HOSTEL AND A DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE LOCATED WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS PLANNED.
THE GOVERNOR NEXT VISITED HOK SZE TERRACE, WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIVE NEARBY RESIDENTIAL TERRACES.
THE NEXT STOP WAS WHITTY STREET COMPOUND, WHERE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS BEING UNDERTAKEN.
THE GOVERNOR THEN WENT TO A HIGH-RISE BUILDING FACING THE HARBOUR FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE WESTERN RECLAMATION WHICH COVERS 30 HECTARES ALONG THE SECTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN SHEK TONG TSUI AND CENTRAL.
/HE WAS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL PROVIDE A NEW WHOLESALE MARKET, A PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA, A PUBLIC PARK, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, THE REPROVISIONED WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND A TRAM DEPOT.
THE RECLAMATION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A LAND RESERVE FOR A THIRD CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT MOST OF THE NEW FACILITIES WILL BE READY FOR USE IN THE EARLY 1990’3.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED HIS VISIT BY ATTENDING A TEA RECEPTION WHERE HE MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID A VERY SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT TO THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN CENTRAL WOULD BE MADE WHEN THE CONNAUGHT ROAD FLYOVER AND THE MAJOR ROAD SCHEME WERE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"BUT EVEN IF ONE IMPROVES, WE CAN'T EXPECT TO SOLVE OUR TRAFFIC PROBLEM OVERNIGHT.
"NO BIG CITY IN THE WORLD CAN TOTALLY DEAL WITH ITS TRAFFIC PROBLEM INSTANTLY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE HAVE TO THINK OF OTHER MEASURES TO TRY TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES OR LIMIT THE USE OF ROADS,” HE ADDED.
"THERE IS A MAJOR THINKING TO BE DONE ON THAT WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE DONE AFTER THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY NO. 2 COMES OUT AND WE HAVE A PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
0
REPATRIATING VBP IS MAIN OBJECTIVE: GOVERNOR
*****
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IN DEALING WITH THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SITUATION IN THE SHORT TERM IS TO TRY TO GET SOME OF THE PEOPLE BACK TO VIETNAM STARTING WITH THE GROUP WHO HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO GO BACK THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ASKED BY REPORTERS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AFTER HIS VISIT TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON ITS POLICY AND THE REASONS FOR IT HAD BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR.
/"WE MUST
oeoo
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
"WE MUST START TO REVERSE THE FLOW AND THE WAY TO START THAT IS WITH THE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SO FAR VOLUNTEERED TO GO,” HE SAID.
I HOPE WE CAN GET THOSE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE
SOON. WE’RE
WORKING VERY HARD AT THAT AT THE MOMENT, BOTH HERE WITH UNHCR AND WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
OECD PARIS MEETING ENDS WITH CONSENSUS *****
AN INFORMAL SEMINAR BETWEEN THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) AND THE NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ASIAN ECONOMIES CONCLUDED IN PARIS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "THE SEMINAR FINISHED WITH A CONSENSUS THAT THE DIALOGUE HAD BEEN USEFUL AND THAT FURTHER SEMINARS OF THIS KIND SHOULD BE HELD IN FUTURE.
"FURTHER CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SUBJECT MATTER AND THE FORM OF THESE FUTURE MEETINGS.
"HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, ITS SEPARATENESS FROM THE OTHER ASIAN ECONOMIES, ITS OPEN MARKET AND FREE TRADE POLICIES WERE FULLY RECOGNISED BY ALL THE PARTICIPANTS."
HK CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY ♦ ♦♦♦**
HONG KONG AND OVER 100 MEMBER ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL (CCC) AROUND THE WORLD ARE CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A COCKTAIL RECEPTION, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, SAID THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAD EXCHANGED INTELLIGENCE WITH NO LESS THAN 58 CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS IN 1988 ON A TOTAL OF 7,134 OCCASIONS,
ON NARCOTICS ISSUES ALONE, INTELLIGENCE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAI) LED TO 19 ARRESTS OVERSEAS, RESULTING IN THE SEIZURE OF 36 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 4 HEROIN, HE SAID.
/’’THERE ARE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 8 -
"THERE ARE ALSO 12 OTHER ARRESTS OVERSEAS FOLLOWING SEIZURES MADE IN HONG KONG OF 18 KG OF NO. 4 HEROIN; THESE INCLUDING THREE CONTROLLED DELIVERIES, THE FIRST EVER FOR THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," MR WILLIAMSON ADDED.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CELEBRATION HAS BEEN HELD IN HONG KONG SINCE THE TERRITORY BECAME AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE CCC IN JULY 1987.
IT REMINDS CCC MEMBERS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO PROMOTE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND TO FORGE CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN VARIOUS CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS.
ABOUT 150 GUESTS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OMELCO MEMBERS, CONSULS-GENERAL, CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS, AND DIGNITARIES WERE PRESENT AT THE RECEPTION HOSTED BY MR WILLIAMSON.
THE CCC IS MADE UP OF 104 CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS WITH A MUTUAL GOAL OF PROMOTING CO-OPERATION, HARMONY AND UNIFORMITY, AND CIRCULATION OF INFORMATION AMONG ITS MEMBERS.
IT ALSO DRAWS UP DRAFT AGREEMENTS TO SIMPLIFY AND STANDARDISE CUSTOMS WORK, AS WELL AS SETTLING CUSTOMS DISPUTES.
------0-------
MARINE DEPT COMPLETES SHIP FIRE INVESTIGATION * ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE INVESTIGATION BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE FIRE ON BOARD THE SHIP "LAVIA" WHICH OCCURRED ON JANUARY 7, IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG, HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
I HE REPORT BY STAFF OF THE MARINE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SECTION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE FOR HIS CONSIDERATION.
0 -------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
TRADE DEPARTMENT UPGRADES COMPUTER LICENSING SYSTEM * t » » ♦
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS ENHANCED ITS COMPUTER SYSTEM TO CATER FOR THE EVER INCREASING VOLUME OF TEXTILES EXPORT LICENCES THAT IT PROCESSES.
COSTING $8 MILLION, THE PROJECT INVOLVED UPGRADING BOTH THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO BOOST ITS PROCESSING CAPACITY BY TWO AND A HALF TIMES.
"THE UPGRADED SYSTEM NOT ONLY ENABLES THE DEPARTMENT TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TEXTILES EXPORT LICENCES AND THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING DEMANDS OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROLS, BUT WILL ALSO ENABLE LICENSING OF ALL IMPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INTO HONG KONG TO BE COMPUTERISED BY FEBRUARY 1990," THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW SYSTEM, MR MILLER SAID A FULLY COMPUTERISED TEXTILE EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM HAD MANY ADVANTAGES.
"IT IMPROVES THE SPEED AND ACCURACY OF PROCESSING SO THAT BETTER SERVICE CAN BE PROVIDED TO THE TEXTILE TRADE.
"IT PROVIDES UP-TO-DATE AND DETAILED INFORMATION ON QUOTA BALANCE AND EXPORT DATA SO THAT MAXIMUM USE CAN BE MADE OF HONG KONG’S QUOTA ALLOCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT CAN NEGOTIATE BETTER RIGHTS OF ACCESS FOR HONG KONG’S TEXTILE PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER SYSTEM - FIRST DEVELOPED IN 1977 AND ENHANCED THREE TIMES - IS GEARED FOR TEXTILES QUOTA ADMINISTRATION AND PROCESSING OF TEXTILES LICENCES COVERING EXPORTS TO ALL MARKETS WITH WHICH HONG KONG HAS BILATERAL AGREEMENTS.
THESE MARKETS ARE THE USA, EEC, CANADA, SWEDEN, FINLAND, AUSTRIA AND NORWAY.
THE NUMBER OF TEXTILES QUOTA LICENCES AND RELATED APPLICATIONS PROCESSED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN 1988 FOR HONG KONG'S RESTRAINED MARKETS TOTALLED 2.7 MILLION, UP SEVEN PER CENT ON 1987.
BY EARLY 1990, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL ALSO CATER FOR TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING, WHICH 'S DONE MANUALLY AT PRESENT.
THE DEPARTMENT PROCESSED ABOUT ONE MILLION TEXTILES IMPORT LICENCES IN 1988 - A 15.5 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE FIGURE FOR 1987.
THE UPGRADED SYSTEM WENT INTO OPERATION IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR. IT USES AN IBM-4381 SYSTEM AND IS LINKED TO 113 WORK STATIONS AND TERMINAL PRINTERS IN THE DEPARTMENT.
/1O.......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26,
1989
- 10 -
GOVERNOR TO TAKE SALUTE AT CSD INSPECTION
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
/
THE INSPECTION WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO PRESENT COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 19 OFFICERS TO MARK THEIR 18 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CSD’S ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH WILL START AT 4 PM AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE ARRANGED AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE GROUND FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG, AT 3 PM.
PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES AS THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS.
-------o-------
YOUNG PEOPLE HONOURED FOR KEEP HK CLEAN ACTIVITIES
*****
THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IS MORE THAN JUST AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE CITY CLEAN, IT IS ALSO AN ATTEMPT TO INSTIL IN ALL HONG KONG CITIZENS CIVIC PRIDE AND AN AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AT THE CITY HALL.
THE CEREMONY WAS HELD TO HONOUR YOUNG SUPPORTERS OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, WHICH HAS SINCE LAST YEAR MOVED INTO THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, CALLING UPON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN OPERATION.
EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE SUPPORT OF YOUTH, MR SULKE SAID, "THE STUDENTS AND THE YOUTHS OF HONG KONG ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS INVOLVEMENT, BECAUSE THEY WILL ALL SOON ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RUNNING THIS TOWN".
/THE COMMITTEE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
THE COMMITTEE ORGANISED SEVERAL ACTIVITIES EOR STUDENTS AND YOUTH LAST YEAR TO SOLICIT THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
AMONG THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES WERE THE 1988 AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME AND THE "DRAWING THE RAINBOW" SCHOOL PAINTING COMPETITION.
ABOUT 610 STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE JOINED THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME TO PATROL URBAN BEACHES, CLEAR REFUSE AND GIVE ADVICE TO BEACH-GOERS.
"THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN’S TASK IS NOT EASY BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE IMPROVEMENT, THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE LITTERING ON THE BEACH IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT RUBBISH BINS ARE WITHIN EASY REACH," MR SULKE SAID.
"AND IT ALWAYS REQUIRES A LOT OF TACT AND PATIENCE TO POINT OUT TO PEOPLE THAT THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS UNACCEPTABLE."
THE "DRAWING THE RAINBOW" SCHOOL PAINTING COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED WITH THE SUPPORT OF 83 SCHOOLS, AND A TOTAI OF 1,400 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED.
"THIS RATHER ORIGINAL CONCEPT FOR THE COMPETITION REQUIRED TWO ' PICTURES TO BE SENT IN; ONE, DRAWING AN ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOT, AND ANOTHER, TO SHOW HOW SUCH A BLACK SPOT COULD BE IMPROVED," MR SULKE SAID.
THERE WERE FOUR GRAND PRIZES AND FIVE MERIT PRIZES IN THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME AND THE FIRST PRIZE WAS WON BY THE LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THE PAINTING COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY, JUNIOR SECONDARY AND SENIOR SECONDARY SECTIONS, AND THERE WERE THREE GRAND PRIZES AND 19 MERIT PRIZES IN EACH SECTION.
THE FIRST PRIZE-WINNER IN EACH SECTION RECEIVED A $1,000 BOOK COUPON; \ND $800, $500 AND $200 BOOK COUPONS WERE AWARDED TO THE SECOND, THIRD AND MERIT PRIZE-WINNERS RESPECTIVELY.
JOINING MR SULKE IN OFFICIATING IT THE CEREMONY WERE THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR SO FAI-CHO.
AN EXHIBITION, DISPLAYING THE WINNING WORKS IN THE PAINTING COMPETITION, WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AFTER THE CEREMONY.
THE CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 500 STUDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PARTICI PATI NG SCHOOLS.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 12 -
3RD QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT, CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, 4,276 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 25.3 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 502 (OR 13 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.5 MILLION NRT (OR 11 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT JULY - SEPTEMBER 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 BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+245) AND OIL TANKERS (+170), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF DRY BULK CARRIERS (-24) AND CHEMICAL CARRIERS/TANKERS (-15).
WHEN ANALYSED BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES IN NUMBER WERE RECORDED FOR SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+145), PANAMA (+119) AND TAIWAN (+47), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN DENMARK (-40) AND JAPAN (-7).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 311 WHILE THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 191.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, THERE WERE 4,277 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 25.4 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 527 (OR 14 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.7 MILLION NRT (OR 12 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 23 PER CENT. ABOUT 66 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN 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, 60 PER (’ENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 40 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (18 PER (’ENT), SOUTH AFRICA (16 PER CENT), JAPAN (12 PER CENT), CHINA (11 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (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 (6 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (5 PER CENT).
/TRANSHIPMENT CARGO
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 19^9
- -
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (25 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (19 PER CENT), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (25 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (12 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM INDONESIA (+88 PER CENT), SOUTH AFRICA (+37 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+33 PER CENT), JAPAN (+20 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+13 PER CENT); A DECREASE IN TONNAGE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA (-37 PER CENT). AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 18 PER CENT.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+63 PER CENT), PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD (+43 PER CENT) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+33 PER CENT).
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (-7 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+107 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+40 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (+24 PER CENT), THAILAND (+24 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22 PER CENT); A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO SOUTH KOREA (-5 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+242 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (+165 PER CENT), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+56 PER CENT), CLAY AND KAOLIN (+47 PER CENT) AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+47 PER CENT).
A DECREASE IN TONNAGE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORME EXPORTS OF INORGANIC CHEMICALS (-20 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 33 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 28 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ITALY (98 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (92 PER CENT) AND THE NETHERLANDS (89 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS LN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 ROSE BY 29 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 .
/AMONG THE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 14 -
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 90 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 89 PER CENT OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 85 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD, 83 PER CENT OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED, AND 80 PER CENT OF NON-FERROUS METALS.
OF SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 72 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL OF THE SEABORNE EXPORTS TO WEST GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND THE NETHERLANDS.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 ROSE BY 21 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 .
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR; COTTON GARMENTS; TOYS; CANNED FOOD; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS AND COTTON TEXTILES.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR WTHORISED 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 CARGO 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 THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 ARE CONTAINED IN THE HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT FOR JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1988, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT S22 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.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
15 -
SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENS
A CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL AMALGAMATES A NUMBER OF RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS DISPERSED IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES AND TEACHING STAFF, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MR SUEN EXPLAINED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS WAS BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE 1981 WHITE PAPER ON PRIMARY EDUCATION AND PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES TO ENABLE PUPILS IN REMOTE AREAS TO ENJOY SIMILAR SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE URBAN AREAS.
MR SUEN NOTED THAT THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS THE SECOND CENTRALLY LOCATED PRIMARY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE FIRST ONE BEING THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL.
HE SAID APART FROM THE STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE, ASSISTANCE FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED IN THE PREPARATORY WORK, WHICH TOOK OVER TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE, ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SMOOTH ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SCHOOL.
THE SCHOOL, WHICH PROVIDED AN IDEAL STUDY ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN SHA TAU KOK, WAS AN AMALGAMATION OF FIVE SCHOOLS -- FMO SHA TAU KOK PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA (FCA) AND LUK KENG PUBLIC SCHOOL, MAN WO PUBLIC SCHOOL, KOK KWAN SCHOOL AND TAI WA SCHOOL OUTSIDE THE FCA, HE ADDED.
STARTING FROM MID-SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 170 PUPILS WILL ATTEND THE SHA TAU KOK PRIMARY SCHOOL, WHICH HAS 12 STANDARD CLASSROOMS, A FULLY FURNISHED SCHOOL HALL AND VARIOUS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO HANDLE THE SCHOOL’S ADMINISTRATION AND POLICIES. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE COMPRISE RURAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AS WELL AS LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
/16
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 16 -
FINALS OF 6TH HONG KONG MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD
*****
TiiE FINALS OF THE 6TH HONG KONG MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD WILL BE HELD AT THE HALL OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SASSOON ROAD, POK FU LAM, ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
THERE WERE 206 TEAMS IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND, AND THE TOP 40 WILL TAKE PART IN THE FINALS.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S MATHEMATICS SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT ABOUT NOON, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMPETITION ENDS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR SO FAI-CHO, AND THE PRINCIPAL OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MRS I. CHIU, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNING TEAMS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FINALS AND THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE 6TH HONG KONG MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD Al NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 21 SASSOON ROAD, POK FU LAM, BETWEEN 9.45 AM AND NOON ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD (1988-89), MRS NG HUI WAI-CHING, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
DB MEMBERS LOOK OVER CONTAINER TERMINALS
*****
TWELVE MEMBERS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE CONTAINER TERMINALS OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LIMITED (HIT) IN KWAI CHUNG TO GAIN A MORE IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF ITS FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS.
ON ARRIVAL, THEY WERE BRIEFED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HIT ON THE HISTORY AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY, AND WATCHED A CORPORATE VIDEO SHOW.
/THEY THEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 17 -
THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE ROOF-TOP OF THE OFFICE BUILDING TO HAVE AN OVERALL VIEW OF ALL THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS AND LATER TOURED CONTAINER TERMINAL 4 AND TERMINAL 6 WHICH ARE OPERATED BY HIT.
THE VISIT WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION EARLY THIS MONTH BETWEEN KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTAINER TRADE AND OFFICIALS OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DISCUSSION WAS HELD PRIMARILY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PROBLEMS RELATED TO CONTAINER PORT OPERATIONS AND ON POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS.
THE MEETING AGREED THAT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ALL PARTIES IN THE TRADE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN THE FUTURE.
-----0-----
DB MEMBERS VISIT CONTAINER TERMINALS
*****
A GROUP OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED (MTL), A CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATOR IN KWAI CHUNG, TO UPDATE THEMSELVES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S CONTAINER PORT.
THE VISIT WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
LED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, THE GROUP FIRST VIEWED A FILM ON THE COMPANY’S OPERATIONS.
THEY WERE THEN BRIEFED BY THE COMPANY’S SENIOR STAFF ON PORT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE GROUP LATER TOURED THE CONTROL ROOM TO SEE THE MTL’S DAILY OPERATIONS.
THE MTL IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS IN HONG KONG, COVERING AN AREA OF 38 HECTARES, AND INCORPORATING 777 METRES OF QUAY.
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/18........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP TO BEGIN * ♦ * * *
THE TRADITION OF YEAR-END CLEANING UP, MUCH PROMOTED BY BOTH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN RECENT YEARS, WILL BE CONTINUED THIS YEAR UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TWO COUNCILS.
BOTH COUNCILS WILL IMPLEMENT A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS THROUGH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS DISCARD EXCESSIVE AND BULKY REFUSE DURING THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
TWO CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE TO MARK THE START OF THE CLEAN-UPS.
THE CEREMONY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES CLEAN-UP WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 2 PM AT THE OPEN SPACE OF THE PODIUM LEVEL OF LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN IN TSUEN WAN.
THE CEREMONY FOR THE URBAN DISTRICTS WILL BE AT 3 PM AT THE LAN KWAI FONG REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN CENTRAL.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNC1L/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONIES IN CENTRAL AND TSUEN WAN RESPECTIVELY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONIES IN TSUEN WAN AND CENTRAL. THEY WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AND 3 PM RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0 - -
YEAR-END CLEAN-UPS IN KOWLOON CITY, YAU TSIM ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦ t
A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO COPE WITH THE LARGE VOLUME OF REFUSE THAT THE PUBLIC IS EXPECTED TO DISCARD BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A SIMILAR CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN IN YAU TSIM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE FIRST CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFF1CI
/IT IS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 19 -
IT IS AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE WILL NOT BE MARRED BY LARGE QUANTITIES OF REFUSE AND JUNK IN PUBLIC AREAS.
A CEREMONY TO BEGIN THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AT THE CHEUNG NING STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, TO KWA WAN, STARTING AT 2 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PETER C.K.CHAN; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; ASSISTANT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS EVA TO; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHI-KEUNG.
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION OF THE CLEAN BUILDING POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, CLEAN MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AWARD SCHEME AND WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 88 CALENDAR CARD DESIGN COMPETITION WILL BE HELD DURING THE CEREMONY.
IN YAU TSIM, A CLEAN-UP DRIVE WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE ON SATURDAY TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE OF RUBBISH PROPERLY.
TWELVE TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS WILL BE SET UP AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR RUBBISH DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
OFFICIATING AT A CEREMONY TO BEGIN THE CLEAN-UP DRIVE WILL BE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS JULIANA LI; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (KOWLOON) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR T.K.CHOY, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH.
THEY WILL HELP IN DISPOSING OF RUBBISH AFTER THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGNS IN KOWLOON CITY AND YAU TSIM DISTRICTS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE CAMPAIGN IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BRGIN AT 2 PM AT THE CHEUNG NING STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT (NEAR SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD), TO KWA WAN.
THE YAU TSIM CEREMONY WILL START AT 10.30 AM AT THE CANTON ROAD REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
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/2O .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
20 -
DB GIVES OUT POSTERS, LAI-SEE PACKETS ♦ * * * t
WITH THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS PREPARED SPECIAL NEW YEAR GIFTS TO WISH LOCAL RESIDENTS A YEAR OF FORTUNE AND PROSPERITY.
A TOTAL OF 600,000 LAI-SEE PACKETS AND 100,000 NEW YEAR POSTERS HAVE BEEN PRINTED BY THE BOARD FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION TO RESIDENTS.
THE POSTERS, PORTRAYING THE GODS OF FORTUNE, WEALTH LONGEVITY, WILL BE GIVEN AWAY TOGETHER WITH RED PACKETS FEATURING THE CHINESE CHARACTER FOR FORTUNE AND THE LOGO OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PRODUCTION OF THESE GIVE-AWAY ITEMS IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE '•WORKING GROUP ON LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES’ FORMED UNDER THE BOARD.
THE GROUP’S WORK ALSO INCLUDES SETTING UP OF A PAI LAU’’ OUTSIDE THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN I UNG YAI. STREET.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE AIM OF ORGANISING THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WAS TO PROMOTE THE ’MAGE OF THE BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON.
"THE POSTERS AND LAI-SEE PACKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS," HE SAID.
A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 3 (FRIDAY) EVENING TO MARK THE LIGHTING UP OF THE "PAI LAU", THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - O -
SELECTION OF MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS * ♦ * t t
PRUDENT ROAD-USERS IN TUEN MUN WILL HAVE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE CHOSEN AS MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS IN A SELECTION ACTIVITY LAUNCHED BY THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
A HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME, THE SELECTION OF MODEL ROAD-USERS WILL TAKE PLACE IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING ROAD REGULATIONS AND THE ROAD CODE.
A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS COMPRISING MEMBERS OF Till COMMITTEE WILL VISIT ROAD CROSSINGS NEAR. SAN FAT ESTATE, MELODY GARDEN, BUTTERFLY ESTATE AND TUEN MUN PIER TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO CHOOSE MODEL PEDESTRIANS.
/SIX MODEL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 21 -
SIX MODEL ROAD-USERS WILL BE CHOSEN ACCORDING TO THE EXTENT OF THEIR OBEYING OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND CAREFULNESS IN USING THE ROAD.
THE PANEL WILL ALSO TOUR THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SAM SHING ESTATE AND LAM TEI TO SELECT EIGHT MODEL DRIVERS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF VEHICLE-PRIVATE CAR, LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE, TAXI, LORRY, CONTAINER TRUCK, BUS, AND LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE.
MEANWHILE, THE ADJUDICATION OF A SLOGAN AND STICKER COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE TO COMPLEMENT THE ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMME HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE COMPETITION, AS WELL AS FOR THE MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 5 IN A GRAND CLOSING TO MARK THE CONCLUSION OF THE NINE-MONTH CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN EASTERN DISTRICT *****
MEMBERS OF THE OWNERS INCORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF THE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND FIRE PROTECTION ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
THE FUNCTION IS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS AND CO-ORGANISED B\ THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND CHUBB HONG KONG LTD.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WONG KWONG-CHI, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AFFAIRS ASSOCIATION, MR LEE ON.
THEY WILL DEAL WITH FIRE PREVENTION AT HOME AND NEW TRENDS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
AN EXHIBITION ON FIRE PROTECTION WILL BE HELD FROM 2.30 PM TO 5.30 PM AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
A TOTAL OF 18 DISPLAY PANELS WILL FOCUS ON FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES AT HOME AND THE CORRECT OPERATION OF FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS PROVIDED AT PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
/FIRE FIGHTING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 22 -
FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE PLAYGROUND OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN BOARD, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, AND DIVISIONAL COMMANDER OF THE DIVISION OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR YEUNG WAN-PIU.
EASTERN DISTRICT
EASTERN
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU MANAGEMENT SATURDAY (
ARE INVITED TO AND FIRE PROTECTION JANUARY 28) AT CHAI
COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BUILDING SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 230 CHAI WAN ROAD.
-----0------
’KEEP YUEN LONG CLEAN’ PRIZE PRESENTATION ♦ » » ♦ ♦
A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF BUILDING CLEAN-UP COMPETITION AND THE POT PLANTING BE HELD IN THE LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL, LONG
THE YUEN COMPETITION PING ESTATE,
LONG
WILL
ON
SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE TWO COMPETITIONS WERE ORGANISED BY THE KEEP DISTRICT CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WITH THE AIM OF AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS
YUEN
YUEN
AND
LONG
LONG
PLANT
CONSERVATION.
AMONG THE GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE-AWARDING WILL BE THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, AND THE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR TAI KUEN.
CEREMONY
CHAIRMAN
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION WINNERS OF THE YUEN LONG BUILDING CLEAN-UP COMPETITION PLANTING COMPETITION. THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN COMMUNITY HALL, LONG PING ESTATE, BEGINNING AT NOON.
CEREMONY
AND THE
THE LONG
FOR
POT
PING
/23
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 23 -
FIREWORKS BAN REMINDER ♦ * * ♦ »
WITH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS APPROACHING, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS OR FIRE-CRACKERS WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO POSSESSES OR DISCHARGES ANY FIREWORKS WITHOUT A LICENCE IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
HE SAID EXPLOSIVES OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S MINES DIVISION WILL CONDUCT SPOT CHECKS ON SHOPS AND PREMISES SUSPECTED OF SELLING OR STORING SUCH GOODS.
’’ANY UNLICENSED FIREWORKS FOUND WILL BE SEIZED AND THE OFFENDER PROSECUTED,” HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE IN POSSESSION OF FIREWORKS OR FIRE-CRACKERS TO SURRENDER THEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE MINES DIVISION AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KOWLOON, OR TO CONTACT THE DIVISION ON 3-7332356 OR 3-7332358 FOR SUCH GOODS TO BE COLLECTED.
-----0------
ID CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT URGED TODAY (THURSDAY) WOMEN BORN IN 1957, 1958 OR 1959 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR TO AVOID FORSEEABLE CROWDEDNESS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
’’ALTHOUGH THE CLOSING DATE FOR THEIR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 11, APPLICANTS ARE URGED TO COME FORWARD AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE TO AVOID CROWDEDNESS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH WAS THE CASE IN THE PAST YEARS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"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 IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
/THE ISSUE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 24 -
’’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 : SHOP 8A, 2/F, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-4771543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN. TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TA I LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-6727191
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THURSDAY. JANUARY 26, 1989
- 25 -
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN CENTRAL ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW:
* THE SECTION OF MURRAY ROAD BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND LAMBETH WALK WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
* AT THE SAME TIME, TRAFFIC ON LAMBETH WALK WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO THIS SECTION OF MURRAY ROAD.
* THE SECTION OF CHATER ROAD BETWEEN JACKSON ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
* THE SECTION OF JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, ON THEIR WESTBOUND JOURNEYS, BUSES ON CMB ROUTES 721 AND 722 AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 22 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATER ROAD WESTBOUND AND JACKSON ROAD.
MOREOVER, THE WESTBOUND AIRBUS ROUTE A2 WILL OPERATE ALONG HARCOURT ROAD AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL INSTEAD OF CLUB STREET, CHATER ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- 0 - -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI » t * ♦ ♦
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE VICINITY OF YAU MA TEI FRUIT MARKET FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 IN ANTICIPATION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE VISITING THE MARKET.
RECLAMATION STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD; AND WATERLOO ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND FERRY STREET WILL BE REDUCED FROM THREE-LANE TO TWO-LANE TRAFFIC.
THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND WHILE CHING PING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
TUNG KUN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND AND RIGHT-TURNS FROM CANTON ROAD NORTHBOUND TO TUNG KUN STREET WILL BE BANNED.
/THE SECTION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989
- 26 -
THE 'TION ()»• SHEK IJ STREET BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET; AND MAN MING LANE BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND WILL BECOME PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTS.
THE METERED PARKING SPACES IN CANTON ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG SHUI STREET AND THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET; AND LEE TAT STREET BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND CHING PING STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSING YI BRIDGE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29), TSING YI BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC INTERMITTENTLY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 2 AM, BETWEEN 6.15 AM AND 6.45 AM AND BETWEEN 3.15 PM AND 3.45 PM FOR SURVEYING THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE.
DURING THE ABOVE PERIODS, THE BRIDGE WILL BE OPENED AT FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS, AND IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
- - 0 --------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN TO TSE KIN AND ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE IN TAI PO WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
* INNER-MOST LANE AND CENTRE LANE FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY ON JANUARY 29 AND 30.
* INNER-MOST LANE FROM 6 AM TO 8 PM DAILY ON JANUARY 30 AND 31 .
* OUTER-MOST LANE AND CENTRE LANE FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY ON JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1 AND 2.
♦ OUTER-MOST LANE FROM 6 AM TO 8 PM DAILY ON FEBRUARY 1 AND 2.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
CONTENTS PAGER NO
DIRECTION' SET FOR FUTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION ................ 1
IMMEDIATE START TO IRELIMINARY WORK ON DECISIONS ............... J
HARD WORK OF CSD GREATLY APPRECIATED: GOVERNOR ................. 3
FIRST COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS APPOINTED 5
ECONOMIC SUCCESS A REASON FOR OPTIMISM ......................... 7
STEERING COMMITTEE LAUNCHES YEAR-END CLEAN-UP .................. 9
PUBLIC WARNED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES .......... 9
1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE TO RECEIVE NEW YEAR GIFTS ................ 10
EMPLOYER FINED FOR ARREARS IN LONG SERVICE PAYMENT............. 11
FIGHT CRIME YOUTH CAMP ON SUNDAY............................... 12
ISLANDS STUDENTS COMPLETE HISTORY PROJECT ..................... 13
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY ................................... 14
KING'S ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS AMENDED ...................... 14
TENDERS INVITED FOR KING'S ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS .......... 15
NEW ROADS FOR TIN SHUT WAI DEVELOPMENT......................... 16
DRAINAGE CHANNELS FOR NORTHWEST NT ............................ 17
NEW ROADS IN FANLING VILLAGE................................... 17
NEW LOADING/UNLOADING AREA AT NAM WAN ......................... 18
RIGHT-TURN BAN AT YEN CHOW STREET TO BE LIFTED.............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
1
DIRECTION SET FOR FUTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A SERIES OF MEASURES ARISING FROM THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO 3 WHICH SET CLEAR DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
THESE MEASURES ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF TERTIARY PLACES AND TO ENSURE, AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, A UNIFIED POINT OF ENTRY TO FIRST DEGREE COURSES.
AMPLE TIME WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL INSTITUTIONS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS WHILE HAVING A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE FUTURE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH AT TERTIARY LEVEL.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE PACKAGE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ENDORSED THE EDUCATION COMMISSION'S OBJECTIVE OF WORKING TOWARDS STUDENTS AT ALL INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) BEING ACCEPTED FOR FIRST DEGREE PROGRAMMES AFTER SECONDARY 7.
HE SAID THE EXISTING VARIETY OF ENTRY POINTS TO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WAS UNDESIRABLE BECAUSE IT CREATED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS AN UNDESIRABLE FORM OF COMPETITION AMONG THE INSTITUTIONS.
"THE PRESSURE ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARISES FROM THE NUMBER OF EXAMINATIONS THEY MUST TAKE TO MAXIMISE THEIR CHANCES OF ENTRY TO HIGHER EDUCATION, AS WELL AS FROM THE EFFECTS THESE EXAMINATIONS HAVE ON THE CURRICULUM AND THE AVAILABILITY OF TEACHING TIME.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF A UNIFIED ENTRY SYSTEM WILL BENEFIT THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS.
"CONSIDERATION SHOULD NOW BE GIVEN TO THE INTRODUCTION OF JOINT ADMISSION PROCEDURES AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY.
"IN FACT BOTH THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNICS HAVE ALREADY TAKEN STEPS IN THIS DIRECTION," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES, MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE FIXED AT THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
/THE LENGTH....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
2
"THE LENGTH OF COURSES SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE AND SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, SUBJECT TO THE USUAL UPGC PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSAL THAT THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES AT ALL UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS SHOULD IN PRINCIPLE BE THE SAME FOR THE SAME SUBJECT.
"THIS DECISION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED CAREFULLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COURSE CONTENT AND MODE OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES IN DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS," HE STRESSED.
TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY, MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UPGC, SHOULD CONSIDER ADOPTING A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM (A SYSTEM WHERE CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR THE AMOUNT LEARNED, RATHER THAN THE TIME STUDIED).
ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PACKAGE, MR BRIDGE SAID ALL INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE GIVEN AMPLE TIME TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO AVOID UNDUE DIFFICULTY.
"WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONSCIOUS OF THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHICH AT PRESENT TAKES MOST OF ITS STUDENTS ONE YEAR EARLIER THAN OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
"THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY HAS MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS AND WB HAVE DECIDED TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE PERIOD OF PREPARATION AND ADJUSTMENT," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT FOR EXISTING DEGREE COURSES, CHANGES WOULD BE MADE OVER A PERIOD LASTING TO THE END OF THE 1994-1997 TRIENNIUM AND FULL CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE INDIVIDUAL DIFFICULTIES OF PARTICULAR INSTITUTIONS.
"FOR ANY NEW COURSES INTRODUCED DURING THE 1991-1994 TRIENNIUM, THE UPGC WILL TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THE OBJECTIVE OF HAVING A COMMON ENTRY POINT AFTER SECONDARY 7. STARTING FROM THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1994-1995, ALL NEW COURSES WILL HAVE TO CONFORM TO THE NEW STRUCTURE," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ADDED THAT, BEFORE 1994, THE UPGC WOULD CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS MADE AND WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE DETAILS OF THE FINAL STAGES OF IMPLEMENTATION.
ON LANGUAGE STANDARDS, HE SAID ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE REMEDIAL TEACHING OF ENGLISH AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
"THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH OF OUR GRADUATES," HE SAID.
/MR BRIDGE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 198?
- 5 -
MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT IN GENERAL, WHEN MORE RESOURCES BECAME AVAILABLE, THE FIRST PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENTERING TERTIARY EDUCATION EACH YEAR.
"WE HAVE ALSO ACCEPTED THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSAL THAT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD CONSIDER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UPGC, EXTENDING ACADEMIC TEACHING TIME IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES," HE SAID.
------0-------
IMMEDIATE START
TO PRELIMINARY WORK ON
* * » * »
ON IMPLEMENTING THE
DECISIONS
PRELIMINARY WORK
DECISIONS ARISING FROM THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT START IMMEDIATELY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
GOVERNMENT’S
NO.
POLICY
3 WILL
POLYTECHNIC
"THIS TASK WILL TAKE TIME TO COMPLETE AND WE ARE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP FOR THIS PURPOSE.
CONSIDERING
"THE CHANGES
INSTITUTIONS AND WE
ANNOUNCED TODAY WILL
WILL CONSULT
ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION,
EXTENSIVELY HE SAID.
AFFECT ALL TERTIARY
WITH THEM REGARDING
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH A FORMAL REQUEST HAS NOT YET BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE ASKED TO IMPLEMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES, THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL RESCURCES FOR REMEDIAL TEACHING OF ENGLISH, JOINT ADMISSION PROCEDURES, EXTENSION OF ACADEMIC TEACHING TIME, AND THE ADOPTION OF A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE OF, AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR, HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG SAID •
WHICH
DEVELOPMENT
KONG," HE
-------0 ---------
HARD WORK OF CSD GREATLY APPRECIATED: GOVERNOR
« » » * »
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE GREATLY THE WORK THAT STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE EXTRA RESPONSIBILITY THEY HAVE SHOULDERED IN RUNNING i FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR STR WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
APPRECIATE
HAVE DONE
CENTRES DAVID
"I AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE STRAIN THAT RUNNING CLOSED CAMPS AND DETENTION CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAS PLACED ON THE STAFI- RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ON INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF STAFF.
/"MANY OF
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
"MANY OF YOU HAVE HAD TO WORK EXTRA HOURS, GIVE UP SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND MAKE SACRIFICES IN YOUR FAMILY LIFE," SIR DAVID SAID WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE CSD ANNUAL INSPECTION HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
DESCRIBING 1988 AS A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR THE DEPARTMENT, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE ADDITIONAL BURDEN OFTEN OVERSHADOWED THE MORE ROUTINE BUT NEVERTHELESS IMPORTANT WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"1988 SAW A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVES IN PROGRAMMES FOR THE CARE OF OFFENDERS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION SCHEME AND THE PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED. IT IS TOO EARLY YET TO MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF THESE SCHEMES TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS AND RETURN THEM TO SOCIETY AS USEFUL CITIZENS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION BOARD WOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER APPLICATIONS WITH GREAT CARE TO ENSURE THAT ONLY SUITABLE PRISONERS WERE SELECTED.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT 1988 ALSO SAW THE COMPLETION OF THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL PILOT SCHEME, WHICH STARTED IN APRIL 1987. A TOTAL OF 278 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE PANEL.
"THE SCHEME IS NOW BEING EVALUATED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WHICH WILL GIVE ITS ADVICE ON WHAT ITS FUTURE DIRECTION SHOULD BE.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS DIFFICULT TO MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SCHEME OF THIS SORT, EXPERIENCE SO FAR SUGGESTS THAT IT IS A VALUABLE ADDITION TO OUR METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF YOUNG OFFENDERS," SIR DAVID CONTINUED.
RECOGNISING THAT REHABILITATION IS A KEY PART OF THE CSD’S WORK, SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THE DEPARTMENT TO ITS SUCCESS IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SINCE LAST YEAR PRISONERS HAD BEEN TAKING THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION AS "SCHOOL CANDIDATES", AND FIVE DISTINCTIONS AND 26 CREDITS HAD BEEN OBTAINED IN THE EXAMINATIONS.
FURTHERMORE, ONE ADULT PRISONER, WHO WAS AWARDED A BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DEGREE THROUGH A CORRESPONDENCE COURSE, IS NOW STUDYING FOR A MASTER DEGREE AND ANOTHER NINE ARE WORKING FOR BACHELOR DEGREES.
"THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BOTH THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF AND THE PRISONERS THEMSELVES CAN BE PROUD OF," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/"THE DEPARTMENT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
5
’’THE DEPARTMENT CAN LOOK BACK ON 1988 AS A YEAR IN WHICH IT CONTINUED TO PERFORM ITS NORMAL DUTIES WITH PATIENCE AND EFFICIENCY, AND AT THE SAME TIME MET NEW CHALLENGES WITH WILLINGNESS AND DETERMINATION," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO CONGRATULATED THE OFFICERS ON PARADE AND PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 19 STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAD GIVEN EXEMPLARY SERVICE OVER THE PAST 18 YEARS.
------- 0 -------
FIRST COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS APPOINTED ♦ * t ♦ » *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR ARTHUR GARCIA AS THE FIRST COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE JUDICIARY AS A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT.
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS COMMENCING ON FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED FEBRUARY 1 AS THE COMMENCEMENT DATE FOR THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS ORDINANCE.
"THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL ON MARCH 1," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE COMMISSIONER WILL BE PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN SETTING UP HIS OFFICE AND LAYING DOWN WORKING PROCEDURES.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSIONER A COMPLAINT OF MALADMINISTRATION AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SO THROUGH A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (OTHER THAN AN OFFICIAL MEMBER).
"THIS MAY BE DONE BY ADDRESSING THE MEMBER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH OMELCO."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN 1986 ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, "REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES", THE GOVERNMENT AGREED IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE MAJORITY VIEW THAT AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS ALLEGING MALADMINISTRATION.
"THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN JULY LAST YEAR AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO SCRUTINISE IT," HE SAID.
/THERE IS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
- 6 -
’’THERE IS ALREADY A WELL DEVELOPED AND COMPREHENSIVE SYS M FOR REDRESSING THE GRIEVANCES FELT BY THE PUBLIC ARISING FROM / r ACTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, BASED ON AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, PARTIALLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE AND A RANGE OF OTHER CHANNELS,
"OMELCO IS ALREADY WELL ESTABLISHED AS THE FOCUS -OR COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF ALL TYPES.
’’THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTR/ COMPLAINTS HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS AND INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT AND STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CHANNELS F* REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.”
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMISSIONER HAD A WIDE RANGE OF P"1 TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST MALADMINISTRATION ON THE PART THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT IN JUNE LAST YEAR, WHEN SPEAKING ' THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL, THE CH < SECRETARY HAD TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE COMMlSHiu WOULD BE INDEPENDENT, AND HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFF TO CARRY OUT , DUTIES SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
HE WOULD ALSO HAVE ALMOST UNLIMITED ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT FILES HAVE POWERS OF ENTRY INTO GOVERNMENT PREMISES, AND HAVE SUFFJCIEir MEANS WITH WITCH TO ENSURE THAT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS WERE HE/WW ACTED UPON.
”IT 13 IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND OF THE GOVEWWrr THAT THE COMMISSIONER SUCCEEDS IN HIS ENDEAVOURS, THEREBY
CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT FL. W BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MR GARCIA WILL VISIT THE UK AND SWEDEN EARLY NEXT MONTH !• ACQUAINT HIMSELF WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE UK PARLTAH-COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATION AND THE SWEDISH OMBUDSMAN
FOLLOWING ARE BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON MR GARCIA:
MR GARCIA, 64, JOINED GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1939 AND HAS SERVE-AS USHER TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS BEFORE HE 'A GRANTED A SCHOLARSHIP TO READ FOR THE BAR IN LONDON AND CALLED Arf MIDDLE TEMPLE IN 1957.
HE LATER SERVED IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT UNTIL 1959 WHEN HE ’’ SECONDED TO THE JUDICIARY AS A MAGISTRATE. HE WAS APPOINTED PERMAWL MAGISTRATE THE FOLLOWING YEAR, SENIOR MAGISTRATE IN FEBRUARY : PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. IN 1971, HE WAS APF' TO THE DISTRICT COURT BENCH AND IN 1979, A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COUFi
/IN 198'4
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
7
IN 1984, HE RETIRED AS A JUDGE OF THE HIGH RE-EMPLOYED IN THE SAME CAPACITY SINCE THEN.
COURT AND
HAS
BEEN
MR GARCIA IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF, AMONG OTHERS, COSTS COMMITTEE, THE SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE OF CARITAS HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED, AND THE SOCIETY OF HANDICAPPED.
THE SOLICITORS’ HONG KONG, THE HOMES FOR THE
MR GARCIA IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS.
-------0---------
ECONOMIC SUCCESS A REASON FOR OPTIMISM
******
ONE ASPECT OF THE HONG KONG SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT IGNORED WHEN LOOKING TO THE FUTURE IS THE TERRITORY’S PHENOMENA ECONOMIC SUCCESS OVER THE PAST GENERATIONS AND THE PROSPECT? FOK' CONTINUATION WELL BEYOND 1997.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID THIS YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) R . ADDRESSING THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
EXPLAINING WHY HE WAS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE, MR JOU1 so OUTLINED SOME OF THE CONDITIONS AND POLICIES THAT HAD LED > I KONG’S SUCCESS AND ITS ROLE AS A THOROUGHLY MODERN CITY.
"WE HAVE WORKED OUR WAY UP THROUGH A PERIOD OF DEPENDENCE r SIMPLE MANUFACTURING TO OUR PRESENT POSITION WHEREIN WE NOT >N REMAIN A MAJOR MANUFACTURING CENTRE BUT HAVE ALSO BECOME, MORK T> EVER BEFORE, A MAJOR REGIONAL CENTRE IN EVERY SENSE," HE SAID.
"THIS APPLIES BOTH WITH REGARD TO CHINA AND ITS COMMERCE AND TRADING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, AND WITH REGARD T INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE AND COMMERCE IN GENERAL."
TO ILLUSTRATE THE SCALE OF HONG KONG'S ACHIEVEMENTS, MR JOHNSON LOOKED BACK 20 YEARS AT GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GROWTH AND TRADE GROWTH.
"IN 1967 OUR GDP STOOD AT AROUND US$2.5 BILLION. IN 1987 1'1
WAS US$46 BILLION. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 20 TIMES YEARS OR REAL GROWTH OF 8.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM," HE SAID.
"IN 1988 OUR GDP PER HEAD WAS US$9,370. THIS IS SUBSTANTIAL! MORE THAN SOME OF THE NEWER MEMBERS OF THE EEC AND PUTS US IN .c PLACE IN ASIA, WITH SINGAPORE, BEHIND JAPAN.
"THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S TRADE SINCE 1967 HAS ALSO HEIN DRAMATIC. OUR TOTAL ANNUAL TRADE WAS THEN WORTH US$3.3 BILLION 1988 IT WAS WORTH US$127 BILLION.
/THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
- 8 -
"THIS IS MORE THAN TWICE OUR GDP AND REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 38 TIMES IN 21 YEARS, OR GROWTH OF MORE THAN 12 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
UNDERLINING HONG KONG’S RELIANCE ON TRADE AND THE TRADING ENVIRONMENT, MR JOHNSON SAID THAT HONG KONG NOW RANKED AMONG THE WORLD’S TOP 13 TRADERS AND HAD THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONTAINER PORT IN TERMS OF THROUGHPUT.
PUTTING THIS IN A CALIFORNIA CONTEXT, HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HANDLED FOUR TIMES AS MANY CONTAINERS AS THE PORT OF OAKLAND AND MORE THAN THE PORTS OF LONG BEACH AND LOS ANGELES COMBINED.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE GROWTH, MR JOHNSON SAID THIS WOULD NOT BE FOUND SO MUCH IN MANUFACTURING, BUT IN SERVICES AND IN HONG KONG’S REDISCOVERED, AND RAPIDLY EXPANDING, ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT.
"HONG KONG IS ALREADY A SOURCE OF GOODS, INVESTMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND KNOW-HOW FOR THE MAINLAND. CHINA IS RECKONED TO DERIVE OVER 30 PER CENT OF ITS FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"SOMETHING LIKE 60 PER CENT OF ALL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA SIMILARLY COMES THROUGH OR FROM HONG KONG."
AT THE SAME TIME, MR JOHNSON SAID, HONG KONG PROVIDED MANY ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR CHINA.
"PERHAPS THE MOST OBVIOUS IS THE GROWING ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD," HE SAID.
"OUR RE-EXPORT FIGURES AS A RESULT HAVE BEEN SHOWING SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH, AND ARE NOW EQUIVALENT TO, OR EVEN A BIT LARGER THAN OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
"HONG KONG HAS ALSO EMERGED AS THE PRINCIPAL INTERMEDIARY FOR TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN AND KOREA. THE MAINLAND ALSO HAS HUGE AND GROWING INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG, IN ALL FIELDS, AND HAS USED HONG KONG AS A MEANS OF ACCESS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO THE WORLD’S CAPITAL MARKETS.
"THERE IS THEREFORE AN EVOLVING ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WHICH IS OF IMMENSE VALUE FOR BOTH SIDES.
"I DO NOT THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EITHER PARTY IS LIKELY TO JEOPARDISE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE."
9
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
9
STEERING COMMITTEE LAUNCHES YEAR-END CLEAN-UP
******
THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PHASE OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
LAUNCHING CEREMONIES WERE HELD AT THE LAN KWAI FONG REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN CENTRAL AND AT LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN IN TSUEN WAN.
"DURING THE YEAR-END PERIOD, AN INCREASE OF 40 PER CENT IN REFUSE COLLECTION IS EXPECTED DUE TO TRADITIONAL SPRING CLEANING," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
"LAST YEAR, DURING THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 13 TO 19, A DAILY AVERAGE OF 5,833 TONNES OF REFUSE WAS COLLECTED COMPARED WITH A USUAL DAILY AVERAGE OF 2,782 TONNES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS DISCARD UNWANTED FURNITURE, BULKY WASTE AND JUNK, TEMPORARY REFUSE/JUNK COLLECTION POINTS WILL BE SET UP IN ALL URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS.
THE PERMANENT REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS WILL ALSO EXTEND THEIR OPENING HOURS, AND OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
"ADDITIONAL LORRIES AND MANPOWER WILL BE DEPLOYED TO CLEAN UP LITTER BLACK SPOTS, REMOVE REFUSE AND JUNK FROM PUBLIC PLACES, REMOVE UNCLAIMED ARTICLES WHICH CAUSE OBSTRUCTION, AND WASH STREETS AND LANES AFTER THE OPERATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF JUNK AND/OR UNWANTED ARTICLES IN PUBLIC PLACES OTHER THAN THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS IS AN OFFENCE, WITH THE OFFENDER LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS CAN BE DIRECTED TO AN URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE, 5-8680000, OR TO THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE OFFICES.
- - O -----------
PUBLIC WARNED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES ♦ » ♦ ♦ * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTENDING TO VISIT CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) WARNED NOT TO BRING ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES INTO HONG KONG OR ELSE THEY COULD FACE HEAVY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT.
THE WARNING CAME FROM THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M. K. CHEUNG, FOLLOWING TWO SEIZURES AT THE SHA TAU KOK BORDER EARLIER THIS WEEK, INVOLVING A TOTAL OF 30 LIVE AND SEVEN DEAD ENDANGERED ANIMALS.
/AS A........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1?89
- 10 -
AS A RESULT OF STRINGENT GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THREE GIANT SALAMANDERS AND THE CARCASSES OF ONE EAGLE, THREE OWLS AND TWO PANGOLINS WERE INTERCEPTED AT THE SHA TAU KOK BORDER ON MONDAY AND A CHINESE MALE WAS ARRESTED.
ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, EIGHT PANGOLIN, FOUR OWLS AND 15 GIANT SALAMANDERS AND ONE PANGOLIN CARCASS WERE FOUND ABANDONED AT THE BORDER. NO ARREST WAS MADE.
MR CHEUNG SAID: THE DEPARTMENT HAS STEPPED UP CONTROL MEASURES AT ALL ENTRY POINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS AND GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.
"ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS PARTS AND DERIVATIVES WILL BE DETECTED AND PROSECUTED."
SINCE JANUARY 1, MR CHEUNG SAID, THERE HAD BEEN 20 SEIZURES FOR VIOLATING THE IMPORT AND POSSESSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW.
THE ENDANGERED ANIMALS INVOLVED IN THESE CASES INCLUDED PANGOLINS, OWLS, PARROTS, SLOW LORIS, GIANT SALAMANDERS, ASIATIC BONY TONGUE FISH AND CORAL AS WELL AS STUFFED SPECIMENS OF SEA TURTLES AND ALLIGATOR.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $10,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
------o--------
1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE TO RECEIVE NEW YEAR GIFTS * » » » »
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, ABOUT 450 VOLUNTEERS FROM SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL BRING GOOD CHEER ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) TO ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
THE VOLUNTEERS, TO BE DIVIDED INTO GROUPS OF TWO, WILL VISIT 1,000 SENIOR CITIZENS RECOMMENDED BY 17 HOMES FOR THE AGED, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THEY WILL PRESENT EACH ELDERLY PERSON WITH A GIFT PACKET CONTAINING FOOD AND SWEETS.
THE FOUR OLDEST PEOPLE - ALL AGED OVER 95 - WILL EACH RECEIVE A LAI-SEE PACKET OF $200.
/DURING THE
FRIDA*, JANUARY 27, 1989
DURING THE VISITS, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF FINDING OUT THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
THE FINDINGS WILL BE USED IN PLANNING FUTURE ACTIVITIES FOR THEM.
THE PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE AND RECREATION OF THE ELDERLY, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD.
IT IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
TWO OF THE OLDEST PERSONS WILL ALSO BE VISITED BY THE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR KU SZE-CHUNG; ASSISTANT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS EVA TO; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR NG KAI-KIN; AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR CHAN CHI-KWAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER SUNDAY’S VISITS TO THE ELDERLY WHICH WILL BEGIN WITH A SHORT CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE LOK SIN TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, 63 LUNG KONG ROAD, KOWLOON CITY, STARTING AT 11 AM.
-----0----------
EMPLOYER FINED FOR ARREARS IN LONG SERVICE PAYMENT
*******
EMPLOYERS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED TO GIVE LONG SERVICE PAY TO QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES ON TERMINATION OF SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, OR ELSE THEY MAY FACE PROSECUTION.
THIS FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE OPERATOR OF A RESTAURANT WAS FINED $3,000 BY A SHA TIN MAGISTRATE FOR NOT MAKING THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT TO A 67-YEAR-OLD WORKER WHOM HE DISMISSED.
"THE EMPLOYER AT FIRST REFUSED TO PAY THE AMOUNT DUE TO THE WORKER, CLAIMING THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH PRACTICE IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY; BUT HE EVENTUALLY AGREED TO A SETTLEMENT WITH THE EMPLOYEE AFTER A CLAIM HAD BEEN FILED AT THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS THE EMPLOYER WILFULLY AND WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE DELAYED THE PAYMENT DUE TO HIS EMPLOYEE AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, PROSECUTION WAS TAKEN OUT AGAINST HIM."
/UNDER THE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
12 -
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN DISMISSED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR REASONS OTHER THAN SUMMARY DISMISSAL, REDUNDANCY OR VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION AND WHO HAVE COMPLETED A NUMBER OF CONTINUOUS YEARS OF SERVICE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
THE PAYMENT MUST BE MADE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE TERMINATION AND THE FAMILY OF A DECEASED QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE IS ALSO ENTITLED TO THE LONG SERVICE PAY.
FAILURE TO EFFECT THE PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE CAN BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-----0-----
FIGHT CRIME YOUTH CAMP ON SUNDAY ♦ ♦ t ♦ »
NINETY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A FIGHT CRIME YOUTH CAMP IN THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29).
ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME ORGANISING COMMITTEE WITH PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CAMP’S PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE THE ANTI-CRIME MESSAGE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL AS PROVIDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THEM.
THE CAMP WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM WITH A TALK BY AN OFFICER FROM THE POLICE PUBLIC COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE IN TUEN MUN.
THE TALK WILL FOCUS ON CRIMES COMMITTED BY YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES THAT THEY HAVE TO FACE.
THERE WILL BE GROUP GAMES AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE CAMP IS ONE OF THE MANY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE. THESE WILL INCLUDE A ROCK CLIMBING TRAINING CLASS IN FEBRUARY AS A FINALE TO THE CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME.
/15........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
13
ISLANDS STUDENTS COMPLETE HISTORY PROJECT
*****
MORE THAN 750 STUDENTS FROM 30 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WILL ATTEND THE "ISLANDS ROOT PROJECT" EXHIBITION DURING THE SCHOOLS GET-TOGETHER DAY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT BUDDHIST WAI YAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
THE EXHIBITION, MARKING THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, WILL COVER TOPICS SUCH AS A COMPARISON OF THE PAST AND PRESENT IN SHUI HAU VILLAGE, BUILDINGS DEVELOPMENT IN MUI WO, INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS IN TAI O, AND THE ISLANDERS’ PLACES OF ORIGIN.
STUDENTS TAKING PART IN THE PROJECT HAVE SPENT THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN RESEARCH AND PREPARATION OF MATERIALS AND IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THIS PARTICIPATION THEY WILL LEARN THE HISTORY OF THEIR DISTRICT SO AS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING.
THE PROJECT WAS ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE HELP OF THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOLS LIAISON COMMITTEE (SLC) TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION.
APART FROM THE EXHIBITION, THE CHINESE ARTS PERFORMING TROUPE WILL PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE STUDENTS JOINING THE SCHOOLS GET-TOGETHER DAY WHICH IS AN ANNUAL ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE SLC.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, AND THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS) MR KWOK WAI-CHIU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BEGIN AT 10 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SCHOOLS GET-TOGETHER DAY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE BUDDHIST WAI YAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE ON CHEUNG CHAU, BEGINNING AT 10 AM.
THE LAUNCH "CLEMENTI" WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL, FOR CHEUNG CHAU AT 8.30 AM.
MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER,
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
- 14 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 18 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED HOISTED. FLAGS ARB
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE TAKE PLACE: DATE TIME FEBRUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 2 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 3 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 4 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 14 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 15 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 16 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 17 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 18 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 20 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 21 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 22 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 23 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 24 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 25 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM FEBRUARY 26 (SUNDAY) MIDNIGHT - 8 AM FEBRUARY 27 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FEBRUARY 28 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM WILL
-------o ---------
KING’S ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS AMENDED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT PROPOSES TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT WORKS FURTHER TO THE KING’S ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THE WORKS WERE ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PLANS AND SCHEME GAZETTED ON MAY 6 AND 13 LAST YEAR. NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION OF THESE WORKS WAS GAZETTED ON JULY 29.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS INVOLVE THE REVISION OF THE LAYOUT OF THE AUTHORISED EXTENSION TO THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE AT MOUNT PARKER ROAD AND THE EXTENSION OF THE RECONSTRUCTION LIMIT EASTWARDS ALONG KING’S ROAD UP TO ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH KORNHILL
/A NOTICE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
15
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT 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;
» HONG KONG EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HONG KONG;
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 880-886 KING'S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2ND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 28, 1989.
-------o ---------
TENDERS INVITED FOR KING’S ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS » » » » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KING’S ROAD.
A NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS PROJECT INVOLVED THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOTH CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTWAYS OF A SECTION OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND KORNHILL ROAD IN QUARRY BAY.
THE EXISTING ROAD LAYOUT WOULD BE IMPROVED AT THE SAME TIME TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED TRAFFIC DEMAND IN THE NINETIES.
OTHER IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT INCLUDE THE LAYING OF ABOUT 3,200 METRES OF LARGE DIAMETER WATER MAINS TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY NETWORK IN THE AREA, THE ENLARGEMENT OF DRAINS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS TO THE TWO EXISTING FOOTBRIDGES AT TIN CHIU STREET AND MOUNT PARKER ROAD.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN MID-1992.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY PETER FRAENKEL CONSULTANTS (H.K.) LTD. FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRM WILL ALSO SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION.
/16 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
- 16 -
NEW ROADS FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT *»»»«*
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT NEW ROADS IN TIN SHUI WAI, YUEN LONG AS PART OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
THE PROPOSED WORKS MAINLY INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND FORMATION OF LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE SERVING THE FUTURE TIN YIU ESTATE AND TIN SHUI ESTATE.
ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROADWORKS ARE A FOOTBRIDGE AND TWO PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST SUBWAYS.
WORKS WILL START IN MID-1989 AND ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE FIRST POPULATION INTAKE BY END OF 1991.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
A NOTICE, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC 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 K1U MARKET, 9TH FLOOR, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISH TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD SEND HIS OBJECTION, IN WRITING, TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2ND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 28, 1989.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
- 17 -
DRAINAGE CHANNELS FOR NORTHWEST NT » * * * »
TH” GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT DRAINAGE CHANNELS NEAR HUNG UK TSUEN, FUI SHA WAI AND TAI TO TSUEN IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WORKS ARE AIMED AT ALLEVIATING FLOOD HAZARDS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE r< .CRETE-LINED CHANNELS, ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROADS AND FOOTPATHS, AND T..E RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING BOX CULVERT ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT FUI SHA WAI.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE DRAINAGE (DESIGN) DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE DRAINAGE (CONSTRUCTION) DIVISION WILL SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION.
TENDERS FOR THE WORKS ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 24.
-------0----------
NEW ROADS IN FANLING VILLAGE *****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO BUILD ROADS IN FAN LENG LAU VILLAGE, WEST, OF LUEN WO MARKET, FANLING TO PROVIDE AND IMPROVE THE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESSES TO THE VILLAGE AND ADJACENT NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
THE WORKS ARE PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMNET OF FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWNS.
THEY INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS, EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESSES, ACCESS ROADS, CARPARKS, ROADSIDE AMENITIES, STREET FURNITURE AND DRAINAGE NETWORKS.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE WORKS, SOME 1,180 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE LAND COMPRISING MAINLY AGRICULTURAL LAND WITH SOME BUILDING LAND WILL HAVE TO BE RESUMED.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING ACCESSES THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LIMITED, CONSULTING ENGINEERS ON BEHALF OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
/A NOTICE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989
- 18 -
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2ND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 28, 198S.
-----0------
NEW LOADING/UNLOADING AREA AT NAM WAN
♦ »♦♦♦»
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT A NEW PUBLIC LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA, MEASURING 40 METRES BY 16.5 METRES, AT NAM WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU TO RELIEVE THE CONGESTION AT THE EXISTING PUBLIC PIER.
TWO SETS OF THE EXISTING LANDING STEPS ON THE REVETMENT WILL ALSO BE RELOCATED SOUTHWARD BY ABOUT 100 METRES.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START LATER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED ’ IN EARLY 1991. IT WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,130 SQUARE METRES OF FORSHORE AND SEABED.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OVER THE AREA WILL BE AFFECTED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE DECEMBER 29 THIS YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, HONG KONG.
-------0 ---------
RIGHT-TURN BAN AT YEN CHOW STREET TO BE LIFTED
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROADWORKS IN YEN CHOW STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO, VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR SLIP ROAD TO YEN CHOW STREET WESTBOUND.
THIS MEASURE WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY
30) .
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28,*198?
contents Page no.
SUPPORT FOR ARTS SHOULD COME FROM ALL SECTORS: GOVERNOR ... 1
CARING ROLE FOR POLICE IN COMMUNITY ............................ 2
PARENTS URGED HOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED ................. 2
YOUNG OFFENDERS TO USE NEW COMPUTERS TO HELP THE BLIND .... J
PETER MANN APPOINTED WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER ................. 4
CLEAN-UP BEGINS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ........................... 5
KEEP HK CLEAN CARNIVAL IN SHmM SHUT PO ......................... 6
CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ............ 7
CLEAN-UP EXERCISE AT RENNIE'S MILL ............................. 7
DB ISSUES POSTER WARNING AGAINST FALLING OBJECTS ............... 8
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT .......................................... 9
public warned against cutting trees, plants .................... 9
W.vTER CUTS IN S.-.I KUNG, KWAI CHUNG ......................... 10
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1989
1
SUPPORT EOR ARTS SHOULD COME FROM ALL SECTORS: GOVERNOR t » « * t »
IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY SUCH AS HONG KONG’S SHOULD USE A PART OF ITS WEALTH TO SUPPORT THE ARTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
"BUT THIS IS NOT A ROLE FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR ALONE," HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1989 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE CITY HALL, SIR DAVID SAID THE ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY HAD ALWAYS WORKED ENERGETICALLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO GENERATE CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FOR ITS ACTIVITIES.
IN THANKING PATRONS AND SPONSORS WHOSE GENEROSITY HAD HELPED TO MAKE THE FESTIVAL POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNOR ALSO ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT.
"SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS BENEFITS NOT ONLY THE ARTISTS, BUT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL -- AND OCCASIONALLY OF COURSE THE SPONSOR TOO," SIR DAVID SAID.
"SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1973, THE FESTIVAL HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN OPENING THE EYES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO THE PLEASURES AND DELIGHTS OF THE PERFORMING ARTS. IT HAS ALSO HELPED TO BUILD UP AN AUDIENCE FOR OUR HOME GROWN ARTISTS." HE SAID.
"MANY OF THEM, INCLUDING THE ORCHESTRA THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO HEAR TONIGHT, NOW TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE FESTIVAL’S PROGRAMME," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT WHILE A GREAT DEAL OF HARD WORK WENT INTO ORGANISING A FESTIVAL SUCH AS THIS, THE COMMUNITY WAS FORTUNATE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO THE ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
THE GOVERNOR PAID PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO THE OUTGOING CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY, SIR RUN RUN SHAW.
"AS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY AND CHAIRMAN SINCE 1975, YOUR UNFAILING SUPPORT AND POSITIVE APPROACH HAVE DONE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT TO ESTABLISH THE FESTIVAL AS A VERY SPECIAL PART OF OUR CULTURAL LIFE IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE SEEDS THAT YOU HAVE SOWN AND NURTURED WILL, I KNOW, CONTINUE TO BLOSSOM FOR MANY YEARS TO COME," HE ADDED.
0
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1989
2
CARING ROLE FOR POLICE IN COMMUNITY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, POINTED OUT TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT POLICE OFFICERS PLAYED A DUAL ROLE BOTH AS UPHOLDERS OF THE LAW AND AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKING AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG, MR LIAO TOLD THE GRADUATES THAT AS MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE, THEY HAD A CRUCIAL PART TO PLAY IN MAINTAINING THE SECURITY AND WELL BEING OF HONG KONG.
"FROM THE FIRST DAY YOU ASSUME DUTIES AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE FORCE, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF BEING CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUR DAY-TO-DAY CONTACTS WITH THE PUBLIC AT LARGE," SAID MR LIAO.
"WITH YOUR CONSPICUOUS PRESENCE IN THE STREETS THROUGH YOUR UNIFORM, PEOPLE WILL TURN TO YOU WITH ALL KINDS OF REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF HELPING CHILDREN TO CROSS THE ROAD, THE HANDICAPPED TO WALK UP A FOOTBRIDGE, SHOWING BEWILDERED VISITORS THE WAY TO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.
"ON OCCASIONS, YOU MAY SIMPLY BE CHATTING TO TOURISTS OR ANYBODY WHO COME BY TO SEE IF THEY NEED ANY HELP," HE SAID.
MR LIAO ADDED THAT THE APPROACHABILITY AND KINDNESS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS WOULD CERTAINLY BE MUCH APPRECIATED AND WOULD IN TURN ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF THE FORCE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE SAID, THE OFFICERS WOULD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW, AND HELPED PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY INTO ONE WHERE THERE WAS MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
"THERE CAN BE NO GREATER JOB SATISFACTION THAN THE SENSE THAT YOU ARE SERVING YOUR FELLOW MEN, OR THE KNOWLEDGE THAT PEOPLE TURN TO YOU FOR LEADERSHIP AND PROTECTION. YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO FEEL PROUD TO WEAR THE POLICE UNIFORM." HE CONCLUDED.
- - 0 --------
PARENTS URGED NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED
* * * * «
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (FAMILY WELFARE), MR ALFRED CHUI, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED PARENTS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED TO MINIMISE HOUSEHOLD ACCIDENTS.
HE ALSO REMINDED PARENTS NOT TO OVER-ESTIMATE THE SELF-CARE ABILITY OF CHILDREN BY LEAVING THEM UNATTENDED.
/SPEAKING AT .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 198?
- 3 -
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ON YAN CHILD CARE CENTRE IN FU SIN ESTATE, TAI PO, MR CHUI SAID THAT PARENTS SHOULD MAKE USE OF SERVICES FROM CHILD CARE CENTRES AND MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WHENEVER THEY HAD TO LEAVE THE HOME, ENSURING SAFETY AND RENDERING PROPER CARE.
"LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME IS RISKY AND MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS RANGING FROM BURNS OR INJURIES CAUSED BY A FALL; OR EVEN TRAGEDIES SUCH AS TAKING MEDICINES BY MISTAKE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR FALLING FROM A HEIGHT,” HE SAID.
MR CHUI DEEPLY REGRETTED THE OCCURRENCE OF TWO RECENT TRAGEDIES INVOLVING CHILDREN WHO FELL FROM THEIR HOMES.
SOME TRAGEDIES IN RECENT YEARS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AVOIDED HAD PARENTS BEEN MORE AWARE OF THE DANGER OF LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED, HE SAID.
TURNING TO CHILD CARE SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY, MR CHUI NOTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE 293 CHILD CARE CENTRES OF VARIOUS TYPES WITH 30,824 PLACEMENTS. OF THESE CENTRES, 161 WERE AIDED AND 35 OTHERS WERE SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THESE CENTRES HAD TO COMPLY WITH THE CHILD CARE CENTRE LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND MANNING RATIO.
"OFFICERS OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ARE MONITORING THEIR OPERATION AND PAY REGULAR VISITS SO AS TO ENSURE THAT PROPER SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER, THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED THE 'FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES’ IN 1982 TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ENROL CHILDREN IN NURSERIES."
MR CHUI COMMENDED THE TSUNG TSIN MISSION, HONG KONG, FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CHILD CARE SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY. WITH THE OPENING OF THE ON YAN CHILD CARE CENTRE, THE MISSION NOW OPERATES FOUR DAY NURSERIES WITH A TOTAL OF 475 PLACEMENTS.
------0-------
YOUNG OFFENDERS TO USE NEW COMPUTERS TO HELP THE BLIND
TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS RUN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ENHANCED WITH THE PURCHASE OF FOUR MICRO-COMPUTERS.
THE PURCHASE OF THE FOUR MICRO-COMPUTERS WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH A GENEROUS DONATION OF $137,000 FROM THE HONG KONG BANK TRUSTEE LIMITED (WILLIE AND SYLVIA STEWART MEMORIAL FUND) TO THE DEPARTMENT.
/TWO OF .......
SATURDAY,
JANUARY 28, 1989
TWO OF THE MICRO-COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN LAI KING 1 RAINING CENTRE (LKTC) WHILE THE OTHER TWO ARE IN TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (TGCI).
"THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW COMPUTER PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS WILL NOT ONLY TRAIN INMATES TO OPERATE MICRO-COMPUTERS, BUT ALSO PROVIDE A SERVICE TO HELP BLIND PEOPLE IN HONG KONG," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROGRAMME WILL MAINLY INVOLVE ENTERING TEXT FROM BOOKS AND MAGAZINES INTO THE MICRO-COMPUTERS WHICH WILL BE STORED ON FLOPPY DISCS.
THESE WILL THEN BE FED TO THE EMBOSSING MACHINE AT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, WHICH WILL TURN OUT BRAILLE COPIES AS REQUIRED.
"UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND WILL SEND BOOKS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND INMATES AT THE TWO INSTITUTIONS WILL TRANSFER THE CONTENTS OF THE BOOKS TO THE DISKETTES USING THE MICRO-COMPUTERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AFTER COMPLETION AND PROOF-READING, THE BOOKS AND DISKETTES WILL BE RETURNED AND EXCHANGED FOR ANOTHER BATCH.
"THE INITIAL OUTPUT RATE IS ESTIMATED AT 1,200 PAGES EACH MONTH. WE EXPECT THAT THE OUTPUT MAY BE DOUBLED WHEN MORE INMATES ARE TRAINED TO OPERATE THE MICRO-COMPUTERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------0 -
PETER MANN APPOINTED WAN CHAI
*****
DISTRICT OFFICER
MR PETER MANN HAS BEEN APPOINTED WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 30) TO SUCCEED MR ALLAN CHOW, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR MANN JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1976 AFTER GRADUATING FROM OXFORD UNIVERSITY WITH A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE.
HE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE WHERE HE DEALT WITH DEVELOPMENT MATTERS, AND THE SECURITY BRANCH WHERE HE WAS INVOLVED IN IMMIGRATION AND BORDER MATTERS.
IN 1982, MR MANN WAS POSTED TO THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, WORKING MAINLY ON THE PRIVATISATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
/HE WAS .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1989
5
HE WAS PROMOTED IN 1985 TO SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (CONSTRUCTION) IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT,
MR MANN'S LATEST POSTING WAS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH WHERE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
MR MANN SPEAKS CANTONESE AND HAS A CULTURE, PARTICULARLY TAI CHI CHUEN.
KEEN INTEREST IN CHINESE
-----0-----
CLEAN-UP BEGINS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ♦ * ♦ ♦
A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP DRIVE BEGAN IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH 12 TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS BEING SET UP FOR RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE OF REFUSE AND LARGE ITEMS OF JUNK BEFORE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE CLEAN-UP IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS THE FINAL ACTIVITY IN THE DISTRICT'S CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN.
THE LOCATIONS AND OPERATING HOURS OF THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE LOCATION OPERATING HOURS
JANUARY 28 DUNDAS STREET 0700-2330
JANUARY 29 SHEK LUNG STREET 0700-2330
JANUARY 29 JUNCTION OF SHANGHAI STREET WITH WATERLOO ROAD 0700-1530
JANUARY 30 CANTON ROAD (OPPOSITE YAU MA TEI POLICE STATION) 0700-1530
JANUARY 30 MAN CHEONG STREET 0700-1530
JANUARY 30 BATTERY STREET 0700-2330
JANUARY 31 PARKES STREET 0700-2330
FEBRUARY 1 KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK 0700-2330
FEBRUARY 2 AND 3 KIMBERLEY STREET 0700-2330
/FEBRUARY 4 .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1989
6
FEBRUARY 4 MINDEN ROW 0700-1530
FEBRUARY 4 HAIPHONG ROAD 0700-2330
FEBRUARY 5 AUTO PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST 0700-1530
ADDITIONAL CLEANSING STAFF HAVE ALSO BEEN MOBILISED TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN REFUSE.
THE CLEAN-UP MESSAGE WAS ALSO DRIVEN HOME TO HAWKERS AND SHOP OPERATORS IN THE YAU MA TEI, HAIPHONG ROAD AND KWUN CHUNG MARKETS THROUGH A MARKET CLEANLINESS CONTEST HELD LAST NOVEMBER.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS JULIANA LI; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (KOWLOON) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR T.K. CHOY; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH; CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN, MR GARY AHUJA; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN'S CLEANSING WORKING GROUP, MR YAN FAT-CHUEN.
------O-------
KEEP HK CLEAN CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUI PO » * t » *
RESIDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE URGED TO KEEP THEIR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN THROUGH FUN AND GAMES IN A CARNIVAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE "WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN” OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION BY RESIDENTS WERE ESSENTIAL FOR IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT THEY ARE MADE AWARE OF THE NEED TO KEEP PLACES CLEAN," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TOMORROW’S CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE 12 GAMES STALLS TO BE PUT UP BY AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AS PART OF A STALL DESIGN COMPETITION, POP SINGING AND A MAGIC SHOW.
PRIZES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF A "KEEP YOUR BUILDING CLEAN" COMPETITION HELD BY THE WORKING GROUP LAST NOVEMBER.
THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS JENNY CHOK; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR SYLVESTER TSE; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28,
1989
CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ♦ * » » ♦
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR ON "SOCIAL MORALITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS" TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24.
TWO IDENTICAL SESSIONS - ONE IN THE MORNING AND THE OTHER IN THE AFTERNOON - WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE CIVIC EDUCATION SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE AIM IS TO ACQUAINT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING A SENSE OF SOCIAL MORALITY AMONG PRIMARY PUPILS.
THE SEMINAR WILL ALSO GIVE PARTICIPANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCES ON THE SUBJECT.
THERE WILL BE TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HOW TO DEVELOP SUCH A SENSE OF SOCIAL MORALITY AND HOW TO USE TEACHING MATERIALS ON THE SUBJECT.
A SET OF TEACHING MATERIALS ON SOCIAL MORALITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SEMINAR. AN EXHIBITION OF TEACHING MATERIALS ON THE SAME THEME WILL BE MOUNTED.
SCHOOL HEADS ARE ASKED TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR. THE NOMINATIONS SHOULD REACH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE TUESDAY (JANUARY 31).
- 0 - -
CLEAN-UP EXERCISE AT RENNIE’S MILL
*»»**»
A GOOD START TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORK IN RENNIE’S MILL IN 1989 WILL BE MADE WHEN A MAJOR CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IS HELD ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30).
THE EXERCISE AIMS AT IMPROVING THE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS FROM THE SIX PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE AREA WILL TAKE PART.
/THESE STUDENTS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1989
8
THESE STUDENTS WILL ASSEMBLE AT THE SPORTS GROUND OF THE RENNIE’S MILL SECONDARY SCHOOL AT 9.30 AM. THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SIX CLEAN-UP TEAMS AND EACH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING UP DIFFERENT AREAS.
THEY WILL COLLECT REFUSE IN THE STREETS AND CLEAR RUBBISH ACCUMULATED AT THE SEAFRONT.
THE SAI KUNG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT), MISS LISA CHAN, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND RENNIE’S MILL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE EXERCISE.
THE EXERCISE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SAI KUNG OFFICE).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE RENNIE’S MILL CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ON MONDAY. TRANSPORT TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO RENNIE’S MILL WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI AT 8.15 AM.
------0-------
DB ISSUES POSTER WARNING AGAINST FALLING OBJECTS ♦ ♦ t t * ♦
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD HAS PRINTED A POSTER TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO BE MINDFUL OF ITEMS PLACED BY WINDOWS OR ON BALCONIES AND TO TAKE CARE TO PREVENT SUCH OBJECTS FROM FALLING.
FOLLOWING INCIDENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE WERE KILLED OR INJURED BY FALLING OBJECTS. THE BOARD FORMED A WORKING GROUP LAST NOVEMBER TO STEP UP PUBLICITY ON THIS PROBLEM AND TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT ALLOWING OBJECTS TO FALL FROM A HEIGHT COULD LEAD TO PROSECUTION.
A TOTAL OF 1,000 COPIES OF THE POSTER WERE PRINTED. THEY HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO OWNERS CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND SCHOOLS, AND SOME COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT
THE WORKING GROUP ALSO PLANS TO DISTRIBUTE TO RESIDENTS SHORTLY 10,000 COPIES OF A METRIC SCALE CONVERSION TABLE WHICH BEARS THE DESIGN AND SLOGAN OF THE PUBLICITY POSTER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID: "THE PUBLIC SHOULD SEE 10 II THAT THINGS NEAR THE WINDOW ARE PROPERLY PLACED, AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT STAFF SHOULD ALSO BE TOLD TO KEEP AN EYE ON OBJECTS PUT ON THE BALCONIES AND WINDOWS IN THEIR BUILDINGS. IF EVERYONE WILL BE MORE CAREFUL, ACCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED."
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1989
- 9 -
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT * * * *
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES (SNA) HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS MAY RECEIVE EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, FEBRUARY 5 TO 8.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THEY MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON JANUARY 31 TO FEBRUARY 3 RESPECTIVELY OR AFTER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
SNA PAYMENT ON
RECIPIENTS UNDER THE BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM WILL GET THEIR FEBRUARY 3 IF THEIR ORIGINAL PAY DAY FALLS ON FEBRUARY 5.
-----0-------
PUBLIC WARNED AGAINST CUTTING TREES, PLANTS
*****
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) WARNED NOT TO CUT ANY TREES OR PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR DECORATIVE USE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
THE COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.W. LAI, SAID THAT CUTTING TREES OR PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE.
’’CONTRAVENTION OF THE ORDINANCE MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $ 2,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT,” HE SAID.
’’ALTHOUGH THE PUBLIC IS BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT, SEVEN PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED LAST YEAR FOR CUTTING TREES AND PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
’’SOME OF THESE CASES INVOLVED FLOWERING BRANCHES OF ’TIU CHUNG’ TREES WHICH ARE SOUGHT FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR," HE ADDED.
MR LAI SAID THAT WILD FLOWERS AND TREES ARE BEST APPRECIATED IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND SHOULD NOT BE PICKED OR CUT.
HE APPEALED FOR PUBLIC CO-OPERATION AND SAID ANY SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE NEAREST COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE.
/1O
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28,
1989
- 10
WATER CUTS IN SAI KUNG, KWAI CHUNG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME SAI KUNG PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 31) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AND VILLAGES IN PAK KONG AU, TAI SHUI TSENG, FU YUNG PIT, WO TONG KONG AND NAM SHAN.
ALL PREMISES IN SAI KUNG TOWN WILL EXPERIENCE WEAK PRESSURE IN FRESH WATER SUPPLY.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN KWAI CHUNG PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 1) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO CARRY OUT A NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY TAI WO HAU ROAD, SHEUNG KOK STREET AND BLOCKS 1-26 KWAI CHUNG ESTATE.
----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 19$9
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
FEWER SOCIAL SECURITY APPEALS FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR........ 1
NEW TSUEN WAN DISTRICT POLICE HQ............................... 2
NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS ................................ 5
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR OWNER-MANAGERS ............... 5
FESTIVE LIGHTING IN VICTORIA PARK............................. 4
LARGE LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN SHA TIN......................... 5
CUSTOMS ADVICE FOR NEW YEAR TRAVELLERS ....................... 6
TSUEN WAN SEMINAR ON NOISE CONTROL LAW........................ Z
WONG TAI SIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING .................... 8
NEW GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME REPORTS .............. 9
CONSIDERATION OF RECLAMATION AT TSING YI AUTHORISED........... 10
YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA RECRUITING MEMBERS .................... 10
LONG VEHICLE BAN
11
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
1
FEWER SOCIAL SECURITY APPEALS FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
THE NUMBER OF APPEALS AGAINST THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S DECISIONS ON ELIGIBILITY AND PAYMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
THIS IS SHOWN BY THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARD (SSAB) WHICH WAS RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT IS EVIDENCE THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS WORKING MORE SMOOTHLY THEN EVER AS REFLECTED BY THE DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS WHO FELT DISSATISFIED ABOUT THE BENEFITS, AND APPEALED TO THE BOARD.
IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1987-88, THE BOARD NOTED THAT IT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 71 APPEALS, A DECREASE OF 21 APPEALS, OR 23 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THERE HAD BEEN 92 APPEALS IN 1986-87 AND 132 IN 1985-86.
OF THE 71 APPEALS, FOUR WERE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASES, 66 WERE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE CASES, AND ONE WAS A CASE UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
DURING THE PERIOD, 87 APPEALS WERE HEARD; 39 OF THESE WERE CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE BOARD CONFIRMED THE DECISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 58 CASES AND VARIED ITS DECISION IN 28.
IN THE PROCESSING OF APPEALS WHICH INVOLVED MEDICAL OPINIONS, THE BOARD LIAISED CLOSELY WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN ARRANGING MEDICAL BOARDS FOR RE-ASSESSMENT.
DURING THE YEAR, 63 DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CASES AND ONE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CASE WERE REFERRED TO SUCH BOARDS.
IN ADDITION, WHENEVER A PERSON WAS NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE RESULT OF HIS APPLICATION FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, HE WAS ALSO INFORMED OF HIS RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE BOARD IF HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DECISION.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED DECLINED BY NINE PER CENT, FROM 152 TO 138. OF THESE, 85 WERE SETTLED BY THE STAFF OF THF BOARD, THREE WERE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE OFFICES AND 50 EVENTUALLY BECAME APPEALS.
THE BOARD ALSO RECEIVED A LARGE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES AND OTHER WELFARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/THEY WERE.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
2 -
THEY WERE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, ANSWERED BY THE STAFF OF THE BOARD OR REFERRED TO THE RELEVANT OFFICES.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE SSAB, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR VINCENT LIANG WAN-SANG, ARE UNOFFICIALS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
PUBLICITY ON THE WORK OF THE SSAB WAS A CONTINUING EXERCISE. POSTERS ON THE APPEAL MACHINERY WERE DISPLAYED IN THE RECEPTION AREA OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ASSISTANCE SECTION AND AT EACH SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT.
EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS WERE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THESE OFFICES AS WELL AS AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE OF THE BOARD.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (SOCIAL SECURITY), MR ALEXANDER FUNG, WELCOMED THE SSAB’S REPORT AND EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE BOARD.
MR FUNG SAID THAT APPEALS ARISING FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISIONS COULD BE MADE AT THE OFFICE OF THE APPEAL BOARD ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR, PACIFIC HOUSE, 20-20B QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, OR AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 14TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THEY COULD ALSO BE MADE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SECTION AT 15 WATSON ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, VICTORIA CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY, OR AT ANY OF THE 34 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS.
------o ------
NEW TSUEN WAN DISTRICT POLICE HQ * * * *
A NEW DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS AND DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION IS TO BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN.
SITUATED ON A 6,100-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, THE NEW POLICE STATION WILL CONSIST OF A 17-STOREY MAIN BLOCK AND TWO SINGLE-STOREY ANCILLARY BUILDINGS.
THE HIGH BLOCK WILL PROVIDE OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, PUBLIC REPORTING FACILITIES, CELLS, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION, CANTEEN AND MESS FACILITIES AND OTHER ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION.
THE SINGLE-STOREY ANCILLARY BUILDINGS WILL BE USED AS A TRANSPORT OFFICE AND FOR STORAGE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY, 1991.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 24.
0 -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
- 3 -
NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS *****
EMPLOYERS WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY AND THE SECOND AND THIRD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR, WHICH FALL ON FEBRUARY 6, 7, AND 8, ARE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAYS OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAYS.
HOLIDAYS PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY INCLUDING HIS BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ANY ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD OF BETWEEN 28 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 EITHER 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
EMPLOYERS WHO FAIL TO GRANT THEIR EMPLOYEES ANY ENTITLED STATUTORY HOLIDAYS OR HOLIDAY PAY ARE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-------O---------
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR OWNER-MANAGERS
******
A DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME IN MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED AND IS BEING OFFERED TO OWNER-MANAGERS IN HONG KONG.
PROPRIETORS AND DIRECTORS OF SMALL BUSINESSES ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAMME WHICH HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (MDC) OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 7.
/"THE MANAGEMENT .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
- If
"THE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME IS POSSIBLY THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPRISING COMPREHENSIVE OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING PACKAGES FOR OWNER-MANAGERS IN WRITTEN CHINESE AND CANTONESE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
"THE SIX-MONTH PRACTICAL COURSE AIMS AT IMPROVING BUSINESS PROFITABILITY AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF OWNER-MANAGERS."
IT CONSISTS OF 27 SELF-CONTAINED TEXT MODULES AND EXERCISES IN A RANGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT AREAS. THESE ARE SUPPORTED BY A SERIES OF 12 VIDEOS IN CANTONESE.
"THIS DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME SUITS THE DIVERSITY AND HEAVY TIME COMMITMENT OF LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE IT ALLOWS OWNER-MANAGERS TO STUDY AT THEIR OWN PACE, TIME AND PLACE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FEE FOR THE PROGRAMME INCLUDING COURSE MATERIALS, VIDEO TAPE, TUTURIAL SUPPORT AND HELP SESSIONS IS $1,500.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS FEBRUARY 24.
APPLICATION FORMS AND COURSE LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROGRAMME ORGANISER ON TEL. 3-383611, EXT. 114.
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FESTIVE LIGHTING IN VICTORIA PARK »****»
LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVE LIGHTING IN VICTORIA PARK WILL BE SWITCHED ON FROM FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3) UNTIL FEBRUARY 22.
MOUNTED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF $70,000, THE LIGHTING DEPICTS A LION DANCE BY THREE HAPPY CHILDREN, AND INCORPORATES NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE SWITCHED ON DAILY FROM 6 PM TO 11 PM, AND FROM 6 PM UNTIL 6 AM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (FEBRUARY 5).
A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3) OUTSIDE THE SQUASH COURT (NEAR THE HING FAT STREET ENTRANCE) IN VICTORIA PARK.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALSO PRODUCED 40,000 LAI-SEE PACKETS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, STARTING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
0 -
/5
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
- 5 -
LARGE LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN SHA TIN * » t * *
LARGE-SCALE LIGHTING DECORATIONS WILL BE A CENTRE OF ATTRACTION IN SHA TIN DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THESE LIGHTS, PART OF THE $520,000 LIGHTING PROGRAMME IN SHA TIN FOR CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR AND LUNAR NEW YEAR, WILL BE SWITCHED ON AGAIN BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 31) EVENING.
A FEATURE WILL BE A 10-METRE HIGH DIAMETER WOODEN VASE, WITH ELABORATE LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN THE FORM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE PAINTING, AT A HILLTOP IN CENTRAL PARK.
A LARGE LIGHTING DECORATION SHOWING THE CHINESE CHARACTERS MEANING "LUCK" AND BUTTERFLIES WILL BE STAGED ON THE SAND MARTIN BRIDGE.
ANOTHER "GOOD LUCK" DECORATION WILL BE FLOATING ON THE SHING MUN RIVER NEAR THE BRIDGE.
OTHER FESTIVE LIGHTING DECORATIONS WILL BE SET UP ALONG THE TWO SIDES OF THE RIVER, CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, BANYAN BRIDGE, LEK YUEN BRIDGE AND IN CENTRAL PARK.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE SWITCHED ON BETWEEN 5.30 PM AND MIDNIGHT FROM TUESDAY TO FEBRUARY 12. FROM LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TO FEBRUARY 8 AND ON FEBRUARY 20, THEY WILL BE ON UNTIL 5 AM THE NEXT DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING IN SHA TIN AT 6.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 31) AT ONE END OF THE LEK YUEN BRIDGE IN SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, OPPOSITE TO THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
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/6 .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
- 6 -
CUSTOMS ADVICE FOR NEW YEAR TRAVELLERS
*****
PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL OVERSEAS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ARE ADVISED NOT TO BRING BACK TO HONG KONG PROHIBITED ITEMS WITHOUT VALID IMPORTATION LICENCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THAT THE IMPORTATION OF PROHIBITED ITEMS INTO THE TERRITORY WAS GOVERNED BY LAW AND LICENCES WERE REQUIRED IN ADVANCE BY THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED.
PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE NARCOTICS, CERTAIN MEDICAL DRUGS, ARMS AND AMMUNITION, FIREWORKS, STRATEGIC COMMODITIES, TEXTILES, ANIMALS AND PLANTS, AND MEAT AND POULTRY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE DID NOT EXEMPT A PERSON FROM BEING PROSECUTED WHEN CARRYING A PROHIBITED ARTICLE WHICH MIGHT BE A SOUVENIR FOR HIMSELF ONLY.
OTHER THAN THE ITEMS MENTIONED, TRAVELLERS ALSO HAVE TO DECLARE TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS ANY LIQUORS, TOBACCO, CIGARETTES, CIGARS, METHYL ALCOHOL, NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, COSMETICS AND MERCHANDISE WHICH ARE IMPORTED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
HE REMINDED LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHO HOLD HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS, THAT THEY WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO BRING IN FREE OF DUTY ONE LITRE OF STILL WINE, 100 CIGARETTES OR 25 CIGARS OR 125 GRAMS OF SMOKERS’ TOBACCO, 60 MILLILITRES OF PERFUME AND 250 MILLILITRES OF TOILET WATER.
PASSENGERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR DUTY FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AN INCOMING PASSENGER SHOULD ONLY CARRY HIS OWN DUTY FREE ITEMS AND NOT THOSE OF HIS COMPANIONS.
IT WAS ALSO EMPHASISED THAT TRAVELLERS SHOULD NOT BRING BACK TO HONG KONG COUNTERFEIT GOODS, FIRECRACKERS, DRIED OPIUM POPPY OR FLICK-KNIVES.
NOTICES STATING THE CONCESSION RIGHTS OF TRAVELLERS, ARTICLES REQUIRED TO BE DECLARED TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS. AND ARTICLES REQUIRING IMPORTATION LICENCES ARE DISPLAYED AT THE DEPARTURE HALL AND ARRIVAL OF ALL CUSTOMS CHECK-POINTS. CUSTOMS OFFICERS ARE PREPARED TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM TRAVELLERS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO CONTACT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AT 5-8523185 FOR INFORMATION.
/THE AMOUNT .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
THE AMOUNT AND TYPES OF GOODS SEIZED FROM INCOMING PASSENGERS AT VARIOUS CUSTOMS CHECK-POINTS LAST FEBRUARY (INCLUDING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD) ARE AS FOLLOWS:
ANIMALS (INCLUDING PARTS) 985 PIECES
IVORY 190 KILOGRAMS
GRASSHOPPERS 500 PIECES
PLANTS 1,323 PIECES
ASSORTED FIREWORKS 25.5 KILOGRAMS
COUNTERFEIT LEATHERWARE 129 PIECES
ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR 215 LITRES
CIGARETTES 93,787 PIECES
CIGAR 847 PIECES
TOBACCO 22.7 KILOGRAMS
MAKE-UP PREPARATIONS 1,740 PIECES
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 3.6 KILOGRAMS
METHADONE SOLUTION 231 MILLILITRES
OPIUM POPPY 12 PIECES
CANNABIS SMOKING PIPE 7 PIECES
SKIN OINTMENT (UNGUENTUM FLUCINOLONI ACETONIDI ACETATIS) 280 GRAMS
AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE 10 KILOGRAMS
FISHING PILLS 312 BOTTLES
DISC DRIVE 130 PIECES
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/8 .......
SUNDAY. JANUARY 29, 1989
TSUEN WAN SEMINAR ON NOISE CONTROL LAW * * * * »
A SEMINAR ON THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING NOISE CONTROL WILL BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING.
THREE GUEST SPEAKERS WILL EXPLAIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
THEY ARE: THE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (NOISE POLICY) OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR STEVEN HO; SENIOR LECTURER/DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR YUAN MING-FAI; AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG CONSERVANCY' ASSOCIATION, MR HUNG WING-TAT.
THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM, IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN TSUEN WAN.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TO BEGIN AT 8 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
- 0 - -
WONG TAI SIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING *****
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 31) TO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
THE APPLICATIONS INVOLVE AN ALLOCATION OF ABOUT $42,600.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHANNEL IN CHUK YUEN UNITED VILLAGE; GRASS CUTTING IN TAI HOM NORTH VILLAGE, DIAMOND HILL; INSTALLATION OF FOOTPATH SIGNS IN SQUATTER AREAS; INSTALLATION OF COMMUNAL LETTER BOXES IN DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE; AND IMPROVEMENT TO SITTING-OUT AREAS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 31) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
- 9 -
NEW GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME REPORTS » * * » »
FIVE NEW GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME (GASP) REPORTS COVERING CLEAR WATER BAY, NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES, EAST NEW TERRITORIES, ISLANDS AND SOUTH LANTAU HAVE JUST BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE.
WITH THE PUBLICATION OF GASP'S VII TO XI, THE ONLY REPORT REMAINING IS GASP XII, WHICH GIVES A SUMMARY OF THE ENTIRE TERRITORY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED IN MID-APRIL.
THE GASP STUDIES ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR PLANNING AND LAND MANAGEMENT PURPOSES, AND THEY ARE BASED ON A UNIQUE SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING THE GEOTECHNICAL LIMITATIONS OF LAND.
THE HEAD OF THE GCO AND PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, DR EDWARD BRAND, SAID: "THE GASP STUDIES FORM PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO EVALUATE AND CONTROL SLOPE STABILITY WITHIN THE TERRITORY.
"THEY AROSE OUT OF THE MID-LEVELS MORATORIUM ON BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS IMPOSED IN MAY 1979 AND SUBSEQUENTLY LIFTED AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE GEOTECHNICAL STUDY OF THE AREA WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
"EACH REPORT CONTAINS A WEALTH OF FACTUAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, FOLD-OUT COKOUR MAPS, A NUMBER OF PLATES, AND 1:20,000 SCALE MAPS WHICH PRESENT A GENERAL GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AREA."
DR BRAND SAID THE REPORTS CONTAINED INFORMATION OF GREAT VALUE TO THOSE INVOLVED WITH PLANNING, LAND DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES.
"THESE DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE OF INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND ACADEMICS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF THE LAND RESOURCES OF THE TERRITORY,” HE SAID.
DR BRAND ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE GASP STUDIES EMPLOY TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES WHICH USE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, FIELD RECONNAISSANCE AND EXISTING SITE INVESTIGATION RECORDS.
THE GASP REPORTS COST $150 PER COPY AND THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE MAP SALES OUTLETS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT. ENQUIRIES ON THE LATTER MAY BE MADE TO 5-8482480.
/IO........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
10
CONSIDERATION OF RECLAMATION AT TSING YI AUTHORISED ♦ ♦ ♦
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER GRANTING A LEASE TO MOBIL OIL HONG KONG LIMITED TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION WORKS AT THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
THE WORKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 18.37 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE PURPOSES OF BULK STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND PETROCHEMICALS, TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PIER.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 26, 1990.
-------0---------
YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA RECRUITING MEMBERS ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE MUSIC OFFICE STRING ORCHESTRA IS RECRUITING MEMBERS FOR 1989-90.
THE ORCHESTRA WAS FORMED SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING REGULAR AND HIGH STANDARD STRING ORCHESTRAL TRAINING TO YOUNG STRING PLAYERS IN A PLEASANT AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT.
MAJOR EVENTS IN WHICH THE ORCHESTRA WILL PLAY A PART WILL BE THE MUSIC OFFICE ANNUAL GALA TO BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON FEBRUARY 19 AND THE YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER.
THE ORCHESTRA’S TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL BE AS VARIED AND COMPREHENSIVE AS POSSIBLE TO INCLUDE WORKS BY COMPOSERS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS AND STYLES.
TRAINING WILL INVOLVE A COMBINATION OF SECTIONAL AND FULL REHEARSALS. EACH SECTION WILL BE COACHED BY AN INSTRUCTOR WHO WILL HELP MEMBERS TO OVERCOME ANY TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN PLAYING.
DURING THE REGULAR TRAINING SEASONS, REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE.
/APPLICANTS SHOULD .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1989
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AT OR UNDER 23 YEARS OLD, HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE V IN THE R.S.M. PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS OR EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ON MARCH 5.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 3-7962873.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE KWUN TONG MUSIC CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, NGAL' TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 21 ON WAH STREET, BY FEBRUARY 18.
- 0 -
LONG VEHICLE BAN * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 1), ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 11 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE BANNED FROM THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD TO TAI PO TAU.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
Monday, January jo, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CENTRAL BANK FUNCTIONS SATISFACTORILY PERFORMED IN HK ...... 1
DB'S PLAYING aN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE ................ 2
VIEWS SOUGHT ON CERTIFICATION SYSTEM ....................... U
NEW WONG TaI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED................. 5
HEARING SURVEY RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED ..................... 5
INCREASING ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS: LaDY WILSON 6
PRIZE PRESENTATION FOR YOUTHS .............................. 7
LABOUR DEPT TASK FORCE ;L.KEL GOOD PROGRESS................. 7
LUNAR NSW YEAR POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS ......................... 8
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES .................................... 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND ALLOCATION BUDGET ............. 9
'FAI-CHUN' TO PUBLICISE DB 'MEET-THE-PUBLIC'' SCHEME........ 10
SINGING CONTEST OPEN TO YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ................. 10
CONSTRUCTION WORK uF TWO RECREATIONS ARE.iL TO STaRT LOON .. 11
GENERAL DETAILS AVAILABLE FROM C & S CENTRAL REGISTER....... 12
ILL3G.iL STRUCTURES IN Tai PO TO BE DEMOLISHED.............. 13
TEMPORARY CLOSURE uF BEaCH ROAD SECTION .................... 13
MONDAY, JANUARY JO, 1989
- 1
CENTRAL BANK FUNCTIONS SATISFACTORILY PERFORMED IN HK ******
ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY CENTRAL BANKS AND MONETARY AUTHORITIES ELSEWHERE, TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE RELEVANT TO HONG KONG, ARE BEING SATISFACTORILY PERFORMED IN HONG KONG UNDER THE EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
IN HIS SPEECH TO THE FOREX CLUB, MR YAM POINTED OUT THAT WHETHER OR NOT HONG KONG NEEDED A CENTRAL BANK OR A MONETARY AUTHORITY WAS A QUESTION OF NO REAL SIGNIFICANCE.
HE SAID THE IMPORTANT QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE ABOVE-MENTIONED FUNCTIONS WERE PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY.
HE NOTED THAT WITH THE NEW ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS INTRODUCED LAST JULY BETWEEN THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, THE ANSWER TO THE LATTER QUESTION WAS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO NEED TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL CENTRAL BANKING ROLES NOW PERFORMED BY COMMERCIAL BANKS.
IN THE SPEECH, MR YAM GAVE A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS ON HOW FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY CENTRAL BANKS AND MONETARY AUTHORITIES ELSEWHERE ARE CURRENTLY PERFORMED IN HONG KONG.
"OUR MONETARY POLICY OBJECTIVE IS TO MAINTAIN EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY. WE HAVE OF COURSE THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM. AND NOW WE ALSO HAVE A MECHANISM, IN THE FORM OF THE ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS, TO ASSIST US IN ACHIEVING THAT OBJECTIVE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM."
HE EXPLAINED HOW MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ARE NOW CONDUCTED THROUGH THE NEW ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE THEORY BEHIND THEM IS SIMPLE. HOWEVER, ONE MUST BE ALWAYS ON THE ALERT TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE MONEY AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKETS SO THAT OPERATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT AT THE RIGHT TIME, USING THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT AND INVOLVING THE RIGHT AMOUNT.
"THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE SETTING UP A SMALL DEALING ROOM WITHIN THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH," HE SAID.
MR YAM ALSO LAID DOWN CERTAIN CRITERIA BY WHICH LICENSED BANKS CAN APPROACH THE EXCHANGE FUND, WHICH NOW SERVES AS THE LENDER OF LAST RESORT TO THE BANKING SYSTEM, FOR LATE LIQUIDITY ASSISTANCE.
HE EMPHASISED THAT, SINCE THE GOVERNMENT WAS TALKING ABOUT LAST RESORT LIQUIDITY ASSISTANCE, SUCH ASSISTANCE WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE PROVIDED IF THE MONEY MARKET WAS STILL OPEN.
/FOR PRACTICAL .......
MONDAY, JANUARY JO, 1989
2
"FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, IT WILL BE USEFUL TO APPOINT 4.15 PM TO 4.45 PM AS THE TIME DURING WHICH REQUESTS FOR LATE ASSISTANCE CAN BE MADE TO THE EXCHANGE FUND," HE ADDED.
HE GAVE A STRONG DEFENCE OF THE EXISTING CLEARING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BANKING SYSTEM DESIGNED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT THE PRESENT CLEARING ARRANGEMENTS WORK WELL FOR HONG KONG AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR CHANGE."
ON THE QUESTION OF A "DISCOUNT WINDOW", MR YAM SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD A VERY EFFICIENT MONEY MARKET TO MEET FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.
ALSO, THE EXCHANGE FUND, RATHER THAN A COMMERCIAL COMPETITOR, HAD NOW TAKEN ON THE ROLE AS THE LENDER OF LAST RESORT, HE SAID.
"WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT WE ARE NOT PURSUING AN ACTIVE INTEREST RATE POLICY. THERE IS THEREFORE LITTLE JUSTII I CATION FOR PROVIDING THE MARKET WITH SUCH A STRONG INDICATOR ON THE LEVEL OF INTEREST RATE AS A DISCOUNT RATE."
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DB’S PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE
* * * * *
THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL BALL OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR LAN SAID THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS HA') BECOME A STANDARD PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE FORMULATION OF MAJOR GOVERNMENT PLANS AND POLICIES.
"I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE FULFILLED THEIR CONSULTATIVE ROLE ADMIRABLY." HE SAID.
MR LAN ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
"IN THE OVERALL AND LONG-TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND ARE WILLING TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE NOTED.
/DURING THE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY )O, 19^9
- 3 -
DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION HAD PUT IN REMARKABLE EFFORTS TOWARDS PROMOTING GOOD CITIZENSHIP AND IN ENCOURAGING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, HE ADDED.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR LAN PRAISED THE CHAMBER FOR ITS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILL AND A STRONG SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
ONE GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE CHAMBER’S ACHIEVEMENTS WAS THE INTRODUCTION TO HONG KONG OF THE 10 OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS SELECTION SCHEME.
THE SCHEME ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONTINUE THEIR QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CAREERS AND TO GIVE THEIR BEST IN THEIR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, HE NOTED.
MR LAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAD CATERED FOR THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AND CITED THE PROGRESS MADE IN EDUCATION AS AN EXAMPLE.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE MARKED IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER AREAS AS WELL, SUCH AS PUBLIC HOUSING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
IN PUBLIC HOL’ISNG, HONG KONG WAS AT PRESENT TAKING A LEAD IN THE WORLD BOTH IN TERMS OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF NEW HOUSING STOCK COMPLETED EVERY YEAR, HE SAID.
AND IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED A BALANCED SYSTEM, WITHIN WHICH VARIOUS TRANSPORT MODES COULD FULFIL THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES EFFECTIVELY.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR LAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NUMEROUS LONG-TI RM AND MAJOR PLANS AND PROJECTS ON VARIOUS FRONTS.
THESE INCLUDED THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINALS B AND 9, THREE MAJOR RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND THE METROPLAN.
’’THESE PROJECTS WILL PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH THE MUCH NEEDED 1NFRASTURCTURE TO ENABLE IT TO PROSPER BEYONG THE YEAR 2000 AND WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY," HE NOTED.
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A.....
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989
VIEWS SOUGHT ON CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
t ♦ t » *
THE VIEWS OE THE PUBLIC ARE BEING SOUGHT ON SOME ASPECTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM RELATING TO INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN.
A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) INVITES VIEWS AS TO HOW THE SYSTEM MIGHT DEVELOP IN FUTURE.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR STUART HARBINSON, EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT THE CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND FIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVED CERT IFICAT[ON ORGANISATIONS (GACO’S) .
THESE ARE THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES; THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONG KONG; THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG; AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
FIVE MORE BODIES HAVE INDICATED INTEREST IN BECOMING DESIGNATED - THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG, THE BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG , THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE GERMAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG LTD AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS.
THE GOVERNMENT NOW WANTS VIEWS AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN CERTIFICATION MATTERS; WHETHER THE NUMBER OF GACO’S SHOULD BE INCREASED; IF THIS HAPPENS, SHOULD THERE BE A CEILING ON NUMBERS; WHAT SHOULD BE THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVING DESIGNATION; AND WHETHER A CORPORATION MIGHT BE ESTABLISHED TO DELIVER CERTIFICATION SERVICES.
MR HARBINSON ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT CONSTITUTED THE THIRD STAGE OF A REVIEW PROCESS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM.
IN THE FIRST STAGE, THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR COMPLETED A QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION OF THE STANDARD MAINTAINED BY THE EXISTING GACO’S AND CONCLUDED THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE WAS SATISFACTORY.
IN THE SECOND STAGE, THE DEPARTMENT OBTAINED PRELIMINARY COMMENTS ON THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM FROM BOTH PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE GACO’S.
VIEWS ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MARCH 31. THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL THEN, AS A FINAL STAGE IN THE REVIEW PROCESS, ASSESS THE SUBMISSIONS TO DRAW UP PROPOSALS WHICH WILL BE LAID BEFORE THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD FOR ADVICE.
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/5........
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989
5
NEW WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED *****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR BRIAN LAU AS WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER WITH EFFECT FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 4).
MR LAU WILL SUCCEED MR NG HON-WAH, WHO IS TO ATTEND A SENIOR STAFF COURSE STARTING ON FEBRUARY 20.
MR LAU IS AT PRESENT AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
HE JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1980 AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.
AT THE END OF 1980 HE WAS POSTED TO THE SECURITY BRANCH TO HANDLE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MATTERS, AND IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR ATTENDED A COURSE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
ON HIS RETURN FROM ENGLAND, HE WAS POSTED TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN JULY 1982 TO DEAL WITH MANPOWER PLANNING WORK.
BEFORE BEING POSTED TO THE FINANCE BRANCH IN 1986, MR LAU SERVED AS ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHAM SHUI PO FOR TWO YEARS.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1987.
NR LAU IS AT PRESENT ATTENDING A MANAGEMENT COURSE IN THE EVENING.
--------0--------
HEARING SURVEY RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED
*****
RESULTS OF A YEAR-LONG STUDY ON INDUSTRIAL NOISE AND HOW IT AFFECTS WORKERS IN HONG KONG WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE PROJECT WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS (FTU). THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH UNIT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
IT INVOLVED MEASUREMENTS OF HEARING ACUITY OF SOME 1,000 WORKERS IN THE ELECTRONICS, SHIPBUILDING/SHIPREPA1RI NG, PLASTICS, TEXTILES, METAL AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
/CHAIRING THE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY JO, 1989
6
CHAIRING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE FTU’S CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG YIU-TONG, AND VICE-CHAIRMAN, MISS LAM SHUK-YEE; A SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE, DR TAN TAH-CHEW; AND THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, 50 MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON, STARTING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
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INCREASING ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS: LADY WILSON
******
SCULPTURE AND OTHER FORMS OF ART ARE CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING IN HONG KONG, LADY WILSON SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ’’ELISABETH FRINK -SCULPTURE AND DRAWINGS” AT EXCHANGE SQUARE, LADY WILSON SAID: ’’MANY SCHOOLS THAT 1 HAVE SEEN RECENTLY EITHER HAVE, OR PLAN TO HAVE, MORE FACILITIES FOR ART.
"THESE PROVIDE INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, AND TEACHERS TELL ME THAT THEY ARE OFTEN SURPRISED BY HOW MANY STUDENTS DEVELOP IN OTHER WAYS, WHEN THEY ARE ALLOWED TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT WITH ART.
"THERE IS STILL SCOPE FOR MUCH TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA WITHIN SCHOOLS, Birr IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE HOW FAST THINGS ARE NOW DEVELOPING."
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL HAD PLAYED ITS PART IN BRINGING SCULPTURE TO MORE PEOPLE, AND WAS NOW PLANNING TO PROVIDE STUDIO FACILITIES FOR SCULPTURE IN THE NEW PARK AT VICTORIA BARRACKS.
"THE NEWLY DEVELOPED KOWLOON PARK WILL NOW ALSO INCLUDE SCULPTURE FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY," LADY WILSON SAID.
"HONG KONG LAND, TOO, ARE MAKING A REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION FOR PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG TO BE ABLE TO SEE FINE WORKS OF ART DISPLAYED IN AND AROUND THEIR BUILDINGS."
IN CONGRATULATING DAME ELISABETH ON THIS EXHIBITION OF HER WORK, AND HONG KONG LAND FOR ORGANISING IT, LADY WILSON SAID: "IT IS INDEED A LOVELY CONTRIBUTION TO OUR ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL, WHICH HAS JUST BEGUN."
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MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989
- 7 -
PRIZE PRESENTATION FOR YOUTHS
*****
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH (CCY) WILL PRESENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS TO OUTSTANDING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WORKERS AND WINNERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
EIGHTEEN YOUTH LEADERS WHO HAD RENDERED OUTSTANDING SERVICES DURING THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE AWARDED OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS WHILE TWO YOUTH GROUPS WILL RECEIVE THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CCY, MRS ROSANNA TAM, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINSTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE CENTENARY ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, TOMORROW (TUESDAY), STARTING AT 3.15 PM.
LABOUR DEPT TASK FORCE MAKES GOOD PROGRESS
*****
THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM SET UP BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN JULY LAST YEAR HAS MADE VERY GOOD PROGRESS TN MONITORING THE COMPLIANCE BY EMPLOYERS OF THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE TEAM, MADE UP OF SEVEN LABOUR INSPECTORS, HAS CONCENTRATED MAINLY ON WHETHER EMPLOYEES WERE GIVEN THEIR STATUTORY BENEFITS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
SO FAR, THEY HAVE VISITED 1,500 INDUSTRIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, INCLUDING 1,000 BOUTIQUES AND 100 EATING ESTABLISHMENTS.
DURING THE VISITS, SOME 40 EMPLOYERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BREACHED THE LAW.
THE MAJORITY OF BREACHES CONCERNED FAILURE TO GRANT THE1R EMPLOYEES STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, MATERNITY LEAVE, NON-PAYMENT OR UNDER-PAYMENT OF HOLIDAY PAY, AND SICKNESS ALLOWANCE.
/THE TEAM........
MONDAT, JANUARY JO, 1989
8
THE TEAM ALSO RECEIVED 41 COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYEES ON BREACHES BY EMPLOYERS OF THE EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS.
AS A RESULT, 54 WARNINGS WERE ISSUED AND FOUR SUMMONSES TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE OFFENDERS.
"IF ANY MALPRACTICES ARE FOUND ON AN ESTABLISHMENT, EMPLOYERS WILL BE ADVISED TO TAKE THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL ACTIONS," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BLATANT OFFENDERS WOULD BE PROSECUTED AND, UPON CONVICTION, ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000," HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT STARTING FROM NEXT MONTH, THE TEAM WILL VISIT GARMENT FACTORIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"WE HOPE THAT THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS OF THE TEAM WILL DO MUCH TO IMPROVE EMPLOYERS’ COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND WILL BENEFIT WORKERS DIRECTLY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE CAN BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS *****
THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY OF LETTERS ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE, FEBRUARY 5 (SUNDAY), AND ONE DELIVERY ON FEBRUARY 7 (TUESDAY) DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS (FEBRUARY 6 TO 8), A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
HE SAID THAT ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FOR SERVICE DURING THE HOLIDAYS, EXCEPT ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 7 (TUESDAY) WHEN 42 POST OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
THE 42 POST OFFICES INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON; AND TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DETAILS OF THE 42 POST OFFICES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM LOCAL POST OFFICES OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-231071.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989
- 9 -
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES t * * » ♦
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON FEBRUARY 8, THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
HOWEVER, THEY WILL BE CLOSED ON FEBRUARY 6 AND 7 WHICH ARE THE FIRST AND SECOND DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB 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 CLOSED DURING THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND ALLOCATION BUDGET ♦ ♦ » ♦ t
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A BUDGET FOR THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE BUDGET IS BASED ON THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS HELD LAST YEAR AND A REASONABLE EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE WORK REPORTS OF ITS FOUR WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/1O........
MONDAY, JANUARY 30,
1989
- 10 -
’FAI-CHUN* TO PUBLICISE DB ’MEET-THE-PUBLIC* SCHEME
"FAI-CHUN” (SPRING SCROLLS) TO PUBLICISE THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ’’MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE IN THE DISTRICT ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
PREPARED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE 12,000 PIECES OF "FAI-CHUN" SERVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF BEING AN USEFUL ITEM FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR AND REMINDING RESIDENTS TO MAKE FULLER USE OF THE BOARD’S "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME.
THE "FAI-CHUN" CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD; THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI; AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES AT SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI AND IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN 1982, THE "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD HAS BECOME A CHANNEL FOR MUTUAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS.
EVERY THURSDAY FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, TWO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ANSWER RESIDENTS* QUERIES, RECEIVE COMPLAINTS, HEAR SUGGESTIONS AND OFFER ASSISTANCE AT THE MEMBERS’ INTERVIEW ROOM AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
DURING THE YEAR 1988, NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 54 CASES, OF WHICH 37 CASES WERE RESOLVED.
THESE CASES WERE MAINLY RELATING TO MATTERS SUCH AS HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, EDUCATION, HAWKERS AND MARKET, SOCIAL WELFARE, LAND AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO MEET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BY PHONE ON 0-6758041.
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SINGING CONTEST OPEN TO YAU TS1M RESIDENTS
*****
YAU TSIM DISTRICT RESIDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION.
"THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS TOMORROW (TUESDAY). BUT AS APPLICATIONS ARE STILL STEADILY COMING IN, THE ASSOCIATION HAS DECIDED TO POSTPONE THE DEADLINE TO ALLOW MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE, ' A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ASSOCIATION SAID.
/SPONSORED BY .......
MONDAY, JANUARY JO, 1989
11 -
SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE CONTEST IS AIMED AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN MUSIC AND IDENTIFYING SINGING TALENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO POPULAR AND CLASSICAL SONG SECTIONS. THE PRELIMINARY ROUND WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 25 AND THE FINAL ON MARCH 18 AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE.
BOTH SOLOISTS AND GROUPS ARE WELCOMED TO TAKE PART. THE FIRST THREE WINNERS OF EACH SECTION WILL RECEIVE CASH COUPONS OF $800, $500 AND $300 RESPECTIVELY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-323791 OR 3-322716.
- O - -
CONSTRUCTION WORK OF TWO RECREATIONAL AREAS TO START SOON ««*«»*
WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PARK AND A SITTING OUT AREA WILL START SOON TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN KWUN TONG AND THE MID-LEVELS RESPECTIVELY.
THE PARK, WITH A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 9,296 SQUARE METRES, IS TO BE BUILT AT HOI BUN ROAD, KWUN TONG. IT WILL PROVIDE A FJVE-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCH, A TABLE TENNIS PAVILION, A PAVILION. TOILET FACILITIES, WOODEN ARBOUR AND PLANTING AREAS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 1990.
IN THE MID-LEVELS, A SITTING OUT AREA WILL BE BUIL'I ON TOP OF TWO EXISTING TERRACES AT KOTEWALL ROAD WHICH HAVE A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 236 SQUARE METRES.
THE FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE SIX TERRACED WATER POOLS, ARBOURS, PLANTERS AND WOODEN SEATS.
WORK WILL COMMENCE IN APRIL AND TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TWO PROJECTS. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 24.
/12........
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989
12
GENERAL DETAILS AVAILABLE FROM C & S CENTRAL REGISTER * * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER OF AROUND 350,000 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-CONFIDENT1AL 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 CRU'S (COMPUTER RESOURCES UNIT) PLUS $1" FOR EACH CRU IN EXCESS OF 20 CRU’S IF THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MAGNETIC TAPES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234760.
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/13........
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN TAI PO TO BE DEMOLISHED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT TING KOK ROAD. TAI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MAY 26 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 18 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
-------0---------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BEACH ROAD SECTION
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON BEACH ROAD IN REPULSE BAY FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORKS ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2) AND FRIDAY.
BEACH ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO.53 AND THE THE JUNCTION WITH SOUTH RAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM DAILY ON THESE TWO DAYS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE SECTION OF BEACH ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NOS.43 AND 51 WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING THREE TONNES GROSS WILL RE BANNED FROM THIS ROAD SECTION.
MEANWHILE, \LL PARKING SPACES ALONG THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OF BEACH ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NOS.43 AND 4 9 WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY TO 5 PM THE NEXT DAY.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 198$
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
54 NOMINATIONS FOK MC ELECTIONS ................................. 1
SHA TIN BECOMING MAJOR COMMERCIAL, CULTURAL CENTRE .............. 5
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND ALLOCATION ................... 6
NEW YEAR LAI-SEE FOR THE NEEDY .................................. 8
CCY PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS TO YOUTHS .................. 9
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED ..................... 10
VISIT TO SEE NT IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT .................... 16
20,000 WORKERS QUALIFY THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME ........... 17
NEW POST OFFICE FOR LOK WAH ESTATE ............................ 18
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ............... 18
NEW NUMBER FOR EPD HOTLINE ..................................... 19
17TH AIDS CaSE REPORTED ........................................ 20
DB COMMITTEE TO PUBLICISE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE.................... 22
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HILLSIDE ESCALATOR PROJECT ............. 22
KWaI CHUNG LOT TO LET BY TENDER ................................ 2?
TRAM ONLY LANES; LONG VEHICLE B.N .............................. 24
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN ........................... 24
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SH.J4 SHUI PO ............................... 25
HUNG MUI KUK ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ............................ 26
WEIGHT LIMIT LIFTED; ACCESS ROaD RE-OPENED ..................... 26
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31,
198*
1
54 NOMINATIONS FOR MC ELECTIONS * * * *
FIFTY-FOUR CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE MUNICIPAL' COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 9 — 31 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES AND 23 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES.
THESE INCLUDE THREE CANDIDATES WHO SUBMITTED THEIR NAMES TODAY (TUESDAY) -- THE LAST DAY OF THE NOMINATION PERIOD.
SEVEN OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 27 CONSTITUENCIES BECAME UNCONTESTED -- FOUR IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THREE IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL. THE UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES ARE:-
UC CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATE
CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHOW WAI-KEUNG
SOUTHERN CHAN YUEK-SUT, JOSEPH
KOWLOON CITY EAST PAO PING-WING
KWUN TONG WEST ELSIE TU
RC CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATE
ISLANDS KWONG PING-YAU
SAI KUNG WONG SHUI-SANG
KWAI CHUNG EAST CHOW YICK-HAY
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE THREE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FROMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL
CONSTITUENCY CONTACT TEL
AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION NO.
SHAM SHUI PO TSE LING SUK-YIN F 49 TUTOR 3-7794184
EAST
/RH3IONA1. COUNCIL..........
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 1989
2
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY CONTACT TEL NO.
AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION
TAI PO CHENG CHUN-PING M 4 1 COMPANY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 0-6565599
SHA TIN EAST LOCK, CLAUDIUS TONY SOLEMON M 35 MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT 3-839888 CALL 1329 0-6921261
OF THE 54 CANDIDA!ES, 19 SEEKING RE-ELECTIONS, SIX HAVE AND 29 ARE NEW ENTRANTS. ARE SERVING MEMBERS OF HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE THE COUNCILS 1986 ELECTIONS
FORTY-SIX OF THE CANDIDATES ARE MEN AND EIGHT ARE WOMEN, AS COMPARED TO 72 MEN AND SEVEN WOMEN CANDIDATES IN THE 1986 ELECTIONS.
FOLLOWING ARE ANALYSES OF THE CANDIDATES’ PROFESSION AND
STATUS:
PROFESSION URBAN COUNCIL REGIONAL COUNCIL TOTAL
ADMINISTRATOR/EXECUTIVE 3 3 6
CLERGYMAN - 1 1
COMMERCIAL 4 8 12
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS - 2 2
LABOUR 4 - 4
PROFESSIONAL 5 3 8
RESEARCH STUDENT 1 1 2
TEACHING 7 1 8
SELF-EMPLOYED 2 - 2
SOCIAL SERVICE 4 4 8
UNEMPLOYED 1 - 1
31 23 54
MEMBERSHIP STATUS URBAN COUNCIL REGIONAL COUNCIL TOTAL
SERVING COUNCILLOR SEEKING RE-ELECTION 12* 7 + 19
/SERVING DB MEMBER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
3
SERVING DB MEMBER SEEKING ELECTION IN MC
NONE
26
9
54
♦ INCLUDING ONE ALSO SERVING AS FIVE SERVING AS DB MEMBERS (ELECTED)
LEGCO MEMBER (ELECTED) AND
+ INCLUDING THREE ALSO SERVING ONE SERVING AS DB MEMBER (APPOINTED)
AS DB MEMBER (ELECTED) AND
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FULL LIST
REFERENCE:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
CENTRAL AND WESTERN
WAN CHAI
NORTH POINT
SHAU KEI WAN
SOUTHERN
KOWLOON CITY EAST
KOWLOON CITY WEST
KWUN TONG EAST
KWUN TONG WEST
MONG KOK
SHAM SHUI PO EAST
OF NOMINATIONS IS
NO. OF NOMINATIONS
1
2
2
3
1
1
2
2
1
2
3
REPEATED BELOW FOR YOUR
NAMES OF CANDIDATES
CHOW WA1-KEUNG
WONG HON-CHING HILTON CHEONG-LEEN
MAN SAI-CHEONG
WONG TAK-LUN
CHIU KIN-MAN
BERNACCHI, BROOK ANTONY
WONG CHING
CHAN YUEK-SUT, JOSEPH
PAO PING-WING
CHAN CHI-KWAhl, PETER
CHIANG SAI-CHEONG
LAM CHAK-PIU
WONG PING-KUEN
ELSIE TU
WONG YUEN-WEI
CHAN KWOK-MING
LI YAU-WAI, BOTON
FUNG KIN-KEE, FREDERICK
TSE LING SUK-YIN
/SHAM SHUI .......
TUESDAY JANUARY J1, 1989
4
SHAM SHUI PO WEST
WONG TAI SIN SOUTH
WONG TAI SIN NORTH
YAU TSIM
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
ISLANDS
NORTH
SAI KUNG
SHA TIN EAST
SHA TIN WEST
TAI PO
TSUEN WAN
TUEN MUN EAST
TUEN MUN WEST
YUEN LONG
KWAI CHUNG EAST
KWAI CHUNG WEST AND
TSING YI
2 MA LEE-WO
WONG PING-HON
3 FOK PUI-YEE
MOK YING-FAN YEUNG CHIU-MING
3 NG NGOK-SHING
KAN CHI-HO YEUNG LAI-YIN, CECILIA
3 WOO YAN-YUE
WONG KWOK-TUNG AHUJA, GOPALDAS HOLARAM
NO. OF NOMINATIONS NAMES OF CANDIDATES
1 KWONG PING-YAU
2 CHEUNG HON-CHUNG
CHEUNG KAN-KWAI
1 WONG SHUI-SANG
3 KAN CHUNG-NIN, TONY
SUM YIU-CHO, STANLEY LOCK, CLAUDIUS TONY SOLEMON
2 LAU KONG-WAH
FUNG CHI-WOOD
2 LAI KAM-CHEUNG, MICHAEL
CHENG CHUN-PING
2 CHAN WAI-YIP, ALBERT
YEUNG FUK-KWONG
2 POON CHIN-HUNG, ALMON
CHEUNG YUET-LAN
2 NG MING-YUM
WONG KIN-HONG
3 CHUNG KWAI-PING
NGAN KAM-CHUEN CHENG MUI-TIN
1 CHOW Y1CK-HAY
2 WONG MAN-TAI, JAMES
CHAN KA-MUN, CARMEN
0
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31,
1989
5
SHA TIN BECOMING MAJOR COMMERCIAL, CULTURAL CENTRE *****
SHA TIN IS FAST DEVELOPING INTO A MAJOR CENTRE OF COMMERCIAL, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNICATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST REGION, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SWITCHING ON OF LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING IN THE CENTRAL PARK, SHA TIN, MR LIAO SAID THE COMPLETION OF A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS LAST YEAR BORE OUT THIS VIEW.
"THE FACTS ARE : SAI SHA ROAD LINKING SHA TIN WITH SAI KUNG HAS BEEN COMPLETED; THAT’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT HAS STARTED; CENTRAL PARK OPENED; MA ON SHAN DEVELOPMENT TAKING SHAPE AND VARIOUS LARGE-SCALE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND HOTELS COMING ON STREAM," HE SAID.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT SHA TIN WAS BUILT AS A BALANCED TOWNSHIP WITH ALL MODERN BASIC AMENITIES INCLUDING GOOD COMMUNICATION NETWORKS AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY BUILDING FACILITIES.
"THE FAST DEVELOPMENT, BASED ON COMPREHENSIVE AND CAREFUL TOWN PLANNING, MEANS THAT THE DISTRICT’S INFRASTRUCTURE WILL EXPAND IN LINE WITH ITS POPULATION, WHICH IS NOW 480,000 WITH PLANS TO DEVELOP UP TO 750,000 IN THE MID-1990’S," HE ADDED.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE CO-OPERATED WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS' SENSE OF BELONGING AND TO DEVELOP SHA TIN INTO A HEALTHY AND ACTIVE NEW TOWN.
"I BELIEVE THIS SENSE OF COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE DRIVING FORCE OF THE DISTRICT."
A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THIS YEAR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTS IN SHA TIN IS A 10-METRE HIGH BY 2.5-METRE DIAMETER WOODEN VASE WITH ELABORATE LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN THE FORM Ol- TRAD UK \! CHINESE PAINTING ON A HILL-TOP IN CENTRAL PARK.
THE INNOVATIVE DESIGN WILL ENABLE MOST SHA TIN RES I Dr NTS, NO MATTER WHETHER LIVING IN PRIVATE OR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, TO VIEW FESTIVE LIGHTING FROM THEIR HOMES.
A SPECTACULAR DECORATION, 100 METRES LONG AND SEVEN METRES HIGH AND SHOWING THE CHINESE CHARACTER MEANING "LUCK" AND COLOURFUL BUTTERFLIES, IS STAGED ON THE SAND MARTIN BRIDGE.
FLOATING ON THE SHING MUN RIVER NEAR THE SAND MARTIN BRIDGE IS A FIVE-METRE HIGH DECORATION ALSO SHOWING THE CHARACTER ‘‘OR "LUCK".
/OTHER FESTIVE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 198*
6
OTHER FESTIVE LIGHTING DECORATIONS ARE PLACED ALONG THE TWO SIDES OF THE SHING MUN RIVER, AT CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, BANYAN BRIDGE AND LEK YUEN BRIDGE, AND IN CENTRAL PARK.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE SWITCHED ON DAILY BETWEEN 5.30 PM AND MIDNIGHT FROM TODAY TO FEBRUARY 12.
FROM LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVEN TO FEBRUARY 8, AND ON FEBRUARY 20, THEY WILL BE ON UNTIL 5 AM THE NEXT DAY.
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND ALLOCATION »»»«**
GRANTS TOTALLING ABOUT $10.5 MILLION FROM THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND HAVE BEEN MADE TO 5 3 HONG KONG CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS IN THIS YEAR’S ALLOCATION.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR ADOLF HSU, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON ALLOCATIONS FROM THE FUND.
MR HSU SAID MAJOR GRANTS IN THIS YEAR’S ALLOCATION INCLUDED $1,098,719 TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, $916,720 TO THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, AND $898,840 TO THE CARITAS, HONG KONG.
ONE OF THE LARGEST CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG, THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED BY A BEQUEST OF $500,000 BY THE LATE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG ON HIS DEATH IN 1956. IT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HONGKONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD.
OF THE GRANT TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, J 1,078,419 WAS FOR KWONG WAH HOSPITAL TO PURCHASE FIVE BEDSIDE MONITORS AND AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPH, AND $20,300 WAS FOR THE PAO SIU LOONG CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC FANS AND POWER SOCKETS.
THE GRANT TO THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL WAS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CHEMISTRY ANALYSER, AN ELECTRIC DIATHERMY MACHINE AND A MICROPROCESSOR VENTILATOR.
OF THE GRANT TO THE CARITAS, HONG KONG, $878,940 WAS FOR THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE TO PURCHASE VARIOUS ITEMS OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND $19,900 WAS TO BUY DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT FOR THE YING SHUI HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
/AMONG OTHER .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 1989
AMONG OTHER MAJOR GRANTS, A SUM OF $891,550 WAS ALLOCATED TO THE PO LEUNG KUK.
OF THIS, $806,550 WAS FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE YAU 01 DAY NURSERY AND THE WEST WING BUILDING, AND $85,000 WAS FOR THE FITTING OUT WORK AND PURCHASE OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AT CHEUNG FAT ESTATE.
A GRANT OF $718,601 WAS MADE TO THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH $107,510 WAS FOR THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM TO PURCHASE A DEFIBRILLATOR, TWO LIFT HYGIENE CHAIRS, A SET OF RESUSIC ANNE AND TWO VOLUMETRIC INFUSION PUMPS.
THE REMAINING $611,091 WAS FOR THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL TO PURCHASE AN ELECTRICAL THREADMILL EXERCISER, A CARDIAC MONITOR, A VACUUM THERAPY UNIT AND A TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND MONITOR SYSTEM FOR OPEN HEART SURGERY.
THE POK OI HOSPITAL RECEIVED $551,640 FOR THE PURCHASE OF VARIOUS ITEMS OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
A GRANT OF $550,000 WAS MADE TO THE HONG KONG RED CROSS TO PROMOTE BLOOD DONOR RECRUITMENT AND TO BUY EQUIPMENT FOR ITS SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
THE ALICE HO MIU LING NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED A SUM OF $513,000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF AN AUTOCLAVE AND A GAMMA COUNTER AND FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PORTABLE CARDIAC MONITOR.
THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST HOSPITAL RECEIVED $500,000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A WATER STORAGE HEATER AT THE BOILER ROOM AND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF KITCHEN FACILITIES.
OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL WAS ALSO GRANTED A SUM OF $500,000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A CHEMISTRY AUTOANALYSER.
A SUM OF $473,220 WAS GRANTED TO THE SALVATION ARMY TO MEET THE EXPENSES OF RENOVATION WORKS FOR THE WAH FU NURSERY.
THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL RECEIVED $464,848 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF 20 AIR CONDITIONERS AND FOR THE PURCHASE OF VARIOUS ITEMS OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
THE NAM LONG HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED $431,650, OF WHICH $198,000 WAS FOR THE REPAIR OF THE WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM, AND $233,650 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BEDPAN WASHERS AND MATTRESSES.
-----0------
/8........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
8
NEW YEAR LAI-SEE FOR THE NEEDY *****
ABOUT 400 SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES LIVING ON HONG KONG ISLAND WHO ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED NEW YEAR LAI-SEE OF $100 EACH FROM THE TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND.
A FURTHER 3,400 FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE THEIR RED PACKETS STARTING LATER TODAY.
THEY COMPRISE SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES WHO ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND LIVE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, ELDERLY PEOPLE IN SELECTED RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ELDERLY PATIENTS IN THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
ABOUT $450,000 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR DISTRIBUTION PURPOSES.
ASSISTING MR HO TIM, A FOUNDER OF THE FUND, AT THE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY TODAY AT PO LEUNG KUK WERE LADY TANG SHIU-K1N; THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND TRUSTEE OF THE FUND, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; ADVISER OF THE FUND, MR CHARLES LUI; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU; CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK, MR CHAO KING-LIN; MISS HONG KONG, MISS MICHELE REIS; AND SINGER, MR ALAN TAM.
THE FUND, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES IN COPING WITH HARDSHIP BROUGHT ON BY UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES.
GRANTS ARE PROVIDED TO MAINTAIN A CHILD THROUGH HIS EDUCATION, TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT OR TO MEET HIGH COSTS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OR OTHER NEEDS.
PAYMENTS ARE ALSO MADE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ARISING FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY OR CHRONIC ILLNESS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE FUND HELPS VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS WITH URGENT NEEDS.
APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND CAN BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
SOCIAL WORKERS OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MAY ALSO REFER HARDSHIP CASES TO THE SECRETARY OF THE FUND OR THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
CCY PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS TO YOUTHS
******
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH (CCY) TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS TO 18 YOUNG PEOPLE AND TWO YOUTH GROUPS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE 18 YOUTHS RECEIVED THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AND THE TWO GROUPS WERE CHOSEN AS HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES IN THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CCY, MRS ROSANNA TAM, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, PRESENTED THE AWARDS TO THE WINNERS AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE HONGKONG HOTEL.
SPEAKING AT THE FUNCTION, MRS TAM ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR SPARE TIME TO SERVE THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CCY.
IN ADDITION, SERVING THE COMMUNITY COULD ENRICH ONE’S LIFE AND BROADEN ONE’S PERSPECTIVE.
BY PARTICIPATING IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES, YOUNG PEOPLE COULD GET IN TOUCH WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF PEOPLE, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THROUGH WHICH THEY COULD ATTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AND DEVELOP THE COURAGE TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES, SHE ADDED.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE 18 YOUTHS WERE AWARDED THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICES DURING THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES THEY HAD RENDERED TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE WINNERS HAD BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND AN 18--DAY DIPLOMA COURSE ON BOARD THE OUTWARD BOUND SHIP "JI FUNG".
THEY WERE CHOSEN FROM 59 CANDIDATES NOMINATED BY VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
SINCE 1977, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS OFFERED OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUTH LEADERS OF THE ' SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME EACH YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS WERE INCREASED FROM 10 LAST YEAR TO 18 THIS YEAR IN VIEW OF THE IMPRESSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE YOUTH LEADERS.
/AS FOR .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY )1t 1989
10
AS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME, TWO PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY THE NGAI KWAN YOUTH GROUP OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG RED CROSS YOUTH AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S TEAM AT THE LOWER KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL WERE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD.
THE TWO PROJECTS WERE "KNOW MORE, LEARN MORE AND ACQUIRE MORE" AND "ELDERLY HEALTH PROMOTION CAMPAIGN 88".
THE AWARD SCHEME WAS SET UP BY THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME TO COMMEMORATE THE 1985-86 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
IT WAS DESIGNED TO RECOGNISE AND REWARD THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY YOUTH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR SOCIETIES THROUGH COMMUNITY AND OTHER PROJECTS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.,
IT WAS ALSO AIMED AT FOSTERING CO-OPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND EXPERIENCE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
-----0 - -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED
*****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS SHOWED NO GROWTH IN DECEMBER 1988 WHILE FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED SLIGHTLY COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
THE GROWTH RATES OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS SLOWED DOWN IN DECEMBER COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED LESS RAPIDLY IN DECEMBER THAN IN NOVEMBER, MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SLOWDOWN LN THE GROWTH OF LOANS FOR USE ’N HONG KONG AND THOSE FOR USE OFFSHORE.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE, ON THE OTHER HAND, ROSE MORE RAPIDLY IN DECEMBER THAN IN NOVEMBER.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1988 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS, AND TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSTS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
/yjTOSITS
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 1989
- 11 -
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS REGISTERED ZERO GROWTH IN DECEMBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 4.5 PER CENT AND 4.4 PER CENT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT; SAVINGS DEPOSITS ROSE SLIGHTLY BY 0.1 PER CENT WHILE TIME DEPOSITS RECORDED ZERO GROWTH. DURING 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 12 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 0.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.8 PER CENT AND 5.7 PER CENT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.8 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.1 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 26.6 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 7.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. AFTER AN INCREASE OF 3.5 PER CENT IN OCTOBER AND A DECLINE OF 0.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.8 PER CENT IN DECEMBER AND BY 18.1 PER CENT DURING 1988.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, FELL BY 0.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER BUT INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS GREW BY 0.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 0.7 PER CENT. DURING 1988, THE FORMER ROSE BY 21.4 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 7.4 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1, HKSM2 AND HKSM3 GREW BY 0.7 PER CENT, 0.2' PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 1.3 PER CENT, 4.5 PER CENT AND 4.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER.
DURING 1988 HKSM1, HKSM2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 7.4 PER CENT, 14.2 PER CENT AND 13.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HKSM2 GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT WHILE HKSM3 ROSE BY 1.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER.
/FOR 1988
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 1989
- 12
FOR 1988 AS A WHOLE, THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 20.1 PER CENT AND 18.9 PER CENT. THIS GROWTH RATE OF THE BROADEST DEFINITION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY WAS BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN NOMINAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 0.4 PER CENT, 0.5 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN NOVEMBER WERE 1.8 PER CENT, 4.9 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT.
DURING 1988, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 8.5 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 21.8 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 20.2 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 1.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.1 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1.9 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 0.7 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 2.9 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.5 PER CENT AND 1.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 28.8 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 2.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER FOLLOWING A GROWTH RATE OF 3.3 PER CENT IN BOTH OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 29.4 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 2.8 PER CENT AND 3.3 PER CENT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 22.1 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 4.5 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 7.9 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 30.8 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 1989
LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES INCREASED BY 15.8 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.9 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 37.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (OTHER THAN BANKS AND DTC’S ) ROSE in 11 I PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 11.9 PER CENT JN THE THIRD QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 54 PER CENT.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME I GREW BY 7.9 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 6.3 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW 33.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR INCREASED BY 31.7 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, FOLLOWING A GROWTH OF 1.1 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS INCREASE IS DUE TO THE RECTIFICATION OF A CLASSIFICATION ERROR BY SOME AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, SO THAT THE LOANS ARE NOW MORE PROPERLY CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THEIR INTENDED USAGE RATHER THAN THE BUSINESSES OF THE LOAN RECIPIENTS.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 158 AND 35 RESPECTIVELY. THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY ONE TO 216.
/Table 1 :
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1, 1989
14
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - DECEMBER 1988
Dec 1988 (% Earlier months change to December 1 l988 ) (HK$mn)
Money Supply Nov 1988 Sep 1988 Dec 1987
Ml - HK$ 79,257 78,698 ( 0.7%) 75.009 ( 5.7 %) 73,826 ( 7.4 X)
Foreign currency 9,577 9,742 ( -1.7 %) 9,409 ( 1.8%) 8,076 ( 18.6 %)
Total 88,834 88,439 ( 0.4%) 84,418 ( 5.2 %) 81.902 ( 8.5 X)
M2 - HK$ 355,065 354,334 ( 0.2 %) 324,671 ( 9.4 %) 310,910 ( 14.2 %)
Foreign currency 469,583 466,567 ( 0.6 %) 433,681 ( 8.3 %) 366,132 ( 28.3 X)
Total 824,648 820,900 ( 0.5 %) 758,352 ( 8.7 X) 677.042 ( 21.8 X)
M3 - HK$ 389,052 387,345 ( 0.4%) 357,261 ( 8.9 %) 342.847 ( 13.5 X)
Foreign currency 504,291 501,688 ( 0.5 %) 465,925 ( 8.2 X) 400,506 ( 25.9 X)
Total 893,342 889,033 ( 0.5 %) 823,186 ( 8.5 %) 743,353 ( 20.2 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 34.087 32,298 ( 5.5 %) 31,549 ( 8.0 X) 28,766 ( 18.5 X)
of which held by public 29.877 28,363 ( 5.3 %) 27.563 ( 8.4 X) 24,764 ( 20.6 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 58,958 60,076 ( -1.9 %) 56,855 ( 3.7 X) 57,138 ( 3.2 X)
Total Savings deposits 175,529 174,278 ( 0.7%) 162,590 ( 8.0 %) 181,109 ( -3.1 X)
Total Time deposits with banks 544,502 542,529 ( 0.4 %) 496,856 ( 9.6 %) 403,439 ( 35.0%)
Total Time deposits with dtcs 66.531 66,044 ( 0.7 %) 62,781 ( 6.0 %) 61,924 ( 7.4 X)
HK$ deposits 346,744 346,700 ( 0.0%) 317,813 ( 9.1%) 309,543 ( 12.0 %)
USS deposits 266,561 264.336 ( 0.8 %) 248,013 ( 7.5 %) 222,603 ( 19.7 %)
Other foreign currency deposits 232,216 231,889 ( 0.1 %) 213,256 ( 8.9 %) 171,464 ( 35.4 X)
All deposits 845,520 842,926 ( 0.3%) 779,082 ( 8.5 %) 703,609 ( 20.2 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits 43,689 40,755 ( 7.2 %) 39,527 ( 10.5 %) 21,151 (106.6 X)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 57,022 55,436 ( 2.9 %) 53,010 ( 7.6 X) 44,255 ( 28.8 X)
To finance merchandising trade 12,344 7,709 ( 60.1 %) 6,719 ( 83.7 %) 7,002 ( 76.3 X)
not touching H.K. 352,685 ( 29.4 X)
Other loans for use in H.K. 456,487 446,183 ( 2.3 %) 418,022 ( 9.2 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 381,524 375,550 ( 1.6 %) 353,784 ( 7.8 %) 312,530 ( 22.1 X)
Other loans where the place of 54,800 65,923 (-16.9 %) 64,430 (-14.9 X) 62,308 (-12.0 X)
use is not known 372,506 ( 8.6 X) 309,345 ( 30.8 X)
Loans in HKS 404,572 396,930 ( 1.9 %)
Loans in foreign currencies 557,606 553,871 ( 0.7%) 523,460 ( 6.5 X) 469,436 ( 18.8 X)
Total loans and advances 962,177 950,801 ( 1.2 %) 895,966 ( 7.4 X) 778,781 ( 23.5 X)
/TABLE 2 : .......
TUESDAY> JANUARY J1, 1989
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - DECEMBER 1988
(HKSmn)
Earlier quarters (X change to December 1988)
Dec 1988
Sep 1988 Jun 1988 Dec 1987
Manufacturing 39,011 37.324 ( 4.5 X) 34.591 ( 12 8 X) 29.833 ( 30.8 X)
Transport and transport 23.380 23.140 ( 1.0 X) 22.472 ( 4.0 %) 19.598 ( 19.3 X)
equipment
Building, construction, 58.864 44.697 ( 31.7 X) 42.934 ( 37.1 X) 39.512 ( 49.0 X)
property development and investment ♦
Wholesale and retail trade 59.744 51.579 ( 15.8 X) 50.125 ( 19.2 X) 43.404 ( 37.6 X)
Financial concerns ♦ 53,040 46.370 ( 14.4 M 41.436 ( 28.0 X) 34.445 ( 54.0 X)
Individuals:
to purchase flats in the Home 8,656 Ownership Scheme and Private Sector Participation Scheme 8.147 ( 6.2 X) 7,569 ( 14 4 X) 7.497 ( 15.5 X)
to purchase other residential 77,359 71.710 ( 7.9 X) 67.461 ( 14.7 X) 57.915 ( 33.6 X)
property
other purposes 48.050 52.100 ( -7.8 X) 48.750 ( -14 X) 44,019 ( 9.2 X)
Others 88.383 82.955 ( 6.5 X) 81.556 ( 8.4 X) 76.464 ( 15.6 X)
Total 456.487 418.022 ( 9.2 X) 396.895 ( 15.0 X) 352.635 ( 29.4 X)
# Starting from December 1988. mor- detailed statistics on loans to the transport sector, to building, construction, property development and investment and to financial concerns are available. They will be published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics from the January 1989 issue onwards.
♦ A considerable proportion of the increase during the fourth quarter of 1988 was due to the rectification of a classification error by some authorised institutions, so that the loans are now more properly classified according to their intended usage rather than the businesses of the loan recipients
♦ This excludes funds advanced to banks and deposit-taking companies
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/16........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
16
VISIT TO SEE NT IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT X X * » *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, TOGETHER WITH A GROUP OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, REGIONAL COUNCILLORS AND RURAL LEADERS WILL TOUR THE NORTH DISTRICT AND TAI PO ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2) TO SEE THE CURRENT IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THERE.
THE PARTY COMPRISED MR LIAO; THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN; DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT; NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PANG HANG-YIN; AND TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG.
AFTER ATTENDING A BRIEFING AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE OVERALL RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND PLANS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE GROUP WILL GO TO SHEK WU HUI TO SEE A $20 MILLION FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME UNDER CONSTRUCTION THERE.
THEY WILL PROCEED TO TSUNG PAK LONG VILLAGE TO SEE A COMPLETED URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT (UFI) VAN TRACK BEFORE GOING UP TO THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING AT TIN PING ESTATE TO GET A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE FANLING TOWN PARK.
AFTER A LUNCH BREAK AT TAI PO MARKET, THE PARTY WILL GO TO NAM WAH PO VILLAGE TO SEE A PLAYGROUND WHICH HAS BEEN UPGRADED UNDER A LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT AND THEN PROCEED TO BAILEY BRIDGE AT KAU LUNG HANG WHICH IS A COMPLETED UFI PROJECT.
THE TOUR WILL BE CONCLUDED WITH A VISIT TO A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE IN TAI PO WHICH WILL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING RIVER-SIDE WALK, JOGGING TRAIL, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND LANDSCAPED AND SITTING-OUT AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ONE-DAY TOUR BY .THE GROUP OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND RURAL LEADERS TO NORTH DISTRICT AND TAI PO ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2).
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI AT 9 AM. THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO THE NEW TERRITORIES CAN JOIN THE GROUP AT 10 AM AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE CARPARK, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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/17
o
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
- 17 -
20,000 WORKERS QUALIFY THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
»»»»*»*
HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL IN TECHNICAL MANPOWER TRAINING WITH OVER 20,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVING SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SINCE THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE IN 1976.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, A TOTAL OF 21,500 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AWARDED COMPLETION CERTIFICATES OF APPRENTICESHIP AND BECOME QUALIFIED TECHNICAL PERSONNEL.
IN ADDITION, SOME 4,930 NEW CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP, THE THIRD HIGHEST FIGURES RECORDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WERE REGISTERED LAST YEAR DESPITE THE FACT THAT HONG KONG WAS SUFFERING FROM AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF TECHNICAL WORKERS.
"THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED APPRENTICES UNDER THREE OR FOUR YEARS TRAINING IN LOCAL MAJOR INDUSTRIES TO ABOUT 10,100," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE, WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING AND REGULATING THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF APPRENTICES, IS ENFORCED BY THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 TO 18 WHO ARE EMPLOYED AS APPRENTICES IN ANY ONE OF THE 42 DESIGNATED TRADES MUST ENTER INTO AN APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACT WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS AND HAVE IT REGISTERED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICES AGED 19 OR OVER OR EMPLOYED IN NON-DESIGNATED TRADES MAY ALSO BE REGISTERED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, HE ADDED.
REGISTERED APPRENTICES WILL BE GRANTED PAID LEAVE AND TUITION FEES BY THEIR EMPLOYERS TO ATTEND RELEVANT PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR THE POLYTECHNICS.
INSPECTORS FROM THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION WILL PAY REGULAR VISITS TO EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICES TO MONITOR THE TRAINING PROGRESS AND TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN SOLVING TRAINING PROBLEMS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPRENTICE TRAINING OR THE ORDINANCE CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8932341, EXT. 352.
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/18........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
18
NEW POST OFFICE FOR LOK WAH ESTATE
* » » * »
A NEW POST OFFICE AT LOK WAH NORTH ESTATE WAS OPENED FOR BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG TO 107.
THE NEW POST OFFICE, LOCATED AT SHOP NO. 109 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE ESTATE’S COMMERCIAL CENTRE, PROVIDES THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
THE BUSINESS HOURS ARE FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 5 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE OFFICE’S OPENING CEREMONY THIS MORNING WERE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR PAUL WONG; AND KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR C. C. WAN. •
THE NEW POST OFFICE’S TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 3-7960961.
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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 (MONDAY) HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 50 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, 6 WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 44 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE EMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (TUESDAY) 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-T' EGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
/"A HIGH
TUESDAY, JANUAHY 31, 1989
- 19 -
"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 29,331 PERSONS, 3,937 VEHICLES AND 1,082 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR 1DENT1FICAT1ON CHECKS.
TWENTY-ONE PERSONS WERE SUMMONED AND 15 PERSONS WARNED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 3,145 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.
NO ONE WAS FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY DURING THE VISITS THOUGH NINE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE POSSESSING NO RECORD OF EMPLOYEES 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 -
NEW NUMBER FOR EPD HOTLINE ♦ ♦ * t
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S TELEPHONE HOTLINE, WHICH RECEIVES COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC, NOW HAS A NEW NUMBER -- 5-8383111.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOTLINE WILL. CONTINUE TO OPERATE ROUND-THE-CLOCK IN PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
LAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPLAINT SECTION RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 3,121 COMPLAINTS AND 6,354 ENQUIRIES, MOST OF WHICH CAME THROUGH THE HOTLINE.
OF THESE COMPLAINTS, 65 PER CENT RELATED TO AIR, AND 20 PER CENT TO NOISE. THE OTHERS CONCERNED WATER, AND LIQUID AND SOLID WASTES.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS HAS ALREADY MOVED FROM SHEUNG WAN TO SOUTHORN CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
- 20 -
17TH AIDS CASE REPORTED » » » *
THE NUMBER OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) CASES IN HONG KONG HAS RISEN TO 17, WITH THE LATEST VICTIM BEING CONFIRMED THIS MONTH.
THE 17TH PATIENT HAS DIED. HE WAS A MAN WHO HAD ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN IT RELEASED THE DECEMBER STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME.
UP TO NOW, THE DEADLY DISEASE HAS CLAIMED 12 LIVES, INCLUDING ONE FEMALE. THE OTHER FIVE PATIENTS ARE UNDER TREATMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT TWO MORE PERSONS WERE FOUND POSITIVE IN TESTING FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CARRIERS TO 134.
THE 134 CARRIERS INVOLVED 53 HAEMOPHILIACS, 12 PERSONS WHO ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 38 PATIENTS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, AND 31 PERSONS WHO WERE REFERRED FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME BEGAN BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 114,810 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
MEANWHILE, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO DECEMBER, 501,936 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND SEVEN WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY J1t 1989
21
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Teating
Medical 4 Health Department
Virus Unit
April 8$ - Bov 88 sac 88 Total
Ho. *??*«»<* ■?£ %L No. +ve No. tested NO. ♦ve No. teated No. +ve
U&fcfci’ta.fWrxZ Refer-ala from Govt, hospitals and clinics 6 942 36 277 2 7 219 38
Referrals from private practitioners and subvented hospitals 1 706 31 15 0 I 721 31
Attendances At social hygiene clinics 99 177 12 2 505 0 101 682 12
3>»9 53 8 0 357* 53
IV drug abusers 3 065 0 74 0 3 139 0
Referrals from raaily Planning Association 149 0 3 0 152 0
HeaitU care personnel 528 0 12 0 540 0
Total 111 916 132 2 894 2 114 310 134
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests
are repeated for certain individuals.
Aug 05 - Nov 88 Dec 98 Total
No. No. No. No. No. No.
Hong long Red Croas tested ♦ve tested +ve tested +V9
Blood Transfusion Service 489 124 7 12 812 0 501 936 7
Medical 4 Health Department
January 1989
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/22........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
- 22 -
DB COMMITTEE TO PUBLICISE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT A KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY DRIVE IN THE ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO MAKE BOAT PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE WATERS CLEAN.
THE DRIVE WILL START WITH AN OFF-SHORE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ALONG THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT IN THE MORNING. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL JOIN FISHERMAN VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN CLEARING FLOATING GARBAGE IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL THEN TOUR THE TYPHOON SHELTER IN SAMPANS TO DISTRIBUTE PLASTIC BAGS TO FISHING VESSELS AND DWELLING BOATS AND ENCOURAGE BOAT PEOPLE TO DISPOSE OF THEIR GARBAGE PROPERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 10.10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HILLSIDE ESCALATOR PROJECT
*****
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINKING CENTRAL AND THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING ’ ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2).
CONSULTANTS WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE S75-MILLION PROJECT.
MEANWHILE, SEVERAL MEMBERS WILL PRESENT A PROPOSAL CALLING FOR THE EARLY CONSTRUCTION OF THE ESCALATOR AND A POLICY REVIEW ON RE-DEVELOPMENT AT THE MID-LEVELS AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS ON THE TRAFFIC SITUATION.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
- 23 -
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ’’UPGRADING AND DUALLING OF CONNAUGHT ROAD” PROJECT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
KWAI CHUNG LOT TO LET BY TENDER ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR LEASING A LOT IN KWAI CHUNG FOR A FEE PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR THE PARKING OF CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE LOT IS IN AREA 10G AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 22,770 SQUARE METRES.
THE LEASE, EXCEPT AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,050 SQUARE METRES WHICH WILL BE REPOSSESSED ON DEMAND UPON RECEIVING THREE CALENDAR MONTHS’ NOTICE IN WRITING, IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 17.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT. THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, 11TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH ' FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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/24........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
- 24 -
TRAM ONLY LANES; LONG VEHICLE BAN
* » « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3), THE TRAM TRACKS ON THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED TRAM ONLY LANES:
* CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING TO THE WESTERN CARGO HANDLING AREA;
* DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES TO THE WEST; AND
* SHAU KEI WAN ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ALDRICH BAY ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES TO THE WEST.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER CHIU KWONG STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS BECAUSE OF TRAM TRACK CONNECTION WORKS.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN
* « * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3), THREE SECTIONS OF EASTERN STREET IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR THREE WEEKS FOR TRAM TRACK CONNECTION WORKS.
THE FOLLOWING TWO SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTERN STREET FROM ITS
JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES
TO THE SOUTH; AND
» THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTERN STREET FROM ITS
JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES
TO THE NORTH.
IN ADDITION, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTERN STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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/25........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31,
1989
" 25 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAM SHUI PO
» « * «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3), SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE PEAK HOUR (7 AM -10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
» THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN SHEK KIP MEI STREET AND WONG CHUK STREET; AND
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI NAN WEST STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 38 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BECOME 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN WONG CHUK STREET AND BOUNDARY STREET; AND
» THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN SHEK KIP MEI STREET AND POPLAR STREET.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
MEANWHILE, FROM 2 PM ON THE SAME DAY (FRIDAY), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY DESIGNATED ON SOUTHBOUND NAM CHEONG STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND YU CHAU STREET WILL BE LIFTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF APLIU STREET BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND SHEK KIP MEI STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
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/26
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1989
- 26 -
HUNG MUI KUK ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
* * » » »
TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WESTBOUND NEAR CHUNG PAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3) TO FEBRUARY 14.
THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF THE SLOW LANE FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHUNG PAK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE BUS STOP PROVIDED ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WEST OF CHUNG PAK ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
A TEMPORARY BUS STOP FOR KMB ROUTES NOS. 89B, 81M, 85, 86C, 87A AND 170 WILL BE PROVIDED ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AT A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF CHUNG PAK ROAD.
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE LANE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID USING THIS SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
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WEIGHT LIMIT LIFTED; ACCESS ROAD RE-OPENED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3), THE EXISTING BAN ON VEHICLES EXCEEDING 20 TONNES FROM BAILEY BRIDGE N167 ACROSS NG TUNG RIVER NEAR KWAN TEI IN FANLING WILL BE LIFTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ACCESS ROAD TO YUET LUN STREET LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROADWORKS.
MOTORISTS ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR YUET LUN STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA THIS ACCESS ROAD.
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