DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OPENS SJOO-MILLION REDEVELOPED KOWLOON PARK ........ 1
SITE FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 UNDER STUDY ................... 2
PRELIMINARY FIGURES OF 1989 PROPERTY REVIEW REI,EASED........ 4
STRONG ACTION TO STOP MALPRACTICES IN FISH MARKET............ 8
TSUEN WAN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL FEASIBILITY STUDY ............ 9
TAI PO READY FOR NEVI YEAR FESTIVITIES ...................... 10
ONE CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS FROM MC ELECTIONS ................... 11
KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE FOR BOAT PEOPLE........................... 11
SHAM SHUI PO DB TO DISCUSS STANDING ORDERS .................. 12
LOITERING YOUTHS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ..................... 1J
CUSTOMS OFFICERS INSPECT LIQUOR STORES ...................... 1?
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED .................................... 1^
NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN SHA TIN ...................... 14
URBAN CLEARWAY IN CHATER ROAD ............................... 15
URBAN CLEARWAY IN TAI PO .................................... 15
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
GOVERNOR OPENS $300-MILLION REDEVELOPED KOWLOON PARK
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY COMMENDED BOTH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID PAID THE TRIBUTE WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE S300-MILLION REDEVELOPED KOWLOON PARK WHICH WAS FUNDED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB AND MANAGED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
“IN REDEVELOPING THE 14-HECTARE PARK, SOME IMPRESSIVE NEW RECORDS HAVE BEEN SET," SAID SIR DAVID.
THESE INCLUDE A NEW INDOOR GAMES HALL WHICH IS THE LARGEST OF ITS TYPE IN THE TERRITORY; A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WITH A CAPACITY OF 2 000 PEOPLE AND THE FIRST MOVABLE POOL FLOOR SYSTEM IN HONG KONG; A BIRD LAKE; A SCULPTURE WALK AND A PIAZZA.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ANOTHER MAJOR CO-OPERATIVE VENTURE WOULD BE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE INTO HONG KONG PARK.
"ONCE AGAIN THE JOCKEY CLUB WILL BE MAKING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FINANCING OF THE PROJECT AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CONSTRUCTION. I AM SURE THAT THE RESULTS OF THIS NEXT COOPERATIVE VENTURE WILL BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS THIS ONE HAS BEEN," HE ADDED.
IN HIS SPEECH OF WELCOME, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, SAID, "THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON PARK HAS BECOME A REALITY AND ITS EXCELLENCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL TO SEE."
RECOUNTING THE HISTORY OF THE PARK, MR FORSGATE SAID THAT THE SITE HAD BEEN OF IMPORTANCE SINCE THE 1860S WHEN IT WAS USED BY THE MILITARY AS WHITFIELD BARRACKS.
"THE URBAN COUNCIL PROPOSED X COMPREHENSIVE RI-DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE SITE AND PLANNING WAS IN HAND JN 1986 WHEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MADE A GENEROUS OFFER TO SPONSOR THE COMPLETE REDEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON PARK PROVIDING $300 MILLION FOR Till- DESIGN AND BUILDING OF THE PARK AS A TURNKEY PROJECT, SAID MR FORSGATE.
"THIS IS IN KEEPING WITH THE SUPPORT WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB OVER THE YEARS AND WHICH WE TRUST WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE.'
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, SAID, "THE JOCKEY CLUB HAS A LONG HISTORY OF CREATING PARKS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND THE FIRST WAS VICTORIA PARK RECLAIMED FROM MARSHLAND IN 1951.
"I HOPE THAT WHAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED WILL FURTHER REINFORCE THE JOCKEY CLUB’S COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY NOT ONLY SOME ACTIVE RECREATION IN REALLY MODERN FACILITIES BUT ALSO, SOME MOMENTS OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN THE PARKLAND OUTSIDE IN THE VERY CENTRE OF ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED PARTS OF OUR TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON, ACCOMPANIED BY MR FORSGATE AND SIR OSWALD, TOURED THE PARK TO SEE SOME OF ITS NEW FACILITIES.
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SITE FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 UNDER STUDY
* ♦ » » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING DETAILED CONSIDERATION TO THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE SITES AT TSING YI AND STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 8, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE A DECISION ON THE PREFERRED SITE SHORTLY.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE BAYVIEW LIONS CLUB, MRS CHAN SAID THAT THE FIRST BERTH OF TERMINAL 8 WOULD BE REQUIRED BY MID-1994 TO KEEP PACE WITH HONG KONG’S FAST GROWING CONTAINER THROUGHPUT WHICH SAW A 25 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1987 AND A FURTHER 15 PER CENT RISE LAST YEAR.
"CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN ASSISTING GOVERNMENT IN LOCATING A SUITABLE SITE FOR THIS TERMINAL. NINE SITES WERE EXAMINED IN TERMS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL, LAND ACCESS, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, MARINE ASPECTS AND COST.
"THE SEARCH HAS NOW BEEN NARROWED TO TWO SITES, ONE AT SOUTHEAST TSING YI AND THE OTHER AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THAT IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE CONTAINER FACILITIES IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT BORE IN MIND THE BEST POSSIBLE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, AND SO AVOIDED A NEAR MONOPOLY SITUATION EMERGING IN THIS AREA.
"IT IS ONLY BY ONGOING FORWARD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOODWILL AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN REMAIN AHEAD OF THE GAME AND ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S DEMAND FOR PORT FACILITIES IS MATCHED BY SUPPLY," SHE ADDED.
/MRS CHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
3 W
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS IN THE TOP LEAGUE OF WORLD PORTS IN TERMS OF THE VOLUME OF CARGO HANDLED AND RANKED NUMBER ONE WITH REGARD TO THE SHEER NUMBER OF CONTAINERS HANDLED.
ABOUT HALF OF ALL TRADE THROUGH HONG KONG (BY WEIGHT) WAS CONTAINERISED AND IN 1987 THE NUMBER OF CONTAINERS HANDLED IN THE PORT WAS 3.4 MILLION TEU’S (20-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS).
NEARLY 80 PER CENT OF THESE WENT THROUGH THE FIVE PRIVATELY OPERATED BERTHS AT KWAI CHUNG, WHILE THE REST WERE HANDLED IN THE STREAM OR AT SMALLER PIERS OR JETTIES.
NOTING THAT EXISTING FACILITIES WERE UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE, MRS CHAN SAID THAT AN ADDITIONAL TERMINAL, TERMINAL 6, WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROVIDE THREE ADDITIONAL BERTHS FOR THIRD GENERATION CONTAINER SHIPS.
THE FIRST BERTH WAS ALREADY OPERATIONAL, THE SECOND ABOUT TO BECOME SO, AND THE THIRD WOULD FOLLOW LATER THIS YEAR, SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS TERMINAL 7 WHICH WAS UNDER ADVANCED PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION, MRS CHAN SAID THAT THE SEABED ADJACENT TO TERMINAL 6 HAD BEEN SOLD TO A PRIVATE DEVELOPER WHO PLANNED TO COMPLETE THE NEW TERMINAL WELL AHEAD OF THE 1993 TARGET DATE.
"WHEN COMPLETED, TERMINALS 6 AND 7 WILL, BETWEEN THEM, ROUGHLY DOUBLE HONG KONG’S CONTAINER HANDLING CAPACITY. THE COMPLETION OF TERMINAL 7 WILL BE A LANDMARK, SINCE IT IS LIKELY TO EXHAUST THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT," SHE POINTED OUT.
"THE TRIGGERING OF TERMINAL 8, LIKE ITS PREDECESSORS, WILL BE GENERATED FROM APPLICATION OF A ’TRIGGER POINT MECHANISM’ - A FORMULA, AGREED WITH THE MAJOR CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS, TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL FACILITIES KEEPS PACE WITH PROJECTED DEMAND," SHE EXPLAINED.
SHE SAID IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSESS DEMAND WELL INTO THE FUTURE ON AN ONGOING BASIS IN VIEW OF THE FIVE YEAR LEAD TIME INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING SUCH FACILITIES.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SHIPPING POLICY, ITS OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY, MRS CHAN SAID GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES IN THESE AREAS WERE AIMED AT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH HONG KONG TRADE COULD BEST PROSPER.
"GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND GOODWILL ARE THERE.
"IT IS THEN UP TO THE TRADING AND SHIPPING COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE BEST OF THIS BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT BY TAKING WHATEVER COMMERCIAL DECISIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THEIR OWN COMMERCIAL OBJECTIVES," SHE SAID.
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A....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
- 4 -
PRELIMINARY FIGURES OF 1989 PROPERTY REVIEW RELEASED
*****
THF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS IN THE 1989 PROPERTY REVIEW RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INDICATE THAT AT THE END OF 1988 VACANCIES IN DOMESTIC AND OFFICE SECTORS WERE DOWN ON 1987 WHILE VACANCIES IN COMMERCIAL PREMISES REMAINED MUCH THE SAME.
FOR FLATTED FACTORIES ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SURPRISINGLY HIGH SUPPLY IN 1988 AT 1,138,000 SQUARE METRES COUPLED WITH A 27 PER CENT DROP IN TAKE-UP FROM 1987 LEVELS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN VACANCY TO 4.7 PER CENT OF STOCK, UP FROM LAST YEAR'S ALL TIME LOW OF 1.7 PER CENT.
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (ALL CLASSES)
SUPPLY IN 1988 AT AROUND 34,500 UNITS WAS VERY MUCH THE SAME AS THAT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS AND 1989 IS EXPECTED TO SHOW AN INCREASE IN SUPPLY OF 9 PER CENT TO AROUND 37,700 UNITS.
THE 1988 TAKE-UP OF DOMESTIC PREMISES, AT 33,900 UNITS, VIRTUALLY MATCHED SUPPLY AND VACANCIES WERE DOWN 9 PER CENT IN ABSOLUTE TERMS TO JUST 2.9 PER CENT OF STOCK.
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (LARGE UNITS - 1OO SQUARE METRES AND ABOVE)
SUPPLY IN 1988 WAS THE HIGHEST EVER RECORDED, AND AMOUNTED TO 3,150 UNITS WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDED SUPPLY IN 1987 BY SOME 58 PER CENT. SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY A MODEST 6 PER CENT IN 1989 TO AROUND 3,350 UNITS.
TAKE-UP OF LARGE UNITS WAS DOWN 36 PER CENT ON LAST YEAR, AND COUPLED WITH THE INCREASED SUPPLY HAS LED TO AN INCREASE IN VACANCY LEVELS OF 50 PER CENT OVER 1987, REPRESENTING 6.3 PER CENT OF STOCK.
OFFICES
THE SUPPLY OF OFFICE SPACE AT AROUND 247,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1988 WAS VERY MUCH THE SAME AS THAT IN 1987. OVER 35 PER CENT WAS IN SECTOR I AND 52 PER CENT WAS TN SECTOR II. OVERALL SUPPLY IS FORECAST TO INCREASE IN 1989 BY SOME 14 PER CENT TO 282,000 SQUARE METRES, BUT BY CONTRAST 45 PER CENT OF THE FORECAST SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO BE IN SECTOR III.
TAKE-UP AT 354,000 SQUARE METRES WAS MORE THAN 30 PER CENT UP ON LAST YEAR RESULTING IN A FURTHER REDUCTION IN VACANCY TO 124,000 SQUARE METRES OR 2.7 PER CENT OF STOCK. AROUND 44 PER CENT OF THE TAKE-UP WAS IN SECTOR 1 PUSHING VACANCIES DOWN DRAMATICALLY, TO ONLY 0.5 PER CENT IN THAT SECTOR.
/COMMERCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
- 5 -
COMMERCIAL
SUPPLY OF COMMERCIAL SPACE AT 238,000 SQUARE METRES WAS SOME 16 PER CENT DOWN ON THAT IN 1987 AND IS EXPECTED TO DROP FURTHER IN 1989 TO 205,000 SQUARE METRES.
TAKE-UP WAS WELL DOWN ON 1987 WHICH WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR. AS A RESULT, VACANCIES IN ABSOLUTE TERMS INCREASED ONLY MARGINALLY BUT AS A PERCENTAGE OF STOCK, REMAINED MUCH THE SAME.
FLATTED FACTORIES
SUPPLY IN 1988 WAS THE HIGHEST SINCE 1979 AND AT 1,138,000 SQUARE METRES, WAS SIGNIFICANTLY IN EXCESS OF THE 870,000 SQUARE METRES FORECAST AND WELL UP ON THE 541,000 SQUARE METRES SUPPLIED IN 1987. COMPLETIONS ARE FORECAST TO BE HIGH AGAIN IN 1989.
TAKE-UP WAS DOWN BY 27 PER CENT ON 1987 WHICH, COUPLED WITH THE SIGNIFICANT SUPPLY, FORCED VACANCIES UP FROM 1.7 PER CENT OF STOCK IN 1987 TO 4.7 PER CENT IN 1988.
GENERAL
A SUMMARY OF SUPPLY, TAKE-UP AND VACANCY IN THE MAIN SECTORS IS ATTACHED.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FIGURES QUOTED ARE PRELIMINARY ONLY. FULL AND FINAL FIGURES WILL BE SHOWN IN THE 1989 PROPERTY REVIEW, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN APRIL.
THE DEFINITIONS OF FLOOR AREAS IN THE 1989 PROPERTY REVIEW WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE 1988 EDITION.
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (ALL CLASSES)
(NO. OF UNITS)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %♦
1986 34,100 30,300 24,700 3.9
1987 34,400 35,100 22,300 3.4
1988 34,500 33,900 20,200 2.9
1989 (37,700 J
’’PRIVATE DOMESTIC" EXCLUDES FLATS BUILT UNDER THE HOME
OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
♦VACANCY AT THE END OF THE YEAR AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL STOCK.
/PRIVATE DOMESTIC ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1,1989
6
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (LARGE UNITS - 100 SQUARE METRES AND OVER)
(NO. OF UNITS)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1986 2,550 1,800 3,300 6.6
1987 2,000 2,650 2,300 4.5
1988 3,150 1,700 3,450 6.3
1989 [3.350J
OFFICES (ALL SECTORS)
( *000 SQUARE METRES)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1986 46 256 266 6.0
1987 247 269 241 5.5
1988 247 354 124 2.7
1989 [282|
OFFICES (SECTORAL ANALYSIS)
( ’000 SQUARE METRES)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
SECTOR I
CENTRAL, GRADE A OFFICES
1986 7 1987 70 1988 88 1989 176) 60 38 156 40 73 5 4.4 8.4 0.5
/SECTOR II .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY \ 1989
SECTOR II
SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI, CAUSEWAY BAY & TSIM SHA TSUI, GRADE
OFFICES AND CENTRAL, GRADE B OFFICES
1986 9 82 37 2.9
1987 102 74 65 4.6
1988 128 107 79 5.2
1989 180]
SECTOR III
REMAINDER
1986 30 114 189 8.6
1987 75 157 103 4.8
1988 31 91 40 1 . 8
1989 (126]
COMMERCIAL
( *000 SQUARE METRES)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1986 174 213 466 7.8
1987 284 358 368 5.4
1988 238 174 381 5.5
1989 1205]
FLATTED FACTORIES
( '000 SQUARE METRES)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1986 611 787 516 3.8
1987 541 804 247 1.7
1988 1,138 588 736 4.7
1989 1763]
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/8........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
- 8 -
STRONG ACTION TO STOP MALPRACTICES IN FISH MARKET *****
STRINGENT MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM THE THIRD WEEK OF THIS MONTH IN THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION’S ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET - THE LARGEST OF THE SEVEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS IN HONG KONG - WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING ITS MARKETING ORDER.
THESE MEASURES WILL TAKE THE FORM OF RESTRICTING ENTRY TO THE SORTING FLOOR, RESTRICTING THE USE OF HAND HOOKS IN THE MARKET AND ALSO PROHIBITING THE MARKING OF FISH BEFORE SALE.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT CONTROL MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO).
CLOSURE OF THE SORTING FLOOR TO FISH BUYERS WAS IMPLEMENTED IN JULY LAST YEAR IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS.
FROM FEBRUARY 13, FISH BUYERS IN THE ABERDEEN FISH MARKET WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ENTRY TO THE MARKET’S SORTING FLOOR WHERE FISH IS LANDED AND SORTED.
ACCESS TO THIS AREA WILL, FROM THE SAME DATE, BE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO FISHERMEN, THEIR AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES, ALL OF WHOM WILL BE ISSUED WITH A PERMIT.
THE SENIOR FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR PHILIP CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE STRINGENT MEASURES WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED JOINTLY WITH THE POLICE AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN PURSUANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP ON GANGS.
HE SAID THAT THESE MEASURES WERE DESIGNED TO ROOT OUT VARIOUS MALPRACTICES DISCOVERED IN THE MARKET INCLUDING THE INFILTRATION OF TRIAD MEMBERS ONTO THE SORTING FLOOR, RESULTING IN GOOD QUALITY FISH BEING PRE-SELECTED, MARKED AND MANIPULATED THROUGH THE SALES PROCESS.
"THESE MALPRACTICES HAVE MADE IT VERY UNFAIR TO THE MAJORITY OF FISH BUYERS WHO ARE IN FACT BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN A FAIR AUCTION OF THE FISH.
"IN VIEW OF THIS AND SINCE ALL FISH BUYERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE FISH FROM THE AUCTION FLOOR, WE HAVE DECIDED TO PROHIBIT BUYERS FROM ENTERING THE SORTING FLOOR," MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THAT TO DATE, THE FMO HAD RECEIVED 188 APPLICATIONS FOR SORTING FLOOR PERMITS FROM FISHERMEN, THEIR AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES. OF THE TOTAL, 162 HAD BEEN APPROVED.
/THE SUCCESSFUL .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY AND THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN REQUESTED TO COLLECT THEIR PERMITS FROM THE MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF THE ABERDEEN MARKET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID THAT MANY FISH BUYERS WERE FOUND CARRYING VARIOUS TYPES OF HAND HOOKS IN THE MARKET AND THESE WOULD BE BANNED AS FROM THE SAME DATE BECAUSE OF THEIR POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THE MARKET USERS.
"IN SEVERAL INCIDENTS, THIS TOOL WAS USED AS A WEAPON BY UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS TO THREATEN LEGITIMATE FISH BUYERS," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT WITH BOTH BUYERS AND FISHERMEN AND THEY HAVE EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT FOR THESE MEASURES.
THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET’S DAILY THROUGHPUT IS ABOUT 75 TONNES, CATERING MAINLY FOR THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
_ _ _ _ o -----------
TSUEN WAN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL FEASIBILITY STUDY t * » * »
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CONSULTANT FIRM TO CARRY OUT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE INTRODUCTION OF AN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SYSTEM IN TSUEN WAN.
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WILL BE CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING OVER 100 TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI AND WILL INCLUDE AN ASSOCIATED CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.
MR SO SAID THAT THE ATC SYSTEM KOWLOON HAS BEEN PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN REGULATING 1RAFFJC IN THE MAIN ROADS AND BUSY JUNCTIONS.
THE SECOND ATC SYSTEM INSTALLED nN THE NORTHERN SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND IS NEARING CONI': ETION AL’D IS UNDERGOING TESTING. IT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED LATER THIS ia,R.
THE TRANSPORT DEPAI'I MELT BEL. EMS THAT THE INCREASING TRAFFIC IN THE TSUEN WAN AREAS CAN BE BETTE R I. EMULATED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMPUTERISED ATC SYSTEM, ME SO SAID.
IF IMPLEMENTED, THE PR'HOSEU S'. STEM WILL BE THE FIRST ATC SYSTEM INSTALLED IN A NEV. T< \ .
/THE NINE-MONTH .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
10
THE NINE-MONTH FEASIBILITY STUDY, WHICH HAS JUST STARTED, WILL LOOK INTO VARIOUS SYSTEMS AND WILL INCLUDE TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF ATC STRATEGY, SYSTEM REQUIREMENT, DESIGN, SPECIFICATION AND CONTRACT IMPLEMENTATION.
IT WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL REQUIREMENTS OF TSUEN WAN AS WELL AS THE GENERAL ATC DEVELOPMENT IN A TERRITORY-WIDE CONTEXT.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE STUDY WAS SIGNED BY MR SO AND MR JOSEPH LAM, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE CONSULTANT FIRM, DELCAN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
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TAI PO READY FOR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES *****
A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (THURSDAY) EVENING TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME.
THE SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM. A LUNAR NEW YEAR FLOWER FAIR WILL ALSO BE OPEN IN THE PLAYGROUND AT AROUND THAT TIME.
THE SHOW, ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL’S LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME COMMITTEE, WILL FEATURE SINGING AND A LION DANCE.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A SERIES OF ENTERTAINING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDED AS PART OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL.
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS TO BE STAGED IN TAI PO MARKET, GALA EVENTS TO BE HELD IN LAM TSUEN, TAI HANG AND LUEN YICK FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE, AND PERFORMANCES BY THE FRINGE CLUB IN TAI YUEN, KWONG FUK AND FU SHIN ESTATES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT’S LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME STARTING AT 8 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN TAI PO PLAYGROUND, HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO MARKET.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
11
ONE CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS FROM MC ELECTIONS ♦ t ♦ * *
ONE CANDIDATE HAD WITHDRAWN HIS NOMINATION FOR THE FORTHCOMING MUNICIPA COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 9 WHEN THE DEADLINE FOR WITHDRAWAL PASSED AT 5 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE IS MR BOTON LI YAU-WAI OF SHAM SHUI PO EAST CONSTITUENCY.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS NOW STANDS AT 53 — 30 CANDIDATES IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES AND 23 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES.
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KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE FOR BOAT PEOPLE
t * * » ♦
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CONDUCTED A SPECIAL PUBLICITY EXERCISE IN ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO MAKE BOAT PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO FIGHT POLLUTION AND TO KEEP THE WATERS CLEAN.
THE EXERCISE WAS ORGANISED BY THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S PROGRAMME IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN. LT INCLUDED A “CLEAN FORESHORE EXERCISE" AND A REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE.
IN THE "CLEAN FORESHORE EXERCISE", MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE JOINED FORCES WITH STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN CLEARING FLOATING GARBAGE GATHERED ALONG THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT.
VOLUNTEERS FROM THE FISHING COMMUNITY ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE OPERATION.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN YAU-YUE, SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT, THROUGH THESE CLEAN-UP EFFORTS, THE BOAT PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY WOULD REALISE THAT THE FLOATING GARBAGE WAS NOT ONLY AN EYESORE BUT WOULD ALSO MAR THE TYPHOON SHELTER’S REPUTATION AS A TOURIST SPOT.
"THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM DEPENDS MUCH ON THE CO-OPERATION OF THE BOAT PEOPLE THERE IN NOT LITTERING THE WATERS," HE ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE THEN TOURED THE TYPHOON SHELTER IN SAMPANS TO DISTRIBUTE GARBAGE BAGS TO FISHING VESSELS AND DWELLING BOATS TO ENCOURAGE BOAT PEOPLE TO DISPOSE OF THEIR GARBAGE PROPERLY.
/APART FROM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
12
APART FROM DISTRIBUTING FREE GARBAGE BAGS, THE REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE ALSO INCLUDES A DAILY COLLECTION OF GARBAGE FROM VESSELS BY A CONTRACTOR HIRED BY THE COMMITTEE.
A TOTAL OF 8,000 GARBAGE BAGS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AND THE COLLECTION SERVICE WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 4.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PERIOD OF THE COLLECTION SERVICE WAS DESIGNATED TO COINCIDE WITH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHEN FISHING VESSELS WOULD BE RETURNING TO THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
MEANWHILE, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE STEPPING UP SECURITY MEASURES IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MARINE POLICE AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL JOIN HANDS IN MAINTAINING REGULAR PATROL OF THE HARBOUR TO ENSURE THAT THE FAIRWAYS AND FIRE LANES ARE CLEAR.
THE PATROL VESSELS WILL ALSO BROADCAST FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL SEND A LETTER WITH A SKETCH MAP TO THE BOAT PEOPLE ADVISING THEM ON WHERE THEIR BOATS SHOULD BE MOORED, AND ON OTHER SECURITY MEASURES.
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SHAM SHUI PO DB TO DISCUSS STANDING ORDERS ♦ * * *
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BOARD’S STANDING ORDERS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS WHETHER A NEW SECTION ON "THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE URBAN/REGIONAL COUNCIL", PROPOSED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE STANDING ORDERS.
ANOTHER ITEM FOR MEMBERS* CONSIDERATION WILL BE THE PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR BOARD MEETINGS IN 1989-90.
THE MEETING WILL THEN HEAR REPORTS FROM THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD’S FOUR COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL. BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
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LOITERING YOUTHS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * * * * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THE PROBLEM OF YOUNGSTERS LOITERING IN HOUSING ESTATES.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, THE REV FUNG CHI-WOOD, WILL ASK WHETHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS AND THE POLICE ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION OF GROUPS OF YOUNGSTERS LOITERING IN SHA TIN HOUSING ESTATES AT NIGHT.
HE WILL ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY MEASURES OR ACTION TAKEN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS SUBMITTED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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CUSTOMS OFFICERS INSPECT LIQUOR STORES
*****
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A TWO-DAY OPERATION FOR THE DETECTION OF ADULTERATED LIQUORS AS WELL AS LIQUOR AND CIGARETTES ON WHICH DUTY HAD NOT BEEN PAID.
THE OPERATION STARTED YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) AND INVOLVED 100 OFFICERS FROM REGIONAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS AND THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU.
THEY INSPECTED A TOTAL OF 187 LIQUOR STORES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY BUT HAD DETECTED NO ADULTERATED LIQUORS NOR GOODS WITH DUTY NOT PAID.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC NOT TO PURCHASE LIQUORS AT RELATIVELY CHEAP PRICES BECAUSE THEY MIGHT CONTAIN THE WRONG INGREDIENTS AND WOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH.
/AT THE ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
14
AT THE SAME TIME, SHOP OWNERS SHOULD PURCHASE LIQUORS AND CIGARETTES FROM REPUTABLE LICENSED DEALERS AND NOT FROM ILLEGITIMATE SOURCES.
THE DEPARTMENT MOUNTED TWO SIMILAR OPERATIONS IN MAY AND BEFORE CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR.
IN THE FIRST OPERATION, A MANUFACTURING CENTRE OF ADULTERATED LIQUORS WAS NEUTRALISED AND 281 BOTTLES OF ADULTERATED LIQUORS WITH A VALUE OF $35,000 WERE SEIZED.
IN THE SECOND OPERATION, A TOTAL OF 346 BOTTLES OF ADULTERATED LIQUORS WORTH $46,500 WERE SEIZED.
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DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
* * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF PENGKALEN FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN SHA TIN * t * *
A REFUSE COLLECTION POLL'S IS TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN, OPPOSITE THE HOTEL RIVERSIDE PLAZA.
WORK ON THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING, WHICH WILL OCCUPY A 112-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN AREA 5B SHA LN, WILL START IN MID-MARCH AND TAKE SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
IT WILL BE MANAGED Tli) REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, NOW BEING INVITED B’l THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT M ST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 17.
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WEDENSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989
URBAN CLEARWAY IN CHATER ROAD » * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3), THE SOUTHERN KERSIDE LANE OF CHATER ROAD BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND JACKSON ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN TAI PO * » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 4), ROAD L8/1 IN TAI PO AREA 8 FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TING KOK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 160 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGFRS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SEAT BELT LEGISLATION TO BE EXTENDED ........................ 1
EXCO APPROVES INCREASE IN FIXED PENALTY FINES ............... 2
GOVT TO SEEK VIEWS ON RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT......... 3
SWAC RECOMMENDS EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS SCHEME 5
GOVERNOR PAYS ANOTHER VISIT TO POLICE FORMATIONS ............ 7
CONSUMER SHOULD PROTECT HIS OWN RIGHTS ...................... 8
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT ................... 9
HOLIDAY RUSH ,.T HONG KONG AIRPORT .......................... 10
FIREM;\N COMMENDED FOR EXEMPLARY CONDUCT .................... 11
BOE MEMBERS VISIT SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE ......... 12
L.BOUR LEGISLATION ENHANCES WORKFORCE PRODUCTIVITY........... 1?
ENROIMxHT FOR THREE TOURISM COURSES BEGINS .................. 14
LlI-SEE PRESENTED TO AGED BLIND PEOPLE ...................... 15
SWITCHING-ON OF FESTIVE LIGHTS IN VICTORIA PARK ............. 16
KWUN TONG LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING SWITCHING-ON TOMORROW .... 16
FREE TICKETS FOR VARIETY SHOW IN TAI PO MARKET .............. 17
EXTENDED TRANSPORT ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE................... 18
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YELR FAIRS IN KOWLOON, NT ................................................ 20
WONG TAI SIN TfNPORkRY ROaD CLOSURES ........................ 22
NEW MjlP GUIDE ON LAND UTILISATION .......................... 22
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICWIL .HID DANCERS ...................... 23
'FLEXI' SCHOOL FOR JUNK BAY ................................. 24
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSING YI BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS . 24
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 1 -
SEAT BELT LEGISLATION TO BE EXTENDED ****** *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS TO EXTEND THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS TO TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.
ALL TAXIS MANUFACTURED ON OF AFTER JANUARY 1, 1981 AND ALL LIGHT BUSES MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984 ARE ALREADY REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BELTS.
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (SAFETY EQUIPMENT) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989, THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS IN SUCH TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1989.
THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE ALL GOODS VEHICLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1990 TO BE FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BELTS. THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS IN GOODS VEHICLES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ALSO ON JANUARY 1, 1990.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE DATE FOR THE COMPULSORY FITTING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS IN GOODS VEHICLES COULD NOT BE EARLIER BECAUSE THE HAULAGE TRADE NEEDED TO GIVE SUFFICIENT NOTICE TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE TO REQUIRE THE FITTING OF SEAT BELTS IN EXISTING GOODS VEHICLES BECAUSE THE MAJORITY LACKED SUITABLE ANCHORAGE POINTS. GOODS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1989 WOULD THEREFORE BE EXEMPTED FROM THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE SAFETY BENEFITS PROVIDED BY SEAT BELTS TO PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS AND THEREFORE HAD DECIDED TO ADVANCE THE DATE FOR COMPULSORY WEARING TO THE SAME DATE AS FOR COMPULSORY FITTING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE VICARIOUS LIABILILTY OF THE DRIVERS OF TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES TO THEIR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF 15.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989 ALLOW A DRIVER OF A TAXI OR A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TO REFUSE HIRE OR DRIVE ON WHEN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER HAS NOT FASTENED ROAD SEAT BELT.
UNDER THE SAME REGULATIONS, OWNERS OF TAXIS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY IN THEIR VEHICLES A NOTICE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE TO REMIND PASSENGERS IN THE SPECIFIED SEATS TO WEAR SEAT BELTS. SUCH NOTICE IN TAXIS SHOULD ALSO BE IN JAPANESE.
THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) REGULATIONS WILL BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE NEW REQUIREMENTS. A RESOLUTION THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE MOVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 22.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
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EXCO APPROVES INCREASE IN FIXED PENALTY FINES
*******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE AN INCREASE IN FIXED PENALTY FINES FOR PARKING OFFENCES AND MOST MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES, EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BEING GIVEN BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE FIXED PENALTY FOR PARKING OFFENCES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $140 TO $200.
THE FIXED PENALTY LEVELS FOR MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES WILL BE RAISED FROM $140 TO $200 AND FROM $200 TO $280.
HOWEVER, THE ABOVE INCREASES WILL NOT APPLY TO TWO SPECIFIC MOVING OFFENCES -- OVERLOADING AND COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS.
THE FIXED PENALTY FOR AN OVERLOADING OFFENCE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $200 TO $450.
THE FIXED PENALTY FOR DRIVING PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES IN WHICH THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER HAS FAILED TO FASTEN A SEAT BELT WILL BE $140.
ON THE GENERAL RISE IN FIXED PENALTY FINES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY TO RESTORE THE DETERRENT VALUE TO THE FINES AND TO CONTAIN THE UPWARD TREND IN THE ISSUE OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS.
THE NUMBER OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS ISSUED FOR OVERLOADING OFFENCES HAD RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY, FROM 1,644 IN 1985 TO 26,796 LAST YEAR.
A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PENALTY WAS THEREFORE PROPOSED FOR THE OVERLOADING OFFENCE BECAUSE IT HAD SERIOUS ROAD SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND CAUSED MUCH DAMAGE TO ROADS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REGARDING THE OFFENCE OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED WITH A SEAT BELT, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD ADVISED THAT THE FIXED PENALTY SHOULD BE LOWER THAN THAT OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER HIMSELF WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED WITH A SEAT BELT.
THIS WAS BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND NOT THE DRIVER WHO WAS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFENCE.
AS SUCH, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD GIVEN ITS ENDORSEMENT TO THE FIXED PENALTY BEING $140 INSTEAD OF $200.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ACCORDING TO POLICE RECORDS, THE NUMBER OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS ISSUED FOR PARKING OFFENCES HAD FALLEN STEADILY FOR THREE YEARS SINCE THE FIXED PENALTY WAS RAISED FROM $70 TO $140 IN 1983.
/THE NUMBER.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
• 3
THE NUMBER BEGAN TO RISE IN 1987 AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED LAST YEAR FOR SUCH OFFENCES WAS 835,611, AN INCREASE OF 13.9 PER CENT OVER THAT FOR 1987.
REGARDING MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE FIXED PENALTY LEVELS HAD REMAINED AT $140 AND $200 SINCE AUGUST 1984 AND JULY 1980 RESPECTIVELY.
THE NUMBER OF MOVING OFFENCES BEGAN TO SHOW A RISING TREND IN 1985, AS INDICATED BY THE NUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED LAST YEAR FOR SUCH OFFENCES WAS 482,348, AN INCREASE OF 11.5 PER CENT OVER 1987.
AN INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF FIXED PENALTY FINES WAS THEREFORE REQUIRED TO RESTORE THEIR DETERRENT VALUE AND TO CONTAIN SITUATION, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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GOVT TO SEEK VIEWS ON RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT
*****
PROPOSALS BY THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR CONSULTATION IN APRIL, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LIAO SAID THESE PROPOSALS WOULD COVER A VERY WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS SUCH AS LAND USE PLANNING AND CONTROL, VILLAGE EXPANSION, RURAL UPGRADING AND AGRICULTURE.
ONE OF THE MAIN PROPOSALS WOULD BE A CO-ORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS ACCESS ROADS, DRAINAGE, SEWERAGE, FLOOD CONTROL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES, HE ADDED.
MR LIAO EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH A GOOD DEAL WAS BEING DONE IN RURAL AREAS, THERE WAS A NEED TO DO MUCH MORE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT THERE.
"THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS) IS THEREFORE BEING DRAWN UP TO PROVIDE A CO-ORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWNS," HE SAID.
"THE HEUNG YEE KUK, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE RPIS PROPOSALS."
/TOGETHER WITH
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
4
TOGETHER WITH OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, HEUNG YEE KUK LEADERS, REGIONAL COUNCILLORS AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN, MR LIAO TODAY TOURED THE NORTH DISTRICT AND TAI PO TO SEE THE CURRENT IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THERE.
THE GROUP INCLUDED 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 DAVID HO YUNG-SANG.
AFTER ATTENDING A TALK AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE OVERALL RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND PLANS IN THE NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES, THE GROUP WENT TO A SITE IN SHEK WU HUI WHERE WORKS ON A $20 MILLION FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME ARE BEING CARRIED OUT.
THE VISITORS LEARNT THAT THE FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE EXISTING SHEUNG SHUI VILLAGE BECAUSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VILLAGE EXPANSION AREA WHICH WOULD BE FORMED ABOVE THE NORMAL FLOOD LEVEL. ALSO, SHEUNG SHUI VILLAGE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO INUNDATION WHEN THE RIVER INDUS AND ITS TRIBUTARIES OVERFLOW.
THE SCHEME INCLUDES THE FORMATION OF A PROTECTIVE BUND SEPARATING SHEUNG SHUI VILLAGE FROM THE RIVER INDUS FLOOD PLAIN, A FLOOD STORAGE POND AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AUTOMATIC STORM WATER PUMPING STATION.
DURING THE DAY, THE GROUP LOOKED AT TWO COMPLETED URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT (UFI) PROJECTS — A RECONSTRUCTED VAN TRACK AT TSUNG PAK LONG VILLAGE PROVIDING IMPROVED ACCESS FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD VIA AN EXISTING SERVICE ROAD TO THE VILLAGE AND THE BAILEY BRIDGE AT KAU LUNG HANG WHICH WAS FIRST CONSTRUCTED IN 1967 BY THE ARMY.
THE GROUP NOTED THAT CONSEQUENT TO URBANISATION IN AREAS SURROUNDING THE NEW TOWNS, THE UFI PROGRAMME WAS INTRODUCED TO RATIONALISE AND EXTEND EXISTING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES TO RAISE LIVING STANDARDS IN SUCH AREAS.
THE GROUP ALSO VISITED A PLAYGROUND IN NAM WAH PO VILLAGE IN TAI PO WHICH WAS UPGRADED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WORKS SECTION UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS (LPW) PROGRAMME AND WAS HANDED OVER TO THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE.
THE LPW SCHEME WAS INITIATED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1919 WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING BASIC FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL AREAS AND VILLAGES.
AT THE TIME, THE SCHEME WAS BASICALLY A SELF-HELP PROGRAMME WHEREBY MATERIALS WERE SUPPLIED TO VILLAGERS FOR THEM TO UNDERTAKE MINOR CONSTRUCTION WORK.
AT PRESENT, A WORKS SECTION HAS BEEN SET UP IN EACH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLANNING, COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LPW PROJECTS.
/ON THE.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY,2, 1989
5
ON THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE GROUP VIEWED THE FANLING TOWN PARK UNDER CONSTRUCTION FROM A NEARBY BUILDING AT TIN PING ESTATE AND VISITED SHUI WAI IN TAI PO WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS THERE.
WORK ON THE FANLING TOWN PARK, LOCATED BETWEEN SHEK WU HUI AND LUEN WO HUI, WHICH STARTED IN OCTOBER 1987, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE PARK WILL PROVIDE THE WIDEST RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE RAPIDLY INCREASING POPULATION OF NORTH DISTRICT.
FOR THE GROWING POPULATION IN TAI PO, THE DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AT SHUI WAI WILL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING RIVER-WIDE WALKS, A JOGGING TRAIL, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS AND LANDSCAPED AND SITTING OUT AREAS.
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SWAC RECOMMENDS EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS SCHEME
♦ »*»«*
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC>, AT ITS MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, RECOMMENDED THAT THE TWO-YEAR OLD COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS (CSO’S) PILOT SCHEME SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO ALL MAGISTRATE COURTS IN STAGES SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
THE SWAC, CHAIRED BY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS ROSANNA TAM, DISCUSSED A REPORT ON THE CSO’S PREPARED BY THE SOCIAL 'WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS GENERALLY FELT THAT THE EXPERIENCES GAINED IN THE PILOT SCHEME HAD INDICATED THAT IT WAS SUITABLE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.
IT HAD BEEN TAKEN AS A NEW SENTENCING OPTION, SERVED THE DUAL PURPOSE OF BEING BOTH PUNITIVE AND REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS, PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN REHABILITATING OFFENDERS, AND VIABLE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN HONG KONG.
MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT STAGE ONE EXPANSION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR, FOLLOWED BY STAGE TWO IN 1990-91. FAILING THAT, THE SCHEME SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO ALL MAGISTRATE COURTS IN 1990-91.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN OPERATING SMOOTHLY AND STEADILY SINCE ITS ENFORCEMENT. BY SEPTEMBER 30 LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 273 COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS HAD BEEN MADE. THE MAJORITY OF THE OFFENDERS I" ACI D UNDER THE ORDERS HAD BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS.
/DURING THE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS OFFICE HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 604 REFERRALS FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE OFFENDERS’ SUITABILITY FOR CSO'S. OF THESE, 496 (82 PER CENT)
FROM MAGISTRATE COURTS AND THE REST WERE RECOMMENDED BY PROBATION OFFICERS OR THE YOUNG OFFENDERS ASSESSMENT PANEL.
THE NUMBER OF HOURS ORDERED VARIED FROM 32 HOURS (TWO ORDERS) TO THE MAXIMUM OF 240 HOURS (14 ORDERS).
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS ORDERED FOR THE 273 ORDERS WAS 35,448 AMD THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS PER ORDER WAS 130 HOURS.
WORK PLACEMENTS WERE ARRANGED FOR OFFENDERS IN SEVEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND 17 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE ORGANISATIONS CURRENTLY PROVIDING WORK TO THE PILOT SCHEME HAD STATED THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING MORE WORK PLACEMENTS ON THE ACCOUNT OF SATISFACTORY EXPERIENCES WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS’ PERFORMANCE.
MEANWHILE, THE PILOT SCHEME HAD RECEIVED FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED. SEVEN ADDITIONAL OFFICES AND UNITS HAD REQUESTED COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS TO TAKE UP VOLUNTEER WORK IN THEIR PROGRAMMES.
COMMENTS FROM COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS ALSO SHOWED THAT THEY HAD GAINED A WIDE RANGE OF POSITIVE EXPERIENCES, WHILE SOME PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS SAID COMMUNITY SERVICE HAD CAUSED POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR OF COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS.
THE SWAC ALSO ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE TO ENABLE ALL VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES (LRV'S), IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE ACCIDENT HAD TAKEN PLACE ON THE INTEGRATED OR THE SEGREGATED SECTION OF THE TRACK, TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO SUPPORTED THAT ANY PERSON WHO HAD BREN INJURED IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING AN LRV AT ANY TIME SINCE THE TRIAL RUN OF THE LRT SYSTEM BEGAN IN OCTOBER 1987, SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND.
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/7 ......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 7 -
GOVERNOR PAYS ANOTHER VISIT TO POLICE FORMATIONS
»»««»*
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID HIS SECOND VISIT TO POLICE FORMATIONS WITHIN TEN WEEKS. ON THIS OCCASION HE WAS BRIEFED BY HEADQUARTERS UNITS ON BOTH MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS.
HE FIRST VISITED THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BRANCH WHICH HAS DRAWN UP GOVERNMENT’S FIRST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY AS THE BLUEPRINT FOR SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT FOR FORCE USE IN THE COMING DECADE. THE COST OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE SYSTEMS IS LIKELY TO EXCEED $400 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SHOWN A PROTOTYPE OF THE CUSTOM-DESIGNED TERMINAL AND A MOCK-UP OF A CONSOLE WHICH WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW REGIONAL CONTROL ROOMS AS PART OF THE ENHANCED COMMAND AND CONTROL COMPUTER SYSTEM PROJECT.
HE WAS THEN GIVEN A DEMONSTRATION OF THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND SHOWN ITS ABILITY TO PERFORM HIGH SPEED SEARCHING AND TO POSE COMPLEX QUESTIONS, THUS ENSURING THAT ALL INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON A PARTICULAR SUBJECT IS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE USER.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED THE COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE BRANCH IS CURRENTLY HANDLING SOME 150 PROJECTS TOTALLING $406 MILLION. THE LARGEST OF THESE IS THE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WHICH IS BEING INTRODUCED ON A PROGRESSIVE BASIS AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1992.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDING THE SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS FOR TWO NEW COMMAND LAUNCHES WHICH ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF EACH VESSEL. ANOTHER ACQUISITION FOR THESE COMMAND LAUNCHES IS NIGHT VISION AND THERMAL IMAGERY WHICH LITERALLY ENABLES CREWS TO +SEE IN THE DARK+.
THE GOVERNOR’S FINAL VISIT WAS TO THE NARCOTICS BUREAU. HERE HE WAS TOLD THAT 1988 HAD BEEN A PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR THE BUREAU WITH A NUMBER OF RECORDS BROKEN BOTH IN SEIZURES AND IN THE NEUTRALISING OF MANUFACTURING PLANTS.
THE BUREAU INTENDED TO CAPITALIZE ON THE POSITIVE RESULTS ALREADY ACHIEVED BY CONTINUING TO FOCUS ITS EFFORTS ON WELL ORGANISED GROUPS SPECIALISING IN THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, LOCAL DISTRIBUTION AND RE-EXPORT OF ILLICIT DRUGS ON A SIGNIFICANT SCALE.
/THE! WOULD .......
THURSDAT, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
8
THEY WOULD ALSO BUILD ON THE CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS ALREADY DEVELOPED WITH A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS AND NEIGHBOURING ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, IN PARTICULAR CHINA WHICH, WITH ITS MORE LIBERALISED +OPEN DOOR+ POLICY, HAD NOW EMERGED AS A SIGNIFICANT OVERLAND ROUTE FOR TRAFFICKING. LAST YEAR THESE INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF HIGH GRADE HEROIN BEING SEIZED IN THE UNITED STATES, THAILAND, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE.
IN RELATION TO PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION AIMED AT SEQUESTERING THE ASSETS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS, SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT TRAINING COURSES HAD ALREADY BEEN HELD IN HONG KONG FOLLOWING STUDIES OF SIMILAR SYSTEMS OPERATING IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
- - - 0 ---------
CONSUMER SHOULD PROTECT HIS OWN RIGHTS
*****
THE CONSUMER HIMSELF HAS THE MOST CRITICAL ROLE TO PLAY IN PROTECTING HIS OWN RIGHTS, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS CLARIE LO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON, MRS LO SAID THE GOVERNMENT, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, TOGETHER WITH THE CONSUMER HIMSELF, SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION.
SHE EMPHASISED THAT THE CONSUMER HAD A DUTY TO HIMSELF TO BE CAREFUL AND CAUTIOUS IN MAKING PURCHASES.
"HE SHOULD ARM HIMSELF WITH THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUBJECT THAT IS AVAILABLE," SHE SAID.
MRS LO AGREED THAT THE AVERAGE MAN IN THE STREET IN REALITY FACED A DIFFICULT TASK IN TRYING TO ESTABLISH WHAT THE LAW IS, WHAT HIS RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS ARE, AND HOW TO EXERCISE THEM SHOULD HE BE DISSATISFIED.
"EVEN FOR THE WELL-INFORMED, AND WELL-EDUCATED, TIME AND PRESSURE OF WORK DO NOT OFTEN ALLOW US THE LUXURY OF REDRESSING ALL OUR WRONGS," SHE SAID.
TO THIS END, MRS LO SAID SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT LEGISLATION DID NOT PROVIDE THE WHOLE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.
SHE BELIEVED THAT THE BEST SOLUTION LAY IN A SYMPATHETIC GOVERNMENT THAT ENACTED WELL-CONSIDERED LEGISLATION, CONTINUATION OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME, AND GREATER AWARENESS AND DILIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE CONSUMER.
/THERE IS .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
9
"THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE TO DO TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMERS HAVE READY ACCESS TO INFORMATION," SHE SAID.
"I THINK THE THRUST OF MUCH FUTURE CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION WILL CONCENTRATE ON LABELLING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS.
"THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION, AND EDUCATION ON HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND INTERPRET THAT INFORMATION, WE BELIEVE, SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT UNNECESSARILY INTERFERING WITH THE MARKET PLACE."
MRS LO SAID A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ARE IN THE PIPELINE.
THESE INCLUDE PROPOSALS ON TOY SAFETY, CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES, CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY, AND SHE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS LATER THIS YEAR.
EARLIER IN HER SPEECH, MRS LO EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S BASIC POLICY ON CONSUMER PROTECTION HAD BEEN TO INTRODUCE NEW MEASURES, BY LEGISLATION OR BY ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS, WHENEVER IT CONSIDERED A COMPELLING NEED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HAD ARISEN.
ELABORATING ON HOW A DECISION WAS REACHED, SHE SAID THE AUTHORITIES FIRST NEEDED TO BE CONVINCED THAT A REAL PROBLEM EXISTED AND THAT IT AFFECTED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CONSUMERS.
"SECOND, WE MUST ESTABLISH WHETHER THE PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED BY SOME OTHER MEANS," SHE SAID.
"THIRD, WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH TO OUR SATISFACTION THAT THE PROPOSED NEW MEASURE WOULD ACTUALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND WOULD NOT CREATE ANY OTHER NEW PROBLEMS.
"LASTLY, WE MUST BE SURE THAT THE NEW MEASURES ARE ENFORCEABLE IN PRACTICE, AND THAT THE COST OF ENFORCEMENT WOULD NOT OUTWEIGH THE BENEFITS GAINED."
-------0 - -
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT
* * » » «
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY VISITED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO GAIN SOME FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING.
HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR PANG YUK-LING, WHO BRIEFED SIR DAVID ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S AMBITIOUS PLAN TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR THE NEEDY BY THE YEAR 2001.
/SIR DAVIB .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 10 -
SIR DAVID WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD CONSTRUCT ABOUT 60 000 RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, A RECORD IN THE AUTHORITY’S HISTORY, DESPITE THE PROBLEM OF LABOUR SHORTAGE.
HE ALSO HEARD THAT THE AUTHORITY WAS MAKING SOME REAL PROGRESS IN SQUATTER CLEARANCES. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, MR PANG TOLD SIR DAVID, A TOTAL OF 32 000 SQUATTERS IN THE TWO LARGEST REMAINING URBAN SQUATTER AREAS AT SHAU KEI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEARED.
SIR DAVID WAS THEN BRIEFED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S FOUR DEPUTY DIRECTORS ON PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES; THE AUTHORITY’S CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMINISTRATION.
HE LATER LEFT FOR LOK FU ESTATE IN WANG TAU HOM TO SEE SOME MOCK-UP FLATS FOR THE AUTHORITY’S NEWLY-DESIGNED HARMONY BLOCKS.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CONSTRUCTION), MR DEREK MESSLING, TOLD SIR DAVID THAT THE NEW DESIGN WOULD ENCOURAGE GREATER MECHANISATION AND OFF-SITE FABRICATION OF COMPONENTS TO FURTHER THE AUTHORITY’S GOALS OF BETTER QUALITY AND REDUCED RELIANCE ON SITE LABOUR.
THE FIRST BATCH OF THESE MORE SPACIOUS AND BETTER EQUIPPED FLATS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN WANG TAU HOM IN 1991, MR MESSLING ADDED.
0------
HOLIDAY RUSH AT HONG KONG AIRPORT *****
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED AIR TRAVELLERS BOUND FOR KUNMING, GUILIN AND HAIKOU TO CHECK IN THROUGH THE SPECIAL CHECK-IN FACILITY PROVIDED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY PERIOD.
THE FACILITY IS AT THE WESTERN END OF THE DEPARTURES HALL OF THE AIRPORT PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AND WILL BE IN OPERATION FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) UNTIL NEXT THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 9).
A LARGE NUMBER OF DEPARTING PASSENGERS IS EXPECTED OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD. THE NUMBER WILL INCREASE TO A PEAK ON NEW YEAR’S DAY (FEBRUARY 6).
THE CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA WILL BE OPERATING ABOUT 350 ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS WHILE OTHER AIRLINES WILL ADD ALMOST 250 EXTRA FLIGHTS TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS ABROAD IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS MONTH.
/ON NEW
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 11 -
ON NEW YEAR’S DAY OVER 30,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO DEPART ON 153 FLIGHTS.
DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD, DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT PROMINENT POINTS OF THE DEPARTURES HALL TO INFORM PASSENGERS OF THEIR FLIGHT NUMBERS AND CHECK-IN COUNTERS.
"WITH THE OPENING OF THE STAGE V EXTENSION AND THE TIMELY COMPLETION OF ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION DESKS BEFORE THE HOLIDAY, WE HOPE TO SEE A SMOOTHER FLOW OF PASSENGERS AND BAGGAGE MOVEMENTS IN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL THIS YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"HOWEVER, WE STILL LOOK TO PASSENGERS FOR CO-OPERATION TO HELP EASE CONGESTION AT THE AIRPORT," HE CONTINUED.
HE ALSO URGED AIR TRAVELLERS TO OBSERVE A FEW POINTS WHEN DEPARTING FROM THE AIRPORT.
"PASSENGERS SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY, AT LEAST TWO HOURS AHEAD OF FLIGHT DEPARTURE, AND CHECK IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
"WHERE POSSIBLE THEY SHOULD USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT INSTEAD OF PRIVATE CARS.
"ON ARRIVAL THEY SHOULD LOOK FOR SIGNS AND DISPLAY PANELS WHICH INDICATE THEIR FLIGHT NUMBERS AND RELEVANT PROCESSING COUNTERS.
"PASSENGERS SHOULD ALSO PERSUADE THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVE NOT TO SEE THEM OFF AT THE AIRPORT."
-----0------
FIREMAN COMMENDED FOR EXEMPLARY CONDUCT » ♦ » t *
A SENIOR FIREMAN WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) COMMENDED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY CONDUCT IN RESCUING A SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL TRAPPED UNDERNEATH A TRAM CAR EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHILE HE WAS OFF-DUTY.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF HONG KONG COMMAND, MR TAM YUK-FAN, PRESENTED HIS COMMENDATION TO SENIOR FIREMAN WONG KAT-LAM, WHO IS ATTACHED TO THE MARINE AND OUTLYING ISLANDS DIVISION.
ON JANUARY 11, MR WONG AND HIS WIFE WERE WALKING ALONG KING'S ROAD IN NORTH POINT WHEN THEY HEARD THAT THERE WAS A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT NEARBY INVOLVING A TRAM CAR.
HE RUSHED TO THE SCENE AND DISCOVERED A GIRL WAS TRAPPED UNDERNEATH A TRAM CAR.
/MR WONG
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 12 -
MR WONG MADE FULL USE OF A FIREMAN'S SKILLS AND USED TWO BORROWED JACKS TO LIFT UP THE TRAM CAR AND RESCUE THE GIRL.
THE LITTLE GIRL IS IN HOSPITAL RECOVERING FROM LEG INJURIES.
UPON INVESTIGATING THE CASE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS FOUND THAT THE GIRL’S FATHER HAD PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.
A DRIVE WAS THEN LAUNCHED AMONG STAFF OF THE MARINE AND OUTLYING ISLANDS DIVISION TO RAISE FUNDS TO HELP THE FAMILY.
A SUM OF $5,350 WAS COLLECTED AND GIVEN TO THE GIRL’S MOTHER AFTER TODAY’S PRESENTATION CEREMONY BY THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE DIVISION, MR DOONG HWA.
-----o------
BOE MEMBERS VISIT SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE
******
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PERTH STREET SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN TO TAKEACLOSELOOK AT THE RANGF OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED TO PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN.
THE PARTY COMPRISED THE CHAIRMAN, MRS RITA FAN, MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MISS SO YAN-LAP, MR TAM MAN-KWAN, THE REV J.G. FOLEY, MR ANDREW SO, MS SANSAN CHING, AND MR DOMINIC WONG.
THE VISITORS WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE TOUR BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MR LUCAS CHAN, AND THE BOE SECRETARY, MR P.K. CHIU.
THE BOE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE PERTH STREET SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE CAME INTO OPERATION IN 1975 BY MAKING USE OF UNDER-UTILISED GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL PREMISES.
THE CENTRE IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE INSTITUTIONS OF ITS KIND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, RANGING FROM ASSESSMENT TO TREATMENT, TO CHILDREN WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS.
IT IS ONE OF THE THREE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTRES RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THE OTHER TWO ARE LOCATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
IT ALSO OFFERS TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT COURSES TO TEACHERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
/THE VISITORS .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 19^9
15
THE VISITORS SAW HOW CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS ARISING FROM THEIR VISUAL, HEARING, SPEECH AND OTHER LEARNING PROBLEMS ARE ASSESSED AND TREATED AT THE CENTRE.
THEY ALSO INSPECTED VARIOUS SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE.
THESE INCLUDE REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT, SPEECH THERAPY, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, COUNSELLING FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS AND ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE AUDIOLOGICALLY IMPAIRED.
THE BOE MEMBERS ALSO WATCHED A RESOURCE TEACHING CLASS IN SESSION AND VISITED A LABORATORY, AN EXHIBITION OF RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR TEACHING MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AND A CURRICULUM WORKSHOP.
THEY ALSO SAW HOW EAR-MOULDS ARE PRODUCED.
------0-------
LABOUR LEGISLATION ENHANCES WORKFORCE PRODUCTIVITY
♦ » * ♦ ♦
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE OBJECTIVE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE GRADUAL IMPROVEMENTS IN LABOUR LEGISLATION SO AS TO PROVIDE THE WORKFORCE WITH REASONABLE BENEFITS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE CERTIFICATE COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND LABOUR LEGISLATION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MR HAMMOND EXPLAINED THAT SUCH IMPROVEMENTS MADE DONE AFTER THOROUGH CONSULTATION WITH EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES.
HE SAID THAT BEFORE A NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS PROPOSED, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAD ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN TO ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS.
“THE CONTINUED STRONG PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY HAS PROVED BEYOND DOUBT THAT OUR LABOUR LEGISLATION HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE WORKFORCE AND IN ACHIEVING THE INDUSTRIAL PEACE WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO ATTRACT MANY FOREIGN INVESTORS TO SET UP THEIR BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
ON THE GENERAL STATE OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, MR HAMMOND SAID IT REMAINED VERY GOOD DESPITE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE CURRENT LABOUR SHORTAGE AND THE REMOVAL OF SOME MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OUT OF THE TERRITORY.
/CITING STATISTICS .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
14
CITING STATISTICS, HE SAID ONLY 160 TRADE DISPUTES RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF 2,345 WORKING DAYS WERE REPORTED LAST YEAR.
AS LABOUR DISPUTES WERE COMMONLY CAUSED BY A BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION AND AN INADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATUTORY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD ORGANISED SEVERAL SEMINARS AND TRAINING COURSES TOGETHER WITH EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE UNIONS.
"WE HAVE ALSO ORGANISED A SERIES OF INDUSTRY-BASED SYMPOSIA AND EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF GUIDES AND PAMPHLETS ON THE PROVISIONS OF OUR LABOUR LEGISLATION," MR HAMMOND SAID.
"TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, ALSO ORGANISED >' LARGE-SCALE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY — LABOUR RELATIONS '88 — IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR."
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD DEVELOPED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S ROLE IN LABOUR RELATIONS.
-----0------
ENROLMENT FOR THREE * *
TOURISM COURSES BEGINS * * *
THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM TRAINING BOARD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG ^VE JOINTLY ORGANISED THREE UPGRADING COURSES TO MEET THE TRAINING DEMANDS FROM THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
A COURSE ON "EFFECTIVE SUPERVISORY SKILLS FOR TRAVEL AGENCY EXECUTIVES", RUNNING FROM FEBRUARY 21 TO MARCH 9, IS DESIGNED FOR EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERS IN TRAVEL AGENCIES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.
IT WILL EXAMINE A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS SUCH AS THE DUTIES, ROLE AND QUALIFICATION OF AN EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE, SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING. THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS FEBRUARY 14.
A TWO-DAY COURSE ON "EFFECTIVE SELLING SKILLS FOR TRAVEL AGENCY PERSONNEL" WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 2 AND 3 FOR TOURISM STAFF IN AGENCY SALES DEPARTMENTS.
/PARTICIPANT'S WILL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
15
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON HOW TO ASSESS CUSTOMER NEEDS, PRESENT PRODUCT BENEFITS, HANDLE CUSTOMER OBJECTIVES AND OFFER AFTERSALES SERVICES. APPLICATIONS FOR THIS COURSE SHOULD BE MADE ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 21.
ALSO A TWO-DAY COURSE, A "EFFECTIVE MARKETING MANAGEMENT SKILLS FOR TRAVEL AGENCY EXECUTIVES" WILL COVER TOPICS ON THE ROLE OF THE SALE EXECUTIVES IN MARKETING, MARKET RESEARCH AS WELL AS CUSTOMER AND COMPETITOR ANALYSIS.
IT WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MARCH 7 AND 8 AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS FEBRUARY 28.
COURSE FEES RANGE FROM $700 TO $1,600. AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE WILL BE AWARDED TO PARTICIPANTS UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341, EXT. 282, OR TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ON 5-8682738 OR 5-8682780.
-----0------
LAI-SEE PRESENTED TO AGED BLIND PEOPLE
*****
A PARTY OF SENIOR SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICIALS LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (THURSDAY) PRESENTED NEW YEAR RED PACKETS, EACH CONTAINING $100, TO 221 RESIDENTS OF THREE HOMES FOR THE AGED BLIND IN YUEN LONG, SHAM SHUI PO AND SOUTHERN.
THE LAI-SEE, AMOUNTING TO $22,100 WAS ALLOCATED FROM THE TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND.
IN THE MORNING, MRS WONG, WHOSE PARTY INCLUDED THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION), MR KWOK KA-CHI, FIRST VISITED THE YUEN LONG HOME FOR THE AGED BLIND OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, IN ON NING ROAD.
LAI-SEE PACKETS WERE PRESENTED TO A TOTAL OF 111 RESIDENTS.
THE PARTY THEN MOVED ON TO THE KOWLOON HOME FOR THE AGED BLIND OPERATED BY THE SAME SOCIETY IN NAM CHEONG STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.
THERE, LAI-SEE PACKETS WERE PRESENTED TO 83 RESIDENTS.
IN THE AFTERNOON, THE PARTY VISITED THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND IN POK FU LAM ROAD IN SOUTHERN, AND LAI-SEE PACKETS WERE PRESENTED TO 27 RESIDENTS.
MRS WONG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE RESIDENTS FOR WHAT THEY HAD DONE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY IN THE PAST.
SHE ALSO COMMENDED THE VOLUNTARY WORKERS AND THE MANAGEMENTS OF THE HOMES FOR PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE AGED AND THE BLIND.
-------0---------
/16........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
16
SWITCHING-ON OF FESTIVE LIGHTS IN VICTORIA PARK
*****
A CEREMONY TO SWITCH ON THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE HELD AT 6 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) OUTSIDE THE SQUASH COURT (NEAR THE HING FAT STREET ENTRANCE) IN VICTORIA PARK.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (EASTERN), MR C.J. GLOVER; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; AND URBAN COUNCILLOR MR MARVIN CHEUNG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
TO USHER IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS PUT UP A DECORATIVE "PAI LAU" IN THE PARK AT A COST OF J70,000.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY.
-------0---------
KWUN TONG LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING SWITCHING-ON TOMORROW ******
WITH THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE ONLY A FEW DAYS AWAY, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS PUT UP A "PAI LAU" AT THE TOWN CENTRE TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON AND TO WISH RESIDENTS A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
THE "PAI LAU", SET UP OUTSIDE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET FACING THE BUSY YUE MAN SQUARE, MEASURES 20 METRES IN HEIGHT AND 10 METRES IN WIDTH.
ERECTED AT A COST OF $150,000, THE "PAI LAU” FEATURES THE THREE AUSPICIOUS STARS OF "FORTUNE", "WEALTH" AND "LONGEVITY" AND ALSO CARRIES A MESSAGE APPEALING TO EVERY SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
DECORATED WITH SPECTACULAR LIGHTING, THE "PAI LAU" WILL BE SWITCHED ON EVERY EVENING FROM 6 PM TO MIDNIGHT DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 3 AND 20.
/KWUN TONG .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1?89
- 17 -
KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, WILL OFFICIATE AT A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY OF THE LIGHTING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 6 PM.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A RECEPTION, BEGINNING AT 5.30 PM, WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE RECEPTION AND TO COVER THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY THAT FOLLOWS.
-------0----------
FREE TICKETS FOR VARIETY SHOW IN TAI PO MARKET ♦ *»*»♦
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR A VARIETY SHOW TO BE STAGED AT THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE ON FEBRUARY 12 (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL’S LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
THE VARIETY SHOW, PART OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL, WILL ADD TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ATMOSPHERE IN TAI PO MARKET.
BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM, THE SHOW WILL INCLUDE POP SINGING AND ACROBATICS.
TICKETS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, THE OFFICE OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE IN PO HEUNG STREET, AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 1 TING KOK ROAD.
/18.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2,
1989
18 -
EXTENDED TRANSPORT ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (FEBRUARY 5) UNTIL EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.
TO COPE WITH FESTIVE CROWDS EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO FLOWER FAIRS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, THE STAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE AND KOWLOON POINT, AND TRAMS AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (MTR), WILL RUN ALL NIGHT.
THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY’S CENTRAL TO JORDAN ROAD SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1 AM, AND THE PEAK TRAM SERVICE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED IF NECESSARY.
SUPPLEMENTARY HYF PASSENGER FERRY SERVICES FROM CENTRAL TO MUI WO (VIA PENG CHAU) AND FROM CENTRAL TO CHEUNG CHAU (VIA YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA ISLAND) WILL BE OPERATED AT 1 AM AND 1.15 AM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO OPERATING OVERNIGHT WILL BE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS (KMB) ROUTES 6, 26, 80M, 82M AND 85K AND KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 18, 33M AND 37M.
DURING THE EXTENDED OPERATING PERIOD, KMB ROUTE 80M WILL BE REROUTED TO OPERATE BETWEEN KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION AND WO CHE AND ADDITIONAL BUS STOPS FOR KMB ROUTE 82M WILL BE DESIGNATED AT LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD NEAR CITY ONE SHA TIN.
THE LAST KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) TRAIN BOUND FOR SHEUNG SHUI WILL DEPART FROM KOWLOON STATION AT 2 AM.
ALL LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED TO 2 AM. ROUTE 611 WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN FERRY PIER AND SIU HONG COURT AFTER 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 5, 6, 7 AND 8 AND WILLIE RENUMBERED AS ROUTE 511 .
LRT FEEDER BUS ROUTES 559 AND 670 WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1 AM.
AS MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE FLOWER FAIR AT VICTORIA PARK, SPECIAL CROSS-HARBOUR BUSES ON ROUTES 11 IS (CAUSEWAY BAY TO CHOI HUNG) AND ROUTE 112S (CAUSEWAY BAY TO MONG KOK) WILL BE IN SERVICE FROM HALF PAST MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM.
SPECIAL CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON ROUTE 121 (CENTRAL TO CHOI HUNG) FROM 45 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5 AM.
MOREOVER, CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 112 AND 116 WILL OPERATE SUPPLEMENTARY JOURNEYS LINKING CAUSEWAY BAY WITH MONG KOK AND CHOI HUNG RESPECTIVELY FROM 8 PM TO MIDNIGHT.
CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 122 (NORTH POINT TO SO UK) WILL ALSO INCREASE ITS FREQUENCY FROM 45 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5 AM.
/CHINA MOTOR
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 19 -
CHINA MOTOR BUS (CMB) WILL ALSO RUN FOUR SPECIAL ROUTES TO VICTORIA PARK. OF THESE, ROUTE 86 BETWEEN CHAI WAN EAST AND CAUSEWAY ROAD WILL OPERATE FROM 8 PM TO MIDNIGHT.
ROUTES 304, 308 AND 392 LINKING CAUSEWAY ROAD WITH WAH FU, CHAI WAN EAST, AND AP LEI CHAU ESTATE RESPECTIVELY, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM.
FROM 7 PM, CMB ROUTE 5B WILL BE EXTENDED TO CAUSEWAY ROAD OUTSIDE VICTORIA PARK. BUSES ON THIS ROUTE WILL CLOSE FOR THE DAY AT 2 AM.
MEANWHILE, MANY BUS SERVICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR WILL FINISH LATER THAN USUAL.
THESE INCLUDE CMB ROUTES 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 37, 38, 40, 47, 48, 70, 71, 73, 81, 83, 90, 92, 95, 97 AND 98 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 102 AND 106 WHICH WILL CEASE OPERATING ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THAN ON NORMAL SUNDAYS.
KMB ROUTES 24K AND 72K WILL BE EXTENDED FOR 30 MINUTES AFTER NORMAL OPERATING PERIOD.
SERVICES ON 44 KMB ROUTES WILL BE EXTENDED BY AN HOUR. THEY ARE ROUTES 1, 2A, 3C, 6B, 9, 10, 14, 15C, 16, 16M, 21, 28, 31, 3IM, 32, 32B, 33, 34, 34B, 35, 36A, 36M, 37, 38M, 39A, 43, 43A, 48M, 44, 44M, 46, 46A, 54, 58M, 59, 59M, 60M, 66M, 67M, 71K, 72X, 81C, 85 AND 85A.
OTHER ROUTES 1A, 2, 5, 5C, 6C, 11, 15, 27K, 29M, 31, 37M, 39M, 41A, 41M, 43, 43B, 68M, 80K, 81K, 88K, 89, 89A, 89C AND 93A WILL FINISH AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF AFTER NORMAL SERVICE SCHEDULES.
GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES WILL ALSO OPERATE WELL INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, ROUTES 2 IM AND 33M WILL FINISH AT 3 AM. IN KOWLOON, ROUTES 38M AND 39M WILL STOP RUNNING AT MIDNIGHT; ROUTES UM, 30A, 30M AND 31M AT 2 AM; ROUTES 3 AND 8 AT 2.30 AM; R UTE 22M AT 3 AM AND ROUTES 6, 16, 19 AND 20 AT 4 AM.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ROUTE 67K WILL RUN UNTIL 11 M; ROUTES 33 AND 35 UNTIL 11.30 PM; AND ROUTES 31, 32, 65K AN 66K UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
ROUTES 39 WILL CEASE OPERATING AT 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT; ROUTES 20K, 22K AND 34 AT 1 AM; ROUTE 60K AT 1.20 AM; AND ROUTES 81 AND 82 AT 2 AM.
IN SOME CASES, GREEN MINIBUSES WILL CHARGE A FLAT FARE DURING THE EXTENDED OPERATING HOURS.
/KMB ROUTE.........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
20
KMB ROUTE A3 WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 6 PM.
MEANWHILE, KMB ROUTE 89R WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO 7 WHILE KMB ROUTES 93R AND 95R WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM FEBRUARY 5 TO 7.
PASSENGERS SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE ALERT FOR THE BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE DIVERSIONS AND SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN BUS AND TRAM STOPS IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, FROM FEBRUARY 6 TO 8, SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED ON KMB ROUTES 1A, 2A, 2F, 3D, 38, 41A, 48, 51, 59A, 60X, 61X, 67M, 68, 68A, 68M, 88X, 71K, 72K, 73X, 74X, 75X, 80K, 81C, 81K, 85K, 88K, 89, 89C, 284 AND 289.
THE LAST DEPARTURE OF KMB ROUTE 85K WILL BE EXTENDED TO 2.15 AM ON FEBRUARY 7.
KMB ROUTES 48A AND 80 WILL ADOPT THE HOLIDAY TIMETABLES FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO 11. THERE WILL BE NO ROUTES 48P AND 80P ON THESE DAYS.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTARY CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICE ON ROUTES 101, 102, 106, 107 AND 170 WILL BE OPERATED FROM FEBRUARY 6 TO 8.
ADDITIONAL KCR TRAINS WILL RUN BETWEEN KOWLOON AND TAI PO MARKET FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY ON FEBRUARY 6 AND 7.
TO COPE WITH THE FLOW OF WORSHIPPERS VISITING THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE ON FEBRUARY 8, ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL RUN BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN.
-----0------
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN KOWLOON, NT * * ♦ * t
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SAN PO KONG, SHAM SHUI PO AND YUEN LONG TO FACILITATE THE HOLDILG OF LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS.
IN SAN PO KONG, THE FOLLOWING ROAD' W’LL BE < LC' 1 O ALL TRAFFIC FROM 6 PM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (SUNDAY) To AM THE FOLLOWING DAY:
* THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING TAI YAU STREET AND SZE MEI STREET BETWEEN NG FONG STREET AND LUK HOP STREET;
» LUK HOP STREET;
» THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING TAE YAU STREFT AND TSAI PO STREET BETWEEN LUK HOI' STREET AND PAT TAT s EE’l
* THE WESTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF SZE MEI STREET BETWEEN LI 1 HOP STREET AND KING FUK STREET;
/♦ KING FUK .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 21 -
* KING FUK STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN SZE MEI STREET AND KING HONG STREET;
* TSAT PO STREET BETWEEN LUK HOP STREET AND PAT TAT STREET;
* THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD FRONTING SAN PO KONG INDUSTRIAL FACTORY BUILDING BLOCK NO. 5 LEADING FROM THE JUNCTION OF SZE MEI STREET AND KING FUK STREET; AND
t THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING TAI YAU STREET AND TSAT PO STREET BETWEEN PAT TAT STREET AND SAM CHUK STREET.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ONE TEMPORARY TAXI STAND WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF KING FUK STREET OUTSIDE SAN PC KONG FACTORY ESTATE BLOCK V.
MEANWHILE, METERED PARKING SPACES ON A NUMBER OF ROADS WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 4) TO 8 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 6).
THESE ROADS ARE NG FONG STREET, SZE MEI STREET, LUK HOP STREET, TSAT PO STREET, PAT TAT STREET, KING FUK STREET BETWEEN SAM CHUK STREET AND SZE MEI STREET, AND SAM CHUK STREET BETWEEN TAI YAU STREET AND KING FUK STREET.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 4) TO 6 AM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY (MONDAY), THE SECTION OF FAT TSEUNG STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES AND VEHICLES FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING GOODS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR.
BUS STOPS ON CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND WILL BE RESITED TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WESTWARDS FROM 3 PM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
ALSO, THE MOTOR CYCLE PARKING SPACES IN FAT TSEUNG STREET
SOUTHBOUND NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED
FROM 8 AM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TO 8 PM THE NEXT DAY.
IN YUEN LONG, TAI YUK ROAD BETWEEN KAU YUK ROAD AND MA TIN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM 5 PM ON NEW YEAR’S EVE TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. MA TIN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE.
ON ITS KUNG OM-BOUND JOURNEYS DURING THE SAME PERIOD, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 39 WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA KAU YUK ROAD, TAI YUK ROAD AND MA TIN ROAD.
- 0---------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 22 -
WONG TAI SIN TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES ♦ * t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE CONTROL NEAR WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, SECTIONS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
SHA TIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FUNG TAK HOAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 37M, WHILE THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE AND WONG TAI SIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 18.
THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 8 PM ON FEBRUARY 5 (SUNDAY) TO 7 PM THE NEXT DAY AND FROM 6.30 AM TO 7 PM DAIL FEBRUARY 7, 8, 12, 19 AND 20.
------0-------
NEW MAP GUIDE ON LAND UTILISATION * » * ♦ *
A NEW COLOURED REFERENCE MAP PATTERN IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN PRODUCED
SHOWING THE LAND UTILISATION BY THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN HEADS THE OFFICE, SAID THAT OVER THE CONDUCTED OVER 100 LAND USE SURVEYS,
PLANNER, DR PETER K.S. PUN, WHO LAST FIVE YEARS THE OFFICE HAD AND THESE WERE UPDATED REGULARLY.
"THESE SURVEYS PROVIDE THE UP-TO-DATE THE PREPARATION OF OUR TOWN PLANS," HE SAID.
LAND USE INFORMATION FOR
"FOR EASY REFERENCE, SUCH INFORMATION FORM ON THE MAP NOW ON SALE."
IS CONDENSED IN GRAPHIC
PRINTED AT A SCALE OF 1 : 75,000, THE
BILINGUAL MAP IDENTIFIES
HOUSING,
VARIOUS AREAS TAKEN UP BY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AGRICULTURAL LAND, COUNIRY AND GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, AND A SERIES OF OTHER USES.
COMMERCIAL AND
PARKS, COMMUNITY
DR PUN PROFESSIONALS, USE PATTERN IN
SAID THE MAP SHOULD BE A USEFUL REFERENCE TO SCHOLARS, DEVELOPERS AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE LAND HONG KONG.
THE PREVIOUS LAND UTILISATION MAP COVERING THE WHOLE WAS PUBLISHED 20 YEARS AGO, ALTHOUGH A SIMILAR MAP COVERING KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON WAS PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1987.
TERRITORY
ONLY HONG
THE NEW MAP IS AVAILABLE AT $20 PER COPY PUBLICATIONS CENTRE (GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT MAP SALES BUILDING, 14TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL; AND GROUND FLOOR, YAU MA TEI).
AT THE GOVERNMENT GROUND FLOOR); AND COUNTERS (MURRAY 382 NATHAN ROAD,
- - 0 - -
/23 .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
- 23 -
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS
******
LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS CAN APPLY FOR OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1989-90.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS TO ENABLE EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN POST DIPLOMA STUDIES AT INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.
THE SCOPE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS NOT CONFINED TO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STUDIES OR BALLET. IT CAN ALSO COVER RELATED STUDIES IN MUSIC OR DANCE, PRACTICAL OR ACADEMIC, SUCH AS MUSICOLOGY, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND DANCE NOTATION.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL COVER TUITION FEES, A TECHNICAL ALLOWANCE AND A RETURN PASSAGE TO THE INTENDED COUNTRY OF STUDY. A SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE MAY BE GRANTED ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEED.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO CHOOSE ONE-YEAR COURSES AS THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NORMALLY FOR ONE YEAR ONLY.
CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR MUSIC OR MUSIC RELATED STUDIES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE UNDER THE AGE OF 23 ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, AND HAVE STUDIED MUSIC UP TO THE STANDARD OF THE DIPLOMA GRANTED BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
AS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DANCE OR DANCE RELATED STUDIES, CANDIDATES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 23 ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR AND HAVE STUDIED DANCE UP TO THE STANDARD OF THE DIPLOMA GRANTED BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
IN ADDITION, ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE AT [.EAST THREE YEARS’ RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KON' JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT, MUSIC OFFICE, 25TH FLOOR. WA.NO TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY THE APPLICANTS IN PERSON TO THE HONG KON( JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT NOT LATER THAN MARCH 4.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235343.
- 0 ----------
/2“+.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2,
1989
- 24 -
’FLEXI’ SCHOOL FOR JUNK BAY *****
A PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE NEW FLEXI DESIGN STET WILL BE BUILT IN AREA 29 OF JUNK BAY.
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE INNOVATIVE DESIGN GIVES THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES THE FLEXIBILITY TO CONVERT THE BUILDING INTO A SECONDARY SCHOOL LATER, AT MINIMUM COST AND DISRUPTION TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF A MATURING STUDENT BODY.
THE BUILDING WILL CONSIST OF 30 CLASSROOMS, FOUR SPECIAL CLASSROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A BASKETBALL COURT, A COVERED PLAYGROUND AS WELL AS A ROOFTOP PLAYGROUND.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE SCHOOL, WHICH WILL OCCUPY A SITE AREA OF SOME 5,300 SQUARE METRES, WILL START IN APRIL THIS YEAR. THE BUILDING IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN JULY 1990.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT WORKS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 24.
------o ------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSING YI * * * * *
BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TO FACILITATE THE STAGE II IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT TSING YI BRIDGE, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 5.40 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FROM FEBRUARY 13 FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.
KWAI TSING ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH KWAI TA! ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT. INCLUDING TSING Y] DM DOE, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
A SECTION OF TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT, CONNECTING SOUTHBOUND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI HOAD AND SO’. !'i(BOUND TSING YI ROAD, WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC AT THE DAME TIME.
TRAFFIC ON KWAI TSING ROAD HEADING FOR TSING YJ WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT, TSUEN WAN ROAD, TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD TO KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FUNG SHU WO ROAD, TAM KON SHAN ROUNDABOUT, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT, TSUEN WAN ROAD AND KW i TSING ROUNDABOUT.
GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 88B, 88C AND 88M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND FUNG SHU WO ROAD.
/THE TERMINATING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1989
25
THE TERMINATING POINT OF GMB ROUTE 88 WILL BE RELOCATED FROM FUNG SHU WO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TO CHUNG MEI ROAD DURING THE BRIDGE CLOSURE. THE ROUTE WILL THEN BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
GMB CIRCULAR ROUTE 88S WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, FUNG SHU WO ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, TSING YI ROAD, CHUNG MEI ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG 3ZE WUI ROAD, FUNG SHU WO ROAD, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
KMB ROUTES 42, 43, 43A, 43C, 43D AND 43M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, FUNG SHU WO ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THEIR NORMAL ROUTEINGS.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON FEBRUARY 11:
♦ KMB ROUTE 44 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
♦ THE TERMINATING POINT OF KMB ROUTE 41 WILL BE RELOCATED FROM TSING YI ESTATE TO CHEUNG CHING ESTATE. THE ROUTE WILL RUN VIA CHING HONG ROAD, CHUNG MEI ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, FUNG SHU WO ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
» THE TERMINATING POINT OF KMB ROUTE 44M WILL BE RELOCATED FROM CHEUNG ON ESTATE TO TSING YI ESTATE, OCCUPYING THE BUS BAY VACATED BY ROUTE 41. THE ROUTE WILL OPERATE VIA CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE WHOLE SERVICE PERIODS OF THE THREE BUS ROUTES AND WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS UNTIL THE BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE COMPLETED.
MEANWHILE, THE FOOTPATHS ON TSING YI BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO PEDESTRIANS BETWEEN 8 PM AND 5.40 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FROM FEBRUARY 13 FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
AS THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ON TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT FOR TSING YI DURING THE BRIDGE CLOSURE. MOTORISTS ON TSUEN WAN ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE TAI CHUNG ROAD ROUNDABOUT AT CHAI WAN KOK FOR JOURNEYS TO AND FROM TSUEN WAN.
DEPENDING ON THE TRAFFIC SITUATION. ADDITIONAL ROAD CLOSURES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE POLICE AT ANY TIME DURING THE BRIDGE CLOSURE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON SITE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 198*'
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STANDING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENT IN CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY ....................................... 1
GOVT WELCOMES CIVIL SERVICE STANDING COMMISSION'S REPORT .... 2
NEW CHAIRMAN OF BROADCASTING AUTHORITY APPOINTED............ 2
CHAIRMAN OF STANDING COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEES APPOINTED .... 3
CONTROL OVER FERRY SERVICES UNAFFECTED BY TRANSFER OF FRANCHISE .................................................... 4
Ch.3 FRANCHISE EXTENDED TO 1993 ............................. 5
NEW DRAFT OZP FOR TSUEN WAN WEST GAZETTED ................... 5
TWO SETS OF NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS GAZETTED .............. 8'
BILL TO AMEND LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE GAZETTED.................................................... • y
EXTENSION TO KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO.6 PROPOSED ........... 0
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SUHVEY FOR NOVEMBER ..... 10
1988 THIRD QUARTER CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS RELEASED .. 13
KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE LIT UP ................................ 15
SNAKE DESIGN FOR ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LaBEL.................... 15
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY .......... 16
PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARR^IGEMENTS FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY.......... 18
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ....................... 21
FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO PRIVATE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY........ 22
EPCOM MEMBERS VISIT EPD...................................... 23
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN CENTRAL........................... 23
WHITTY STREET TRAM SERVICE RE-INTRODUCED .................... 2k
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
STANDING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENT IN CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY **»*»»
THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED ITS 21ST REPORT, WHICH CONTAINS THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY.
THIS FOLLOWS A REVIEW OF THE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE CARRIED OUT BY THE COMMISSION IN 1987 AND 1988.
THE COMMISSION ISSUED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT IN 1987 TO SOLICIT VIEWS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES ON HOW THE EXISTING SYSTEM COULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED. A TOTAL OF 107 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED.
IN THE COURSE OF THE REVIEW, THE COMMISSION ARRANGED TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF 13 STAFF ASSOCIATIONS TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS.
THE COMMISSION COMPLETED THE REVIEW LATE LAST YEAR AND SUBMITTED A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR. THE MAJOR CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSION ARE:
(A) A NON-POLICE DISCIPLINED SERVICES COUNCIL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FULL CENTRAL-LEVEL REPRESENTATION TO ALL THE NON-POLICE DISCIPLINED SERVICES;
(B) NO MAJOR CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND ADMISSION SYSTEM OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL EXCEPT THAT ITS ADMISSION CRITERIA SHOULD BE MADE MORE PRECISE AND BE WELL PUBLICISED;
(C) THE NAME OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL SHOULD BE CHANGED TO AVOID THE MISCONCEPTION THAT IT WAS INTENDED ONLY FOR SENIOR OFFICERS;
(D) THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEVELOP, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STAFF SIDE, A SET OF COMPREHENSIVE CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO THE MODEL SCALE I STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL. THESE CRITERIA SHOULD BE ALONG SIMILAR LINES AS THOSE FOR THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AND SHOULD BE APPLICABLE TO BOTH EXISTING MEMBERS AND APPLICANTS.
THE COMMISSION ALSO MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED AND HOW OTHER EXISTING MEANS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF GROUPS OR INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS COULD BE MADE MORE EFFECTIVE.
THE COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK OUT A PROGRAMME FOR PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TN THE REPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-------o - _ -
/2........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
2 -
GOVT WELCOMES CIVIL SERVICE * *
STANDING COMMISSION’S REPORT * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE PUBLICATION BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF ITS REPORT NO, 21 DEALING WITH THE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS MARK THE CULMINATION OF A DETAILED STUDY BY THE STANDING COMMISSION TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE," HE SAID.
"THEY WILL BE STUDIED CAREFULLY BY THE GOVERNMENT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE EXISTING CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS, STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS MIGHT CHANNEL ANY VIEWS THEY MIGHT HAVE ON THE REPORT THROUGH THEIR ASSOCIATION OR DEPARTMENT.
"COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THESE BODIES AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH THE REQUEST THAT THEY FORWARD THEIR VIEWS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH BY MAY 1 THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
-------o----------
NEW CHAIRMAN OF BROADCASTING AUTHORITY APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT SIR ROGER LOBO HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO TAKE OVER FROM MR ALLEN LEE.
HIS APPOINTMENT WILL COMMENCE ON FEBRUARY 9, 1989 AND WILL RUN UNTIL AUGUST 31, 1990.
SIR ROGER’S PREVIOUS RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE INCLUDES APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
HE IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT AND COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, SAID THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WOULD NEED SOMEONE OF SIR ROGER’S CONSIDERABLE STATURE AND EXPERIENCE TO DEAL WITH THE DIFFICULT TASKS AHEAD OF IT.
/"ONE OF .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1989
"ONE OF ITS MOST IMMEDIATE TASKS WILL BE TO ADVISE ON THE CABLE TELEVISION PROPOSALS," SHE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO ENVISAGED THAT THE AUTHORITY’S RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE EXTENDED IN FUTURE TO INCLUDE RADIO AND OTHER FORMS OF BROADCASTING.
"IN ADDITION, IT WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW RTHK BOARD OF GOVERNORS."
MISS CHUNG ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO MR LEE FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY DURING THE PAST 16 MONTHS.
"UNDER MR LEE’S LEADERSHIP, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAS IN RECORD TIME CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD, INITIATED MANY ESSENTIAL CHANGES AND RESOLVED THE DIFFICULT TASK OF RENEWING THE LICENCES OF THE TWO WIRELESS TELEVISION STATIONS WITH MUCH TACT, FIRMNESS AND PATIENCE," SHE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, IT HAS FINALISED THE CALLING OF PROPOSALS FOR CABLE TELEVISION, AND REVIEWED THE CODES OF PRACTICE RELATING TO TELEVISION PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS."
-------0----------
CHAIRMAN OF STANDING COMMISSION * ♦ * ♦
SUB-COMMITTEES APPOINTED t
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMEN OF TWO SUB-COMMITTEES SET UP UNDER THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR MARTIN BARROW AS THK CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE SUB-COMMITTEE, AND MR PAUL CHENG AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE.
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS Wl-'li . . 'ECT FROM FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR JOHN SWA I NE WHOSE APPOINTMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN ANN< ' ID.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APART FROM THE CHAIRMAN, THE STANDING COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE 10 MEMBERS, HAU' OF WHOM WOULD SERVE ON EACH OF THE TWO SUB-COMMITTEES.
"ACTION IS IN HAND TO APPOINT THE OTHER EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
/’’IT IS..........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STANDING COMMITTEE WILL HAVE ITS FIRST MEETING BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH."
THE STANDING COMMITTEE WILL BE SUPPORTED BY AN INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT DRAWN FROM THE GENERAL CIVIL SERVICE, WITH ITS OFFICE IN SINCERE BUILDING, CENTRAL. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE IS MR KEN WOODHOUSE.
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CONTROL OVER FERRY SERVICES UNAFFECTED BY TRANSFER OF FRANCHISE *******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY LIMITED (HYF) TO TRANSFER THE FERRY FRANCHISE FROM THE EXISTING PARENT COMPANY TO A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY COMPANY WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1989.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER THE COMPANY’S FRANCHISED FERRY SERVICES. THEREFORE, THE FARES AND STANDARD OF THE FERRY SERVICES PROVIDED BY HYF WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE TRANSFER OF FRANCHISE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL NOTED THAT THE COMPANY APPLIED FOR A TRANSFER OF ITS FRANCHISE FROM THE PRESENT PARENT COMPANY TO AN EXISTING WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY COMPANY BECAUSE IT INTENDED TO UNDERGO A CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING.
AFTER RESTRUCTURING, THE PARENT COMPANY BECOMES A HOLDING COMPANY, NAMED "HONG KONG FERRY (HOLDINGS) COMPANY LIMITED".
THE SUBSIDIARY COMPANY, FORMER).Y NAMED "I: .••••,). INK FERRIES LIMITED", IS RETITLED "THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COM! ANY LIMITED" AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING THE FRANCHISED AN NON !•' AN HISED FERRY ACTIVITIES AS A SINGLE CORPORATE ENTITY DIVORCED FR OTHER NON-UTILITY ACTIVITIES OF THE HOLDING COMPANY.
THE COUNCIL ALSO NOTED THAT THE COMPANY’S /ORATE RE-STRUCTURING WOULD FACILITATE THE FINANC1A! MONITORING OF ITS FRANCHISED FERRY OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE PERFORMANCE OF F:R! SERVICES WOULD BE BETTER IDENTIFIED FROM THE OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE FERRY GROUP.
WITHIN THE FERRY SUBSIDIARY, THE FRANCHISED FERRY OPERATIONS ARM WILL MAINTAIN ITS OWN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND WILL CHARGE FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO NON-FRANCH1SED FERRY ACTIVITIES OR ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE GROUP.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3,
1989
- 5 -
CMB FRANCHISE EXTENDED TO 1993 ♦ » *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION FROM THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY LTD (CMB) FOR A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ITS FRANCHISE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1991 TO AUGUST 31, 1993.
APPROVAL WAS GRANTED BECAUSE OF THE PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COMPANY’S OPERATIONS AND SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS, AND ITS SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE OVERALL.
CMB HAS BEEN INTRODUCING NEW BUSES AND ADJUSTING ITS ROUTES TO MEET CHANGING DEMAND.
AS A FURTHER MEANS TO IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF ITS OPERATIONS, CMB HAS RECENTLY ACQUIRED A COMPUTERISED MANAGEMENT iNFORMATION SYSTEM WHICH WILL BEGIN OPERATING SHORTLY.
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NEW DRAFT OZP FOR TSUEN WAN WEST GAZETTED » * » t ♦
A NEW DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TSUEN WAN WEST, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 453 HECTARES WHICH INCLUDES TING KAU, SHAM TSENG AND TSING LUNG TAU, WAS GAZETTED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THE MAIN PLANNING INTENTION WAS TO CONSERVE THE EXISTING SCENIC LANDSCAPE, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND SUBURBAN CHARACTER BY CONFINING URBAN TYPE DEVELOPMENT TO CERTAIN AREAS ONLY.
’’THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS TO ESTABLISH A BROAD LAND USE ZONING AND MAJOR ROAD NETWORK FOR THE AREA," HE SAID.
IN VIEW OF INFRASTRUCTURAL CONSTRAINTS AND TO MINIMISE IMPACTS ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, MOST BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE AREA ARE CONTROLLED BY RESTRICTIONS IN PLOT RATIO, SITE COVERAGE AND BUILDING HEIGHT.
THESE CONTROLS, HOWEVER, MAY BE RELAXED UPON APPLICATION TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND EACH CASE WILL BE CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE CHANGING CHARACTER OF SHAM TSENG, ITS EXISTING REMAINING INDUSTRIAL SITES ARE DESIGNATED ’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING REDEVELOPMENT FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES.
/UNDER THIS .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 6 -
UNDER THIS ZONING ALL DEVELOPMENT/REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
SUCH SUBMISSION SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN CONTAINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT WHICH SHOULD EXAMINE ANY POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE CAUSED TO OR BY THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, AND THE PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES TO TACKLE THEM.
FURTHERMORE, DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" ARE GOVERNED BY A MAXIMUM DOMESTIC PLOT RATIO OF 5 AND A MAXIMUM NON-DOMESTIC PLOT RATIO OF 9.5.
HOWEVER, WHERE CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN VIEW OF INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITIES AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS OF A PARTICULAR SITE, THE BOARD MAY IMPOSE A LESSER DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY THAN THAT OF THE MAXIMUM STIPULATED.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE EXISTING INDUSTRIAL USES WITHIN THE "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" ZONE CAN REMAIN. HOWEVER, ANY ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE EXISTING FACTORIES WILL REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT TWO HECTARES HAS BEEN ZONED "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)". THIS INCLUDES A NUMBER OF COMMITTED HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVLOPMENTS AT AND NEAR SHAM TSENG, WITHIN THIS ZONE, A RANGE OF COMMERCIAL USES ARE ALWAYS PERMITTED ON THE LOWER THREE FLOORS OF THE BUILDING.
ABOUT 21.1 HECTARES OF LAND IS ZONED "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)". THE AREA INCLUDES THE EXISTING RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN TSING LUNG TAU, SUCH AS HONG KONG GARDEN, AND A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT SITES ON THE LANDWARD SIDE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THIS ZONE IS BASICALLY INTENDED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, BUT COMMERCIAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY USES MAY BE PROVIDED SUBJECT TO PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD. DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THIS ZONE ARE RESTRICTED TO A PLOT RATIO OF 2.1.
"RESIDENTIAL (GROUP Cl" SITES ARE FOUND MAINLY ON THE SEAWARD SIDE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TING KAU AND TSING LUNG TAU. DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THIS ZONE ARE RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 0.4 AND A BUILDING HEIGHT NOT TO EXCEED THREE STOREYS INCLUDING CARPORT.
A NUMBER OF EXISTING TRADITIONAL VILLAGES SUCH AS TSING LUNG TAU TSUEN, SHAM TSENG SAN TSUEN, SHAM TSENG KAU TSUEN AND TING KAU TSUEN ARE ZONED "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT" WITH THE AIM OF PRESERVING THE EXISTING VILLAGE CHARACTER AND TO ALLOW ROOM FOR EXPANSION.
A COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN HONG KONG GARDEN AND THE CLUSTER OF ROAST-GOOSE RESTAURANTS IN SHAM TSENG ARE ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL USES.
/IN ORDER .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
7
IN ORDER TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE LOW-DENSITY CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS ZONE ARE RESTRICTED TO THREE STOREYS OVER ONE STOREY OF CARPORT BUT MINOR RELAXATION OF THIS HEIGHT RESTRICTION MAY BE PERMITTED SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE SEVEN GAZETTED BEACHES WITHIN THE AREA ARE INCLUDED IN THE "OPEN SPACE" ZONE OF THE PLAN.
ABOUT 9.2 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN ZONED FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES. THE MAJOR PLANNED PROVISIONS INCLUDE A WATER TREATMENT WORKS AND SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN TSING LUNG TAU AND ANOTHER SERVICE RESERVOIR IN SHAM TSENG.
ABOUT 328.7 HECTARES OF LAND WITHIN THE AREA HAS BEEN ZONED "GREEN BELT" ON THE PLAN WITH THE AIM OF PROTECTING THE EXISTING ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPE AND VEGETATION FROM URBAN ENCROACHMENT.
IN THIS ZONE, RECREATIONAL USES ARE ALWAYS PERMITTED BUT BUILDING DEVELOPMENT WOULD REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THIS NEW DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
» THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
t THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TSUEN WAN), FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
COPIES OF THE NEW PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $120 EACH COLOURED.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAFT PLAN SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD ON OR BEFORE APRIL 3, 1989.
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/8 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 8 -
TWO SETS OF
NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS GAZETTED
*»*».**
TWO SETS OF NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE NECESSARY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THEY ARE THE NOISE CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS 1989 AND THE NOISE CONTROL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATIONS 1989.
A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE NOSE CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS 1989 PRESCRIBE FORMS OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS, NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES, AND SO ON, AND REGULATE TH' MANNER OF COMPLETION OF APPLICATION FORMS.
"A FEE OF $100 WILL BE REQUIRED FOR EVERY APPLICATION FOR A CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT.”
ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN, THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN STAGES COMMENCING LATER THIS MONTH.
APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS AS REQUIRED UNDER THE ORDINANCE CAN THEN BE MADE TO THE NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY.
A LEAD TIME WILL BE GIVEN BEFORE CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS ARE MADE OBLIGATORY SO THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO PLAN ITS WORK AND TO MAKE THE NECESSARY APPLICATIONS.
"IF ANYPERSON IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE DECISION OF THE NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY, HE CAN APPEAL TO AN INDEPENDENT NOISE CONTROL APPEAL BOARD.
"THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED AND THE FORMS TO BE USED ARE CONTAINED IN THE NOISE CONTROL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATIONS 1989," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE MAJORITY OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE ARE EXPECTED TO COME INTO FORCE WITHIN THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
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/9........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3,
1989
- 9 -
BILL TO AMEND LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE GAZETTED ******
A BILL SEEKING TO AMEND THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PRINCIPAL AMENDMENT IS TO BRING UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ORDINANCE THE WORK DONE BY REGISTERED LIFT OR ESCALATOR CONTRACTORS OR ENGINEERS IN BUILDINGS BELONGING TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THE OTHER AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT WHERE AN OWNER WITH MORE THAN ONE SERVICE LIFT FAILS TO SEND A PLAN OF THE LIFTS TO THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN A SPECIFIED TIME, THE DIRECTOR MAY PROHIBIT THE USE AND OPERATION OF THESE LIFTS.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
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EXTENSION TO KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO.6 PROPOSED *******
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 350 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AS AN EXTENSION TO THE KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO.6 AND EXTENSION.
THE GRANT WOULD BE MADE BY PRIVATE TREATY TO THE HONGKONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CANTILEVERED OVERHANGS AT THE ROOF AND PRAYA LEVEL OF THE PROPOSED MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS COMPLEX TO BE ERECTED ON THE PIER.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 2 THIS YEAR.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
10
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR NOVEMBER ******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER 1988, ESTIMATED AT $8,856 MILLION, WAS 17 PER CEI' i HIGHER ii . IN NOVEMBER 1987 WHILE THEIR VOLUME WAS 8 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (III DAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER '987, RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS /J ' TOBACCO INCREASED .Y 26 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS ROSE B’i 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 20 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" WERE 12 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 41 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 30 PE CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 25 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
SUPERMARKETS SALES INCREASED BY 15 'i-.lc CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987. TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 8 PER RENT IN SAI ’IS VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" ROSE BY 30 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 20 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
"CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS" AND CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE, AND 12 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 42 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 29 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 WENT UP BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT LN SALES VOLUME.
/WHEN COMPARED
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1989
11
WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER 1988 ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT FELL BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING DECREASE FOR FUELS WAS 9 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 2 PER CEN! IN VOLUME. SALES VALUE AND VOLUME FOR CONSUMER DURABLES REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME
ON THE OTHER HAND, MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER ('ENT IN SALES VOLUME, AND SALES BY SUPERMARKETS DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR OCTOBER 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 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 IRON OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF NOVEMBER 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1988 AND WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1987 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF NOVEMBER 1988 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234911.
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1989
12
TABLE I : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for November 1988 (Provisional Figure) = 108,856 aiilion for October 1988 (Revised Figure) « HKS8.796 aiilion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR OCTOBER 1988 AMD NOVEMBER 1988
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 « 100)
Index of November 1983 1 November P88 I Jan.-Nov. 1986 I
I Item Retail ! October November compared with compared with 1 compared with 1
Sales 1 1986 1986 October 1988 November 1987 I Jan.-Nov. 1987 I
! (Revised (Provisional Points X Points 1 I Points X ’
‘ figures) figures) I t ।
: (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES • 1 ।
Value I 157 158 1 I 23 17 I 27 22 1
Volume : 129 127 -2 -1 9 8 : 14 12 :
J (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS 1 1 I 1
> Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value : U3 141 •2 -2 29 26 I 13 I 11 :
' drinks and tobacco Volume : 121 119 -2 -I 15 14 ! 2 2 :
! Fuels Value 1 111 101 -10 -9 7 • 8 1 8 1 8 !
Volume : 121 • 110 -11 -9 7 7 I 5 5 1
' Clothing, footwear Value : H7 184 16 10 24 15 1 31 23 :
! and allied products Volume : i3i 137 6 4 5 4 : 14 12 1
I Consumer durables Value : 163 163 V 1 27 1 20 ! 26 20 :
Volume : 127 127 1 1 12 10 : 12 11 :
I Other consuoer goods Value 1 167 168 2 1 19 13 37 30 1
I Volume 1 135 133 -3 6 5 1 23 20 1
! (0 BY SELECTED TRADES I • । 1 ।
! (see note 1 below) 1 I • 1
1 Supermarkets Value : 164 147 -17 -10 19 15 ' 22 16 :
Volume ! 137 122 -15 -11 5 5 I 9 7 1
! Motor vehicles Value : 300 283 -17 -6 83 • 41 1 69 39 i
1 and parts Volume : 210 • 197 -14 -7 45 30 1 37 27 1
I Consumer durables Value I 121 126 5 4 9 । 8 : 13 ii :
» other than motor Volume I 101 105 4 4 2 2 : 5 5 1
: vehicles and parts 1 । । ।
Department stores Value : 194 203 9 5 40 1 25 : 54 42 :
• 1 Volume • 153 153 1 1 17 12 I 34 29 :
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN major trade groups, the value and voluae indenes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) ’Supermarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco' group.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consumer durables* group.
(c) Consuoer durables other than motor vehicles and parts* - a trade in the 'Consumer durables' group.
(d) 'Department stores' - a trade in the 'Other consumer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3, 'I* denotes a figure within +0.5.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 13 -
1988 THIRD QUARTER CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS RELEASED *****
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, WHICH AMOUNTED TO $9,586 MILLION, WHICH WAS 3.2 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 16.0 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
THIS IS SHOWN BY THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS INCLUDES WORK CARRIED OUT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, AND AT OTHER MINOR WORK LOCATIONS.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WAS 145.5, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100.
THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 WERE 150.3 AND 125.4 RESPECTIVELY.
WITH REGARD TO THE INCREASE OF 16.0 PER CENT IN THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1987, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS LARGELY DUE TO A MARKED INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE COST INCREASES, THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED MIGHT HAVE DECLINED. READERS SHOULD BEAR THIS POINT IN MIND WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $7,305 MILLION. THIS WAS 6.0 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 16.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
APART FROM WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES AND OTHER MINOR WORK LOCATIONS WAS $2,281 MILLION, WHICH WAS 7.1 PER CENT AND 13.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, $2,483 MILLION WAS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR (INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION).
THIS REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 2.7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT AN INCREASE OF 19.0 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
/AS FOR .......
FRIRDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 19«9 ••
AS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS $4,822 MILLION, WHICH WAS 7.6 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 15.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
WHEN ANALYSED BY END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (WHICH INCLUDE COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $3,412 MILLION AND $1,109 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THESE REPRESENTED DECREASES OF 5.6 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, BUT INCREASES OF 18.2 PER CENT AND 29.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS WAS $866 MILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, REPRESENTING DECREASES OF 25.6 PER CENT AND 10.4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL AND STORAGE BUILDINGS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $696 MILLION, WHICH WAS 7.6 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 26.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS REFERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY TAKE THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF PROJECTS WHERE THEY PLAY THE ROLE OF SUB-CONTRACTORS.
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS' CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IS GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 3RD QUARTER 1988", WHICH ON SALE AT $2.50 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, G P O BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHAI TOWER I, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234860.
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/15........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- -
KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE LIT UP ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE WAS LIT UP COLOURFULLY THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING IN PREPARATION FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE DECORATIVE LIGHTING, MOUNTED ON A PAI LAU ERECTED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF $150,000, WAS SWITCHED ON BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
SET UP OUTSIDE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET, FACING YUE MAN SQUARE, THE PAI LAU IS 20 METRES HIGH AND 10 METRES WIDE.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR WAN SAID THE DESIGN OF THE PAI LAU REPRESENTED AN INTEGRATION.OF THE FESTIVE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION AND THE SPIRIT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
"APART FROM FEATURING THE THREE AUSPICIOUS STARS OF ’FORTUNE’, ’WEALTH’ AND ’LONGEVITY’, THE PAI LAU ALSO CARRIES A MESSAGE CALLING ON LOCAL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING," HE SAID.
MR WAN URGED RESIDENTS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS, FOR THE WELL-BEING OF ALL.
THE CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND OF THE 15 AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG.
THE PAI LAU WILL BE LIT UP BETWEEN 6 PM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY UNTIL FEBRUARY 20.
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SNAKE DESIGN FOR ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL » t » * »
THE LABEL IMPRESSION OF THE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL ISSUING MACHINE WILL BE CHANGED FROM THE DRAGON DESIGN TO THE SNAKE DESIGN ON FEBRUARY 24, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT NEW LABEL PAPER BEARING A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND PATTERN WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON THE SAME DAY.
“BOTH THE LABEL IMPRESSION AND BACKGROUND PATTERN OF THE LABEL PAPER WERE DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS INTERESTED IN COLLECTING THE LABELS, PRE-PACKAGED SETS OF FOUR FIXED VALUES -- 10 CENTS, 60 CENTS, $1.40 AND $1.80 -- BEARING THE MACHINE CODES "01“ AND 02 WILL BE PUT ON SALE AT $3.90 PER SET AT ALL POST OFFICES ON FEBRUARY 24.
/’’OFFICIAL FIRST.........
FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 16 -
"OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL NOT BE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 24," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT ON THAT DAY, HOWEVER, A HAND-BACK SERVICE FOR PRIVATELY-MADE FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES.
IN ADDITION, ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST-DAY TREATMENT OF PRIVATELY-MADE FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO 17 AT ALL POST OFFICES.
"THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS ADVANCE ORDER SERVICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE POST OFFICE WILL CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE LABELS AND LABEL IMPRESSION EVERY YEAR TO INCORPORATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ANIMAL. THE LAST ISSUE OF THIS ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL SERIES WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1998.
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SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY
******
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 7) TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO FULLY ENJOY THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT LARGE CROWDS WERE EXPECTED TO GATHER AT VANTAGE POINTS IN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE DEPLOYED FOR CROWD CONTROL AND TRAFFIC DUTIES.
SPECTATORS ARE URGED TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND BE CONSIDERATE AND COURTEOUS TO CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY IN CROWDED PLACES.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED SPECTATORS TO MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE WATERFRONT AREAS.
HE WARNED THAT OFFICERS ON PATROL WOULD NOT TOLERATE ILLEGAL PARKING AND WAITING IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN TRAFFIC FLOW.
"ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE," HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR (IEC) WILL BE PEDESTRIANISED.
SPECTATORS CAN ENTER THE PEDESTRIANISED SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY FROM HING FAT STREET DOWN-RAMP IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND TONG SHUI ROAD DOWN-RAMP IN NORTH POINT ONLY.
/COMMENCING 6 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1989
- 17
COMMENCING 6 PM ON THAT DAY, A NUMBER OF ROADS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM, CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND THE PEAK AREA WILL BE
TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN PHASES. TRAFFIC ftE-RQUTEING WILL ALSO BE
THE ROAD CLOSURES WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED AND WHEN IT IS SAFE TO ALLOW NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW.
DUE TO THE ROAD CLOSURES, MOST OF THE PARKING SPACES IN THE AFFECTED AREA WILL BE SUSPENDED.
MOTORISTS WISHING TO USE THE CARPARKS IN THOSE AREAS ARE ADVISED TO DO SO BEFORE THE CLOSURES ARE ENFORCED.
THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THAT THEIR CARS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE ROAD CLOSURES.
MEANWHILE, THE HARCOURT ROAD AND FENWICK PIER STREET FLYOVERS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD TO FACILITATE CONTRUCTION WORK ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
STARTING FROM 7 AM ON FEBRUARY 6 (MONDAY) MOTORISTS HEADING FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL VIA GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND CAN USE HARCOURT ROAD (OR UNDER THE ADMIRALTY COMPLEX), THE U-TURN UNDERNEATH COTTON TREE DRIVE FLYOVER, CHATER ROAD AND JACKSON ROAD OR CLUB STREET.
THOSE TRAVELLING ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WEST-BOUND FOR QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL SHOULD USE INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD, FENWICK STREET, HENNESSY ROAD AND QUEENSWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, TRAFFIC FROM WAN CHAI NORTH TO CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED THROUGH FLEMMING ROAD FLYOVER, HENNESSY ROAD AND QUEENSWAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CLOSURE WOULD LAST UNT1 • 6 AM ON
FEBRUARY 9 (THURSDAY).
"THOSE TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS WILL BE CLEARLY SIGNED AN? 7RAFFIC POLICEMEN WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MOTORISTS," HE ADDED.
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/18
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 18 -
PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY *******
SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 7) FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO BE HELD IN VICTORIA HARBOUR.
RESIDENTS WISHING TO GO TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM, ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TO ALLOW THEMSELVES PLENTY OF JOURNEY TIME.
DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CHINA MOTOR BUS (CMB) SERVICES
* FROM 6.30 PM, BUSES ON ROUTE 21 ON JOURNEYS TO MACAU FERRY
WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO AVOID THE CLOSED ROADS IN CENTRAL AND
WAN CHAI.
* FROM 6.30 PM, BUSES ON ROUTES 8, 11A AND 40 ON JOURNEYS TO
AND FROM WAN CHAI WILL OMIT WAN CHAI FERRY AND OPERATE ON A
CIRCULAR BASIS.
* THE FREQUENCY OF SERVICE ON ROUTE 15 WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO ABOUT 10. MINUTES SUBJECT TO PASSENGER DEMAND.
* ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL OPERATE ON ROUTES 8, 38, 40, 40M, 70
AND 72.
» ROUTE 780 WILL BE CURTAILED AT 5.25 PM.
* EMPTY BUSES WILL BE OPERATED AT THE FOLLOWING BUS TERMINI TO CATER FOR PASSENGER DEMAND AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY: NORTH POINT FERRY BUS TERMINUS; MORETON TERRACE BUS TERMINUS; ADMIRALTY MTR STATION BUS TERMINUS; CENTRAL (EXCHANGE SQUARE) BUS TERMINUS; AND THE PEAK BUS TERMINUS.
* FROM 7 PM TO 8.30 PM, THE BUS STOP FOR ROUTES 20, 21, 80, 81M, 102 AND 106 ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL WILL BE SUSPENDED.
CMB BUS SERVICES WILL RESUME NORMAL ROUTE1NG WHEN CLOSED ROADS ARE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
KOWLOON MOTOR BUS (KMB) SERVICES
DIVERSION AND RELOCATION OF TERMINAL FACILITIES FOR KMB BUS SERVICES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN IS IM SHA TSUI FROM 6.30 PM TO ABOUT 11 PM.
/• ROUTES 1, ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 19 -
* ROUTES 1, 1A, IK, 2, 2K, 6, 6A, 7, 8A, 9, 26, 81C, 202 AND
Al WILL BE DIVERTED.
* ROUTES 5, 5C AND 8 WILL BE TEMPORARILY RELOCATED FROM STAR FERRY BUS TERMINUS TO TERMINATE AT GRANVILLE ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
* ROUTES 2C AND 28 WILL BE TEMPORARILY RELOCATED TO TERMINATE AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST BUS TERMINUS AT SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD.
* ROUTE 5A WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 6 PM AT KOWLOON CITY AND FROM 6.25 PM AT THE STAR FERRY.
* ROUTE 208 WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 5.30 PM AT BROADCAST DRIVE AND FROM 6 PM AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES
ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED TO COPE WITH PASSENGER DEMAND.
FROM 6.30 PM, CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 110 ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM TSIM SHA TSUI EAST BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DIVERTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES 104 AND 105 AND AIRBUS ROUTE A2 ON JOURNEYS TO KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND. THEIR BUS STOP ON HARBOUR ROAD OPPOSITE HARBOUR VIEW CENTRE WILL BE SUSPENDED.
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (MTR) SERVICES
MTR SERVICES WILL OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE NORMAL SUNDAY TIMETABLE. PASSENGERS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR STATION RE-ARRANGEMENTS AT TSIM SHA TSUI, JORDAN AND WAN CHAI.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) SERVICES
AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY, ADDITIONAL TRIPS WILL i RATED FROM THE KOWLOON KCR STATION AT 8.43 PM; 9 PM; 9.17 PM; 9.52 I, 1.13 PM AND 20 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT.
FERRY SERVICES
» ADDITINAL FERRY SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED BY THE S'l'AR FERRY TO COPE WITH PASSENGER DEMAND.
» THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI COMPANY WILL ALSO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FERRY SERVICES FROM CENTRAL TO JO! 'AN, FROM NORTH POINT TO HUNG HOM AND FROM NORTH POINT TO KOWLOON CITY BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
/PEAK TRAM .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1989
- 20 -
PEAK TRAM SERVICE
THE SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED AS NECESSARY, DEPENDING ON PASSENGER DEMAND.
HONGKONG TRAMWAY SERVICES
ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED FROM NORTH POINT TO WHITTY STREET AND ALSO BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO COPE WITH PASSENGER DEMAND.
GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) SERVICES
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE GREEN MINIBUS STAND AT HMS TAMAR WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 6.30 PM.
ROUTES 1, 2, 3 AND 3A WILL BE DIVERTED TO TERMINATE AT A TEMPORARY GMB STAND OUTSIDE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CENTRAL.
ROUTES 6, 7, 10, 11, 24M, 25, 25A, 31 AND 36 WILL ALSO BE
DIVERTED FROM 6.30 PM.
IN KOWLOON, THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR GMB WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 6.30 PM TO ABOUT 11 PM.
» ROUTE 1 (STAR FERRY TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) AND ROUTE IM (TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE.
* THE EXISTING TERMINUS FOR ROUTE 3 (TSIM SHA TSUI TO TAI TUNG SUN CHUEN) AT HANKOW ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED AND THE SERVICE WILL BE REVISED TO OPERATE FROM LOCK ROAD.
* ROUTE 6 (WHAMPOA GARDENS TO TSIM SHA TSUI) W1IL BE TEMPORARILY CONVERTED INTO A CIRCULAR ROUTE LINKING WHAMPOA GARDENS WITH JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE.
♦ ROUTE 7 (KOWLOON CITY TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) WILL BE
DIVERTED.
* ROUTE 8 (HO MAN TIN ESTATE TO TSIM SHA TSUI) WILL BE
TEMPORARILY CONVERTED INTO A CIRCULAR ROUTE.
* ROUTE 3IM (MONG KOK MTR STATION TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST)
WILL BE DIVERTED.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3,
1989
- 21 -
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION « * » * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON FEBRUARY 27.
THEY INCLUDE ONE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL AND TWO FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE LOT FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL, CINEMA AND GODOWN) PURPOSES IS LOCATED AT WANG HOI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY.
THE AREA OF THE LOT IS ABOUT 4,121 SQUARE METRES. THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS Th'N 27,700 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
ONE OF THE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOTS IS LOCATED IN AREA 43, SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,550 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF AT LEAST 6S8 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
THE OTHER PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,673 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 37 IN TUEN MUN.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 19,152 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MRACH 31, 1993.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE THEATRE OF THE CITY HALL STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
t THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND
» THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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/22........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1939
22 -
FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO PRIVATE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED 104 RESIDENTS OF A PRIVATE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN KWAI CHUNG TO FAMILIARISE HERSELF WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE SERVICES THERE.
THE HOME IS ONE OF THE PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE VOLUNTAI REGISTRATION SCHEME.
A REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE WOULD BE ISSUED TO THES HOMES IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION STANDARDS.
MRS WONG WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE HOME. SHE POINTED OUT THAT SERVICES OF PRIVATE HOMES WERE USEFUL TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROPER RESIDENTIAL CARE REPRESENTED AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT IN WELFARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
ENDORSED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WAS LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR IN PREPARATION FOR LEGISLATIVE CONTROL IN MID-1990.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME IS TO ASSIST OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND TO PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY RESIDENTS.
THE REGISTRATION STANDARDS INCLUDE MANPOWER, SPACE, SAFETY AND FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE HOME FOR ITS SPIRIT OF CARE AND CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY PEOPLE AND ITS SUPPORT IN ENHANCING SERVICE STANDARDS.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED MANY ENQUIRIES FROM OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS ON THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME AND THAT THE REACTION WAS ENCOURAGING.
SHE ALSO APPEALED TO OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WHO WISH TO JOIN THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME TO WRITE TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGISTRATION OFFICE OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AT 21ST FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG OR TELEPHONE 5-773942.
MRS WONG ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY OF HER VISIT TO PRESENT NEW YEAR LAI-SEE TO RESIDENTS OF THE PRIVATE HOME. IN TURN, SHE WAS GIVEN A HANDICRAFT SOUVENIR MADE BY THE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
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/23........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1989
- 23 -
EPCOM MEMBERS VISIT EPD * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY STAFF FROM THE ENVIRONMENT DIVISION OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.
AFTER A GENERAL BRIEFING ON THE ROLE AND ACTIVITIES OF Tx\E EPD, GIVEN BY ITS DIRECTOR, DR STUART REED, MEMBERS LEARNT ABOUT WORK BEING DONE IN SEVERAL SPECIFIC AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THESE WERE AIR QUALITY MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT, EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION ON BATHING BEACHES AND ON SEAFOOD, PLANNING AGAINST NOISE, AND CLEANING UP INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION BLACK SPOTS.
BEFORE WINDING UP THEIR VISIT, THE EPCOM MEMBERS ALSO EXCHANGED VIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MATTERS WITH DR REED AND HIS OFFICERS.
-----0------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN CENTRAL
* t ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 7 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 6) TO 6 AM ON FEBRUARY 9, THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER :
* FENWICK PIER STREET FLYOVER;
* HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER; AND
* MURRAY ROAD BETWEEN CHATER ROAD AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL (EXCEPT FOR THOSE VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE FURAMA INTER-CONTINENTAL HOTEL).
DURING THE CLOSURE, CLUB STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND; AND CHATER ROAD BETWEEN JACKSON ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
DRIVERS TRAVELLING FROM WAN CHAI NORTH TO CENTRAL ARE ADVISED TO USE FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER, FLEMING ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD AND QUEENSWAY TO REJOIN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
/DRIVERS ON........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1989
24
DRIVERS ON GLOUCESTER ROAD ARE ADVISED TO PROCEED VIA HARCOURT ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL AND COTTON TREE DRIVE TO REJOIN QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL OR PROCEED VIA HARCOURT ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL, COTTON TREE DRIVE, LAMBETH WALK, CHATER ROAD AND JACKSON ROAD TO REJOIN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, OR TO DRIVE VIA FENWICK STREET, HENNESSY ROAD AND QUEENSWAY.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL SHOULD USE QUEEN'S ROAD EAST AND QUEENSWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, SEVERAL WESTBOUND BUS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED.
BUS ROUTES 20, 104 AND 105 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARCOURT ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL AND COTTON TREE DRIVE.
BUS ROUTES 70, 80, 81M AND 780 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARCOURT ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL, COTTON TREE DRIVE, LAMBETH WALK, CHATER ROAD AND JACKSON ROAD.
BUS ROUTE 103 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARCOURT ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL, COTTON TREE DRIVE, LAMBETH WALK AND MURRAY ROAD.
AIRBUS ROUTE A2 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARCOURT ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL, COTTON TREE DRIVE, COTTON TREE DRIVE FLYOVER, QUEENSWAY, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTOROSTS.
---O------
WHITTY STREET TRAM SERVICE RE-INTRODUCED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TRAM SERVICE BETWEEN WHITTY STREET AND NORTH POINT IS RE-INTRODUCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR FOR CARRYING OUT TRAM TRACK CONNECTION WORKS TO A NEW TRAM DEPOT IN WHITTY STREET.
IN ADDITION, TRAFFIC SIGNALS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT THE JUNCTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO REGULATE TRAM AND OTHER VEHICLE MOVEMENTS NEAR THE NEW WHITTY STREET TRAM TERMINUS.
EASTBOUND MOTORISTS ON DES VOEUX ROAD WEST ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND TRAFFIC SIGNS THERE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JUNIOR POLICE CALL NUKES ITS MARK.......................... 1
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN LOC^L HERITAGE PRESERVATION ....... 2
FISHERMEN'S CO-OPERATION CULLED FOR TO STOP ILLEGAL SALES • 4
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS .............................. 6
PRIORITY FOR FUNDING CREATIVE PROJECTS .................... 6
GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON RADIO, TV ............................ 7
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVE ......... 8
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
JUNIOR POLICE CALL MAKES ITS MARK
*****
MORE THAN 500,000 YOUTHS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC) SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1974.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH, MR D.J. COLLINS AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1988 HONGKONG BANK JUNIOR POLICE CALL AWARD SCHEME AT THE POLICE OFFICERS’ CLUB.
"TODAY THERE ARE SOME 190,000 ACTIVE LEADERS AND MEMBERS.
"JPC WAS CONCEIVED IN 1974 AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE YOUTH OF HONG KONG AND THEIR POLICE FORCE TO COMBAT CRIME, TO IMPROVE SOCIAL AWARENESS AND SERVICE AND TO PROVIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN A PLEASANT AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
"THE POLICE FORCE COULD NOT HAVE DONE ALL THIS ON ITS OWN AND ONLY THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY MANY SECTORS OF SOCIETY BOTH IN TIME AND MONEY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE GREAT HELP WE HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS WHEN PROMOTING JPC FUNCTIONS AT CENTRAL AND AT DISTRICT LEVEL," MR COLLINS SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HONGKONG BANK, MR P.E. SELWAY-SWIFT, WHO PRAISED THE INVOLVEMENT OF JPC MEMBERS IN MANY ACTIVITIES WHICH TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR IN PARTICULAR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN RALLY.
"ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS SITUATIONS FACING HONG KONG THESE DAYS IS THE RAPIDLY DETERIORATING STATE OF ITS ENVIRONMENT. I HOPE JPC MEMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO SET AN EXAMPLE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO JOIN IN THE ENDEAVOURS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE' JPC WAS THE LARGEST YOUTH ORGANISATION, MR SELWAY-SWIFT SAID IT HAD SUCCEEDED IN CHANNELLING THE ENERGIES OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.
"IT LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESPONSIBLE AND CARING CITIZENS," HE SAID.
AS THE PRESSURES OF DAI LI LIFE IN HONG EONG MADE IT EAF FOR THE PEOPLE TO BECOME PREOCCUPIED WITH THEIR OWE WELL-BEING. HE HATED, "JPC MEMBERS ARE AN EXAMPLE TO U.S ALL. THEY REMIND US THAT ' t (’AN ALL HELP TOWARDS MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER PEACE TO LIVE."
ME SELWAY-SWIFT REITERATED THE HONG I ONG’S FIRM SUPPORT FOR JPC, BOTH THROUGH THE AWARDS AND Till SPONSORSHIP OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAGE IN THE JPC’S MONTHLY NEWSPAPER.
THE JPC AWARD SCHEME. sPONSOREI DY THE HONG KONG BANK FOR THE THIRD TIME, IS AN ANNUAL FUNCTION IN ORDER I'O GIVE DUE RECOGNITION TO OUTSTANDING JPC MEMBERS FOR THEIR ACTIVI PARTICIPATION AND REMARK 'LE PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY SERVI'F.
/WINNERS OF .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
2
WINNERS OF THE FOUR CATEGORIES - BEST MEMBERS, BEST LEADERS, BEST DISTRICT COUNCILS AND BEST SCHOOL CLUBS - WERE AWARDED CASH PRIZES TOTALLING $74,000.
THE BEST 1988 JPC MEMBER WAS TAM KA-CHEONG FROM WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WERE MISS AU KIT-MING (CENTRAL) AND MISS CHAN KIT-SUM (TUEN MUN).
LEUNG SUET-LUNG (KOWLOON CITY) WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE BEST LEADER CATEGORY, FOLLOWED BY MISS CHAN YING-FUNG (TUEN MUN) AND KWONG CHI-HO (EASTERN) AND TANG SIU-LUNG (WONG TAI SIN).
KOWLOON CITY OUTPLAYED 18 OTHER DISTRICTS TO GRAB THE TITLE OF THE BEST DISTRICT COUNCIL WITH WONG TAI SIN SECOND AND KWUN TONG, THIRD.
IN THE BEST SCHOOL CLUB CATEGORY, ST TERESA SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KOWLOON CITY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP WHILE THE RUNNERS-UP WERE HO LAP COLLEGE AND BUDDHIST SHUM HEUNG LAM MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY TODAY WERE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR LI KWAN-HA; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (MANAGEMENT), MR GEORGE HINDHAUGH; DIRECTOR OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR JOHN SHEPPARD AND THE SENIOR MANAGER (BRANCHES) OF HONG KONG BANK MR EDWIN LAU.
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SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
*****
HONG KONG HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE PRESERVATION IN RECENT YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORT OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD FOR 1986 AN 1987.
THE BOARD'S WORK IN THESE TWO YEARS INCLUDED THE RIMOVAL OF ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM THE BOARD AND THE SETTING I • nF TWO SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEES - THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND IKI;. TURES SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALAEO A TO’.OGI CAL SUB-COMMITTEE.
”1986 AND 1987 HAD BEEN A ERY BUSY TIME FOR THE BOARD. MUCH OF ITS WORK CONTINUED TO RELATE TO THE POSSIBLE DECLARATION OF MONUMENTS OR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS,” THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR JASON YUEN, SAID.
HE MENTIONED IN THE REPORT THAT DURING THESE TWO YEARS, AN OLD HOUSE AT HOI PA VILLAGE IN TSUEN WAN AND THE TAI FU TAI AT SAN TIN, YUEN LONG HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND GAZETTED AS HISTORICAL BUILDINGS UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINA-’JE.
/’•WITH THE..........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
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"WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE OWNERS, THE BOARD HAD SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED THE GOVERNOR'S APPROVAL TO ACCORD THE STATUS OF DEEMED-TO-BE MONUMENTS TO THE KUN TING STUDY HALL AT PING SHAN, KAT HING WAI WATCHTOWERS AT KAM TIN AND HAU KU1 SHEK ANCESTRAL HALL AT SHEUNG SHUI.
"UNDER THE BOARD’S GUIDANCE, ONE OF THE MAJOR RESTORATION WORKS COMPLETED WAS THE PROJECT OF THE 200-YEAR-OLD SAM TUNG UK HAKKA WALLED VILLAGE. IT WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AS A MUSEUM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
"OTHER RESTORATION WORKS COMPLETED INCLUDED THE LIU MAN SHEK TONG AT SHEUNG SHUI, MAN LUN FUNG ANCESTRAL HALL AT SAN TIN, AND HOI PA OLD HOUSE IN TSUEN WAN.
"RESTORATION WORKS CONTINUED TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS, PARTICULARLY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WHICH PROVIDED A GENEROUS DONATION TO ASSIST THE MAN LUN FUNG PROJECT," HE SAID.
MR YUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD ISSUED 10 LICENCES TO ENABLE QUALIFIED APPLICANTS TO EXCAVATE AND SEARCH FOR ANTIQUITIES (INCLUDING FOSSILS).
"ALSO, AFTER EXAMINING IN DETAIL THE REPORT OF THE HONG KONG ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT FOLLOWING A THREE-YEAR TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY, THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALAEONTOLOGICAL SUB-COMMITTEE WAS ACTIVELY FORMULATING A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION.
"OTHER THAN GIVING EXPERTISE ADVICE ON ITEMS OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE, THE BOARD ALSO IDENTIFIED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AROUSING THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS OF AND INTEREST IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION," MR YUEN NOTED.
"IN 1987, THE BOARD AND A LOCAL PUBLISHING HOUSE JOINTLY ORGANISED AN EDUCATION PROGRAMME ENTITLED 'SEARCH AND TOUR AROUND HONG KONG’S MONUMENTS’ FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS," HE ADDED.
THE REPORT OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD 1986 AND 1987 IS BILINGUAL AND ILLUSTRATED WITH FULL COLOUR PLATES.
IT IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE RECEPTION COUNTER OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, 25TH FLOOR, SHUI ON CENTRE, 6 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI;
» THE ENQUIRY COUNTER OF THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY, KOWLOON PARK, TS1M SHA TSUI;
* THE ENQUIRY COUNTER OF SAM TUK UK MUSEUM, KWU UK LANE, TSUEN WAN; AND
* THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, 605 KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
A...
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
FISHERMEN'S CO-OPERATION CALLED FOR TO STOP ILLEGAL SALES t * * * ♦ *
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON HONG KONG’S FISHERMEN TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) IN THEIR EFFORTS TO DETER ILLEGAL FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES.
THEY CAN DO SO BY ABIDING BY THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE AND SELLING ALL THEIR CATCHES THROUGH THE FMO FISH MARKETS.
"ILLEGAL FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE OF OUR CONCERN," DR LEE SAID.
"THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FMO WILL CONTINUE ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE.
"ALSO, THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED IN JANUARY LAST YEAR TO AID ENFORCEMENT BY CLOSING LOOPHOLES AND INCREASING FINES."
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE HAVE INCREASED THE MAXIMUM FINES TENFOLD FROM THE PREVIOUS LEVEL OF $1,000 TO $10,000 FOR SUCH ILLEGAL MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND HAVE PRESCRIBED MORE STRINGENT CONTROL OVER THE LANDING AND TRANSPORTATION OF MARINE FISH.
TO IMPROVE ORDER AT THE MARKET FLOOR, DR LEE SAID, THE SORTING FLOOR AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FISH MARKET WAS CLOSED TO ALL BUYERS AS FROM JULY LAST YEAR.
THIS SCHEME PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING MALPRACTICES AND WAS WELCOMED BY FISHERMEN AND BUYERS.
"A SIMILAR SCHEME FOR THE ABERDEEN FISH MARKET IS SCHEDULED TO BE IMPLEMENTED LATER THIS MONTH WHEN THE MARKET RE-OPENS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS," HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE FMO ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY HELD AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET, DR LEE SAID THE FMO HAD CONTINUED TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATION OF INDIVIDUAL MARKETS, TO STRENGTHEN MANAGEMENT AND TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY.
APART FROM SUITABLY ADJUSTING THE SERVICES AT INDIVIDUAL MARKETS TO CATER FOR THE NEED OF THE USERS, THE ORGANISATION IN THE PAST YEAR DEVOTED MUCH OF ITS EFFORTS TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND REPROVISIONING OF THE MARKETS.
HE SAID CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE NEW MARKET AT KWUN TONG WAS COMPLETED AND IT WAS OPENED FOR BUSINESS IN AUGUST LAST YEAR TO SERVE THE FISHERMEN AND THE POPULATION OF EAST KOWLOON.
/REVIEWING THE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
5 -
REVIEWING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN THE PAST YEAR, DR LEE SAID THAT AS THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FAVOURABLE FOR FISHING, THE FISHING FLEET ENJOYED SATISFACTORY PRICES FOR THEIR CATCHES. AND INVESTMENT IN THE BUILDING OF NEW VESSELS CONTINUED AT A STEADY PACE.
THE LANDINGS OF FISHERMEN IN 1988 IN THE FMO FISH MARKETS AMOUNTED TO 76,000 TONNES AND THEIR VALUE AMOUNTED TO $589 MILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 10 PER CENT AND 19 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR, HE SAID.
DR LEE ALSO SPOKE OF OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY HIS DEPARTMENT TO HELP DEVELOP THE LOCAL FISHING FLEET AND HELP LOCAL FISHERMEN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
"OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS," HE SAID, "100 LOANS TOTALLING $18.8 MILLION WERE ISSUED FROM THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION LOAN FUND AND OTHER LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT."
DR LEE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDED FISHERMEN WITH VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES ON NAVIGATION, ENGINEERING AND MARINE ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS RADAR AND WEATHER FACSIMILE, TO ASSIST THEM TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY UP-TO-DATE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.
"TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF FISHERMEN, STUDY GROUPS ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AT SEA, FIRST AID AND DIVING SAFETY WERE ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE, THE HONG KONG UNDERWATER FEDERATION AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 6,097 FISHERMEN HAD ATTENDED VARIOUS TRAINING COURSES, DR LEE ADDED.
AT THE CEREMONY, DR LEE PRESENTED PRIZES TO 24 FISHERMEN WHO LANDED THE TOP CATCHES IN THE FMO WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS LAST YEAR.
AMONG THEM, SIX WERE ALSO AWARDED THE TITLES OF CHAMPION FISHERMEN OF THE YEAR. THEY ARE MR LAI KAU, MR LO LEUNG-WING, MR PO SO-HA, MR CHAN TAI, MR LEUNG NGAU AND MR NG CHUEN-HEE.
CERTIFICATES WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO THREE FISHERMEN FOR THEIR BRAVE DEEDS IN SAVING 14 PEOPLE AT SEA, AND TO FIVE FMO EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE EACH SERVED THE ORGANISATION FOR 25 YEARS.
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/6.......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
6
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS
*****
FIELD STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT MOUNTED AN OPERATION TO DISTRIBUTE BLANKETS TO STREET SLEEPERS LAST (FRIDAY) NIGHT.
A TOTAL OF 164 STAFF MEMBERS TOOK PART IN THE OPERATION.
SOME 394 BLANKETS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 150 STREET SLEEPERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 164 IN WEST KOWLOON, 44 IN EAST KOWLOON AND 36 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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PRIORITY FOR FUNDING CREATIVE PROJECTS
*****
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT PLANNING TO ORGANISE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY PROJECTS WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY WHEN APPLYING FOR DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORSHIP.
THESE PROJECTS SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS AND SHOULD BE ORGANISED BETWEEN APRIL AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG SIK-WAH, SAID THE PRIORITY IN SPONSORING PROJECTS ACCORDING TO THEIR TARGET GROUPS IS FIRST. PROJECTS FOR RESIDENTS IN GENERAL, THEN PROJECTS FOR THE ELDERLY. AND THEN PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
"WE ARE ALSO KEEN ON SPONSORING PROJECTS WHICH CAN PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES WHICH ARE MUCH NEEDED IN THE DISTRICT," HE ADDED.
DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE BOARD HAS SPENT $50,000 OUT OF ITS $1,540,000 ALLOCATION TO SPONSOR 80 PROJECTS ORGANISED BY VARIOUS DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS.
THESE PROJECTS RANGED FROM CARNIVALS, SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS, READING SCHEME FOR CHILDREN, CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS, SPORTS PROGRAMMES AND TALK ON FAMILY EDUCATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGN AND ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE ON CHINESE CULTURE.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS CAN OBTAIN SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL AND SUBMIT DETAILS OF THEIR PROGRAMMES TO THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 25.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MISS MARIA LAU ON 5-8523478.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
- 7 -
GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON RADIO, TV ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL DELIVER HIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE TIMETABLE FOR BROADCASTS OF THE MESSAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:
DAY AND TIME
MONDAY (REPEAT)
TELEVISION SUNDAY (FEB 5) (FEB 6
ATV (GOLD) 1845 1300
TVB (JADE) 1900 1315
ATV (DIAMOND) 2025 1205
TVB (PEARL) 2130 1255
RADIO
RTHK 1 (CHINESE) 1900 1300
RTHK 3 (ENGLISH) 2050 0815
COMMERCIAL RADIO 1 (CHINESE) 1820 AND MIDNIGHT 1215
COMMERCIAL RADIO (ENGLISH) 1845 08 i
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/8........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1989
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SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL ******
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHA TIN FROM 8 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 7) TO 6 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY BECAUSE OF THE CHE KUNG FESTIVAL.
CHE KUNG MIU ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN TAU ROAD AND CHUI TIN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 68K (SHA TIN KCR STATION (PAI TAU STREET) TO JULIMOUNT GARDEN) AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. THE TWO BUS STOPS ON THIS SECTION OF CHE KUNG MIU ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, TRAFFIC HEADING FOR HIN KENG AND TIN SAM AREAS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.
IN VIEW OF THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE CAR PARK IN CHUI TIN STREET NEAR SAN TIN WAI AND THE LIMITED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES IN THE VICINITY OF CHE KUNG TEMPLE, WORSHIPPERS VISITING THE TEMPLE ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
FRANCHISED BUS AND KCR TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED DURING THE FESTIVAL IF NECESSARY.
AT THE SAME TIME, TAXIS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CHUI TIN STREET.
A TAXI STAND IS AVAILABLE ON TSUEN NAM ROAD NEAR TAI WAI KCR STATION, AND TEMPORARY STOPPING PLACES FOR TAXIS WILL BE PROVIDED ON SHA TIN TAU ROAD NEAR CHE KUNG TEMPLE FOR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS ONLY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL : 5-8428777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1989
GOVERNOR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE 1989
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1989
GOVERNOR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE 1989
* * t * »
"NEW YEAR IS THE TRADITIONAL TIME WHEN FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER. THAT MAKES IT A GOOD TIME TO LOOK BACK ON THE PAST YEAR, REFLECT ON WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND TO LOOK AHEAD TO WHAT LIES BEFORE US IN THE YEAR TO COME.
"AS I LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW OF MY OFFICE HERE I SEE ALL ROUND ME NEW BUILDINGS. THEY INCLUDE SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST NOTABLE EXAMPLES OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE. THEY SHOW, IN VERY SOLID FORM, HOW HONG KONG HAS PROSPERED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
"HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED IN OTHER WAYS TOO. DURING MY VISITS TO ALL THE 19 DISTRICTS I HAVE BEEN INCREASINGLY IMPRESSED BY THE WAY IN WHICH WE LIVE - AND ACT - AS A COMMUNITY.
"IN THIS CROWDED TERRITORY WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED CLOSE TOGETHER.
"BUT NOW WE ARE BECOMING CLOSER IN ANOTHER, MORE IMPORTANT SENSE. WE CARE MORE FOR EACH OTHER AND THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
"WE ARE IN EFFECT ONE LARGE FAMILY OF FELLOW CITIZENS WITH MUTUAL INTERESTS, COMMON CONCERNS AND COMMON GOALS.
"THIS LAST YEAR HAS SEEN US STRENGTHEN OUR LINKS WITH OTHER PLACES, NOT LEAST WITH OUR KEY TRADING PARTNERS IN CHINA, THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND EUROPE.
"VISITING THESE COUNTRIES I FOUND EVERYWHERE GREAT INTEREST IN HONG KONG AND OUR FUTURE.
"WE ARE OPEN TO THE WORLD AS A MEETING POINT BETWEEN EAST AND WEST. THAT IS WHAT GIVES HONG KONG AN IMPORTANCE FAR BEYOND ITS SIZE. WE HAVE TO BE ALERT TO WHAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE AND QUICK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES.
"WE HAVE MUCH TO BE PROUD OF AS WE LOOK BACK AND SEE W MT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IN HONG KONG. WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AHEAD AN;' WHERE WE SHOULD DEVOTE OUR ENERGY IN THE FUTURE.
"IF I WERE ASKED WHAT WOULD HE MY FIRST WISH FOR THIS Nl-.w YEAR, I WOULD SAY IT WILL BE FOR A BUOYANT ECONOMY. IHAT’S ALWAYS BEEN OUR GREATEST STRENGTH AND FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.
"COUPLED WITH THAT I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED TO LOOK WELL INTO THE FUTURE AND PLAN FOR A LONG TERM INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"ONE OF OUR GREAT STRENGTHS IN HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR ABILITY TO THINK LONG TERM AND REACT QUICKLY TO WHATEVER HAPPENS.
"ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH 1 SEE AS BEING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM GEARED TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS IN A CHANGING, MORE TECHNOLOGICAL, WORLD.
/OUR FUTURE........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1989
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"OUR FUTURE IS IN THE HANDS OF TODAY'S YOUNGER GENERATION. WE MUST PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET, HERE IN HONG KONG, THE QUALIFICATIONS THEY SEEK -- AND SOCIETY NEEDS.
"AS THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG GROWS AND PROSPERS WE CAN AFFORD TO LOOK MORE AT OUR SOCIAL NEEDS.
"WE MUST STRIVE TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE MANY PEOPLE WE MEET IN THE COMMUNITY WIIO DEVOTE THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO HELPING OTHERS.
"THIS IS A SOCIETY WHICH — RIGHTLY -- REWARDS SUCCESS. WE MUST NOT NEGLECT THOSE WHO, FOR WHATEVER REASON, CANNOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES.
"I AM ALSO DETERMINED THAT WE SHOULD CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUNGER GENERATION TO GROW UP IN. POLLUTION MUST NOT BE THE PRICE WE PAY FOR PROSPERITY. EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, CAN PLAY A PART IN MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.
"AS A COMMUNITY WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE. THE ENERGY OF HONG KONG IS OBVIOUS FOR ALL TO SEE. WE MUST USE THIS ENERGY TO FACE ALL FUTURE CHALLENGES POSITIVELY.
"AT THIS FAMILY TIME, LET US REMEMBER THAT WE’RE ALL PART OF THE GREATER FAMILY OF HONG KONG. MY OWN FAMILY JOINS ME IN WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A VERY HAPPY AND A VERY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR."
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOSTER CARE - GIFT OF LOVE.................................. 1
RIGHT-TURN BaN IN K <il CHUNG .............................. 2
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1989
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FOSTER CARE - A GIFT OF LOVE t » ♦ ♦ ♦
WHEN FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER TO ENJOY THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, PERHAPS IT IS ALSO THE TIME FOR US TO SPARE SOME THOUGHTS FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE UNABLE TO ENJOY A NORMAL FAMILY LIFE.
THERE ARE SERVICES FOR THESE UNFORTUNATE CHILDREN, SUCH AS CHILDREN’S HOMES AND SMALL GROUP HOMES, RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, BUT THE ONLY DIRECT WAY RESIDENTS CAN HELP THEM IS THROUGH FOSTERING.
"THE AIM OF FOSTERING IS TO PLACE A CHILD IN A STABLE FAMILY WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN ACT AS SATISFACTORY SUBSTITUTE PARENTS FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD," A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FAMILY CARE TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 WHO HAVE NO PARENTS OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY ABLE TO CARE FOR THEM OR WHO FOR VARIOUS REASONS, HAVE TO BE SEPARATED TEMPORARILY FROM THEIR NATURAL FAMILIES.
"FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OR BOTH OF THE NATURAL PARENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN BECAUSE OF ILLNESS, FAMILY PROBLEMS, IMPRISONMENT OR THEIR UNWILLINGNESS OR INABILITY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CARE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH FOSTERING, THE CHILD WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY FAMILY LIFE, AND SHARE THE FAMILY HAPPINESS AND THE AFFECTION OF THE FOSTER PARENTS.
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT HE WILL ENJOY A NORMAL AND HEALTHTY CHILDHOOD AND REMAIN AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A FAMILY UNIT."
THE IDEAL FOSTER PARENTS SHOULD BE COUPLES AGED BETWEEN 25 AND 60 WITH A HAPPY AND STABLE MARRIAGE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, ADDING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE A STEADY INCOME AND THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT SPACE IN THEIR HOME FOR THE FOSTER CHILD.
"MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY MUST BE SURE THAT THEY <E TO OFFER INDIVIDUAL LOVING CARE AND AFFECTION FOR A CHILD WE \NNOT RECEIVE IT FROM THE NATURAL PARENTS.
"IF YOU HAVE A LOVING HEART AND THE TIME, WHY NOT DROi 1 AT OUR CENTRAL FOSTER CARE UNIT (CFCU) AT THE SECOND FLOOR. ODEON BUILDING, 28 SHU KUK STREET, NORTH POINT, OR CALL US ON j-618946 OR 5-618504 TO BECOME A FOSTER PARE! THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOSTER PARENTS RECEIVE A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF $1,454 COMPRISING A MAINTENANCE GRANT OF $1,090 FOR EACH CHILD AND AN INCENTIVE PAYMENT OF $364 FOR THE PARENTS.
/THERE IS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1989
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THERE IS ALSO A "SETTING-UP" GRANT OF $545 FOR EACH CHILD, WHICH IS NORMALLY PAYABLE WHEN THE CHILD IS FIRST RECEIVED INTO THE FOSTER HOME TO ASSIST IN ANY INITIAL EXPENSES SUCH AS PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL BEDDING, TOYS AND OTHER ITEMS.
THERE HAD BEEN NO LACK OF SUPPORTERS FOR THIS FORM OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE. SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CFCU IN 1983, OVER 300 CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE FOSTER HOMES.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SPOKESMAN URGED RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE URBAN AREAS WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF SIBLING GROUPS AND OLDER CHILDREN SUCH AS THOSE AGED OVER SIX TO EXTEND THEIR LOVE TO THESE UNFORTUNATE CHILDREN BY BECOMING FOSTER PARENTS.
MEANWHILE, A PILOT FOSTERING PROJECT FOR MILD GRADE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN IS BEING OPERATED BY THE SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND AND INTERESTED PARTIES MAY CALL 5-726798 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
"FOSTERING CHILDREN MAKES GREAT DEMANDS ON ALL PARTIES CONCERNED BUT IT MAY WELL BE THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH THESE CHILDREN FIND THE HAPPINESS AND AFFECTION THEY NEED AT A CRUCIAL STAGE OF THEIR LIVES.
"WHAT COULD BE MORE REWARDING THAN TO HELP A CHILD GROW TOWARDS HEALTHY ADULTHOOD OR TO MAKE HIM FEEL WANTED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY TO WHICH HE HAS TO ADAPT HIMSELF," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------O~------
RIGHT-TURN BAN IN KWAI CHUNG
* ♦ » « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACIIT.ATE THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS, VEHICLES WILL NOT BE \LLOWED TO rUi< RIGHT FROM EASTBOUND TAI WO HAU ROAD TO SHEK TAU STREET, KWAI CHUNG. FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 10) TO MARCH 30.
AFFECTED VEHICLES CAN TRAVEL VIA SHEUNG KOK STREET, WESTBOUND TAI WO HAU ROAD AND THEN TURN LEFT TO SHEK TAU STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO..
SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND INVITES APPLICATIONS.............. 1
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AGAINST FOOTWAY OBSTRUCTION .............. 3
WAN CHAI FIGHT CRIME, niiTI-NARCOTICS CaRNIVhL ON SUNDmY ... 4
VARIETY SHOW TO MlRK CONCLUSION OF CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME 5
DISTRICT ORG/iNISATIONS INVITED TO APPLY FOK SUBSIDIES...... 6
NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS.................... 6
NEW DISTRICT OFFICE SUB-OFFICE FOR LUNG SHING .............. 7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ......................... 7
NIGHT CLOSURE OF INTERCHANGE IN KWaI CHUNG ................. 8
UPJBjiN CLEARWAYS L\ KWUN TONG ............................. 8
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND INVITES APPLICATIONS
THE SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND COMMITTEE WILL SHORTLY BE INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR A NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING GRANTS UNDER THE FUND FOR 1989-90.
THE TRUST FUND, WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1961, IS ONE OF THE SIX TRUST FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADM1NSTRATION (CNTA).
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT ADVERTISEMENTS WOULD BE PLACED IN NEWSPAPERS ON FEBRUARY 20 AND 21 TO INVITE APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING GRANTS UNDER THE SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND.
’’THE PRIMARY AIM OF THESE AWARDS IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF EXCEPTIONAL MERIT, WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR POTENTIAL TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE QUALITIES OF PERSONAL LEADERSHIP, TO DEVELOP THEIR INITIATIVE AND CHARACTER, SO THAT THEY MAY ACQUIRE GREATER SOCIAL USEFULNESS,4’ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’PRIORITY WILL THEREFORE BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES OF PROVEN ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE IN FIELDS WHICH HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON COMMUNITY LIFE, SUCH AS JOURNALISM, SOCIAL WORK. EDUCATION. ARTS, AND POLITICAL SCIENCE,” HE ADDED.
APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON MARCH 23. FURTHER ENQUIRES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE CNTA TRUST FUND SECTION ON 3-7337825.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OVER $16 MILLION IS EXPECTED TO BE PAID OUT THIS FINANCIAL YEAR UNDER THE SIX TRUST FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE CNTA.
"THE BENEFICIARIES, EXPECTED TO TOTAL. MORE THAN 2.000, ’NCLUDE STUDENTS AS WELL AS WORKERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF AC I DE T VICTIMS,” HE SAID.
FOUR OF THE TRUST FUNDS ARE SET UP IN THE NAMES OF Foe-' ORMER GOVERNORS - THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND, THE S!\ RO! LACK TRUST FUND, THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND AND IHE SI : RRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND.
THE FIRST THREE TRUST FUNDS ARE SET UP MAI NIA TO GRANT SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERT I Y LEVELS, WHILE THE SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND IS AIMED AT I INANC1 NG LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE FIFTH TRUST FUND IS THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE I'RUST FUND. APART FROM GRANTING SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS. THE FUND ALSO PROVIDES FINANCIAL RELIEF TO PEOPLE IN DISTRESS. THIS IS DONE IN LIAISON WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
/A TOT5\L..........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
- 2 -
A TOTAL OF 415 MILLION IS EXPECTED TO BE PAID OUT FROM THESE FIVE TRUST FUNDS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE SIXTH TRUST FUND, THE BREWIN TRUST FUND, WAS SET UP IN 1906 WHEN $50,000 WAS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY TO START A FUND IN HONOUR OF MR A.W. BREWIN, THEN SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS.
THE FUND IS INTENDED TO BENEFIT CHINESE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS AS WELL AS INCAPACITATED CHINESE WORKERS. OVER $1.2 MILLION IS EXPECTED TO BE PAID OUT FROM THIS FUND THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
EACH TRUST FUND IS ADVISED BY EITHER A BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR A MANAGEMENT/ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHOSE MEMBERS INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AS WELL AS PROFESSIONALS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, SUCH AS ACCOUNTANTS, BANKERS AND LAWYERS.
"APART FROM APPROVING THE PAYOUTS TO RECIPIENTS, THE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING ON THE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS OF THE FUNDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY INVESTED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE AMOUNT EXPECTED TO BE PAID OUT IN THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR, TOTALLING $16.16 MILLION, REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 68 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL THE TRUST FUNDS WERE MANAGED ON THE BASIS THAT ONLY THEIR RECURRENT INCOME WAS USED IN ORDER THAT THEIR CAPITAL WAS PERPETUATED FOR POSTERITY.
"EACH FUND MAINTAINS ITS OWN PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENT BALANCED BETWEEN EQUITIES, BONDS AND BANK DEPOSITS," HE ADDED.
THE TOTAL ASSET VALUE OF THE SIX TRUST FUNDS LAST DECEMBER 31 WAS $411 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF THREE PER CENT OVER $399 MILLION ON MARCH 31 LAST YEAR.
INVITATIONS TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANT.: UNDER THE FUNDS ARE ANNOUNCED IN NEWSPAPERS OR THROUGH SCHOOLS AND INS'I . : UTIONS .
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/3
o
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
- 3 -CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AGAINST FOOTWAY OBSTRUCTION *****
AN EIGHT-MONTH CAMPAIGN HAS
WITH THE PROBLEM OF OBSTRUCTION OF
BEEN LAUNCHED IN KWUN TONG TO DEAL PUBLIC FOOTWAYS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CAMPAIGN, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE TERRITORY, HAS BEEN INITIATED BY A TASK FORCE FORMED UNDER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POLICE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE TASK FORCE WAS FORMED IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
PUBLIC FOOTWAYS WERE BEING OBSTRUCTED BY ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES AND BY THE DISPLAY OF GOODS AND ADVERTISING SIGNS BY SHOPOWNERS.
"AS A RESULT OF THESE OBSTRUCTIONS, THE WIDTH OF FOOTWAY AVAILABLE FOR PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION HAS BEEN GREATLY REDUCED," HE SAID.
"AT SOME LOCATIONS, PEDESTRIANS ARE EVEN FORCED TO WALK ALONG THE CARRIAGEWAY, THUS EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO THE HAZARD OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC FOOTWAYS IS AN OFFENCE FOR WHICH THE PENALTY CAN BE A $5,000 FINE OR THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
A THREE-PHASE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DRAWN UP TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
THE AIM IS TO AROUSE THE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS OF SHOPOWNERS WHOSE GOODS AND ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS OBSTRUCT THE PAVEMENT, EDUCATE THEM ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE PAVEMENT CLEAR, AND REMIND THEM OF THE POSSIBLE PENALTY FOR COMMITTING THE OFFENCE.
THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND IS BEING JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
PHASE I OF THE PROGRAMME, WHICH INVOLVES THE DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICITY LEAFLETS IN THE TOWN CENTRE, TING HONG AND NGAU TAU KOK, WHERE THE PROBLEM IS MOST SERIOUS, BEGAN LATE LAST MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH.
PHASE II OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE MOUNTED BETWEEN MARCH AND MAY DURING WHICH PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER TO ILLUSTRATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM.
/THE FINAL .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
, 4 -
THE FINAL PHASE WILL BE CARRIED OUT OVER THREE MONTHS STARTING FROM JUNE.
IN THIS PHASE, THE POLICE AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THOSE SHOPKEEPERS WHO DO NOT HEED THE ADVICE GIVEN IN THE FIRST TWO PHASES, AND CONTINUE TO CAUSE OBSTRUCTION.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AT HAWKER BLACK SPOTS TO CONTAIN THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL HAWKING IN THE DISTRICT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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WAN CHAI FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 12) AFTERNOON TO PUBLICISE THE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES.
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
THERE WILL BE LION DANCE, CHINESE OPERATIC SONGS PERFORMANCE, GAME STALLS, LUCKY DRAWS, AND SINGING BY POPULAR ARTISTES.
THE EVENT IS AIMED AT AROUSING LOCAL RESIDENTS' AWARENESS OF THE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS EFFORTS AS WELL AS PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR THEM DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL PREW; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND ACAN MEMBER, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG HOK-YIN.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE CARNIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 12) BEGINNING AT 2 PM IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND.
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
5
VARIETY SHOW TO MARK CONCLUSION OF CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME
*****
MORE THAN 1,500 WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO AN ENTERTAINING VARIETY SHOW WHEN THE DISTRICT'S CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 18.
THE SHOW IS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION UNDER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE. IT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE OPEN-AIR THEATRE AT MORSE PARK.
THERE WILL BE SINGING PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS TSOI KWOK-KUEN, WONG PO-YAN, JOSEPH TAY, NG KIT-MUI AND LEE HAK-KAN. OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE A MAGIC SHOW BY A RENOWNED MAGICIAN, MR X, DEMONSTRATIONS OF MARTIAL ARTS AND TAEKWONDO, AS WELL AS ORIENTAL DANCES.
FAMOUS DISC JOCKEYS OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, MISS CHOW WAI-MAN AND MR YUEN SIU-CHEUNG, WILL BE MASTERS OF CEREMONY.
DURING THE SHOW, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS CIVIC EDUCATION COMPETITIONS HELD EARLIER. THESE INCLUDE A GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME AND CIVIC EDUCATION SLOGAN, POSTER AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MAK HOI-WAH; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT LI.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE SHOW ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUE-OFFICES.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8,
1989
6
DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDIES
******
ORGANISATIONS IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDIES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 14 AND NOVEMBER 30, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
APPLICATION IS OPEN TO ALL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR STAGING CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, SPORTS, EDUCATIONAL OR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE ACTIVITIES SUBSIDISED BY THE BOARD WILL HELP PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING AMONG EACH OTHER AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN APRIL, MAY AND JUNE IS FEBRUARY 28, WHILE THAT FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD BETWEEN JULY AND NOVEMBER IS APRIL 14.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES WHERE ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE EXAMINED BY A VETTING SUB-COMMITTEE BEFORE THEY ARE APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
0
NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
♦ * * * *
YAU TSIM DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO /X F" 7 FILLED CARNIVAL ON FEBRUARY 19 (SUNDAY) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI \ND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE ARTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE EVENT WILL TO PROVIDE FREE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THERE WILL BE GAME STALLS TO BE SET UP BY AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES, FORTUNE-TELLING AND DISTRIBUTION OF BALLOONS BY CARTOON CHARACTERS.
FREE TICKETS FOR THE GAME STALLS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD AND AT ITS TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD.
/7........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
- 7 -
NEW DISTRICT OFFICE SUB-OFFICE FOR LUNG SHING ♦ » * * *
PUBLIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE STRENGTHENED WITH THE OPENING OF ITS LUNG SHING SUB-OFFICE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR AT 68-74 JUNCTION ROAD, THE NEW SUB-OFFICE WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN THE LUNG SHING AREA AS WELL AS IN MA TAU WAI AND KOWLOON TONG.
THE SUB-OFFICE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE MANNED BY A TEAM OF LIAISON OFFICERS WHO FORMERLY OPERATED FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IN TO KWA WAN. THE SETTING UP OF THE NEW SUB-OFFICE WILL ENABLE THE TEAM TO FORGE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH RESIDENTS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN APPROACH THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES, MAKE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS, AS WELL AS OBTAIN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT FORMS, REPORTS, CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION LEAFLETS.
THEY CAN ALSO SEEK ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE AND RENT OFFICER SCHEMES.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE LUNG SHING SUB-OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE IS 3-7165440.
-------o---------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD t * » t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE BRIDGE RESURFACING WORKS, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD (TUEN MUN BOUND) AT TING KAU VIADUCT AND TELFORD BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 11) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
HOWEVER, AT LEAST TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE PEAK PERIODS. CLOSURE OF TWO LANES WILL ONLY BE EFFECTED AT NIGHT OR DURING WEEKENDS.
MOTORISTS MAY TRAVEL VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/8........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
- 8 -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF INTERCHANGE IN KWAI CHUNG
♦ * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION, CHEUNG WING ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 5.30 AM DAILY ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 10) AND THE NEXT DAY.
DURING THESE PERIODS, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC: KWAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WO TONG TSUI STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD; KWAI CHUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH CHEUNG WING ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD; AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH LEI MUK ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
DURING THE CLOSURE, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON KWAI CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR TSUEN WAN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWAI CHUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
VEHICLES ON SOUTHBOUND KWAI CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WAH YIU ROAD, LAI YIU STREET, LAI CHO ROAD, LAI KING SHAN ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, HING FONG ROAD AND KWAI FOO ROAD.
ALSO, TRAFFIC ON NORTHBOUND CASTLE PEAK ROAD HEADING FOR TSUEN WAN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SOUTHBOUND KWAI CHUNG ROAD, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, KWAI ON ROAD AND NORTHBOUND KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
-----0-----
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 11), SEVERAL SECTIONS OF HIP WO STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THE FOLLOWING TWO SECTIONS WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET BETWEEN A POINT
ABOUT 39 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET
AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET BETWEEN A POINT
ABOUT 50 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET
AND ITS JUNCTION WITH MUT WAH STREET.
IN ADDITION, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET
BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN
STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL
BECOME 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.
-------0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REVISED RENTALS FOR /HOLESALE MARKET SPACE ................... 1
FUN FAIR TO SPREAD CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGE IN YUEN LONG .... 2
CHEUNG CHAU TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL.................. 2
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES................... J
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TaI HING POLICE STATION 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR CARPARK SITE ............................. 4
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989
REVISED RENTALS FOR WHOLESALE MARKET SPACE
******
THE RENTALS FOR MARKET SPACE IN FOUR WHOLESALE MARKETS WILL BE REVISED FROM APRIL 1, FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
GOVERNMENT TEMPORARY THE AGRICULTURE AND
THE FOUR WHOLESALE MARKETS ARE THE WESTERN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE FRUIT MARKET, THE CHEUNG SHA WAN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE MARKET FOR IMPORTED VEGETABLES, THE CHEUNG SHA WAN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE POULTRY MARKET AND THE CHEUNG SHA WAN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE FRESHWATER FISH MARKET.
UNDER THE REVISION, THE RENTALS FOR STALLS AND LORRY PARKING SPACES IN THE WHOLESALE MARKET IN WESTERN WILL BE INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 12 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RENTS WILL BE INCREASED AT THE RATE OF SI 3.80 PER SQUARE METRE OR AN AVERAGE OF 28 PER CENT FOR THE RENTALS IN THE THREE OTHER WHOLESALE MARKETS IN CHEUNG SHA WAN. A FLAT INCREASE RATE OF $70 WILL BE IMPOSED ON LORRY PARKING SPACES.
GIVING DETAILS OF THE INCREASE, THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR ECONOMICS AND MARKETING OFFICER, MR H.C. TSOI, SAID THE REVISION RESULTED FROM REGULAR REVIEWS TO UPDATE THE RENTAL LEVELS AT THESE MARKETS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF FULL COST RECOVERY.
THE REVIEWS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT AT THREE-YEAR INTERVALS SINCE 1974.
"DIFFERENT RATES OF INCREASE ARE ADOPTED FOR THE WHOLESALE MARKET IN WESTERN AND THOSE IN CHEUNG SHA WAN BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCE IN RECURRENT MARKET EXPENSES, INCLUDING STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, AND IN CAPITAL OUTLAY,” MR TSOI SAID.
DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF INDIVIDUAL STALLS AND THE TYPE OF LORRY PARKING SPACES, THE ACTUAL INCREASES IMPOSED IN THE WESTERN MARKET RANGE FROM $150 TO $580 FOR STALLS, AND FROM $110 TO $260 FOR LORRY PARKING SPACES.
THE INCREASES IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN MARKETS RANGE FROM $175 TO $3840 FOR STALLS.
WHOLESALE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADERS CONCERNED WERE NOTIFIED LAST MONTH BY CIRCULAR LETTERS OF THE REVISED RENTALS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
THE REVISION DOES NOT. HOWEVER. APPLY TO THE PRESENT WESTERN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE POULTRY MARKET WHICH ONLY CAME INTO OPERATION IN OCTOBER 1987.
------0-------
/2......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989
- 2 -
FUN FAIR TO SPREAD CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGE IN YUEN LONG ******
A FUN FAIR FOCUSSING ON THE THEME OF CIVIC EDUCATION WILL BE HELD IN YUEN LONG ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 11).
THE EVENT IS ALSO ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
IT IS INTENDED TO SERVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH ENTERTAINMENT DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON AND DRIVING HOME THE CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGE.
THE FUN FAIR, TO START AT 2.30 PM AT THE YUEN LONG MINI SOCCER PITCH IN TAI YUK ROAD, WILL FEATURE A VARIETY SHOW AND GAME STALLS.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, THE NEW TERRITORIES WOMEN AND JUVENILES WELFARE ASSOCIATION AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, MR CHAN YAT-TUNG, WILL BE AMONG THE GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE FUN FAIR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CIVIC EDUCATION FUN HELD AT THE YUEN LONG MINI SOCCER PITCH, TAI YUK ROAD, (FEBRUARY 11), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
FAIR TO BE
ON SATURDAY
-----o-----
CHEUNG CHAU TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL
*****
CHEUNG CHAU RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THE ISLAND ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 11) AT THE PAK TAI PLAYGROUND, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
THE CARNIVAL, WITH GAME STALLS AND A QUIZ STALL, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (CAC), AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION HONG KONG WEST/ISLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND TICKETS FOR THE GAME STALLS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE VENUE.
/the is lands.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 19»9
5
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG; ICAC REGIONAL OFFICER, MRS ALICE TSO; AND CAC CHAIRMAN, MR WONG WAI-KWAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
SIMILAR ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE HELD ON PENG CHAU, LAMMA ISLAND AND LANTAU ISLAND SO THAT THE "ANTI-CORRUPTION" AND "SERVE THE COMMUNITY" MESSAGES CAN BE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
THE DATES AND VENUES OF THE OTHER THREE CARNIVALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FEBRUARY 18 (SATURDAY) CHI YAN SCHOOL, PENG CHAU
FEBRUARY 25 (SATURDAY) YUNG SHUE WAN SOCCER PITCH,
LAMMA ISLAND
MARCH 1 (SATURDAY) MUI WO SOCCER PITCH, LANTAU
ISLAND
ALL THE CARNIVALS WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
-----0------
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES
ORGANISATIONS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT PLANNING TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH THIS SUMMER CAN NOW APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT'S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE FUNDS ARE FOR ORGANISING SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE HELP DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL, GAIN MORE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE, CULTIVATE WHOLESOME HOBBIES AND ENHANCE THEIR ’’ OF
RESPONSIBILITY.
"PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECTS," HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDELINES ON FUNDING ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 1 1TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE CENTRAL \ND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE BY TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 1-1).
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO MISS CANDY MA ON 5-8523462.
-------o---------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TAI HING POLICE STATION ♦ ♦♦**♦
A NEW DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION IS EXPECTED TO BE IN PLACE IN TAI HING AT AREA 3A OF TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES TO BEGIN SERVING RESIDENTS IN THE AREA NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL COMMENCE IN MAY THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1990.
THE EIGHT-STOREY TAI HING DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 6,000 SQUARE METRES IN FLOOR AREA ON A 3,000-SQUARE METRE SITE.
ITS FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE OFFICES, BARRACKS, A CANTEEN, AND ANCILLARY BUILDINGS FOR STORES, AN ARMOURY, VEHICLE INSPECTION AND EMERGENCY GENERATORS AND AN OPEN COMPOUND.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BRFORE NOON ON MARCH 3.
-----0------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CARPARK SITE
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A SITE IN KOWLOON.
THE SITE, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,350 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF MAN LOK STREET AND MAN YUE STREET.
IT IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOE MOTOi. VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, INCLUDING GOODS VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAI I FP^’ SIS ATTACHED.
TENANCY IS FOR NINE MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER DOCUMENTS ARI. OBTA1NABIJ FROM AND LENDER PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, - '• I.OcN WEST, 10TII FLOOR, .AU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STETET, KOWLOON, AND TH1 BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD. HONG KONG.
THE CLOSING DATE FOF ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUATY 24.
- 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1*, 1989 «
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK FIRST TO BREAK FOUR MILLION TEU BARRIER ................... 1
NOVEMBER TRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE ........ J
CHANGES PROPOSED TO STRENGTHEN INSURANCE LAW................... 7
PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED ............... 9
FEE INCREASES FOR AFD SERVICES ............................... 10
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO GERMAN BANK ....................... 12
GOVT APPROVES 'ACESULFAME-K' AS SWEETENER .................... 12
' YAN YAT' PARTY FOR TAI TO ELDERLY........................... 1J
TUEN MUN DISTRICT TO HOLD SPRING RECEPTION ................... 14
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION AT CHOI WAN ESTATE ................ 14
LAYING OF SLUDGE PUMPING MAINS PROPOSED ...................... 15
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG ................................ 15
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS TN WESTERN.......................... 18
BUS SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSING YI LRIDGE IMPROVEMENT
16
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
HK FIRST TO BREAK FOUR MILLION TEU BARRIER
******
THE PORT OF HONG KONG IS THE FIRST IN THE WORLD TO REGISTER A CONTAINER THROUGHPUT IN EXCESS OF FOUR MILLION TEU’S (20-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS).
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION DURING WHICH HE RELEASED THE MAJOR PORT AND SHIPPING STATISTICS FOR 1988 AND OUTLINED THE MAJOR EVENTS AHEAD.
MR HALL SAID CONTAINER FIGURES FINALISED YESTERDAY SHOWED THAT 4,033,427 TEU’S WERE HANDLED IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG IN 1988, REPRESENTING A 16.7 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S 3,457,182 TEU’S.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, MR HALL SAID A TOTAL OF 81,262,233 TONNES OF CARGO WERE LOADED AND DISCHARGED IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG LAST YEAR, RECORDING AN INCREASE OF 15.2 PER CENT OVER 1987.
ON THE PRESENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OF CONTAINER TERMINALS, MR HALL SAID THE FIRST BERTH OF TERMINAL 6 HAD BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE MAY LAST YEAR AND THAT FULL COMPLETION OF THE TERMINAL WAS EXPECTED IN MAY THIS YEAR — SOME 12 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
THE TENDER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERMINAL 7 WAS AWARDED IN APRIL LAST YEAR AND IT WAS CONTRACTED TO BE FINISHED BY 1993.
"COMPLETION COULD HOWEVER BE AS EARLY AS 1991, BY WHICH TIME THE TOTAL CAPACITY AT KWAI CHUNG WOULD BE ABOUT FIVE MILLION TEU’S," HE NOTED.
MR HALL SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL CONSIDERING THE LOCATIONS OF CONTAINER TERMINALS 8 AND 9 AND A DECISION WOULD BE MADE LATER.
"THE CONTAINER PORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON FEBRUARY 27 TO DECIDE ON THE PLANNED RATI (TRIGGER POINT MECHANISM! OF EXPANSION OF TERMINALS," MR HALL SAID, ADDING THAT THE PRESENT RATE WAS 12 PER CENT.
HE SAID HE EXPECTED TERMINAL 8 TO BE TRIGGERED LATER THIS YEAR WITH THE FIRST BERTH COMING ON STR}!' I BY ABOUT MARCH 1994 AND FULL COMPLETION BY 1995.
TERMINAL 9 WAS ANTICIPATED ' Bl TRIGGERED IN 1990, HE ADDED.
MR HALL POINTED OUT THAI HIE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY’ (PADS) WAS EXPECTED 1’0 MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS LATER IN THE YEAR REGARDING PORT DEVELOI ’!'•'.NTS WI LL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
FRIDAY, FIBRUARY 10, 1989
2
THE FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL STUDY (FINS) WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE FINANCING AND MANAGING ASPECTS OF THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS, SAID MR HALL, WHILE NOTING THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD AN INPUT THROUGH ITS PLANNING BRANCH INTO BOTH PADS AND FINS.
ON THE SUBJECT OF VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, MR HALL SAID THAT A NEW RADAR-CUM-COMPUTER VESSEL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (VTS) WAS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN JULY THIS YEAR AND WOULD BECOME OPERATIONAL IN OCTOBER.
"THE VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE WILL BE MANNED BY A TOTAL OF 36 TRAINED OFFICERS IN SIX TEAMS ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
"THE NEW SYSTEM WILL GREATLY ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY OF MARINE TRAFFIC CONTROL," MR HALL SAID.
ON THE LEVEL OF FEES AND CHARGES, MR HALL EXPLAINED THAT WHILE THIS WAS A MATTER FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS THAT DEPARTMENTS SHOULD RECOVER OPERATIONAL COSTS.
"IN LINE WITH THIS POLICY I HAVE THEREFORE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASING FEES FOR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, REGISTRY AND SURVEY OF SHIPPING, THE MERCANTILE MARINE OFFICE, EXAMINATIONS (FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY) AND VESSEL LICENSING.
"SEAMEN’S RECRUITING OFFICE AND PILOTAGE FEES ARE ALSO UNDER CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
MR HALL SAID THAT WHEN THE VTS BECAME OPERATIONAL, PORT AND LIGHT DUES AND PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEES WOULD BE INCREASED.
TURNING TO THE REVIEW ON LOCAL CRAFT, MR HALL SAID A DETAILED DOCUMENT OUTLINING ALL MAJOR PROPOSALS ON THE MATTER WOULD BE PUBLISHED NEXT MONTH FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH WOULD LAST UNTIL JUNE 1.
MR HALL ALSO REPORTED THAT WORK ON THE NEW SHIPPING REGISTER WAS PROGRESSING WELL AND IT WAS EXPECTED TO BE "LAUNCHED" ON '"CHEDULE IN 1990.
"THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSALS BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE WERE RELEASED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER ’AST YEAR AND WERE WELL RECEIVED BY THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY, ' HE ADDED.
MR HALL ALSO SPOKE ON A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD, WHICH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RESTRUCTURING AND UNDERGOING A FIVE-YEAR EXPANSION AND MODERNISATION PROGRAMME; THE MACAU AND CHINA FERRY TERMINALS; THE RESULTS OF SEVERAL SHIPPING INQUIRIES; AND THE WORK OF FLOATING REFUSE COLLECTION.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
NOVEMBER PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE * * * * *
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 9 PER CENT AND 46 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 27 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 I 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 NOVEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT AND 52 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 34 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME ALSO INCREASED BY 36 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 OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR NOVEMBER 1988 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1. THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN NOVEMBER 1988 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987, INCLUDING METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+44 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+42 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+23 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+16 PER CENT): TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+8 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+7 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+6 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); AND FOOTWEAR (+1 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
4
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-45 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-21 PER CENT); AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-13 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN NOVEMBER 1988 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987. THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+12 PER CENT): DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+6 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (6 PER CENT): WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+4 PER CENT): RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+2 PER CENT); AND FOOTWEAR (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-3 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-3 PER CENT): AND CLOTHING (-1 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF METAL ORES AND SCRAP: TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD: AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR NOVEMBER 1988 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN NOVEMBER 1988 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; FRUIT; RICE; AND FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR WHEAT AND FLOUR; AND SUGAR.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISION, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; AND FOOTWEAR.
HOWEVER. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS REGISTERED FOR CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 35 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1988 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; IRON AND STEEL; THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS: AND SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR RAW COTTON; AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN NOVEMBER 1988 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY. THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 38 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1988 OVER NOVEMBER 1987. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; OFFICE MACHINES AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
/COMPARING NOVEMBER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1Q, 1989
- 5 -
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER 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 14 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR NOVEMBER 1988 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3. THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN NOVEMBER 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE RANGING FROM 22 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 150 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987. RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT. RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 18 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE NOVEMBER 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AROUND FEBRUARY 13 AT S2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. ! 5-8234918).
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 COMPARING JAN-NOV;1988
WITH NOVEMBER 1987 WITH JAN-NOV 1087
COMMODITY GROUP UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING 14 -1 16 2 1
TEXTILE FABRICS 3 -3 6 -2 1 -4
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 7 ♦ 8 -3 1 -4
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 10 6 4 2 5 -3
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -44 2 -45 -34 2 -35
/ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
- 6 —
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 38 -3 42 38 -2 42
FOOTWEAR 2 1 1 2 3 -1
METAL MANUFACTURES 20 12 7 29 7 21
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 44 * 44 22 3 18
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 28 4 23 24 3 20
TRAVEL GOODS. HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -21 t -21 -11 1 -12
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -7 6 -13 -2 3 -5
ALL COMMODITIES 17 2 15 11 2 9
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1988 COMPARING JAN-NOV 1988 WITH JAN-NOV 1987
WITH NOVEMBER 1987
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 18 4 14 20 16
CONSUMER GOODS 50 4 44 37 4 32
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 40 4 35 31 5 25
FUELS -13 -14 2 -1 -4 3
CAPITAL GOODS 44 4 38 37 6 29
ALL COMMODITIES 41 4 36 32 4 27
/TABLE 3 ......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 198?
- 7 -
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 1988 1987 COMPARING JAN-NOV WITH JAN-NOV 1988 1987
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS 26 4 22 44 2 41
CONSUMER GOODS 63 1 61 51 2 48
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 55 6 47 50 5 44
FUELS 104 -18 150 42 -10 58
CAPITAL GOODS 63 5 54 58 5 51
ALL COMMODITIES 58 4 52 51 3 46
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3 :
* INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDEXES WITH DECIMAL PLACES. THEY MAY DIFFER FROM THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPUTED DIRECTLY FROM THE ROUNDED FIGURES IN THE PUBLICATION "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
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CHANGES PROPOSED TO STRENGTHEN INSURANCE LAW
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE LEGISLATION AND TO STRENGTHEN THE REGULATION OF THE INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIRST PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS RELATED TO THE DEFINITION OF 'CONTROLLER' IN SECTION 9(1).
/"THE EXISTING
FRIDAY, FEBRAURY 10, 1989
- 8 -
’’THE EXISTING ORDINANCE DEFINES A 'CONTROLLER' OF A COMPANY APPLYING FOR AUTHORISATION TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS AS, IN PART, A PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO EXERCISE CONTROL EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OVER ONE-THIRD OR MORE OF THE VOTING POWER OF THE COMPANY.
’’THE BILL PROPOSES THAT THE TRIGGER POINT BE REDUCED TO 15 PER CENT IN ORDER TO BRING SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF 'CONTROLLER',” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS CHANGE WAS ALSO IN LINE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION.
THE BILL ALSO INCREASES THE MINIMUM SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENTS OF AN INSURER.
’’SUCH REQUIREMENTS WHICH STIPULATE THE INSURER’S MINIMUM NET WORTH (I.E. EXCESS OF ASSETS OVER LIABILITIES) IS CALCULATED ACCORDING TO A FORMULA BASED ON THE LEVEL OF PREMIUM INCOME WRITTEN.
’’THE PRESENT REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM OF 52 MILLION, OR $4 MILLION WHERE AN INSURER IS CARRYING ON ANY CLASS OF COMPULSORY INSURANCE BUSINESS SUCH AS THAT REQUIRED UNDER THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) ORDINANCE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INCREASES WERE TO ENSURE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THAT AN INSURER HAD SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL STRENGTH TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH ANY FACTORS WHICH COULD REDUCE THE COMPANY'S NET WORTH AND THEREBY THE SECURITY PROVIDED TO POLICY HOLDERS.
THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE ILLUSTRATED BY THE TABLE BELOW.
RELEVANT PREMIUM INCOME IN PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR MINIMUM SOLVENCY MARGIN
EXISTING PROPOSED EXISTING PROPOSED
(A) UP TO 510M UP TO S25M 52M* 55M*
(B) 510M - 550M 525M - 5100M 20 PER CENT 20 PER CENT
(C) OVER 550M OVER 5100M 510M + 10 PER CENT OF EXCESS OF INCOME OVER S50M 520M 4- 10 PER CENT OF EXCESS OF INCOME OVER 5100M
♦ $4M AND S10M RESPECT CARRY ON COMPULSORY IVELY FOR AN INSURER WHO INTENDS INSURANCE BUSINESS. TO
FOR EXISTING INSURERS WHO MIGHT BE UNABLE TO COMPLY IMMEDIATELY WITH THE NEW SOLVENCY MARGIN PROVISIONS, A GRACE PERIOD OF UP TO JANUARY 1, 1991 IS PROVIDED.
’’HOWEVER, ANY INSURER SEEKING AUTHORISATION FOR THE FIRST TIME WILL HAVE TO COMPLY IMMEDIATELY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE BILL ......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
9
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REQUIRE AN INSURER ENGAGED LN LONG TERM BUSINESS TO CARRY OUT AN ACTUARIAL INVESTIGATION AT LEAST ONCE IN EVERY 12-MONTH PERIOD (THE CURRENT REQUIREMENT IS ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS).
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT WAS TO FACILITATE THE PRUDENTIAL. SUPERVISION OF SUCH INSURERS BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WHO PLACED GREAT RELIANCE ON THE REPORT SUPPLIED TO HIM BY THE INSURER'S APPOINTED ACTUARY.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE ITS POWER UNDER SECTION 34(1) ON THE GROUND SPECIFIED IN SECTION 26(3).
"UNDER SECTION 34(1) OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN EXERCISING ITS DUTIES MAY REQUEST AN INSURER TO SUPPLY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NOT SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED UNDER THE ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO ALLOW A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INSURER’S FINANCIAL POSITION.
"HOWEVER, AS THE LAW NOW STANDS, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY CAN ONLY EXERCISE SUCH POWERS UNDER THE VERY SERIOUS GROUNDS SET OUT IN SECTION 26(1) WHICH INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE INSURER IS IN THE OPINION OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN BREACH OF THE ORDINANCE OR RUNS THE RISK OF BEING UNABLE TO MEET ITS LIABILITIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"CERTAINLY THESE GROUNDS CANNOT BE USED LIGHTLY. TO ENABLE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT ITS STATUTORY DUTIES MORE EFFECTIVELY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE POWERS UNDER SECTION 34(1) CAN ALSO BE EXERCISED UNDER THE SPECIFIC BUT LESS STRINGENT GROUND PROVIDED IN SECTION 26(3).
"THIS ALLOWS FOR THE EXERCISE OF SPECIFIC POWERS IN THE GENERAL INTERESTS OF POLICY HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS."
THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND IS GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 22.
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PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED
THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSALS IT CONTAINS WILL ENABLE A MEMBER OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS APPEAL TRIBUNAL WHO HAS RESIGNED, OR WHOSE TERM HAS EXPIRED, TO CONTINUE TO ACT AS A MEMBER TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY FOR HEARING AN OUTSTANDING APPEAL TO ITS CONCLUSION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/A PHARMACY .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
10 -
A PHARMACY AND POISONS APPEAL TRIBUNAL IS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE TO HEAR AND DETERMINE APPEALS AGAINST A DECISION OR DIRECTION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD OR ITS COMMITTEES.
"THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES THAT THE CHAIRMAN AND NOT LESS THAN TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL SHOULD SIT TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF AN APPEAL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SHOULD THE MEMBERSHIP BE CHANGED WHEN AN APPEAL IS PARTLY HEARD, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE APPELLANT MAY HAVE TO REPRESENT HIS CASE TO A NEW TRIBUNAL.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 IS THUS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL BASIS FOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED, OR WHOSE TERM HAS EXPIRED, TO CONTINUE TO ACT AS MEMBERS TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY FOR CONCLUSION OF AN OUTSTANDING APPEAL, THEREBY AVOIDING THE NEED FOR THE APPELLANT TO RE-PRESENT THE CASE TO A NEW TRIBUNAL."
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 15).
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FEE INCREASES FOR AFD ♦ t » *
SERVICES
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF FEE INCREASES WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1 FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THREE PIECES OF LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE FEES INCLUDE THOSE CHARGED FOR THE REMOVAL OF ANIMALS FROM A GOVERNMENT DEPOT TO A PRIVATE SLAUGHTER-HOUSE; FOR THE PHYTOSANITARY EXAMINATION OF PLANTS FOR EXPORT; AND FOR THE LICENSING OF MARINE FISH CULTURE FARMS.
THE ANIMAL REMOVAL FEES, PRESCRIBED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE, WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1 TO $4 PER ANIMAL IN THE CASE OF CATTLE, FROM 80 CENTS TO $2 IN THE CASE OF PIGS, AND FROM 50 CENTS TO $2 IN THE CASE OF SHEEP AND GOATS.
THE FEES FOR THE PHYTOSANITARY EXAMINATION OF PLANTS AND THE ISSUE OF A PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE, WHICH ARE PAYABLE UNDER THE PLANT (IMPORTATION AND PEST CONTROL) ORDINANCE, WILL BE REVISED FROM THE EXISTING LEVELS OF $20 TO $500 FOR EACH EXPORT CONSIGNMENT TO THE NEW RANGE OF $45 TO $700.
AND THE FEE CHARGED FOR VISITING AN APPLICANT’S PREMISES FOR SUCH EXAMINATION WILL BE INCREASED FROM $25 TO $45.
/LIKEWISE, THE .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
11
LIKEWISE, THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEES OF $150 PER SITE AREA OF 100 SQUARE METRES OR LESS PAYABLE FOR THE GRANT OR RENEWAL OF A LICENCE FOR A FISH CULTURE FARM UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE WILL BE ADJUSTED TO $300.
NOTICES ABOUT THESE FEE INCREASES, APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK, WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE INCREASES, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE FEES WERE REVISED TO COVER COSTS OF THE SERVICES RENDERED UNDER THE ORDINANCES.
"AS THE LEVEL OF THE ANIMAL REMOVAL FEES WAS FIRST SET IN 1947, A BIGGER INCREASE IS NOW NECESSARY IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S COST RECOVERY POLICY.
"ALTHOUGH THE LEVEL OF INCREASE MAY SEEM HIGH PERCENTAGE WISE, THEY ARE INSIGNIFICANT IN MONEY TERMS.
"FURTHERMORE, THE NEW FEES STILL DO NOT REFLECT THE FULL COST OF THE SERVICE. IT IS THEREFORE OUR INTENTION TO FURTHER REVIEW THE FEE LEVELS IN 1990 WITH A VIEW TO RECOVERING THE FULL COST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FEES CHARGED FOR THE PHYTOSANITARY EXAMINATION OF PLANTS WERE LAST REVISED IN 1982 AND BECAUSE OF THE LAPSE OF TIME, THEY HAD TO BE ADJUSTED TO MEET THE INCREASED COSTS FOR ADMINISTERING THE SERVICES.
ON THE LICENCE FEE FOR OPERATING A FISH CULTURE FARM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEVEL OF FEE WAS SET WELL BELOW THE COST OF ADMINISTERING THE LICENCE WHEN THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1981, AND THAT THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A REVISION SINCE THEN.
"TO RECOVER THE SHORTFALL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST OF THE LICENCE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO PHASE THE FEE INCREASES BY ADJUSTING THE FEE LEVEL FROM $150 TO $300 AND FURTHER R2v : <IJG THE LEVEL OF LICENCE FEE IN 1990," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FEE INCREASES CAN BE MADE TO THE ■ OWING SECTIONS/UNIT OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT:
TELEPHONE NO.
LIVESTOCK IMPORT AND QUARANTINE SECTION 3-7332161
PLANTS AND PESTICIDE REGULATOR! UNIT 3-7332162
FISHERIES LICENSING AND REGULATORY SECTION 3-7332186
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10,
1989
12
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO GERMAN BANK
♦ » * * ♦
BAYERISCHE VEREINSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
BAYERISCHE VEREINSBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT IS THE FIFTH LARGEST BANK IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY. IT HAS OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1978.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG'S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCE BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 161, OF WHICH 126 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG. THE ABOVE BANK IS THE FIRST ONE LICENSED THIS YEAR.
GOVT APPROVES ’ACESULFAME-K’ AS SWEETENER
*****
A CHEMICAL COMPOUND, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM. MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS ACESULFAME-K, HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A PERMITTED ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER IN HONG KONG.
THE APPROVAL WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SAID THE APPROVAL HAD FOLLOWED THE RECENT ENACTMENT OF THE FOOD ADULTERATION (ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989 BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"THESE AMENDMENT REGULATION' HAVE THE EFFECT OF ADDING TO THE MAIN REGULATIONS ACESULFAME POTASSIUM IN ITS SCHEDULE OF PERMITTED ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS.
"FROM NOW ON, IT IS LEGAL TO IMPORT AND SELL THIS CHEMICAL COMPOUND AND FOOD CONTAINING IT.
"THIS IS THE FIFTH ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT SO FAR. THE OTHER FOUR ARE SACCHARIN, SACCHARIN SODIUM, SACCHARIN CALCIUM AND ASPARTAME." THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
/THE SPOKESMAN........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
- 13 -
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ACESULFAME-K WAS TWO HUNDRED TIMES SWEETER THAN SUGAR AND HAD BEEN REPORTED TO BE SAFE FOR USE AS A FOOD ADDITIVE BY THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION IN 1983.
"SINCE THEN, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF THE APPROVAL FOR ITS USE IN OTHER ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND OF ITS SAFETY EVALUATION DATA," HE SAID.
"ACESULFAME-K IS NOW AN APPROVED ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER IN COUNTRIES INCLUDING BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, FRANCE, DENMARK, SWEDEN AND SWITZERLAND.
"LOCALLY, THE PROPOSAL TO ACCEPT ACESULFAME-K HAS BEEN AGREED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY DIABETICS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE," HE ADDED.
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'YAN YAT' PARTY FOR TAI PO ELDERLY ‘ t » * *
ABOUT 1,600 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN TAI PO WILL BE TREATED TO A "YAN YAT" (EVERYONE’S BIRTHDAY) PARTY AT TWO RESTAURANTS IN TAI PO MARKET ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 12) AFTERNOON.
THE PARTY IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL'S ELDERLY PARTY ORGANISING COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL.
RESIDENTS AGED 73 OR ABOVE IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE PARTY DURING WHICH GOLD MEDALS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE FIVE OLDEST PERSONS. ALSO, ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE LAI-SEE PACKETS.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PARTY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "YAN YAT" PARTY FOR TAI PO ELDERLY ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 12). A CEREMONY TO BEGIN THE FUNCTION WILL BE HELD AT KUN LIN WAH RESTAURANT, 9 HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO MARKET AT 3 PM.
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/1U
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
14
TUEN MUN DISTRICT TO HOLD SPRING RECEPTION
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SPRING RECEPTION ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SPRING RECEPTION ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13) IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON.
THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE DISTRICT, COMPRISES 44 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WHICH INCLUDE THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RURAL COMMITTEE, LEADING CULTURAL AND SPORTS GROUPS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AS WELL AS PRIVATE FIRMS.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, AND THE RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT, ARE PRESIDENTS OF THE COMMITTEE. THE CHAIRMAN IS MR TO KAM-CHOW AND THE VICE-CHAIRMEN ARE MESSRS NG KWOK-PUN, TANG TUNG-CHIU AND LEE MING-HOI.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE SPRING RECEPTION AIMS AT FOSTERING UNDERSTANDING AMONG LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SPRING RECEPTION WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13) IN THE TUEN MUN PALACE RESTAURANT AT 126 TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD. YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FUNCTION.
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION AT CHOI WAN ESTATE *****
RESIDENTS IN CHOI WAN ESTATE IN KOWLOON WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION AT AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRU/RY 12) AT THE CHOI WAN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, FROM NOON TO 3 PM.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF EIGHT.
”WE HOPE THAT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS THE PUBLIC WILL BE MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND HOW TO REACT IF A FIRE OCCURS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
THE EXHIBITIONS HIGHLIGHT THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, "IF THERE IS A FIRE, SOUND THE \IALM".
"OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE AT THE VENUE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUli.IC,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITIONS w f u RECEIVE A NEW FIRE PREVENTION LEAFLET AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY 'HE KWONG ON BANK LTD.
/THE EXHIBITIONS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
- 15 -
THE EXHIBITIONS ARE BEING STAGED ON ALTERNATE SUNDAYS IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS.
THE NEXT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 26, AT THE KOWLOON BAY TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
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LAYING OF SLUDGE PUMPING MAINS PROPOSED » » » » »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LAY TWIN PUMPING MAINS IN CONJUNCTION WITH GENERAL DREDGING WORKS WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 80 HECTARES OF THE FORESHORE AND SEABED ALONG HING MUN RIVER.
THE MAINS WILL CONVEY SLUDGE EFFLUENT FROM THE SHA TIN WATER TREATMENT WORKS FOR MARINE DISPOSAL BY SHIP VIA A PURPOSE-BUILT TERMINAL AT THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
IN ADDITION, DREDGING WORKS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE WATERS OF SHING MUN RIVER AS PART OF AN OVERALL SCHEME TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN TOLO HARBOUR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 9 THIS YEAR.
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FRESH WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG ******
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN KWAI LUEN ROAD, BLOCKS 12-14, KWAI SHING ESTATE AND BLOCKS 6-10, KWAI SHING WEST ESTATE.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1989
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13), THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHIU KWONG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES TO THE NORTH; AND
« 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.
THESE MEASURES WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR TRAM TRACK CONNECTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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BUS SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TS1NG YI BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT
******
REMINDED BUS PASSENGERS THAT SPECIAL 41, 44 AND 44M WILL BE IMPLEMENTED OF THE STAGEI1 IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR KMB BUS ROUTES FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) BECAUSE
TSING YI BRIDGE.
ROUTE 44 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG ON ESTATE, BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
TSING TSUEN
THE TERMINATING POINT OF ROUTE 41 WILL BE RELOCATED FROM YI ESTATE TO CHEUNG CHING ESTATE. IT WILL BE ROUTED VIA CHING ROAD, CHUNG MEI ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, FUNG SHU WO TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
TSING HONG
ROAD,
THE TERMINATING POINT OF ROUTE 44M WILL CHEUNG ON ESTATE TO TSING YI ESTATE, OCCUPYING THE ROUTE 41. IT WILL OPERATE VIA CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TS
BE RELOCATED FROM
BUS BAY VACATED BY
ING TSUEN BRIDGE AND
TSUEN WAN ROAD.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE
IMPLEMENTED DURING THE WHOLE
SERVICE PERIODS OF THE THREE BUS ROUTES AND WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS UNTIL THE BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE COMPLEI ED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 11, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING FACTORY INSPECTORATE STANDARDS .. 1
FREE POP CONCERT IN MONG KOK.................1
FIRE WATCH TEAM SCHEME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............ 2
FAMILY QUIZ TO PROMOTE ANTI-CRIME MESSAGES .................. 2
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TAI PO............................ 3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1989
MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING FACTORY INSPECTORATE STANDARDS
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON DECIDE ON A SERIES OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE PhOCEDURES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FA’ TORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION.
THIS FOL’ WS TH’ COMPLETION OF A REVIEW ON THE WORK OF THE DIVISION BY ..........D \LTH EXPERT FROM BRITAIN, MR BRIAN BURKE, IN AUGUST LAST YIAR.
IN HIS SFP.'HSSION TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR BURKE MADE SOME 70 F IMFtID.....T'”.’S COVERING THE ORGANISATION, STAFFING, MANAGEMENT AND F JRE si ’GY OF THE DIVISION.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND HEADS OF DIVISIONS CONCERNED HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND THE DEPARTMENT’S MANAGEMENT HAS ALSO PUT FORWARD SOME PRELIMINARY VIEWS ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
’’ALL VIEWS WILL BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY BY THE DEPARTMENT STEERING GROUP ON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE FINANCE BRANCH, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH LATER THIS MONTH," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IF ENDORSED, ACTION TO IMPLEMENT THEM WOULD START NEXT MONTH THOUGH SOME OF THEM MIGHT TAKE LONGER TO IMPLEMENT THAN OTHERS," HE ADDED.
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FREE POP CONCERT IN MONG KOK ♦ ♦ * * ♦
A POP CONCERT AND THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN THE MONG KOK DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 25 AT CHAN HING COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTRE IN FUK TSUEN STREET, TAI KOK TSUI.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD. AND AT ITS TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT SHOP NO. 4. GROUND FLOOR, JUNE GARDEN, 28 TUNG CHAU STREET, TAI KOK TSUI.
THE FUNCTION IS SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1989
FIRE WATCH TEAM SCHEME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE OPERATION OF THE FIRE WATCH TEAM SCHEME IN SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT’S COMPREHENSIVE SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AND THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN POK FU LAM VILLAGE AND IN TAI WAN SUN CHUEN, A STREET MANAGEMENT REPORT AND THE REGISTER OF MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1988-89.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM, IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
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FAMILY QUIZ TO PROMOTE ANTI-CRIME MESSAGES ******
FAMILIES OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A FAMILY QUIZ COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DI 'TRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
THE COMPETITION, TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 26, WILL BL "UCTED IN TEAMS, EACH FORMED BY ANY THREE MEMBERS OF A FAMILY.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWA SING DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SEVEN SUB OFFICES.
THE QUIZ IS ORGANISED TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS TOWARDS THE MENACE OF TRIADS, HOME SECURITY AND SHOP THEFT AND THE QUESTIONS ASKED DURING THE COMPETITION WILL FOCUS ON THESE THREE AREAS OF CONCERN.
THE CHAMPION TEAM AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL BE AWARDED AIR TICKETS TO SOUTHEAST ASIA, WHTI.E AL), PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 25. RESIDENTS MAY CALL 0-4273593 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1989
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TAI PO » » * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, TRAFFIC LANES ON TOLO HIGHWAY AND TAI PO TAI WO ROAD IN TAI PO WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
* FEBRUARY 14 AND 15 - OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY
SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN SHUI WAI INTERCHANGE AND LAM KAM ROAD; AND OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO TAI WO ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR HONG LOK YUEN ROUNDABOUT.
* FEBRUARY 20 AND 21 - OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO TAI WO ROAD SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF HONG LOK YUEN ROUNDABOUT.
* FEBRUARY 27 AND 28 - OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO TAI WO ROAD SOUTHBOUND SOUTH OF WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK'S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE IN DECEMBER, AND 1988 ....... 1
RECORD PARTICIPATION IN CLEAN ,\ND GREEN SCHEME.............. 8
MEDIA URGED TO REFLECT MORE PUBLIC VIEWS .................... 9
WAN CHAI HOLDS FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL.......... 10
TAI PO ELDERLY TREATED TO 'YaN YAT' PaRTY ................... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FLUSH WATER SUPPLY .................. 11
MORE DISABLED OFFERED EMPLOYMENT ............................ 11
•MELODIES GaLA' TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR ....................... 1?
1,000 YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT GAU. .................... 1J
19 rainy days in January .................................... 14
TWO LOCAL OPEN SPACES TO BE BUILT IN LOUTH KW..I CHUNG ...... 17
I.D. C/.RD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59 .......... 17
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF IEC SLIP ROaD........................... 18
TEMPORARY LANE CLCbU.vE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD................. 19
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARR.JJGEMENTS FOR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS .. If
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12,
1989
HK’S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE IN DECEMBER, AND 1988
* » * ♦ ♦
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN DECEMBER 1988, AT $99,483 MILLION, GREW BY 30 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1988 RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT TO $21,175 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1988, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 48 PER CENT TO $28,121 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN DECEMBER 1988 TO $49,296 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1987. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT TO $50,186 MILLION.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1988 WITH DECEMBER 1987, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN (+42 PER CENT), CHINA (+23 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+17 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+16 PER CENT) AND AUSTRALIA (+12 PER CENT). THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM ALSO INCREASED, BOTH BY 9 PER CENT.
IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN DECEMBER 1988 OVER DECEMBER 1987, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM ITALY (+41 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+39 PER CENT), CHINA (+36 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+35 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+33 PER CENT). THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. INCREASED BY ONLY 1 PER CENT.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BY 75 PER CENT, 63 PER CENT AND 61 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, JAPAN, CHINA AND AUSTRALIA ALSO INCREASED, BY 54 PER CENT, 51 PER CENT, 49 PER CENT AND 47 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN THE YEAR 1988, AT $991,867 MJ.LION, INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE YEAR 1987.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF STIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT TO $217,664 MILLION, WHILE : RTS INCREASED BY 51 PER CENT TO $275,105 MILLION. THUS, THE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT TO $493,069 MILLION. IM ORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO $498,798 MILLION.
A MERCHANDISE TRADE DEFICIT OF $5,729 MILLION. EQUIV uENT TO 1.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS. WAS RECORDED IN 1988, COMPARED WITH A SMALL SURPLUS OF $87 MILLION (OR 0.02 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS) IN 1987.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1988 WITH THE YEAR 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
/THE MARKETS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
2
THE MARKETS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED CHINA (+36 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+35 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+22 PER CENT), JAPAN (+21 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+20 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., HONG KONG’S LARGEST DOMESTIC EXPORT MARKET, INCREASED BY LESS THAN 1 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS IN THE YEAR 1988 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE YEAR 1987. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+55 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+33 PER CENT), CHINA (+33 PER CENT), ITALY (+31 PER CENT), JAPAN (+29 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+29 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+28 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (+28 PER CENT).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 78 PER CENT. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (+58 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+56 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+53 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+52 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+50 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+46 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 DECEMBER 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY MARCH.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1988 WITH THE YEAR 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 $4,524 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $3,671 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT); ELE ’TRJ. \\ MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (E. $2,997 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND WORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,446 MILLION '3 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $1,988 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $454 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $190 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 IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING THE .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
COMPARING THE YEAR 1988 WITH THE YEAR 1987, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $17,529 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $11,159 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $9,209 MILLION OR 84 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $7,424 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT) .
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $5,653 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $614 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $251 MILLION OR 10 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 THE YEAR 1988 WITH THE YEAR 1987, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $12,705 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $10,444 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,903 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $6,418 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $6,043 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $107 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT); AND EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS (BY $34 MILLION OR 5 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 DECEMBER 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND FEBRUARY 15 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN DECEMBER 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-FEBRUARY AT $17.50 PER COPY.
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
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) DEC 88 OVER DEC 87 ( % ) JAN-DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 88 OVER JAN-DEC 87 ( % )
U.S.A. 7,189 + 17 72,884 *
CHINA 3,628 + 23 38,043 + 36
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,764 + 9 16,157 + 9
U.K. 1,604 + 9 15,524 + 20
JAPAN 1, 124 + 42 11,435 + 21
CANADA 622 + 4 5,984 + 6
SINGAPORE 485 + 16 5,223 + 35
NETHERLANDS 510 - 4 4,918 + 22
FRANCE 392 - 4 4 , 185 + 10
AUSTRALIA 407 + 12 4,172 + 13
♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%.
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) DEC 88 OVER DEC 87 ( % ) JAN-DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 88 OVER JAN-DEC 87 ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,669 + 16 67,309 + 3
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,337 - 2 29,911 ♦
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,840 + 22 19,317 + 23
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 5 -
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS
THEREOF 1,495 ♦ 15 17,498 + : 21
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
SOUND RECORDING AND
REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 1,513 4- 10 17,319 4> ' 16
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS,
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 1,479 - 5 15,551 — 3
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%.
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
DEC DEC 88 JAN-DEC JAN-DEC 88
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
DEC 87 JAN-DEC 87
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN. ) ( 1 » )
CHINA 16,516 + 36 155,634 + 33
JAPAN 9,760 + 33 93,008 + 29
TAIWAN 4,490 + 39 44,357 4- 33
U.S.A. 3,739 ♦ 1 41,347 ♦ 28
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,666 + 35 26,257 + 55
SINGAPORE 1,690 + 27 18,462 + 29
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,279 4 20 13,055 28
U.K. 1,181 + 1 12,922 10
SWITZERLAND 816 + 4 9, 130 24
ITALY 761 + 41 8,056 + 31
/TABLE 4 ......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
6
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) DEC 88 OVER DEC 87 (%) JAN-DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 88 OVER JAN-DEC 87 (%)
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,281 + 19 62,969 4- 10
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,155 + 39 52,575 + 50
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,617 + 65 32,871 + 51
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,358 + 39 32,022 4- 23
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,634 + 26 28,747 4- 35
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,001 + 36 27,467 + 32
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR DEC MARKETS DEC 88 JAN-DEC .'■-DEC 88
MAJOR MARKET 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
(HKD MN.) DEC 87 ( % ) (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 87 ( % )
CHINA 10,343 + 4 9 94,895 + 58
U.S.A. 4,925 4- 75 49,483 + 52
JAPAN 1,674 + 51 17,418 + 78
TAIWAN 1,484 4 54 14,130 + 46
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 989 + 14 11,764 4- 31
/SINGAPORE 859
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
SINGAPORE 859 + 27 8,703 + 34
F.R. OF GERMANY 981 4- 63 8,637 + 56
U.K. 630 + 61 6,420 + 50
AUSTRALIA 494 + 47 4,459 + 53
MACAU 329 + 1 3,899 + 17
1 TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
DEC DEC 88 JAN-DEC JAN-DEC 88
COMMODITY 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
DIVISION DEC 87 JAN-DEC 87
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,350 + 24 34,375 + 21
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,887 + 68 28,661 + 80
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,475 + 52 28,328 + 58
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,529 + 57 24,697 4 35
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,297 + 94 19,858 + 66
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,152 + 45 10,597 + 30
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/8.......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
8
RECORD PARTICIPATION IN CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME «**■**»
THE SIX-YEAR-OLD "CLEAN AND GREEN” SCHEME TO CONSERVE THE COUNTRYSIDE AGAIN PROVED SUCCESSFUL LAST YEAR WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF 11.425 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN IT.
ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME BEGAN IN 1983 WITH AROUND 5,000 PARTICIPANTS.
PARTICIPATION HAS SINCE GROWN FROM 7,484 IN 1986 TO 10,460 IN 1987 .
THE LATEST FIGURE WAS RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR MARTIN LEUNG, AT A PICNIC HELD FOR 500 PARTICIPANTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AT THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
THEY INCLUDED 250 WINNERS IN THE CLEAN AND GREEN QUIZ ORGANISED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
THE SCHEME LAST YEAR ALSO INVOLVED OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A TERRITORY-WIDE PHOTO COMPETITION, TREE TENDING AND LITTER COLLECTION EXPEDITIONS IN COUNTRY PARKS.
TODAY’S PROGRAMME INCLUDES VARIOUS OUTDOOR EXERCISES INCLUDING COUNTRYSIDE FIRE FIGHTING. BALANCE BEAM WALKING AND GUESSING THE WEIGHT OF A LOG, AS WELL AS LANTERN RIDDLES. PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED.
"WE ARE INDEED VERY PLEASED WITH THE VERY GOOD RESPONSE WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF THE GROWING PUBLIC INTEREST IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPARED NO EFFORT IN CONSERVING OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REALISE THAT IT IS THEIR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THE WORK OF KEEPING OUR COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND GREEN," HE ADDED.
- O---------
/9.......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 9 -
MEDIA URGED TO REFLECT MORE PUBLIC VIEWS
» ♦ * »
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED THE MASS MEDIA TO ACCORD MORE COVERAGE AND AIR TIME TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT PEOPLE COULD VOICE THEIR VIEWS AND CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF A SERIES OF CONCERN VISITS TO HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS CHARITABLE FUND ASSOCIATION.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT SINCE THE LATE 1960’S, WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING AND EXPANDING AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO LAUNCHED A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE THEM.
NEVERTHELESS, SUPPORT FROM THE MASS MEDIA WAS NEEDED TO WIDELY PUBLICISE THESE SERVICES SO THAT RESIDENTS IN NEED WOULD UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND THE CHANNELS FOR GETTING ASSISTANCE, SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT AS SOCIETY DEVELOPED, MORE IMPORTANCE HAD BEEN ATTACHED TO NEWS REPORTS ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND THE MASS MEDIA HAD CARRIED MORE IN-DEPTH REPORTS ON AFFAIRS WHICH HAD A BEARING ON RESIDENTS’ LIVELIHOOD.
IN RECENT YEARS, MANY PRINTED AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA HAD STARTED SOCIAL SERVICE PAGES, HOTLINES AND ENQUIRY SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC TO VOICE THIER VIEWS. SOME EVEN SET UP CHARITABLE FUNDS TO HELP RESIDENTS IN NEED, SHE SAID.
ALSO, SOME MEDIA PUBLISHED INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS ON VARIOUS OVER-LOOKED ISSUES SO THAT THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED COULD TAKE TIMELY ACTION TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS, SHE ADDED.
’’WHILE RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE MASS MEDIA, THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THEIR COMMENTS AND REPORTS.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO GIVE PROMPT RESPONSE TO MEDIA COMMENTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND THESE VIEWS WILL Bl TAK INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DRAWING UP POLICIES.
"IN FACT, MANY GOVERNMENT POLICIES HAVE BEEN AMENDED FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS FROM THE MASS MEDIA," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS CHARITABLE FUND ASSOCIATION FOR HAVING HELPED NUMEROUS RESIDENTS WHO WERE IN URGENT NEED.
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/1O........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 10 -
WAN CHAI HOLDS FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL
******
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS WERE URGED TO HELP COMBAT CRIME AND DRUGS AT THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE CARNIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS OF CRIME AND NARCOTICS.
SPEAKING AT THE EVENT, THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRIME SITUATION IN WAN CHAI.
IT WAS ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN STAMPING OUT CRIME.
MR MANN SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD ARRANGE A SERIES OF ANTI-NARCOTICS FUNCTIONS WITH ACAN THIS YEAR TO WARN RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, OF THE HARM THAT DRUGS CAUSE.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE CARNIVAL WHICH INCLUDED A LION DANCE, CHINESE OPERATIC SONGS, GAME STALLS, LUCKY DRAWS, AND PERFORMANCES BY WELL KNOWN ENTERTAINERS.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL PREW; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF ACAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHENG HOK-YIN.
------o-------
TAI PO ELDERLY TREATED TO 'YAN YAT’ PARTY
*****
ABOUT 1,600 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN TAI PO ENJOYED A HAPPY YAI YAT" (EVERYONE’S BIRTHDAY) PARTY AT TWO RESTAURANTS IN TAI PO MARKET THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PARTY WAS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL'S ELDERLY PARTY ORGANISING COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL.
THE PARTICIPANTS WERE AGED 73 OR ABOVE AND COMPRISED ABOUT 400 MEN AND 1,200 WOMEN. ALL OF THEM RECEIVED LAI-SEE PACKETS FROM A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER, MR TANG YEUK-FAN.
GOLD MEDALS WERE PRESENTED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, TO THE FIVE OLDES! PERSONS ATTENDING THE PARTY. THEY ARE 97-YEAR-OLD MADAM YU KOON-LI UNG MR CHAN KAM AND MADAM LAW NGOR, AND 96-YEAR-OLD MADAM YU HUNG-CHIU AND MADAM LUI TAI.
VOLUNTEERS FROM VOLUNTARY .AGENCIES WERE PRESENT TO ASSIST THE ELDERLY AT THE FUNCTION.
-----0-----
/11........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FLUSH WATER SUPPLY * » * t *
THE PROBLEM OF INTERRUPTION OF FLUSH WATER SUPPLY TO CHOI HUNG ESTATE WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 14).
THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SEVERE IN THE PAST BUT HAS WORSENED SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN HOUSEHOLDS OF CHI MEI HOUSE IN THE ESTATE HAD THEIR FLUSH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENDED FOR OVER A MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TOTALLING $52,820 FOR CARRYING OUT BEAUTIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE PLANTING OF SHRUBS IN SITTING-OUT AREAS IN TSZ WAN SHAN AND FUNG WONG SAN TSUEN; REFURBISHING OF SITTING-OUT AREAS IN SHEUNG FUNG STREET, JAT’S INCLINE, TUNG TAU ESTATE, CHOI HUNG ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND THE OLD LOK FU BUS TERMINUS; AND WHITE-WASHING OF SIDE LANES AND BACK LANES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN SAN PO KONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON STREET MANAGEMENT AND MINOR WORKS PROJECTS AS WELL AS A STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND COMMITMENT OF THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 14) WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
- - 0 - -
MORE DISABLED OFFERED EMPLOYMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ *
LOCAL EMPLOYERS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE WORKING ABILITIES OF THE DISABLED AND ARE MORE WILLING TO TAKE ON DISABLED WORKERS IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE YEAR 1988 SAW A CONTINUED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DISABLED PERSONS BOTH SEEKING AND BEING OFFERED EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
/WITH THE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 19&9
12
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DIVISION’S PLACEMENT OFFICERS, 1,126 DISABLED PERSONS WERE SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN EMPLOYMENT LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 1,030 PERSONS IN 1987.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NUMBER OF DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS REGISTERED AT THE DIVISION ALSO INCREASED BY 3.7 PER CENT FROM 1,903 TO 1,974 DURING THE PERIOD.
’’AMONG THOSE PLACED, 310 WERE EX-MENTALLY ILL AND 181 MENTALLY RETARDED, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF ABOUT 60 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY AS COMPARED WITH THE 1987 FIGURES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE SPECTACULAR GROWTH IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE INCREASING ACCEPTANCE BY EMPLOYERS OF THE MENTALLY DISABLED AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON DISABLED WORKERS ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF A TIGHT LABOUR MARKET."
THE GOOD PROGRESS MADE IN EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PERSONS IN THE PAST YEARS CAN ALSO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ONGOING PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS MADE BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION.
APART FROM SOME 1,000 VISITS BY PLACEMENT OFFICERS TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS TO FIND SUITABLE JOB VACANCIES FOR THE DISABLED LAST YEAR, THE DIVISION ALSO ARRANGED TALKS TO EMPLOYERS, DISABLED STUDENTS/TRAINEES, THEIR PARENTS AND STAFF OF REHABILITATION ORGANISATIONS TO PUBLICISE ITS WORK AND TO REMOVE ANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE DISABLED’S WORKING ABILITIES.
OTHER PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS INCLUDED AN ANNUAL SOUVENIR PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR EMPLOYERS TAKING ON THE LARGEST NUMBER OF DISABLED WORKERS AND AN EXHIBITION ON THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED.
IN ADDITION, THE DIVISION ALSO COLLABORATED WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN HOLDING SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS OR OPEN DAYS AND LAUNCHED A SPECIAL CAMPAIGN LAST APRIL TO IDENTIFY THE POTENTIALS OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY FOR DISABLED EMPLOYEES.
EFFORTS WERE ALSO MADE TO ADVISE THE PARENTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN ON CORRECT ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE ABILITIES OF THEIR CHILDREN IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT AND RELEVANT INFORMATION ON THE THE LABOUR MARKET.
THE DIVISION, MOREOVER, MADE USE OF TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS, POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND NEWSLETTERS TO FURTHER ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE WORKING ABILITIES OF THE DISABLED AND THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES IT PROVIDED.
AS PART OF ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO UPGRADE THE SERVICES, THE DIVISION’S BRANCH OFFICES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE SINCE JANUARY LAST YEAR EXTENDED THEIR SERVICES TO BOTH THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS.
/13........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 15 -
’MELODIES GALA’ TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR » t t * *
HUNDREDS OF KWUN TONG RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO AN AFTERNOON OF MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE "KWUN TONG MELODIES GALA" NEXT SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AFTERNOON.
THE CONCERT, ORGANISED TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE LOK WAH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN NGAU TAU KOK.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE SOLO AND CHORAL SINGING BY CHILDREN, RENDITIONS OF POPULAR SONGS, AND INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES.
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
FREE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
--------o----------
1,000 YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT GALA t * » t *
MORE THAN 1,000 TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM TOGETHER AT A CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI NEXT SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
THE 1989 ANNUAL GALA WILL BE THE CULMINATION OF A REVIEW OF THE TRAINEES’ ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR UNDER THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME RUN BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A GRAND COMBINED PERFORMANCE BY THE 1,000-STRONG ORCHESTRA COMPRISING STRING, WOODWIND AND BRASS PLAYERS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE COMBINED YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE DESCRIBED THIS AS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THAT BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTALISTS HAD COMBINED TO PRESENT SUCH A LARGE-SCALE PERFORMANCE.
"IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR THE TRAINEES WHO HAVE BEEN REHEARSING HARD DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS FOR THIS GALA PERFORMANCE WITH A DIFFERENCE," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE BATON OF THE ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MR THOMAS WANG, THE 1,000 TRAINEES, WHOSE AGES RANGE FROM SEVEN TO 26, WILL PLAY PIECES INCLUDING "DANCE OF THE YAO" AND THE "MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS" THEME SONG.
/SIMILAR IN........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
14
SIMILAR IN STYLE TO A SCHOOL "GRADUATION" CEREMONY, THE ANNUAL GALA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR MUSICAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROVIDE ITS TRAINEES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM BEFORE THEIR PARENTS IN PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN S^ID WHEN PARENTS WATCHED THEIR CHILDREN PERFORM ON STAGE, AND PARTICULARLY BEFORE A LARGE AUDIENCE, THEY WOULD FEEL PROUD OF THE RESULTS ACHIEVED BY THE YOUNGSTERS.
"IT IS A SATISFYING FEELING YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF," HE ADDED.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, MR JOHN HOSIER, WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN WHICH OUTSTANDING TRAINEES, ORCHESTRAL, CHOIR AND BAND MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT OR AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE PAST YEAR.
TICKETS FOR THE ANNUAL GALA, AT $10 EACH, ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-8235314.
-----0-----
19 RAINY DAYS IN JANUARY
* t « t
ALTHOUGH IT RAINED ON 19 DAYS IN JANUARY, THE RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO ONLY 23.9 MILLIMETRES, ACCORDING TO A REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (SUNDAY).
THIS COMPARES WITH THE NORMAL RAINFALL AMOUNT OF 26.9 MILLIMETRES FOR JANUARY.
THE LARGE NUMBER OF RAINY DAYS WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE BELOW-NORMAL AMOUNT OF TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE, WHICH WAS ONLY 84.9 HOURS AND RANKS AS THE 10TH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY.
THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY CLOUDY FOR THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF JANUARY.
IN THE EVENING OF JANUARY 4, WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE EAST, BRINGING OVERCAST SKIES AND OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN. WINDS ALSO BECAME FRESH TO STRONG THE NEXT MORNING. A BILLBOARD IN NGAU TAU KOK FELL DOWN, INJURING A PEDESTRIAN.
AS THE EASTERLIES WEAKENED ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 6, RAIN STOPPED BUT THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY.
RELATIVELY WARM AND MOIST SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS BROUGHT MISTY CONDITIONS TO THE TERRITORY ON JANUARY 7. IT WAS FOGGY THE NEXT DAY AND THE VISIBILITY AT WAGLAN ISLAND AND THE HARBOUR REGION WAS REDUCED TO 100 AND 600 METRES RESPECTIVELY.
/BECAUSE OF .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 15 -
BECAUSE OF FOGGY CONDITIONS, MANY HONG KONG-MACAU FERRIES WERE EITHER DELAYED OR CANCELLED. THREE OUTGOING FLIGHTS WERE ALSO DELAYED.
THE APPROACH OF A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FROM THE NORTH BROUGHT OVERCAST SKIES AND LIGHT RAIN ON JANUARY 9. THESE CONDITIONS PREVAILED UNTIL JANUARY 11 WHEN THE SKY GRADUALLY CLEARED.
HOWEVER, RAINY WEATHER RETURNED EARLY ON JANUARY 12 AS A COLD FRONT REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST. THE INTRUSION OF COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH COUPLED WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN RESULTED IN TEMPERATURES FALLING CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
BY THE MORNING OF JANUARY 14, THE TEMPERATURE HAD FALLEN TO A MINIMUM OF 7.6 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH. TEMPERATURES OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE EVEN LOWER.
COLD AND CLOUDY WEATHER LASTED UNTIL JANUARY 17 WHEN THE WINDS TURNED EASTERLY. THE SKY THEN CLEARED DURING THE DAY BUT BECAME CLOUDY WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES AT NIGHT. THESE ALTERNATE FINE AND CLOUDY CONDITIONS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
FRESHENING OF WINDS FROM THE EAST EARLY ON JANUARY 21 BROUGHT BACK OVERCAST AND RAINY WEATHER.
THEN A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON FROM THE NORTH IN THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 22 BROUGHT COLD AND MUCH DRIER AIR TO SOUTH CHINA AND THE SKY TURNED CLEAR.
FINE WEATHER PERSISTED UNTIL JANUARY 24 WHEN A SLIGHT STRENGTHENING OF THE EASTERLIES BROUGHT GENERALLY CLOUDY CONDITIONS TO THE TERRITORY. OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN ALSO OCCURRED DURING 1'HE NEXT TWO DAYS.
OVERNIGHT ON JANUARY 26, A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST AND RAIN BECAME HEAVIER.
THE OVERCAST AND RAINY CONDITIONS CONTINUED UNTIL JANUARY 30 WHEN THE RAIN STOPPED. SOME BRIEF INTERVALS OF SUNS1IINE .RED DURING THE DAY ON JANUARY 31.
ONLY ONE TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPED OVER THE ' I- ' h' RTH PACIFIC IN JANUARY. AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WHICH ORIGINATE' OF THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE MOVED WEST-SOUTHWESTWARDS INTO TH? RN NORTH PACIFIC ON JANUARY 15.
IT DEVELOPED INTO TROPICAL DEPRESSION WINONA ABO' I 1,250 KILOMETRES EAST-NORTHEAST OF GUAM EARLY ON JANUARY 18 MOVED RAPIDLY WEST-SOUTHWESTWARDS. IT INTENSIFIED TO A TROPICAL S ;' R‘l THAT AFTERNOON.
WINONA PASSED ABOUT 150 KILOMETRES NORTH OF GUAM ON J.VUARY 19 AND THEN WEAKENED TO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION. IT TURNED WEST! 'J '3 EARLY NEXT MORNING AND DISSIPATED OVER WATER ABOUT 850 KILOMETRE EAST OF MANILA EARLY ON JANUARY 21.
/DURING THE.......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 198?
16
DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY, THREE AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2, 15, 24, 25 AND 29. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 23 AND 24.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG JANUARY 4 JANUARY 6
MONSOON MONSOON 6.20 AM 6.30 AM
WINTER STRONG JANUARY 14 JANUARY 14
MONSOON MONSOON 2 AM 2 PM
WINTER STRONG JANUARY 22 JANUARY 23
MONSOON MONSOON 9.10 PM 7.45 AM
WINTER STRONG JANUARY 28 JANUARY 29
MONSOON MONSOON 8.50 PM 8 AM
THE MONTH'S FIGURES
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
84.9 HOURS ; 68.6 HOURS BELOW
NORMAL
8.04 MJ/SQ. METRE
23.9 MM
78 PER CENT
80 PER CENT
17.8 DEGREES CELSIUS
15.7 DEGREES CELSIUS
13.9 DEGREES CELSIUS
12.1 DEGREES CELSIUS
49.6 MN
3.89 MJ/SQ. METRE BELOW NORMAL
3.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
19 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
0.9 DEGREE C‘. LSIUS BELOW NORMAL
0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
2.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
53.1 MM BELOW NORMAL
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 17 -
TWO LOCAL OPEN SPACES TO BE BUILT IN SOUTH KWAI CHUNG
*****
TWO LOCAL SPACES WILL BE BUILT IN SOUTH KWAI CHUNG TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
LOCATED AT TAI WO HAU ROAD AND LAI KING HILL ROAD, THE FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY EACH LOCAL OPEN SPACE INCLUDE A ROLLER SKATING RINK, A FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCH, CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS, FITNESS TRAIL, A BASKETBALL COURT, TOILETS AND REST GARDENS.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 1990.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 3.
-----o-----
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1957-59
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1957, 1958 OR 1959 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE
MARCH 12 THIS YEAR.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY," 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 CARDS.
THESE 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 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 ADDRE! SES
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
18 -
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, 7 7 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 SHATIN 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 TAI 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.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF IEC SLIP ROAD » * * * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CHAI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10.30 AM FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 15) FOR THE TESTING OF ANTI-SKID ROAD SURFACING.
AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY TRAVEL VIA ALDRICH STREET, PO MAN STREET, MONG LUNG STREET, TUNG HEI ROAD, HAM ON LANE AND HAM ON STREET.
---0-------
/19
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
- 19 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD * » * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE MIDDLE LANE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WESTBOUND IN SHA TIN FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CHUNG PAK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 15) TO MARCH 5 FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THIS SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----o-----
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS ♦ * * * «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT TO FACILITATE THE STAGE II IMPROVEMENT WORKS OF TSING YI BRIDGE, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 5.40 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.
KWAI TSING ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH KWAI TAI ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT, INCLUDING TSING YI BRIDGE, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
A SECTION OF TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT, CONNECTING SOUTHBOUND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND SOUTHBOUND TSING YI ROAD, WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC AT THE SAME TIME.
TRAFFIC ON KWAI TSING ROAD HEADING FOR TSING YI WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT, TSUEN WAN ROAD, TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
VEHICLES FROM TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD TRAVELLING TO KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FUNG SHU WO ROAD, TAM KON SHAN ROUNDABOUT, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT, TSUEN WAN ROAD AND KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT.
IN ADDITION, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 88B, 88C AND 88M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND FUNG SHU WO ROAD.
THE TERMINATING POINT OF GMB ROUTE 88 WILL BE RELOCATED FROM FUNG SHU WO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TO CHUNG MEI ROAD DURING THE BRIDGE CLOSURE. THE ROUTE WILL THEN BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
/GMB CIRCULAR
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1989
20
GMB CIRCULAR ROUTE 88S WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, FUNG SHU WO ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, TSING YI ROAD, CHUNG MEI ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, FUNG SHU WO ROAD, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
KMB ROUTES 42, 43, 43A, 43C, 43D AND 43M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, FUNG SHU WO ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THEIR NORMAL ROUTEINGS.
MEANWHILE, THE FOOTPATHS OF TSING YI BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO PEDESTRIANS BETWEEN 8 PM AND 5.40 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FROM TOMORROW FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
AS THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ON TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT FOR TSING YI DURING THE BRIDGE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON TSUEN WAN ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE TAI CHUNG ROAD ROUNDABOUT AT CHAI WAN KOK FOR JOURNEYS TO AND FROM TSUEN WAN.
DEPENDING ON THE TRAFFIC SITUATION, ADDITIONAL ROAD CLOSURES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE POLICE AT ANY TIME DURING THE BRIDGE CLOSURE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AND POLICEMEN WILL BE ON SITE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 19fi9
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ................. 1
GOVERNOR VISITS BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ............. 3
RULES RELAXED FOR ROYAL SOUVENIRS ..........................
LEGCO GROUP BRIEFED ON SFC FUNDING ......................... 6
NEW ARRANGEMENT ON COACH ENTRY INTO COUNTRY PARK ........... 6
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ................ 8
STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............... 8
DB TO DISCUSS NEW SECTIONS FOR STANDING ORDERS ............. 9
PROPOSED LRT IMPROVEMENTS ON JOINT COMMITTEE AGENDA ........ 9
CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT LEI YU MUN FORESHORE ................. 10
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KENNEDY TOWN .................. 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI CHEONG STREET ..................... 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ....................... 11
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED t ♦ * » ♦
FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, THEY GENERALLY EXPECT A LOWER LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988.
THIS COMPARISON IS, HOWEVER, LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. THE FIRST QUARTER OF EACH YEAR IS USUALLY A SEASONAL LOW PERIOD WHILE THE FOURTH QUARTER IS NORMALLY A MORE ACTIVE SEASON AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS CONCERNED.
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, EXPERIENCES OF FIRMS IN INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES VARIED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE WEARING APPAREL, PRINTING, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRIES EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES EXPERIENCED A LOWER LEVEL OF BUSINESS.
THE BUSINESS SITUATION OF FIRMS IN THE OTHER INDUSTRIES REMAINED STABLE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, FIRMS IN THE PLASTICS, ELECTRONICS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRIES EXPECT THEIR BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN BROADLY THE SAME AS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988.
HOWEVER, FIRMS IN THE OTHER INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, EXPECT A LOWER LEVEL OF BUSINESS.
FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EXPERIENCED A HIGHER LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988. THE BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN FAVOURABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, THE MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDING FIRMS HAD IMPROVED BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. IN PARTICULAR, A STRONG SEASONAL UPTREND IN BUSINESS WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER, A SEASONAL DECLINE IN BUSINESS IS EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY WHILE THE BUSINESS SITUATION OF RESTAURANTS IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN STABLE.
/ON THE .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1989
2 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES SECTOR EXPECT THE IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS TO CONTINUE INTO THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN THE SECTOR FOR OTHER SERVICES, FIRMS IN DIFFERENT TRADE CATEGORIES (I.E. TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES, BANKS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES) CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
THEY GENERALLY EXPECT A MODERATE IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FIRMS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR WHICH EXPECT A MILD REDUCTION IN BUSINESS.
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY AND WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS. THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED BUSINESS PROBLEMS FACED BY’ FIRMS.
IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF LABOUR GENERALLY AND SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR WERE REPORTED BY A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF FIRMS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
REGARDING THE PROBLEMS FACED BY FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, OVER HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE AFFECTED BY THE CONTINUING PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF LABOUR GENERALLY, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR AND HIGH WAGE RATES. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN SIGNIFICANT IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADE SECTOR AS WELL AS THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR WERE COMMONLY AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF STAFF GENERALLY AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER.
IN ADDITION, SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED STAFF WAS REPORTED AS A PROMINENT PROBLEM BY THE HOTELS AND BANKS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. THIS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICE COMPETITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATIVELY MORE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM BY RESPONDENTS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND BANKS SECTORS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 AS WELL AS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SURVEY RESULTS, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE ONE SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.
IN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD "IMPROVED", "REMAINED THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATED" IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
/THEY WERE .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1}, 1989
- 5 -
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO "IMPROVE", "REMAIN THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATE" IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989. THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE TABULATED AND ANALYSED.
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY SIZE GROUPS.
THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF THE REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL, AT $4.50 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234779.
-------0---------
GOVERNOR VISITS BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT * ♦ t t i
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON. TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND WAS BRIEFED BY SENIOR OFFICERS ON THE VARIETY OF SERVICES IT PROVIDES.
SIR DAVID EXPRESSED KEEN INTEREST IN THE WAY IN WHICH COMPUTERS ARE INCREASINGLY BEING USED IN THE DEPARTMENT.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR CHAMSON CHAU, AND HIS SENIOR STAFF IN THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE ON THE SETTING UP OF A COMPUTERISED LAND INFORMATION SYSTEM WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR THE COLLATION OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION ON MAPS, LAND BOUNDARY RECORDS AND LAND USE DATA.
SIR DAVID WAS ALSO TOLD ABOUT Till LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN MAPPING BY USE OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND MODERN CARTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES.
HE WAS SHOWN EXAMPLES OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF MAPS PRODUCED BY THE OFFICE. THESE RANGE FROM Till LARGE SCALE MAPS AT 1:1,000 USED EXTENSIVELY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND LAND ADMINISTRATION TO THE FULL COLOUR TOPOGRAPHIC SERIES OF GENERAL PURPOSE ILLUSTRATIVE MAPS AT 1:200,000 AND INCLUDE A NUMBER OF SPECIAL PURPOSE MAPS SUCH AS THE COUNTRYSIDE SERIES.
/THE GOVERNOR........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 4 -
THE GOVERNOR WAS GIVEN A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WHICH DEALS WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF BUILDINGS.
IN CARRYING OUT THE FUNCTION, THE OFFICE CONTROLS NEW DEVELOPMENT AND STREET WORKS AND TAKES ACTION AGAINST UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AND ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
THE OFFICE IS ALSO HELPING TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEAL WITH POLLUTION PROBLEMS BY CONTROLLING DISCHARGE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE, CLEARING DANGEROUS SIGNS, AND SEEKING OUT AND DEALING WITH DANGEROUS AND DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT, SIR DAVID WAS SHOWN THE TOWN PLANNING PROCESS FROM THE INITIAL PLANNING STAGE THROUGH TO THE FINAL STAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
THIS PROCESS CO-ORDINATES THE DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES OF BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS SO AS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO TOLD THAT AN ADVISORY GROUP HAD BEEN FORMED TO UNDERTAKE AN OVERALL REVIEW OF DEFICIENCIES IN CURRENT PLANNING LEGISLATION TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE REVIEW WILL COVER ALL ASPECTS OF TOWN PLANNING JURISDICTION AND ITS POSSIBLE IMPACT ON THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES FOR WHICH A NEW PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY IS BEING FORMULATED.
AT THE END OF HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF SOUTHORN CENTRE TO HAVE A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE SOUTHERN WAN CHAI DISTRICT.
THERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, DR PETER PUN, AND THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR ANTHONY SAMSON, ON URBAN RENEWAL AND BUILDING CONTROL.
------0 -------
RULES RELAXED FOR ROYAL SOUVENIRS ♦ * » » »
SOUVENIRS OF THE VISIT BY THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS of WALES IN NOVEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY ROYAL EMBLEMS AND ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND PORTRAITS.
ANN' ' ' ED TODAY
EMBLEMS WILL BE
ON I.'OUY I N I RS AND
EMI’.I EMS l> ROYAL
MOST I EPTI.ON.AL
THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S OFFICE IN LONDON (MONDAY) THAT THE RULES GOVERNING rill'. USE OF SUCH TEMPORARILY RELAXED TO ALLOW THEM TO Bl 1.1-PRODUCED DISPLAYS COMMEMORATING THE VISIT. NORMALLY SUCH PICTURES ARE ALLOWED TO BE REPRODUCED ONLY IN I HE.
CIRCUMSTANCES.
DESPITE THE RELAXATION. MANUFACTURERS OF SOUVENIRS ’ LI. BE EXPECTED TO OBSERVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS.
/SOUVENIRS MUST .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1?, 1989
- 5 -
SOUVENIRS MUST BE (A) IN GOOD TASTE, IB) FREE FROM ADVERTISEMENTS, (C) CARRY NO IMPLICATION OF ROYAL CUSTOM OR APPROVAL AND (D) NOT BE USED AS A PREMIUM OR SELLING AID.
SOUVENIRS ARE DEFINED AS ARTICLES OF A PERMANENT KIND SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO COMMEMORATE THE ROYAL VISIT. THEY WILL BE IDENTIFIED WITH THE VISIT BY A PHRASE SUCH AS "THE ROYAL VISIT 1989", "VISIT BY THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES 1989" OR "HONG KONG 1989”.
TEXTILES, APART FROM HEADSCARVES OR WALL HANGINGS, ARE NOT REGARDED AS SOUVENIRS IN THIS CONTEXT. THIS MEANS THAT TEE SHIRTS AND OTHER GARMENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CARRY ROYAL EMBLEMS OR PICTURES.
WHERE CONTAINERS ARE PRODUCED AS SOUVENIRS THEY SHOULD BE OF METALWARE OR CERAMIC OR OTHER PERMANENT MATERIAL AND BI SPECIALLY MADE FOR THE OCCASION. THE NAMES OF THE MANUFACTURER AND CONTENT DETAILS SHOULD APPEAR ONLY ON THE UNDERSIDE OR INTERIOR OF Till CONTAINER OR ON THE STOPPER.
ROYAL EMBLEMS ON SUCH CONTAINERS SHOULD BE CONFINED TO PHOTOGRAPHS AND PORTRAITS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES AND/OR THE PRINCESS OF WALES AND/OR PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES AND PRINCE HENRY OF WALES IF INCLUDED IN A FAMILY GROUP.
THE COATS OF ARMS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE PRINCESS OF WALES, THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES AND THE BADGE OF OSTRICH FEATHERS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED ON CONTAINERS.
REPRODUCTIONS OF THE ROYAL EMBLEMS AND PORTRAITS MAY BE USED IN SCHEMES OF DECORATION FOR THE VISIT, BUT NOT IN ANY WAY WHICH MIGHT IMPLY ROYAL PATRONAGE OR ROYAL APPROVAL OF ANY FIRM OR ITS PRODUCTS.
THE STANDARD OF THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE
THE PRINCESS OF WALES MAY NOT BE FLOWN BY ANYONE ROYAL HIGHNESSES, NOR MAY THE STANDARDS AND THE
STANDARD USED BY OTHER THAN THEIR ROYAL CYPHERS BE
REPRODUCED ON SOUVENIRS OR INCORPORATED IN ANY SCHEME OF DECORATION.
SOUVENIRS MAY BE SOLD AT ANY' TIME BEFORE OR DURING THE ROYAL VISIT AND FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS AFTERWARDS.
THE COPYRIGHT IN A PORTRAIT, PICTURE, PHOTOGRAPH OR DESIGN WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE RELAXATION OF THE RULES. ANY QUESTION REGARDING COPYRIGHT SHOULD BE SETTLED WITH THE OWNER.
/6 .......
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989
6
LEGCO GROUP BRIEFED ON SFC FUNDING * * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD A VERY HELPFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED FUNDING AND BUDGETARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP TO STUDY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL.
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS AFTER HIS MEETING WITH THE GROUP THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES CONSULTANT, MR ROBERT OWEN, MR NENDICK BRIEFED THE GROUP ON THE DETAILED FUNDING PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP BY THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS ON THE MANPOWER AND ORGANISATIONAL PLAN THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THE NEW COMMISSION.
THE SFC IS EXPECTED TO COME INTO EXISTENCE AS SOON AS THE SFC BILL IS ENACTED.
"WE HAVE HAD A VERY FRANK AND FRUITFUL DISCUSSION AND WE HAVE, I HOPE, ADDRESSED THE ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE GROUP AS WELL AS POINTS PREVIOUSLY MADE BY MARKET BODIES," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSALS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP LAST FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 10). THE GROUP HAS REQUESTED FURTHER INFORMATION AND WILL CONTINUE ITS CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN DETAILS IN THE PROPOSALS.
-------o ---------
NEW ARRANGEMENT ON COACH ENTRY INTO COUNTRY PARK *****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18) A LIMITED NUMBER OF COACHES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK BEYOND THE PAK TAM CHUNG BARRIER GATE.
THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL APPLY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4.30 PM DAILY, AND SPECIAL PERMISSION FOR ENTRY WILL HAVE FIRST TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
THE NUMBER OF COACHES WILL BE RESTRICTED TO 30 A DAY.
TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE COUNTRY PARK, A SPECIAL COACH PERMIT WILL HAVE TO BE APPLIED FOR LN ADVANCE, AND COLLECTED AT THE 1'01 NT OF ENTRY.
/IT IS .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989
IT IS ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT VEHICULAR ENTRY INTO COUNTRY PARKS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, UNLESS PRIOR AUTHORITY IS GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT FOLLOWS THE SUCCESS OF A TRIAL SCHEME CONDUCTED SINCE LATE 1986 WHEREBY 30 COACHES TAKING SCHOOL PARTIES WERE ALLOWED INTO THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK ON WEEKDAYS.
GIVING DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, MR S.P. LAU, SAID: "THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING COACHES TAKING SCHOOL PARTIES AND PICNICKERS INTO THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK IS TO IMPROVE THE ACCESS TO PICNIC AND BARBECUE SITES WITHIN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK, AND TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE PICNIC AND BARBECUE AREAS ALONG BRIDE’S POOL ROAD AND AT THE CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK."
MR LAU SAID THAT COACHES ISSUED WITH SPECIAL PERMITS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED TO WONG SHEK PIER AND HOI HA BUT NOT TO THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR WHERE VEHICULAR ACCESS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
THE BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARK WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARK AREA.
"WE WOULD ADVISE COACH DRIVERS TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES AT THE PUBLIC CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE PAK TAM CHUNG BARRIER GATE AND GO BACK TO PICK UP THEIR PASSENGERS FOR THE RETURN TRIPS," MR LAU SAID.
THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL COACH PERMITS WILL BE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
VISIT ORGANISERS ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO MAKE APPLICATIONS WELL IN ADVANCE BY TELEPHONING THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE ON 3-7927365.
THE PERMITS WILL HAVE TO BE COLLECTED AFTER 9 AM ON THE DAY OF THE VISIT FROM THE VISITOR CENTRE WHICH IS NEXT TO THE PAK TAM CHUNG BARRIER GATE.
UPON ISSUE OF PERMITS, DUTY PARK WARDENS WILL ALSO ADVISE COACH PARTIES TO HELP KEEP THE COUNTRY PARK CLEAN BY DISCARDING LITTER PROPERLY IN THE LITTER BINS AND STOCKADES PROVIDED, MR LAU ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT MAY BE MADE BY CONTACTING THE DUTY OFFICER OF THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE ON 3-7927365, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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/8........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989
- 8 -
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE OPERATING BOUNDARIES OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS IN MA ON SHAN AND JUNK BAY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
ALSO, THE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE 1987 ACTION PROGRAMME REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS.
THE MEETING, TO BE HELD AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
------o-------
STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 15) TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES.
MR LAU KONG-WAH WILL RAISE A QUESTION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NEW STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME COMPARED WITH THE OLD SCHEME, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE EXPENDITURE INVOLVED, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION COSTS.
ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3, MR LAU WILL MOVE A MOTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPLAIN HOW IT DEALT WITH THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSALS ON THE REPORT.
ON HYGIENE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND MARKETS, THE REV FUNG CHI-WOOD WILL ASK HOW THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL DEAL WITH CONTRACT CLEANERS WHO DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS, AND WHAT WILL BE DONE TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS.
PAPERS TO BE TABLED INCLUDE A PROGRESS REPORT ON PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT WORKING GROUP ON WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 15) IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
--------0----------
/9 .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989
DB TO DISCUSS NEW SECTIONS FOR STANDING ORDERS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE INCLUSION OF TWO NEW SECTIONS IN THE DISTRICT BOARD’S STANDING ORDERS.
THE NEW SECTIONS CONCERN THE ELECTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BOARD TO SIT ON THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PROCEDURES IN CONFIRMING MINUTES OF MEETINGS.
AT THE MEETING, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR H. T. LUI, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PROJECT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE LA SALLE ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, THE SAFETY MEASURES FOR THE USE OF ELECTRICAL SLIDING GATES AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST HEPATITIS B.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN, BEGINNING AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
- - 0 - -
PROPOSED LRT IMPROVEMENTS ON JOINT COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO STUDY A REPORT ON PROPOSED MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE LRT SYSTEM.
THE PROPOSALS IN THE REPORT, PREPARED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION LIGHT RAIL DIVISION, INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL HANDRAILS AND REMOVAL OF SEATS TO INCREASE STANDING CAPACITY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A THROUGH TICKETING SYSTEM FOR LRT SINGLE-RIDE TICKET HOLDERS, A PROPOSAL ON FEEDER BUS ARRANGEMENTS AND A SUGGESTION TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LRT INTERCHANGES.
/MEMBERS WILL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1?, 1989
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ON NOISE PRODUCED BY THE LRT IN SIU HONG COURT WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER.
MEANWHILE, SEVERAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE QUESTIONS CONCERNING PHASES II AND III OF THE LRT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER Till MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LRT SERVICES BEGINNING AT 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
- 0 - -
CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT LEI YU MUN FORESHORE
*****
A SPECIAL CLEAN-UP OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE LEI YU MUN FORESHORE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BRITISH FORCES.
THE FORESHORE OF LEI YU MUN, WHICH GUARDS THE EASTERN ENTRANCE TO THE VICTORIA HARBOUR, HAS BEEN NAMED A REFUSE BLACK SPOT BECAUSE OF THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FLOATING REFUSE WASHED ASHORE BY TIDAL WAVES AND ACCUMULATED THERE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, ORGANISER OF TODAY’S CLEAN-UP OPERATION, SAID: "CLEANING UP THE FORESHORE AREA AT LEI YU MUN IS BY NO MEANS AN EASY JOB, CONSIDERING THAT THE AREA IS INACCESSIBLE BY ROAD AND LANDING FROM A BOAT IS DIFFICULT AS THERE IS NO PIER THERE.
"WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE BRITISH FORCES FOR PROVIDING A LANDING CRAFT, THUS MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE CLEANSING STAFF TO LAND AT THE SITE. "
THE REFUSE COLLECTED TODAY WAS MAINLY FOAM RUBBER AND PIECES OF WOOD.
THE REFUSE WAS UNLOADED FROM THE LANDING CRAFT ONTO A RECEPTION VESSEL PROVIDED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO A NEARBY DISPOSAL POINT.
TODAY’S OPERATION LASTED FOR TWO HOURS. TWENTY CLEANSING STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE DEPLOYED AND A TOTAL OF 10 TONNES OF REFUSE WAS COLLECTED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT SIMILAR OPERATIONS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE FUTURE IF THE SITUATION REQUIRED.
/11
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1989
11
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KENNEDY TOWN
» » » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 16), TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS FOR TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
THEY ARE THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CATCHICK STREET FROM HOUSE NO. 1 TO HOUSE NO. 15, AND THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE FROM HOUSE NO. 49 OF KENNDEY TOWN PRAYA TO HOUSE NO. 2F OF CATCHICK STREET.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-----o------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI CHEONG STREET
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TAI CHEONG STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN BETWEEN WAI HANG STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 16) TO 10 AM ON APRIL 18 FOR WATERWORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC :
» WAI HANG STREET BETWEEN TAI FOO STREET AND TAI CHEONG
STREET;
* SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN TAI FOO STREET AND TAI CHEONG
STREET; AND
« TAI FOO STREET.
------o-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN
* t » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT LION ROCK PARK ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 16).
THE CLOSURE WILL FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WESTERN ACCESS LINKING CHUK YUEN ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD.
MOTORISTS ON EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD HEADING FOR LION ROCK PARK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, CHUK YUEN ROAD, AN UNNAMED ROAD AND LION ROCK PARK ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS ON LION ROCK PARK ROAD HEADING FOR EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LION ROCK PARK ROAD, THE UNNAMED ROAD, CHUK YUEN ROAD, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, FUNG MO INTERCHANGE AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1Q, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ...................... 1
NT TAXIS TO OPERATE IN MA ON SHAN PROPOSAL ENDORSED ............ 5
15 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA ................................... 6
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES REVISED ................... 6
KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO HOLD NEW YEAR CARNIVALS ................. 8
CARNIVAL TO CELEBRATE SPRING Lr-NTERN FESTIVAL IN WONG TAI SIN 9
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LUNG CHEUNG ROrJ).................
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IK SHEUNG WaN ....................... 1">
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN HAPPY VALLEY ...................... 10
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ♦ * ♦ t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS:
MR A.G. EASON, JP
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, WILL SUCCEED MR CHAU CHAM-SON AS DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS IN APRIL 1989 WHEN MR CHAU RETIRES AFTER 29 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR LEUNG MING-YIN, JP
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, WILL SUCCEED MR ALAN CARTER AS DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IN MAY 1989 WHEN MR CARTER RETIRES AFTER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR YEUNG HIN-CHUNG, JP
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, WILL SUCCEED MR LEUNG MING-YIN AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
MR T.H. BARMA, ISO, JP
COMMISSIONER, EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, WILL SUCCEED MR K.Y. YEUNG AS DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY IN JUNE 1989 AS MR YEUNG HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO TAKE OVER FROM MR RON BRIDGE AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER FROM JULY 1, 1989.
MR WONG KAM-CHIU, JP
DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL (SPECIAL DUTIES), WILL BE SECONDED TO THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AS COMMISSIONER IN PLACE OF MR BARMA.
MR MIAO CHI, JP
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, WILL SUCCEED MR GRAHAM OSBORNE AS DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN MARCH 1989 WHEN MR OSBORNE RETIRES AFTER 28 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR KWOK PING-KI
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, WILL SUCCEED MR MIAO CHI AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
- 2 -
FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS:
MR A.G. EASON, JP
AGED 50. MR EASON JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN 1962 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE GRADE IN AUGUST 1968. HE HAS HELD A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, ENVIRONMENT BRANCH AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS ALSO SERVED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS (1981-85), DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY (1986-87) AND BECAME DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 1987.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN DECEMBER 1988.
MR CHAU CHAM-SON, OBE, JP
AGED 57. MR CHAU JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT PLANNING OFFICER IN THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN 1960. HE BECAME THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN 1984.
UPON THE RE-ORGANISATION OF LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS, HE WAS APPOINTED AS THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS IN 1986.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR CHAU WILL HAVE COMPLETED 29 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR LEUNG MING-YIN, JP
AGED 48. MR LEUNG JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE^ AS AN IMMIGRATION SUB-INSPECTOR IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN 1965.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IN JULY 1984 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IN JULY 1987. MR LEUNG HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
MR A.J. CARTER, CBE, ISO, JP
AGED 59. MR CARTER JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A CHIEF IMMIGRATION INSPECTOR IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY 1966.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IN JUNE 1983.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR CARTER WILL HAVE COMPLETED 23 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
/MR JOHN........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
MR JOHN YEUNG HIN-CHUNG, JP
AGED 43. MR YEUNG JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN IMMIGRATION SUB-INSPECTOR IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN 1967.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IN JULY 1984 AND HAS ACTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
MR T.H. BARMA, ISO, JP
AGED 55. MR BARMA JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN 1967 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE GRADE IN AUGUST 1968.
HE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE PARTICULARLY IN THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, AS AN ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE FINANCE BRANCH, AND IN THE POST OFFICE WHERE HE WAS DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS ALSO SERVED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (1984-861 AND WAS SECONDED TO THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AS COMMISSIONER IN MARCH 1986.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN OCTOBER 1987.
MR K.Y. YEUNG, JP
AGED 48. MR YEUNG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN SEPTEMBER 1962. HE HAS HELD VARIOUS POSTS IN THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, FINANCE BRANCH AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS WORKED MAINLY IN THE FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATED FIELDS. HE SERVED AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT (1980-81), DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES (1982-84), COMMISSIONER, EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (1984-86) AND BECAME DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY IN MARCH 1986.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OE' ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
/MR RONALD .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
MR RONALD BRIDGE, OBE, JP
AGED 56. MR BRIDGE JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1957 AND HAS HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE FORMER RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT, LANDS BRANCH, AND ESTABLISHMENT BRANCH. HE HAS ALSO BEEN DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, AND DEPUTY SECRETARY AND ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION (1978-83), COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR (1983-86) AND BECAME SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER IN AUGUST 1986.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANE OF SECRETARY. SECRETARIAT IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
GOVERNMENT
MR PAUL WONG KAM-CHIU, JP
AGED 52. MR WONG JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN APRIL 1960. HE HAS SERVED FOR THE MAJORITY OF HIS CAREER IN THE FORMER COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AND TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENTS WHERE HE BECAME AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN 1974.
HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN JULY 1982 AND HAS SERVED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY (1982-85), DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE (1985-86) BEFORE BECOMING DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL IN NOVEMBER 1986.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN JULY 1983.
MR MIAO CHI, JP
AGED 55. MR MIAO JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER IN THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER 1963.
HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER GRADE IN APRIL 1969. HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN FEBRUARY 1982 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN MARCH 1986.
MR MIAO HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
/Mr g.j
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1U, 1989
- 5 -
MR G.J. OSBORNE, ISO, JP
AGED 60. MR OSBORNE JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER IN THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN OCTOBER 1960.
HE BECAME THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN 1982.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR OSBORNE WILL HAVE COMPLETED 28 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR KWOK PING-KI
AGED 56. MR KWOK JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER IN NOVEMBER 1959 IN THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. HE WAS PROMOTED TO GOVERNMENT BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEER IN AUGUST 1982 AND HAS ACTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
- 0---------
NT TAXIS TO OPERATE IN MA ON SHAN PROPOSAL ENDORSED ******
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TACI TODAY (TUESDAY) ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO OPERATE IN MA ON SHAN.
AT PRESENT, NT TAXIS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO OPERATE IN SHA TIN, INCLUDING MA ON SHAN, EXCEPT TO BRING PASSENGERS FROM THE NORTH TO THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, SHA TIN RACE COURSE AND MEI SHA PIER.
FROM SAI KUNG, NT TAXIS ARE ONLY PERMITTED TO OPERATE AS FAR AS NAI CHUNG IN SAI KUNG NORTH.
THE RESTRICTION ON NT TAXIS IN MA ON SHAN HAD BEEN IMPOSED FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S DECISION IN 1987 THAT NT TAXIS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM MA ON SHAN SUBJECT TO A REVIEW WHEN ADDITIONAL ROAD LINKS WERE PROVIDED TO MA ON SHAN IN 1988.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE OPENING OF SAI SHA ROAD IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR GENERATED A DEMAND FOR TAXI TRAVEL BETWEEN SAI KUNG AND TAI PO/ NORTH DISTRICT VIA MA ON SHAN.
THE DEMAND FOR TAXI TRAVEL BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND TAI PO/NORTH DISTRICT WAS ALSO EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH POPULATION GROWTH AND NT TAXIS COULD MEET THIS INCREASING DEMAND.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT ALLOWING NT TAXIS TO OPERATE IN MA ON SHAN WOULD NOT AFFECT THE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICE IN THE FEW REMAINING REMOTE NT AREAS WHICH WERE NOT SERVED BY SCHEDULED PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
MEMBERS ALSO AGREED THAT NT TAXIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE BANNED FROM THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, INCLUDING RENNIE’S MILL.
MEMBERS CONCEDED THAT IT WAS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN TO BE SERVED BY URBAN TAXIS AS MOST EXTERNAL TRIPS WOULD BE TO AND FROM KOWLOON RATHER THAN SAI KUNG.
AS REGARDS RENNIE’S MILL, MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE PROVISION OF BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES, FERRIES AND URBAN TAXIS CONTINUED TO SERVE THE AREA WELL.
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15 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA » » « *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 15 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FIVE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY 1 .
THE FIVE BILLS ARE THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, LEGAL OFFICERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
EACH BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
------0-------
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES REVISED » * * » t
A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED YESTERDAY (MONDAY) CONTAINS A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 7.32 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 6.84 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
/INTEREST ON
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.61 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER TOMORROW.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE TOMORROW WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS -
5.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
OCTOBER 14, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 28, 1987;
4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR OCTOBER 28, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 30, 1987; AFTER
3.24 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR OCTOBER 30, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 2, 1987; AFTER
3.00 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR DECEMBER 2, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 9, 1987; AFTER
2.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR DECEMBER 9, 1987 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 20, 1988; AFTER
2.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR FEBRUARY 20, 1988 AND BEFORE APRIL 13, 1988; AFTER
3.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR APRIL 13, 1988 AND BEFORE MAY 11, 1988; AFTER
4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988; MAV 11,
4.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JUNE 16, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 29, 1988; AFTER
5.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JUNE 29, 1988 AND BEFORE JULY 27, 1988; AFTER
5.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JULY 27, 1988 AND BEFORE AUGUST 17, 1988; AFTER
6.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 17, 1988 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 1988; AND
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR DECEMBER 7, 1988 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 1989; AFTER
/BUT ALWAYS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1<», 1989
8
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 17, 1989, MARCH 17, 1989 AND APRIL 17, 1989 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON MAY 16, 1989 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000, FEBRUARY 17, 1989 TO MAY 16, 1989 = $18.30
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $6.10 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, MARCH 17, 1989 TO MAY 16, 1989 = $12.20
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $6.10 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, APRIL 17, 1989 TO MAY 16, 1989 = $ 6.10
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $6.10 PER MONTH
$36.60
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KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO HOLD NEW YEAR CARNIVALS
******
RESIDENTS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND FREE LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVALS, ORGANISED BY KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
TWO CARNIVALS ARE BEING HELD TO ATTRACT AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE TO ATTEND.
ONE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AT THE KWAI CHUNG HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND AND THE OTHER WILL START AT 7 PM AT THE TSING YI CHEUNG CHING ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
BOTH CARNIVALS WILL INCLUDE A CHINESE ACROBATIC SHOW, SINGING AND DANCING, HANDICRAFT AND GAMES STALLS AND FORTUNE-TELLING.
THE CARNIVALS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED WITH A BUDGET OF $120,000 EQUALLY SHARED BY THE BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING A FESTIVE MOOD AMONG RESIDENTS.
TICKETS FOR VARIOUS GAMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE M- \l PS J NG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SEVEN SUB-OFFICES.
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/9
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
- 9 -
CARNIVAL TO CELEBRATE SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL IN WONG TAI SIN
A CARNIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD IN WONG TAI SIN ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) TO PROVIDE FREE ENTERTAINMENT TO RESIDENTS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE OPEN-AIR THEATRE AT MORSE PARK.
PROGRAMME OF THE TWO-HOUR CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE POPULAR SONGS BY FAMOUS SINGERS JOSEPH TAY, WONG PO-YAN, LAM CHOI-KI, HUI CHI-ON, TO TAK-CHI, LUI SAN AND LAW KAM-WING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A "LANTERN RIDDLES CORNER" WHERE PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO CAN GIVE THE RIGHT ANSWERS TO THE RIDDLES.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING WILL BE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS CECILIA YEUNG; AND PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL, MR WONG FUK-YU, VICE-PRESIDENT, MR WONG SIU-KWAN, PERMANENT PRESIDENT, MR ALBERT LI, AND CHAIRMAN, MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE CARNIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL, THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) IN THE OPEN-AIR THEATRE AT MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN.
0--------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN, BETWEEN A POINT OUTSIDE THE ASIA TELEVISION BUILDING AND A POINT ABOUT 250 METRES TO THE EAST, WILL BE REDUCED TO TWO-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC BETWEEN 11.30 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 16) TO FEBRUARY 28, EXCEPT SATURDAY NIGHTS.
MOTORISTS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA
CARE DURING THE PERIOD OF THE LANE CLOSURE.
-----o------
/-IO..........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1989
10 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHEUNG WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 188 AND 210 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 17).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - - - 0 --------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN HAPPY VALLEY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 17), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSOI TAK STREET IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS FOR LAYING OF WATER MAINS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, J-EBRIURY 15, 1989 - •' •
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
BILL SEEKS.TO.STRENGTHEN LEGAL PROFESSION ................ 1
AMENDMENTS.TO LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE
PROPOSED ............................................... 4
LEGAL Bash FOR CONTROLLING IMPORTATION OF ’GAME1 ......... 5
BILL PROVIDES FOR CONTINUITY IN HEARING PHARMACY mPPEaLS . 6
CLOSE WATCH ON DEVELOPMENT OF EEC SINGLE MARKET........... 7
CO-OPHRaTION IN CONTROL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ... 8
CLOSED AREA RESTRICTIONS KEPT UNDER REVIEW ............... 9
NEW TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME BEING ASSESSED................. 10
ways to e^se shortage of office accommodation ........... 10
POLICE OPERATIONAL WORK NOT aFFECTED..................... 11
KCRC FREE TO DESIGN P<;Y PACKAGES........................ 13
OBJECTIVES OF VBP SCREENING POLICY EXPLAINED ............ 13
RESTRICTION PLANNED ON VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOPS.......... 16
^.CTION T/JCEN ON SAFETY „T SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS........ 16
HIGHWAYS DEPT TO CO-ORDINATE CLEANSING OF FOOTBRIDGES, SUBWAYS ................................................ 17
NEW DESIGN FOR BUS STOP SHELTERS....................... 18
EFFORTS MaDE TO DEaL WITH DEMAND FOR AIRCRAFT SEaTS.... 19
IMPROVED MEDICnL COVERAGE <VT VBP DETENTION CENTRES.... 21
/EXIT PERMITS ......
«
EXIT PERMITS n MATTER FGR CHINESE AUTHORITIES............... 22
HK POLYTECHNIC’S MISSION IS TO SERVE COMMUNITY.............. 22
CITY POLYTECHNIC NUKES EXCITING PROGRESS.................... 23
FIVE BILLS INTRODUCED ...».................................. 24
POPULATION OF HK ESTIMATED AT 5-7 MILLION .................... 25
RESIDENTS PRAISED FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE................. 25
SAI KUNG DB TO BE CONSULTED ON FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS......26
NORTH DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON DB AGENDA............. 27
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT JOHNSTON ROAD TO BE CLOSED............... 28
ROAD CLOSURES'AT NIGHT ....................................... 28
URBiiN CLEaRWaYS IN KWUN TONG ................................ 29
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
1
BILL SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN LEGAL PROFESSION » * * * *
THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN HONG KONG BY IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHT OF UNITED KINGDOM LAWYERS TO PRACTISE HERE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT SOME RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE IMPOSED ON THE PRESENT UNFETTERED RIGHT OF UNITED KINGDOM BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS TO COME HERE TO PRACTISE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BILL WOULD PERMIT A SMALL NUMBER OF LAWYERS WHO HAD WORKED FOR A SUBSTANTIA1 NUMBER OF YEARS IN JUDICIAL OR GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE TO BECOME HONG KONG BARRISTERS OR SOLICITORS.
"THE BILL RECOGNISES THE FACT THAT THESE ARE EXPERIENCED LAWYERS WHO HAVE BEEN PRACTISING LAW IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND, MR MATHEWS SAID THAT IN MAY 1986, THE THEN UMELCO STANDING PANEL ON SECURITY RECOMMENDED THAT THE LAW BE AMENDED TO ALLOW CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH QUALIFIED BARRISTERS TO BE ADMITTED TO THE HONG KONG BAR ON SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.
THIS FOLLOWED CONSIDERATION OF A PETITION FROM A NUMBER OF AUSTRALASIAN LAWYERS EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
ON AUGUST 9, 1986, THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED A COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE ADMISSION AND PRACTISING CRITERIA FOR BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS IN HONG KONG AND TO MAKE PROPOSALS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE UMELCO PANEL.
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE LEGAL OFFICERS ORDINANCE AND TO CONSIDER WHAT QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE WERE DESIRABLE FOR A LEGAL OFFICER.
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT A LAWYER JOINING Till- ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WAS, UNDER THE LEGAL OFFICERS ORDINANCE, APPOINTED AS A LEGAL OFFICER AND, BY VIRTUE OF THAT APPOINTMENT, HAD ALL <’!• THE RIGHTS OF A BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR IN HONG KONG.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS, IN FACT, NO REQUIREMENT IN HIE LEGAL OFFICERS ORDINANCE THAT HE BE A QUALIFIED LAWYER, IN PRACTICE, ONLY QUALIFIED LAWYERS WERE APPOINTED AS LEGAL OFFICERS.
"THE AIM OF THE BILL IS TO GIVE EFFECT, WITH SOME MODIFICATIONS, TO MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
/MR MATHEWS .......
WEDNESDAYi FEBRUARY 15, 1989
2
MR MATHEWS SAID THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY THE BILL HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO BROADEN AND STRENGTHEN THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL EDUCATION, TO INCREASE THE EINES PRESCRIBED FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE WHICH HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1968, TO MAKE A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO ENSURE THAT WHERE A SOLICITOR WAS DECLARED BANKRUPT HE OR SHE WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE IN PRACTICE AND TO MAKE A NUMBER OF MINOR AMENDMENTS FOUND TO BE NECESSARY IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
ON THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE ADMISSION OF SOLICITORS, MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT A SOLICITOR QUALIFIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS CURRENTLY ENTITLED TO BE ADMITTED AS A HONG KONG SOLICITOR AND THEREAFTER TO PRACTISE ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT OR IN PARTNERSHIP REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG HE HAD LIVED IN HONG KONG AND WITHOUT FURTHER EXAMINATION OR QUALIFICATIONS.
BY COMPARISON, A NEWLY ADMITTED HONG KONG SOLICITOR MUST HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE BEING SO ENTITLED TO SO PRACTISE.
’’THE COMMITTEE THOUGHT IT DESIRABLE TO IMPOSE A MINIMUM RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR UNITED KINGDOM SOLICITORS WISHING TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG AS SUCH A REQUIREMENT WOULD, IN THE WORDS OF THE COMMITTEE, ’ACCORD WITH THE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST WHICH ARGUES THAT THOSE PRACTISING LAW IN HONG KONG MUST FIRST OBTAIN THE KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG’,’’ HE SAID.
CLAUSES 3 AND 4 OF THE BILL PROVIDED THAT A UNITED KINGDOM SOLICITOR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE HE COULD APPLY FOR ADMISSION AS A HONG KONG SOLICITOR AND FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS (WHICH COULD INCLUDE THE PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS) BEFORE HE COULD APPLY FOR AN UNCONDITIONAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATE.
AS FOR THE ADMISSION OF BARRISTERS, MR MATHEWS SAID A BARRISTER QUALIFIED IN TH' UNITED KINGDOM WAS CURRENTLY ENTITLED TO BE ADMITTED TO THE HONG KONG BAR REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG HE HAD LIVED IN HONG KONG AND WITHOUT FURTHER EXAMINATION OR QUALIFICATION.
’’THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMITTEE RECOGNISED THE APPARENT CONCERN OF THE UMELCO PANEL OF THE DANGER THAT THE ADMISSION 01 SUCH BARRISTERS, IF SO READIIO GRANTED AND PARTICULARLY IN LARGE NUMBERS, MIGHT DETER YOUNG HONG KONG PEOPLE FROM BECOMING BARRISTERS AND THUS INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF \ STRONG, INDEPENDENT LOCAL BAR,” HE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO RECOGNISED THAT, DUI IN PART TO PLACES IN THE LAW FACULTY Ol THE UN J VI-RS J TV 01 HONG NUMBER OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO, WITH \ VIEW TO PRACTISING AS BARRISTERS IN HONG KONG, OBTAIN THEIR THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ARE CALLED TO THE BAR THERE.
THE PRI SURE ON KONG, ITU'RI- IS A RETURNING TO AND QUALIFICATIONS IN
"THEY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG."
/CLAUSE 9 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
3
CLAUSE 9 OF THE BILL PROPOSED TO RESTRICT ADMISSION TO THE HONG KONG BAR BY UNITED KINGDOM BARRISTERS BY REQUIRING AN APPLICANT:
* TO HAVE HAD THREE YEARS’ PRACTICE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM; OR
* TO BE A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT; OR
* TO HAVE HONG KONG AS HIS NATURAL PLACE OF DOMICILE; OR
* TO HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS.
ON THE ISSUE OF COMMONWEALTH QUALIFIED LAWYERS, MR MATHEWS SAID THAT WITHIN THE JUDICIAL AND THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE (SERVICE IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, THE LEGAL AID AND REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENTS) THERE WERE LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS WHO, BY VIRTUE OF THE LEGAL OFFICERS ORDINANCE, AND THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE, WERE ENTITLED TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.
THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS LONGSTANDING AND UNDER IT SOME LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN THE COUNTRIES LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE IN CLAUSE 19 OF THE BILL HAD PRACTISED HONG KONG LAW FOR MANY YEARS.
UNLESS THEY OBTAINED A POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF LAWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND SERVED AS ARTICLED CLERKS THEY WERE NOT, HOWEVER, ENTITLED TO BE ADMITTED AS HONG KONG SOLICITORS TO PRACTISE OUTSIDE THE JUDICIAL AND THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE.
"AS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF LAWS AND SERVICE IN ARTICLES ARE DESIGNED TO TEACH THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN HONG KONG AND TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR PRACTICE, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT IT IS UNNECESSARY TO APPLY THOSE REQUIREMENTS TO LAWYERS WHO ALREADY HAVE SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE IN THE PRACTICE OF HONG KONG LAW," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE BILL PROVIDED THAT THESE LAWYERS SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE ADMITTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS HONG KONG SOLICITORS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS BEING MET.
THESE CONDITIONS WERE SET OUT IN CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL AND INCLUDED A REQUIREMENT OF SEVEN YEARS’ EMPLOYMENT IN JUDICIAL OR GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE, THREE OF WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN SPENT ON WORK APPROPRIATE TO THE PRACTICE OF A HONG KONG SOLICITOR.
CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL IMPOSED, IN EFFECT, AN ANNUAL QUOTA OF 10 ON THE NUMBER OF SOLICITORS WHO COULD ENTER PRIVATE PRACTICE BY THIS ROUTE.
/THE BILL........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED THAT CERTAIN LAWYERS WITHIN THE JUDICIAL AND THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE WHO HAD, IN EFFECT, BEEN PRACTISING IN HONG KONG AS BARRISTERS SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE ADMITTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS BARRISTERS WITHOUT BEING REQUIRED FIRST TO OBTAIN THE POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF LAWS, SUBJECT TO SIMILAR CONDITIONS TO THOSE REQUIRED IN THE CASE OF SOLICITORS. THESE WERE SET OUT IN CLAUSE 10 OF THE BILL.
AS WITH SOLICITORS, THE BILL SET AN ANNUAL QUOTA FOR THE NUMBER OF LAWYERS WHO MIGHT BECOME HONG KONG BARRISTERS UNDER THIS PROVISION. CLAUSE 11 OF THE BILL FIXED THE QUOTA AT FIVE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGAL OFFICERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
HE SAID THAT THE THEN UMELCO PANEL RECOMMENDED THAT THE LEGAL OFFICERS ORDINANCE SHOULD BE REVIEWED TO SPECIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED OF A LEGAL OFFICER.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMITTEE ENDORSED THAT RECOMMENDATION, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BILL, WHEN READ WITH THE PROPOSED NEW SCHEDULE TO THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE, WOULD PROVIDE THAT ONLY LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN HONG KONG, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA, CANADA (EXCEPT QUEBEC), NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND AND ZIMBABWE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS LEGAL OFFICERS.
DEBATES ON BOTH BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
-----0------
AMENDMENTS TO LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE PROPOSED
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF SUCH INSTALLATIONS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID LIFTS AND ESCALATORS IN BUILDINGS PREVIOUSLY NOT SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.
"IT IS PROPOSED IN CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL THAT SECTION 3 OF THE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED, SO THAT LIFTS AND ESCALATORS OF THE GOVERNMENT, COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENTS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, HER MAJESTY’S NAVAL, MILITARY OR AIR FORCE SERVICES, AND CONSULAR OFFICERS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES WOULD BE BROUGHT WITHIN PARTS I, II, IIA AND IIIA AND MOST OF PARTS V AND VI OF THE ORDINANCE," MR BARNES SAID.
/"THIS WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
’’THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT CONTROLS OVER REGISTERED LIFT AND ESCALATOR ENGINEERS, AND REGISTERED LIFT AND ESCALATOR CONTRACTORS, APPLY IN RELATION TO WORK DONE BY THEM ON THOSE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS.
IN ADDITION, CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL PROPOSED THAT SECTION 32 OF THE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED TO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES TO PROHIBIT THE USE AND OPERATIONS OF SERVICE LIFTS WHEN THE OWNER FAILED TO SEND HIM A PLAN OF THE LIFTS.
PRESENT LEGISLATION REQUIRED THAT WHERE MORE THAN ONE LIFT OR ESCALATOR WAS INSTALLED IN A BUILDING, THE OWNER OF THE LIFTS OR ESCALATORS MUST SEND TO THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES A PLAN SHOWING THEIR POSITION, AND THE IDENTIFYING NUMBERS MARKED ON THEM.
’’ALTHOUGH THIS REQUIREMENT APPLIES TO SERVICE LIFTS, THERE IS PRESENTLY NO EFFECTIVE SANCTION FOR FAILING TO SEND A PLAN RELATING TO SERVICE LIFTS,” MR BARNES SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0 -
LEGAL BASIS FOR CONTROLLING IMPORTATION OF ’GAME’ *****
A BILL THAT PROVIDES FOR A FIRM LEGAL BASIS FOR CONTROLLING THE IMPORTATION OF ’’GAME” INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH CONTROL BY MEANS OF CONDITIONS AND DIRECTIONS OF A HEALTH OFFICER.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 55 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS:
(A) EMPOWERING A HEALTH OFFICER TO PERMIT THE IMPORTATION OF SUCH FOOD AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS;
(B) ENABLING THE INSPECTION OF IMPORTED FOOD BY A HEALTH INSPECTOR; AND
(C) EMPOWERING A HEALTH OFFICER TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS OR ISSUE SUCH DIRECTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THEIR FITNESS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
/MR CHAU .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 6 -
MR CHAU SAID THAT AFTER THE BILL HAD BEEN ENACTED, THE IMPORTED MEAT AND POULTRY REGULATIONS WOULD BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROPOSED STATUTORY CONTROL OVER THE IMPORTATION OF GAME.
THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE HAD ENDORSED THESE PROPOSALS, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0 --------
BILL PROVIDES FOR CONTINUITY IN HEARING PHARMACY APPEALS
*****
THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, WHICH RELATES TO THE OPERATION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS APPEAL TRIBUNAL, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, EXPLAINED THAT THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL WAS SET UP UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE.
THE TRIBUNAL’S PURPOSE WAS TO HEAR AND DETERMINE APPEALS AGAINST A DECISION OR DIRECTION OF THE PHARMACY’ AND POISONS BOARD OR ITS COMMITTEES.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRED THAT THE CHAIRMAN AND NOT LESS THAN TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL SHOULD SIT TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF AN APPEAL.
"THERE IS, HOWEVER, NO PROVISION UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH A SITUATION IN WHICH THE TERM OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL EXPIRES BEFORE THE HEARING OF AN APPEAL HAS BEEN CONCLUDED," MR CHAU SAID.
"IN SUCH A SITUATION, THE APPEAL WILL HAVE TO BE HEARD AFRESH BY THE INCOMING MEMBERS.
"IT IS CLEARLY UNREASONABLE THAT AN APPELLANT BE REQUIRED, AT HIS OWN COST, TO RE-PRESENT HIS CASE TO A NEW TRIBUNAL SIMPLY BECAUSE THE LEGAL CAPACITY OF THE FORMER TRIBUNAL TO HEAR THE APPEAL HAS EXPIRED.”
MR CHAU SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL THEREFORE SOUGHT TO ENABLE A MEMBER WHO HAD RESIGNED OR WHOSE TERM HAD EXPIRED TO CONTINUE TO ACT AS A MEMBER TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY FOR HEARING AN OUTSTANDING APPEAL TO ITS CONCLUSION.
/A SIMILAR .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
7
A SIMILAR PROVISION EXISTED IN THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS, IN RELATION TO THE TERM OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE.
HE ADDED THAT CLAUSE 3 CONTAINED A TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY AN APPEAL WHICH WAS OUTSTANDING BEFORE THE PRESENT AMENDMENT WAS MADE COULD CONTINUE AND BE DETERMINED BY THE ORIGINAL TRIBUNAL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 - -
CLOSE WATCH ON DEVELOPMENT OF EEC SINGLE MARKET
* » » t t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON NGA I SHIU-KIT, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S OVERSEAS OFFICES, TOGETHER WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, HAD BEEN MONITORING PROGRESS.
"WE HAVE KEPT MEMBERS OF THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS," HE SAID.
"IT IS, OF COURSE, INCUMBENT UPON BUSINESSMEN CONCERNED TO KEEP THEMSELVES INFORMED OF THE IMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM THE CREATION OF A SINGLE MARKET FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN 1992.
"THEY ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO JUDGE THE EFFECT OF ANY DEVELOPMENTS ON THEIR OWN I ND I VIDUA! BUSINESSES. THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY,' HF. ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN ORDER TO ENABLE HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN TO HAVE A MORE THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH Till- BRUSSELS-BASED CENTRE OF EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCI I , HAD ORGANISED THE "CONFERENCE ON EUROPE 1992" ON NOVEMBER 4 LAST YEAR.
"THIS CONFERENCE, HELD IN HONG KONG, WAS CO-SPONSORED BY SIX TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND WAS WELL ATTENDED BY OVER 400 PARTICIPANTS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS ALSO SAID THAT CIRCULARS ON TECHNICAL MATTERS' SUCH AS PRODUCT LIABILITY LEGISLATION AND HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULAT1ONS HAD BEEN ISSUED TO INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE ORGANISATIONS.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO DISSEMINATE. INFORMATION AS AND WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15,
1989
- 8 -
T .i ft'
CO-OPERATION IN CONTROL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS
******
BUILDING OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS HAVE SHOWN GREATER WILLINGNESS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THE CONTROL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN.
MR BARNES SAID THE IMPROVEMENT SOUGHT IN INTRODUCING THE "HIGH/ LOW" SYSTEM OF ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES IN MARCH LAST YEAR WAS TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION, WHICH WERE GENERALLY ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC.
"STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE NOW HAVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST HIGH PRIORITY CASES," HE SAID.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS NEW SYSTEM ALSO HELPED THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO PLAN FOR A SERIES OF COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCE PROGRAMMES OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A DISTRICT BY DISTRICT BASIS."
ACTION UNDER THIS PROGRAMME INCLUDED DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, IMPROVING STAIRCASES AND EXIT ROUTES, STRUCTURAL REPAIRS, REMOVAL OF DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS, RECTIFICATION OF DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND REPAINTING OF EXTERNAL WALLS.
"AS FAR AS I CAN GATHER, THE NUMBER OF DEMOLITIONS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS HAS NOT INCREASED, BUT COULD DO SO WHEN MORE OF THE PLANNED PROGRAMMES OF IMPROVEMENTS MENTIONED ABOVE HAVE TAKEN PLACE.
"THE RATE SHOULD FURTHER IMPROVE WHEN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE RECRUITS SOME 18 ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR WHICH POSTS HAVE BEEN EARMARKED IN 1989-90," MR BARNES SAID.
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/9
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 9 -
CLOSED AREA RESTRICTIONS KEPT UNDER REVIEW * t t ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS THE NEED FOR CLOSED AREA RESTRICTIONS UNDER REGULAR REVIEW AND CHANGES WILL BE MADE WHERE POSSIBLE TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, WHO ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER RELAXING THE STRINGENT RESTRICTIONS ON THE MOVEMENTS OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN AND OUT OF THE SHA TAU KOK CLOSED AREA.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE CONCERN OF SHA TAU KOK RESIDENTS, AND THE RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT IN AND OUT OF THE CLOSED AREA HAD BEEN MADE AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.
"ANY COMPLAINTS OR CASES WHERE APPLICANTS FOR PERMITS EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY WILL BE INVESTIGATED PROMPTLY BY THE POLICE," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SOME DEVELOPMENT HAD TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE CLOSED AREA AND SHA TAU KOK TOWN WAS BEING GREATLY IMPROVED.
"BUT THIS REDEVELOPMENT IS INTENDED ONLY TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS AND NOT TO OPEN UP THE AREA FOR GENERAL DEVELOPMENT," MR BARNES ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT THE RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF SHA TAU KOK WERE PART OF THE GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA WHICH RAN ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE BORDER WITH CHINA.
THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA WAS THEREFORE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
"ALTHOUGH PRESENT LEVELS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ARE RELATIVELY LOW, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND WE NEED TO GUARD AGAINST ANY RESURGENCE," HE SAID.
"IN 1988, A TOTAL OF 20,987 Il'S WERE ARRESTED, OF WHICH OVER 9,000 WERE ARRESTED ON THE LAND BORDER.
"WITHOUT THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, THE DIFFICULTIES OF INTERCEPTING Il’S WOULD BE VERY MUCH GREATER."
/1O........
-------0 -
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
10 -
NEW TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME BEING ASSESSED
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY BEGUN AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NEW STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN, MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD CONDUCT A SAMPLE SURVEY OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO APPLIED FOR TRAVEL SUBSIDIES LAST YEAR AND CONSULT THE SCHOOL COUNCILS.
"WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT THE ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETED WITHIN THREE OR FOUR MONTHS SO THAT ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SCHEME CAN BE INTRODUCED BEFORE THE NEXT ROUND OF APPLICATIONS IS INVITED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED LAST OCTOBER FOLLOWING FINANCE COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE CRITICISMS OF THE OLD SCHEME, AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
THE FIRST ROUND OF APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENTS UNDER THE NEW SCHEME HAD BEEN COMPLETED IN DECEMBER.
-----0-----
WAYS TO EASE SHORTAGE OF OFFICE ACCOMMODATION
*****
THE PROBLEM OF "SPIRALLING OFFICE RENTALS” HAS ALREADY ENCOURAGED THE DEVELOPMENT OF OFFICES IN SECONDARY AREAS INCLUDING SITES ALONG THE MTR LINE AND IN SHA TIN AND THE RELOCATION OF FIRMS WHICH DO NOT REALLY REQUIRE A PRESENCE IN MORE CENTRAL AREAS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON EDWARD HO.
HE SAID THIS WAS A BENEFICIAL SPIN-OFF AS IT HELPED TO DECENTRALISE OFFICE JOBS, AND THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAD TAKEN SOME PAINS TO ACCOMMODATE THIS TREND.
"ANY ACTION WHICH WOULD HAVE A MAJOR IMMEDIATE EFFECT ON THE MARKET WOULD NEED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND INITIATED EVEN FURTHER BACK," HE SAID.
/THE GOVERNMENT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 11
THE GOVERNMENT HAD JUST SOLD A SITE IN WAN CHAI WHICH SHOULD YIELD ABOUT 108,000 SQUARE METRES OF NEW OFFICE SPACE AND PLANNED TO SELL ANOTHER SITE IN CENTRAL WHICH WOULD YIELD ABOUT A FURTHER 110,000 SQUARE METRES, MR BARNES SAID, WHILE POINTING OUT THAT THIS ACCOMMODATION WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SOME YEARS.
"AGAIN, GOVERNMENT IS REVIEWING ITS OWN LAND HOLDINGS WITH A VIEW TO PUTTING WHATEVER SITES IT CAN ON THE MARKET, BUT AGAIN THE EFFECT WILL BE SOME YEARS OFF," HE SAID.
"MORE IMMEDIATELY, A RECENT MINOR ADJUSTMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S POLICY NOW AUTOMATICALLY PERMITS UP TO 30 PER CENT OF FACTORY ACCOMMODATION TO BE USED AS ANCILLARY OFFICE SPACE AND HAS AVOIDED CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL AND TRADING FIRMS HAVING TO ENTER THE MARKET FOR SEPARATE OFFICE PREMISES.
"AND SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR A GREATER PERCENTAGE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WHEN JUSTIFIED.
"HOWEVER, A GENERAL RELAXATION OF CONDITIONS OF INDUSTRIAL LOTS WOULD PRODUCE CONFLICTS WITH BUILDINGS REGULATIONS AND WOULD RESULT IN RENTAL PRESSURE BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR," MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID IN THE MEDIUM AND LONGER TERM THERE WERE OF COURSE LAND FORMATION PROGRAMMES TO PROVIDE LAND FOR OFFICE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND OTHER PLACES, BUT THESE WOULD PROVIDE LITTLE RELIEF IN THE IMMEDIATE RENT CYCLE.
"THEY ARE HOWEVER STILL VITAL TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND IN FACT THE BEST DIRECT ACTION THAT GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE TO HELP THE ECONOMY AT ANY TIME," MR BARNES SAID.
- 0 -
POLICE OPERATIONAL WORK NOT AFFECTED *****
POLICE OPERATIONAL TASKS ARE NOT BEING AFFECTED BY CURRENT MANPOWER WASTAGE AND VACANCIES WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE WASTAGE AND RECRUITMENT SITUATION DID NOT COMPARE UNFAVOURABLY WITH OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.
/"BUT WE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 12
"BUT WE SHALL BE WATCHING THE SITUATION CAREFULLY OVER THE MONTHS AHEAD, BOTH IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT TIGHT LABOUR MARKET, AND THE EFFECT OF THE NEW PAY AWARDS ON RECRUITMENT, WHICH HAVE YET TO BE SEEN," HE SAID.
"MEANWHILE, VACANCY FIGURES REMAIN CONSTANT AND POLICE OPERATIONAL TASKS ARE NOT BEING AFFECTED."
MR BARNES NOTED THAT 1,639 OFFICERS LEFT THE POLICE FORCE LAST YEAR, COMPRISING 180 OFFICERS AT THE INSPECTORATE LEVEL OR ABOVE, AND 1,459 MEMBERS OF THE RANK AND FILE.
THE WASTAGE RATE STOOD AT SIX PER CENT IN 1988 COMPARED WITH A RATE OF 5.4 PER CENT IN THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"THE VACANCY RATE AT PRESENT IS LESS THAN ONE PER CENT COMPARED WITH A FIGURE OF FIVE PER CENT FOR THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE," MR BARNES SAID.
"THERE ARE CURRENTLY 31 VACANT INSPECTORATE POSTS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 2,362, AND 130 VACANT JUNIOR OFFICER POSTS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 27,395."
ON RECRUITMENT, MR BARNES SAID THE TARGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 88-89 HAD BEEN SET AT 2,535 OFFICERS, TO COPE WITH EXPANSION NEEDS AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL.
THE FIGURE COMPRISED 225 INSPECTORS AND 2,310 CONSTABLES, AN INCREASE OF 12.5 PER CENT FOR INSPECTORS AND 50 PER CENT FOR CONSTABLES COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR’S LEVELS.
"FOR INSPECTORS THE REQUIRED NUMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MET, BUT FOR CONSTABLES THERE MAY BE A SHORTFALL OF OVER 100, OR 4 PER CENT OF THE RECRUITMENT TARGET," MR BARNES SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THE FORCE INCREASED DURING 1988 DUE TO STEPPED UP PUBLICITY AND RECRUITING EFFORTS.
"THERE ARE CURRENTLY SIX QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR EACH VACANCY," MR BARNES SAID.
- - O---------
/13.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- U -
KCRC FREE TO DESIGN PAY PACKAGES
* * « * »
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WAS CREATED TO OPERATE ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS INCLUDING THE FLEXIBILITY IN DETERMINING STAFF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE UNDER A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MICHAEL CHENG.
MR LEUNG SAID THE CORPORATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY ORGANISATION TO PROVIDE A FLEXIBLE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE WHICH COULD RESPOND TO RAPID CHANGES IN THE MARKET DEMAND AND MEET THE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES EXPECTED OF A MODERN RAILWAY.
HE SAID THAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF INDIVIDUAL STAFF MEMBERS, WHO WERE NOT CIVIL SERVANTS, WERE A MATTER FOR THE CORPORATION AND WERE NOT MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
HOWEVER, THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CORPORATION’S MANAGING DIRECTOR HAD TO BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TERMS OF APPOINTMENT WERE SUBJECT TO DETERMINATION BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MR LEUNG SAID.
-----o------
OBJECTIVES
OF VBP SCREENING POLICY EXPLAINED *****
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW SCREENING POLICY FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARE TO DETER ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM AND TO FORM A BASIS FOR LONG TERM DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR BOTH REFUGEES AND NON-REFUGEES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE LONG TERM EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICY WILL THEREFORE HAVE TO BE JUDGED IN TERMS OF DETERRING PEOPLE FROM TRAVELLING TO HONG KONG, THE LEVEL OF REPATRIATION AND THE LEVEL OF RESETTLEMENT,” MR BARNES SAID IN REPLY TO A SIX-POINT QUESTION FROM THE HON DANIEL TSE.
"IT IS FAR TOO EARLY AT THIS STAGE TO FORM A JUDGEMENT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICY AND WE MUST WAIT TO SEE THE LEVEL OF ARRIVALS OVER THE SUMMER OF 1989 AND THE OUTCOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS NOW BEING MADE TO FIND LONG TERM SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM."
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
MR BARNES SAID THAT IN USING THE TERMS '’REFUGEE'' AND "BOAT PEOPLE" IN HIS REPLY HE WISHED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT "REFUGEE" MEANT SOMEONE WHO ARRIVED FROM VIETNAM WITHOUT NORMAL DOCUMENTATION BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988, OR SUCH A PERSON WHO ARRIVED AFTER THAT DATE WHO HAD BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A REFUGEE AS A RESULT OF SCREENING.
"BOAT PEOPLE" WAS A MORE GENERIC TERM MEANING THOSE WHO ARRIVED ON OR AFTER JUNE 16, 1988 WHO HAD EITHER NOT BEEN SCREENED OR HAD BEEN SCREENED-OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
MR BARNES SAID REPATRIATION WAS THE ONLY LOGICAL DURABLE SOLUTION AVAILABLE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REFUGEE STATUS. THIS COVERED BOTH VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY RETURNS.
"WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN MADE IN ESTABLISHING ARRANGEMENTS WITH UNHCR AND WITH THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES FOR REPATRIATION," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE MADE A START WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED A WISH TO RETURN AND WE HOPE THAT MORE WILL VOLUNTEER TO RETURN ONCE THIS CHANNEL BECOMES ESTABLISHED."
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO ADOPT A LIBERALISATION PROGRAMME FROM JUNE LAST YEAR APPLYING ONLY TO THE CLOSED CAMPS FOR REFUGEES LEADING TO THE UNHCR TAKING OVER THE MANAGEMENT ROLE THROUGH ITS OPERATIONAL AGENCIES.
THERE WERE THREE MAIN REASONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF THIS POLICY. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY WAS INTRODUCED IN 1982 AND WAS INTENDED TO ACT AS A DETERRENT TO PEOPLE WHO WERE CONSIDERING LEAVING VIETNAM FOR HONG KONG.
BY EARLY 1988, WITH INCREASING NUMBERS OF BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM VIETNAM, IT HAD BECOME CLEAR THAT THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY WOULD NO LONGER SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE AND WOULD INDEED BE POSITIVELY DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR RESETTLEMENT PROSPECTS, AND THAT A NEW INITIATIVE WAS REQUIRED.
IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO EMBARK ON THE PRESENT SCREENING POLICY FOR DETERMINING REFUGEE STATUS.
"FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED REFUGEE STATUS, THE ONLY PRACTICAL DURABLE SOLUTION IS RESETTLEMENT," MR BARNES SAID.
"THE INTENTION OF THE PROGRAMME OF LIBERALISATION I.E. ALLOWING PEOPLE TO TAKE UP OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT AND SCHOOLING, IS TO IMPROVE SUBSTANTIALLY THE RESETTLEMENT PROSPECTS OF THE REFUGEE POPULATION AND THUS TO HASTEN THEIR DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG."
MR BARNES SAID THE LIBERALISATION PROGRAMME WOULD BE FINANCIALLY BENEFICIAL FOR HONG KONG.
/"ONCE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 19^9
15
"ONCE THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPS HAS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE UNHCR ALL OPERATIVE COSTS WILL BE MET FROM UNHCR FUNDS," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL SAVE THE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $150 MILLION PER YEAR."
MR BARNES SAID THAT SINCE 1975, A TOTAL OF 816 REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM HAD BEEN ACCEPTED FOR PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IN HONG KONG.
OF THESE, 701 HAD BEEN ACCEPTED ON THE GROUNDS OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION.
THE REMAINING 115 HAD BEEN ACCEPTED UNDER A LOCAL SETTLEMENT SCHEME FOR ETHNIC CHINESE INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1986.
IN ADDITION, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG ALSO RESETTLED OVER 13,000 DISPLACED PERSONS FROM INDOCHINA IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 1970'S FOLLOWING THE FALL OF SAIGON.
THEY INCLUDED FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND DEPENDENTS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO RETURNED BY SPECIAL CHARTERED FLIGHTS.
WHILE THERE WAS NO QUOTA ON FAMILY REUNIFICATION CASES, THERE WAS A SET QUOTA OF 250 UNDER THE LOCAL SETTLEMENT SCHEME FOR ETHNIC CHINESE WHO MET CERTAIN CRITERIA.
HE SAID THAT UNDER CURRENT LEGISLATION, VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE ORDINARILY RESIDENT HERE.
IT WAS THEREFORE NOT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO QUALIFY AS PERMANENT RESIDENTS EVEN IF THEY STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, UNLESS THEY QUALIFIED UNDER THE LOCAL SETTLEMENT SCHEME FOR ETHNIC CHINESE.
HOWEVER, CHILDREN BORN TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PARENTS IN HONG KONG PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1983 AUTOMATICALLY ACQUIRED BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENSHIP (BDTC) BY VIRTUE OF THEIR BIRTH AND WERE ELIGIBLE FOR RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG.
"THERE ARE 138 CHILDREN IN THIS CATEGORY REMAINING IN HONG KONG AND NO FURTHER ADDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT ON JANUARY 1, 1983. THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 CAME INTO FORCE AND ABOLISHED THE PRINCIPLE WHEREBY CHILDREN BORN IN HONG KONG AUTOMATICALLY ACQUIRED BDTC STATUS.
"CHILDREN BORN OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SINCE JANUARY 1, 1983 DO NOT ACQUIRE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AT BIRTH AND HAVE THE SAME STATUS AS THEIR PARENTS,’ HE SAID.
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
16
RESTRICTION PLANNED ON VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOPS ♦ * % t t
VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOPS, WHICH OFTEN ARE THE SOURCE OF NOISE POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE SET UP NEAR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS UNDER FUTURE LAND-USE PLANNING.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WAS A '‘PERENNIAL PROBLEM", MR BARNES SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MR POON CHI-FA1.
A PREVIOUS ATTEMPT TO RELOCATE THESE SHOPS IN DESIGNATED SITES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG HAD FAILED BECAUSE WORKSHOP OPERATORS HAD BEEN RELUCTANT TO MOVE INTO THE BUILDINGS.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD BEEN ASKED TO COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION, "NOT LEAST BECAUSE URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES ARE LIKELY TO DISPLACE A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF SUCH REPAIR SHOPS WHOSE SERVICES, THOUGH UNWELCOME AS NEIGHBOURS, ARE NEEDED," MR BARNES SAID.
"IN THE MEANTIME, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PREVENT SMALL WORKSHOPS OPERATING, PARTICULARLY IN THE OLDER URBAN DISTRICTS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE LEASE CONDITIONS LN THESE OLDER AREAS ARE OFTEN NOT FRAMED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO EXCLUDE THIS USE.
"IN THE NEW TOWNS AND WHERE A LEASE MODIFICATION OR CONDITIONS OF EXCHANGE CAN BE IMPOSED ON REDEVELOPMENT IN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS, CONDITIONS ARE OR CAN BE INCLUDED LN THE LEASE TO PREVENT THE PREMISES BEING USED FOR A VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOP."
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ACTION TAKEN ON SAFETY AT SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS ♦ t t t ♦
ACTION TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN AWARENESS AMONG SCHOOL AUTHORITIES AND TEACHERS OF THE NEED FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AT ATHLETIC MEETS WAS OUTLINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR BRIDGE SAID SAFETY MEASURES HAD BEEN REVIEWED FOLLOWING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT A SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
/THE FOLLOWING
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 15. 1989
- 17 -
THE FOLLOWING ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN:
(A) A REVISED CIRCULAR ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE CONDUCT OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS WAS ISSUED TO ALL SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER;
(B) THE BOOKLET ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION HAD BEEN REVISED, AND THE UPDATED VERSION WAS ISSUED TO ALL SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER;
(C) A 20-MINUTE TELEVISION PROGRAMME ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION HAD BEEN PRODUCED.
THIS WAS BROADCAST FOUR TIMES IN NOVEMBER. VIDEO TAPES OF THE PROGRAMME WERE AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS TO BORROW;
(D) THREE SEMINARS WERE HELD IN JULY FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, AND WERE ATTENDED BY 212 PRIMARY AND 187 SECONDARY TEACHERS;
(E) THE DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGED SCHOOLS TO TAKE PART IN THE LAND SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN AND CONFERENCE ORGANISED IN NOVEMBER BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ADVISE SCHOOLS ON SAFETY MEASURES, AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO CHECK DURING SCHOOL VISITS AND INSPECTIONS THAT THIS ADVICE WAS BEING FOLLOWED.
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HIGHWAYS DEPT TO CO-ORDINATE CLEANSING OF FOOTBRIDGES,
SUBWAYS
THE CLEANSING OF THE TERRITORY’S 338 PUBLIC FOOTBRIDGES AND 183 SUBWAYS, WHICH AT PRESENT IS CARRIED OUT BY SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WILL BECOME THE SOLE RESPONS1BILITY OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT FROM EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODA^ (WEDNESDAY), IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
AT PRESENT, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANUAL SWEEPING OF PAVED SURFACES, INCLUDING RAMPS AND STAIRS, AND FOR THE REMOVAL OF POSTERS, MR BARNES SAID.
/••THE HIGHWAYS *.....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
18
’’THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, IN TURN, 1.S RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING DIRT OR GRAFFITI FROM THE WALLS AND CEILING.”
AS TO THE SAFETY OF PUBLIC ESCALATORS, MR BARNES SAID THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL PUBLIC ESCALATORS BY SPECIALIST ESCALATOR CONTRACTORS, WHO WERE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT WEEKLY SERVICING AND ATTEND TO FAULT CALLS ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
"THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE PUBLIC ESCALATORS IS MONITORED THROUGH TELEPHONE LINKS TO A MONITORING CONTROL CENTRE WITH BREAKDOWNS RECORDED AND RELAYED TO THE RESPECTIVE CONTRACTORS FOR IMMEDIATE RECTIFICATION,” HE SAID.
“BUT NONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS HAS THE STAFF RESOURCES TO CLEAN THESE FACILITIES SUFFICIENTLY REGULARLY, AND NO SINGLE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING THE WORK DONE BY EACH OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
”SO IT HAS NEWLY BEEN DECIDED THAT HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SHOULD ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEANSING AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR WHEN IT HAS OBTAINED THE NECESSARY STAFF TO ORGANISE AND SUPERVISE A FULL CLEANSING CONTRACT.”
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE OF FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAYS AND ADDED THAT AS FAR AS SAFETY WAS CONCERNED, THE SITUATION WAS SATISFACTORY.
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NEW DESIGN FOR BUS STOP SHELTERS t t ♦ t t
THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES COULD NOW PROCEED TO BUILD BUS STOP SHELTERS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SINCE MID-1987, IMPROVED DESIGNS FOR PASSENGER SHELTERS HAI) BEEN DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES, MR LEUNG SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN.
VARIOUS DESIGN PROPOSALS HAD BEEN EXAMINED IN DETAIL BUT FOUND UNSATISFACTORY.
LAST MONTH, THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAD PRODPUED a
REVISED SHELTER DESIGN WHICH OFFERED GREATER PROTECTION TO PASSI- GERS.
THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAD AGREED TO ADOPT THE SAME DESIGN AFTER IT HAD BEEN ENDORSED IO THF GOVERNMENT, AND WOULD SOON RESUME ITS SHELTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, MR LEUNG ADDED.
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/19 •o o e•o o
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
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EFFORTS MADE TO DEAL WITH DEMAND FOR AIRCRAFT SEATS
* ♦ * « «
BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AIRLINES HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH INCREASING DEMAND FOR AIRCRAFT SEATS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"TO MEET DEMAND, HONG KONG’S AIRLINES HAVE EXPANDED THEIR SCHEDULED SERVICES ON THE ROUTES IN QUESTION, WHERE THE RIGHTS TO DO SO WERE AVAILABLE," MR JACOBS SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG.
"THIS HAS ALSO MEANT THAT THE AIRLINES OPERATING THE ROUTES FROM THE OTHER END HAVE ALSO INCREASED THE NUMBER OF THEIR SERVICES CORRESPONDINGLY."
A CASE IN POINT WAS THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN, HE SAID.
ADDITIONALLY, MR JACOBS SAID BOTH HONG KONG AND FOREIGN AIRLINES HAD OPERATED EXTRA SCHEDULED SERVICES TO MEET DEMAND, AN EXAMPLE BEING THE HONG KONG-AUSTRALIA ROUTES IN RECENT MONTHS.
"MOREOVER, ONE HONG KONG AIRLINE HAS INCREASED ITS CHARTER OPERATIONS, IN PARTICULAR TO POINTS IN CHINA FOR WHICH THERE ARE NO RIGHTS TO SCHEDULED OPERATIONS," HE SAID.
"THIS AIRLINE HAS ALSO INAUGURATED CHARTER SERVICES IN CERTAIN CASES WHERE CAPACITY ON SCHEDULED SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THOSE CITIES WAS, FOR THE TIME BEING, INADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND."
MR JACOBS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG'S PASSENGER AIRLINES HAD EXPANDED THEIR FLEETS, AND THERE WERE PLANS TO ACQUIRE MORE AIRCRAFT THIS YEAR.
MEANWHILE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN SEEKING, THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, RIGHTS FOR ADDITIONAL CAPACITY ON CERTAIN ROUTES.
"IT IS POSSIBLE THAT, IN SOME CASES, MORE CAPACITY COULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN WILLING TO CONCLUDE UNBALANCED ARRANGEMENTS IN FAVOUR OF THOSE NEGOTIATING PARTNERS CONCERNED," MR JACOBS SAID.
"BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO HONG KONG'S OVERALL, LONGER-TERM INTERESTS, AND CONTRAIL TO NORMAL PRINCIPLES OF RECIPROCITY GOVERNING SCHEDULED SERVICES."
ON MR CHEUNG’S SUGGESTION THAT MORE THAN ONE HONG KONG AIRLINE SHOULD BE DESIGNATED "TO OPERATE ON THOSE ROUTES WHERE THE DEMAND OUTSTRIPS EXISTING CAPACITY", MR JACOBS SAID THAT MIGHT APPEAR TO BE A SIMPLE, SPEEDY AND EASY SOLUTION.
/"BUT IT .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 20 -
"BUT IT IGNORES THAT COMPLEXITIES OF THE SITUATION," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS OUTLINED THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED, WHICH INCLUDED, FIRSTLY, WHETHER THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE HONG KONG AIRLINE LICENSED FOR THE ROUTE.
HE POINTED OUT THERE WERE ONLY TWO ROUTES, PEKING AND SHANGHAI, FOR WHICH MORE THAN ONE HONG KONG AIRLINE WAS CURRENTLY LICENSED.
THE SECOND FACTOR, HE SAID, WAS WHETHER THE RIGHT EXISTED UNDER THE RELEVANT AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR A SECOND HONG KONG AIRLINE TO BE DESIGNATED.
THIRDLY, WHETHER, IF THERE WAS SUCH A RIGHT, THERE WAS AVAILABLE UNDER THE RELEVANT AGREEMENT ANY UNUSED CAPACITY FOR THE SECOND AIRLINE TO TAKE UP.
FOURTHLY, WHETHER ADDITIONAL RIGHTS COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE BILATERAL PARTNER, AT A PRICE THAT HONG KONG COULD REASONABLY AFFORD IN EXCHANGE FOR THOSE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.
AND FINALLY, WHETHER, ASSUMING THAT CAPACITY WAS AVAILABLE AND IT WAS IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG THAT A SECOND AIRLINE BE DESIGNATED, THAT AIRLINE HAD THE AIRCRAFT CAPABLE OF OPERATING THE ROUTE.
"IN OTHER WORDS, HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE FULL AND UNILATERAL FREEDOM OF ACTION," MR JACOBS SAID.
"NOR DOES DESIGNATING MORE THAN ONE AIRLINE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO MORE CAPACITY."
ON THE QUESTION OF SEEKING ADDITIONAL RIGHTS, MR JACOBS REFERRED TO THE STATEMENT MADE ON THE SUBJECT BY HIS PREDECESSOR ON NOVEMBER 20,1985 AND HIS OWN STATEMENT ON FEBRUARY 18, 1987 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"IT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY TO OBTAIN SEATS AT SHORT NOTICE ON FLIGHTS ON CERTAIN ROUTES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND OTHER CITIES IN RECENT TIMES," MR JACOBS NOTED.
THIS HAD BEEN A RESULT OF THE RAPID AND UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN PASSENGER DEMAND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS OR SO, WHICH AFFECTED NOT ONLY HONG KONG BUT ALSO MANY OTHER PLACES, HE SAID.
"I WISH TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT ON THE BASIS OF NORMAL PRINCIPLES GOVERNING EXCHANGES OF RIGHTS, AND ASSUMING THAT AIRLINES ARE IN A POSITION 'I'O OPERATE EX IRA SERVICES, 'Jill GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK TO OBTAIN THE EXTRA TRAFFIC RIGHTS NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT AIR TRANSPORT NETWORK ESSENTIAL '1’0 SUSTAIN THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY AND TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO TRAVEL ABROAD FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE," MR JACOBS CONCLUDED.
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/21
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 21
IMPROVED MEDICAL COVERAGE AT VBP DETENTION CENTRES
*****
MEDICAL COVERAGE AT THE CHI MA WAN AND HEI LING CHAU DETENTION CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WILL BE IMPROVED FROM THIS MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU,INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAU SAID THAT THIS FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE JURY AT A RECENT CORONER’S INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF A BABY GIRL AT THE CHI MA WAN CENTRE.
FROM FEBRUARY 27, CLINICS AT THE TWO CENTRES WOULD BE MANNED BY AT LEAST ONE REGISTERED NURSE 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, AND ANOTHER NURSE WOULD BE ON-CALL IN EACH CENTRE TO PROVIDE BACK-UP SERVICE IF NECESSARY, MR CHAU SAID.
THE SECRETARY WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW.
"THE PRESENCE OF AN EXPERIENCED REGISTERED NURSE ON DUTY, ON A 24-HOUR BASIS, WILL ENSURE THAT POTENTIAL EMERGENCIES ARE IDENTIFIED PROMPTLY AND IMMEDIATE TREATMENT ARRANGED, IF NECESSARY," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO STATION A DOCTOR IN THE CENTRES ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
AS AT PRESENT, A DOCTOR WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ON DUTY DURING NORMAL CLINIC HOURS AND AVAILABLE ON AN "ON-CALL" BASIS AT OTHER TIMES.
MR CHAU SAID THAT TO IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE IMPROVEMENTS IN NURSING SERVICES, THE CURRENT SIX NURSING STAFF IN EACH CENTRE WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED TO NINE.
"AS A NUMBER OF NURSING STAFF CAN BE RELEASED FROM THE THREE REFUGEE CENTRES WHICH ARE BEING TAKEN OVER BY THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, THESE ADDITIONAL POSTS CAN BE PROVIDED WITHOUT DETRIMENT TO THE OVERALL NURSING SERVICE IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
"OTHER CENTRES ACCOMMODATING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES OR BOAT PEOPLE ARE SITUATED IN AREAS SERVED BY HOSPITALS OR CLINICS WITH A 24-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE.
"FOR THESE CENTRES, IT IS NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A 24-HOUR COVERAGE BY DOCTORS BUT CONSIDERATION IS AT PRESENT BEING GIVEN TO STRENTHENING THE NURSING COVERAGE OF ONE OF THEM," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 22 -
EXIT PERMITS A MATTER FOR CHINESE AUTHORITIES
THE ISSUE OF ONE-WAY EXIT PERMITS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHERS REPATRIATED FROM HONG KONG IS ENTIRELY A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT CONCERNING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHERS WHO WERE REPATRIATED TO CHINA LAST YEAR, AND WHETHER ANYTHING HAD BEEN DONE TO EXPEDITE, ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, THE ISSUE OF ONE-WAY PERMITS TO THESE WOMEN.
"MEMBERS WILL UNDERSTAND THEREFORE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CAN DO NO MORE THAN DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHER CASES, AND IN THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR THIS HAS BEEN DONE," MR BARNES SAID.
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HK POLYTECHNIC’S MISSION IS TO SERVE COMMUNITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE INCOMING CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC COUNCIL, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, RESTATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE FIRM BELIEF OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MANAGEMENT THAT THE POLYTECHNIC EXISTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, YOU CAN BE ASSURED OF OUR CONTINUED ALERTNESS TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID IN TABLING THE POLYTECHNIC’S 1987-88 ANNUAL REPORT.
THE POLYTECHNIC HAD AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP CLOSE AND USEFUL INTERACTIONS WITH VARIOUS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS SO AS TO PROVIDE THE SUITABLE KIND OF TRAINING FOR STUDENTS IN PREPARING THEM TO MEET POST-GRADUATION CHALLENGES, MR CHEONG SAID.
EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S FUTURE PROGRAMMES FULLY DEMONSTRATED MORE INTENSE EFFORTS IN WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
FIRSTLY, PLANS WERE ALREADY IN HAND TO INTRODUCE A SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY FACILITY AS WELL AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MICRO ELECTRONIC DESIGN AND FABRICATION CENTRE. THESE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT WORKING CLOSELY WITH INDUSTRY.
/SECONDLY, IN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
23
SECONDLY, LN RECOGNISING THAT THE MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COUNTRIES HAD MOVED TOWARDS DEVELOPING INTEGRATED SYSTEM MANUFACTURING AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND THEREBY COMPETITIVENESS, THE POLYTECHNIC WAS ACTIVELY EXPLORING WAYS OF COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK TO FACILITATE THE INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED COURSES LN MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TO HONG KONG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH CONCEPTS AND COURSES IN HONG KONG WILL NO DOUBT BE OF TREMENDOUS VALUE TO HELP FURTHER DEVELOP THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
THIRDLY, THE POLYTECHNIC RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN HIGH PROFICIENCY IN THE USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
ACCORDINGLY, THE POLYTECHNIC WOULD BE CO-OPERATING WITH THE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUSINESS ENGLISH CENTRE.
MR CHEONG SAID THE POLYTECHNIC RECOGNISED THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO SERVE ONLY WITH SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY AND, IN PARTICULAR, FROM THE POLICY BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"WE EARNESTLY HOPE THAT SUCH SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING WILL ('ONT I NUE TO BE FORTHCOMING SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN CONTRIBUTE, EACH IN OUR OWN LITTLE WAY, TOWARDS BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR HONG KONG IN THE YEARS TO COME," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HON ALLEN LEE, WHO STOOD DOWN FROM THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE POLYTECHNIC COUNCIL AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
HE SAID MR LEE'S LEADERSHIP OF THE POLYTECHNIC HAD BEEN DECISIVE, INCISIVE AND CHARACTERISED BY OPENNESS.
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CITY POLYTECHNIC MAKES EXCITING PROGRESS t ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG HAS MADE EXCITING AND CHALLENGING PROGRESS IN ITS FORMATIVE YEARS AND IS NOW APPROACHING A STAGE OF STRENGTH AND MATURITY, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE POLYTECHNIC'S 1987-88 ANNUAL REPORT, MR CHENG SAID THAT COURSES OF DIVERSE ACADEMIC INTERESTS AT BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE LEVELS WOULD BE OFFERED TO MEET THE GROWING NEED FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG IN THE NEXT DECADE.
/Mr chemg .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
24 -
MR CHENG, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OE THE CITY POLYTECHNIC COUNCIL, SAID THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW WAS MARKED BY A CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF COURSES ON OFFER AND IN THE STUDENT POPULATION, AN ADVANCEMENT OF RESEARCH WORK AS WELL AS REMARKABLE PROGRESS IN CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION WORK.
DURING THE YEAR, TOTAL STUDENT ENROLMENT INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT TO ABOUT 5,200, AND HALF THE STUDENTS WERE ON FULL-TIME COURSES.
THE YEAR ALSO SAW THE ACTIVE PREPARATION TO ADMIT THE FIRST CANDIDATES FOR THE RESEARCH DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN OCTOBER. THIS HERALDED AN ERA OF ADVANCED STUDY AND RESEARCH WORK TO WHICH THE YOUNG AND THRIVING INSTITUTION WAS COMMITTED, MR CHENG SAID.
ON CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION WORK, MR CHENG SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAIN PART OF THE CAMPUS WAS WELL ON SCHEDULE TO MEET THE TARGET DATE OF FULL OCCUPATION IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
MR CHENG ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS TWO PREDECESSORS -- SIR S.Y. CHUNG AND DR S.L. CHEN, FOR THE PROGRESS MADE UNDER THEIR CHAIRMANSHIP.
FIVE BILLS INTRODUCED ♦ ♦ * ♦
FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, LEGAL OFFICERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 25 -
POPULATION OF HK ESTIMATED AT 5.7 MILLION * * » » ♦
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF HONG KONG AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1988 WAS 5,736,100, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 77,300 PEOPLE OR 1.4 PER CENT OVER END-1987.
THE BALANCE OF TOTAL ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES SHOWED A NET INFLOW OF 28,800 DURING 1988.
THERE WERE 76,100 BIRTHS LAST YEAR. DEATHS TOTALLED 27,600.
NATURAL INCREASE, THAT IS THE SURPLUS OF BIRTHS OVER DEATHS, AMOUNTED TO 48,500, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 63 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION GROWTH.
------O--------
RESIDENTS PRAISED FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE * ♦ * » *
A LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE WAS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO THREE LOCAL PEOPLE ALL OF WHOM HAD SERVED THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 10 YEARS.
THEY ARE MR FAN SAI-CHUNG, A PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG SCOUT ASSOCIATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION; MR LEE CHUNG-FAT, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OF KWAI FONG ESTATE BLOCK ONE; AND MR LAU CHEONG, A DOCKYARD OPERATOR ON TSING Y1 ISLAND.
SPEAKING AT THE CELEBRATION, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, NOTED THAT WITH THE CONTINUOUS EXPANSION OF POPULATION AND INDUSTRIES SINCE THE 1960’S, DEVELOPMENTS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT HAD BROUGHT TO LIGHT MANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT.
THE CONCERN RESIDENTS SHOWED TOWARDS THESE PROBLEMS INDICATED THEIR COMMON AIM IN DEVELOPING KWAI TSING INTO A BETTER COMMUNITY.
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION TODAY WAS ATTENDED BY DISTRICT BOARDS MEMBERS, STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ABOUT 200 GUESTS.
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/26........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
26 -
SAI KUNG DB TO BE CONSULTED ON FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS * * * * ♦
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE CONSULTED ON THIS YEAR’S ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN SAI KUNG TOWN. THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, SAID.
THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (DMC) HAD DISCUSSED THE ISSUE AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13).
MR MUNN SAID CONSULTATION WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE SITE PROPOSED BY THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISERS, THE SAI KUNG KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, WOULD REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC RE-ROUTE1NG WHICH MIGHT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
THE DISTRICT BOARD WOULD BE ASKED TO ADVISE ON THE EXTENT OF DISRUPTION WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE FROM THE COMMUNITY’S POINT OF VIEW, HE ADDED.
MR MUNN SAID THE DMC HAD CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE SITES FOR PUTTING UP THE MATSHED FOR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL, EACH OF WHICH HAD ITS ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES.
THE ORGANISERS OF THE FESTIVAL HAD, HOWEVER, STRESSED THAT THE SITE MOST ACCEPTABLE TO THEM WOULD BE THE PLOT OF LAND IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE TIN HAU TEMPLE - THIS SITE WAS TRADITIONALLY USED FOR THE FESTIVAL UNTIL 1986.
MR MUNN POINTED OUT THAT USE OF THIS SITE WOULD REQUIRE THE CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF YI CHUN STREET FROM NEAR THE SAI KUNG MARKET TO WAN KING PATH.
HE SAID THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROAD CLOSURE, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE AND THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WAS PROPOSED AT THE MEETING ON MONDAY :
(A) THE SECTION OF YI CHUN STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH MAN NIN STREET AND WAN KING PATH WOULD BECOME TWO WAY. VEHICLES WOULD TURN AROUND IN THE HAMMER HEAD OF THIS SECTION OF ROAD, WHICH WOULD ONLY BE USED FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING PURPOSES;
(B) THE SECTION OF MAN NIN STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH YI CHUN STREET AND ROAD L7 WOULD BECOME TWO WAY AND THE ON-STREET PARKING SPACES ALONG THIS SECTION WOULD BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED;
(C) THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON ROAD L7 WOULD BE REVERSED;
(D) THE GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) STANDS FOR ROUTES 2, 3 AND 4 ON YI CHUN STREET AND ROAD L7 WOULD BE RELOCATED TO THE FUK MAN ROAD GMB TERMINUS; AND
/(E) THE ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 19^9
- 27 -
(E) THE TAXI STAND ON YI CHUN STREET WOULD BE RELOCATED TO AN EXISTING LAY-BY AT THE WATERFRONT SECTION OF MAN NIN STREET.
’’FURTHERMORE, THE SITE WOULD HAVE TO BE OCCUPIED FOR 30 DAYS FROM MAY ll TO JUNE 9 FOR PUTTING UP AND REMOVING THE MATSHED BEFORE AND AFTER STAGING THE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE,” MR MUNN SAID.
“THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DISTRICT’S CULTURAL TRADITION AND THE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR.
“THE DMC HAS WORKED HARD TO DEVISE THAT THE ORGANISERS WOULD BE ABLE TO USE HOLDING FESTIVAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES.
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS SO THEIR PREFERRED SITE FOR
HOWEVER,
AS
THESE
ARRANGEMENTS
WILL
UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSE
DISRUPTION AND WILL PROBABLY WORSEN THE TRAFFIC CONGES I IN SAI KUNG TOWN ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, IT IS UP TO THE ^TRICI BOARI TO ADVISE WHETHER OR NOT THIS SORT OF DISRUPTION IS ACCEPTABLE, HL
SAID.
WOULD DISCUSS THE PROPOSED PROPOSED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND THAT VIEWS FROM LOCAL
MR MUNN SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD CLOSURE OF PART OF YI CHUN STREET AND THE SCHEME AT ITS MEETING ON FEBRUARY 25
RESIDENTS WERE WELCOME.
-----0------
NORTH DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON DB AGENDA r ♦ t t ♦ #
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE REVISED NORTH DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PROGRAMME IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE. AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
THE CHIEF TOWN PLANNER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR RICHARD CHENG, Will BRIEF BOARD MEMBERS ON THE PROGRAMME.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER PROCEDURES FOR THE NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS ON COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY 'HIE BOARD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS FROM HIE NORTH DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS A STATEMENT ON Till' BOARD'S FINANC IAL P0SII10N.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER ’’ !!> NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONHTI ' • ' ' . I OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, EANLING. HIE Mi l- TING WILI ' ■ • H‘I 9 . JO \1.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT JOHNSTON ROAD TO BE CLOSED * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSEURE OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT THE REAR LANE OF 144-146 JOHNSTON ROAD, HONG KONG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE. THE OWNER HAD FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 15 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- - 0 - -
ROAD CLOSURES AT NIGHT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT HOI SHING ROAD IN TSUEN WAN BETWEEN ITS EAST AND WEST JUNCTIONS WITH YUEN TUN CIRCUIT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM DAILY FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18) FOR TWO NIGHTS FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR HOI SHING ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE TAI CHUNG ROAD. ALSO, VEHICLES ON EASTBOUND HOI SHING ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA YUEN TUN CIRCUIT, TAI PA STREET AND HEUNG WO STREET TO JOIN SHA TSUI ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE WINSLOW STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN HUNG HOM WILL ALSO BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON SATURDAY FOR CLEANSING OF THE VEHICULAR UNDERPASS.
VEHICLES ON WINSLOW STREET HEADING FOR TO KWA WAN ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, COOKE STREET, GILLIES AVENUE AND WUHU STREET.
0 - -
/29
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
- 29 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18), SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS BECAUSE OF ROADWORKS.
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS:
* WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
» THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LAI YIP STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LAI YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
MOREOVER, THE FOLLOWING 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS:
* WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TSUN YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUN YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUN YIP STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI BUN ROAD.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
O
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ASSURANCE ON DEVELOPING HK AS INTERNATIONAL FINrJJClAL CENTRE 1
ZHOU NAN TO VISIT HONG KONG ................................. 2
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR OCT-DEC RELEASED .................................................... 3
1988 3RD QUARTER INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INDEX RELEASED........ 4
VOTERS TO REC-JIVE POLL C„kDS FOR MC ELECTIONS............... 7
SPRING RECEPTION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS, EDUCATORS............ 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC M^NaGEM^T IN YUEN LONG TOWN 8
VARIETY SHOW TO MARK CONCLUSION OF CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME 9
YAU TSIM DB TO DISCUSS ELECTION OF UC REPRESENTATIVE......... 10
ROAD SAFETY DAY IN EASTERN DIL TRICT ........................ 10
ENROLMENT FOR 'TOURISM COURSE BEGINS......................... 11
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES REMINDED TO FOLLOW REQUIREMENTS.......... 11
NEW YEAR FUN FOR CENTR.iL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS ............. 12
TRjJTIC RE-ROUTGING IN CONK.JJGHT PLACE...................... 13
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN RO.,D............................ 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER ......... 14
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
ASSURANCE ON DEVELOPING HK AS INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE WHERE INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE EFFICIENCY AND INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS.
THE ASSURANCE WAS GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING WHEN ADDRESSING THE PACIFIC RIM EXECUTIVE BANKERS SEMINAR.
HE SAID THAT WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF THE OCTOBER 1987 STOCK MARKET CRISIS, VIRTUALLY ALL THE MAJOR REFORMS TO THE REGULATORY AND MARKET STRUCTURES WHICH WERE REQUIRED TO ENSURE HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS MATCH UP TO MODERN EXPECTATIONS WOULD BE IN PLACE.
"WHILST WE ARE DETERMINED TO AVOID THE OVER-REGULATION WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED ELSEWHERE, THERE ARE FURTHER SAFEGUARDS WHICH WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING IN PLACE TOO," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LEGISLATION WAS PASSED LAST JULY REQUIRING MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE THE EXTENT OF THEIR BENEFICIAL HOLDINGS.
THIS WOULD ALSO ENABLE LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCOVER THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF ANY SHARE HOLDING, HE ADDED.
"WE ARE ALSO PLANNING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS UNDER OUR EXISTING TRIBUNAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT INSIDER DEALING UNDERMINED THE FAIRNESS OF THE MARKET.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS THEREFORE DETERMINED TO DO ITS BEST TO SEE THAT IT DOES NOT OCCUR OR THAT IF IT DOES THE CULPRITS ARE IDENTIFIED AND BROUGHT TO BOOK," HE STRESSED.
"WE AIM TO BRING BOTH MEASURES INTO FORCE THIS YEAR WHEN THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION IS IN BEING AND HAS AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO ENSURE PROPER ENFORCEMENT," MR NENDICK SAID.
RECOUNTING THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REMEDY SHORTCOMINGS REVEALED BY THE STOCK MARKET CRASH, MR NENDICK NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROMPTLY ACCEPTED THE GENERAL THRUST OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1988.
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO THE SETTING UP OF THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, THE STOCK EXCHANGE HAD PROMPTLY ACCEPTED THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO FUNDAMENTAL REVISIONS TO ITS CONSTITUTION AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT.
/THANKS TO .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
2
THANKS TO THE INITIATIVE OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE, A NEW STRUCTURE WHICH FULLY MET THE SPIRIT OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS PUT IN PLACE IN OCTOBER 1988, HE SAID.
REGARDING CHANGES TO THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF REVISING ITS CONSTITUTION AND IMPLEMENTING A NEW CLEARING AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN LINE WITH THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
"A START HAS ALSO BEEN MADE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL CLEARING AND DEPOSITORY SYSTEM WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN 1990," HE ADDED.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE, MR NENDICK BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN THE MOST IMPORTANT REGIONAL CENTRE FROM WHICH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WOULD SERVICE THEIR CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
IT WOULD ALSO BE THE MAJOR SERVICE CENTRE FOR SOUTH CHINA IN GENERAL AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION IN PARTICULAR, HE ADDED.
"AS A GOVERNMENT, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO CREATE THE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT FOR THIS," HE SAID.
-----0-----
ZHOU NAN TO VISIT HONG KONG » * * « «
THE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MR ZHOU NAN, WILL VISIT HONG KONG AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR FROM FEBRUARY 28 TO MARCH 2.
PROGRAMMES OF HIS VISIT ARE BEING FINALISED.
HE WILL STAY ON IN HONG KONG FOR A FEW DAYS AS THE GUEST OF MR XU JIATUN, DIRECTOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY HONG KONG BRANCH.
--------0---------
/5........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR OCT - DEC RELEASED
*****
DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1988, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL TO AN HISTORIC LOW LEVEL, WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED LOW.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER DECEMBER 1988 WAS 1.3 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.6 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988 AND 1.9 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASES OF 0.3 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 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 36,200, COMPARED WITH 43,800 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988 AND 53,000 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1987 .
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1988 WAS 0.7 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.6 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988. THE RATE FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1987 WAS 1.0 PER CENT.
THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE DECREASE OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR OCTOBER -DECEMBER 1988 WAS 18,400, COMPARED WITH 15,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988 AND 28,500 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1987.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ll.O), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS IRAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF TH’' 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-Si 1 KERS (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 :EFK RS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
/THE COMMISSIONER .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
4
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 UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1988 - JANUARY 1989 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 51,000 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, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND MARCH 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
-------o---------
1988 3RD QUARTER INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INDEX RELEASED ******
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, AT 134, WAS EIGHT POINTS OR 6.3 PER CENT ABOVE THAT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARES WITH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES OF 3 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, 6 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, AND AN AVERAGE OF 16 PER CENT IN 1987 AS A WHOLE.
COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, AND BEARING I J MIND THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THE INDEX SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 13 POINTS OR 10.7 PER CENT.
/THE BASE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
THE BASE OF THE INDEX IS THE YEAR 1986. IN OTHER WORDS, THE INDEX WAS 100 IN 1986.
INDUSTRIES SHOWING THE LARGEST INCREASES IN PRODUCTION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1987 WERE : PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+33.7 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+27.0 PER CENT); PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (+26.5 PER CENT); TOBACCO (+22.7 PER CENT); AND CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+20.6 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES REPORTED A DECREASE IN PRODUCTION COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 : PLASTIC
PRODUCTS (-9.2 PER CENT); WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, AND FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (EXCEPT PRIMARILY OF METAL) (-7.4 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (-2.4 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED REPORTED INCREASES IN PRODUCTION.
THE LARGEST INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING
INDUSTRIES: RUBBER PRODUCTS (+28.3 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+16.0 PER CENT); TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (+16.9 PER CENT); BEVERAGE (+15.6 PER CENT); AND LEATHER PRODUCTS AND FOOTWEAR (EXCEPT RUBBER, PLASTIC AND WOODEN FOOTWEAR) (+15.4 PER CENT).
IN RELEASING THESE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO REFLECT THE LEVELS AND TRENDS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL IS ATTACHED.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 3RD QUARTER 1988", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR
ROAD, WAN CHAI.
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234832.
/INDEXES OF .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
6
INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY INDUSTRY GROUP (1986=100)
INDUSTRY GROUP INDEXES FOR 3RD QTR. 1988 % CHANGE OVER
3RD QTR. 1987 2ND QTR 1988
FOOD 122 + 18.4 + 9.9
BEVERAGE 141 ♦1.4 + 15.6
TOBACCO 162 + 22.7 + 7.3
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR 117 + 1.7 + 10.4
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 124 -2.4 + 15.9
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS 210 + 26.5 + 14.1
NEWSPAPER PRINTING, JOB PRINTING AND OTHER PRINTING 155 + 16.5 + 13. 1
CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 123 + 20.6 + 11.8
RUBBER PRODUCTS 136 + 1.5 + 28.3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 118 -9.2 + 14.6
NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 125 +3.3 + 10.6
BASIC METALS 147 + 12.2 + 2.8
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 155 + 12.3 + 12.3
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 174 + 27.0 + 16.0
CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 142 + 0.7 + 7.6
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND MACHINERY 171 + 14.0 + 8.2
PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 135 + 33.7 + 3.8
/LEATHER PRODUCTS .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
7
LEATHER PRODUCTS AND FOOTWEAR
(EXCEPT RUBBER, PLASTIC WOODEN FOOTWEAR) AND 150 + 18.1 + 15.
WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES PRIMARILY OF METAL) AND (EXCEPT 100 -7.4 +6.4
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 113 + 11.9 -5.0
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, N.E.S. 132 + 10.9 + 3.1
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 134 +6.3 +10.7
VOTERS TO RECEIVE POLL CARDS FOR MC ELECTIONS
*****
ELECTORS WHO ARE ENTITLED TO TAKE PART IN THE COMING ELECTIONS ON MARCH 9 WILL BE RECEIVING A POLL CARD DURING NEXT WEEK.
"A TOTAL OF 1,211,109 POLL CARDS WILL BE SENT OUT IN BATCHES BETWEEN FEBRUARY 20 AND 23," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION (RED) SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"EACH POLL CARD TELLS WHERE AND WHEN AN ELECTION TAKES PLACE, AND IS DISPATCHED ONLY TO THOSE ELECTORS IN CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES."
ELECTORS IN CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES WILL ALSO BE RECEIVING BY THE END OF THIS MONTH A NOTE ON THE VOTING PROCEDURES TOGETHER WITH AN INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET ON THE CANDIDATES IN THE RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES.
ELECTORS IN UNCONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE ISSUED WITH AN INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET ON CANDIDATES ONLY. THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.
ELECTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS TO THE POLL. ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION OF THE POLL CARD IS NOT MANDATORY, IT WILL FACILITATE PROCESSING AND AVOID DELAY.
IN CASE OF ENQUIRIES, ELECTORS MAY TELEPHONE THE RED ON 5-270369 OR 5-270380 WELL BEFORE POLLING DAY.
FOR THOSE ELECTORS WHO HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, THEY SHOULD NOTIFY THE RED BY TELEPHONE OR IN WRITING, GIVING THEIR IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS AND THEIR NEW RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
/SUCH ELECTORS .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
8
SUCH ELECTORS WILL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE IN THE CONSTITUENCY OF THEIR PREVIOUS RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AND WILL HAVE THEIR POLL CARD SENT TO THEIR NEW RESIDENCE.
ELECTORS MAY ALSO APPROACH THE POST OFFICE OF THEIR PREVIOUS RESIDENCE TO REDIRECT ANY MAIL TO THEIR NEW ADDRESS. SUCH SERVICE 13 PROVIDED FREE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS AND MAY CONTINUE FOR A LONGER PERIOD UPON PAYMENT OF A FEE.
•-----0-------
SPRING RECEPTION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS, EDUCATORS
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, TODAY (THURSDAY) HOSTED A SPRING RECEPTION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EDUCATORS TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR ADVICE AND SUPPORT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST YEAR.
MORE THAN 300 GUESTS ATTENDED THE RECEPTION AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S HAPPY VALLEY CLUBHOUSE.
THEY INCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT BOARDS, SCHOOL COUNCILS, UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND DISTRICT COMMITTEES, AND SCHOOL SPONSORING BODIES.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN YUEN LONG TOWN
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN YUEN LONG TOWN AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE CONSULTED ON A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS DRAWN UP BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS THERE.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE IN VIEW OF THE WORSENING TRAFFIC SITUATION IN YUEN LONG TOWN SINCE THE COMMISSIONING OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ASSOCIATED CHANGES IN TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
9
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS MEASURES TO IMPROVE FEEDER BUS SERVICES IN YUEN LONG.
OTHER TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE SUGGESTIONS TO BUILD A FOOTBRIDGE AND A BUS STOP FOR LONG PING ESTATE AND TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT SAI YU STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE 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 10 AM.
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VARIETY SHOW TO MARK CONCLUSION OF CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME »»»»♦»
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION PUBLICITY PROGRAMME WILL CONCLUDE ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18) WITH A VARIETY SHOW TO MARK THE OCCASION.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT MORE THAN 1,500 RESIDENTS WILL BE ATTRACTED TO THE FREE VARIETY SHOW WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
THE SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE OPEN-AIR THEATRE AT MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN.
THE TWO-HOUR SHOW WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, ORIENTAL DANCES, A MAGIC SHOW, AS WELL AS A DEMONSTRATION OF MARTIAL ARTS AND TAEKWONDO.
DURING THE SHOW PRIZES WILL BE PRESENT TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS HELD EARLIER. THESE INCLUDE A GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME AND CIVIC EDUCATION SLOGAN, POSTER AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE SHOW WILL Bi A MEMBER 01 THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MAK HOI-WAH: WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, NR BRIAN LAU; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON 'THE PROMOTION ()!■ CIVIC EDUCATION OF THE DB’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT II.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE SHOW ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFF I UES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN CIVIC EDUCATION VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18) IN THE OPEN-AIR THEATRE AT MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SJN.
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/1O
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
- 10 -
YAU TSIM DB TO DISCUSS ELECTION * * * ♦ ♦
OF UC REPRESENTATIVE
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE DATE AND PROCEDURES FOR ELECTING A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DELETION OF TWO BUILDINGS FROM A LIST OF BUILDINGS TARGETTED FOR MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT AND THE INCLUSION OF ANOTHER BUILDING ON THE LIST.
PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
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ROAD SAFETY DAY IN EASTERN DISTRICT *****
A ROAD SAFETY DAY TO REMIND THE PUB). IC ON PROPER ROAD USAGE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AFTERNOON AT THE FOOTBALL PITCHES IN VICTORIA PARK.
THIS IS THE LARGEST EVENT OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY, THE WORKING GROUP HAS MOUNTED 35 ADVISORY SIGNBOARDS AT VARIOUS TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS THROUGHOUT EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE ROAD SAFETY DAY ON SUNDAY WIL). FEATURE A ’’ROAD SAFETY TOWN”, A MINI-TRAIN TRACK, \ POP CONCERT, A ROAD SAFETY BUS EXHIBITION AND VARIOUS KINDS OF STALL GAMES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EVENT WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (EASTERN), MR C.J. GLOVER; POLICE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, TRAEFIC/HK ISLAND, MR B.C. GRIFFIN; AND ('HAIRMAN OF THE DB’S TRAFFIC' AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR YUE HUI-KWONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY DAY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AT THE FOOTBALL PITCHES 1-3 IN VICTORIA PARK. THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
11
ENROLMENT FOR TOURISM COURSE BEGINS » * * t
THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS ORGANISING A COURSE ON "EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FOR TRAVEL AGENCY EXECUTIVES" IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
THE TWO-DAY UPGRADING COURSE ON MARCH 9 AND 10 WILL EXAMINE TOPICS ON SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION, JOB DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATION, TARGET SETTING AND PERFORMANCE STANDARD, STAFF MOTIVATION AND MORALE BUILDING, EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AS WELL AS THE TECHNIQUE OF COUNSELLING.
THE COURSE FEE IS $950. AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE WILL BE AWARDED BY THE VTC TO PARTICIPANTS UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS MARCH 1. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON TEL. 5-8932341, EXT. 282, OR TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ON 5-8682738.
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EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES REMINDED
* * « » *
TO FOLLOW REQUIREMENTS t
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATORS TO FOLLOW STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WHEN RUNNING THEIR BUSINESS.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, THE AMOUNT OF FEE THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY A LICENSEE TO JOB SEEKERS FOR FIRST REGISTRATION AND SUBSEQUENT RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF $5," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE COMMISSION FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENT IS LIMITED TO 10 PER CENT OF THE FIRST MONTH’S RECEIVED SALARY."
THE REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE FEE THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY AN GENCY TO AN EMPLOYER TO A MAXIMUM OF $35 FOR EACH TYPE OF VACANCY REGISTERED ON FIRST REGISTRATION AND $20 PER RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION AFTER THREE MONTHS.
THE COMMISSION TO BE PAID BY AN EMPLOYER ON SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING FOR HIM AN EMPLOYEE BY AN AGENCY IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES.
"OTHER THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEES AND COMMISSIONS, A LICENSEE IS NOT ALLOWED TO RECEIVE FROM A JOB SEEKER ANY REWARD, PAYMENT OR ADVANTAGE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PLACEMENT," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
/'•CHARGING HORE.........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
12
"CHARGING MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEES AND COMMISSIONS IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.
"A LICENSEE OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY BEING PROSECUTED FOR OVERCHARGE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000."
CONVICTION OF OVERCHARGE MIGHT LEAD TO THE LICENCE OF THE AGENCY BEING REVOKED OR REFUSED RENEWAL BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
CITING STATISTICS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THREE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WERE CONVICTED ON A TOTAL OF EIGHT CHARGES FOR COLLECTING FROM JOB SEEKERS FEES IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT LEGALLY PRESCRIBED LAST YEAR. THE LICENSEES OF THESE AGENCIES WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $41,000.
IN THE SAME YEAR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALSO REVOKED THREE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENCES AND REFUSED TO RENEW THREE OTHER LICENCES WHEN THE CONCERNED LICENSEES APPLIED FOR RENEWAL UPON EXPIRY.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO DISPLAY THE FEE SCHEDULES AND THEIR LICENCES IN THE PLACE OF BUSINESS, SUBMIT QUARTERLY RETURNS TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME, AND MAINTAIN THE PRESCRIBED REGISTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE AND THE REGULATIONS.
"IN THE RECRUITMENT OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS THE EMPLOYER'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE THE HELPER WITH FREE PASSAGE FROM HER HOME COUNTRY TO HONG KONG, AND UPON EXPIRY OR TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT, TO PROVIDE FREE RETURN PASSAGE FROM HONG KONG TO HER HOME COUNTRY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES MAY BE MADE TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTRATION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8523535 OR 5-8523541.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO REPORT CASES OF OVERCHARGE BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8523541 OR 5-8523534.
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NEW YEAR FUN FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS
*******
TWO SPECIAL PROGRAMMES TO CELEBRATE THE SPRING FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THE VICTORIA PEAK WALKATHON, SCHEDULED TO START AT 9.30 AM AT THE CHIU SHEUNG SCHOOL IN POK FU LAM ROAD, WILL AFFORD PARTICIPANTS SOME GOOD PHYSICAL EXERCISE. IT IS ALSO MEANT TO BRING THEM GOOD LUCK BY WALKING ROUND THE PEAK.
/THE DISTRICT
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
- 13 -
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR CHAN TAK-CHOR, AND KENNEDY TOWN AND MOUNT DAVIS AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW YIN-SUN, WILL START THE WALK.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL, KENNEDY TOWN AND MOUNT DAVIS AREA COMMITTEE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE SAI YING PUN LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL, WHICH WILL INCLUDE STALL GAMES, LION DANCE, LUCKY DRAW AND SINGING PERFORMANCES, WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK IN EASTERN STREET.
GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL OPENING WILL INCLUDE SAI YING PUN AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MRS IRENE LEE TANG YEE-LIN; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR CHANG YAU-HUNG; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG; AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS JOEY LAM.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE CARNIVAL WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SAI YING PUN AREA COMMITTEE.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE TWO EVENTS MAY BE MADE ON TEL. 5-8170196 OR 5-8523482.
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TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE
* » * * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 3 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19), CONNAUGHT PLACE IN CENTRAL WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE BECAUSE OF WORK ON THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD PROJECT.
CMB ROUTE 260 HEADING FOR CENTRAL BUS STATION WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PEDDER STREET AND CONNAUGHT PLACE.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ♦ ♦ » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC LANES OF TUEN MUN ROAD AT TAI LAM BRIDGE AND BROTHER BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED IN ROTATION BETWEEN 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
DURING THE WORKS PERIOD, AT LEAST TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE MAINTAINED FROM NOON TO 5 PM.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE ALTERNATIVE ROVTEING VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18) TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR THE FLYOVER RECONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE WATERLOO ROAD AT THE GROUND LEVEL.
AS CONGESTION MAY OCCUR ON WATERLOO ROAD AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 19$9
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMPLEMENTATION OF NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE .................. 1
NEW CHAIRMAN CF FUTURES EXCHANGE APPOINTED ................. 2
HONG KONG COMMITTED TO OPEN MARKET POLICE .................. 3
GOLDEN DRAGON TO MAKE DEBUT IN SAN FRANCISCO............. *F
SUCCESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES HINGES ON COMMUNITY
SUPPORT................................................... 5
NEW ROADS FOR FANLING DEVELOPMENTS ......................... 6
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS DECLARED INVALID ......................... 7
FIELD TEST OF ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS TO COMMENCE ........ 8
SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT ...... 9
IMPORTANT PROJECTS TO BEGIN IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT............ 9
SHA TIN TO HOLD SECOND DISTRICT FESTIVAL ................... 11
UC ELECTION FOURMS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ..................... 1?
SOUTHERN DISTRICT LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS ............ 1J
FESTIVAL LIGHTING PHOTOGRAPHS ON SHOW ...................... 15
KOWLOON CITY CHILDREN'S CHORUS TO GIVE CONCERT ............. 15
NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ................... 16
LEE YIP STREET TO BE RESUMED AND REPAIRED................... 16
LAND IN SHA TIN TO BE RESUMED............................... 17
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT TEMPLE STREET TO BE CLOSED ........... 18
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN HUNG HOM TO BE CLOSED ................. 18
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI KOK TSUI ............. 19
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, SOUTHERN .................. 19
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WAN CHAI ...................... 20
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HILLIER STREET ........................ 20
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
1
IMPLEMENTATION OF NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) VARIOUS DATES FOR THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF PROVISIONS IN THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE CONTROL OF NOISE FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES AND TO APPEALS AND ENFORCEMENT.
THE NOISE CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS AND THE NOISE CONTROL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATIONS ALSO BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM TODAY.
UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS THE NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY.
THE AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, FOR ISSUING PERMITS FOR PERCUSSIVE PILING AND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK USING POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.
PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CRITERIA LAID DOWN IN THE VARIOUS TECHNICAL MEMORANDA PUBLISHED UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE.
’’APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS CAN NOW BE MADE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID.
’’WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 17 THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO USE POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK OTHER THAN PERCUSSIVE PILING AT NIGHT OR AT ANY TIME ON GENERAL HOLIDAYS WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’AND STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 17, 1989, ALL PERCUSSIVE PILING DURING DAYTIME MUST BE CARRIED OUT WITH A PERMIT. NIGHT-TIME PERCUSSIVE PILING IS NOT ALLOWED,” HE SAID.
”IT IS BELIEVED THAT SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WOULD GIVE THE INDUSTRY SUFFICIENT LEAD TIME TO TENDER THEIR APPLICATIONS AND PLAN THEIR CONSTRUCTION WORK,” HE ADDED.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS IS $50,000 FOR THE FIRST CONVICTION AND $100,000 FOR THE SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS WITH A DAILY MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
’’PENDING THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE NEW CONTROL PROVISIONS UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE AS STIPULATED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE, ANY GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK USING POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AT NIGHT OR ON GENERAL HOLIDAYS WHICH IS NOW REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID PERMITTED WORK PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/••IT IS..........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 2 -
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT EXCESSIVE CONSTRUCTION NOISE WILL BE CURBED ONCE THE PERMIT SYSTEM IS ENFORCED," HE SAID.
"THE SITUATION WILL IMPROVE FURTHER WHEN PROVISIONS ON NEIGHBOURHOOD AND INDUSTRIAL NOISE ARE IMPLEMENTED LATER IN THE YEAR."
TODAY’S GAZETTE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR D.E. D’ALMADA REMEDIOS, SERVING MAGISTRATE AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY, AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPEAL BOARD UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE.
"THE APPEAL BOARD IS SET UP TO ENSURE THAT DECISIONS OR REQUIREMENTS OF THE AUTHORITY ARE APPLIED IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER," THE EPD SPOKESMAN SAID.
TWENTY PEOPLE FROM A WIDE SPECTRUM OF BACKGROUNDS INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTALISTS, INDUSTRIALISTS, PROFESSIONALS AND ACADEMICS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS MEMBERS OF THE APPEAL BOARD PANEL.
THEY ARE MR NELSON J. SOUSA, MR LEE JARK-PUI, MR TO SHUI-MOON, MR K.L. CHONG, MR EDWARD PONG CHONG, PROFESSOR CHEUNG YAU-KAI, MR HENRY CHIU SIN-SING, MR HUNG WING-TAT, DR LAM KIN-CHE, MR DENNIS LAU WING-KWONG, MR STEPHEN LAU SIU-YU, MR EDMUND LEUNG KWONG-HO, MR DEREK V. LINDSAY, MR ANTHONY J. VAIL, MR S.L. WAN, DR JAMES WONG SIK-WING, MR T.P. LEUNG, MR FUNG SHIU-WING, MISS LINDA SIDDALL AND MR JOHN HALLIDAY.
AN INFORMATION BOOKLET TITLED "HOW TO APPLY FOR A CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT" HAS BEEN PREPARED BY EPD TO ASSIST THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
ANY ENQUIRIES ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE OR APPLICATION FORMALITIES RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS COULD BE MADE TO THE NOISE CONTROL GROUP OF THE EPD ON THE 27TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-8351124.
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NEW CHAIRMAN OF FUTURES EXCHANGE APPOINTED
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR EOGHAN M. MCMILLAN AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE) WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 24.
THE APPOINTMENT IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LTD.
MR MCMILLAN WILL SUCCEED MR WILFRID NEWTON, WHO HAS RESIGNED FROM THE POSITION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE HKFE DUE TO HIS IMPENDING DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG.
/MR MCMILLAN .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
3
MR MCMILLAN, AGED 53 AND A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT OF CONSIDERABLE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE, IS THE MANAGING PARTNER OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO'S PRACTICE IN HONG KONG AND THE REGIONAL MANAGING PARTNER FOR ITS OPERATION IN EAST ASIA.
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE ETHICS COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS.
"WE BELIEVE MR MCMILLAN'S ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN HONG KONG AND INTERNATIONALLY WILL MAKE HIM VERY SUITABLE FOR THE JOB," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO THANKED MR NEWTON FOR HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE HKFE SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT IN OCTOBER 1987.
"MR NEWTON HAS HELPED STEER THE HKFE THROUGH A MOST DIFFICULT PERIOD. HE HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN STRENGTHENING THE EXCHANGE'S MANAGEMENT AND PAVING THE WAY FOR ITS RE-CONSTITUTION," MR JACOBS ADDED.
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HONG KONG COMMITTED TO OPEN MARKET POLICY »♦♦*»**
HONG KONG'S FIRM COMMITMENT TO AN OPEN MARKET POLICY APPLIES TO TRADE IN GOODS, FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES AS WELL AS TO INVESTMENTS IN INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID IN JAPAN TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING THE HONG KONG TRADE AND INVESTMENT SEMINAR Ai THE NAGOYA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR SZE SAID THE GOVERNMENT TREATED ALL FOREIGN AND LOCALLY OWNED CAMPAN IES ALIKE, IMPARTIALLY, AND ON A COMPLETELY EQUAL FOOTING WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SEEK TO DIRECT WHICH INDI ES SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE DEVELOPED. IT LEAVES BUSINESS l‘»< ! IONS ENTIRELY TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR,’ HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG WAS STRATEG I ( Al I Y LOCATED ON THE vF I ERN RIM OF THE FAST GROWING ASIAN PAC I EH’ REGION AS WELL AS BE! G A GATEWAY TO CHINA, SERVING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND Till- hl OF THE WORLD, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG, AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRA'I I E I” GION (SAR) OF CHINA, WOULD CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AS IT NOW DID FOR 50 >EARS AFTER 1997.
/’’UNDER THE.........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 4 -
"UNDER THE AGREEMENT (OR JOINT DECLARATION AS IT IS OFFICIALLY KNOWN) SIGNED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN 1984 ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG SAR WILL ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY," HE SAID.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) WAS ASSURED IN APRIL 1986 WHEN HONG KONG BECAME THE 91ST CONTRACTING PARTY.
"HONG KONG ALSO ATTAINED SEPARATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL IN JUNE 1987," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THE AUTONOMY OF HONG KONG IN THE CONDUCT OF ITS EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WAS DEMONSTRATED BY THE OPENING LAST SEPTEMBER OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE (HKETO) IN TOKYO WHICH WAS A FULL-FLEDGED GOVERNMENT OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG'S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID THAT JAPAN, BEING THE THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, SECOND LARGEST SUPPLIER, FIFTH LARGEST MARKET, WAS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG.
BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN HAD BEEN GROWING STEADILY IN RECENT YEARS. TOTAL TRADE ROSE BY 31.6 PER CENT IN 1987 AND AGAIN BY 33.4 PER CENT IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF LAST YEAR TO REACH $109.3 BILLION.
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN WERE STILL NARROW, AND THERE WAS A NEED TO DIVERSIFY HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO THE JAPANESE MARKET, HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT IN VALUE TERMS JAPAN’S EXPORTS TO HONG KONG WERE ABOUT SEVEN TO EIGHT TIMES HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, MR SZE SAID THE HUGE BILATERAL TRADE DEFICIT WAS A MATTER OF CONCERN TO HONG KONG.
"WE THEREFORE WELCOME THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY JAPAN TO OPEN UP ITS MARKET FURTHER," HE ADDED.
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GOLDEN DRAGON TO MAKE DEBUT IN SAN FRANCISCO ♦ * t t t
A NEW HONG KONG-MADE GOLDEN DRAGON WILL BE THE MAIN ATTRACTION
OF SAN FRANCISCO’S LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE TOMMORROW (SATURDAY).
WEEK-LONG NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES IN THE CITY’S CHINATOWN WILL CULMINATE WITH THE DEBUT OF AN 180-FOOT GUM LUNG", THE LATEST IN A SUCCESSION OF DRAGONS COMMISSIONED SINCE 1956 FROM HONG KONG BY THE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SAN FRANCISCO.
/HAND CRAFTED .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17-i 1989
- 5 -
HAND CRAFTED BY WONG KAI OF HONG KONG, AND IMPORTED AT A COST OF NEARLY US$20,000, THE DRAGON IS MADE OF GOLDEN SILK MOUNTED ON BAMBOO FRAMES.
POWERED BY THREE TEAMS OF 22 MEN, THE GUM LUNG WILL WEAVE ITS WAY THROUGH THE STREETS OF CHINATOWN AS THE GRAND FINALE TO THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE PARADE.
HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO GATHER ALONG THE ROUTE TO WATCH THE PARADE WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE 15 ILLUMINATED FLOATS, COSTUMED MARCHERS AND MUSICIANS, THE MISS CHINATOWN USA CONTESTANTS AND MANY LION DANCERS.
THE MAYOR OF SAN FRANCISCO, MR ART AGNOS, DOTTED THE EYES OF THE DRAGON AT A CEREMONY HELD EARLIER IN THE WEEK AT THE WESTIN ST FRANCIS HOTEL, WHICH DONATED THE DRAGON AND IS HOST TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE.
CONSIDERING THE POPULARITY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR AGNOS SAID: ’’THE DRAGON ISN’T JUST A GIFT TO THE CHINESE COMMUNITY. IT IS A GIFT TO THE ENTIRE CITY.”
THE ANNUAL PARADE, ORGANISED BY THE CITY’S CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY TWO CITY TV CHANNELS, AND HAS BEEN SYNDICATED FOR BROADCAST SIMULTANEOUSLY BY LOCAL STATIONS IN 46 CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING NEW YORK, CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES AND HONOLULU.
------0-------
SUCCESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES HINGES ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT *******
THE SUCCESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES HINGES ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT, INVOLVEMENT AND CO-OPERATION, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF KWUN TONG MEETING, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT WITHOUT THE FULL SUPPORT OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, MANY REHABILITATION PROJECTS, SUCH AS HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS, COULD NOT MATERIALISE.
SHE NOTED THAT THE MAIN OBSTACLE FROM THE SOCIETY IS THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISABLED.
MRS WONG SAID DISABLED AND ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE ALIKE HAD TO BE BROUGHT UP, AND GIVEN DUE RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE.
IT WAS VITAL THAT THE DISABLED WERE GIVEN EQUAL TREATMENT AND FAIR OPPORTUNITY BY THE COMMUNITY, SHE EXPLAINED.
MRS WONG REITERIATED THAT RENDERING ADEQUATE SERVICES TO THE DISABLED COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED BY THE DEPARTMENT ALONE.
/ONLY THROUGH .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 6
ONLY THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS WITH THE RELATED PROFESSIONS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, MEDICAL, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND COUNSELLING COULD A SYSTEMATICAL SERVICE NETWORK BE WORKED OUT, SHE STRESSED.
SHE NOTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD EXPANDED ITS SERVICES IN THE PROVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1958.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMULATION OF POLICY ON REHABILITATION MATTERS, AND FOR CO-ORDINATING THE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE DEPARTMENT AT PRESENT PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FROM SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN TO THOSE FOR MENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS.
THESE INCLUDE EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRES, SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES, CHILD CARE CENTRES WITH INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, AND A COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED CHILDREN.
THOSE FOR ADULTS INCLUDE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY ACTIVITIES CENTRES, HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS, RESPITE SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, AND HOME BASED TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SCHOOL LEAVERS WITHOUT SUITABLE PLACEMENT.
THERE ARE ALSO HOSTELS FOR HANDICAPPED ADULTS, SOCIAL CENTRES, COUNSELLING SERVICES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS A COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED ADULTS.
•0
NEW ROADS FOR FANLING DEVELOPMENTS *****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO BUILD NEW ROADS IN FANLING AREA 17B TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
THEY INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF A 500-METRE-LONG DISTRIBUTOR ROAD (ROAD D3), FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, ROADSIDE AMENITIES, EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESSES AND STREET FURNITURE TOGETHER WITH ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS.
ABOUT 19,000 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE LAND WILL BE RESUMED FOR THE WORKS.
/PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING FOOTPATHS THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, 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 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 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 APRIL 18 THIS YEAR.
-----o-----
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS DECLARED INVALID
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ALL OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO WOMEN BORN
BETWEEN 1963 AND 1969 WILL CEASE TO BE VALID DOCUMENTS FROM FEBRUARY 27 THIS YEAR.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THIS IS THF. FOURTH BATCH OF ID CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THE NEW ID CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED IN JULY 1987.
"ONCE AN OLD CARD IS DECLARED INVALID, IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE ID CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT."
THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD REPLACEMENT PERIODS DUE TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES.
/THESE CASES .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 8 -
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SIZE OF THE NEW TYPE ID CARDS IS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONES.
"HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD CARDS AND THE NEW ONES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ARE:
(A) THE ID CARD NUMBER IS PRINTED ON THE TOP RIGHT CORNER IN THE OLD CARD, BUT IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE NEW CARD.
(B) THE HONG KONG CREST AT THE BACK IS REPLACED BY THE MULTI-COLOUR BACKGROUND PRINTING.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
------0 ------
FIELD TEST OF ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS TO COMMENCE
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A FIELD TEST OF ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO ASSESS THEIR SUITABILITY FOR USE IN HONG KONG.
LOCKHART ROAD IN WAN CHAI HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THE FIELD TEST BECAUSE THE MIXED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA PROVIDES A GOOD TESTING ENVIRONMENT.
THE 20 ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS TO BE INSTALLED IN LOCKHART ROAD BETWEEN FLEMING ROAD AND FENWICK STREET WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY.
THE FIELD TEST WILL LAST FOR 20 MONTHS AND WILL BE MONITORED AND REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT REGULARLY.
AT PRESENT, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OPERATES ABOUT 15,000 MECHANICAL PARKING METERS, WHICH HAVE BEEN GENERALLY RELIABLE.
RECENTLY A NEW PARKING METER WITH ELECTRONIC MECHANISM HAS BECOME AVAILABLE. ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS ARE SAID TO BE MORE RELIABLE AND CAN PROVIDE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION THROUGH ELECTRONIC DATA RETRIEVAL.
THEY ARE POWERED BY BATTERIES WHICH WILL LAST FOR A YEAR AND WILL BE FITTED INTO THE EXISTING CASINGS.
/THE ELECTRONIC .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 9 -
THE ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS ARE SIMILAR TO THE MECHANICAL METERS IN APPEARANCE, BUT THE HANDLE OPERATES DIFFERENTLY. THE ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS ARE ACTIVATED BY PUSHING THE HANDLE INSTEAD OF TURNING THE HANDLE IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. THE AMOUNT OF PARKING TIME IS DISPLAYED BY A DIGITAL READOUT.
THE PARKING CHARGES AND OPERATING HOURS OF THE ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS WILL REMAIN THE SAME, $2 PER 30 MINUTES FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT EVERY DAY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
-----0------
SECRETARY FOR
CIVIL SERVICE VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT ******
THE SECRETARY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE
FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY HOUSING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN HO MAN TIN Tn OF housingTstaffN PUBLIC housing development and meet representatives
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR PANG YUK r TNr md ™Ewbl™"oSS™c S"SI^h?ALL T0 SBE ™E HIST0“'’ and DBVBb0™ENT
MR GREWAL THEN MET THE DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTORATE STAPP and Tnr^n ^mANTIjY 14 REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS STAFF ASSOCIATIONS OF JHRHO'/SING department to Discuss general issues of concerJ To the
STAFF.
BY THE DEPUTY
AFTER THE DISCUSSION, MR GREWAL, ACCOMPANIED
°F H0USING (ADMINISTRATION), MR NIGEL SHIPMAN, VISITED THE crnr\.C0MPIjE,En TUNG ESTATE AND THE NEIGHBOURING HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME YUE ON COURT ON AP LEI CHAU TO SEE THE FACILITIES AND sStoJS PROVIDED IN RENTAL ESTATES AND HOME OWNERSHIP COURTS.
------0 --------
IMPORTANT PROJECTS TO BEGIN IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, TODAY (FRIDAY) REPORTED ON THE MAJOR FACILITIES COMPLETED IN THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR AND OUTLINED THE IMPORTANT LOCAL PROJECTS THAT WOULD BEGIN DURING THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.
SPEAKING AT A SPRING RECEPTION HELD BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AT A LOCAL HOTEL, MR MUNN SAID MANY NEW FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE NEW CLINIC IN SAI KUNG TOWN, THE SAI SHA ROAD, AND THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT HAD BEEN OPENED LAST YEAR.
/•’NEW RESIDENTS.......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
10 -
"NEW RESIDENTS HAVE BEGUN TO MOVE INTO JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, AND THE POPULATION OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT HAS GROWN FROM 49,000 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON TO MORE THAN 73,000 TODAY.
"WE WARMLY WELCOME THE NEW RESIDENTS TO SAI KUNG DISTRICT," HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, THE TSUI LAM AND PO LAM ESTATES, AND ALL THE COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, WOULD BE COMPLETED, MR MUNN SAID.
THESE FACILITIES INCLUDED TWO NEW SCHOOLS, TWO NEW INDOOR RECREATION CENTRES, TWO COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES, TWO BUS TERMINALS AND MANY OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES.
MR MUNN ALSO LISTED IMPORTANT PROJECTS THAT WOULD BEGIN ELSEWHERE IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
THESE WERE THE RECLAMATION AT CHUNG MEI TUK, CONSTRUCTION OF A SWIMMING POOL AND SPORTS COMPLEX IN SAI KUNG TOWN, EXTENSION OF MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO MORE VILLAGES, AND WIDENING OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY.
"THE WIDENING OF THE WHOLE OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY BETWEEN SAI KUNG TOWN AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
"THE FIRST PART OF THE PROJECT, BETWEEN NAM WAI AND THE CHENG CHEK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL, WILL BEGIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ONE AND A HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.
"DURING CONSTRUCTION FULL TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED."
ON THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME UNDER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, MR MUNN SAID FOOTPATHS, BRIDGES, ACCESS ROADS, WATER PIPES, PIERS, PLAYGROUNDS AND OTHER FACILITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PROGRAMME.
"TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE CONSULTING THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON PROPOSALS FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND CO-ORDINATED IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS UNDER THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY," HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S AIMS, MR MUNN SAID IT WOULD ASSIST AND PROMOTE THE IMPROVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT, MINIMISE THE DISRUPTION CAUSED BY THE MANY PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN, AND ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION BY RESIDENTS IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
"WE SHALL BE PLACING EMPHASIS ON INCREASING AND IMPROVING CONTACTS BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"LAST YEAR, TWO AREA COMMITTEES, ONE IN SAI KUNG TOWN AND THE OTHER AT HANG HAU, AND FOUR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WERE FORMED IN THE DISTRICT.
/"IN THE .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
11
"IN THE COMING YEAR, WE HOPE TO SEE THE FORMATION OF TWO MORE AREA COMMITTEES, FOR JUNK BAY AND PAK SHA WAN, AND SIX NEW MAC’S."
MR MUNN SAID THAT SINCE COMING TO SAI KUNG IN APRIL LAST YEAR, HE HAD VISITED MANY VILLAGES, MAC'S AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN ORDER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND ITS PEOPLE.
"I HAVE GREATLY ENJOYED MY INFORMAL MEETINGS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH RESIDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND I INTEND TO CONTINUE THESE VISITS THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR,” HE SAID.
"I HAVE BEEN HEARTENED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE ENTHUSIASM AND ENERGY WITH WHICH SO MANY PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN VERY IMPRESSED BY THE ABILITY OF A DISTRICT WITH SUCH A SMALL POPULATION TO ORGANISE SO MANY CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
"ALL THIS ACTIVITY OWES MUCH TO THE SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP GIVEN BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVEN MORE ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING YEAR."
------0--------
SHA TIN TO HOLD SECOND DISTRICT FESTIVAL * t » » *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD THE SECOND SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN HEALTHY COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS AND STRENGTHEN THEIR CIVIC-MINDEDNESS.
SPEAKING AT A SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY), SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, SAID THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL WOULD BE A REVIEW OF THE 1980'S AND OUTLOOK FOR THE 1990'S.
MR YUNG SAID THE FESTIVAL WOULD COMPRISE NOT ONLY ARTS AND SPORTS EVENTS BUT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND LOCAL SCENERY AND CUSTOMS AS WELL AS FUNCTIONS FOR BOTH THE YOUNG AND OLD.
TO STEP UP COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE NEWLY DEVELOPED MA ON SHAN AREA, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS ALSO PLANNING TO HOLD A MA ON SHAN FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH TO PROVIDE A SERIES OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS THERE, HE ADDED.
IN A REVIEW OF LAST YEAR'S WORK, MR YUNG SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN RESOLVING THE THREE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN SHA TIN - TRANSPORT, POLLUTION OF SHING MUN RIVER AND SHORTAGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES. HE SAID IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THESE PROBLEMS WOULD BE RECTIFIED IN STAGES IN THE NEW YEAR.
/MR YUNG........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
12 -
MR YUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S EXPERIMENT EARLY LAST YEAR IN INTRODUCING TIDAL FLOW TRAFFIC AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL HAD ACHIEVED RESULTS. THE SCHEME WOULD BE EXTENDED THIS YEAR TO COVER THE WHOLE MORNING PEAK HOURS WITH THREE LANES FOR TRAFFIC HEADING TOWARDS KOWLOON AND ONE LANE HEADING TOWARDS SHA TIN.
"IN A BID TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, THE AUTHORITIES WILL CONSIDER ADOPTING A SINGLE-JOURNEY TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR NORTHBOUND VEHICLES SO THAT MORE CARS WILL MAKE USE OF THE WIDENED TAI PO ROAD,” HE SAID.
’’FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF SAI SHA ROAD, ROUTE 5 LINKING SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN IS EXPECTED TO OPEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN WIDENING WORK ON TAI PO ROAD TO ALLOW THREE-LANE TRAFFIC WILL ALSO BE NEARING COMPLETION. BY THEN, SHA TIN'S EXTERNAL TRAFFIC WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED.
"IN ADDITION, WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL, WHICH STARTED LAST JULY, IS PROGRESSING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1991,” MR YUNG SAID.
ON THE ANTI-POLLUTION FRONT, MR YUNG SAID WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME IN JUNE LAST YEAR, LIVESTOCK BREEDING ACTIVITIES IN NEW TOWNS HAD BEEN BANNED, RESULTING IN THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE WATER QUALITY OF SHING MUN RIVER.
HE ANTICIPATED THAT THE THREE PROJECTS TO BE INTRODUCED SIMULTANEOUSLY THIS YEAR WOULD FURTHER LOWER THE POLLUTION LEVEL OF THE RIVER.
THE THREE PROJECTS ARE TRANSPORTATION OF THICKENED SLUDGE FOR DISPOSAL AT SEA, EXPORT OF TREATED EFFLUENTS TO KAI TAK NULLAH AND MEASURES TO REDUCE THE NITROGEN LEVEL IN THE RIVER.
ON THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES, MR YUNG NOTED THAT FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR WHILE WORK TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS IN EXISTING SECONDARY SCHOOLS WAS ALSO IN PROGRESS.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE NUMBER OF FORM ONE SCHOOL PLACES FALLING SHORT IN SHA TIN WILL BE REDUCED TO ABOUT 900 AS COMPARED WITH MORE THAN 2,300 TWO YEARS AGO," HE SAID.
ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, MR YUNG SAID SO FAR THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ASSISTED THE FORMATION OF MORE THAN 220 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND 31 OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN THE DISTRICT. SHA TIN'S NINTH AREA COMMITTEE WOULD BE FORMED IN MA ON SHAN THIS YEAR.
-------0----------
/1J........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 13
UC ELECTION FORUMS IN EASTERN DISTRICT
*****
WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DRAWING NEAR, THE EASTERN I DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ORGANISE TWO ELECTION FORUMS TO INTRODUCE THE / FIVE CANDIDATES OF THE DISTRICT TO VOTERS NEXT WEEK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE FORUMS AIMED TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PLATFORM OF THE CANDIDATES BEFORE THEY CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 9.
THE DATES, TIME AND VENUES OF THE FORUMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE/TIME CONSTITUENCY VENUE
FEBRUARY 21 (TUESDAY) 8 PM SHAU KEI WAN CHAI WAN COMMUNITY
CENTRE, 230 CHAI WAN ROAD.
FEBRUARY 22 (WEDNESDAY) 8 PM NORTH POINT NORTH POINT ESTATE
ASSEMBLY HALL, WEST MAIN BLOCK, NORTH POINT ESTATE, 31 SHU KUK STREET.
"IN ORDER TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES, ? CANDIDATES’ PLATFORMS AND THE WORK OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, A TOTAL OF
45,000 ELECTION SUPPLEMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER ON FEBRUARY 21,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUMS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 21 AND 22.
-----0 ------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS
******
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO FUN, GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO BE STAGED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY TO CELEBRATE THE LANTERN FESTIVAL.
THE ACTIVITIES RANGE FROM A FUN FAIR, VARIETY SHOW, AND CONCERT TO A FUN DAY AND CARNIVAL. THE PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE LANTERN RIDDLES, LION DANCE, ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS, LUCKY DRAWS, STALL GAMES AND FASHION SHOWS, AS WELL AS PERFORMANCE BY LOCAL GROUPS AND ARTISTES.
/"WE HOPE ......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
14
I
"WE HOPE THAT THESE ACTIVITIES WILL PROVIDE A GOOD TIME FOR RESIDENTS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROMOTE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT," A SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THE LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE/TIME
AREA
VENUE
FEBRUARY 18 (SATURDAY) 8 PM - 10 PM
FEBRUARY 19 (SUNDAY)
‘ 7.30 PM - 10.30 PM
2 PM - 11 PM
i 7 PM - 11 PM
2 PM - 10.30 PM
2 PM - 5 PM
6 PM - 10.30 PM
TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN
TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN
ABERDEEN AND HARBOUR
AP LEI CHAU
WAH FU
POK FU LAM
STANLEY, SHEK O AND BAYS
OPEN SPACE NEAR BLOCK 1, SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE
TIN WAN ESTATE BLOCK 6 SOCCER PITCH
ABERDEEN CENTRE SQUARE
AP LEI CHAU ESTATE BASKETBALL COURT
WAH HONG SQUARE, WAH FU ESTATE
SKATING RINK, CHI FU FA YUEN
CARPARK NEAR SHEK O BEACH
ADMISSION TO THESE ACTIVITIES IS FREE AND ABOUT 40,000 RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATIONS.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN $84,000, AND THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS SPONSORED $10,000, FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO ORGANISE LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
APART FROM THE LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS, OTHER NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD INCLUDE A SPRING FESTIVAL FUN DAY TO BE HELD IN WONG CHUK HANG AREA ON FEBRUARY 26.
THE FUN DAY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE OPEN SPACE NEAR BLOCK 5 OF WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE FROM 11 AM TO 5.30 PM.
-----O----------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
15
FESTIVAL LIGHTING PHOTOGRAPHS ON SHOW
* » * * *
PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN IN A TERRITORY-WIDE COMPETITION ON CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FESTIVE LIGHTING DECORATIONS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FROM NEXT WEEK.
THE EXHIBITION WILL FIRST BE STAGED AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, WESTERN STREET, BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM DAILY FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO FEBRUARY 26 (SUNDAY).
IT WILL THEN BE STAGED AT THE FONG SHUE CHUEN EXHIBITION CENTRE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, FROM MARCH 13 TO 18.
THE EXHIBITION FEATURES 16 WINNING ENTRIES IN THE COMPETITION HELD BETWEEN DECEMBER 22 AND JANUARY 16.
THE COMPETITION, DIVIDED INTO OPEN AND STUDENTS GROUPS, ATTRACTED ABOUT 280 ENTRIES.
THE EXHIBITION HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, MID-LEVELS (WESTERN) AREA COMMITTEE AND THE PHOTOGRAPHY SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG STUDENTS’ UNION.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523486.
-----0-----
KOWLOON CITY CHILDREN’S CHORUS TO GIVE CONCERT
*****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL CONCERT AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE ON FEBRUARY 26 (SUNDAY).
FREE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT KAU PUI LUNG ROAD AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICES AT HO MAN TIN ESTATE, BULKELEY STREET IN HUNG HOM, AND JUNCTION ROAD IN LUNG SHING.
THE 100-MEMBER CHORUS WILL PERFORM 20 PIECES OF MUSIC, INCLUDING HYMNS, CLASSICAL SONGS AND THE SPECIALLY-COMPOSED "KOWLOON CITY SONG". THERE WILL ALSO BE INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES.
THE CONCERT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A GATHERING FOR PARENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE CHORUS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THEIR CHILDREN'S PERFORMANCES.
AIMED AT PROMOTING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN MUSIC, THE CHORUS WAS SET UP IN 1982 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
/MEANWHILE, THE .......
FRIDAY, HBRUART 17, 1989
16
MEANWHILE, THE CHORUS IS RECRUITING CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FIVE AND 14 RESIDING OR STUDYING IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT AS MEMBERS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD. ]
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7110171 EXTENSION 49.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANNUAL CONCERT OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN'S CHORUS ON FEBRUARY 26 (SUNDAY) AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE, TO KWA WAN. THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
--------o---------
NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
* t * * *
A LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
THE CARNIVAL WILL BE OPENED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, AT 1.30 PM. THERE WILL BE SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, STALL GAMES, WORD PROPHECY AND FORTUNE TELLING.
CARTOON CHARACTERS WILL BE PRESENT TO DISTRIBUTE BALLOONS TO CHILDREN AT THE CARNIVAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AT THE UC CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
--------0---------
LEE YIP STREET TO
*
BE RESUMED AND REPAIRED t » * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES LEE YIP STREET, IN YAU MA TEI.
TO RESUME AND REPAIR A PRIVATE STREET,
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN MAINTAINED AND MANAGED DUE TO THEREFORE NECESSARY TO RESUME
PROPERLY
IT WAS
SAID LEE YIP STREET WAS NOT MIHTTPLF SUBDIVIDED OWNERSHIP. THE^STREET TO ENABLE PROPER MAINTENANCE
AND USE.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
THE GOVERNMENT WILL REPAIR THE CARRIAGEWAYS, FOOTWAYS AND IMPROVE DRAINAGE.
THE REPAIR WORK IS PROGRAMMED TO COMMENCE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN 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;
* KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
* YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, 490 NATHAN ROAD, HOP FAT
COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE APRIL 11 THIS YEAR.
------o-------
LAND IN SHA TIN TO BE RESUMED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME 22 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH AN AREA OF 2,997.8 SQUARE METRES IN SHA TIN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VILLAGE RESITE AREA.
THE VILLAGE RESITE AREA, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,900 SQUARE METRES, HAS TO BE BUILT AT NGAU PEI SHA VILLAGE TO ACCOMMODATE ELIGIBLE BUILDING LAND OWNERS WHOSE VILLAGE HOUSES ARE AFFECTED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT IN SHA TIN.
RESUMPTION OF LAND IS REQUIRED TO ENABLE WORK TO COMMENCE IN MAY AFTER THE THREE MONTHS’ RESUMPTION NOTICE HAS EXPIRED.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
-------o ---------
/18........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 18 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT TEMPLE STREET TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN A YAU MA TEI BUILDING, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO FLAT A AND FLAT B ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT A, 23RD FLOOR OF FU CHEONG BUILDING AT 29-35 TEMPLE STREET, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 30, 1987 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AS THE OWNERS HAD FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDERS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 22 WERE POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
-------0---------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN HUNG HOM TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN HUNG HOM SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IS ON THE ROOF OF 59 BULKELEY STREET, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON NOVEMBER 14 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE
DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG
KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 17 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE
STRUCTURE TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
0 - - - -
/19........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 19 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI KOK TSUI
*******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TAI KOK TSUI FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THE UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN POK MAN STREET AND FOO KWAI STREET AT THE EXIT OF TAI KOK TSUI FERRY BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
» FOO KWAI STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* HOI KING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
* CHUN WING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
VEHICLES ON WESTBOUND CHERRY STREET EAST OF HOI KING STREET WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT TO HOI KING STREET.
VEHICLES ON TAI KOK TSUI ROAD HEADING FOR TAI KOK TSUI OPEN-AIR CARPARK IN HOI KING STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHERRY STREET AND HOI KING STREET WHILE THOSE LEAVING THE CARPARK WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOI KING STREET, FOO KWAI STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
ON LEAVING THE TAI KOK TSUI FERRY BUS TERMINUS, KMB ROUTES 10, 13D, 16, 32, 33A, 37, 43C, 46, 66, 66X, 72B, 72X, 87, 87A AND 87B WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FOO KWAI STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FOO KWAI STREET BETWEEN HOI KING STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
--------------------0------- TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, SOUTHERN t * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 6 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20), THE FOLLOWING TURNING MOVEMENTS IN CENTRAL WILL BE BANNED:
t THE LEFT-TURN FROM CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND TO
HARBOUR VIEW STREET; AND
♦ THE RIGHT-TURN FROM CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND TO
HARBOUR VIEW STREET.
/THE STRAIGHT........
FRIDAY*, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
- 20 -
THE STRAIGHT AHEAD MOVEMENT FROM QUEEN VICTORIA STREET NORTHBOUND TO HARBOUR VIEW STREET WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
AT THE SAME TIME, ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL BUS STATION, CHINA MOTOR BUS ROUTES 6, 11, 12, 15, 25, 61, 64, 75, 90 AND 97 WILL OPERATE VIA QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL, PEDDER STREET, CONNAUGHT PLACE AND HARBOUR VIEW STREET WHILE CMB ROUTE 47 WILL OPERATE VIA DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, PEDDER STREET, CONNAUGHT PLACE AND HARBOUR VIEW STREET.
MEANWHILE, IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT, VEHICLES EXCEEDING THREE TONNES GROSS WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING OCEAN PARK ROAD AND WONG CHUK HANG ROAD WESTBOUND FROM 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 20 TO 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 22 FOR ROADWORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY ENTER OCEAN PARK ROAD FROM HEUNG YIP ROAD EASTBOUND.
. u - - 0 -----
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WAN CHAI » » * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20).
THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FENWICK STREET BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR LAYING OF WATER MAINS.
IN ADDITION, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING FUNG STREET WILL BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-----O-----
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HILLIER STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM FIVE NIGHTS BECAUSE OF BUILDING WORKS.
THAT HILLIER STREET BETWEEN
CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO
MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) FOR
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES HEADING FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA RUMSEY STREET.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1^9
CONTENTS I PAGE NO.
TWO NT LOTS FOR SALE BY TENDER ................................. 1
APPLICATION BY POST CAN SAVE TIME............................... 2
CHANGE OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ............... 2
NEW YEAR MARATHON FOR SAI KUNG DISTRICT......................... 3
SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL CARNIVAL FOR WAN CHAI RESIDENTS .... 4
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY PROGRESS OF HOSPITAL PROJECT ............. 5
KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO HOLL FORUMS FOR RC ELECTION ............. 5
SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY IN HAPPY VALLEY ............... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN CAUSEWAY BAY .................... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON SASSOON ROAD .................. 6
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1989
TWO NT LOTS FOR SALE BY TENDER
« » * ♦ »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TWO NEW TERRITORIES LOTS FOR SALE BY TENDER.
ONE OF THE LOTS IS AT YIM TIN TSAI, AREA 27, TAI PO, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,750 SQUARE METRES.
THIS LOT COMPRISES GOVERNMENT LAND, AND FORESHORE AND SEABED.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER HAS TO RECLAIM AND FORM THE SITE WITHIN 48 MONTHS TO A LEVEL OF 5.5 METRES ABOVE THE HONG KONG PRINCIPAL DATUM.
THE SITE IS FOR STORAGE OF SAND, CEMENT AND AGGREGATE, PROVIDED THAT IN ADDITION THERETO BUT NOT IN SUBSTITUTE THEREFOR, CONCRETE BATCHING, AND SUCH MARINE RELATED INDUSTRIAL USES TO BE APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS IN WRITING, OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES, OR BOTH WILL ALSO BE PERMITTED.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER FOR THIS SITE IS NOON ON MARCH 17.
THE OTHER LOT IS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME - NONINDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
IT IS LOCATED IN AREA 7A IN SHEUNG SHUI AND COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,732 SQUARE METRES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES SHALL NOT EXCEED 48,110 SQUARE METRES AND THAT FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND GODOWN) PURPOSES SHALL NOT EXCEED 700 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS ALSO STIPULATED THAT THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 800 NOR MORE THAN 880.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER FOR THIS SITE IS NOON ON APRIL 14.
TENDER DOCUMENTS AND TENDER PLANS FOR THE LOTS CAN BE OBTAINED OR SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY’ BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG RONG; AND AT THE DISTRICT l.ANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
- 0
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1989
2
APPLICATION BY POST CAN SAVE TIME
* * « »
DRIVERS AND VEHICLES OWNERS CAN AVOID QUEUING AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES IF THEY APPLY TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES BY POST.
NEARLY ALL APPLICATIONS FOR VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES CAN BE SUBMITTED BY POST.
THESE INCLUDE RENEWAL OF DRIVING LICENCES, LEARNER'S DRIVING LICENCES AND VEHICLE LICENCES; THE ISSUE OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS; AND THE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.
POSTAL APPLICATIONS, ACCOMPANIED BY RELEVANT FORMS, SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND APPROPRIATE FEES IN CHEQUES, SHOULD BE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO P.O. BOX 69511, KWUN TONG POST OFFICE.
THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED ON THE DAY THEY ARE RECEIVED. NORMALLY LICENCES WILL BE SENT TO THE APPLICANTS BY REGISTERED MAIL WITHIN SEVEN WORKING DAYS.
THE LICENSING OFFICES ARE USUALLY MORE CROWDED DURING THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF EACH MONTH.
ON EXTREMELY BUSY DAYS, THE FOUR LICENSING OFFICES WILL ADOPT A QUOTA SYSTEM TO COPE WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.
UNDER THE SYSTEM, APPLICANTS ARE GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT DISC FOR A SPECIFIED TIME TO HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.
THE APPOINTMENT DISCS WILL BE HANDED OUT ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE QUOTA SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WHENEVER IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE LICENSING OFFICES.
IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE QUOTA SYSTEM HAD BEEN ADOPTED ON AN AD HOC BASIS TO ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE LESS BUSY PERIODS OF THE MONTH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THOSE PEOPLE WHO WISH TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEIR LICENCES I PIRE. THEY CAN APPLY ANY TIME DURING THE FOUR-MONTH PERIOD PRIOR io THE EXPIRY DATE.
------0-------
CHANGE OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT UNTA HEADQUARTERS t * t ♦ I
THE PREFIXES TO TELEPHONE NUMBERS TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AT TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL CHANGE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
AT THE CITY’ AUD NEW WORl.D SHIPPING ENTRE,
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER (PESC) AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS WILL BE 3-7302255.
/THE EXISTING........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1989
- 3 -
THE EXISTING PREFIXES WILL BE CHANGED TO 3-730, 3-735 OR 3-736.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CONTACT THE PESC TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS AT THE
TO FIND OUT THE NEW CNTA HEADQUARTERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS:
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER JOE YIU 3-7303094
PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER PATRICK WONG 3-7303413
SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER (KOWLOON) TONY AU-YEUNG 3-7350340
SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER (HONG KONG ISLAND) Al.ICE LEUNG (MRS ) 3-7350424
SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER (NEW TERR1TORIES/WEST) ALEX LI 3-7303587
SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER (NEW TERRI TOR IES/EAST) LAM YUK-LI NG (MISS) 3-7357443
SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS) RICHARD LAW 3-7303917
* « - 0
NEW YEAR MARATHON FOR SAT KUNG DISTRICT t ♦ t * ♦
ABOUT 310 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE NEW YEAR MARATHON TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR, SAI KUNG.
THE MARATHON IS ORGANISED AS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE 1989 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL WHICH STARTED IN JANUARY 21.
THE RACE WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM AND PARTICIPANTS WILL START THE RUN 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 LONG AND THAT FOR THE FEMALE DIVISION FIVE KILOMETRES LONG.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECIEVE A SOUVENIR.
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
SATURDSY, FEBRUARY 18, 19^9
- -
MEANWHILE, THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL AND A VARIETY SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES SINGING, DANCING, DRAMA, GAME STALLS AND A LUCKY DRAW.
OFFICIATING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS LISA CHAN, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AND IS SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NEW YEAR MARATHON AND THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO SAI KUNG TO COVER THE START OF THE MARATHON AT HIGH ISLAND RESERVIOR. THOSE WISHING TO COME SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TS1M SHA TSUI AT 9 AM.
------0--------
SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL CARNIVAL FOR WAN CHAI RESIDENTS *****
A CARNIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN SOUTHORN
THE EVENT, ORGANISED JOINTLY RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT 7.30 PM.
THERE WILL BE STALLS FOR MAKING TRADITIONAL CHINESE CANDIES
SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL WILL BE PLAYGROUND, WAN CHAI.
BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS, CULTURAL, AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, WILL BEGIN
PALM READING, DEMONSTRATIONS ON ND LANTERN RIDDLES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A LUCKY DRAW AND SINGING PERFORMANCES.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPRING TO BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN
LANTERN FESTIVAL CARNIVAL SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, WAN
CHAI .
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1989
- 5 -
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY PROGRESS OF HOSPITAL PROJECT
* * * * *
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL PROJECT AND OTHER RELATED PLANNINGS.
ALSO, MEMBERS WILL EXAMINE A REQUEST FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT A COMMUNITY CENTRE AT SIU HONG COURT.
ON HOUSING MATTERS, THERE WILL BE THREE DISCUSSION PAPERS ASKING THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED TO REVIEW AND IMPROVE THE DESIGN OF THE HING TIN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, THE HEIGHT OF THE RAILINGS ALONG THE CORRIDORS OF PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS AND THE MAINTENANCE WORKS OF HOUSING ESTATES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER 10 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) AT IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN Hl ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------------------------0------- KWAI TSI NG DISTRICT TO HOLD FORUMS FOR RC ELECTION *****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ORGANISE TWO FORUMS NEXT WEEK FOR CANDIDATES CONTESTING FOR THE SEAT OF THE KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING Y1 CONSTITUENCY IN THE COMING REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION.
THE TWO FORUMS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22) AT KWAI SHING COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 6, KWAI SHING ESTATE; AND ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) AT CHEUNG CHING ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSING Y1.
BOTH FORUMS WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI CONSTITUENCY ARE MR WONG MAN-TAI, A 33-YEAR-OLD SOCIAL WORKER, AND MS CHAN KA-MUN, A 25-YEAR-OLD COMPANY DIRECTOR.
/RESIDENTS OF .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1989
6
RESIDENTS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT FORUMS, DURING WHICH THE CANDIDATES PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE
ARE WELCOME TO WILL PRESENT FLOOR.
ATTEND THE TWO THEIR ELECTION
IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT OVER 115,000 RESIDENTS HAVE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS WITH ABOUT 60,000 FOR THE KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI CONSTITUENCY AND 55,000 FOR THE KWAI CHUNG EAST CONSTITUENCY.
THE SEAT OF THE KWAI CHUNG EAST CONSTITUENCY WAS UNCONTESTED WITH MR CHOW YICK-HAY BEING THE SOLE CANDIDATE. MR CHOW, AGED 30, IS A STAFF OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
------0 ------
SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY IN HAPPY VALLEY * t * ♦ *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN HAPPY VALLEY PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT TUNG SHAN TERRACE, SHIU FAI TERRACE AND 15-34 STUBBS ROAD.
-----O ------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN CAUSEWAY BAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21), VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM LEIGHTON ROAD WESTBOUND TO PENNINGTON STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY, FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH BECAUSE OF WATER MAINLAY ING WORK.
VEHICLES ON LEIGHTON ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR PENNINGTON STREET AND YEE WO STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA IRVING STREET OR KESWICK STREET.
CMB BUS ROUTES 11A, 25M, 26, 63 AND 81 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA IRVING STREET. THE BUS STOP FOR THESE ROUTES IN PENNINGTON STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO A SITE OUTSIDE HOUSES NOS. 17-19 OF IRVING STREET.
-----0-------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON SASSOON ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT (FEBRUARY 20) TO 5 ARRANGEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SASSOON ROAD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT BETWEEN VICTORIA ROAD AND POK FU LAM ROAD TO FACILITATE ROAD W^KS
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM
PM ON MARCH
ON
25, A ONE-LANE TWO-WAY
MONDAY TRAFFIC
9 AM
VfCTOP! aUpAad VTA VEHICLES MAY ENTER POK FU LAM ROAD FROM
unLrvpi1/ ruO? HE SECT10N 0F SASSOON ROAD NORTH OF VICTORIA ROAD.
VICTORIA ROA2BLE T° 1,0 S° ™°" T"" S'™ °F SaSS°°N
- 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1$, 1989
gQNTENTS PAGE NO.
PRIME MINISTER WILL BE THOROUGHLY BRIEFED ON HK : GOVERNOR . 1
GOVERNOR SEES KEY ROLE FOR HK IN PACIFIC RIM ECONOMY ....... 1
RESIDENTS PLAY PROMINENT PART IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME ....... 2
MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO TAT LABOUR RESOURCES ................. 4
INDUSTRY ANL TRADE DEPARTMENTS' PHONE NUMBERS CHANGED....... 5
MORE PEOPLE MAKE USE OF CNTA PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE ........ 6
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FIGURES FOR JANUARY ....................... 7
ROAD SAFETY DAY AT VICTORIA PARK............................ 8
VARIETY SHOW TO CONCLUDE TAI PO FESTIVAL ................... 9
KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ........ 9
LEI TUNG ESTATE TRANSPORT PROBLEM ON AGENDA ................ 10
OPEN DAYS FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ......................... 11
OUTSTANDING SPORTSWOMAN UNDERTAKES SPORTS COURSE IN AUSTRALIA ................................................... 12
LEFT-TURN BAN IN TUEN MUN .................................. 12
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI PING SHAN STREET................... 12
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
1
PRIME MINISTER WILL
BE THOROUGHLY BRIEFED ON HK : GOVERNOR
* t » * t
BRITAIN’S PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, WILL BE BRIEFED ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING HONG KONG AT THE MOMENT, BOTH THINGS THAT ARE GOING WELL AND THE PROBLEMS WE FACE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING FOR LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID: "I EXPECT TO COVER THE WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES, TO BRING HER UP TO DATE ON HONG KONG."
"THIS IS ONE OF MY REGULAR VISITS TO LONDON IN WHICH I TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE, AND IN OTHER MINISTRIES. ALSO TO MEET MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE PRESS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"I’M ALSO TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET, INFORMALLY, WITH THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE," SIR DAVID ADDED.
ASKED IF HE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD EXPECT TO DISCUSS IT IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
"I MIGHT TOUCH ON LT WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, BUT ANY QUESTIONS OF DETAIL 1 WOULD EXPECT TO DEAL WITH WITHIN THE FOREIGN OFFICE RATHER THAN AT NO. 10 DOWNING STREET," SIR DAVID SAID.
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GOVERNOR SEES KEY ROLE FOR HK t * » »
IN PACIFIC RIM ECONOMY »
HONG KONG WILL PLAY ITS PART AS COUNTRIES OF THE ASSUME AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN I HE WORLD GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
PACIF1 C
ECONOMY,
RIM
THE
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF PACRIM 89 BEING HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
STATISTICS
KONG WAS
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT ACCORDING TO Till': 1988 TRADE YEAR BOOK PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. HONG NOW THE 10TH LARGEST TRADING COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY FACTORS SUCCESS, BUT A CRITICAL FACTOR HAD BEEN
HAD CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION.
"TO OUR NORTH LIE JAPANESE ECONOMIC GIANT: SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN. COUNTRIES INCLUDING OUR
CHINA WITH ITS NEW OPENNESS TO THE WORLD: I HE
AND THE NEWLY INDUSTRIALISING ECONOMIES OF
TO 'Till- SOUTH THE FAS'! DEVELOPING ASEAN
FELLOW FREE TRADING DRAGON. SINGAPORE. HE
SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
SIR DAVID SAID THE EMERGING POWER OF THE REGION WAS BEING REFLECTED IN THE STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG’S OWN ECONOMY.
"OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, HONG KONG HAS MANAGED TO REDUCE ITS TRADITIONAL DEPENDENCE ON THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPEAN MARKETS AND INCREASE ITS TRADE WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION," HE SAID.
TRADE WITH THE REGION HAD RISEN BY NEARLY 40 PER CENT IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1988 TO OVER US$60 BILLION, REPRESENTING ALMOST 60 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY'S TOTAL TRADE.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT A MAJOR FACTOR IN THIS CHANGE WAS HONG KONG’S CLOSEST NEIGHBOUR, THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS TINY TERRITORY WAS CHINA'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER AND THE LARGEST SOURCE OF DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA. BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG INCREASED 19 TIMES BETWEEN 1978 AND 1987.
HE SAID THE REASONS FOR THIS WERE OBVIOUS, AND THE IMPLICATIONS WERE IMMENSELY SIGNIFICANT FOR HONG KONG AND FOR THE WHOLE REGION.
"HONG KONG’S FUTURE CLEARLY LIES IN ITS ROLE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. GIVEN THE ENORMOUS POTENTIAL OF THE CHINESE ECONOMY, THAT IS AN EXCITING PROSPECT. BUT THE REST OF THE REGION CAN BENEFIT TOO."
SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS NO BETTER DOORWAY TO CHINA THAN HONG KONG.
"NOWHERE IS THERE MORE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF HOW TO TRADE WITH THAT VAST AND DIVERSE COUNTRY," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR PREDICTED THAT THE PACIFIC RIM. WITH HONG KONG AS A KEY PART OF IT, FACED A BRIGHT AND EXCITING FUTURE OF CHANGE AND EXPANSION.
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RESIDENTS PLAY PROMINENT PART IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME » » * ♦ ♦ t
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY PROMINENT ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, AND IN 1988 CITIZEN' ARRESTS RECORDED 13.6 PER CENT OF ALL ARRESTS.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISI.ATI E < • >! TH IL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 'H \LLEN LEE, AT THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (SPt'i \Y) TO HONOUR 43 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BRAVELY HELPED THE POLICE TO PREVENT AND DETECT CRIME.
/ALSO OFFICi\T'NG .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
- 3 -
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE MR KEITH LOMAS, DIRECTOR OF POLICE (PERSONNEL AND TRAINING) AND MR JUSTEIN C. WONG, FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER.
"THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS HAS ENABLED THE PEOPLE HERE TO ENJOY A BETTER AND SAFER LIVING ENVIRONMENT,” SAID MR LEE.
"ALL THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE STRENUOUS EFFORTS BY ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED INCLUDING THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, DISTRICT BOARDS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND OF COURSE, THE POLICE.”
"IT IS THEIR UNDAUNTED DEVOTION THAT HAS HAMMERED HOME THE CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND HAS INSTILLED A STRONG SPIRIT OF CI VIC-MINDEDNESS AMONG THEM WHO HAVE EXPRESSED AN INCREASING WILLINGNESS TO COMBAT CRIME.”
ON PUBLIC EFFORTS, MR LEE SAID MORE PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO COME FORWARD TO REPORT CRIME AND IN MANY CASES, THEY HAD EVEN PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER TO ASSIST THE POLICE TO APPREHEND CRIMINALS.
"IT IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING TO SEE THAT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE AftE BECOMING AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS ENCOURAGING TREND WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE,” MR LEE SAID.
OF THE 43 AWARDEES, MANY WERE YOUTHS WITH THE YOUNGEST BEING JUST ll YEARS OLD. THEY HAVE ASSISTED THE POLICE TO ARREST CRIMINALS IN CASES OF ROBBERY, BURGLARY, THEFT, WOUNDING AND OTHER OFFENCES.
THE AWARDEES, WHO WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A CERTIFICATE AND A CASH AWARD, COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, COMPRISING WORKERS, DRIVERS, BUSINESSMEN, CIVIL SERVANTS, STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS.
"WHILE SOME OF THEM OFFERED PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE IN CHASING THE CULPRITS AND, IN SOME CASES, IN EVENTUALLY SUBDUING THEM, OTHERS USED THEIR WITS AND RESOURCEFULNESS TO FOIL CRIME.”
MR LEE ALSO PRAISED THE AWARDEES FOR THEIR SHARP OBSERVATION, CALMNESS AND MOST IMPORTANT, THE DETERMINATION TO ACT TO PUT THE EVIL-DOERS TO JUSTICE.
SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SCHEME IN 1973, A TOTAL OF 1,963 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH THE COVETED AWARD.
MR LEE ALSO POINTED 01 T THAT THE BRAVE ACTIONS OF THE GOOD CITIZENS WOULD NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE US IN THE WORK OF FIGHTING CRIME, BUT WILL ALSO INSPIRE OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT.
"FIGHTING CRIME IS AN ONGOING BATTLE, BUT AS MORE PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO OUR APPEAL OF ’FIGHT CRIME TOGETHER*, A GREATER ADVANCEMENT IS IN SIGHT,” MR LEI ADDED.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO TAP LABOUR RESOURCES
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SOON LAUNCH A NEW PUBLICITY DRIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO HELP RESIDENTS SECURE EMPLOYMENT BY MAKING APPLICATIONS RIGHT ON THE SPOT.
A SERIES OF FOUR MOBILE EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 24 AND APRIL 3 TN THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES OF SHUN LEE, BUTTERFLY, LOK FU AND CHOI YUEN ESTATES TO MEET THE CURRENT DEMAND OF THE LABOUR MARKET.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SUCCESS OF THREE LARGE-SCALE COLLECTIVE RECRUITMENT EXERCISES, THE JOB BAZAARS, ORGANISED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR.
THE JOB BAZAARS, WHICH WERE HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF TACKLING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM, RECEIVED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM BOTH THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS.
”AS A CONTINUATION OF THIS POSITIVE APPROACH TO EMPLOYMENT, THE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ARE LAUNCHED WITH AN AIM OF REACHING THE POTENTIAL LABOUR FORCE IN THE HOUSING ESTATES,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"THEY INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH WORKING ABILITY BUT ARE NOT EMPLOYED, SUCH AS HOUSEWIVES, THE SELF-EMPLOYED, STUDENTS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR EDUCATION, AND RETIRED PERSONS OF SOUND HEALTH WHO SELDOM TAKE HEED OF RECRUITMENT NOTICES.
"BY AROUSING THEIR INTEREST IN EMPLOYMENT AND MAKING THEM AWARE OF THE RECENT TREND IN THE LABOUR MARKET, IT IS HOPED THAT THE LABOUR PARTICIPATION RATE COULD BE RAISED," HE ADDED.
TO FURTHER FACILITATE RESIDENTS IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT, STAFF OF THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DIVISION WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE EXHIBITIONS TO REGISTER. MATCH AND MAKE REFERRALS OF INTERESTED JOB APPLICANTS TO EMPLOYERS FOR INTERVIEWS.
"IF THEY SPOTTED A SUITABLE POSITION AFTER TAKING A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION, THEY CAN PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH APPLICATION FORMALITIES,” HF STRESSED.
APART FROM STATIC DISPLAYS OF THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION, THE EXHIBITIONS ALSO FEATURE SOUND-ON-SLIDE PRESENTATIONS INTRODUCING THE WIDE-RANGING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE 1)1 VISION.
JOB CARDS LISTING THE VACANCIES IN VARIOUS TRADES WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED, INCLUDING THOSE IN LARGE COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT, CLERICAL, TECHNICIAN AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY POSTS.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
5
FOLLOWING IS THE SCHEDULE OF THE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS:
SHUN LEE ESTATE, KWUN TONG BUTTERFLY ESTATE, TUEN MUN LOK FU ESTATE, WONG TAJ SIN (’HOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHU1
FEBRUARY 24 - 27
MARCH 3-6
MARCH 10-13
MARCH 31 - APRIL 3
EACH EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO Till': PUBLIC BETWEEN 2 PM AND 6 PM ON THE FIRST DAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS.
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INDUSTRY AND TRADE DEPARTMENTS’ PHONE NUMBERS CHANGED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
WITH IMMEDIATE EFECT, THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND TRADE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO 3-7372573 AND 3-7372333 RESPECTIVELY.
OTHER PHONE NUMBERS IN THESE TWO DEPARTMENTS WHICH PREVIOUSLY BEGAN WITH 3-7222 WILL NOW START WITH 3-7372.
THE HEAD OFFICE OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE REMAINED IN OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
FOR INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TRADE MATTERS, THE ENQUIRY NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
t OVERSEAS TARIFF AND IMPORT REGULATIONS
EEC 3-7372292
NORT II AMERICA -3 - 7 3 7 2 2 6 9
OT H E R REGIONS 3-7 3 7 2 2 90
MUI .T1 L A T E R A L 3-737255 4
♦ TEXTILE EXPORT CONTROLS
EEC
NORTH AMERICA
CANADA
OTHER REGIONS
3-7372388
3-7372345
3-7372336
3-7372523
/• TEXTILES ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1% 1989
6 -
* TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING 3-7372340
♦ SYSTEMS AND COMMON SERVICES 3-7372291
* CERTIFICATION 3-7372494
* RESERVED COMMODITIES 3-7372506
* NON-TEXTILES IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENSING
GENERAL ENQUIRIES 3-7372255
STRATEGIC COMMODITIES 3-7372521
THE FACSIMILE NUMBER OF INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS BECOME 3-7304633 WHILE THAT OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 3-7356135.
FOR TRADERS WHO HAVE TO LODGE DECLARATIONS WITH THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE ENQUIRY NUMBER OF THE STAR HOUSE COLLECTION OFFICE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 3-7350225.
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MORE PEOPLE MAKE USE OF CNTA PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE
*****
THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAVE HANDLED 6,532,000 CASES DURING 1988, REPRESENTING A 1.1 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE NUMBER FOR 1987.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE 67 CENTRES, LOCATED CONVENIENTLY AT THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES AS WELL AS AT THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, PROVIDED A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
THESE INCLUDED ANSWER!NG GENERAL ENQUIRIES, ADMINISTERING DECLARATIONS, ADVISING ON SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, HANDLING SIMPLE COMPLAINTS AGAINST GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, RENDERING ASSISTANCE IN SOLVING PERSONAL PROBLEMS, AND ARRANGING REFERRALS FOR COMPLICATED CASES WHICH REQUIRED LEGAL AND EXPERT ADVICE, HE SAID.
DURING 1988, THE MOST POPULAR SUBJECTS OF ENQUIRIES WERE GOVERNMENT JOB VACANCIES; DECLARAT1ON/OATH/AFF1RMATI ON; PROCUREMENT OF POSTERS, PAMPHLETS, FORMS AND CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS; LOCATIONS, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND OPENING HOURS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES; AND ISSUES RELATED TO EMIGRATION AND OVERSEAS VISITS.
/ON THE .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
1
ON THE NUMBER OF DECLARATIONS, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE CENTRES, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1.2 PER CENT OVER THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE 742,000 CASES HANDLED DURING 1988 WERE MAINLY DECLARATION OF TRUE COPIES OF DOCUMENTS, EMIGRATION AND LABOUR DISPUTES AND APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, A TOTAL OF 2,934 CASES WERE HANDLED BY THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY IN 1988, OF WHICH 2,929 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE SOCIETY BY THE CNTA. A TOTAL OF 250 CASES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REFERRED TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE.
DURING THE YEAR, 17,279 PEOPLE APPROACHED THE RENT OFFICERS FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WHO WERE ON DUTY AT 13 DISTRICT OFFICES -- 10 IN THE URBAN AREA AND THREE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES -- FOR ADVICE ON RENTAL AND TENANCY PROBLEMS.
APART FROM THE ABOVE SERVICES, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES ALSO HELPED DISTRIBUTE GOVERNMENT FORMS, LEAFLETS, POSTERS, CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS AND OTHER PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
IN 1988, SOME 10,131,000 FORMS AND OTHER INFORMATION MATERIALS WERE DISTRIBUTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE VARIOUS SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THESE CENTRES COULD APPROACH THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE SECTION AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, HARBOUR CITY, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON OR TELEPHONE 3-7302255.
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TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FIGURES FOR JANUARY
*****
A TOTAL OF 1,740 CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED IN 1,349 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAS! MONTH.
TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT i 302 EACH ON THE HONG
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID ' ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN KOWLOON AND AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR PERSONS WERE KILLED. 409 PEOPLE WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENTS.
745 OF THESE KONG ISLAND
JANUARY ALSO SHOWED THAT 29
SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,302
THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DECREASE OF 5.6 PER CENT AND 4.5 PREVIOUS MONTH.
AND ACCIDENTS REPRESENTED A PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE
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8
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
- 8
ROAD SAFETY DAY AT VICTORIA PARK ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
AN AVERAGE OF THREE PERSONS WERE KILLED OR INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS EACH DAY IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT LAST YEAR, THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (EASTERN), MR C.J. GLOVER, SAID AT THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY DAY AT VICTORIA PARK TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR GLOVER POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING INJURIES HAD REDUCED FROM 1,164 IN 1987 TO 1,145 IN 1988, AND THE NUMBER OF FATAL ACCIDENTS ALSO DROPPED FROM 25 IN 1987 TO 21 IN 1988.
HE SAID ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS IN HONG KONG WERE PEDESTRIANS.
’’WHEN ONE LOOKS AT FATALITIES, 67 PER CENT WERE PEDESTRIANS AND NEARLY HALF OF THESE PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES WERE ELDERLY PEOPLE," HE CONTINUED.
MR GLOVER ALSO SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS, THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE LAST YEAR SHOWED A SLIGHT DECLINE DESPITE INCREASING CONGESTIONS ON ROADS.
"ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN IS THE EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES," THE DISTRICT COMMANDER SAID.
HE HOPED THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY SEAT BELT WEARING IN GOODS VEHICLES IN JANUARY 1990 WOULD HELP REDUCE THE INJURY RATE.
MR GLOVER FURTHER URGED DRIVERS OF ALL VEHICLES TO WEAR SEAT BELTS BE IT COMPULSORY OR NOT.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE ROAD SAFETY DAY, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG, SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE QUARRY BAY TRAFFIC INTERCHANGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WOULD FACILITATE THE TRAFFIC FLOW TO ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
MR YEUNG ALSO SAID THAT THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KING’S ROAD WOULD BEGIN THIS YEAR AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THREE YEARS’ TIME.
"THE WORKS, WHICH INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF ESCALATORS FOR PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES, IMPROVEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, PAVEMENT WIDENING AND CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL DIVIDERS, WILL ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
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VARIETY SHOW TO CONCLUDE TAI PO FESTIVAL ♦ * ♦ t ♦
THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL WILL BE CONCLUDED SHOW TO BE HELD AT THE FU SHIN SQUARE IN FU SHIN (MONDAY) EVENING.
ABOUT 60 COLOURFUL AND ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES DURING THE FESTIVAL WHICH STARTED ON JANUARY 14.
WITH A VARIETY ESTATE TOMORROW
HAVE BEEN HELD
THE TRIENNIAL FESTIVAL IS AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG TAI PO RESIDENTS, CULTIVATING A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD AND PROMOTING THE IDENTITY OF TAI PO.
THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY POP SINGERS AND A PUPPET SHOW AT TOMORROW’S VARIETY SHOW.
OFFICIATING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND TAI PO FESTIVAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE FU SHIN SQUARE, FU SHIN ESTATE, TAI PO. IT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
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KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ♦ * t ♦ ♦
WORKS
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL ADVISE THE BOARD OF THE PRESENT POSITION REGARDING ENFORCEMENT ACTION BEING TAKEN AGAINST SUCH WORKS IN KWUN TONG.
THEY WILL ALSO SEEK MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON PROPOSED SIMILAR ACTION TO BE ENFORCED IN THE DISTRICT IN THE FUTURE.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE THE DATE AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION OF A MEMBER TO REPRESENT THE BOARD ON THE URBAN COUNCIL.
/OTHER I TENS ......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
10 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS BY THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S SIX COMMITTEES AND BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET
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LEI TUNG ESTATE TRANSPORT PROBLEM ON AGENDA
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR LEI TUNG ESTATE IN AP LEI CHAU AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER THE REPORT OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE AP LEI CHAU AREA COMMITTEE TO ASCERTAIN THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE ESTATE'S 30,000 RESIDENTS.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO BUS SERVICES FOR THE ESTATE AS PROPOSED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE SURVEY REPORT.
TRANSPORT OFFICIALS WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO HEAR MEMBERS’ VIEWS AND TO ANSWER THEIR QUERIES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REPORT OF THE 1988-89 SOUTHERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20), IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/11
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1% 1989
11
OPEN DAYS FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES *****
STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE BEING INVITED TO VISIT THE PREMISES AND FACILITIES OF THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL DURING THEIR OPEN DAYS BETWEEN THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) AND MARCH 11.
ALL LABORATORIES, WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL TRAINING ROOMS OF THE
INSTITUTES WILL BE OPEN TO ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE TRAINING
FACILITIES AND LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDYING THERE.
TO TIE IN WITH THE ANNUAL OPEN DAYS, EXHIBITIONS AND TALKS ON
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED AT THE INSTITUTES WILL ALSO BE
ORGANISED. GUIDED TOURS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR VISITORS COMING IN GROUPS.
THE DATE AND TIME OF THE OPEN DAYS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
FEBRUARY 23 9.30 AM - 4.30 PM
MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
FEBRUARY 24 9 AM - 5 PM
TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
FEBRUARY 26 10 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 27 10 AM - 5 PM
SHA TIN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 1 10 AM - 4.30 PM
KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 3 10 AM - 5 PM
KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 3 10 AM - 5 PM
CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 3 10 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 4 9 AM - 12 NOON
LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 10 2 PM - 5 PM
MARCH 11 10 AM - 5 PM
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/12........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1989
OUTSTANDING SPORTSWOMAN UNDERTAKES SPORTS COURSE IN AUSTRALIA *****
HONG KONG’S RECORD HOLDER IN THE DISCUS THROW AND JUNIOR SHOT PUT EVENTS, MISS MALINA NGAI, LAST (SATURDAY) NIGHT LEFT FOR AUSTRALIA TO UNDERTAKE A DEGREE COURSE IN SPORTS ADMINISTRATION AT THE CANBERRA COLLEGE OF ADVANCED EDUCATION.
MISS NGAI HAS BEEN AWARDED THE 1988 SPORTS AID FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.
THE SCHOLARSHIP AIMS AT ENABLING OUTSTANDING ATHLETES WITH NECESSARY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS TO UNDERTAKE A COURSE OF STUDY OVERSEAS IN SPORTS-RELATED SUBJECTS NOT AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
MISS NGAI WAS ELECTED SPORTSGIRL OF THE YEAR BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION IN 1985-86, 1986-87 AND 1987-88. SHE HAD ALSO 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.
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LEFT-TURN BAN IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 8 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22), VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM SAN HUI PATH WESTBOUND TO ROAD D9 SOUTHBOUND IN TUEN MUN FOR ABOUT 10 WEEKS FOR WATERWORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD D9 NORTHBOUND AND TSENG CHOI STREET SOUTHBOUND.
- 0 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAJ PING SHAN STREET * * * * *
TAI PING SHAN STREET BETWEEN PO YAN STREET AND POUND Ih IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22 >, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 10 AM ON FEBRUARY 2. TO 6 PM ON MARCH 7 FOR ROAD WORKS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
DECEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ..................................................... 1
EPCOM DISCUSSES DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN ...................... 5
NEW .ARRANGEMENTS ON TRANSACTION LEVY ......................... 6
DIRECTOR OF MARINE RECEIVES PLAQUE FROM NEW SHIP................. 8
SEMINAR TO BOOST INWARD INVESTMENT .............................. 8
WATER STORaGE FIGURE............................................. 9
PLANNING BEGINS FOR WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL.......... 9
TUEN MUN DB TO DltCUSS DEVELOPMENT REPORT ...................... 10
PROGRESS REPORTS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDa ........................ 11
ELECTION FORUM IN YAU TSIM ..................................... 11
ELECTION FORUM FOR TSUEN WAN CANDIDATES ........................ 12
WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS ELECTION DATE............................ 12
REFRESHER COURSES FOR NON-GRADUaTE TEACHERS .................... 10
TRAINING CENTRES HOLD JOINT OPEN DAY ........................... 13
JOINT KEEP HK CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ................. 14
NEW GOVT OFFICE BLOCK TO BE BUILT IN TaI PO..................... 15
FIRST INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN SHEUNG SHUI .................. 15
FRESH WATER SSRVICJ RESERVOIR TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN....... 16
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC aRxtJ.'GEMENTS IN CENTRAL..................... 16
RELOCATION OF BUS TE .MINUS IN WONG TAI SIN .................... 17
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
DECEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ******
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1988 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH NOVEMBER 1988 AND DECEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER 1988, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION IN DECEMBER 1988 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND MODERATELY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE ORDERS POSITION DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY 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.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THE DECEMBER 1988 LEVEL WAS THE SAME AS IN NOVEMBER 1988, BUT DECREASED BY 6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1988 WITH NOVEMBER 1988, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1988 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, MODERATELY IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AND SLIGHTLY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A MODERATE INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
IN DECEMBER 1988, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANI I A( TURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED, IN MONEY TERMS, BY 14 PER (ENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988 AND BY 20 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987.
MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES IN SOME MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN DECEMBER 1988 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER NOVEMBER 1988 IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY AND SIGNIFICANTLY IN MOST 01-' THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
/ON THE .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
2
ON THE OTHER HAND, ONLY A SLIGHT INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, PROBABLY BECAUSE MOST COMPANIES SURVEYED IN THIS INDUSTRY USUALLY ISSUE DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES TO EMPLOYEES IN JANUARY INSTEAD OF DECEMBER.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1988 WITH DECEMBER 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1988 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER DECEMBER 1987. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN DECEMBER 1988 INCREASED MARKEDLY WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH NOVEMBER 1988 AND DECEMBER 1987.
THE INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS OVER NOVEMBER 1988 WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF YEAR-END BONUSES IN SOME '’'INSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED. 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 DECEMBER 1988 WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS IN NOVEMBER 1988, WHILE IT INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN DECEMBER 1988 SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OVER NOVEMBER 1988 DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN MOST COMPANIES SURVEYED.
THE INCREASE RECORDED IN THE BANKING SECTOR WAS PARTICULARLY LARGE. COMPARING DECEMBER 1988 WITH DECEMBER 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY FOR THE SERVICE SECTORS AS A WHOLE, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE RECORDED IN BANKS.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A YNEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGE. COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
AS THE SAMPLE 'AS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNJTl I ■' OF CHANGE INDICATED BY Till’ SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT REFLECT TIL EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE COULD PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUi.cL ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOL’ DECEMBER 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS ’ STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WAN HAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES ABOUT .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
3
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234820.
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1988 (MONTHS) ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.34 CHANGE NOV. (%) * ORDERS-ON-HAND WHEN COMPARED WITH 88 DEC. 87 (%) ♦
—
WEARING APPAREL 4 . 72 * -3
TEXTILES 2.34 -1 -17
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.4 2 ♦ -7
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.65 -1 + 10
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5. 16 t + 4
OTHERS 4.23 t ♦
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5 PER CENT
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1988
CHANGE NOV. WHEN 88 COMPARED WITH DEC. 87
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
FOOD AND DRINKS
WEARING APPAREL *
TEXTILES +2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS “3
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS *1
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -2
OTHERS *
CONSTRUCTION# ”1
SERVICES
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
/•CHANGES WITHIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5 PER CENT
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE AS IN CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
DECEMBER 1988 NOV. 88 DEC. 87
(HK$ ) <%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 5,048 + 14 + 20
FOOD AND DRINKS 7,009 + 42 + 38
WEARING APPAREL 4,341 + 13 + 18
TEXTILES 5,059 + 16 + 15
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,693 + 12 + 29
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC 4,482 + 1 + 17
PRODUCTS 4,789 + 13 + 19
OTHERS 6,317 + 11 + 16
CONSTRUCTION# 6,966 + 13 + 17
SERVICES 10,482 + 46 + 18
BANKS 12,020 + 71 + 18
HOTELS 6,116 + 27 + 8
PUBLIC UTILITIES 9,626 + 35 + 11
OTHERS 11,186 + 39 + 29
# 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.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
5 -
EPCOM DISCUSSES DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN »»»»»»
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TODAY (MONDAY) COMMENTED ON A DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN WHICH SETS OUT IN DETAIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
AT THE MEETING HELD THIS AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE DRAFT PLAN WOULD ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL DURING CONSULTATION IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS.
IT WOULD THEN BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
THE DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE.
IT ADOPTS A PLANNING HORIZON OF THE YEAR 2001 AT WHICH TIME THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WASTES GENERATED IN HONG KONG WOULD INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT 19,000 TONNES TO 30,000 TONNES PER DAY.
MEMBERS GENERALLY FELT THAT THE DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN WAS SUFFICIENTLY COMPREHENSIVE.
IT ADDRESSED THE PROPER DISPOSAL AND TREATMENT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF WASTES INCLUDING HOUSEHOLD WASTE, INDUSTRIAL WASTE, CONSTRUCTION WASTE, CHEMICAL WASTE, LIVESTOCK WASTE AND SEWAGE SLUDGES.
THEY, HOWEVER, EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE RAPID INCREASE IN WASTE ARISING AND STRESSED THAT GREATER EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON WASTE REDUCTION AT SOURCE.
IN PARTICULAR, MEMBERS WERE INTERESTED TO SEE MORE CONCERTED ACTION BOTH BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO PROMOTE RECYCLING IN HONG KONG.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE FUTURE STRATEGY IN MANAGING MUNICIPAL WASTE WOULD INVOLVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THREE LARGE LANDFILLS LOCATED IN REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A NETWORK OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THEY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES SHOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE FACILITIES TO MINIMISE THEIR IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
THEY ALSO WELCOMED THE PROGRAMME TO PHASE OUT ALL URBAN INCINERATORS WHEN THE PROPOSED FACILITIES CAME ON STREAM AS THIS WOULD REMOVE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINTS AND GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS IMPROVING AIR QUALITY IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS WERE ALSO GIVEN AN EARLY OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THEIR INITIAL INPUT TO THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION NOW UNDER PREPARATION.
/THEY DISCUSSED .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
6
THEY DISCUSSED AN OUTLINE WHICH COVERED THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF POLLUTION: AIR, WATER, WASTES AND NOISE, AND OTHER PLANNING AND ENFORCEMENT ISSUES.
MEMBERS WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS AND ADVISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT, OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS IN THESE ASPECTS SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
THEY URGED THAT AN EARLY DRAFT OF THE WHITE PAPER SHOULD BE PUT TO EPCOM FOR DISCUSSION TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS’ VIEWS WOULD BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
THEY AGREED TO MEET MONTHLY TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ADVICE TO HELP TACKLE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WOULD BE LEADING A DELEGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS AND THE OZONE LAYER TO BE HELD IN LONDON FROM MARCH 5 TO 7.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO SUPPORT EXISTING EFFORTS AND TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN DEALING WITH THE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS POSED BY CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS, PARTICULARLY THEIR DAMAGING EFFECT ON THE STRATOSPHFRJC OZONE LAYER AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE "GREENHOUSE EFFECT".
HONG KONG IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER VIA INCLUSION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM'S RATIFICATION OF THE PROTOCOL.
THE LONDON CONFERENCE IS BEING HOSTED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER.
------o-------
NEW ARRANGEMENTS ON TRANSACTION LEVY * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, HAS ACCEPTED THE SECURITIES COMMISSION'S VIEW THAT THE 0.025 PER CENT STOCK EXCHANGE TRANSACTION LEVY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.
"TN ITS PLACE, MR JACOBS HAS PROPOSED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A NEW STATUTORY LEVY OF EQUIVALENT AMOUNT TO BE SHARED INITIALLY EQUALLY BETWEEN THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT. TO BE DEFINED IN DETAILED EXCHANGE OF LETTERS AND RECOMMENDED FOR INCLUSION
A MORE IN THE
NECESSARY LEGISLATION, ARE:
/* THE EXISTING .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 7 -
* THE EXISTING STOCK EXCHANGE LEVY WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW STATUTORY LEVY AT AN INITIAL LEVEL OF 0.025 PER CENT PER TRANSACTION.
» THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WILL EACH RECEIVE 0.0125 PER CENT AT THE INITIAL STAGE.
* THE AMOUNT OF THE LEVY TO BE RECEIVED BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE GOVERNMENT WITHIN FOUR YEARS OF THE INCEPTION OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT.
* THE AMOUNT OF THE LEVY TO BE RECEIVED BY THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WILL UNDER THE PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
* THE STOCK EXCHANGE WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT AN ANNUAL LUMP SUM, WHICH IS REVIEWED EVERY YEAR AND TOTALLED $14.5 MILLION FOR 1988-89.
"THE DECISION FOLLOWS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH ON THE SECURITIES COMMISSION’S CONCLUSION THAT THE STOCK EXCHANGE TRANSACTION LEVY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AT A TIME AND IN A MANNER TO BE DECIDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"IT IS THE RESULT OF MY PERSONAL DISCUSSIONS WITH SIR Q.W. LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE EXCHANGE’S NEEDS TO CONTINUE WITH ITS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES," MR JACOBS SAID.
"I ALSO PAID SPECIAL REGARD TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MARKET BODIES THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION SHOULD NOT RESULT IN ADDITIONAL COST BEING IMPOSED ON THE INVESTING PUBLIC," HE SAID.
HE THANKED MR C.H. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, AND HIS COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR THOROUGH AND HELPFUL EXAMINATION OF ISSUED INVOLVED.
"OVERALL, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE PACKAGE REPRESENTS A MOST SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO ALL CONCERNED AND 1 SHALL NOW RECOMMEND IT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL," MR JACOBS ADDED.
THE COUNCIL OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG HAS ACCEPTED THE NEW ARRANGEMENT AT ITS MEETING HELD THIS AFTERNOON.
-------0----------
/8........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 8
DIRECTOR OF MARINE RECEIVES PLAQUE FROM NEW SHIP
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, WAS PRESENTED WITH A PLAQUE BY THE CAPTAIN OF A NEW PASSENGER CRUISE SHIP, THE ROYAL VIKING SUN, AT A CEREMONY THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
THE 38,000-TONNE LINER, COMMISSIONED LAST NOVEMBER, IS ON A MAIDEN WORLD CRUISE.
THE CEREMONY WAS HELD ON BOARD THE SHIP, BERTHED AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL, TO COMMEMORATE HER FIRST CALL AT THE PORT OF HONG KONG.
THE CEREMONY WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER, DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN STRACHAN, AND GUESTS FROM THE LOCAL SHIPPING COMMUNITY.
MR HALL, IN RETURN, PRESENTED A MARINE DEPARTMENT PLAQUE TO THE MASTER, CAPTAIN OLA S. HARSHEIM.
BEFORE THE CEREMONY, MR HALL AND THE GUESTS WERE TAKEN ON A
TOUR ON THE SHIP WHICH CAN CARRY A MAXIMUM OF 768 PASSENGERS.
THE BAHAMAS-REGISTERED VESSEL IS 204 METRES LONG AND HAS A
DRAUGHT OF SEVEN METRES AND A CRUISING SPEED OF 21 KNOTS.
THE ROYAL VIKING SUN ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS MORNING WITH
SOME 500 PASSENGERS AND WILL STAY UNTIL WEDNESDAY WHEN SHE WILL LEAVE FOR BANGKOK.
------0--------
SEMINAR TO BOOST INWARD INVESTMENT t t * t ♦
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A HALF-DAY SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL.
THE SEMINAR, AIMED AT BOOSTING INWARD INVESTMENT, WILL BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 40 POTENTIAL INVESTORS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT HONG KONG HAS TO OFFER AS WELL AS ITS UNIQUE, STRONG AND DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, IS INVITED TO DELIVER A WELCOME SPEECH, WHILE THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K. Y. YEUNG, WILL PRESENT A SLIDE SHOW ENTITLED ’’HONG KONG WORKS”.
/OTHER SPEAKERS .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
9
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE DR VICTOR FUNG OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA INVESTMENTS LIMITED AND MR HOGAN LOH OF INTERPAC CONTAINERS.
ruTMA" SPEAK °N ”H0NG K0NG AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
^HILE MR L0H WILL SHARE HIS EXPERIENCE OF BEING AN INVESTOR IN HONG KONG WITH THE PARTICIPANTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG I
CONNAUGHT ROOM CONNAUGHT ROAD 23) .
• WISH TO COVER KONG SHOULD ARRIVE
ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE MANDARIN CENTRAL, HONG KONG AT 9.30 AM ON
THE AT
ORIENTAL THURSDAY
SEMINAR ON THE SMALL HOTEL, 5 (FEBRUARY
0
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * ♦ * * ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY AT 37.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 218.738 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 313.287 CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 53.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
STOOD
MILLION
-----0------
PLANNING BEGINS FOR WONG TAJ SIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL » » » * *
PREPARATIONS HAVE BEGUN EOR THE 1989 WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
A FESTIVAL ORGANISING ' OMMITTEE NET RECENTLY TO DISCUSS INITIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO BE STAGED DURING THE FESTIVAL,THE THIRD OF ITS KIND IN THE DISTRICT.
THE FESTIVAL, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT TWO WEEKS, WILL BE HELD IN NOVEMBER.
THE FIRST WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL WAS HELD IN 1983, AND THE SECOND IN 1986.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WON'. TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A WIDE VARIETY '•! ARTS, CULTURAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD.
"IT IS HOPED THAT T- FESTIVAL WILL FOSTER A U.NSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS LN III! DISTRICT AND AT THE SAME I I ME PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THEM," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/THE FESTIVAL .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
10
THE FESTIVAL WILL BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE CITY AND ADMINISTRATION, THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL TAI SIN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL.
WONG TAI SIN
NEW TERRITORIES
AND THE WONG
THE BUDGET FOR THE FESTIVAL IS ABOUT $1 SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT WILL COME FROM THE WONG TAI
MILLION, OF WHICH SIN DISTRICT BOARD.
A
THE BALANCE IS EXPECTED TO ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
COME FROM SPONSORSHIP
BY LOCAL
FOUR WORKING GROUPS, EACH ORGANISING COMMITTEE, HAVE BEEN SET MAKE ARRANGEMiNTS FOR THE FESTIVAL.
CHAIRED BY A MEMBER OF THE
UP UNDER ORGANISING COMMITTEE TO
THEY ARE TH! WORKING iUBLICITY \NL PUBLICATION BOOKLET, ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
GROUPS ON OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES, OF A DISTRICT FESTIVAL COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION, AND SPORTS
-------0 ---------
TUEN MET DB TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT REPORT
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE 1988 EDITION OF ’’TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT’ AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE ANNUAL REPORT IS COMPILED BY THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
IT PRO'. IDE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS ON THE NEW TOWN’S POPULATION, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYMENT SIZE, AND THE PROVISION OF HOUSING, ROADS, TRANSPORT AS WELL AS COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBER' WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF SIX FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEES AND A J-ONT COMMITTEE FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
MEMBERS' VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT ON IHE STANDING ORDER CONCERNING THE ELECTION OF A MEMBER TO SIT ON Till REGIONAL COUNCIL, PROCEDURES FOR THE NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS, AND THE REVISION OF PROCEDURES FOR SEEMS'': DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
THE PROPOSED ESTIMATES I '! THE DISTRICT BOARD AND RE PORTS OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMO I V.D I- TECTIVE COMMITTEES UNDER THE BOARD WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBER ’’ I IF* -RMAT I ON .
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD BEGINNING AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (TL DAVI IN THE DISTRICl BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
- - 0 --------
/11 .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
PROGRESS REPORTS ON DR COMMITTEE AGENDA
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF PROGRESS REPORTS AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22).
THE REPORTS WILL BE FROM THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION, SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE FESTIVE LIGHTING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS Tl" Pl ' POSED ESTIMATES FOR SPONSORING CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN 198) - 90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND Tic SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22)AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT HARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN.
0 - -
ELECTION FORUM IN YAU TSIM
* * » » t
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (MONDAY) URGED RESIDENTS OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT TO ATTEND AN URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION FORUM TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY' (FEBRUARY 23) EVENING.
THE FORUM IS AIMED AT ENABLING 1 ' ECTORS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT’S CANDIDATES BEFORE CAS') ING VOTES IN THE ELECTION ON MARCH 9.
THE FORUM WILL START AT 8 PM IN THE HALL OF THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
THE CANDIDATES, MISS WOO YAN-YUE, MR GARY AHUJA AND MR WONG KWOK-TUNG, WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUM WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) IN THE HALL OF THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 12 -
ELECTION FORUM FOR TSUEN WAN CANDIDATES *****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A FORUM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) TO INTRODUCE TWO CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE TSUEN WAN CONSTITUENCY’S SEAT ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE PUBLIC FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE TWO CANDIDATES ARE MR ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP AND MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG. THEY WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
THE TSUEN WAN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY HO, WILL BE THE MODERATOR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER CANDIDATES FORUM TO BEGIN AT 8 PM ON PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE,
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) IN THE TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS ELECTION DATE
*****
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL FIX A DATE FOR THE ELECTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF WRITTEN QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS ON VARIOUS ISSUES, INCLUDING THE LOCATION OF EXAMINATION CENTRES FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION; AND A PROPOSAL TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF AWARD TO OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING DATES FOR 1989-90; REPORTS SUBMITTED BY DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE; AS WELL AS A FINANCIAL STATEMENT ON PROJECTS FUNDED DY THE BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAN MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/15
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 13 -
REFRESHER COURSES FOR NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS *****
THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL RUN TWO ENGLISH REFRESHER COURSES, WHICH INCLUDE A TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BRITAIN, FOR NON-GRADUATE SECONDARY TEACHERS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE FULL-TIME COURSES IS TO FAMILIARISE TEACHERS WITH THE PRESENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO NEW PERSPECTIVES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH AN AIM TO EXPAND THEIR RANGE OF TEACHING TECHNIQUES.
THE COURSES WILL ALSO HELP TEACHERS TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITY IN COMPILING TEACHING MATERIAL AND IN EVALUATING AND IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS IN THE CLASSROOM.
THE FIRST COURSE WILL LAST 16 WEEKS FROM SEPTEMBER 11 THIS YEAR TO JANUARY' 13 NEXT YEAR WHILE THE SECOND COURSE LASTING 17 WEEKS WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT YEAR BETWEEN FEBRUARY 19 AND JUNE 23.
PARTICIPANTS OF THE TWO COURSES WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND A RESIDENTIAL INTENSIVE COURSE IN HONG KONG BETWEEN JUNE 25 AND JULY 14 NEXT YEAR AND AN OVERSEAS LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING PROGRAMME IN BRITAIN BETWEEN JULY 20 AND AUGUST 17 NEXT YEAR.
SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION BEFORE MARCH 3.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RELEASED FROM NORMAL SCHOOL DUTIES TO ATTEND THE REFRESHER COURSES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS.
SCHOOLS WILL BE ALLOWED TO EMPLOY FULL-TIME REPLACEMENT TEACHERS TO TAKE UP TEACHING DUTIES OF THOSE TEACHERS SELECTED TO ATTEND THE COURSES.
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TRAINING CENTRES HOLD JOINT OPEN DAY *****
THE THREE MAIN VOCATIONAL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG WILL HOLD THEIR FIRST JOINT OPEN DAY ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 25 AND 26).
THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON THE TWO DAYS FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.
/OVER 80 .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
OVER 80 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME PROGRAMMES OF DIFFERENT DURATION ARE BEING OFFERED AT THESE CENTRES FOR THE TRAINING OF APPROXIMATELY 5,000 OPERATIVES, CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS EACH YEAR.
STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO VISIT THESE TRAINING CENTRES WHICH ARE LOCATED AT NOS. 44, 46 AND 63 TAI YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY.
THE CENTRES COVER SKILLS TRAINING FOR A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES AND TRADES. VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING FACILITIES AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRAINING ENVIRONMENT THERE.
THE VTC CENTRES OFFER COURSES IN HOTEL OPERATION, ELECTRONICS, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PRECISION TOOLING, PRINTING, PLASTICS, TEXTILES, JEWELLERY, AUTOMOBILE REPAIR, ELECTRICITY, GAS, WELDING AND SEAMEN’S TRAINING.
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY PROVIDES COURSES LN BRICKLAYING, PLASTERING AND TILING, CARPENTRY AND JOINERY, PAINTING, DECORATING AND SIGNWRITING, CONSTRUCTION PLANT MAINTENANCE ANU REPAIR, BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING, MARBLE LAYING AND STONE MASONRY, PLUMBING AND PIPE FITTING, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND A CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR TRAINING PROGRAMME.
COURSES IN CLOTHING MANUFACTURE, KNITWEAR PROCESSING, FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURE, FUR MANUFACTURE, PATTERN MAKING AND CLOTHING MACHINERY MAINTENANCE ARE OFFERED AT THE CENTRES OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY.
- O ---------
JOINT KEEP HK CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
*****
MEMBERS OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
HONG
THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
* PROGRESS REPORT ON JOINT CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES FOR 1988-89.
* PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE FEBRUARY - MARCH PERIOD.
* PROGRESS REPORT ON THE "CAMPAIGN ON THE DISCRIMINATE USE/REUSE/RECYCLING OF PLASTIC BAGS IN THE 1989-90 CAMPAIGN"
* PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN 1989-90.
/* APPOINTMENT OF
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 15 -
* APPOINTMENT OF AGENCIES TO UNDERTAKE ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 1989-90 CAMPAIGN.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER, THIRD FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EDINBURGH PLACE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
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NEW GOVT OFFICE BLOCK TO BE BUILT IN TAI PO
»*»***«
A TWO-STOREY BLOCK WILL BE BUILT IN TAI PO'S AREA 27 TO ACCOMMODATE TWO SEPARATE OFFICES OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
UPON ITS COMPLETION IN MARCH NEXT YEAR, THE BUILDING WILL PROVIDE 542 SQUARE METRES IN TOTAL FLOOR AREA FOR A MARINE LICENSING STATION AND A FISHERIES OFFICE.
THE LICENSING STATION WILL INCLUDE A GENERAL OFFICE, AN EXAMINATION ROOM, A PUBLIC WAITING AREA, A COMMON ROOM AND STOREROOMS.
THE FISHERIES OFFICE WILL INCLUDE A GENERAL OFFICE, A DRAWING OFFICE AND AN INTERVIEW ROOM. THE PANTRY AND TOILETS WILL BE SHARED BY BOTH OFFICES.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 10.
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FIRST INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN SHEUNG SHUI ♦ * * * * *
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH ON THE FIRST INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN SHEUNG SHUI UNDER A CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
COSTING SLIGHTLY UNDER $28 MILLION, THE CENTRE WILL BE BUILT IN AREA 6 OF SHEK WU HUI, NEW TERRITORIES.
/IT WILL .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 16 -
IT WILL HAVE A MULTI-PURPOSE INDOOR GAMES HALL WHICH CAN BE USED AS TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, OR EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS, OR TWO VOLLEYBALL COURTS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE THREE AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH C A FITNESS CENTRE, A DANCE ROOM, CHANGING FACILITIES AND A AT:? TION OFFICES. THERE WILL ALSO BE A LANDSCAPED SITTING-OUT AI’E\.
1 : CENTRE WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 4,400 SQUARE METRES. 1 , BE HANDED OVER TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT UPON I II .ETION IN MAY 1990.
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F RESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN
A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE BUILT NEAR SIU LAM IN TUEN MUN TO COPE WITH FUTURE DEMAND FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING STORAGE FACILITIES.
THE NEW REINFORCED CONCRETE FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 14,000 CUBIC METRES.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN APRIL AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 10.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN ICE HOUSE STREET AND BANK STREF'I WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT AND 4.30 AN FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) FOR TWO NIGHTS FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING BUS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED:
* WESTBOUND BUS ROUTES 2, 0, Ill, 113 AND 12 1 'ILL 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.
* EASTBOUND BUS ROUTES 5B, 10, 101, 104, 105, 111, 113 AND
121 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATER ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1989
- 17 -
RELOCATION OF BUS TERMINUS IN WONG TAI SIN » » t » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23), THE WONG TAI SIN BUS TERMINUS BETWEEN MUK LUN STREET AND SHAT IN PASS ROAD WILL BE RELOCATED TO LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AT THE JUNCTION OF SHATIN PASS ROAD WITH TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD.
AS A RESULT, FOUR BUS ROUTES WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TERMINATE AT THE LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE BUS TERMINUS.
THEY ARE KMB ROUTES 3A, 6B, 11 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 106. ALL WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
NOTICES WILL BE POSTED AT THE WONG TAI SIN BUS TERMINUS TO INFORM PASSENGERS OF THE TERMINAL RELOCATION ARRANGEMENT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RECORD TRAFFIC AT HONG KONG AIRPORT .......................... 1
FURTHER TALKS ON BOUNDARY MATTERS ............................ 2
MORE APPOINTMENTS TO STANDING COMMITTEE ...................... 3
12 QUESTIONS CT4 LEGCO AG5JIDA ............................... 3
DISTRICT OFFICERS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE.......................
TAXI OPERATORS URGED TO CO-OPERATE IN SURVEY ................. 6
NEW CAREERS CENTRE OPEN IN SHA TIN ........................... 7
JUNK BAY FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT OFFICIALLY OPENED .... 8
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ............................... ?
MANPOWER SURVEY ON BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY
BEGINS .................................................. 10
ELECTION FORUMS FOR SHAM SHUT PO CANDIDATES ................. 10
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .. 11 DEADLINE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION SUBSIDY APPLICATIONS ........... 11
FERRY SERVICE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........................ 12
MORE WATER MAINS FOR SH^ TIN ................................ 12
TWO LAND LOTS IN NT TO LET ................................... U
URBAN CLEaRWAYS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT ......................... 1^
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN IN FANLING ............................. 15
LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE LANE CLOSED FOR REPAIR ................... 15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRaNGEMWS IN HAPPY VaLLEY ................ 15
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
RECORD TRAFFIC AT HONG KONG AIRPORT *****
THE HIGHEST GROWTH RATE FOR 15 YEARS HAS GIVEN RISE TO A RECORD NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, AIRCRAFT \ND FREIGHT AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DURING 1988, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
ANNUAL PASSENGER MOVEMENTS ROSE BY 20.6 PER CENT TO 15.3 MILLION, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN HONG KONG’S AVIATION HISTORY.
AUGUST WAS THE ALL TIME HIGH MONTH WITH A TOTAL OF 1.17 MILLION PASSENGERS PASSING THROUGH THE AIRPORT.
DURING TYPICAL BUSY HOUR CONDITIONS, 3,900 PASSENGERS (IN EACH DIRECTION) USED THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING, WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, EXCEEDING THE STAGE IV TERMINAL DESIGN CAPACITY OF 3,400 PASSENGERS.
CARGO VOLUME SURGED TO 694,000 TONNES, UP 13.7 PER CENT OVER 1987. THE GREATEST GROWTH OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER WHEN 67,000 TONNES OF FREIGHT WAS HANDLED.
THE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT TO OVER 87,000, THE LARGEST NUMBER OF OPERATIONS EVER RECORDED IN A YEAR.
THE STANDARD BUSY HOUR RATE FOR AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS ROSE FROM 26 IN 1987 TO 29 IN 1988; AND OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE WIDE-BODIED.
SINCE 1986, PASSENGER TRAFFIC HAS GROWN BY MORE THAN 50 PER CENT, BREAKING THE 10-M1LLION MARK IN 1986, THE 12-MILL1ON MARK IN 1987 AND NOW THE 15-MILLION MARK IN 1988.
HONG KONG IS CURRENTLY SERVED BY 36 INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULED AIRLINES AND CONNECTED TO OVER 70 CITIES WORLDWIDE.
DURING THE YEAR, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS OPERATED THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF FLIGHTS, TOTALLING 19,666, FOLLOWED BY CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA WHICH OPERATED JUST UNDER 15,000 FLIGHTS.
WITH HONG KONG BEING A MAJOR CENTRE FOR AIR TRAFFIC IN THE SOUTHEASTERN ASIA REGION, A GOVERNMENT CONSULTANCY REPORT RECENTLY FORECAST THAT PASSENGER TRAFFIC WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW WITH A LONG TERM GROWTH RATE OF 5.7 PER CENT PER ANNUM TO REACH A TOTAL OF 46 MILLION BY THE YEAR 2010.
CARGO MOVEMENTS ARE ALSO FORECAST TO INCREASE AT AN AVERAGE 6.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM, REACHING 2.6 MILLION TONNES IN 2010.
TO COPE WITH THE EVER-INCREASING DEMAND, THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAS UNDERGONE MANY STAGES OF EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION WORK.
/IN DECEMBER
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 2 -
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE STAGE V EXTENSION TO THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING WAS OPENED, OFFERING 50 PER CENT MORE SPACE AND FACILITIES FOR PASSENGERS AND INCREASING THE STANDARD BUSI HOUR PASSENGER THROUGHPUT CAPACITY TO 5,300 PASSENGERS IN EACH DIRECTION.
CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND AIR CARGO TERMINAL HAS STARTED AND ON COMPLETION IN MID-1991 THE ANNUAL CARGO HANDLING CAPACITY AT KAI TAK WILL BE DOUBLED TO 1.4 MILLION TONNES.
ALSO IN PROGRESS IS AN APRON EXTENSION SCHEME ' ll I CH IS AIMED TO ADD THREE MORE PARKING BAYS FOR WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT OR SIX FOR NARROW-BODIED AIRCRAFT BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, AND TO PROVIDE FURTHER ADDITIONAL PARKING POSITIONS FOR AIRCRAFT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
A PROGRAMME OF DEVELOPMENTS WAS RECENTLY RECOMMENDED BY THE KAI TAK CAPACITY STUDY CONSULTANT IN ORDER TO FURTHER IMPROVE AIRPORT FACILITIES AND REALISE KAI TAK’S ULTIMATE POTENTIAL CAPACITY, WHICH IS PROJECTED TO BE REACHED BY THE M1D-199O’S BASED UPON THE CONSULTANT’S LONG-TERM FORECAST.
HOWEVER, A CAD SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ALL INDICATIONS WERE THAT 1989 WOULD SEE THE CONTINUATION OF HIGH GROWTH RATES AND RECORD THROUGHPUT, IN WHICH CASE THE CONSULTANT’S TRAFFIC LEVEL FORECAST FOR 1990 WILL IN FACT BE EXCEEDED BY MID-1989.
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FURTHER TALKS ON BOUNDARY MATTERS * t t * ♦
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID
TODAY (TUESDAY) THAI’ FURTHER
DISCUSSIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN AND GUANGDONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG
HONG KONG
22 TO 23
PROVINCIAL
AUTHORITIES.
THE HONG KONG TEAM WILL BE LED BY MR
DONALD TSANG,
DEPUTY
SECRETARY, GENERAL DUTIES.
THE GUANGDONG TEAM WILL BE LED BY MR FU FEN, OF THE GUANGDONG FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 3 -
MORE APPOINTMENTS TO STANDING COMMITTEE
♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED EIGHT MORE MEMBERS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND ITS TWO SUB-COMMITTEES.
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 18 THIS YEAR.
APPOINTED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND ITS POLICE SUBCOMMITTEE ARE MRS NELLIE FONG, MR ANTHONY NEOH, MR BRIAN RENWICK AND MR TANG KWAI-NANG.
APPOINTED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND ITS GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE ARE MR WILFRED CHAN, MR ANTHONY CHEUNG, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI AND MRS MIRIAM LAU.
AS ALREADY ANNOUNCED, THE STANDING COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY MR JOHN SWA1NE; THE POLICE SUB-COMMITTEE BY MR MARTIN BARROW, AND THE GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE BY MR PAUL CHENG.
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12 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER TWO BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
DEBATE IS TO RESUME ON THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH IS THEN DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE THREE MOTIONS -- UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE, THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDINANCE AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
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A....
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 4 -
DISTRICT OFFICERS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE
» * » * »
THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICER AS A COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL WOULD BECOME MORE IMPORTANT AS HONG KONG CONTINUED TO FACE UP TO CHANGES IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THE DISTRICT OFFICERS OF THE PRESENT ARE ALREADY A REASSURANCE TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE GOVERNMENT CARES ABOUT ITS PERFORMANCE AT THE LEVEL OF THE ORDINARY PEOPLE," HE NOTED.
IN A TALK ON "THE DISTRICT OFFICERS TODAY" AT THE JOINT MEETING OF THE ZONE VII OF LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT DISTRICT OFFICERS WERE GENERALLY REGARDED AS THE "PEOPLE’S MAN BY THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET".
"THE REASONS FOR THEIR POPULARITY ARE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OFFER SOME REALLY HELPFUL PERSONAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
"THE DISTRICT OFFICERS COULD ALSO REFLECT RESIDENTS', GRIEVANCES TO ENSURE THAT THEY GOT A FAIRER DEAL,” MR LAN SAID.
"THEY HAVE HELPED TO EXPLAIN GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND OBTAIN FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC ON SUCH POLICIES.
"WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE ADVICE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICERS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY KEEPING IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH A WIDE SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE ABLE TO PLAN SERVICES MORE COGNIZANT OF LOCAL NEEDS WITH BETTER TIMING ON THEIR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMMES," MR LAN ADDED.
MR LAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICER SCHEME CAME INTO BEING FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG IN 1981, WHICH ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DISTRICT BOARD (DB) AND A DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (DMC) IN EACH OF THE THEN 18 DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY.
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME HAD BROUGHT ABOUT IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE WORK OF DISTRICT OFFICES.
DISTRICT OFFICES WERE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH DB’S AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE AIM OF BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
THROUGH CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE DB’S, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND OTHER DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, THE DISTRICT OFFICES COULD MORE EFFECTIVELY IDENTIFY LOCAL NEEDS, MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE DISTRICTS AND REFLECT PUBLIC OPINION TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
/IN ADDITION .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
5 -
IN ADDITION, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE DB’S, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, THROUGH HIS CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DMC, WAS ABLE TO CO-ORDINATE GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT DISTRICT NEEDS WERE MET AND DISTRICT PROBLEMS RESOLVED EFFECTIVELY.
MR LAN FURTHER POINTED OUT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME CONSIDERED THAT A CORDIAL WORKING OFFICE AND THE DB WAS ESSENTIAL ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
THAT ACCORDING TO A REVIEW OF THE IN 198 7, DB MEMBERS GENERALLY
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTRICT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT
THE REVIEW RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE SHOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE DB CHAIRMAN, TO LIAISE WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE PROMPT ACTION ON THE DB’S REQUESTS AND TO KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED OF PROGRESS.
"IN VIEW OF HIS CO-ORDINATION ROLE OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, THE DISTRICT OFFICER IS NO DOUBT ASSUMING THE ROLE AS A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, IN SO FAR AS THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET AND LOCAL GROUPS ARE CONCERNED," HE NOTED.
ALL DISTRICT OFFICES PERFORM OTHER TASKS AS WELL, SUCH AS OPERATING ENQUIRY COUNTERS WHERE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD OBTAIN A VARIETY OF SERVICES, MR LAN CONTINUED.
DURING 1988, THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTERS IN THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES HANDLED A TOTAL 6.5 MILLION ENQUI RIES/CASES.
DURING NATURAL DISASTERS OR EMERGENCIES, DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WERE MOBILISED TO CO-ORDINATE RELIEF OPERATIONS AND FIND TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS.
IN ADDITION, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR NUMEROUS OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS. THEY INCLUDED:
(A) STIMULATING AND ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS ORGANISING DISTRICT CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, AND ASSISTING IN THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AND SO ON;
IB) MANAGING 55 COMMUNITY CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY;
(C) PROVIDING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS - ALL DISTRICT
OFFICERS ARE JUSTICES OF PEACE AND SOME OF THEIR LIAISON OFFICERS ARE APPOINTED COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS TO ADMINISTER DECLARATIONS; AND
ID) PROVIDING ASSISTANCE, ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO OWNERS AND TENANTS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS FOR IMPROVING THE STANDARDS OF MANAGEMENT IN THEIR BUILDINGS.
UP TILL NOW, 10 DISTRICTS HAVE EACH SET UP A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM WITH STAFF SECONDED FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE THIS TASK.
/THEY ARE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
THEY ARE HANDLING A TOTAL OF ABOUT 200 TARGET BUILDINGS, AND THEIR WORK IS GUIDED BY THE CORRESPONDING DISTRICT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF WHICH THE DISTRICT OFFICERS ARE CHAIRMEN.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LAN SAID HE WAS MOST CONFIDENT THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE SYSTEM WOULD PROSPER AND GROW STRONGER WHILE DISTRICT OFFICERS WOULD ALL FIND THEIR WORK MOST STIMULATING AND EXCITING WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT LAY AHEAD IN THE YEARS TO COME.
- 0-----
TAXI OPERATORS URGED TO CO-OPERATE IN SURVEY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS URGED URBAN TAXI OPERATORS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS TO CO-OPERATE IN A SURVEY ON THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND FINANCIAL SITUATION OF URBAN TAXIS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TAXI OPERATORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY AS IT WILL HELP THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ASSESS CORRECTLY THE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE TRADE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND ONLY BE USED FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SURVEY IS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE AND CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS: QUESTIONNAIRE AND METER READING. URBAN TAXIS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR THE EXERCISE.
OWNERS OF THE SELECTED TAXIS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE A SHORT QUESTIONNAIRE ON THEIR OPERATIONS WHICH INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS OPERATING FORMAT, INCOME AND FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE DEPARTMENT BY FEBRUARY 28.
TAXI OPERATORS ARE ALSO ASKED TO PRESENT THEIR TAXIS TWICE FOR METER READING FROM MARCH 6 TO MARCH 10 AND FROM MARCH 13 TO MARCH 17 BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 12.30 PM OR BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4.30 PM.
TEN METER READING CENTRES WILL BE OPENED FOR THE EXERCISE:
* 01 KWAN ROAD OUTSIDE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL, WAN CHAI.
* TAXI STAND NEAR WAN CHAI FERRY PIER, WAN CHAI.
* CARPARK NEAR ANNE BLACK HEALTH CENTRE, HEALTHY STREET WEST,
NORTH POINT.
/‘CARPARK OUTSIDE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 7 -
* CARPARK OUTSIDE TIN KWONG ROAD DRIVING TEST CENTRE, TO KWA WAN.
* KAU PUI LUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND, SECTION BETWEEN MAIDSTONE LANE AND LOK SHAN ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
» CARPRAK NEAR PARIS THEATRE, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG.
* TAXI STAND AT TAI KOK TSUI FERRY CONCOURSE.
* PITT STREET, SECTION BETWEEN TUNG FONG STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD.
* TAXI STAND AT TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER, TSUEN WAN.
* TAXI STAND OUTSIDE SHA TIN TOWN HALL, TAM KON PO STREET, SHA TIN.
------o-------
NEW CAREERS CENTRE OPEN IN SHA TIN
*****
A NEW CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE IS OPEN IN SHA TIN TO PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE CAREERS INFORMATION AND GUIDANCES TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE BURGEONING NEW TOWN.
THE CENTRE, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION LAST MONTH, IS CENTRALLY LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-6015101.
IT IS THE FOURTH BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE. THE OTHER THREE ARE IN CAUSEWAY BAY, TO KWA WAN AND TSUEN WAN.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO CONSTANTLY IMPROVE ITS CAREERS SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELP THEM CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.
"THE SHA TIN OFFICE WILL NOT ONLY OFFER SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TOWN, BUT WILL ALSO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT MAINTAINS UP-TO-DATE CAREERS MATERIALS, INCLUDING PUBLICATIONS AND AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS ON JOB PROSPECTS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUAL TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.
"EXPERIENCED OFFICERS ARE ALSO ON HAND TO GIVE GUIDANCES AND ANSWER ENQUIRIES CONCERNING CAREERS DEVELOPMENT."
/MEMBERS OF
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 8 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE REFERENCE LIBRARY, AUDIO-VISUAL UNITS AND ENQUIRY SERVICE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, CAREERS INFORMATION IS ALSO DISSEMINATED THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE, INCLUDING CAREERS TALKS, EXHIBITIONS, SEMINARS AND WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES.
LAST YEAR MORE THAN 1,100 STUDENTS FROM 45 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS TOOK PART IN THE SERVICE’S WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, VISITS WERE ARRANGED FOR STUDENTS TO SPECIALISED FIELDS OF WORK SO THAT THEY COULD SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE ACTUAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
OTHER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE SERVICE INCLUDE AN ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION, CAREERS QUIZ, CAREERS DAYS AND SEMINARS FOR CAREERS TEACHERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SHA TIN CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR . ADVISORY BOARD’S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, MR CHAN YUN-CHE, AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24).
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE ADDRESS IS SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET.
-----0------
JUNK BAY FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT OFFICIALLY OPENED
THE JUNK BAY FIRE STATION AND JUNK BAY AMBULANCE DEPOT WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WILLIAM WAH HON-CHEUNG.
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT OPENING CEREMONY, MR WAN SAID THAT WITH A PROJECTED POPULATION OF 440,000 IN THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, THERE WAS A NEED TO SET UP FIRE STATIONS AND AMBULANCE DEPOTS IN THE AREA SO THAT FIRE APPLIANCES AND AMBULANCES COULD REACH THE SCENE OF EMERGENCY WITHIN TARGETTED TIMES.
THE TARGETTED TIMES FOR FIRE ENGINES AND AMBULANCES TO REACH A SCENE OF EMERGENCY ARE SIX AND 10 MINUTES RESPECTIVELY.
/"I BELIEVE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 9 -
”1 BELIEVE ALL RESIDENTS IN JUNK BAY ARE GLAD TO HAVE THIS WELL-EQUIPPED FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT,” MR WAN SAID.
"IT IS ALSO MY HOPE THAT IF THEY HAVE ANY PROBLEMS CONCERNING FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES, THEY WOULD CONTACT THE OFFICERS AT THIS FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT WHO WOULD NO DOUBT OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE.”
LOCATED IN PO LAM ROAD OPPOSITE PO LAM ESTATE, THE FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION RESPECTIVELY SINCE APRIL AND JUNE LAST YEAR.
-----0-----
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ♦ » ♦ ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) Al I HE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING, THEY ARE:
AW132
CK5555
DZ3893
DZ619
DY3288
DZ911
DZ238 DD36 DZ6698
AT8883
BIDDERS MUST
DY2988 BK802 BL17 DZ112 DY817 DD82 DZ6638 AT1939 CS300 BB389
SUCCESSFUL BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE THE AUCTION.
PAY
DX1128 DY892
DY379 DY2823
DZ1 DX168
DY368 DD9911
DZ1982 DZ968
DD93 CB7322
DY2833 DZ133
CC698 DY2002
DD3322 AB938
DZ1123 DY6618
BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
SPOKESMAN
WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
IMMEDIATELY
IS TO BE
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO
TO THE GOVERNMENT
LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 135TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----0------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
MANPOWER SURVEY ON BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY BEGINS
THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL START A SURVEY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
SURVEY INTERVIEWING OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CALL AT ALL ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THE OFFICES OF ABOUT 600 CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIRMS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD.
EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY INFORMATION INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF TRAINEES, WORKERS EMPLOYED AND EXISTING VACANCIES.
THE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 30 THIS YEAR. THE FINDINGS WILL BE USED IN FORMULATING TRAINING PLANS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.
- - 0 - -
ELECTION FORUMS FOR SHAM SHUI PO CANDIDATES ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
TWO PUBLIC ELECTION FORUMS WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE TO INTRODUCE CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE SEATS Ob THE SHAM SHUI PO EAST AND SHAM SHUI PO WEST CONSTITUENCIES IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE FORUM FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO WEST CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATES, MR MA LEE-WO AND MR WONG PING-HON, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), BEGINNING AT 8.30 PM AT THE BASKETBALL COURT OPPOSITE BLOCK 4 OF THE UN CHAU STREET ESTATE.
THE FORUM FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO EAST CONSTITUENCY, IN WHICH MR FUNG KIN-KEE AND MRS TSE LING SUK-YIN ARE STANDING FOR ELECTION, WILL BE HELD FROM 8.30 PM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 3, AT THE BASKETBALL COURT NEAR NAM WAI HOUSE IN NAM SHAN ESTATE.
THE CANDIDATES WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AT THE FORUMS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUMS.
- - O -
/11
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
- 11
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * t * * *
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT Ci 'IM i'TEE WILL DISCUSS PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
THE PROGRAMMES INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT A Nl MBER OF PUBLIC REAR LANES AND PAVEMENTS WHERE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES HAD BEEN CLEARED DURING RECENT OPERATIONS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR $ 0,000 TO CARRY OUT THESE FOLLOW-UP WORKS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ENDORSE AN ALLOCATION OF $40,000 Fl THE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF DISTRICT BOARD INSTALLATIONS IN THE D STRICT.
ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE PROVISION OF RAILINGS FOR A FOOTBRIDGE AT THE HUNG HOM FERRY PIER.
L )TE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
- - O -
DEADLINE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION SUBSIDY APPLICATIONS $ f t $
REGISTERED COMMUNITY ORGAN1SA1 IONS
ARE TODAY
SUBMITTING
(TUESDAY) APPLICATIONS
A SPOKESMAN FOB THE COWIJTEE^ON seT"As'lOT
ES ¥EAB To SUBSID1SE CIVIC
PROJECTS ORGANISED BY LOCAL BODIE .
OF CIVIC
FOR THE
EDUCATION
/”A MAXIMUM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
12
”A MAXIMUM SUBSIDY OF $50,000 MAY BE GRANTED TO EACH PROJECT WHICH CAN TAKE THE FORM OF EXHIBITION, DRAMA, PRODUCTION, TRAINING COURSE, AND SO ON,” HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE OBTAINABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SUBSIDY SCHEME MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON 3-7303950 OR 3-7309074.
-----O------
FERRY SERVICE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPLORE WAYS OF IMPROVING THE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND CENTRAL AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A DISCUSSION PAPER HAS TAKEN NOTE OF COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE FREQUENCY OF THE SERVICE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS PAPERS REQUESTING THE PROVISION OF A BUS STOP OUTSIDE SIU HEI COURT, AND THE ERECTION OF RAILINGS BY LAU TAK YUNG MEMORIAL SCHOOL AT SIU HEI COURT WITH A VIEW TO ENCOURAGING PEDESTRIANS TO USE THE PROPER CROSSING FACILITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN Hl ROAD, TUEN MUN.
-----0------
MORE WATER MAINS FOR SHA TIN * ♦ ♦ »
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR LAYING A TOTAL OF 2,850 METRES OF FRESH WATER MAINS FROM SIU LEK YUEN TO A KUNG KOK IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE CONTRACT WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE LAYING OF 1,400 METRES OF 600 DIAMETER WATER MAINS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN AREA 11 SHA TIN AND 1,450 METRES OF 800 MM DIAMETER WATER MAINS AS PART OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR MA ON SHAN.
/THE LATTER .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1?89
THE LATTER WILL FROM PART OF THE WATER SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO BE COMPLETED BY 1992 TO MEET THE PROJECTED NEEDS OF MA ON SHAN DEVELOPMENT.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 10.
THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MAY.
-----0------
TWO LAND LOTS IN NT TO LET * * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY
DEPARTMENT FOR LETTING TWO LOTS OF LAND
THE BUILDINGS AND
IN SHA TIN AND TS1NG YI.
LANDS
A LOT MEASURING ABOUT 2,400 SQUARE METRES AT KWEI TEI STREET, FO TAN, SHA TIN, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES (BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) OR STORAGE OF GOODS, BUILDING MATERIALS, PLANT AND MACHINERY (BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) BELONGING TO THE TENANT.
THE OTHER LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 1.53 HECTARES IN AREA 21, TSING Yl, WILL BE LET FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTAINER STORAGE, AND STUFFING AND DESTUFFING OF CONTAINERS.
BOTH LOTS WILL BE LET FOR AN INITIAL TENANCY PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN’ AND FROM DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, 11TH FLOOR, WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE OFFICES.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON MARCH 3.
-------0----------
/14........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
1U
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24):
* THE WESTERN SECTION OF CONNAUGHT PLACE EXCLUDING THE LAYBY OUTSIDE EXCHANGE SQUARE.
* THE EASTERN SECTION OF CONNAUGHT PLACE.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT PLACE EXCLUDING THE L .YBY OPPOSITE TO THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
» THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT .PLACE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ENTRANCE TO THE GENERAL POST OFFICE CARPARK TO A POINT ABOUT FOUR METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN THE WESTERN SECTION OF CONNAUGHT PLACE AND EDINBURGH PLACE WEST).
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EDINBURGH PLACE (WEST) FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO v :nicj S EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS ALONG THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE WESTERN SECTION OF CONNAUGHT PLACE, EXCLUDING THE LAYBY, FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CONNAUGHT PLACE AND THE EXISTING PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN THE WESTERN SECTION OF CONNAUGHT PLACE AND EDINBURGH PLACE (WESTl WILL BE LIFTED.
-------0---------
/15........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN IN FANLING ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24), ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN FANLING :
* THE SECTION OF ROAD B200 SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6;
AND
* THE NORTH ACCESS ROAD AND ROAD W100 ON THE WEST SIDE OF KIU TAU ROAD LEADING TO WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ON THE SECTION OF KIU TAU ROAD WEST OF TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST WILL BE LIFTED.
LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE LANE CLOSED FOR REPAIR ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE KOWLOON-BOUND OFF-SIDE LANE OF LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE, NEAR CHING CHEUNG ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM FOR EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE REPEATED ON FEBRUARY 25 FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM; ON FEBRUARY 26 FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM; AND ON MARCH 5 FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.
- 0 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY ♦ * ♦ ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24), BROADWOOD ROAD IN HAPPY VALLEY BETWEEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND LINK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY UPHILL FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BECAUSE OF CABLE LAYING WORK.
DURING THIS PERIOD, DOWNHILL TRAFFIC FROM THE UPPER SECTION OF BROADWOOD ROAD AND LEIGHTON HILL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LINK ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
Wednesday, February 22, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
OBJECTIVES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL EXPLAINED ............ 1
FIXED PENALTIES FOR MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES INCR.LASED.. 3
RIGHT MOVE ON SEAT BELTS .................................... 4
HEFTY INCREASES IN FIXED PEN.iLTY FINES LOT JUSTIFIED... 5
parking fine increased to S200 .............................. 6
AMENDMENT REGULATIONS UNDER ROAD TRAFFIC LAW /iPPROVED.. 7
f • e
DECLINE IN CRIMES COMMITTED BY ILLEGAL MIGRANTS.......... 8
LEG„L AID APPLICzINTS MUST SATISFY MEJIS TEST ............... 9
ANTI-TRIAD .kCTION A POLICE RESPONSIBILITY ................. 10
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR REMOTE CONTROLLED GATES PLANNED.... 11
NO APPROACH TO BRITAIN ON FUG .............................. 11
FUTURE OF HMS TAM.tR NOT YET DECIDED ....................... 12
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ELECTION FUNDS NOT RESTRICTED ............. 12
CHANGING TRaDE PATTERN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT .................. 13
APPEAL TRIBUN J, MAY GO PUBLIC ............................. 13
ALTERNATIVES TO O.kTHS BY JP'S BEING CONSIDERED............. 14
NOISY SHIPYARDS TO BE RELOCATED............................. 14
.ANNOUNCED INTENTION TO RELOCATE OIL DEPOTS................. 15
ONE BILL PASSED............................................. 15
INCREASE IN SOCI.iL SECURITY P.tYMJENTS IN APRIL ............. 16
GATT REMalNS VITaL TO WORLD TR..DE............................ 17
1991 CENSUS PRE-TEST THIS WEEK ............................... 18
MEDIC.vL STAFF HONOURED WITH LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES.... 19
IEW CHILDREN
NEW CHILDREN /J4D YOUTH CENTRE ON aP LEI CHaU .................. 21
HSU TAKES OVER AS NEW REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NT ................ 21
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REMAIN AN IMPORTANT LINK....... 22
DE COMMITTEE TO Dll CUSS LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC .............. 25
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .......... 24
DEVELOPMENT REPORT ON DB <.GENDA ............................... 25
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ...................... 25
SURVEY ON YAU TSIM'S COMMUNITY NEEDS ........................... 26
CHILDREN VIE FOR SINGING HONOUR ON SATURDAY .................... 26
GRAND FEAST FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN ........................ 27
MEASURES TO IMPROVE RO.J) SAFETY IN YUEN LONG .................. 27
TEMPORARY URBaN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL, SHEUNG WJlN .............. 28
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG, WONG CHUK HaNG ................... 29
TRAFFIC .IRRaNGEMENTS IN WONG T«I SIN, YUEN LONG ............... 29
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
♦ 4
OBJECTIVES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL EXPLAINED *****
AN AMENDMENT BILL WHICH SEEKS TO UPDATE CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL DEALT WITH FOUR AREAS.
THESE WERE THE DEFINITION OF CONTROLLER, MINIMUM SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, FREQUENCY OF ACTUARIAL REPORTS AND GROUNDS FOR EXERCISING POWERS OF INTERVENTION.
ON THE DEFINITION OF CONTROLLER, MR JACOBS SAID: "SECTION 8(1) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE REQUIRES THAT A CONTROLLER OF A COMPANY APPLYING FOR AUTHORISATION TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS MUST BE A FIT AND PROPER PERSON TO HOLD SUCH A POSITION.
"SECTION 9(1) DEFINES A CONTROLLER, IN PART, TO BE A PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO EXERCISE CONTROL, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OVER ONE-THIRD OR MORE OF THE VOTING POWER OF THE COMPANY."
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THE DEFINITION WAS BASED UPON THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM INSURANCE COMPANIES ACT 1974, WHICH, HOWEVER, HAD SINCE BEEN AMENDED TO REDUCE THE TRIGGER POINT TO 15 PER CENT.
"TO FOLLOW THE UK PRACTICE AND TO BRING SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS WITHIN THE 'FIT AND PROPER’ REQUIREMENTS, CLAUSE 2 SEEKS TO REDUCE THE TRIGGER POINT FROM ONE-THIRD TO 15 PER CENT," HE SAID.
TURNING TO MINIMUM SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, MR JACOBS NOTED THAT INSURERS AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON GENERAL, THAT WAS NON-LIFE, BUSINESS WERE SUBJECT TO MINIMUM SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 10(1) OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS ARE OUT OF DATE AND NO LONGER PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SAFETY MARGIN," MR JACOBS REMARKED.
"CLAUSE 3 SEEKS TO INCREASE THESE REQUIREMENTS AND TO UPDATE THE LEVELS OF RELEVANT PREMIUM INCOME IN ORDER TO PROVIDE GREATER SECURITY TO EXISTING AND POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS."
HE SAID A GRACE PERIOD WOULD BE GIVEN TO ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
THIS PERIOD, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT BE TOO LONG BECAUSE THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WERE CONSIDERED THE MINIMUM NECESSARY AND WOULD, IF DELAYED FOR TOO LONG, BE OUT OF DATE BEFORE THEY WERE INTRODUCED.
/"ON BALANCE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 2
"ON BALANCE WE CONSIDER THAT THE NEW REQUIREMENTS SHOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1991 FOR EXISTING AUTHORISED INSURERS," MR JACOBS SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, FOR INSURERS AUTHORISED AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL, THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT."
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT UNDER SECTION 18(1) OF THE ORDINANCE, AN INSURER AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON LONG TERM BUSINESS WAS REQUIRED TO CAUSE AN ACTUARIAL INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE INTO THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE LONG TERM FUND ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS.
THE INSURER CONCERNED WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT OF THE ACTUARY’S REPORT TO THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY.
"CLAUSE 4 SEEKS TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS TO AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 12 MONTHS, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION AND IS REGARDED AS NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSES OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION," MR JACOBS SAID.
AS REGARDS GROUNDS FOR EXERCISING POWERS OF INTERVENTION, HE NOTED THAT UNDER SECTIONS 34(1) AND 34(2) OF THE ORDINANCE, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY MIGHT REQUIRE AN INSURER TO PROVIDE SPECIFIED INFORMATION AND TO PRODUCE SPECIFIED DOCUMENTS FOR INSPECTION.
BOTH POWERS MIGHT ONLY BE EXERCISED UPON THE SERIOUS GROUNDS SET OUT IN SECTION 26(1) WHICH INCLUDED A SUSPECTED BREACH OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE FAILURE TO MEET OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THESE GROUNDS COULD NOT BE CALLED IN AID LIGHTLY AND OFTEN COULD NOT BE USED IN RESPECT OF A SIMPLE REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HE SAID.
"BY CONTRAST, THE WIDER POWER OF INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 34(2) MAY ALSO BE EXERCISED ON THE LESS STRINGENT GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 26(3) NAMELY, THAT THE EXERCISE OF SUCH POWER IS DESIRABLE IN THE GENERAL INTERESTS OF EXISTING AND POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THERE IS NO GOOD REASON FOR THIS DIFFERENCE OF TREATMENT."
TO REMOVE THE ANOMALY AND TO ENABLE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT HIS DUTIES MORE EFFECTIVELY, CLAUSE 5 PROPOSED THAT THE SPECIFIC GROUND IN SECTION 26(3) SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THE POWER UNDER SECTION 34(1).
"THIS NEW RESERVE POWER WILL BE USED ONLY SPARINGLY," MR JACOBS POINTED OUT.
"I BELIEVE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WILL IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES BE ABLE, AS AT PRESENT, TO RELY UPON THE GOODWILL AND CO-OPERATION OF THE INSURERS."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/3
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
FIXED PENALTIES FOR MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES INCREASED
*****
FIXED PENALTY LEVELS FOR MOST MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES WERE INCREASED FROM $140 TO $200, AND FROM $200 TO $280, UNDER A MOTION APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE NEW FINES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1.
THE MOTION ALSO EXTENDED FIXED PENALTY FINES TO COVER FAILURE OF DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS TO WEAR SEAT BELTS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE EXISTING FINES OF $140 AND $200 HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1984 AND 1980 RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCREASING NUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED IN RECENT YEARS INDICATED THAT THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THESE FINES HAD BEEN ERODED BY INFLATION.
THE NUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED FOR DRIVING IN EXCESS OF THE
SPEED LIMIT BY 15 KILOMETRES PER HOUR OR LESS HAD INCREASED FROM
ABOUT 30,000 IN 1985 TO 64,000 IN 1988, AN INCREASE OF 110 PER CENT.
IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES,
MR LEUNG SAID THE UPWARD TREND IN THE ISSUE OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE.
MR LEUNG SAID SIX NEW FIXED PENALTY OFFENCES WOULD BE INTRODUCED, RELATING TO THE WEARING OF SEAT BELTS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES.
THE NEW FIXED PENALTY OFFENCES WERE:
* DRIVING TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES, GOODS VEHICLES WITHOUT FASTENING A SEAT BELT. THE FIXED PENALTY FOR THESE OFFENCES WOULD BE $200.
* DRIVING TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES, GOODS VEHICLES WHEN A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER UNDER 15 YEARS OLD HAD NOT FASTENED A SEAT BELT. THE FIXED PENALTY FOR THESE OFFENCES WOULD BE $140.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE VICARIOUS LIABILITY OF THESE DRIVERS WAS LIMITED TO PASSENGERS UNDER 15 BECAUSE IT WAS ACCEPTED, AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE TRADE, THAT DRIVERS MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY IN REQUIRING PASSENGERS ABOVE THIS AGE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT.
ON REASONS FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE SEAT BELT LEGISLATION, MR LEUNG SAID THAT IN THE 12 MONTHS AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS IN PRIVATE CARS, THE TOTAL FRONT SEAT CASUALTIES FELL BY 28 PER CENT, WHILE THE NUMBER OF FATAL AND SERIOUS CASUALTIES FELL BY 51 PER CENT.
/HR LEUNG ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
MR LEUNG SAID THE INCREASES DID NOT APPLY TO TWO SPECIFIC MOVING OFFENCES.
FIRST, A HIGHER FINE OF $450 WAS PROPOSED FOR OVERLOADING BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF OVERLOADING OFFENCES IN 1988 HAD SHOWN AN ALARMING INCREASE OVER THAT OF 1985, FROM ABOUT 1,600 TO 27,000.
OVERLOADING ALSO REDUCED BRAKING EFFICIENCY AND AFFECTED ROAD SAFETY.
SECOND, THE FINE FOR DRIVING PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES WHEN A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED WITH A SEAT BELT WOULD REMAIN AT $140.
MR LEUNG SAID THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD ADVISED THAT THE FIXED PENALTY IMPOSED ON DRIVERS IN RESPECT OF THEIR VICARIOUS LIABILITY FOR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS’ FAILURE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT SHOULD BE LOWER BECAUSE PASSENGERS RATHER THAN DRIVERS SHOULD BE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFENCE.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE.
- - 0-----------
RIGHT MOVE ON SEAT BELTS *****
IT IS RIGHT THAT FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE, DR IP SAID FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WHO WERE OVER 15 YEARS OF AGE SHOULD BEAR FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.
BUT SHE DISAGREED IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE INTENTION TO CHARGE A DEFAULTER BY WAY OF SUMMONS AND NOT BY FIXED PENALTY.
SUMMONSING THE DEFAULTER AND WITNESSES WOULD WASTE MAN HOURS AND ALSO VALUABLE COURT TIME.
IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT LABOUR SHORTAGE, HONG KONG SHOULD BE WORKING TOWARDS SAVING TIME AND EFFORT, SHE SAID.
"I CONSIDER IT JUSTIFIED THAT WE EXPAND THE PRESENT COMPUTER SYSTEM TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON ALL RESIDENTS IN THE TERRITORY, SO THAT A FIXED PENALTY CAN BE ISSUED TO OFFENDING PASSENGERS," SHE SAID.
/DR IP .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 198?
- 5 -
DR IP SAID SUCH COMPUTER BACK-UP WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR INTRODUCING A FIXED PENALTY FOR LITTERING, SPITTING, JAYWALKING, HAWKING AND SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES.
A LOT MORE COURT TIME COULD THEN BE SAVED.
BUT SHE AGREED THAT THIS WOULD TAKE TIME AND THEREFORE ACCEPTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD GO AHEAD FIRST WITH CHARGING BY WAY OF SUMMONS.
-----0------
HEFTY INCREASES IN FIXED PENALTY FINES NOT JUSTIFIED
*****
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN FIXED PENALTY TRAFFIC FINES ARE NOT JUSTIFIED, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AGAINST A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE.
MR CHEUNG SAID HE WAS SCEPTICAL OF THE JUSTIFICATION FOR INCREASING THE FIXED PENALTY FINES EN BLOC, PARTICULARLY THOSE FOR MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
"INCREASES BY 40 PER CENT OR MORE IN FIXED PENALTY FINES, FROM $140 TO $200 AND FROM $200 TO $280, DO NOT SEEM TO BE JUSTIFIED BECAUSE GOVERNMENT CANNOT OFFSET ACCUMULATED INFLATIONARY EFFECT BY ONE SHOT," HE SAID.
HE DID NOT THINK THAT THE INCREASES WOULD ACHIEVE A RESTORATION OF THE DETERRENT VALUE OF THE FINES, FOR MOST DRIVERS DID NOT INTENTIONALLY CHOOSE TO VIOLATE THE LAW.
"VERY OFTEN, THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF THE MANY ROAD WORKS AND ROAD RE-ROUTEINGS THAT TAKE PLACE ALL OVER HONG KONG AND THE FREQUENT CHANGES MADE TO ROAD SIGNS WHICH ESCAPE THEIR NOTICE.
"DRIVERS NOT FAMILIAR WITH SUCH ROAD CONDITIONS FALL PREY TO POLICE OFFICERS OR TRAFFIC WARDENS ON THE WATCH FOR UNINTENDING OFFENDERS," MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE COUNCIL MUST NOT BE INDIFFERENT TO THE PLIGHT OF THE AVERAGE DECENT PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WHO WOULD LOSE A DAY’S WAGES BECAUSE OF AN UNINTENTIONAL MISTAKE UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THOUGH SUPPORTING THE LEVEL OF PROPOSED FINES AGAINST SERIOUS TRAFFIC OFFENCES, MR CHEUNG URGED COUNCILLORS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER THE FINES FOR MINOR OFFENCES, AND HAVE SYMPATHETIC REGARD TO THE PLIGHT OF THE DRIVING PUBLIC.
/MR CHEUNG
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
6
MR CHEUNG ALSO SPOKE AGAINST ANOTHER MOTION, WHICH CONCERNED THE INCREASE IN FIXED PENALTY FINES FOR ILLEGAL PARKING FROM SI40 TO $200.
HE SAID THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES OF ILLEGAL PARKING COULD NOT BE SAID TO SHOW THAT THE $140 FINE HAD NO DETERRENT EFFECT.
"WHO, MAY I ASK, IN HIS OR HER RIGHT MIND WOULD RISK PAYING A FINE OF $140 BY TRYING TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS OR TEN DOLLARS ON PARKING?" HE QUESTIONED.
DRIVERS PARKED ILLEGALLY OFTEN BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PARK THEIR CARS UNDER VERY DESPERATE AND EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE WERE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH PARKING SPACES, HE SAID.
"BECAUSE I FEEL THAT PARKING OFFENCES ARE COMMITTED DUE IN NO SMALL PART TO GOVERNMENT’S FAULT IN NOT PROVIDING ADEQUATE PARKING FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEED OF THE INCREASED MOTOR VEHICLES IT CONTINUES TO LICENSE, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE MOTION," HE SAID.
-----o-----
PARKING FINE INCREASED TO $200 * » ♦ * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVED A MOTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE FIXED PENALTY FINE FOR PARKING OFFENCES BE INCREASED FROM $140 TO $200 TO RESTORE ITS DETERRENT EFFECT.
THE NEW PENALTY WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE EXISTING FINE OF $140 HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1983.
THE NUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED IN 1987 SHOWED THE BEGINNING OF A RISING TREND, FROM ABOUT 734,000 IN 1987 TO 836,000 IN 1988, AN INCREASE OF OVER 13 PER CENT, MR LEUNG SAID.
THE APPARENT REDUCTION IN THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE FINE COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO INFLATION AND INCREASED PARKING CHARGES AT OFF-STREET CARPARKS.
THE NARROWING GAP BETWEEN PARKING CHARGES AND FIXED PENALTIES MIGHT ATTRACT MOTORISTS TO PARK ILLEGALLY, HE ADDED.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDINANCE.
-------o---------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 7 -
AMENDMENT REGULATIONS UNDER ROAD TRAFFIC LAW APPROVED
* » » » »
TWO AMENDMENT REGULATIONS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, BOTH OF WHICH RELATE TO THE ONUS OF PROOF, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE MOTION SEEKING APPROVAL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING ON PRIVATE ROADS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1989 HAD BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON JANUARY 17.
MR LEUNG SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE ALLOWED ANY REGULATION MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE THAT IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS THE ONUS OF PROOF SHOULD REST WITH THE PERSON BEING PROSECUTED OR CERTAIN FACTS SHOULD BE PRESUMED UNTIL THE CONTRARY WAS PROVED.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING ON PRIVATE ROADS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989 PROVIDED THAT ANY TRAFFIC SIGN OR ROAD MARKING PLACED ON A PRIVATE ROAD SHOULD BE DEEMED TO BE LAWFULLY SO PLACED IF IT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT SPECIFIED IN SCHEDULE 1.
A CODE OF PRACTICE WOULD BE PUBLISHED TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO PRIVATE ROAD OWNERS FOR PLACING SIGNS AND MARKINGS SPECIFIED IN THAT SCHEDULE.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT WAS TO ENABLE THESE OWNERS TO PLACE AND USE SUCH SIGNS AND MARKINGS TO CONTROL UNAUTHORISED PARKING ON THEIR ROADS EFFECTIVELY.
MR LEUNG SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1989 GAVE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT SUFFICIENT POWERS TO REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A PRIVATE ROAD TO REMOVE ANY IMPROPER TRAFFIC SIGN OR ROAD MARKING ON THAT ROAD.
THESE REGULATIONS PROVIDED THAT IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE OWNER OF A PRIVATE ROAD IN RESPECT OF AN IMPROPER TRAFFIC SIGN OR ROAD MARKING PLACED ON THAT ROAD, THE ONUS WAS ON THE OWNER TO PROVE THAT THE SIGN OR MARKING WAS UNAUTHORISED AND HAD BEEN PLACED ON OR AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1988 WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION.
-----0------
/8........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
8
DECLINE IN CRIMES COMMITTED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
»**»»*
THERE IS NO INDICATION OF ANY OVERALL INCREASE IN CRIMES COMMITTED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR BARNES SAID THAT WHILE THERE HAD BEEN SMALL INCREASES IN VIOLENT CRIMES, THERE HAD BEEN A 32 PER CENT DROP IN OVERALL REPORTED CRIME COMMITTED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, NOT INCLUDING SERIOUS IMMIGRATION OFFENCES.
"INCLUDING THE LATTER, THE DROP IS 34 PER CENT," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BEING IMPORTED BY LOCAL CRIMINAL GANGS, OR ARRIVING OF THEIR OWN VOLITION TO COMMIT CRIMES, HE WAS NOT AWARE OF EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONCERN ON THE ISSUE.
MR BARNES SAID THAT EXTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE MEASURES INVOLVING SECURITY FORCES WERE EMPLOYED AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
"THESE INCLUDE CONSTANT VIGILANCE ON THE LAND BORDER, ROUND THE CLOCK MARITIME PATROLS BY THE MARINE POLICE AND THE ROYAL NAVY, ROAD BLOCKS AND IDENTITY CARD CHECKS BY THE POLICE AND SPECIFIC OPERATIONAL ACTION BY THE POLICE, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT AGAINST THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITHOUT IDENTITY CARDS.
"IN ADDITION, CLOSE LIAISON IS MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CHINA," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE ACTION CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN, MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THESE MEASURES HAD BEEN EFFECTIVE IN THE PAST YEAR.
"DURING 1988, NEARLY 21,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE CAUGHT EITHER ENTERING THE TERRITORY OR SUBSEQUENTLY, AND IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF SUCH ARRESTS, AT 1,200, REPRESENTED A 50 PER CENT DECLINE OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
"ANOTHER INDICATOR IS THE AVERAGE DAILY ARREST FIGURE WHICH SHOWS A DROP FROM 104 A DAY IN APRIL 1988 TO 29 A DAY SO FAR THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
COMBINED WITH THE OVERALL DROP IN THE CRIME FIGURES AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO RELAXATION OF EFFORT OR DEPLOYMENT BY THE SECURITY FORCES, MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS NO REASON TO SUPPOSE THAT THERE WAS ANY PARTICULAR DEFICIENCY IN THE MEASURES EMPLOYED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OR THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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/9
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
LEGAL AID APPLICANTS MUST SATISFY MEANS TEST *****
LEGAL AID IS GRANTED IF THE APPLICANT SATISFIES THE MEANS TEST AND CAN SHOW THAT HE HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR BRINGING, CONTINUING OR DEFENDING PROCEEDINGS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON ELAINE CHUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW.
MRS CHOW HAD ASKED WHETHER THE CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES ADOPTED IN THE GRANTING OF LEGAL AID WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF THE COMMENTS MADE BY A JUDGE IN A RECENT CASE IN THE HIGH COURT.
MISS CHUNG SAID THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING LEGAL AID WERE CONTAINED IN THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE.
"IN THE CASE TO WHICH MRS CHOW HAS REFERRED, THE APPLICANT MADE A STATUTORY DECLARATION THAT HE HAD BEEN DISMISSED FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT AS A BANK CLERK AND WAS, AT THE TIME OF MAKING THE APPLICATION, UNEMPLOYED," MISS CHUNG SAID.
"ON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AS TO HIS ACTUAL AND ANTICIPATED INCOME AND COMMITMENTS HE SATISFIED THE MEANS TEST," SHE ADDED.
MISS CHUNG SAID AS REGARDS THE MERITS OF THE CASE, THE DECISION BY A LEGAL AID OFFICER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WERE REASONABLE GROUNDS WAS A MATTER OF PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT SUBJECT TO APPEAL IN THE EVENT OF REFUSAL.
THAT JUDGEMENT WAS OFTEN SUPPORTED BY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.
SHE NOTED THAT IN THE PRESENT CASE, IT WAS THE OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT THE APPLICANT HAD A DEFENCE TO THE PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST HIM. AND THE FACT THAT HE HAD SUSTAINED A LOSS IN THE FUTURES MARKET WAS NOT A GROUND FOR REFUSAL OF LEGAL AID IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROPOSED DEFENCE.
"THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A NEED TO REVIEW THE CRITERIA FOR THE GRANT OF LEGAL AID IN THE LIGHT OF THIS PARTICULAR CASE," MISS CHUNG SAID.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
10
ANTI-TRIAD ACTION A POLICE RESPONSIBILITY
***»*»
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO TRANSFER TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANTI-TRIAD LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR BARNES SAID HE HAD CONSULTED THE ICAC COMMISSIONER ABOUT THE MATTER AND THE COMMISSIONER SHARED THIS VIEW.
"PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTION AGAINST TRIADS HAS ALWAYS RESTED WITH THE POLICE," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE TRIAD PROBLEM WAS ONE OF LAW AND ORDER AND OF ORGANISED CRIME; AND THE APPROPRIATE BODY TO DEAL WITH THESE MATTERS WAS THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
THE STRUCTURE, TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT OF THE POLICE HAD BEEN CONSTANTLY EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS TO ENSURE THAT IT REMAINED EFFECTIVE FOR THIS PURPOSE, HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE ICAC WAS AN INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1974 SPECIFICALLY TO FIGHT CORRUPTION AND OPERATED UNDER THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCE, THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE AND THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
"IN THE COURSE OF ITS INVESTIGATIONS THE ICAC BRINGS TO COURT OFFENDERS WHO MAY ALSO BE INVOLVED IN TRIAD ACTIVITIES, BUT THESE ONLY FEATURE IN THE ICAC CASES AS A RESULT OF SUSPECTED OFFENCES UNDER ONE OR MORE OF THE THREE ICAC ORDINANCES," HE SAID.
"IN OTHER WORDS, ICAC CASES ARE CORRUPTION BASED AND THE TRIAD INVOLVEMENT, AND POSSIBLE OFFENCES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE AND OTHER LAWS, ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF INQUIRIES.
"INDEED THE MAJORITY OF ICAC CASES DO NOT HAVE ANY APPARENT TRIAD INVOLVEMENT," HE SAID.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THERE WAS CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ICAC AND THE POLICE IN ANTI-TRIAD WORK IN AREAS NOT INVOLVING CORRUPTION OFFENCES.
BUT FOR THE ICAC ITSELF TO TAKE ON ALL ANTI-TRIAD INVESTIGATIONS WOULD MEAN THE TRANSFER FROM THE POLICE TO THE ICAC OF A VERY EXTENSIVE AREA OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE NO DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OBJECTIVES AND WORK OF THE COMMISSION, HE SAID.
/"THIS WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
11
’’THIS WOULD RESULT IN A DILUTION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION WORK WHICH WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST OR IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ICAC.
”IT WOULD ALSO CUT ACROSS THE WORK OF THE POLICE TO AN EXTENT WHICH WOULD BE DAMAGING TO BOTH THE POLICE FORCE AND THE ICAC," MR BARNES SAID.
-------0 - -
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR REMOTE CONTROLLED GATES PLANNED *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PRODUCE A CODE OF PRACTICE TO COVER THE SAFE OPERATION OF ELECTRICALLY OPERATED REMOTE CONTROL SLIDE GATES.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MIRIAM LAU.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL ALSO BE LOOKING AT HOW BEST TO LEGISLATE TO ENFORCE SAFETY IN THIS FIELD," MR BARNES SAID.
RECORDS SHOWED THAT THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS INVOLVING INJURIES CAUSED BY THESE GATES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO LEGISLATION CONTROLLING THE INSTALLATION OR USE OF SUCH GATES OR REQUIRING THE USE OF SAFETY DEVICES.
THE GATES COULD BE MADE RELATIVELY SAFE BY ADDING ONE OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DEVICES ALREADY ON THE MARKET, HE ADDED.
-------0 --------
NO APPROACH TO BRITAIN ON FLAG
*****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL NOT APPROACH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT NO OFFICIAL FLAG UNDER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S CONTROL IS FLOWN AT HALF MAST IN HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PASSING OF EMPEROR HIROHITO OF JAPAN.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON ELAINE CHUNG, WHEN SHE ANSWERED A QUESTION ON THE SUBJECT FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR.
-------0----------
/12.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
FUTURE OF HMS TAMAR NOT YET DECIDED ******
A DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF HMS TAMAR HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD ARCULLI.
"OBVIOUSLY HMS TAMAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT BEARING ON THE RECLAMATION PROPOSALS AND THIS IS BEING ADDRESSED IN THE PRESENT COMPREHENSIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY INTO THE CENTRAL - WAN CHAI RECLAMATION," MR BARNES SAID.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ELECTION FUNDS NOT RESTRICTED ♦ * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION OF RESTRICTING FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO ELECTION FUNDS BUT THERE IS A POLICY TO RESTRICT THE AMOUNT EACH CANDIDATE MAY SPEND ON CAMPAIGNING, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR LIAO SAID THAT LIMITS ON ELECTION EXPENSES WERE PRESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
THE RESTRICTION WAS TO REMOVE ANY UNDUE DISADVANTAGE FOR LESS WELL OFF INDIVIDUALS IN STANDING FOR ELECTION, HE EXPLAINED.
MR LIAO ALSO CONFIRMED THAT IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF KEEPING HONG KONG'S TAXATION SYSTEM AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT PREPARED TO GRANT TAX EXEMPTION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ELECTION FUNDS.
HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT TAX DEDUCTIONS WERE ALLOWED ONLY FOR EXPENSES INCURRED IN DERIVING ASSESSABLE INCOME AND FOR DONATIONS TO CHARITIES.
- - 0 -
/-13
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 13 -
CHANGING TRADE PATTERN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
*****
THE CHANGING PATTERN OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WAS ONE OF THE FACTORS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT NOT ONLY IN RESPECT OF TRADE PROMOTION BUT IN OTHER FIELDS SUCH AS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR JACOBS SAID THE EXISTING LEVEL OF RE-EXPORT TRADE DID NOT HAVE ANY MORE SPECIFIC IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S BASIC TRADE POLICY.
"WE REMAIN FIRMLY COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE AND TO THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT WITH REGARD TO SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RE-EXPORT TRADE BY EXPANDING THE ROLE OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH, THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRADE PROMOTION RESTED WITH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS INPUT FROM THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH.
"THE BRANCH WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE GENERALLY, AND THIS INCLUDES THE RE-EXPORT TRADE,” HE SAID.
IN HIS QUESTION, MR BARROW NOTED THAT THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS EXCEEDED THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS LAST YEAR, AND ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IN FORMULATING LONG TERM TRADE POLICY.
-------o---------
APPEAL TRIBUNAL MAY GO PUBLIC *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AMENDING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE SO THAT THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL MAY ORDER THE PUBLICATION OF ITS DELIBERATIONS AND HOLD INQUIRIES IN PUBLIC IF SUCH ACTIONS ARE WARRANTED.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, MR BARNES SAID THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE NOW DID NOT MEET IN PUBLIC AND ITS DELIBERATIONS WERE LIKEWISE NOT PUBLICLY DISCLOSED AS IT WAS CONVENED TO CONSIDER APPEALS BY PRIVATE PERSONS.
BUT IT RECOGNISED THAT SOME OF ITS DECISIONS MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
14
ALTERNATIVES TO OATHS BY JP’S BEING CONSIDERED
* * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION IS AT PRESENT CONSIDERING THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVES TO THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE JUDICIAL OATH SO THAT JUSTICES OF THE PEACE MAY CHOOSE TO PLEDGE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON ELAINE CHUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
MISS CHUNG SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT A PROPOSAL ON THIS WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
UNDER THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE, A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WAS REQUIRED TO TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE JUDICIAL OATH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER APPOINTMENT, SHE SAID.
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NOISY SHIPYARDS TO BE RELOCATED *****
THE SHIPYARDS WHICH HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE OF NOISE NUISANCE TO RESIDENTIAL ESTATES ALONG THE TSING YI NORTH SHORE WILL BE MOVED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE ESTATES IN 1992-93.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DANIEL LAM, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE SHIPYARDS AT TSING YI HAD MOVED FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
"PREVIOUSLY THEY WERE LARGELY INVOLVED IN BUILDING AND REPAIRING WOODEN JUNKS, THE NOISE LEVEL OF WHICH WAS NOT TOO SERIOUS," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, DUE TO THE DECLINE IN THE TRADITIONAL SHIPBUILDING BUSINESS, THESE SHIPYARDS HAVE INCREASINGLY TURNED TO REPAIRING LIGHTERS WHICH INVOLVE INTENSE HAMMERING OF METAL HULLS, THUS CREATING A NOISE NUISANCE.
"OF THE 30 ODD SHIPYARDS THERE, ALL BUT THREE ARE ON SHORT-TERM TENANCIES.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS POSSIBLE TO TERMINATE THESE TENANCIES WHEN THEIR TERMS ARE UP, THEIR HISTORY IS COMPLEX, AND WE CONSIDER THAT IN ALL FAIRNESS, THEY SHOULD ONLY BE CANCELLED WHEN ALTERNATIVE SITES ARE AVAILABLE."
/MR BARNES.......L
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
15
MR BARNES SAID BEFORE RELOCATION COULD TAKE PLACE, SOME RECLAMATION WORK AND AN ACCESS ROAD WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETED FIRST.
IT WAS PLANNED TO ADVANCE THE UNDERTAKING OF THESE WORKS TO MARCH 1991 FOR COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
------0-------
ANNOUNCED INTENTION TO RELOCATE OIL DEPOTS
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCED INTENTION THAT IT WILL RELOCATE OIL DEPOTS AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN NORTHEAST TSING YI TO THE SOUTH AND WEST OF THE ISLAND OR ELSEWHERE WHICH IS SEPARATED FROM RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS BY A MOUNTAIN RIDGE, WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM.
"WE HAVE IN HAND VARIOUS PLANS IN THIS REGARD," MR BARNES SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MEASURES TO PREVENT AND DEAL WITH GAS LEAKAGE ACCIDENTS WERE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND IMPROVEMENTS MADE.
"IN ADDITION, THE TSING YI HAZARD REASSESSMENT STUDY WILL SOON BE COMPLETED.
"IT WILL SUGGEST WHAT FURTHER MEASURES NEED TO BE TAKEN TO AFFORD GREATER PROTECTION TO LIFE AND PROPERTY," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT THE HONG KONG OIL CO.LTD. DEPOT AT TSING YI ON FEBRUARY 11, MR BARNES SAID: "OUR RESEARCH INTO THE RECORDS OF THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAS NOT REVEALED ANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD RECORDS OF TWO OTHER INCIDENTS INVOLVING DAMAGE BY FIRE."
- - 0----------
ONE BILL PASSED » * » »
THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WAS PASSED IN THE
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
(AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS INTRODUCED DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
HIE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED THREE MOTIONS MOVED BY FOR TRANSPORT UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL ™E FIXED penaLTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY
PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE AND
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 16 -
INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS IN APRIL * * » » »
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE WILL GET AN 11 PER CENT INCREASE IN PAYMENT EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE BASIC PA RATES IS AIMED AT RESTORING THE PURCHASING POWER OF PA PAYMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE LAST REVISION BY 10 PER CENT UPWARDS WAS MADE IN APRIL LAST YEAR."
FOLLOWING THE REVISION, THE BASIC PA RATES FOR A SINGLE PERSON WILL BE RAISED TO $620 FROM $560 PER MONTH.
THE NEW PA RATE FOR A THREE-MEMBER FAMILY WILL BE INCREASED TO $1,385 FROM $1,250, A FOUR-MEMBER FAMILY TO $1,840 FROM $1,660, AND A FIVE-MEMBER FAMILY TO $2,285 FROM $2,060.
THE ALLOWANCE FOR EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER THEREAFTER WILL BE INCREASED FROM $400 TO $445.
THE NEW RATE FOR OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT FOR A PA RECIPIENT AGED 60-69 AND WHO IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WILL BE INCREASED TO $310 FROM $280 PER MONTH.
THE NEW RATE FOR A RECIPIENT AGED 70 OR ABOVE AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WILL BE INCREASED TO $365 FROM $320.
THE NEW RATE FOR DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT FOR A PARTIALLY DISABLED PA RECIPIENT WILL BE $310 PER MONTH INSTEAD OF $280.
THE EXISTING LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT IS $710 PER MONTH FOR A SINGLE PERSON, $1,420 FOR A TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS FAMILY AND $2,130 FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS.
THE NEW RATE FOR A SINGLE PERSON WILL BE $790, FOR A TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS FAMILY $1,580, AND FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE OR MORE $2,370.
THE MEAL ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-DAY SCHOOLS AND REQUIRING TO TAKE LUNCH AWAY FROM HOME WILL ALSO BE ADJUSTED TO $106 FROM THE EXISTING $96 PER MONTH.
UNDER THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME, THE EXISTING NORMAL RATE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR THE 65-69 AGE GROUP IS $280. THE NEW RATE WILL BE $310 PER MONTH.
CORRESPONDINGLY, THE HIGHER RATE FOR THOSE AGED 70 AND ABOVE WILL BE REVISED TO $355 FROM $320.
/THE NEW
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 17
THE NEW NORMAL RATE FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE WILL BE $620 INSTEAD OF THE EXISTING $560. THE HIGHER RATE WILL BE INCREASED TO $1,240 FROM $1,120.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AROSE FROM THE REVISION WOULD BE $279.3 MILLION.
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GATT REMAINS VITAL TO WORLD TRADE t * t $ *
THE FUTURE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AND THE PROSPECT OF A MORE UNIFIED EUROPEAN MARKET IN 1992 ARE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR MACLEOD WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION AT A LOCAL HOTEL.
HE REJECTED CLAIMS THAT "GATT IS DEAD", SAYING, "MOST OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE GATT DON’T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE".
"ALTHOUGH THE URUGUAY ROUND APPEARED TO HAVE RUN INTO DIFFICULTIES DURING TALKS IN MONTREAL IN DECEMBER, IN FACT, CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS," HE SAID.
"MORE COULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN NEGOTIATIONS ON TEXTILES, SAFEGUARDS AND, DEBATABLY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE BREAKDOWN OVER AGRICULTURE."
THE POSITION THAT NO PROGRESS COULD BE MADE IN ANY SUBJECT UNLESS PROGRESS WAS MADE IN ALL, ONE PUT PARTICULARLY STRONGLY BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE PAST, HAD BEEN SHOWN TO BE WRONG, MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE CAUTIONED THAT THERE WERE SHADOWS OVER THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM - INCLUDING EUROPE IN 1992, THE UNITED STATES/CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND OTHER MOVES TOWARDS REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROUPINGS.
THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF ADVOCATES OF ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, HE SAID.
"THOSE OUTSIDE FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS OR CUSTOMS UNIONS ARE WORSE OFF THAN THOSE INSIDE.
/'•THE DANGER
WEDNESDAY , FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 18 -
’’THE DANGER OF TEXTILES PROTECTIONISM IN THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE U.S. INDUSTRY IS DOING WELL, AND THE ESTIMATED COST TO U.S. CONSUMERS OF EXISTING QUOTAS IS RUNNING AT US$20 BILLION A YEAR.”
THERE WAS NOTHING INHERENTLY OBJECTIONABLE ABOUT THE EEC CARRYING UNION TO ITS LOGICAL CONCLUSION - ABOLITION OF ALL INTERNAL BARRIERS WAS PROVIDED FOR IN THE TREATY OF ROME IN 1957. ON THE FACE OF IT THERE SHOULD BE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG.
BUT, SAID MR MACLEOD, CONCERN HAD ARISEN PARTLY BECAUSE OF TALK BY THE EEC OF RECIPROCITY.
FURTHER CONCERN AROSE OVER SUSPICIONS BY SOME THAT MEMBER STATES MIGHT ABUSE THE NEW SET-UP BY EMPLOYING METHODS SUCH AS CHANGING STANDARDS OR RULES WITHOUT ADEQUATE NOTICE.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE USE OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS HAD GIVEN RISE TO MUCH CONCERN AND THESE WOULD BE FOLLOWED UP, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HONG KONG’S NEWLY-APPOINTED ADVISERS.
THE MAIN INSTITUTION IN PREVENTING ANY ABUSES OF RECIPROCITY, OR OF ANTI-DUMPING RULES, WAS, OF COURSE, THE GATT.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE DID NOT THINK THAT A CRISIS POINT HAD YET BEEN REACHED IN RELATION TO THE FUTURE OF THE GATT. SOME FLEXIBILITY HAD BEEN SHOWN BY THE EEC AND THE U.S. IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURE.
”IT IS WORTH REMINDING OURSELVES THAT GATT IS SUBSCRIBED TO BY OVER 90 GOVERNMENTS ACCOUNTING TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN FOUR-FIFTHS OF WORLD TRADE,” HE SAID.
’’WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRUNCH, THE VAST MAJORITY DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE GATT FAIL.”
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1991 CENSUS PRE-TEST THIS WEEK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A PRE-TEST THIS WEEK TO TEST THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF A CENSUS OPERATION FOR PLANNING THE CENSUS IN MARCH 1991.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT A POPULATION CENSUS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN MARCH 1991 TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE BENCHMARK INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
SUCH INFORMATION IS VITAL FOR GOVERNMENT PLANNING, PARTICULARLY IN SUCH AREAS AS HOUSING, EDUCATION, TRANSPORT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR BUSINESS AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
/THE PREdTEST........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 19 -
THE PRE-TEST WILL COVER A SAMPLE OF 12,000 HOUSEHOLDS. EACH PERSON IN THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION, SUCH AS AGE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIP TO HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD.
IN ADDITION, ONE-SEVENTH OF THESE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR DETAILED ENUMERATION ON QUESTIONS CONCERNING HOUSEHOLD, SUCH AS HOUSING AND RENT, AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING EACH MEMBER, SUCH AS MARITAL STATUS, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, PLACE OF BIRTH AND NATIONALITY, DURATION OF RESIDENCE, LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS AND INCOME.
"ENUMERATORS, WHO WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WITH AN ENUMERATOR IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 24 AND MARCH 5," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE PRE-TEST IS TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF USING SELF-ENUMERATION IN COLLECTING BASIC INFORMATION. QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE SENT TO SOME SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS BEFORE THE PRE-TEST TO LET THEM FILL IN THE FORMS THEMSELVES. THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE COLLECTED BY THE ENUMERATORS.
HOUSEHOLDS ARE ADVISED TO ASK THE ENUMERATORS TO PRODUCE THEIR ENUMERATOR IDENTITY CARD FOR INSPECTION BEFORE ADMITTING THEM INTO THEIR HOME.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED ALL SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO CO-OPERATE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PRE-TEST BY PROVIDING FULL AND ACCURATE INFORMATION.
HE ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT THE INFORMATION THEY SUPPLY WILL BE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
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MEDICAL STAFF HONOURED WITH LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES
*****
A TOTAL OF 127 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENTED WITH MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATES THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT.
THEY INCLUDED DOCTORS, NURSES, PARAMEDICAL STAFF, WORKERS, WARD ATTENDANTS AND ELECTRICAL TECHNICIANS.
UNDER THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATE SCHEME, STAFF WITH SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE WITHIN THE PAST 30 YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD.
/SINCE THE........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 198?
- 20 -
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME IN 1986, A TOTAL OF 614 STAFF HAD RECEIVED THE AWARD.
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE, AND OTHER DIRECTORATE STAFF TODAY PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATES AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL ASSEMBLY HALL.
IN HIS SPEECH, DR LEE PRAISED THE RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE AND HARD WORK IN THE PAST 30 YEARS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD CONTINUED TO EXPAND IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, HE SAID.
DURING THIS PERIOD, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BEDS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS HAD INCREASED FROM 9,300 IN 1978 TO 12,700 IN 1988, WHILE THE ESTABLISHMENT HAD ALSO INCREASED FROM 15,945 STAFF MEMBERS TO 27,216.
"PEOPLE HERE ARE, TN GENERAL, ENJOYING GOOD HEALTH WHICH IS COMPARABLE TO WORLD STANDARDS AS REFLECTED BY THE HEALTH INDEX OF THE COMMUNTIY," DR LEE SAID.
DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE CRUDE DEATH RATE HAD DROPPED FROM 4.9 TO 4.8 PER THOUSAND POPULATION AND THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE HAD COME DOWN FROM 11.8 TO 7.6 PER THOUSAND LIVE BIRTHS.
AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IS NOW 74.2 FOR MALES AND 79.7 FOR. FEMALES.
"TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE STANDARD IN MEDICAL SERVICE AND TO ENSURE BETTER USE OF OUR MANPOWER AND RESOURCES, THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE RE-ORGANISED BEGINNING APRIL 1." DR LEE SAID.
TWO NEW DEPARTMENTS - THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT - WILL BE SET UP AS A RESULT.
THE DIRECTOR FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT THE RE-ORGANISATION WILL FURTHER IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFICACY OF THE EXISTING SERVICE.
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/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22,
1989
21
NEW CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE ON AP LEI CHAU *****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON YOUNG PEOPLE ON AP LEI CHAU IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE YOUTH FACILITIES THERE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LEI TUNG CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MRS WONG ALSO SUGGESTED PARENTS TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUTH CENTRES SO THAT WORKERS THERE COULD PLAN SERVICES TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT YOUTH FACILITIES, SUCH AS CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, PROVIDED ANOTHER PLACE OF LEARNING OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL AND THE FAMILY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 24.
"THE ACTIVITIES AT THESE CENTRES HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS, BUILD UP THEIR PERSONAL INTEGRITY, GROOM THEIR LEADERSHIP AND PROMOTE THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
"WORKERS AT THESE CENTRES SHOULD PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS BY THEMSELVES IN A BID TO GROOM YOUNG LEADERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEI TUNG CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE HAS INCREASED TO OVER 1,700 SINCE IT STARTED OPERATION IN MAY LAST YEAR.
APART FROM THIS CENTRE, THERE ARE TWO OTHER CHILDREN'S CENTRES AND THREE YOUTH CENTRES SERVING THE 65,000 POPULATION ON AP LEI CHAU.
MRS WONG ALSO COMMENDED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
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HSU TAKES OVER AS NEW REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NT *****
MR ADOLF HSU WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR MICHAEL SUEN AS THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MR HSU, AGED 50, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1958 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE GRADE IN 1968.
HE HAS HELD VARIOUS POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, ADMINISTRATION BRANCH, AND THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
/More recently .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
22 -
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED AS DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN), CNTA (1983-84); DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION (1985-87); AND COMMISSIONER, SURVEY OFFICE (1987). HE BECAME DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE IN DECEMBER 1987.
MR HSU WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REMAIN AN IMPORTANT LINK ♦ * * * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR LEO KWAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO KEEP UP THEIR IMPORTANT WORK IN PROMOTING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LIVESTOCK BREEDERS.
HE ALSO HOPED MEMBERS WOULD CONTINUE TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS AND ON THE REVIEW OF RELATED REGULATIONS SO THAT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME COULD ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE IN CONTRIBUTING TO A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
SPEAKING AT A SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR KWAN POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE FORMATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, THE COMMITTEE AND ITS SUB-GROUPS HAD HELD 27 MEETINGS AND CONDUCTED MORE THAN 10 VISITS.
"THERE WERE THREE VISITS TO GOVERNMENT FARMS IN TA KU LING, THREE VISITS TO PRIVATE FARMS RECOMMENDED FOR TAKING UP THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND FOUR VISITS TO THE SELECTED FARMS TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS," HE NOTED.
MR KWAN WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAD ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE IN PUTTING FORWARD THEIR VIEWS, AND AS A RESULT, A NUMBER OF ISSUES HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED.
HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER YEAR OF USEFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
THE GUESTS ATTENDING TODAY’S SPRING RECEPTION INCLUDED THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES (DESIGNATE), MR ADOLF HSU, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS LIVESTOCK BREEDING ORGANISATIONS.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 23 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC
* » » * »
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ISSUES RELATING TO THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, THE REV FUNG CHI-WOOD, WILL ASK THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE BUS LANE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND THAT ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, AND TO EXTEND THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE BUS LANES TO 10 AM.
MEMBERS WILL BE INVITED TO COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE OPERATING PERIOD OF THE BUS LANE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL CORRIDOR TO COVER THE HOURS BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM.
THEY WILL ALSO COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR WONG HONG-CHUNG AND MR LAU KONG-WAH FOR THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TIDAL FLOW SCHEME AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
ON THE PROVISION OF RAIL SERVICES, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR WONG FUK-WAH WILL ASK WHY THE TRAIN SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IS MUCH MORE FREQUENT THAN THAT PROVIDED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, WHICH NECESSARILY ENTAILS LONGER WAITING TIME ON THE PART OF PASSENGERS WHEN USING THE LATTER’S SERVICE.
ANOTHER MEMBER, MR LI PO-MING, WILL WANT TO KNOW THE PROGRESS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PLAN ON THE PROVISION OF OVERNIGHT OFF-DISTRICT TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR MA ON SHAN.
MR CHOY KAN-PUI WILL URGE THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO EXTEND THE BUS SERVICE BETWEEN NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG MARKET TO WEEKDAYS TO BENEFIT RESIDENTS OF THE TWO DISTRICTS.
OTHER TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT THE JUNCTION OF CHE KUNG MIU ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD; TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN CONNECTION WITH LEARNER DRIVERS’ ACTIVITIES IN SHA TIN; AND THE FORMATION OF A WORKING GROUP ON TAXI ISSUES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT THE DISTRICT BOARD’S CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24).
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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/2<t...........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 24 -
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
* * » * *
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG WHEN THEY MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO DISCUSS WITH MEMBERS ISSUES RELATING TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE SETTING UP OF A WORKING GROUP ON UNISESSIONAL SCHOOLING IN THE DISTRICT’S PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND THE PROCEDURES FOR VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS SUBMITTED BY NON-SPECIFIED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF ABOUT *15,000 FOR PRINTING ADDITIONAL COPIES OF A DIRECTORY OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE 1988-89 ELDERLY FESTIVAL IN THE DISTRICT, THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION DAY CAMP, AS WELL AS DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS AND REGISTRATION FOR THE FEE REDUCTION SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
DEVELOPMENT REPORT ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE TIN SHUI WAI/YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (1988 EDITION) AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PUBLICATION, PREPARED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, GIVES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS COMPLETED IN 1988-89, PROJECTS IN PROGRESS AND PROJECTS SCHEDULED TO START IN 1989-90 IN YUEN LONG NEW TOWN, TIN SHUI WAI AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE PROPOSED TIMETABLE OF DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS FOR 1989-90.
A DECISION WILL BE MADE ON WHETHER TO RE-APPOINT SERVING DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN OR TO ELECT NEW CHAIRMEN.
A MEMBER WILL RAISE A QUESTION CONCERNING MEASURES TO IMPROVE POSTAL SERVICE IN YUEN LONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ******
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, WILL TALK ABOUT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AT A MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE PROGRESS OF AN OPINION SURVEY ON MATTERS OF CONCERN IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
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/26
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 26 -
SURVEY ON YAU TSIM’S COMMUNITY NEEDS
******
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF $70,000 FOR CONDUCTING A SURVEY ON COMMUNITY NEEDS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SURVEY WILL INCLUDE DEMOGRAPHIC DATA OF RESIDENTS AND THEIR OPINION ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DISTRICT, SUCH AS THE ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE, SPORTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS BY VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
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CHILDREN VIE FOR SINGING HONOUR ON SATURDAY ♦ » ♦ * *
ABOUT 500 KWUN TONG CHILDREN WILL TAKE PART IN THE NINTH KWUN TONG CHILDREN SINGING CONTEST ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE CONTEST IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG CHILDREN CHORUS, WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN SINGING AND DISCOVERING SINGING TALENTS IN THE DISTRICT. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 13 WILL COMPETE IN THREE CATEGORIES SOLO, GROUP AND CHORUS.
THE CONTEST WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM AT THE SKH KEI LOK PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOK WAH ESTATE IN NGAU TAU KOK. ADMISSION IS FREE AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 27 -
GRAND FEAST FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN *****
ABOUT 1,800 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A. GRAND FEAST AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) TO CELEBRATE THE SPRING FESTIVAL.
THERE WILL BE A TALENT SHOW BY THE AGED AND SINGING PERFORMANCE DURING THE BANQUET, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S RESPECT FOR THE AGED ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A LAI-SEE PACKET WHILE THE OLDEST MAN AND WOMAN WILL EACH RECEIVE A GOLD MEDAL AS SOUVENIR.
OFFICIATING AT THE BANQUET WILL BE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAU WONG-FAT; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR STEPHEN LAM; THE REV HAU PO-WOON OF CHING CHUNG KOON MONASTERY; AND MANAGER OF YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE, MR AU PING-HUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BANQUET FOR THE AGED TO BEGIN AT 6 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) AT THE TUEN MUN PALACE RESTAURANT, 126 TUEN MUN HEUNG 3ZE WUI ROAD.
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MEASURES TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY IN YUEN LONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY AT THE EASTERN JUNCTION OF KAM SHEUNG ROAD WITH KAM TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG, THE FOLLOWING RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENTS WILL BE BANNED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) :
* THE RIGHT-TURN FROM SHEUNG TSUEN CARPARK TO KAM TIN ROAD WESTBOUND; AND
* THE RIGHT-TURN FROM KAM TIN ROAD EASTBOUND TO KAM SHEUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE ADVISED TO U-TURN AT SHEUNG TSUEN ROUNDABOUT WHICH IS ABOUT 130 METRES EAST OF THE KAM TIN ROAD/KAM SHEUNG ROAD JUNCTION.
/AT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
28 -
,x
AT THE SAME TIME, YUEN LONG-BOUND KMB ROUTE 54 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA SHEUNG TSUEN ROUNDABOUT.
IN ADDITION, THE SPEED LIMIT ON KAM TIN ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 220 METRES WEST OF ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH KAM SHEUNG ROAD And A POINT ABOUT 740 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE REDUCED FORM 70 TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL, SHEUNG WAN
******
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24), SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND SHEUNG WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN GILMAN STREET AND WING WO STREET.
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING WO STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
* THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND MORRISON STREET.
IN ADDITION, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HILLIER BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BECOME 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.
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/29........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989
- 29 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG, WONG CHUK HANG
*******
TWO SECTIONS OF HIP WO STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR ROADWORKS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MUT WAH STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
IN ADDITION, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HIP WO STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 36 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME 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, IN WONG CHUK HANG, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS ALONG THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF NAM LONG SHAN ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HEUNG YIP ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 92 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN, YUEN LONG *******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THREE WONG TAI SIN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 (FEBRUARY 25) FOR HOLDING THE "NINE DRAGON RACE".
ROAD SECTIONS IN
PM ON SATURDAY
THE CLOSED SECTIONS WILL BE SHA TIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND FEI NGO SHAN ROAD; JAT’S INCLINE BETWEEN FEI NGO SHAN ROAD AND NGAU CHI WAN STREET; AND FEI NGO SHAN ROAD BETWEEN AN UNNAMED PASS AND SHA TIN PASS ROAD.
, T„llm MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY (SATURDAY), ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN YUEN LONG:
* TONG YAN SAN TSUEN ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 220 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN); AND
* PING HONG LANE.
O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2J, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHANGES TO LANDS AND WOiiKfa BRANCH ANNOUNCED.................. 1
FS SATISFIED WITH OUTCOME OF FUTURES EXCHANGE EGM ............. 2
HONG KONG/UNITED KINGDOM ,.IR SERVICES ........................ 3
FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR BOOMING........... J
DOCTOR FINED iJ25O,217 FOR MAKING INCORRECT TAX RETURN ........ 4
ENHANCED TAXI DRIVING LICENCE 'WRITTEN TEST TO BE INTRODUCED 5
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PRAISED FOR REPLACING OLD BRIDGE......... 6
variety show to begin second phase mobile anti-drug EXHIBITION .................................................... 7
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT KW,.I TSING STARTS TOMORROW ... 8
SEMINAR on curriculum development ............................. 9
ShI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS .................. 9
WORKS PROJECTS PROGRESS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............... 10
SURVEY PLANNED ON CIVIC CENTRE FOR KWUN TONG ................. 11
DFCC MEMBERS VISIT CORRECTION.lL INSTITUTIONS ................ 11
GOOD CITIZEN aWARDS FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS .................... 12
WONG TAI SIN DB SPRING RECEPTION ON SUNDAY ................... 12
EMPLOYMENT EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW ......................... 1?
partial closure of tuen mun road.............................. 13
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES OF SEA TIN ROAD ...................... 14
Earlier implementation of crater road pedestrian precinct .. 14
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
1
CHANGES TO LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH ANNOUNCED
TWO POLICY BRANCHES AND TWO DEPARTMENTS WILL BE CREATED AS A RESULT OF AN INTERNAL GOVERNMENT STUDY TO CONSIDER THE REGROUPING OF THE FUNCTIONS AT PRESENT CARRIED OUT BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS.
SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES WILL TAKE PLACE IN STAGES FROM JULY ONWARDS.
ANNOUNCING THE MAIN CHANGES TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THAT A PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH AND A WORKS BRANCH WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.
"AS POINTED OUT BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION, KEY POLICY AREAS IN OUR EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT REQUIRE A HIGH DEGREE OF CO-ORDINATION AT THE SECRETARY LEVEL.
"THE CREATION OF A PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH WILL ENSURE THAT DUE ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE PLANNING SYSTEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, THIS BRANCH WILL ENSURE THAT LAND RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THAT LAND POLICIES ARE FORMULATED TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL USE OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES.
"THE CREATION OF A WORKS BRANCH WILL ENSURE THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO WORKS STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES ARE GIVEN THE FULL ATTENTION OF AN OFFICER AT THE SECRETARY LEVEL," HE ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO FACILITATE CLOSE LIAISON AND CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO SECRETARIES AND BETWEEN THEIR STAFF AT ALL LEVELS.
ON RE-ORGANISATION AT THE DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AS ALREADY ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST OCTOBER, AND A PLANNING DEPARTMENT WOULD BE CREATED.
"THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SEWERS, DRAINS AND SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES. IT WILL ALSO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE INPUT INTO THESE SYSTEMS.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BRING TOGETHER FUNCTIONS AT PRESENT CARRIED OUT BY A NUMBER OF EXISTING DEPARTMENTS, ALLOWING FOR BETTER CO-ORDINATION," HE SAID.
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AT ALL LEVELS INCLUDING STRATEGIC, SUB-REGIONAL AND DISTRICT PLANNING. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A CENTRAL SECRETARIAT FOR THE TOWN PLANNING AUTHORITIES.
/THE TIMING .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
- 2 -
THE TIMING OF THE ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES, SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WILL BE:
♦ ESTABLISHMENT OF DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT - JULY 1989
* ESTABLISHMENT OF PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH AND WORKS BRANCH - SEPTEMBER 1989
* ESTABLISHMENT OF PLANNING DEPARTMENT - JANUARY 1990
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FS SATISFIED WITH OUTCOME OF FUTURES EXCHANGE EGM ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE AT WHICH A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE ATTENDING SHAREHOLDERS VOTED BY A SHOW OF HANDS IN SUPPORT OF THREE OUT OF THE FOUR RESOLUTIONS PUT FORTH BY THE BOARD.
THE THREE ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS DEAL WITH THE RESTRUCTURED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
THE FOURTH ONE, WHICH WAS SUPPORTED ON A POLL BY MORE THAN 74 PER CENT OF SHAREHOLDERS, BUT FAILED TO GET THE REQUIRED 75 PER CENT VOTES, CONCERNS THE EXCHANGE'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AMONG WHICH IS THE PROPOSED DISENFRANCHISMENT OF NON-MEMBER SHAREHOLDERS 18 MONTHS AFTER ITS ADOPTION; THESE NON-MEMBER SHAREHOLDERS WERE ENTITLED TO VOTE AT TODAY’S MEETING.
’’THOUGH A RESOLUTION NARROWLY FAILED TO BE PASSED ON THE RECONSTITUTION PACKAGE PROPOSED AT THE FUTURES EXCHANGE’S EXTRA-ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, THE RESULT OF 74.38 PER CENT SUPPORT FROM THE VOTING SHAREHOLDERS IS VERY ENCOURAGING.
"IT IS A POSITIVE INDICATION OF THE GENERAL INTEREST IN THE FUTURES MARKET," MR JACOBS SAID.
"FOR ITS PART, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THE EXCHANGE TO ACHIEVE A FULL RECONSTITUTION.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, I SHALL MOVE A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY TO ALLOW THE EXCHANGE TO POSTPONE HOLDING ITS THIRD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BY A FURTHER THREE MONTHS TO JULY 1, 1989," HE ADDED.
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/3........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
5
HONG KONG/UNITED KINGDOM AIR SERVICES *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN HAS CONFIRMED RECENT Al TALKS HELD IN LONDON FROM FEBRUARY 14 TO REACHED ON REVISED ARRANGEMENTS FOR AIR SERVICES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
PRESS REPORTS 18, AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG
THAT WAS KONG
"UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, KONG AIRLINES MAY OPERATE UP TO 21 WEEK, AND UK AIRLINES MAY MOUNT THE
FROM THE END OF NEXT MONTH HONG PASSENGER AND CARGO SERVICES A SAME NUMBER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD THEREFORE MEAN THAT ADEQUATE CAPACITY AVAILABLE TO MEET PUBLIC DEMAND."
THERE
WILL BE
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FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR BOOMING
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, IS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG IS BOOMING AS MANY INVESTORS HAVE ASSESSED THE SITUATION HERE AND BACKED THEIR JUDGEMENT WITH THEIR MONEY BY SETTING UP FACTORIES HERE.
DELIVERING THE WELCOME ADDRESS AT A SEMINAR TODAY (THURSDAY) TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, MR MACLEOD SAID INVESTORS’CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WAS DEMONSTRATED UNEQUIVOCALLY BY ABOUT US$2,708 MILLION WORTH OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS AT THE END OF 1987.
QUOTING FINDINGS OF A YEARLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AMONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES WHICH CONTAINED FOREIGN INVESTMENT, MR MACLEOD SAID FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG WAS ON INCREASING TREND.
HE TOLD PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEMINAR ON "INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG” THAT BEFORE 1970, ONLY 89 OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS WERE RECORDED.
"FROM 1970 TO 1979, THERE WERE ON AVERAGE 21 INVESTMENTS EACH YEAR AND FROM 1980 TO 1984 THE AVERAGE ANNUAL NUMBER OF NEW INVESTMENTS ROSE TO 37. •
"BY MID 1980’S, THE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE HAD REACHED 49 AND IN 1987 THERE WERE 83 NEW INVESTMENTS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER EVER RECORDED IN A SINGLE YEAR," MR MACLEOD SAID.
/AT THE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2}, 198?
4
AT THE END OF 1987, ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SURVEY, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 593 COMPANIES WITH OVERSEAS INVESTMENT INTEREST IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING A 9.6 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1986.
OF THESE 593 COMPANIES, MR MACLEOD ADDED, NEARLY HALF WERE JOINT-VENTURES WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, AN ARRANGEMENT WHICH PROVIDED PARTICULARLY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MERGING OF THE RESPECTIVE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES.
TALKING ABOUT THE ATTRACTIONS OF HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD SAID MANY INVESTORS WHO HAD COME HERE HAD PRAISED OUR INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE.
’’THIS FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT IS SUPPORTED BY A GOVERNMENT WHICH ADOPTS A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO ENSURE A STABLE FRAMEWORK, BOTH LEGAL AND PHYSICAL, WITHIN WHICH PRIVATE ENTERPRISES CAN OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND SUCCESSFULLY.
"INTERVENTION IS KEPT TO THE MINIMUM AND IS UNDERTAKEN ONLY IF IT IS CLEARLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE ECONOMY," HE STRESSED.
TODAY'S SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
AMONG THE SPEAKERS WERE THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, WHO PRESENTED A SLIDE SHOW ON HOW HONG KONG CAN WORK FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
OTHER SPEAKERS WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA INVESTMENTS LIMITED, DR VICTOR FUNG, WHOSE SPEECH DESCRIBED THE UPGRADING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA; AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF INTERPAC CONTAINERS LIMITED, MR HOGAN LOH, WHO SHARED HIS EXPERIENCE AS AN INVESTOR IN HONG KONG WITH PARTICIPANTS.
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DOCTOR FINED $250,217 FOR MAKING INCORRECT TAX RETURN ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED TAXPAYERS THAT THEY MUST FILE CORRECT TAX RETURNS.
THIS FOLLOWS THE PROSECUTION OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR MAKING AN INCORRECT RETURN WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE CONTRARY TO SECTION 80(2)(A) OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
THE PRACTITIONER, DR WONG TUNG-KIN, PLEADED GUILTY TO THE CHARGE BEFORE JUDGE FUNG.
HE WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $250,217. THE MAXIMUM THAT COULD BE IMPOSED UNDER THE SECTION.
/THE COURT .......
THURSDAYt FEBRUARY 1989
- 5 -
THE COURT WAS TOLD THE DR WONG HAD PRACTISED SINCE MAY 1982 AT 01 YUNG HOUSE, YAU 01 ESTATE, TUEN MUN.
IN 1984 - 1985, THE DEFENDANT KEPT A RECORD OF THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEN EACH DAY AND DAILY INCOME. AN ACCOUNTING FIRM PREPARED THE DEFENDANT’S ANNUAL PROFITS TAX RETURN REQUIRED UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
THE DEFENDANT DID NOT GIVE HIS RECORDS TO HIS ACCOUNTANT FOR THE PREPARATION OF HIS PROFITS TAX RETURN. INSTEAD, HE GAVE HIS ACCOUNTANT A WRITTEN SCHEDULE OF THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS AND BUSINESS INCOME.
THE ACCOUNTANT PREPARED THE ACCOUNTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE PROFITS TAX RETURN, USING THE SCHEDULE. THE ACCOUNTS AND PROFITS TAX RETURN WERE SIGNED BY THE DEFENDANT AND SUBMITTED TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
THE ACCOUNTS FILED WITH THE PROFITS TAX RETURN FOR FINAL ASSESSMENT 1984-85 SHOWED THAT THE DEFENDANT HAD A TOTAL OF 25,965 PATIENTS AND A TOTAL INCOME OF $936,321.
HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDS KEPT BY THE DEFENDANT FOR THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WAS 38,969 AND THE TOTAL INCOME WAS $1,417,141.
THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF INCOME WAS $480,820 OR 33.92 PER CENT. THE TAX UNDERCHARGED WAS $81,739.
A SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, MR MICHAEL BLANCHFLOWER, REPRESENTED THE CROWN AND MR JOHN SWAINE, QC, APPEARED FOR THE DEFENDANT.
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ENHANCED TAXI DRIVING LICENCE WRITTEN TEST TO BE INTRODUCED
THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS IN THE TAXI DRIVING LICENCE WRITTEN TEST WILL BE INCREASED AS A MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE COMPETENCE OF TAXI DRIVERS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
NEW APPLICANTS WHO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR THE WRITTEN TEST ON OR AFTER MARCH 1 WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE ENHANCED TEST.
THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE QUESTIONS IN THE TAXI WRITTEN TEST FOLLOWS A RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW THAT THE CRITERIA FOR ISSUING TAXI DRIVING LICENCES SHOULD BE EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE COMPETENCE OF TAXI DRIVERS.
/APPLICANTS TAKING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 198?
6
APPLICANTS TAKING THE NEW TEST WILL HAVE TO ANSWER MORE QUESTIONS ON GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS AND TAXI REGULATIONS.
’’THIS MEANS THAT PROSPECTIVE TAXI DRIVERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW ON THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES; REGULATIONS GOVERNING THEIR CONDUCT; AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION LIVE AND WORK," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE CURRENT TAXI WRITTEN TEST COMPRISES THREE PARTS: PART A COVERING THE ROAD USER’S CODE; PART B, THE REGULATIONS REGARDING TAXIS ; AND PART C, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.
THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS IN PART B WILL BE INCREASED FROM SIX TO 10 AND IN PART C FROM 16 TO 32. PART A WILL HAVE 100 QUESTIONS AS AT PRESENT. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF QUESTIONS WILL THUS BE INCREASED FROM 122 TO 142, AND THE TEST TIME WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 60 TO 70 MINUTES.
THE EXISTING MARKING SCHEME WILL BE MAINTAINED; MORE THAN FIVE MISTAKES IN PART A, MORE THAN ONE MISTAKE IN PART B, OR MORE THAN THREE MISTAKES IN PART C WILL CONSTITUTE A FAILURE. FAILURE IN ANY ONE PART WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE TEST.
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HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PRAISED FOR REPLACING OLD BRIDGE ♦ » ♦ * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH DISTRICT MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION TODAY (THURSDAY) COMMENDED THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT FOR HAVING REPLACED AN OLD BRIDGE IN FANLING KWAN TEI NORTH VILLAGE IN NO MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS.
AS A GESTURE OF APPRECIATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR CHAN GIN-HUNG, PRESENTED A SOUVENIR PLAQUE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR JIM KESSLER.
THE OLD BRIDGE, BUILT 30 YEARS AGO, WAS THE ONLY VEHICULAR LINK BETWEEN THE VILLAGE AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD ACROSS RIVER INDUS.
HEAVY VEHICLES WERE BANNED FROM USING IT LAST FEBRUARY BECAUSE OF ITS POOR CONDITION.
THE NEW BRIDGE WAS PLANNED, DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE STRUCTURES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
BY USING STEEL IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE, THE DIVISION MANAGED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT WITHIN FIVE MONTHS. IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN AT LEAST 10 MORE MONTHS IF A CONVENTIONAL CONCRETE STRUCTURE HAD BEEN ADOPTED.
THE NEW BRIDGE WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC LAST MONTH.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
- 7 -
VARIETY SHOW TO BEGIN SECOND PHASE MOBILE ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION
*****
A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE SHOPPING CENTRE IN TUEN MUN ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) TO PUBLICISE THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE.
THE EVENT, TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES DIVISION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL ALSO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND PHASE OF A FIVE-MONTH LONG ANTI-DRUG MOBILE EXHIBITION, WHICH STARTED DECEMBER LAST YEAR, AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S 20 SHOPPING CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
POPULAR SINGERS AND ARTISTES, INCLUDING MR YIP CHUN-TONG AND MISS FONG LAI-YING, WILL PERFORM AT THE SHOW ON SATURDAY. WHILE AN ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITIION WILL BE STAGED IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE ESTATE’S SHOPPING CENTRE.
THE SERIES OF ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITIONS, TO BE HELD ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS, IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND TO KEEP RESIDENTS BETTER INFORMED ON HONG KONG’S ANTI-DRUG WORK.
COMPRISING PANEL DISPLAYS AND VIDEO SHOWS, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED AT THE SHOPPING CENTRES OF THE FOLLOWING ESTATES DURING THE SECOND PHASE:
♦ BUTTERFLY ESTATE, TUEN MUN (FEBRUARY 25 AND 26);
t LONG PING ESTATE, YUEN LONG (MARCH 4 AND 5).;
♦ SAM SHING ESTATE, TUEN MUN (MARCH 11 AND 12);
* CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI (MARCH 18 AND 19);
* FU SHIN ESTATE, TAI PO (MARCH 25 AND 26);
♦ WO CHE ESTATE, SHA TIN (APRIL 1 AND 2);
♦ SHA KOK ESTATE, SHA TIN (APRIL 8 AND 9);
♦ HENG ON ESTATE, SHA TIN (APRIL 15 AND 16);
♦ HING KENG ESTATE, SHA TIN (APRIL 22 AND 23);
♦ WAH FU ESTATE, ABERDEEN (APRIL 29 AND 301 ;
♦ WAN TSUI ESTATE, CHAI WAN (MAY 6 AND 7); AND
t LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU (MAY 13 AND 14) .
/THE EXHIBITION .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
- 8 -
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM.
ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY ITEMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY NARCOTICS DIVISION STAFF ON THE SPOT.
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CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT KWAI TSING STARTS TOMORROW
*****
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE HA KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
TAKING PART IN THE EXHIBITION ARE NINE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED SURVEYS ON VARIOUS CIVIC EDUCATION TOPICS, INCLUDING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SECONDARY SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND THE EFFECTS OF NEW HOUSING ESTATES DEVELOPMENT ON NEARBY SCHOOLS.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEYS AND THEIR FINDINGS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW BY KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI; SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR LEE SHEW-LAI; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE EXHIBITION, MR YAU HON-KEE.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM 26 PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHO HAVE TAKEN PART IN AN OUTSTANDING YOUTH PASSPORT AWARD SCHEME WILL RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATES FOR OUTSTANDING YOUTHS.
THE CERTIFICATE IS A FORM OF COMMENDATION TO ABOUT 1,500 STUDENTS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BOTH AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL BASED ON THE ASSESSMENT BY THEIR PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
OVER 3,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT TOOK PART IN THE AWARD SCHEME, WHICH STARTED IN MID-NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE HA KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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/9........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23,
1989
- 9 -SEMINAR ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT * * * » »
ABOUT 100 TEACHERS FROM 40 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KWUN TONG WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE SEMINAR, ENTITLED "FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY - A LOOK AT THE CONVERGENCE PROBLEM", IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG SCHOOLS LIAISON COMMITTEE.
IT AIMS AT PROVIDING THE TEACHERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE WAYS TO DOVETAIL THE CURRICULUM OF PRIMARY SIX WITH THAT OF FORM ONE AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON COUNSELLING SERVICES TO PREPARE PRIMARY SIX PUPILS FOR A BETTER ADAPTATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE C.C.C. MONG MAN WAI COLLEGE. IT WILL BEGIN WITH AN ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR (CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR HO CHI-LEUNG.
THERE WILL BE GROUP DISCUSSION ON TOPICS SUCH AS CURRICULUM PLANNING FOR BETTER TRANSITION FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY, ORIENTATION AND COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR PRIMARY SIX GRADUATES, AND CONVERGENCE OF THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION SYSTEM.
ALSO ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE DISTRICT’S SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR TSE TAK-ON; ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VINCENT LIU; AND HEADS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR, BEGINNING AT 9 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) AT THE C.C.C. MONG MAN WAI COLLEGE, 20 HIU MING STREET, KWUN TONG.
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SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS
******
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) TO DISCUSS THIS YEAR’S ARRANGEMENTS FOR STAGING A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE TO CELEBRATE THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
THEY WILL GIVE THEIR OPINIONS ON THE SITE PROPOSED BY THE ORGANISER OF THE FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS, THE SAI KUNG KAI FONG ASSOCIATION.
/IF A
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 198?
10
IF A MATSHED IS TO BE MOUNTED AT THE PROPOSED SITE FOR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING WOULD BE NECESSARY, THUS CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
THE PROJECT MANAGER/NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR CHOW CHI-KING, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE JUNK BAY AND SAI KUNG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, 1988 EDITION.
ALSO, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, MR LYALL ALEXANDER-WEBBER, WILL CONSULT MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE OF AN AREA OF PRIVATE LAND IN PAK SHIN KOK, HANG HAU.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN APPLICATION FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT NEWSPAPER, AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S REGIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MR WAN YUET-KAU, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A NEW SECTION ADDED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS ON THE ELECTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25 I 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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WORKS PROJECTS PROGRESS ON * * * »
DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORTS ON VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE REPORTS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHWAYS, ENGINEERING, BUILDING, PUBLIC HOUSING AND URBAN COUNCIL PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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11 .........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
11
SURVEY PLANNED ON CIVIC CENTRE FOR KWUN TONG
******
THE QUESTION OF BUILDING A CIVIC CENTRE IN KWUN TONG WILL BE RAISED WHEN THE DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE THE PROVISION OF $77,000 FOR CONDUCTING A SURVEY TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THERE IS A NEED FOR A CIVIC CENTRE, AND, IF SO, WHAT THE SEATING CAPACITY SHOULD BE AND WHAT FACILITIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE THE WORK PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR 1989-90 AND A REVIEW OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT DOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DFCC MEMBERS VISIT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
TWELVE MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SO KAM-SHING, VISITED TWO CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS ON LANTAU ISLAND TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT WAS TO ENABLE THE MEMBERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE WORK OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE DAILY LIFE OF THE INMATES AT THE INSTITUTIONS.
THE PARTY FIRST WENT TO THE SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE. THEY LEARNT THAT ALL DETAINEES THERE WERE MALE OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 24.
THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON A PROGRAMME BEING CARRIED OUT AT THE CENTRE WHICH ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO STRICT DISCIPLINE, HARD WORK AND COUNSELLING. THE AIM IS TO TEACH THE INMATES TO RESPECT THE LAW WHILE PROVIDING THEM WITH POSITIVE TRAINING.
IN THE AFTERNOON, THE MEMBERS VISITED THE SHEK PIK PRISON - A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON WHICH HOUSES THOSE SERVING MEDIUM TO LONG SENTENCES, INCLUDING LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
THE MEMBERS FOUND TODAY’S VISIT USEFUL AND SUGGESTED THAT SIMILAR VISITS SHOULD BE ARRANGED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
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/12........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
12 -
GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ♦ * ♦ * ♦
TWELVE EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE THE 1988 EASTERN DISTRICT GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS AT A CEREMONY AT VICTORIA PARK ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AFTERNOON.
THEY WERE CHOSEN TO RECEIVE THE AWARDS FOR COURAGEOUS ACTIONS IN HELPING THE POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME.
THE PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL.
PRIZES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFT AND ANTI-TRIAD POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION AND A CHINESE SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITION. THESE WERE ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
THE CARNIVAL FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL INCLUDE SINGING PERFORMANCES, BICYCLE RIDING AND POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATIONS, POLICE VEHICLE EXHIBITION AND STALL GAMES.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER. MR GARY YEUNG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR C.J. GLOVER; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; AND EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG SAU-CH1.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AFTER THE CEREMONY IS COMPLETED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1988-89 EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AT FOOTBALL PITCHES 1, 2, 3 VICTORIA PARK. THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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WONG TAI SIN DB SPRING RECEPTION ON SUNDAY *****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOST A SPRING RECEPTION ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) FOR ABOUT 900 GUESTS FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE RECEPTION TO BEGIN AT 3.30 PM AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
/MR LAU........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2J, 1989
- 13 -
MR LAU WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AWARDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO 14 LOCAL PERSONALITIES AND ORGANISATIONS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS IN THE DISTRICT
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S SPRING RECEPTION ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. THE RECEPTION WILL START AT 3.30 PM.
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EMPLOYMENT EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW
AN EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT SHUN LEE ESTATE, KWUN TONG, TO PROVIDE JOB-SEEKERS WITH FACILITIES TO APPLY FOR JOBS ON THE SPOT.
IT IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF FOUR SUCH EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND FLOOR PODIUM OF THE ESTATE'S COMMERCIAL COMPLEX FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM TOMORROW AND BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS UNTIL MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
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PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
TO FACILITATE ROAD
TUEN MUN ROAD AT
IN TURN BETWEEN 9 AM
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANES OF TAI LAM BRIDGE AND BROTHER BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
DURING THE WORKS PERIOD, AT REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND ONE FROM NOON TO 5 PM.
LEAST TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE MAINTAINED
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTEING VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0-----
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1989
- 14 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES OF SHA TIN ROAD ♦ » ♦ I ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, SECTIONS OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN SHA TIN WAI AND YUEN CHAU KOK WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY DAILY ON FEBRUARY 26, MARCH 1 AND 2.
MEANWHILE, THE FAST LANE OF THE SAME SECTION OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY DAILY ON FEBRUARY 27 AND 28.
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EARLIER IMPLEMENTATION OF CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT WILL BE ADVANCED FROM 7 AM TO 5 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE MOVE IS TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF A CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE VENUE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW BILL AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING GAZETTED................... 1
HK TO TAKE PART IN MEETING ON ASYLUM SEEKERS ................ 4
CIVIL SERVICE MEETS THE CHALLENGE: SCS ...................... 4
APPOINTMENTS TO URBAN COUNCIL ANNOUNCED ..................... 5
REGIONAL SECRETARY SPEAKS ON DISTRICT BOARDS ................ 6
MORE DAY NURSERIES TO MEET DEMAND............................ 8
MEETING TOMORROW TO DISCUSS OUTCOME OF FUTURES EXCHANGE EGM . 9
HK NOT TO PURSUE APPLICATION ................................ 9
PLANNING FOR FUTURE BEGINS AT CAREERS CENTRES ............... 10
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED ................ 11
NEW LIQUOR LICENCE FEES IN APRIL............................. 14
SEMINAR ON TEENAGERS’ PROBLEMS .............................. 15
TRADE TESTING /ND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR CRAFTSMEN INSTITUTED ................................................... 15
CYC HOLDING CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT ....................... 17
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE KWAI TSING INDUSTRY, COMMERCE ......... 19
PART-TIME LECTURERS FOR ADULT EDUCATION REQUIRED ............ 19
GAZETTE NOTICE ON RATEABLE VALUES ........................... 21
COLOURFUL SHOW AT CENTRAL PRECINCT .......................... 21
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT SHAU KEI WAN OZP ANNOUNCED............... 22
RESIDENTS REMINDED TO GET TRAVEL DOCUMENTS................... 24
FULL-TIME COURSE FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS ..................... 25
EXTENDED A & E SERVICE FOR CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE............ 25
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS INVALID AS FROM FEBRUARY 27 ............... 26
RECLAMATION, TEMPORARY PIER PROPOSED ........................ 26
HIGHLIGHT TOUR FOR TUEN MJN COMMUNITY LEADERS ............... 27
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION AT KOWLOON BAY THA................ 28
FIRING PRACTICE IN MARCH..................................... 29
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY, TUEN MUN .... 30
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN......................... 31
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 24. 1989
NEW BILL AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING GAZETTED ♦ ♦ * I
A BILL AIMED AT CONFISCATING THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND COUNTERING DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING IN HONG KONG WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
MODELLED ON THE UNITED KINGDOM’S DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES ACT 1986. THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) BILL 1989 IS ONE OF THE FIRST PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
UNDER THE BILL. WHEN A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCE IN THE HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT, THE COURT WILL, BEFORE SENTENCING AND ON APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. FIRST DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFENDANT HAS BENEFITTED FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING.
IF SO, THEN THE COURT WILL ASSESS THE VALUE OF HIS PROCEEDS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MAKE A CONFISCATION ORDER AGAINST THEM.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER THE DEFENDANT HAS BENEFITTED FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING AND OF ASSESSING THE VALUE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREOF, THE COURT MAY ASSUME THAT THE WHOLE OF HIS PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF HIS CONVICTION, TOGETHER WITH ANY PROPERTY WHICH HE HAD HELD AT ANY TIME DURING THE PRECEDING SIX YEARS, REPRESENTS HIS PROCEEDS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING.
HOWEVER, THE COURT IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS ASSUMPTION AND NEED NOT EXAMINE ALL THE DEFENDANT’S FINANCIAL DEALINGS IN DEPTH IF, FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS SATISFIED THAT HIS DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES WERE CONFINED TO CERTAIN SPECIFIC TRANSACTIONS.
THE AMOUNT OF A CONFISCATION ORDER WILL BE THE FULL AMOUNT OF
THE DEFENDANT’S PROCEEDS AS DETERMINED BY THE COURT.
NEVERTHELESS, IF THE COURT FINDS THE YMOUNT THAT CAN BE RECOVERED THROUGH REALISATION OF PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO IT IS LESS THAN THE DETERMINED VALUE OF THE DEFENDANT'S PROCEEDS. IT WILL ONLY ORDER CONFISCATION OF THE REALISABLE AMOUNT.
AFTER A CONFISCATION ORDER HAS BEEN MADE, IF THE COURT IS SATISFIED, ON APPLICATION BY Till- DEFENDANT. THAT THE REALISABLE PROPERTY IS INADEQUATE TO SATISFY THE CONFISCATION ORDER IN FULL. IT MAY REDUCE THE AMOUNT TO BE RECOVERED BY VARYING THE CONFISCATION ORDER.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE CONFISCATION ORDER WILL BE SATISFIED IN FULL. THE COURT NAY APPOINT A RECEIVER TO REALISE ANY OF THE DEFENDANT’S ASSETS.
ADDITIONALLY, ASSETS HELD Bl RECIPIENTS OF GIFTS TRANSFERRED TO THEM BY THE DEFENDANT IN THE PREVIOUS SIX YEARS WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO REALISATION, ALTHOUGH THE AMOUNT TO BE REALISED MAY NOT EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE GIFTS.
/WHEN MAKING........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY.24, 1989
2
WHEN MAKING A CONFISCATION ORDER, THE COURT WILL. AT THE SAME TIME FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO 10 YEARS ACCORDING TO THE AMOUNT OF THE ORDER IN THE EVENT THAT THE ORDER IS NOT FULLY COMPLIED WITH. THIS WILL BE IN ADDITION TO ANY TERM OF IMPRISONMENT DETERMINED FOR THE DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCE.
TO PREVENT A SUSPECTED DRUG TRAFFICKER FROM DISPOSING OF
REALISABLE PROPERTY IN ORDER TO FRUSTRATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY CONFISCATION ORDER. THE COURT WILL BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE RESTRAINT AND CHARGING ORDERS IN RESPECT OF REALISABLE PROPERTY, EITHER AFTER PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED AGAINST A PERSON FOR A DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCE. OR WHEN SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE ABOUT TO BE
INSTITUTED.
THERE IS ALSO PROVISION IN THE BILL FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CONFISCATION ORDERS MADE OVERSEAS.
AS A MEASURE TO COUNTER DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 14 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS CONVICTED OF ASSISTING A DRUG TRAFFICKER TO RETAIN OR OTHERWISE BENEFIT FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS.
UNDER THIS PART OF THE BILL, PERSONS WILL BE OBLIGED TO REPORT TO THE POLICE OR CUSTOMS FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS WHICH THEY KNOW OR SUPSECT TO BE CONNECTED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING.
TO ENCOURAGE THOSE CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES, TO VOLUNTEER INFORMATION, THE BILL STIPULATES THAT SUCH DISCLOSURE WILL NOT BE TREATED AS BREACH OF CONTRACT OR PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR SEEKING DAMAGES FOR ANY LOSS THUS ARISING.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE IDENTITY OF PERSONS MAKING DISCLOSURE TO THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD NOT BE REVEALED.
WHERE THE HIGH COURT IS SATISFIED THAT AS A RESULT OF A SERIOUS DEFAULT IN THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF A SUSPECT WHO IS EVENTUALLY NOT CHARGED OR IS CHARGED BUT ACQUITTED, A PROPERTY HOLDER HAS SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL LOSS, THEN THE HIGH COURT MAY, ON APPLICATION BY THE PROPERTY HOLDER, ORDER COMPENSATION PAID TO THE APPLICANT.
ELABORATING ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. MR GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THAT THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION, THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION. THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACANI HAD BEEN CONSULTED THROUGHOUT THE DRAFTING STAGES OF THE BILL.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 19^9
- 3 -
HE SAID THAT FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND HIMSELF, THE TWO ASSOCIATIONS HAD DRAWN UP THEIR OWN GUIDELINES WHICH LAID DOWN A MODEL INTERNAL REPORTING MECHANISM FOR BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LEGISLATION, AND ALSO DESCRIBED CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUSPICION MIGHT BE GENERATED THAT A TRANSACTION WAS DRUG RELATED.
HE CONTINUED: "ONCE THE NEW LEGISLATION IS ENACTED, A REPORTING FACILITY, TO BE JOINTLY MANNED BY POLICE AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS, WILL BE SET UP TO RECEIVE REPORTS ABOUT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED DRUG-RELATED FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS."
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN, DR GERALD CHOA, SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, ENDORSED BY HIS COMMITTEE, WAS CLEARLY AN INDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO STRIKE AT THE ROOT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO CONFISCATE THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND TO COUNTER MONEY LAUNDERING.
"DRUG TRAFFICKING GENERATES HUGE PROFITS WHICH TRAFFICKERS NOT ONLY TO FURTHER THEIR DRUG TRADE AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, BUT ALSO TO INVEST IN LEGITIMATE EARN FURTHER PROFITS," HE SAID.
"THE ENORMOUS FINANCIAL RESOURCES THUS PLACED AT OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS HAVE GREATLY ENHANCED THEIR ABILITY LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THEM.
"THE NEED TO ATTACK THE ASSETS OF TRAFFICKERS PARAMOUNT," HE SAID.
ARE USED BY FINANCE OTHER BUSINESSES TO
THE DISPOSAL
TO COUNTERACT
IS THEREFORE
DR CHOA ADDED THAT SIMILAR LEGISLATION ALREADY OPERATED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, USA, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA AND THE PROVISION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY ASSIST THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH A SERIOUS CRIME WHICH HAD BECOME A WORLD-WIDE MENACE AND HELP MUTUAL CO-OPERATION IN THE GLOBAL STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUGS.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 8 FOR ITS FIRST READING AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BECOME LAW IN THE COMING TWO TO
THREE MONTHS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- U -
HK TO TAKE PART IN MEETING ON ASYLUM SEEKERS » « * * »
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION FROM THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) TO TAKE PART IN A MEETING TO BE HELD IN KUALA LUMPUR ON MARCH 7 TO 9 AS PART OF THE PROCESS LEADING TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINESE ASYLUM SEEKERS LATER THIS YEAR.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL COMPRISE THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, AND THE GOVERNMENT REFUGEE COORDINATOR, MR MIKE HANSON.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM ASEAN AND MAJOR RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES AND THE UNHCR.
-------o ---------
CIVIL SERVICE MEETS THE CHALLENGE: SCS * * * * *
DESPITE THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT AND RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS, THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS PROVED EQUAL TO THE CHALLENGE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS ADDRESSING A COCKTAIL RECEPTION WHICH HE HOSTED FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.
"THIS ABILITY ON THE PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TO ADAPT TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND INCREASINGLY HEAVY DEMANDS WHILE MAINTAINING ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY IS BOTH A TRIBUTE TO ITS RESILIENCE AND A REFLECTION OF ITS CONTINUED DETERMINATION TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE," HE SAID.
MR GREWAL POINTED OUT THAT THE PAST 12 MONTHS, WHICH HAD BEEN EVENTFUL FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, HAD SEEN A GOOD DEAL OF PROGRESS ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR PAY-RELATED ISSUES.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, SEVERAL THORNY ISSUES REMAINED WHICH REQUIRED FURTHER DISCUSSION AND DETAILED CONSIDERATION.
THE ADMINISTRATION'S AIM WOULD, AS ALWAYS, BE TO DEAL WITH THEM FAIRLY AND SENSIBLY IN CONSULTATION WITH STAFF, FOR SUCH MATTERS COULD BE RESOLVED SATISFACTORILY THROUGH DISCUSSION AS INDEED HAD BEEN THE CASE IN THE PAST, HE ADDED.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
HE NOTED THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE UNDERSTANDING, CO-OPERATION AND PARTICIPATION OF LEADERS OF STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.
AT HIE RECEPTION, MR GREWAL ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION TO FIVE WINNERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME.
HE PRAISED THEM FOR THEIR INITIATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVENESS IN PUTTING FORWARD TO THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME COMMITTEE PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY.
"THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED A KEEN SENSE OF OBSERVATION IN AREAS OF WORK WHICH FALL OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL SCOPE OF DUTIES, AND HAVE DEVOTED A GREAT DEAL OF THEIR OWN TIME TO DEVELOPING THEIR IDEAS,” HE SAID.
AMONG THE WINNERS, MR WONG TIN-WAI, A CERTIFICATED MASTER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WON A CASH AWARD OF $500 FOR HIS SUGGESTION ON USING MORE DURABLE AND PRESENTABLE PLASTIC-PLATE CLASS SIGNS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS. THIS HAD BEEN ADOPTED FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE OTHER OFFICERS AWARDED CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION WERE MR E.J. SPAIN, MR YIP CHUEN-FONG, MR LO SIU-CHUEN AND MR CHIANG TIN-POR. THEIR WINNING SUGGESTIONS RANGED FROM COMPUTERISATION OF LEAVE RECORDS TO IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEANING SERVICES AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
THE RECEPTION, HELD AT A HAPPY VALLEY CLUBHOUSE, WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 380 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS, SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND MEMBERS OF THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME COMMITTEE.
- - 0 - -
APPOINTMENTS TO URBAN COUNCIL ANNOUNCED » * * » »
THE GOVERNOR HAS REAPPOINTED THREE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND APPOINTED TWO NEW MEMBERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1989, TO MAY 31, 1991.
THE APPOINTMENTS WERE ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE THREE MEMBERS REAPPOINTED ARE MR GERRY FORSGATE, MR TONG KAM-BIU AND MR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI.
/THE NEW
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
6
THE NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED ARE MR JASON YUEN KING-YUK AND DR STAN CHEUNG TSANG-KAY.
IN COMMENTING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TWO OUTGOING MEMBERS -- MR WALTER SULKE AND MRS NELLIE FONG WONG KUT-MAN.
"DURING THEIR TERM OF SERVICE, THEIR EXPERIENCE AND VALUABLE SERVICE HAS BEEN DEEPLY APPRECIATED," HE SAID.
OF THE NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WOULD BE VERY VALUABLE TO THE COUNCIL.
MR YUEN IS AN ARCHITECT. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. HE IS A SPECIALIST ON THE RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, AND IS THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD WHICH HE HAS SERVED FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.
DR CHEUNG IS A DIRECTOR OF SEVERAL BUSINESS FIRMS. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND A MEMBER OF DEPARTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG.
- 0 -
REGIONAL SECRETARY SPEAKS ON DISTRICT BOARDS
*****
GIVING DISTRICT BOARDS CERTAIN SPECIFIC EXECUTIVE TASKS MIGHT PLACE THE BOARDS UNDER CONSTRAINT BECAUSE THEY WOULD THEN BE BOUND BY THE "ULTRA VIRES" PRINCIPLES, LIKE MOST LOCAL COUNCILS IN OTHER COUNTRIES, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
FURTHERMORE, GIVEN THE PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS AND SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG, IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE TO SET UP 19 AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT COUNCILS EACH HAVING EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OVER TRANSPORT, HYGIENE, EDUCATION, ETC, HE ADDED.
MR LAN WAS REFERRING TO CRITICISMS THAT THE LACK OF EXECUTIVE POWERS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS HAD CAUSED FRUSTRATION TO SOME MEMBERS, WHEN HE GAVE A TALK ON "MY PERCEPTION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD TODAY" AT A LIONS CLUB ZONE IV JOINT DINNER MEETING.
UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID, DISTRICT BOARDS OPERATED UNDER THE "INTRA VIRES" PRINCIPLE.
"THE BOARDS ARE NOT LEGALLY RESTRICTED TO DISCUSS THIS OR THAT TOPIC SO LONG AS THE TOPIC AFFECTS THE LIVELIHOOD OF RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
/DB'S, UNTRAMMELLED
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1989
"DB’S, UNTRAMMELLED BY LIMITS OF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, ARE FREE TO DISCUSS WHATEVER THEY FEEL IS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS," HE NOTED.
TO ILLUSTRATE SOME OF THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS, MR LAN SAID THAT DURING THE PAST YEAR THE 19 BOARDS ALTOGETHER CONSIDERED 812 DISCUSSION PAPERS ON SUCH DISTRICT ISSUES AS TRANSPORT, SOCIAL SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, INITIATED OR SPONSORED 3,669 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, AND CARRIED OUT NUMEROUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF OVER $10 MILLION.
IN FULFILLING THEIR CONSULTATIVE ROLE, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MET INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS UNDER THE "MEET-TH E-PU B LIC" SCH EME.
THE MEMBERS LISTENED TO THE RESIDENTS1 PROBLEMS AND ASPIRATIONS, AND REFLECTED THEM TO RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR NECESSARY ACTION WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING PEOPLE’S QUALITY OF LIFE.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT DB’S HAVE MADE THEIR PRESENCE FELT, AND THEIR ACTIVITIES HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG," HE NOTED.
MR LAN SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS, DISTRICT BOARDS HAD ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS AN INFLUENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, AND THEIR \DVICE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT B\ THE GOVERNMENT IN FORMULATING VARIOUS POLICIES.
"I FIND OUR DB’S OCCUPY A VERY UNIQUE POSITION CAPABLE OF INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT POLICY EVEN AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL SO LONG AS THE POLICY GENERALLY AFFECTS RESIDENTS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE THERE IS SO READILY AVAILABLE AND PROPERLY ORGANISED A BODY AS THE DISTRICT BOARD THAT IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING EFFECTIVE CONSULTATION OF POLICY AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUES."
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON "THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD" LAST FEBRUARY, A SERIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES (IN THE FORM OF A CENTRAL DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY) HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONS OF DISTRICT BOARDS WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THE RESPONSIVENESS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE BOARDS AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO BEEN GRADUALLY INCREASING THF RESOURCES PROVIDED TO DISTRICT BOARDS FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES \ND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAS SERVED US WELL. OUR TASK AHEAD WILL BE TO BUILD UPON THIS EXISTING SYSTEM SO THAT THE GROWING EXPECTATIONS OF THE HONG KONG PUBLIC COULD BE BETTER MET IN THE FUTURE," HE CONCLUDED.
-------0----------
/8 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 8 -
MORE DAY NURSERIES TO MEET DEMAND *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY PLANNING AND SETTING UP DAY NURSERIES IN NEW TOWNS TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLETION OF NEW HOUSING ESTATES AND THE STEADY POPULATION GROWTH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK 86 HIN KENG NURSERY IN SHA TIN, MR CHAU SAID IT WAS EXPECTED THAT DURING 1989-90 AS MANY AS 11 DAY NURSERIES WOULD GO INTO OPERATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ANOTHER 13 WOULD BE OPENED BETWEEN 1990 AND 1992.
AT PRESENT, THERE WERE 245 REGISTERED DAY NURSERIES PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 28,256 PLACES TN HONG KONG AND 93 OF THEM WERE LOCATED IN NEW TOWNS.
MR CHAU ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES TO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY IN RECENT YEARS.
"A LARGE NUMBER OF MARRIED WOMEN HAVE JOINED THE WORK FORCE, RESULTING IN A GREAT DEMAND FOR DAY CARE SERVICE FOR CHILDREN,” HE EXPLAINED.
”IN VIEW OF THIS, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE THE CHILD CARE CENTRE ONE OF THE STANDARD SOCIAL SERVICES.”
UNDER THE EXISTING POLICY, EACH AREA WITH A POPULATION OF 20,000 WAS PROVIDED WITH 100 AIDED DAY CARE PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX.
MR CHAU PAID TRIBUTE TO PO LEUNG KUK WHICH HE SAID HAI) EVOLVED THROUGH THE YEARS INTO A DIVERSIFIED SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE HIN KENG NURSERY, THE KUK HAD ESTABLISHED 20 NURSERIES, HE NOTED.
/9........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
MEETING TOMORROW TO DISCUSS OUTCOME OF FUTURES EXCHANGE EGM
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, WILL HAVE AN INITIAL MEETING WITH MR WILFRID NEWTON, EX-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE, AND MR DOUGLAS FORD, VICE-CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE’S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING HELD LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT.
"THIS INITIAL MEETING WILL MAINLY BE A FACT-FINDING ONE, AIMED AT OBTAINING FROM THE FUTURES EXCHANGE FIRST HAND INFORMATION AND PERSONAL VIEWS ON THE EGM ITSELF AS WELL AS ON THE VARIOUS OPTIONS NOW OPEN TO THE EXCHANGE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOW BE ASKED TO INTERVENE IN THE EXCHANGE’S RECONSTITUTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS SITUATION HAD YET TO ARISE AND STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD STILL TO DETERMINE WHAT ITS STANCE WOULD BE WERE IT TO BE SO ASKED.
GIVEN THE INTENTION ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY BY SECRETARY TO EXTEND THE PERIOD BY WHICH THE NEXT AGM HELD, THERE WAS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OPTIONS TO THOUGHT THROUGH BEFORE COMING TO ANY FIRM CONCLUSION.
THE FINANCIAL NEEDED TO BE BE CAREFULLY
------0-------
HK NOT TO PURSUE APPLICATION ♦ * * *
IT HAS BEEN DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE HONG KONG’S APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATED TERRITORY STATUS (DTS) UNDER THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT FOR THE TIME BEING, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS DECISION HAS BEEN ARRIVED AT JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG UNIT TRUST ASSOCIATION (UTA) AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FOR DTS UNDER SECTION 87 OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 1986 WAS LODGED WITH THE UK DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY IN MAY LAST YEAR BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BUT WILL NOT NOW BE PROCEEDED WITH.
"THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF ATTAINING DESIGNATION IS THAT IT WOULD ENABLE UNIT TRUSTS AUTHORISED AND MANAGED IN HONG KONG TO BE MARKETED TO THE INVESTING PUBLIC IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE SAID.
/TO ENSURE .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1989
10
TO ENSURE DESIGNATION IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ONLY HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO CONSIDER PUTTING FORWARD SUCH PROPOSALS IF IT HAD HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE UNIT TRUST INDUSTRY.
THE UTA HAS CAREFULLY REVIEWED THE SITUATION AND HAS DECIDED THAT THE CURRENT UK REQUIREMENTS ARE TOO COMPLEX AND BURDENSOME FOR HONG KONG TO FOLLOW.
THEY WOULD ENTAIL SUBSTANTIAL COSTS WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE BORNE AT THE END OF THE DAY BY LOCAL SUBSCRIBERS.
"THIS THE UTA SEES AS UNDESIRABLE AND UNNECESSARY AS THE BENEFITS OF DTS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH OTHER MEANS GIVEN THAT THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG AUTHORISED FUNDS ARE BASED OFFSHORE, A NUMBER OF THEM IN PLACES WHICH HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED SUCH STATUS,” THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE SITUATION FROM TIME TO TIME AND MAY REVIVE THE APPLICATION AT SOME FUTURE DATE SHOULD THERE BE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
----0------
PLANNING FOR FUTURE BEGINS AT CAREERS CENTRES
******
A LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYERS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
THE NEED FOR MORE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT WAS STRESSED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S EMPLOYMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR CHAN YUN-CHEE, WHEN OPENING A NEW CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN SHA TIN.
MR CHAN SAID CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES OPERATED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD SUCCEEDED IN HELPING MANY YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE CAREERS BEST SUITED TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
NOTING THE DIFFERENCE IN REALITY BETWEEN SCHOOL LIFE AND THE WORLD OF WORK, HE SAID SCHOOL LEAVERS MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY IN CHOOSING A SUITABLE CAREER.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE VARIOUS TRADES IN THE WORLD OF WORK, AND THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES ARE UNDOUBTEDLY A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR THEM TO PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE,” MR CHAN SAID.
/THE SHA ......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
THE SHA TIN OFFICE, THE FOURTH OF ITS KIND SET UP BY THE DEPARTMENT, IS EQUIPPED WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE CAREERS MATERIALS, INCLUDING SOME 1,500 REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS AND 430 VIDEO CASSETTE TAPE RECORDINGS, SLIDE PRESENTATIONS AND TAPE RECORDINGS OF SPECIALIST TALKS BY EXPERTS.
THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES ALSO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACTS WITH SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR 20,826 STUDENTS TO VISIT THE CENTRES IN GROUPS IN 1987-88.
"IN ADDITION, THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE ORGANISED OTHER \ GROUP ACTIVITIES TO PROVIDE CAREERS GUIDANCE TO STUDENTS, SUCH AS CAREERS TALKS, QUIZZES, EXHIBITIONS AND CAREERS DAYS WHICH ATTRACTED MORE THAN 287,000 PARTICIPANTS DURING THE PERIOD," MR CHAN ADDED.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, ALSO SPOKE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
MR KWOK SAID THE SHA TIN OFFICE WAS INTENDED TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES IN SEEKING CAREERS INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE.
THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD MAKE USE OF THE CENTRE TO FURTHER EXPAND ITS GROUP ADVISORY SERVICES IN NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND DEVELOP CLOSER. LINKS WITH CAREERS TEACHERS, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER INTERESTED BODIES IN THE REGION, HE ADDED.
LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, THE NEW OFFICE IS OPEN DAILY TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
- O - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ t ♦ t
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY 1989.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(BI (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR JANUARY 1989 WERE 123.1 AND 123.0 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 9.5 PER CENT AND 9.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER JANUARY 1988.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1988 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAI BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B), BY 1.0 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 1989, BOTH AT 118.4, WERE 7.7 PER CENT AND 7.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 1988 .
/DURING THE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2*1, 1989
12 -
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 1989, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.1 PER CENT PER MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP1(B), AT 1.0 PER CENT PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CP1(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(Bl BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR JANUARY 1989 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1988, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION CPI(A) CPI(B)
1 NDEX FOR JAN.89 % CHANGE OVER DEC.88 % CHANGE OVER JAN.88 INDEX FOR JAN.89 % CHANGE OVER DEC.88 % CHANGE OVER JAN.88
FOODSTUFFS 123.2 + 2.1 + 12.7 121.2 + 2.3 + 12.8
HOUSING 117.7 + 0.4 + 5.5 J 1 3.7 + 0.6 + 4.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 94. 0 + 1.4 + 1.3 94.6 + 1.3 + 1.5
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTIONI 125.7 + 0.2 + 7.0 126.8 + 0.3 + 7 . 4
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 130.6 -1.5 + 9 . 1 1 32.6 -2.0 + 9.2
DURABLE GOODS 1 20.3 + 0.3 + 5.2 119.5 + 0.2 + 5.4
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 1 30.2 -0.6 + 8.6 129.4 -0.6 + 8.2
TRANSPORT \ND VEHICLES 123.9 +1 . 3 + 5.5 12 3.6 + 1.4 + 6 . 1
SERVICES 1 34.2 + 0.6 + 10.3 134 . 4 + 0.7 + 10.9
ALL ITEMS 1 23 . 1 + 1.2 + 9.5 123.0 + 1.0 + 9.1
/COMPARED WITH ......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2k, 1989
ii
- 13 -
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1988, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 2.3 PER CENT IN CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 0.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPl(B) DUE TO HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.3 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF KEROSENE AS WELL AS THE FULL EFFECT OF THE RECENT INCREASED CHARGES FOR TOWNGAS AND THE RECENT UPWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR ELECTRICITY.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY 1.5 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 2.0 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF LOWER PRICES OF1. OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS DECREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF JEWELLERY.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.4 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER BUS AND TAXI FARES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI IB) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIR-DRESSING AND MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND ALSO HIGHER EXAMINATION FEES.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY' ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR JANUARY 1989, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER 1, 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 128.5 IN JANUARY 1989, UP BY 0.4 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1988 AND UP BY 10.5 PER CENT OVER JANUARY 1988.
/THE HANG ......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 14 -
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.
NEW LIQUOR LICENCE FEES IN APRIL t t * * ♦ t
THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (LIQUOR LICENCES) (SPECIFICATION OF FEES) (REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA) NOTICE 1988, SPECIFYING NEW LIQUOR LICENCE FEES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
FEES FOR THE LIQUOR LICENCE WITH BAR WILL BE INCREASED FROM $2,000 TO $2,320, LIQUOR LICENCE WITHOUT BAR WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1,000 TO $1,160, WHILE CLUB LIQUOR LICENCE WILL BE $580 INSTEAD OF $500.
MISCELLANEOUS FEES INCLUDING FEES FOR THE TRANSFER OF LICENCE AND FOR THE AMENDMENT OF A LICENCE WILL, HOWEVER, REMAIN UNCHANGED AT A CURRENT CHARGE OF $65.
THE REVISION OF LIQUOR LICENCE FEES AIMS TO RECOVER THE COST OF ADMINISTERING THE LIQUOR LICENSING SYSTEM, A REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
A RECENTLY COMPLETED REVIEW ON THE SYSTEM SHOWED THAT THE OLD FEE CHARGES WOULD BRING TO AN ESTIMATED DEFICIT OF $113,644 IN jl989-90, REPRESENTING A SUBSIDY LEVEL OF 13 PER CENT. HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A BREAKEVEN IN ADMINISTERING THE SYSTEM BY 1989-90, THE LIQUOR LICENCE FEES HAVE TO BE INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE REVISION WAS APPROVED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD AND ENDORSED BY THE FULL COUNCIL IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
- O------------
/15........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24,1989
SEMINAR ON TEENAGERS’ PROBLEMS t * ♦ * »
A SEMINAR TO HELP PARENTS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS OF TEENAGERS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT ABOUT 100 PEOPLE, ALL PARENTS OF PRIMARY 5 TO FORM 3 STUENTS, WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIMECOMMITTEE (DFCC), THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND THE YANG MEMORIAL SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE.
THE SEMINAR WILL START WITH A DRAMA DEPICTING THE PROBLEMS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR TEENAGE CHILDREN. THEN SOCIAL WORKERS WILL GIVE TALKS ON AN ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TEENAGERS, AND THE METHODS TO DEAL WITH THEIR COMMON BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS LED BY SOCIAL WORKERS.
THE DFCC HAS ALSO PRINTED CARDS BEARING THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF ORGANISATIONS OFFERING SERVICES TO TEENAGERS, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON TEENAGERS’ PROBLEMS TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
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TRADE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR CRAFTSMEN INSTITUTED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS INSTITUTED A TRADE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM TO ASSESS THE SKILL LEVELS OF CRAFTSMEN IN INDUSTRIES.
THE FIRST FOUR TRADES SELECTED FOR TRADE TESTING WILL BE ELECTRICIAN, MECHANICAL FITTER, TYPESETTER AND VEHICLE MECHANIC.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, MR HORACE KNIGHT, SAID THAT AS A START IN THIS SUMMER, CRAFTSMEN IN THE FOUR TRADES WOULD BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE TRADE TESTS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
/’’CANDIDATES WHO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2U, 1989
- 16 -
"CANDIDATES WHO PASS THE TEST - COMPRISING A SHORT PAPER ON THEORY OR TRADE KNOWLEDGE, AND A PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT OF SEVERAL HOURS’ WORK - WILL BE AWARDED A TRADE TEST CERTIFICATE," HE SAID.
"THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE COMPETENCE OF THE CANDIDATE IN HIS RESPECTIVE TRADE. THE TEST IS ALSO A MEASUREMENT OF THE STANDARDS ACHIEVED BY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH ANY FORMAL TRAINING IN THEIR CAREERS."
AS THE PIONEER OF ORGANISED APPRENTICE TRAINING IN HONG KONG, MR KNIGHT POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IN 1976 THAT HONG KONG ENACTED THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE UNDER WHICH APPRENTICE TRAINING IN MANY PRINCIPAL TRADES IS REGULATED IN INDUSTRY.
IN OTHER WORDS MANY CRAFTSMEN IN THEIR LATE TWENTIES OR OLDER WOULD NOT HAVE EITHER UNDERGONE ANY RECOGNISED TRAINING OR BEEN GIVEN ANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION DUE TO THEM.
THE COUNCIL, WITH THE SUPPORT OF ITS TRAINING BOARDS, BELIEVES A TRADE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM WILL FACILITATE SKILLED WORKERS IN THE ACQUISITION OF RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS WHICH IN TURN WILL ENHANCE THEIR STATUS AS QUALIFIED TECHNICAL PERSONNEL.
"APART FROM SETTING A STANDARD OF SKILLS FOR EACH TRADE, SUCH A SYSTEM, WHEN FURTHER DEVELOPED AT A LATER STAGE, WILL ALSO HELP ESTABLISH A SKILLS HIERARCHY OF CRAFTSMAN AND MASTER CRAFTSMAN SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH EXISTS IN WESTERN INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES.
"SUCH A HIERARCHY WILL PROVIDE A CAREER LADDER FOR SKILLED WORKERS," MR KNIGHT SAID.
INDUSTRY WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF TRADE TEST. THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF THE TEST PROVIDES EMPLOYERS WITH A YARDSTICK WHICH THEY CAN USE WHEN SELECTING CRAFTSMEN.
TO MAINTAIN SAFETY STANDARDS AND TO ENSURE A HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE IN SOME TRADES, HONG KONG HAS BEEN FORMULATING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF SKILLED WORKERS, SUCH AS ELECTRICIANS, MR KNIGHT SAID.
SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE LICENSING OR REGISTRATION AUTHORITIES, A TRADE TEST CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY THE COUNCIL CAN BE RECOGNISED AS AN ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF LICENSING OR REGISTRATION.
IN THE MEANTIME, A TRADE TEST REGISTRY HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FOR TAKING THE TEST.
THE ORGANISERS OF THE TESTS INCLUDE THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD. ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD AND PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD.
/THEY WILL .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 17 -
THEY WILL ADVERTISE THE TESTS IN NEWSPAPERS AND INVITE VEHICLE MECHANICS, ELECTRICIANS, MECHANICAL FITTERS AND TYPESETTERS TO APPLY FOR SITTING THE TESTS IN JULY AND AUGUST THIS YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TRADE TEST REGISTRY, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY HAND TO THE REGISTRY BETWEEN MARCH 6 AND APRIL 7.
APPLICANTS ACCEPTED FOR THE TEST WILL BE CHARGED A FEE OF $100 AND INVITED TO TAKE THE TEST AT THE COUNCIL’S TRAINING CENTRES AT KOWLOON BAY OR KWAI CHUNG.
A CERTIFICATE WILL BE AWARDED TO CANDIDATES WHO PASS BOTH THE TRADE KNOWLEDGE TEST AND THE PRACTICAL TEST AT THE SAME SITTING OR AT DIFFERENT SITTINGS WITHIN A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
CANDIDATES PASSING ONE OR THE OTHER TEST WILL BE ISSUED A STATEMENT OF RESULTS.
FOUR GUIDEBOOKS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE TRAINING BOARDS SETTING OUT THE TEST SYLLABUS, ELIGIBILITY FOR AND PROCEDURES OF APPLICATION AND THE TEST REGULATIONS FOR THE TESTS.
THESE GUIDEBOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE TRADE TEST REGISTRY. FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TESTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE RESPECTIVE TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341.
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CYC HOLDING CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT ******
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND OF THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE FORTNIGHT WILL INCLUDE EXHIBITIONS, STALL GAMES AND VARIETY SHOWS ON CIVIC EDUCATION THEMES ORGANISED BY CYC MEMBERS WITH SUBSIDIES FROM DISTRICT BOARDS.
THESE ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE MAINLY OVER THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEKEND AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
/THE HIGHLIGHT .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 18 -
THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A CIVIC EDUCATION DAY ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE CYC AND FOUR DISTRICT BOARDS ON HONG KONG ISLAND - THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
THIS WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM ON SUNDAY.
THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE FOLK DANCES, CHINESE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES, AND CHOIR SINGING AS WELL AS STALL GAMES AND EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY 20 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE FOUR DISTRICTS.
IT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAU HON-CHUEN; CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MRS PEGGY LAM; CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; AND MRS LINA LO OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT WILL INCLUDE THOSE ORGANISED BY CYC MEMBERS AT ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON, AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28 AND MARCH 2 AND AT THE TAI PO TOWN CENTRE SQUARE ON MARCH 5.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS AND EXHIBITION ORGANISERS PARTICIPATING IN THE FORTNIGHT WILL BE INVITED TO STAGE TWO PERFORMANCES AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI ON APRIL 9.
AN EXHIBITION OF OUTSTANDING DISPLAYS SELECTED FROM THE FORTNIGHT WILL BE MOUNTED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON APRIL 9.
THE EXHIBITION WILL MOVE TO TAIKOO SHING ON APRIL 10-11, THE NEW WORLD CENTRE ON APRIL 12 - 13, AND TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE ON APRIL 14-15 TO ENABLE MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE CYC MOVEMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CYC CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY.
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/19........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 19 -
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE KWAI TSING INDUSTRY, COMMERCE
******
AN EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT WILL BEGIN AT NEW WORLD PLAZA IN TS1M SHA TSUI TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
OVER 20 STALLS WILL BE SET UP BY FACTORY OWNERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO DISPLAY THEIR PRODUCTS, INCLUDING TOYS, CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD WARE, COSMETICS AND SPECTACLES.
THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO INCLUDE A FASHION SHOW AND A VIDEO WALL ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION.
THE KWAI TSING INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE PROMOTION EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED AT 11 AM TOMORROW BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MR JAMES TIEN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI AND MR SO HOI-PAN; AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG.
THE EXHIBITION WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE PROMOTION EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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PART-TIME LECTURERS FOR ADULT EDUCATION REQUIRED
*******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION IS INVITING QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND PERSONS TO APPLY FOR THE POSTS OF EVENING PART-TIME LECTURERS FOR THE 1989-90 SCHOOL SESSION.
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT COURSES RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.
THESE INCLUDE TEACHERS TRAINING COURSE, ENGLISH COURSE, GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE, THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES, GENERAL AND PRACTICAL BACKGROUND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES AND OTHER COURSES CONDUCTED IN THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES.
/APPLICANTS FOR
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
20 -
APPLICANTS FOR VARIOUS TEACHING POSTS SHOULD BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN TEACHING PART-TIME ADULT EDUCATION COURSES.
APPLICANTS WITH EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING AT SENIOR SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY LEVELS AND/OR POSSESSING A DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION OR ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHER TRAINING WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF THE TWO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES MAY ALSO APPLY AND THEIR APPOINTMENT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR DEGREE COURSES.
APPLICANTS FOR TEACHING DRESSMAKING, SEWING AND KNITTING, COOKERY AND WOODWORK COURSES OF PRACTICAL BACKGROUND NATURE SHOULD BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH SPECIAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATED SUBJECTS.
APPLICANTS FOR POSTS OF HOBBY INSTRUCTORS IN SINGING, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PLAYING AND CONDUCTING, SOCIAL DANCE, AEROBIC DANCE, PAINTING, HAIR-STYLING AND HANDICRAFTS AS WELL AS JAPANESE AND PUTONGHUA SHOULD BE HOLDERS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE OR EQUIVALENT, WITH SPECIAL SKILLS IN THE RELATED SUBJECTS OR HOBBIES.
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICATIONS FROM SERVING TEACHERS WITH ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE IN ORGANISING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OR FROM EXPERIENCED COMMUNITY WORKERS.
PART-TIME LECTURERS ARE PAID $165 PER HOUR WITH QUALIFICATIONS AT POST-SECONDARY LEVEL, $140 AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL, $110 AT JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL, $100 AT PRIMARY LEVEL AND $90 FOR HOBBY COURSES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 31. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8392309 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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/?1 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 21
GAZETTE NOTICE ON RATEABLE VALUES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDING THE PUBLIC THAT IF THEY WISH TO MAKE A PROPOSAL TO ALTER THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1989 THEY MAY DO SO NEXT MONTH (MARCH).
FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG AND ALSO FROM DISTRICT OFFICES.
PROPOSALS MUST BE LODGED WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT RATEABLE VALUES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE THE SAME AS FOR THIS YEAR.
WHERE AN ALTERATION WAS MADE TO THE RATEABLE VALUE AS A RESULT OF A PROPOSAL LODGED IN MARCH 1988, THE REVISED FIGURE WILL APPLY NEXT YEAR AND SO NO FURTHER PROPOSAL NEED BE MADE.
HE EMPHASISED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE LODGING OF A PROPOSAL OR APPEAL, RATES MUST STILL BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE RATES PERCENTAGE CHARGE FOR THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
- 0 ---------
COLOURFUL SHOW AT CENTRAL PRECINCT
*****
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE EXTRAVAGANZA WILL PROVIDE VARIED AND COLOURFUL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
DETAILS OF THE EVENT WERE GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG SIK-WAH, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT A CENTRAL HOTEL THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE EVENT WILL BE SHOWN LIVE ON TELEVISION.
MR LEUNG THANKED THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG FOR EARMARKING $300,000 FOR THE EVENT WHICH IS AIMED AT PROMOTING TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
/OFFICIATING WITH
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 2? -
OFFICIATING WITH MR LEUNG AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN; CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU; ASSISTANT DI REC-TOR OF BROADCASTING, MS MARIA WAN; AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DJSTR ICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER.
MR LAU SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE BOARD HAD MADE USE OF LIVE TELEVISION TO PROMOTE A LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECT.
MS WAN SAID THE ACTIVITIES IN THE EXTRAVAGANZA WERE HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE, WITH THE LIKELY HIGHLIGHT BEING A PERFORMANCE BY THE POPULAR SINGER, JENNY.
IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE CHINESE AND WESTERN MEDLEYS WITH THE PERFORMERS INCLUDING THE BEYOND BAND, YAN CHOR-S1N, HUI CHI-ON AND KONG YAN-YIN, SHE SAID.
’’THERE WILL ALSO BE PERFORMANCES BY THE TAMAR BAND AND THE HONG KONG JING YING DANCE GROUP.
"THE ONE-HOUR PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON THE TVB JADE CHANNEL FROM NOON TO 1 PM.”
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, A CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MS YIP SAU-WAH, SPOKE ABOUT THE LAUNCHING OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT AT THE SAME VENUE ON SUNDAY MORNING.
NS YIP SAID THE EVENT, INCLUDING GAMES STALLS AND AN EXHIBITION TO BE SET UP BY FOUR DISTRICT COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WOULD COINCIDE WITH THE EXTRAVAGANZA’S ACTIVITIES.
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AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT SHAU KEI WAN OZP ANNOUNCED
♦ * * * ♦
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHAU KEI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID ONE OF THE SIX AMENDMENT ITEMS WAS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AT SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS (WEST).
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS TO DESIGNATE THE FORMER LEI YUE MUN BARRACKS FOR "OTHER SPECIFIED USES (COMPREHENSIVE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AREA)".
IT IS PLANNED TO DEVELOP THE SITE INTO A PARK PROVIDED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES TO SERVE THE TERRITORY.
/THE A.......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2^, 1989
- 23 -
THE A KUNG NGAN BOATYARDS SITE IS REZONED FROM "INDUSTRIAL" TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "BOAT BUILDING/REPAIR YARDS AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES" SO AS TO REFLECT THE EXISTING AND INTENDED FUTURE USE.
THE PLAN IS ALSO AMENDE!) BY REZONING A SITE AT SHAN PIN TERRACE FROM "COMMERC1AL/RES1 DENT I AL" TO "OPEN SPACE" AND REZONING ANOTHER SITE AT THE REAR OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD TO "COMMERCIAL/RESI DENT I AL" FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION COMMUNITY".
"TO REFLECT THE MAJOR USE, A PORTION OF THE SITE FOR THE PROPOSED ALDRICH BAY PLAYGROUND AT NAM ON STREET, WHERE AN ELEVATED SECTION OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR IS LOCATED, IS REZONED TO 'ROAD' USE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS PIECE OF LAND, THOUGH NOT SUITABLE FOR ACTIVE RECREATION DEVELOPMENT. CAN BE USED FOR AMENITY PLANTING AND SOME PASSIVE RECREATIONAL PURPOSES."
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
« THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. 880-886 KING’S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG; AND
♦ THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF" THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND Till KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT \ COST OF $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $(>0 EACH COLOURED.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE MARCH 17.
/?<♦ ..........
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1989
24
RESIDENTS REMINDED TO GET TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
RESIDENTS INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS SHOULD APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WILL GREATLY INCREASE DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR," HE SAID.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID A LAST MINUTE RUSH, RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT OR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL."
IT NORMALLY TAKES 10 WORKING DAYS TO ISSUE A BRITISH (HONG KONG) PASSPORT IF APPLICATIONS ARE MADE IN THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS BUT LONGER IF MADE IN THE BRANCH OFFICES.
THE PROCESSING TIME ON A 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 THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO ARRANGE FOR THE APPLICANT TO BE ISSUED WITH A PERMANENT IDENTITY (’ARD AT THE SAME TIME.
A RE-ENTRY PERMIT OR A DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKE1A IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON A SATURDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PERIOD BEFORE THE EASTER HOLIDAYS IS THE BUSIEST TIME OF Till' YEAR.
"BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONIA SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED TRAVELLERS TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS DURING THEIR TRAVEL.
"QUITE A NUMBER OF' HONG KONG ISSUED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND IDFNTITA CARDS HAD BEEN REPORTED LOST BY PEOPLE WHILST ABROAD IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS AND MANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN STOLEN.
"IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE TO PUT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IN A SAFE PLACE. SUCH AS A HOTEL SAFI DEPOSIT BOX," HF SAID.
--------o ---------
/?5........
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 25 -
FULL-TIME COURSE FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS *****
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL RUN A FULL-TIME ONE-YEAR TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE STARTING SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION AND WHO HAVE ACQUIRED SONE YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A HIGHER DIPLOMA, HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AWARDED BY A POLYTECHNIC OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, OR AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION.
INDUCEMENT GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS DURING THEIR COURSE OF STUDY AT A RATE BETWEEN $1,650 AND $2,500 EACH MONTH BASED ON THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST. WAN CHAT.
APPLICANTS MUST HAND IN THEIR COMPLETED FORMS TO THE COLLEGE BEFORE MARCH 16 AND OBTAIN AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT.
-------0----------
EXTENDED A & E SERVICE FOR CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRI * * * *
THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY AT CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE WILL BE EXTENDED NEXT MONTH, THE AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
AS FROM MARCH 6 (MONDAY), THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY AT THE CENTRE WILL BE EXTENDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL HOUR.
SERVICE MEDICAL
SERVICE
AT PRESENT, THE OPERATION HOURS ARE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9.30 PM.
THE NEW OPERATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 10.30 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WAS THE RESULT OF DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO FACILITATE RESIDENTS IN THE REGION.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 27,600 ATTENDANCES WERE RECORDED AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT XT CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE.
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/26 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 26 -
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS INVALID AS FROM FEBRUARY 27 t * ♦ ♦ t
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1963 AND 1969 THAT THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 WILL CEASE TO BE VALID DOCUMENTS FROM FEBRUARY 27, 1989.
’’THIS IS THE FOURTH BATCH OF ID CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THIS NEW ID CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED IN JULY, 1987,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE ID CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT,” HF SAID.
"HOWEVER, THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD RENEWAL PERIODS DUE TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH AN^ ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW ID (’ARD ISSUE OFFICES.”
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO \MNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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RECLAMATION, TEMPORARY PIER PROPOSED t t t t t
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WORKS AT SHA TAU KOK AND TO BUILD A TEMPORARY PIER AT CHEUNG CHAU.
AT SHA TAU KOK, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 0.27 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE PIER AT YIM LIU HA.
THIS IS FOR THE FORMATION OF A ROCKFILL REVETMENT TO ENHANCE THE STABILITY OF THE PIER AND TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THE EXPOSED FLANK OF THE PIER AND ITS FOUNDATIONS UNDER STORM CONDITION.
AT ('HEUNG (’HAU, IT IS PROPOSED TO ERECT A TEMPORARY PIER WITH LOAD1NG/UNLOADING FACILITIES WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 330 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TUNG WAN BEACH.
/THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OE DELIVERING BUILDING MATERIALS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AT NAM SHE TONG.
DETAILS OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE APRIL 23 THIS YEAR.
- 0 -
HIGHLIGHT TOUR FOR TUEN MUN COMMUNITY LEADERS
*****
ABOUT 100 COMMUNITY LEADERS TAKING PART IN THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEME WILL TOUR THE DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) TO SEE LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENTS.
THE TOUR WILL CONCLUDE THE FIVE-MONTH SCHEME WHICH WAS INITIATED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE IN OCTOBER.
THE PROGRAMME HAS INCLUDED A TRAINING CAMP AND A SERIES OF LECTURES ON LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
TAKING PART IN THE TOUR WILL BE OFFICE-BEARERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, YIN NGA1 SOCIETIES, VILLAGE OFFICES AND RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THEY WILL FIRST BE BRIEFED ON INDUSTRIAL, HOUSING AND TRAFFIC DEVELOPMENTS BY THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR SIU CHUEN.
THE ITINERARY WILL INCLUDE THE BUTTERFLY BAY RECREATION AREA, TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT DEPOT OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
DURING A BUFFET LUNCH IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, THE PARTICIPANTS WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS ON COMMUNITY MATTERS.
IN THE AFTERNOON, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, WILL GIVE A SPEECH TO THE PARTICIPANTS AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED A COURSE ON LEADERSHIP SKILLS HELD LAST MONTH.
THE COURSE COVERED SUCH MATTERS AS THE STRUCTURE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, HOW TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, TECHNIQUES IN CHAIRING MEETINGS, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
/THE TOUR
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2^, 1989
- 28 -
THE TOUR WILL CONCLUDE WITH AN EXPERIENCE-SHARING SESSION DURING WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEME AND TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TOUR OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES ON SUNDAY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT 9.30 AM AT THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT NO.l TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THOSE WISHING TO TAKE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT TO TUEN MUN ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 8.45 AM AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
-------0-----------
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION AT KOWLOON BAY THA
MESSAGES ON FIRE PREVENTION WILL BE BROUGHT TO RESIDENTS OF THE KOWLOON BAY TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA THROUGH AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD THERE ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26), FROM NOON TO 3 PM.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, IS THE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF EIGHT FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS, WHICH ARE GENERALLY HELD IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR SHOPPING CENTRES.
’’THIS EXHIBITION WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE HELD IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING THE AWARENESS OF PEOPLE IN THIS SPECIAL LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
'‘RESIDENTS WILL ALSO BE TAUGHT HOW TO REACT IF A FIRE OCCURS.”
THE EXHIBITION WILL FOCUS ON THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN "IF THERE IS A FIRE, SOUND THE ALARM”.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE PANELS CONTAINING GRAPHICS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ON GENERAL FIRE PREVENTION AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION.
OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS.
/VISITORS TO .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A NEW FIRE PREVENTION LEAFLET AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY THE KWONG ON BANK LTD.
THE EXHIBITIONS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE STAGED IN ROTATION ON ALTERNATE SUNDAYS IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS.
THE NEXT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 12 AT THE YAN 01 TOWN SQUARE, TUEN MUN.
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FIRING PRACTICE IN MARCH * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT ,THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 22 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
DATE TIME
MARCH 1 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 I .59 PM
MARCH 2 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - £ i PM
MARCH 3 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 4 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 6 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 7 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 8 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 9 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 PM
MARCH 10 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 11 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 14 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
/MARCH 15 (WEDNESDAY) ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 30 -
MARCH 15 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
MARCH 16 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 17 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 20 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 21 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 22 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 23 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 28 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 29 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 30 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 31 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS * * * * ♦
IN KOWLOON CITY, TUEN MUN »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT VEHICLES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM NGA TSIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND TO LION ROCK ROAD SOUTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27) FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR ROADWORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA NGA TSIN WAI ROAD FUK LO TSUN ROAD, CARPENTER ROAD AND LION ROCK ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY 01- TUEN MUN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN AND CHAINAGE 15.8 OF TUEN MUN ROAD AT TELFORD BRIDGE WILL BE REDUCED FROM 70 TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FOR ABOUT 12 WEEKS.
THIS IS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS ON TUEN MUN ROAD WESTBOUND.
THE SPEED LIMIT ON OTHER SECTIONS OF TUEN MUN ROAD WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
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/J1
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1989
- 31 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27>, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE TRAM OPERATIONS :
* THE TRAM TRACK ON HOI AN STREET BETWEEN HING MAN STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A TRAM LANE:
* HOI NING STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND:
* HING MAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND; AND
* HOI AN STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OPEN OPTIONS FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 ......................... 1
SHA MEETS FUTURES EXCHANGE OFFICIALS .......................... 2
PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL TAKES SHAPE ON CHAI WAN SLOPE ........... 2
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY RELEASED ................ 4
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ........................... 6
SEMINAR ON PLASTIC WASTE OPEN TO PUBLIC ....................... 7
SOUTHERN CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW ............ 8
MEETING PLAN TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT IN WAN CHAI .............. 10
SOLE CANDIDATE TO OUTLINE AIMS AS UC MEMBER .................. 11
ELECTION FORUM IN MONG KOK ................................... 11
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS BEmCH POLLUTION PROBLEM ................ 12
RE-ROUTEING OF MORRISON STREET ............................... 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WaN CHAI ................... 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA............. 13
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF SLIP RO,J) ......................... 14
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 25, 1989
- 1 -
OPEN OPTIONS FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 t ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT DETAILED ENGINEERING AND PLANNING STUDIES SHOULD COMMENCE IN PARALLEL IN TSI NG YI AND STONECUTTERS ISLAND IN RESPECT OF THE PROPOSED SITING OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 (CT8I.
• "THE TIMETABLE FOR CT8 IS STILL ON SCHEDULE. THE STUDIES WILL BE COMPLETED TO ENABLE A FINAL DECISION ON THE SITING OF CTR TO BE MADE IN DECEMBER PRIOR TO THE GAZETTING OF WORKS EARLY NEXT YEAR. TENDERS WILL BE INVITED IN NOVEMBER, 1990, ’ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE TIMING WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THE FIRST BERTH FOR CT8 WILL BE COMMISSIONED BY MID-199 I AS ORIGINALLA PLANNED.
\S FOR CTO, THIS WILL BE DEALT WITH IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT S’l’RATEGA (PADS) STUDY.
NINE SITES WERE EXAMINED FOR CTR IN TERMS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL, LAND ACCESS, ENA IRONMEN TAI. IMPACT. MARINE ASPECTS, PROGRAMM I NG AND ('OSTS .
OF THE TWO PREFERRED SITES AT TSI NG YI AND STONECUTTERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THERE W| RE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED INCLUDING:
♦ THE NEED TO MINIMISE THE DISPLACEMENT OF BUOYS OFF STONECUTTERS ISLANI); AND
t THE NEED TO RESOLVE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON NEARBY USERS ON TSI NG YI.
IN ADDITION, IT WOULD ALSO BE NECESSARY TO LOOK INTO DETAILED DESIGN OF THE ALIGNMENT OF SEAWALLS TO PROVIDE A CLEARLY DEFINED SITE FOR PRODUCING TENDER DOCUMENTS AND THE PHASING OF WORKS AND THE PROVISION OF NEW ROADS.
"THE ENGINEERING AND PLANNING STUDIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY A NEWLY ESTABLISHED PADS CO-ORD I NAI'I NG OFFICE IN THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0---------
/2........
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 25, 1989
- 2 -
SMA MEETS FUTURES EXCHANGE OFFICIALS * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK. TODAY (SATURDAY) MET WITH THE EX-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE, MR WILFRID NEWTON, AND THE EXCHANGE’S VICE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MR DOUGLAS FORD, TO RECEIVE FIRST HAND INFORMATION ON THE EXCHANGE’S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY.
AT THE MEETING, THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESULTS OF THE EGM WERE DISCUSSED AND VARIOUS OPTIONS NOW OPEN TO THE EXCHANGE WERE IDENTIFIED.
AT THIS STAGE, THE FUTURES EXCHANGE DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE A NEED TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE BOARD OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE WILL BE MEETING ON MONDAY TO FURTHER CONSIDER THE POSITION.
-----0 -
PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL TAKES SHAPE ON CHAI WAN SLOPE * ♦ » » »
ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOSPITALS IS NOW TAKING SHAPE ON A MID-LEVEL HILLSIDE SITE OVERLOOKING CHAI WAN DESPITE MAJOR ENGINEERING CONSTRAINTS POSED BY THE STEEP SLOPE AND OTHER LIMITATIONS.
THE HOSPITAL WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE EASTERN DISTRICT HOSPITAL BUT WAS LATER OFFICIALLY NAMED THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL.
IT WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 1,750 BEDS - 900 GENERAL BEDS, 550 FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, 100 FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED. AND 200 ATTACHED TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT - UPON ITS TARGET COMPLETION DATE IN DECEMBER 1991.
THE GROSS FLOOR AREA WILL TOTAL ABOUT 188,000 SQUARE METRES, AND PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR FUTURE EXPANSION IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF BED SPACES.
IN ADDITION TO THE COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL FACILITIES, THE HOSPITAL WILL INCLUDE RADIOTHERAPY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE FACILITIES, TWO "ULTRA CLEAN" OPERATING THEATRES, AN INFECTION CONTROL CENTRE. AND A POLYCLINIC.
INCORPORATING THE LATEST DESIGN FOR MEDICAL FACILITIES, THE OPERATING THEATRES AND THE DELIVERY SUITES ARE LOCATED ON THE SAME FLOORS AS THE WARDS THEY SERVE TO REDUCE PATIENT MOVEMENT TO HORIZONTAL TRAFFIC WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
/CONSTRUCTION OF .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
- 3 -
CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN HOSPITAL COMPLEX, WHICH WILL COST AN ESTIMATED $2 BILLION, STARTED LAST AUGUST.
THE COMPLEX KILL INCLUDE A 14-STOREY MAIN BLOCK, A 12-STOREY SPECIAL BLOCK, A NINE-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK, A SIX-STOREY POLYCLINIC BLOCK, A THREE-STOREY NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS RANGING FROM 12 TO 22 STOREYS.
THE BUILDINGS WILL BE LINKED BY TUNNELS, DECKS AND FOOTBRIDGES.
THE 10-HECTARE HOSPITAL SITE ON THE SLOPE HAS HAD TO BE CUT BACK TO FORM SEVERAL TERRACES AND AIRPORT RADAR REQUIREMENTS ALSO RESTRICT THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDINGS.
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE SITE REQUIRED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND INGRESS ROAD DIRECT FROM THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
TO FURTHER FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE HOSPITAL, PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE ON THE INTERNAL ELEVATED ROAD NETWORK FOR MINIBUS SERVICES FROM CHAI WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN TO ENTER THE COMPLEX AND TERMINATE TOGETHER WITH TAXIS AT THE HOSPITAL MAIN ENTRANCE.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM, BOTH OF WHICH WILL PROVIDE CONVENIENT SERVICE TO THE HOSPITAL.
AT THE PEAK OF CONSTRUCTION SO FAR, 120 LORRY-LOADS OF CONCRETE WERE USED EACH DAY, AND THE DAILY WORKFORCE NUMBERED AROUND 1,200.
THE HOSPITAL IS EXPECTED TO REQUIRE SOME 30,000 KW DAILY TO MEET ITS ELECTRICITY REQUIREMENTS, WHICH IS SUFFICIENT FOR A SMALL TOWN OF 30,000 PEOPLE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE PAMELA YOUDF. HOSPITAL AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD FROM 2.30 PM TO 3.30 PM ON MONDAY I FEBRUARY 27).
TO FACILITATE PRESS COVERAGE OF THE EVENT, A COACH WILL LEAVE THE CGO CARPARK AT 1.15 PM FOR THE HOSPITAL SITE.
-------o---------
A ...
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY RELEASED
*****
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS TRADE AGGREGATES VARIED IN JANUARY 1989. WHILE THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES OF RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS WERE STILL SUBSTANTIAL, A SLOW GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THESE POINTS ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VAI.I E OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1989 WAS $17,262 MILLION, $785 MJLL1ON OR 1.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY 1988, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 43 PER CENT OR $7,889 MILLION TO $26,253 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $43,515 MILLION IN JANUARY 1989, WAS THUS $8,674 MILLION OR 24.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY 1988.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 30.1 PER CENT OR $9,984 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $43,134 MILLION IN JANUARY 1989.
A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $381 MILLION WAS RECORDED IN JANUARY 1989, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 0.9 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $1,691 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN JANUARY 1988.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS $501,744 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $218,449 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $283,295 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $114,926 MILLION OR 29.7 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $20,771 MILLION OR 10.5 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $94,155 MILLION OR 49.8 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $121,200 MILLION OR 31.3 PER CENT, TO $508,782 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $7,038 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MORE OBSERVATIONS WERE NEEDED TO SEE IF THE SLOW GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WOULD BE SUSTAINED, AS THE FIGURES FOR THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE YEAR MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
- 5 -
THE SPOKESMAN, HOWEVER, NOTED THAT RE-EXPORTS WAS SUSTAINED IN JANUARY.
THE GROWTH
MOMENTUM OF
AS A RESULT, 60.3 PER CENT BY VALUE OF THE TOTAL EXPORTS IN TAKEN UP BY RE“EXP0RTS> COMPARED WITH 52.7 PER CENT
..r. THE F01,L0''’1NG TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1989.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS $17,262 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS J MPORTS TRADE BALANCE $26,253 $13,515 $43,134 $ 381 MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION |IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS NOV 88 TO JAN 89 HK$ MN. NOV 87 TO JAN 88 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 58,486 52,403 6,083 11.6
RE-EXPORTS 82,084 54,987 27,097 49.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 140,570 107,390 33,180 30.9
IMPORTS 141,543 106,237 35,306 33.2
TRADE BALANCE -973 1,153 -2, 126
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR JANUARY 1989 HK$ MN. JANUARY 1988 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 17,262 (39.7%) 16,477 (47.3%) 785 4.8
RE-EXPORTS 26,253 18,364 7,889 43.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 43,515 34,841 8,674 24.9
IMPORTS 43,134 33, 150 9,984 30.1
TRADE BALANCE 381 1,691 -1,310
/LAST MONTH........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
6
LAST MONTH JANUARY 1989 HK$ MN. DECEMBER 1988 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 17,262 (39.7%) 21,173 (43.0%) -3,911 -18.5
RE-EXPORTS 26,253 28,123 -1,870 -6.6
TOTAL EXTORTS 43,515 49,296 -5,781 -11.7
IMPORTS 43,134 50,183 -7,049 -14.0
TRADE BALANCE 381 -887 1,268
LAST 12 MONTHS FEB 88 TO JAN 89 HK$ MN. FEB 87 TO JAN 88 HKS MN. INCREASE HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 218,449 197,678 20,771 10.5
RE-EXPORTS 283,295 189,140 94,155 49.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 501,744 386,818 114,926 29.7
IMPORTS 508,782 387,582 121,200 31.3
TRADE BALANCE -7,038 -764 -6,274
-----0------
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR
AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,156,500 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER DZ1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $350,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER, CK5555 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $130,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $3,000 FOR DE3893.
/FOLLOWING ARE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 19»9
DY2988 FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY": S AUCTION $ 31,000 DZ1982 $ 3,500
$ 6,000 CS300 $ 23,000 DZ238
BK802 6,000 BB389 16,500 DD36 80,000 DD93 46,000
BL17 10,000 AW132 23,000 DZ6698 10,000 DY2833 6,500
DZ1 12 5,000 CK5555 130,000 AT8883 22,000 CC6 98 11,000
DY817 4,000 DZ3893 3,000 DX1 128 8,500 DD3322 68,000
DD82 45,000 DZ619 6,000 DY379 4 , 500 DZ1123 10,000
DZ6638 8,000 DY3288 20,000 DZ1 350,000 DY892 9,500
AT 1939 7,000 DZ91 1 21,000 DY368 16,000 DY2823 9,000
DX168 10,000 DZ968 8,000 DZ133 13,000 AB938 20,000
DD9911 30,000 CB7322 3,500 DY2002 14,000 DY6618 9,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDINC j •
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OE THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN I 2 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY'S SALE, THE 135TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $80,241,532.
SEMINAR ON PLASTIC WASTE OPEN TO PUBLIC t t » * * *
A SEMINAR ON THE "DISCRIMINATE USE/RE-USE/RE-CYCLING OF PLASTIC BAGS" WILL BE HELD IN CENTRAL ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27) FROM 3 PM TO 1 PM.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE .JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, THIRD FLOOR, IN EDINBURGH PLACE.
"MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED OVER THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PLASTIC RUBBISH OF ALL KINDS IN THE TERRITORY AND IT IS, THEREFORE, NECESSARY' TO COME UP WITH SOME SOLUTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
EXPERTS ON THE SUBJECT, BOTH FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR. THERE WILL ALSO BE /X DISCUSSION SESSION FOR PARTICIPANTS TO PRESENT THEIR VIEWS OR ASK QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
/’’IT IS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
8
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH EXPERT OPINIONS AND VIEWS EXPRESSEDBY PARTICIPANTS, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM AND GATHER SOME SENSIBLE IDEAS WHICH WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR THE COMMITTEE TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN AT A LATER STAGE, ASKING THE PUBLIC AND THE RETAIL TRADE TO CO-OPERATE IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FOCAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE SEMINAR ARE:
♦ EFFECTS OF PLASTIC BAGS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
♦ HOW CAN FEWER PLASTIC BAGS BE USED?
♦ IS IT FEASIBLE TO RE-CYCLE PLASTIC BAGS?
HOW CAN IT BE DONE?
♦ HOW TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN A CAMPAIGN TO CUT DOWN THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS AND TO FACILITATE RE-CYCLING?
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SEMINAR ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
ATTENTION TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0------
SOUTHERN CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO VISIT A LARGE-SCALE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION WHICH WILL OPEN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL IN LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU.
A CLOSING ACTIVITY IN THE DISTRICT’S 1988-89 CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, THE "BUILD YOUR OWN COMMUNITY CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION" IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER HELI) IN THE DISTRICT, INVOLVING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM 17 LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
W1DE-RANG1 NG EXH IB 1TS I NCLUDING COLOURFUL DISPLAYS, MODELS, ESSAYS, BOOKS AND SLIDES WILL BE PU'I ON SHOW IN FIVE SECTIONS, EACH CONVEYING THE MESSAGES OF \N ASPECT OF THE "BUILD YOUR OWN COMMUNITY" THEME.
/’’THE FIVE..........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
"THE FIVE SUB-THEMES ARE 'LOVE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY,' 'MUTUAL HELP AND CARE’, 'RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS,’ ’DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION' AND 'ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"' THE EXHIBITION WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN, MR KO KAM-CHEUNG, SAID.
"THE EXHIBITION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MARCH 4. IT WILL OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM DAILY AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME," HE SAID.
THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT'S JOINT SCHOOLS’ CONFERENCE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF 17 LOCAL SCHOOLS.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR PETER TAM; SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; SENIOR. EDUCATION OFFICER, DR JIMMY CHAN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MS HO HOP-FOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ATTEND TOMORROW'S OPENING CEREMONY AND VISIT THE EXHIBITION ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF FREE SHUTTLE COACH SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISERS.
THE COACHES, CARRYING PUBLICITY BANNERS FOR THE EXHIBITION, WILL BE OPERATING FROM THE WAH FU ESTATE MAXICAB TERMINUS AND WONG CHUK HANG BLOCK 4 BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 6 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BUILD YOUR OWN COMMUNITY CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------0---------
/1O.......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
10
MEETING PLAN TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT IN WAN CHAI
*****
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) HE WOULD CONVENE A MEETING SHORTLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO EXAMINE WAYS OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN )HE DISTRICT.
SPEAKING AFTER INSPECTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCE IN SEVERAL REAR LANES IN CAUSEWAY BAY, MR MANN SAID HE WOULD LI KI' TO SEE MORE GREENERY INTRODUCED IN THE DISTRICT.
"WAN CHAI. LIKE OTHER URBAN DISTRICTS, IS SOMETHING OF A CONCRETE JUNGLE AND HAS MANY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
"AS OUR DISTRICT IS VERY SHORT OF OPEN SPACE, WE INTEND TO LOOK INTO WAYS OF PROVIDING TREES AND SHRUBS ON PAVEMENTS AND ROADS, AND MAYBE HANGING POTTED PLANTS ON LAMP POSTS.
"THERE ARE MANY DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROPOSAL, BUT I AM SURE THEY CAN BE OVERCOME," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, A TOTAL OF 15 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE DEMOLISHED IN THE CLEARANCE ACTION, THE FIFTH ONE IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE OPERATION TOOK PLACE IN THE REAR LANES OF PENNINGTON STREET AND IRVING STREET, AND IN FUK HING LANE, WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THESE AREAS.
A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS - INCLUDING BUILDINGS AND LANDS, HOUSING, URBAN SERVICES, POLICE, FIRE SERVICES AND URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE - WERE INVOLVED IN THE EXERCISE WHICH WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUPPORTED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
FOUR FAMILIES WERE AFFECTED IN THE CLEARANCE AND RE-HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM WERE BEING MADE BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
-----0-----
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
- 11
SOLE CANDIDATE TO OUTLINE AIMS AS UC MEMBER * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A FORUM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28) SO THAT THE CANDIDATE IN AN UNCONTESTED URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY IN THE COMING MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS CAN EXPLAIN WHAT HE HOPES TO ACHIEVE DURING HIS TERM AS A COUNCILLOR.
THE FORUM FOR THE CANDIDATE, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG, WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, WILL BE PRESENT.
RESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FORUM, AT WHICH MR CHOW, A 31-YEAR OLD SOCIAL WORKER, WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
MORE THAN 69,000 RESIDENTS HAVE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FORUM WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, 345 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, ON TUESDAY.
-----0------
ELECTION FORUM IN MONG KOK ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
MONG KOK VOTERS ARE INVITED TO MEET THEIR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATES AT A FORUM TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3 (FRIDAY).
THE FORUM AIMS AT FAMILIARISING VOTERS WITH THE CANDIDATES IN THE MONG KOK CONSTITUENCY BEFORE THEY CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 9.
THE CANDIDATES ARE MR CHAN KWOK-MING AND MR WONG YUEN-WEI, BOTH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
THE FORUM WILL START AT 8 PM AT THE KEI WING PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 23 LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
MR CHAN WING-TAI, A PRINCIPAL LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, WILL BE THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM.
-----0-----
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
12
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS BEACH POLLUTION PROBLEM
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF BEACH POLLUTION AT MUI WO, LANTAU AND THE RELATED QUESTION OF COMPENSATION FOR PIG FARMERS BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
OFFICIALS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING AND BEIEF MEMBERS ON THE WATER QUALITY IN SILVERMINE BAY BEACH, THE PRESENT SITUATION OF PIG FARMING IN MUI WO AND THE ISSUE CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR PIG FARMERS WHO HAVE APPLIED TO CEASE OPERATION.
THE QUESTION OF PULVERISED FUEL ASH DISPOSAL ON LAMMA ISLAND WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING.
MOREOVER, THE BOARD WILL BE INFORMED OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (1988 EDITION) AND MEMBERS’ VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT ON THE PARTICIPATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD IN THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FESTIVALS SUBSIDY SCHEME 1989-90; REVISION OF GUIDELINES ON VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS ON CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT; AND THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
- 0 -
RE-ROUTEING OF MORRISON STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28), MORRISON STREET IN SHF.UNG WAN BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND BONHAM STRAND WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
---0 - -
/13
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989
* 13 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR DRAINAGE WORK.
CANAL ROAD WEST BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
IN ADDITION, CANAL ROAD EAST BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON HENNESSY ROAD HEADING FOR LOCKHART ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CANAL ROAD EAST.
AT THE SAME TIME, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON LOCKHART ROAD HEADING FOR HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA STEWART ROAD.
-----0------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28).
HUNG TO ROAD BETWEEN CHONG YIP STREET AND LAI YIP STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND WHILE HUNG TO ROAD BETWEEN CHONG YIP STREET AND HOW NING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
THE LEFT-TURN FROM LAI YIP STREET SOUTHBOUND TO HUNG TO ROAD WILL BE BANNED BUT THE LEFT-TURN FROM HOW MING STREET NORTHBOUND TO HUNG TO ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE ALLOWED.
VEHICLES CAN ALSO TURN RIGHT FROM HUNG TO ROAD WESTBOUND TO LAI YIP STREET NORTHBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE METERED PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES ALONG THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANES OF HUNG TO ROAD BETWEEN CHONG YIP STREET AND HOW MING STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
- 0---------
/14.......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25. 1989
* 14
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF SLIP ROAD t t ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, ONE LANE OF THE SLIP ROAD OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28).
THE SLOW LANE OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD OF SHA TIN ROAD FROM SHA TIN ROAD TO SHA TIN WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 28, TO 8 AM ON MARCH 2.
MEANWHILE, THE FAST LANE OF THE SAME SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 AM ON MARCH 2 TO 8 AM ON MARCH 4.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 19&9
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VISIT TO LONDON USEFUL - THE GOVERNOR............................ 1
LARGEST SQUATTER AREA TO GIVE WAY TO PUBLIC HOUSING.............. 2
TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS INCREASE ................................... 3
MORE SAFETY COURSES IN THE PIPELINE.............................. 3
JOINT EFFORTS NEEDED TO ASSIST STREET SLEEPERS .................. 5
NEW ADDRESS FOR EPD’S aIR CONTROL GROUP ......................... 5
45^*51 MILLION E^RMAi^KED FOR DB PROJECTS........................ 7
THOUS/JJDS ATTEND EXTRAVAGANZA IN CENTRAL........................ 7
EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS HELP FIGHT CRIME...................... 8
KLN CITY CHILDREN’S CHORUS HOLDS ANNUikL CONCERT................. 9
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA.................... 1U
DB COMMITTEE TO REVIEW •MEET-THE-PUBLIC’ SCHEME................. 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DECIDE ON PRIORITY OF PROJECTS.................. 11
STUDY ROOMS FOR KWUN TONG STUDENTS ............................. 12
’MEET-THE-PUBLIC’ SCH5ME ON T.J FO DB aGENDa.................... 13
THREE LOTS FOR SaLE BY PUBLIC -JJCTION.......................... 13
SUSPENSION OF WaTER SUPPLY 114 THREE DISTRICTS.................. 14
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 1
VISIT TO LONDON USEFUL - THE GOVERNOR
*****
Till. PRINE MINISTER, MRS THATCHER, TOOK A CLOSE AND A VERY SUPPORTIVE INTEREST IN HONG KONG WHEN SHE MET THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON IN LONDON LAST WEEK.
RETURNING TO HONG KONG THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING, THE GOVERNOR TOLD REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT THAI' THE VISIT TO LONDON WAS A USEFUL ONE AND HE HAD \ CHANCE TO BRIEF THE PRIME MINISTER PERSONALLY BOTH ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG AND Ob THE VARIOUS ISSUES WHICH WERE OF CONCERN TO US.
SIR DAVID SAID THE VISIT HAD GIVEN HIM A CHANCE TO BRIEF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE AS WELL \S SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF TALKING TO THEM ABOUT TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG, MEDIUM TERM AND LONG TERM.
IN ADDITION, SIR DAVID ALSO MET SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND BROUGHT THEM UP-TO-DATE ON HONG KONG.
ASKED ABOUT MRS THATCHER’S VIEW ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS THE CUSTOM IN BRITAIN THAT DECISIONS WERE COLLECTIVE BY THE CABINET AND ONE DIDN’T QUOTE WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL MINISTER OR INDIVIDUAL SUCH AS THE PRIME MINISTER THOUGHT.
"THE POINT I MADE IN LONDON WAS BACK IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, A POLICY WE THEN APPROVED BY BRITISH MINISTERS. COLLECTIVELY. THAT MEANS THE CABINET. FORWARD WAS THE ONE WHICH WAS COLLECTIVELY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THAT THE POLICY WE ADOPTED PUT FORWARD FROM HERE, WAS THAT IS BRITISH MINISTERS SO THE POLICY THAT WE PUT
APPROVED BY BRITISH MINISTERS
"THE POINT THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPLAINING IN LONDON IS THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE WHICH IS RESULTED IN US HAVING TO SCREEN PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRIVING TO FIND WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES AND WHO ARE NOT.
"GENUINE REFUGEES WE MUST TRY TO RESETTLE. IT FOLLOWS THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES HAVE ONLY ONE PLACE THAT THEY' MUST GO BACK TO AND THAT IS THEIR OWN COUNTRY -- VIETNAM.
"THAT IS THE SAME AS ANY PLACE IN THE FROM A COUNTRY TO ANOTHER ONE ILLEGALLY, ENTER THAT COUNTRY. UNITED STATES DOES EXACTLY THE CENTRAL AMERICA. OTHER COUNTRIES SEND PEOPLE THEY HAVE COME FROM," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
WORLD. PEOPLE WHO GO ILLEGALLY, GO BACK TO SAME FOR PEOPLE FROM BACK TO PLACES WHERE
ASKED WHETHER CHINA WOULD BE MORI WILLING TO CREATE CONDITIONS TO HALT THE BRAIN DRAIN, SIR DAVID SAID THE POLICY THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ADOPTED WAS, FIRST OF ALL, IF PEOPLE WANTED TO LEAVE HONG KONG WE SHOULD NEVER STOP THEM.
/WE WOULD .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 2 -
WE WOULD TRY TO CREATE CONDITIONS HERE SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO STAY AND ALSO CONDITIONS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO RETURN IF THEY WANTED TO, HE SAID.
’’THOSE ARE THE PARAMETERS THAT WE WORK IN RATHER THAN ANY OTHER ONES," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
-------0 ---------
LARGEST SQUATTER AREA TO GIVE WAY TO PUBLIC HOUSING
SHAU KEI WAN WEST FOOTHILLS, THE BIGGEST SQUATTER AREA REMAINING ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WILL BECOME HOMES FOR 18,700 PEOPLE WHEN A NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IS BUILT ON THE 15 HECTARE SITE CLEARED FROM THE SQUATTER VILLAGES.
THE NEW ESTATE, TO BE COMPLETED IN 1995, WILL COMPRISE EIGHT 36-STOREY TRIDENT 4 BLOCKS WITH 4921 FLATS, A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, A SECONDARY SCHOOL AND RECREATIONAL AREAS.
A HOUSING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE TO CLEAR THE SIX SQUATTER VILLAGES WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF 11,500 PEOPLE.
HE SAID OF THE 1,840 FAMILIES INVOLVED LN PHASE 1 OF THE CLEARANCE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL THIS YEAR, ABOUT 1,400 OR NEARLY 80 PER CENT HAD ALREADY ACCEPTED REHOUSING OFFERS.
THE REHOUSING OF THE REMAINING HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF APRIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT OFFERS TO THOSE LIVING IN THE PHASE 2 AND 3 CLEARANCE AREAS WERE NOW BEING MADE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING WERE BEING ACCOMMODATED IN THE NEW TSUI WAN ESTATE IN CHAI WAN AND THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR URBAN TEMPORARY HOUSING WERE \LSO BEING ACCOMMODATED LOCALLY WITHIN CHAI WAN DISTRICT.
THE SITE WHICH WILL BE TOTALLY CLEARED BY AUGUST THIS YEAR WILL BE USED FOR BUILDING THE SECOND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN SHAU KEI WAN, THE FIRST OF WHICH IS AT THE EASTERN PART OF SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS WHERE SITE FORMATION WORK IS NOW IN PROGRESS.
SITE FORMATION FOR THE WESTERN FOOTHILLS AT A COST OF $255.6 MILLION WILL SOON START. THE WORK WILL INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF HOUSING PLATFORMS, CUTTING AND FILLING OF SLOPES, CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS, ROADS AND DRAINAGE, AND SLOPE AND BOULODER STABILISATION.
A SPECIALLY DESIGNED CONVEYER BELT SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE BUILT FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF 1.6 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF SURPLUS EXCAVATED MATERIALS FROM THE SITE THROUGH THE SHAU KEI WAN URBAN AREA TO ALDRICH BAY.
-------O -------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 3 -
TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS INCREASE ♦ « » » »
OVERALL ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST VARIOUS TRAFFIC OFFENCES SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8.6 PER CENT LAST YEAR WHEN COMPARED WITH 1987.
ANNOUNCING THE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT FIGURES FOR 1988, A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS ROSE FROM 1,307,930 IN 1987 TO 1,420,027 IN 1988.
"AMONG THE PROSECUTIONS, FIXED PENALTY (MOVING) OFFENCES INCREASED FROM 432,519 BY 11.5 PER CENT TO 482,348 WHILE FIXED PENALTY (PARKING) OFFENCES ROSE FROM 733,719 BY 13.9 PER CENT TO 835,611," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASES REFLECTED THE INCREASING NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON THE ROADS.
ON THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM, THE SPOKESMAN DISCLOSED THAT A TOTAL OF 3,617 DRIVERS WERE SUSPENDED DURING 1988, SOME OF THEM FOR A SECOND TIME.
"THERE ARE ALSO SOME 28,661 DRIVERS WHO HAVE ACCUMULATED 10 OR MORE PENALTY POINTS. REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 73.5 PER CENT OVER 1987," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS FOR GOODS VEHICLE OVERLOADING ROSE BY 14.7 PER CENT TO 27,558, THE SPOKESMAN SAID :“THERE IS MUCH EVIDENCE THAT THIS OFFENCE CAUSES GREAT DAMAGE TO ROAD SURFACES AS WELL AS BEING A DANGER TO OTHER ROAD USERS."
DURING LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SUMMONSES AND ARRESTS DROPPED FROM 138,396 AND 3,296 TO 98,853 AND 3,215, INDICATING A DECREASE OF 28.6 AND 2.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SUMMONSES WAS MAINLY DUE TO A POLICY OF GIVING OFFENDING PEDESTRIANS VERBAL WARNINGS INSTEAD OF SUMMONSES.
REFERRING TO ANOTHER DECREASE. IN THE NUMBER OF SEAT BELT PROSECUTIONS WHICH DROPPED FROM 13,170 BY 30.6 I'ER CENT TO 9,136, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT REPRESENTED A GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SAFETY PRECAUTION BY THE MOTORING PUBLIC'.
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MORE SAFETY COURSES IN THE PIPELINE
THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR
OPERATES ONGOING SAFETY TRAINING
COURSES FOR EMPLOYEES
DEPARTMENT
IN VARIOUS
INDUSTRIES.
WORKERS TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE EQUIP THEM WITH KNOWLEDGE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE COURSES ARE AIMED AT ENABLING WORKING CONDITIONS IN THEIR WORKPLAI I AND IN TACKLING SAFETY PROBLEMS, A DEPARTMENT
/HE POINTED
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
HE POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN 11,700 EMPLOYEES TOOK PART IN 423 COURSES ON 27 MAJOR SAFETY SUBJECTS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE LAST YEAR.
LASTING FROM HALF A DAY TO FIVE DAYS, THE COURSES COVERED AREAS SUCH AS INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING, ELECTRICAL SAFETY, SLINGING, MACHINERY AND POWER PRESS.
"OF THEM, THE BASIC ACCIDENT PREVENTION COURSES WERE MOST IN DEMAND, WITH 1,750 EMPLOYEES ENROLLED IN 52 CLASSES," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
THE CENTRE HAS ALSO ORGANISED A VARIETY OF SPECIALIST TRAINING COURSES FOR SUPERVISORY STAFF FROM INDUSTRY ON SUCH TOPICS AS HEARING CONSERVATION, ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, USE AND CONTROL OF ASBESTOS, AND SAFETY IN WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR (TUNNELLING) AND IN CAISSONS.
AS FOR THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, A TOTAL OF 198 BASIC AND ADVANCED COURSES OF 28 TYPES WOULD BE OFFERED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR.
THEY INCLUDE NOT ONLY COURSES FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS, BUT ALSO MANY FOR SAFETY OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, FOREMEN AND SAFETY COMMITTEE-MEMBERS .
NEW COURSES WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON CRANE SAFETY, SAFETY IN WORKING AT HEIGHT AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY, FATAL ACCIDENTS ANALYSIS AND CASE STUDY.
TO COPE WITH THE RISING TREND OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, MORE COURSES WILL BE OFFERED ON "HIGH-RISK" OPERATIONS IN A MOVE TO FOSTER AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COURSES ON LABELLING AND SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS, FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION ON DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES LATE LAST YEAR.
ALL THE SAFETY COURSES XRE CONDUCTED MAINLY IN CANTONESE AND ADMISSION IS FREE OF CHARGE, THOUGH APPLICATION MUST BE MADE THROUGH EMPLOYERS.
"IN VIEW OF THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE TO THE COURSES, INTERESTED EMPLOYEES ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR ENROLMENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, AS PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PROSPECTUSES AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CENTRE ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING IN PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
"ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523563 OR 5-8523565."
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 5 -
JOINT EFFORTS NEEDED TO ASSIST STREET SLEEPERS
ASSISTANCE FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IS NEEDED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SERVE STREET SLEEPERS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR THE MOBILE SERVICE VEHICLE OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS ASSOCIATION IN CENTRAL.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE OUTREACHING TEAMS AND THE 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS.
THESE INCLUDED COUNSELLING, FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE, REFERRALS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE OR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, MEDICAL OR DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
AT THE SAME TIME, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ALSO PROVIDED VARIOUS SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS, SUCH AS TEMPORARY SHELTERS, URBAN HOSTELS AND DAY CARE CENTRES.
NOTING THAT SOME STREET SLEEPERS WHO NEEDED MEDICAL CARE MIGHT NOT BE WILLING TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, MRS WONG COMMENDED THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS ASSOCIATION FOR ENLISTING THE ASSISTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE MEDICAL FIELD IN RENDERING THE NECESSARY SERVICES.
APART FROM MEDICAL TREATMENT, ITS MOBILE SERVICE VEHICLE ALSO PROVIDED SERVICES SUCH AS COUNSELLING AND HAIR-CUTTING.
"WITH THE JOINT EFFORTS AND CO-OPERATION OF THE VARIOUS SECTORS, 1 BELIEVE STREET SLEEPERS WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE NECESSARY CARE IN THE NEAR FUTURE," MRS WONG SAID.
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NEW ADDRESS FOR EPD’S AIR CONTROL GROUP ♦ » * ♦ »
THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS MOVED SOME OF ITS OFFICES TO SOUTHORN CENTRE, 26TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ALL APPLICATIONS UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS)(INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION) REGULATIONS REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OR MODIFICATIONS OF FUEL CONSUMING EQUIPMENT OR CHIMNEYS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE NEW ADDRESS.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
6
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION MAY BE MADE AT THE NEW OFFICE EITHER IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE ON 5-8351085.
ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING AIR POLLUTION SHOULD BE MADE ON THE 21 HOUR HOTLINE 5-8383111.
THE OFFICE OF THE AIR CONTROL GROUP’S VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL SECTION WILL REMAIN IN EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
MEANWHILE, EPD HAS PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS AND PAMPHLETS ON THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
A. A CONCISE GUIDE TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE;
B. A GUIDE TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS) (INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION) REGULATIONS;
C. A GUIDE TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (SPECIFIED PROCESSES) REGULATIONS;
D. A GUIDE TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (DUST AND GRIT EMISSION) REGULATIONS;
E. A GUIDE TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (SMOKE) REGULATIONS;
I' . A GUIDE TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATIONS;
G. PAMPHLET ON "DARK SMOKE CONTROL”; AND
H. CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE OPERATION OF LIQUID FUEL-FIRED COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC APPLIANCES.
THESE BOOKLETS AND PAMPHLETS ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE AIR CONTROL GROUP AT THE NEW ADDRESS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF A BOOKLET WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
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SUNDAYy FEBRUARY 26, 1989
$54.51 MILLION EARMARKED FOR DB PROJECTS ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) PLANS TO .'PEND $54.51 MILLION IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TO RUN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
THE SUM, EARMARKED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CNTA’S DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE. THE PROVISION IS $11.83 MILLION MORE THAN IN 1988-89.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, $25.44 MILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE 10 DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON, AND $29.07 MILLION TO THE NINE DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 390 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WERE IMPLEMENTED BY DISTRICT BOARDS, COMPARED WITH 306 IN 1987 AND 359 IN 1986.
THE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF SITTING-OUT AREAS, FOOTPATHS, AND AMENITY SPOTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO MINOR ACCESS ROADS AND PATHS.
THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, 3,669 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES WERE IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 4,006 IN 1987 AND 2,832 IN 1986.
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THOUSANDS ATTEND EXTRAVAGANZA IN CENTRAL t t * ♦ t
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE EXTRAVAGANZA HELD TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL.
THE EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND WAS ALSO BROADCAST LIVE ON TELEVISION.
IT WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE THROUGH COMMUN ITY J NVOLVEMENT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON. MR DAVID LAN, BEGAN THE PROGRAMME BY OFFICIATING AT A BALLOON-RAISING CEREMONY.
/OTHER OFFICIATING
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
8 -
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG SIK-WAH; CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU; CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MS MARIA WAN.
THEN CAME A PERFORMANCE BY THE TAMAR MARCHING BAND, AND SONGS BY THE POPULAR SINGER, JENNY.
CHINESE AND WESTERN MEDLEYS WERE PERFORMED BY THE BEYOND BAND, YAN CHOR-SIN, CHAN TAK-CHEONG AND KONG YAN-YIN.
THE SHOW CAME TO A GRAND FINALE FOLLOWING A PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG JING YING DANCE GROUP.
AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE EXTRAVAGANZA, MR LAN TOURED THE NEARBY GAMES STALLS AND EXHIBITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION WHICH WERE STAGED TO COINCIDE WITH THE EXTRAVAGANZA.
THE GAMES STALLS AND EXHIBITION, STAGED BY FOUR DISTRICT COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WERE OFFICIALLY OPENED EARLIER IN THE DAY TO LAUNCH THE CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT.
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG; MEMBER OF THE (’I VIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE, MRS LINA LO; AND THE CHAIRMEN OF THE EASTERN, WAN CHAI AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARDS, MR SHUM CHO I-SANG, MRS PEGGY LAM AND MR AMBROSE LAU, RESPECTIVELY.
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EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS HELP FIGHT CRIME ♦ ♦ t ♦ *
THOUSANDS OF EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS TODAY (SUNDAY) TOOK PART IN THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT VICTORIA PARK.
TWELVE RESIDENTS WERE PRESENTED WITH DISTRICT GOOD CITIZENS AWARDS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING BEHAVIOUR IN HELPING THE POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME.
PRIZES WERE ALSO AWARDED TO THE WINNERS OF THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT AND ANTI-TRI AD POSTER AND CHINESE SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, Ml? <’.J. GLOVER, SAID THAT SEVEN OUT OF 43 RECIPIENTS OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE GOOD CITIZENS AWARDS CAME FROM EASTERN DISTRICT, THE HIGHEST IN ANY DISTRICT.
MR GLOVER ALSO SAID THAT THE AVERAGE MONTHLY FIGURE FOR CRIME REPORTS IN EASTERN LAST YEAR WAS 41 J COMPARED WITH 391 IN 1987 AND 394 IN 1986.
/NROBBERIES PER .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
9
’’ROBBERIES PER 1987 WHILE BURGLARIES IN 1987.”
MONTH AVERAGED 22 IN 1988 COMPARED WITH 27 PER MONTH AVERAGED 53 IN 1988 COMPARED WITH
IN
49
MR GLOVER SAID THE DETECTION IMPROVEMENT FROM 45 PER CENT IN 1986 TO
RATE HAD SHOWN A CONTINUOUS 52 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
’’NEW PARTLY OCCUPIED BLOCKS OF FLATS CONTINUE TO BE A FAVOURITE TARGET FOR BURGLARS AS MANY PEOPLE MOVE IN BEFORE FITTING SECURITY TO THEIR FLATS AND CRIMINALS ARE ABLE TO WANDER AROUND NEW BUILDINGS DISGUISED AS WORKMEN,” MR GLOVER SAID.
THE
HE URGED HOUSEHOLDERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND TO JOIN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME WHICH HELPED TO PROTECT THEIR OWN AND NEIGHBOURS’ PREMISES.
MR GLOVER SAID THE INCIDENCE OF SHOPTHEFT OCCUR AT AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL - 495 CASES IN 1986, AND 622 LAST YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THE CULPRITS WERE, CHILDREN FOR WHOM THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE DISASTROUS.
CONTINUED TO
661 IN 1987
UNFORTUNATELY,
"THE JUVENILE CAN END UP KITH A CRIMINAL STAY WITH HIM THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE," HE SAID.
RECORD WHICH COULD
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG. PRAISED THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN ORGANISING THE "WATCHMEN/CARETAKBRS AWARD SCHEME", 'ANTI-SHOPTHEFT BUS PARADE", "LIFT DISPLAY PROJECT", SCHOOL TALKS AND COMPETITIONS TO DISSEMINATE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS.
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KLN CITY CHILDREN’S CHORUS HOLDS ANNUAL CONCERT
ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE WERE TREATED TO DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCES BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS AT ITS ANNUAL CONCERT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS ALSO JOINED THE CHORUS IN SINGING THE "KOWLOON CITY SONG" AT THE CONCERT WHICH WAS HELD AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE.
THE CHORUS PERFORMED MORE THAN 20 PIECES OF MUSIC, INCLUDING FOLK SONGS, HYMNS. AND CLASSICAL SONGS.
THE 100-MEMBER CHORUS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 WITH SUPPORT FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, THE MUSIC OFFICE, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL LEADERS.
/ITS AIM .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 19^9
10
ITS AIM IS TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S INTEREST AND STANDARD IN MUSIC THROUGH PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCES.
TODAY’S EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE CHORUS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE MUSIC OFFICE, AND WAS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
OFFICIATING AT THE CONCERT WERE THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PAO PING-WING; MUSIC OFFICER OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MR AIK YEW-GOH; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR CHAN KING-WONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CHORUS, MR CHENG WOO-YICK.
MEANWHILE, THE CHORUS IS INVITING CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FIVE AND 16 LIVING OR STUDYING IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TO JOIN AS MEMBERS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7110171 EXTENSION 49.
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FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
♦ * * ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL GIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE SUBJECT AND ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR CARRYING OUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL CONSIDER WHETHER TO SUPPORT A SCHOOL CHILDREN HEALTH STUDY BEING ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR CARRYING OUT SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO THE COMMITTEE’S ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES AND THE VETTING OF APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS, AT THE LATTER PART OF THE MEETING, ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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/11 ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 11
DB COMMITTEE TO REVIEW ’MEET-THE-PUBLIC’ SCHEME ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE ’’MEET-THE-PUBLIC’' SCHEME RUN BY WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE REVIEWED AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMM1TEE ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28) .
THE REVIEW AIMS AT FURTHER IMPROVING THE SCHEME SO THAT MORE LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL MAKE USE OF IT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR THE PRINTING OF TWO SETS OF DISTRICT BOARD POSTERS, AND DISCUSS PROCEDURES FOR VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY NON-SPECIFIED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA RELATE TO THE INVENTORY AND STORES OF THE BOARD AND TO THE COMMITTEE’S EXPENDITURE AND COMMITMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DECIDE ON PRIORITY OF PROJECTS
THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DECIDE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) ON THE PRIORITY OF THE PROPOSED MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN MONG KOK FOR 1989 — 90•
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF THE 1988-89 MONG KOK DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROGRAMME.
THEY WILL HEAR A REPORT ON THE 1988-89 MONG KOK DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND CONSIDER THF REVISED BUDGET FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
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/12
o
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 12 -
STUDY ROOMS FOR KWUN TONG STUDENTS ♦ * * *
KWUN TONG STUDENTS MAY MAKE USE OF TEMPORARY STUDY ROOMS, FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, BETWEEN MARCH AND MAY THIS YEAR.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $42,250 TO 10 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR PROVIDING STUDY ROOM FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIOD.
THE 10 STUDY CENTRES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CENTRE TELEPHONE NUMBER
THE FRIENDS OF SCOUTING -
WO LOK CENTRE
ZION YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE,
YAU TONG
THE FRIENDS OF SCOUTING -
KAI YIP CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE
HONG KONG EVANGELICAL CHURCH KO CHIU ROAD READING CENTRE
THE CHINESE YMCA LAM TIN CENTRE
SHUN TIN CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRE
KIN LOK CHURCH, NGAU TAU KOK
CHUNG SING BENEVOLENT SOCIETY GAN LOW KHOON CHOO STUDY ROOM, SAU MAU PING
THE SALVATION ARMY LOK WAH C & Y CENTRE
THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, YAU TONG YOUTH CENTRE
3-448013
3-486031
3-7549561
3-405489
3-7756033
3-499177
3-7588827
3-465700
3-7580480
3-480339
STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE CENTRES FOR DETAILS OF THE OPENING DAYS AND HOURS.
THE TEMPORARY STUDY ROOM PROJECT IN THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1983.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 13 -
’MEET-THE-PUBLIC’ SCHEME ON TAI PO DB AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW ITS SCHEME AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON A REVIEW COUNCIL’S DISTRICT FESTIVALS SUBSIDY SCHEME.
"MEET-THE-PUBLIC”
OF THE REGIONAL
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL DISCUSS THE TAI PO DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE PROCEDURES FOR ELECTING A BOARD REPRESENTATIVE TO SIT ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE REPORT AND REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
MANAGEMENT
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ('OVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION * t * ♦ t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE LOTS INCLUDE ONE FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL, CINEMA AND GODOWN) PURPOSES AND TWO FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE ONE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES IS LOCATED AT WANG HOI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY, WHILE THE OTHER TWO ARE LOCATED IN AREA 43 OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND AREA 39 IN TUEN MUN.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN Till: CITY HALL THEATRE STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAND AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TO BE HELI) IN THE C 1’10 HALL THEATRE STARTING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1989
- 14
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY IN THREE DISTRICTS t * * t t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN VILLAGES ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28 I TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE SHUI HAU VILLAGE, TONG FUK VILLAGE (EXCLUDING MA PO PING PRISON AND TONG FUK CENTRE), CHEUNG SILA AREA (INCLUDING UPPER, LOWER VILLAGE AND BUNGALOW-TYPE BUILDINGS), SAN SHEK VILLAGE, PUT O KAU TSUEN, PUI O SAN TSUEN, LO UK TSUEN, WO LIU TSUEN, HOM TIN TSUEN AND LO WAI TSUEN.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY LAI CHI KOK ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET AND KWEILIN STREET INCLUDING YEE KUK STREET. HOI TAN STREET AND PEI HO STREET.
ALSO TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM II PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN WAR STREET AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS RAISED BY DOCTORS .... 1
GOVT DOCTORS' ASSOCIATION URGED TO RECONSIDER DECISION ...... 2
SIGNIFICANT STEP IN IMPROVING MEDICAL SERVICES: GOVERNOR .... 4
THREE LOTS SOLD FOR NEARLY 5690 MILLION.................... 5
FS TO PRESENT BUDGET ON WEDNESDAY ......................... 6
ZHOU NAN TO ARRIVE TOMORROW ............................... 7
TRIBUTE TO SIR RUN RUN'S ARTS FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP.......... 7
STEERING GROUP MEMBERS VISIT DEMONSTRATION FARMS .......... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ...................................... 9
1988 EXPORTS STATISTICS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED... 9
VEHICLE EX.MINATION CENTRE TO BE BUILT IN KOWLOON BAY.... 1?
APPLICATIONS INVITED EOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 2-6 ........ 13
ILLEGAL DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS BLITZED ............. 14
BRIEFINGS FOR KO,/LOOT CITY DB MEMBERS ................... 15
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN YUEN LONG .................. 16
UC ELECTION FORUMS FOR WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ............. 16
SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR SAI KUNG ELDERLY................. 17
JOINT SPRING RECEPTION IN NORTH DISTRICT ................. 18
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DaY ACTIVITIES ON AGENDA ............... 18
ESTIMATES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDa ......................... 19
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED .......................... 19
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FO.. TAT CHEE ..VENUE EXTENSION...... 20
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
1
MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS RAISED BY DOCTORS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS RAISED BY DOCTORS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY OF PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL THIS AFTERNOON AND WAS ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE GRADED ACTION BY GOVERNMENT DOCTORS.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS AND PROBLEMS OF ORGANISATION BUT THESE WOULD TAKE TIME TO RESOLVE.
"I WOULD HOPE THAT THE DOCTORS WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND DEDICATED PEOPLE WILL TAKE PARTICULAR CARE NOT TO DO THINGS WHICH COULD IN ANY WAY DAMAGE THE INTERESTS OF THEIR PATIENTS," HE SAID.
HE CITED THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS ONE OF THE WAYS OF DEALING WITH THAT PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING.
"WE ARE IN FACT BUILDING HOSPITALS SO THAT WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER 5,000 BEDS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT.
"AND TO DEAL WITH THE ORGANISATIONAL PROBLEM, WE ARE SETTING UP THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THEN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH THE DOCTORS HAVE RAISED, WE HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO INCREASE VERY SUBSTANTIALLY BY OVER 70 SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER POSTS AND OVER 30 CONSULTANT POSTS.
"AT THE SAME TIME ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE SECRETARIAL HELP FOR DOCTORS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"I HOPE DOCTORS AS PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE WILL HAVE A DEGREE OF PATIENCE AND THAT THEY WILL CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT I KNOW THEY ALL FEEL TOWARDS THEIR OWN PATIENTS," HE ADDED.
_ _ _ _ 0 ---------
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 2
GOVT DOCTORS’ ASSOCIATION URGED TO RECONSIDER DECISION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT DOCTORS’ ASSOCIATION (GDA) TO RECONSIDER ITS DECISION 10 START GRADED ACTION ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1).
HE EXPRESSED IIIS CONCERN THAT THE GDA SHOULD RESOLVE TO UNDERTAKE GRADED ACTION AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHEN VARIOUS MEASURES WIRE BEING TAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE ASSOCIATION.
DR LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EQUALLY CONCERNED OVER THE PROBLEMS FACING ITS DOCTORS, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO OVERCROWDING IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, THE RETENTION OF EXPERIENCED DOCTORS, AND GENERALLY THE MEED FOR CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THERE WERE NO SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. BUT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING EVERYTHING IT COULD.
ON THE STAFFING SIDE, DR LEE ADDED, 74 SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER POSTS WOULD BE CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO ADDRESS THE RETENTION PROBLEM.
"THESE WILL COME INTO BEING FROM MARCH 1," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, ACTION IS IN HAND TO CREATE 32 CONSULTANT POSTS. THE CREATION OF THESE POSTS WILL REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT THE POSTS BE AVAILABLE BEFORE DECEMBER THIS YEAR."
TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE DOCTORS TO ENABLE THEM TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES, THE FIRST BATCH OF 22 CLERICAL AND SECRETARIAL POSTS WAS EXPECTED TO BE CREATED WITHIN NEXT MONTH, DR LEE SAID.
THESE WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHERE THE NEED WAS MOST PRESSING. ANOTHER 47 POSTS WOULD BE CREATED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
FURTHERMORE, DR LEE SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLE OF REWARDING, IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER, THOSE DOCTORS WHO, DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER, CONSISTENTLY HAD TO WORK UNUSUALLY LONG HOURS, IN ORDER THAT CERTAIN SERVICES WERE PROPERLY MANNED.
HE ADDED THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN HONORARIUM WERE BEING PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND HE WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO ADVISE THE GDA IN TWO WEEKS’ TIME.
THESE ACTIONS, DR LEE STRESSED, DEMONSTRATED CLEARLY THE ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT AND SINCERITY IN IMPROVING THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF GOVERNMENT DOCTORS.
/’’THEY REPRESENT.......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 3
"THEY REPRESENT THE FIRST STEPS IN REDUCING THE WORKLOAD ON DOCTORS AND GIVING THEM SOME RECOGNITION FOR THEIR LONG WORKING HOURS.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ASSOCIATION," HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID THAT IN HIS REPLY TO GDA*S LETTER WHICH INFORMED THE GOVERNMENT OF ITS PLANNED ACTION, HE DREW THE ASSOCIATION’S ATTENTION TO THE IMPACT THE ACTION MIGHT HAVE ON PATIENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
HE COMMENTED THAT:
(A) TO STOP WRITING DISCHARGE FORMS COULD MEAN DELAYS IN THE DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS FROM HOSPITALS, AND AGGRAVATE THE PRESENT OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS;
(B) TO STOP TEACHING STUDENT NURSES WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS DISRUPTION TO THE NURSES' TRAINING PROGRAMME. THIS WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SUPPLY OF NURSES AND LEAD TO A DETERIORATION IN THE QUALITY' OF PATIENT CARE;
(C) TO STOP ATTENDING MEDICAL ASSESSMENT BOARDS WOULD DELAY THE PROCESSING OF COMPENSATION AWARDS. SOME 20,000 CASES WERE DEALT WITH BY THE BOARDS EACH YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES CONCERNED WORKMEN INJURED AT WORK AND CONSEQUENTLY SUFFERING LOSS OR REDUCTION OF THEIR EARNING CAPACITY. MANY OF THEM WERE HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIVING; AND
(D) TO STOP WRITING MEDICAL REPORTS WAS LIKELY' TO HINDER POLICE AND CORONER INVESTIGATIONS AND THIS WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
DR LEE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE ASSOCIATION, HAVING REGARD TO THE PROFESSIONAL CALLING OF DOCTORS AND THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, WOULD RECONSIDER ITS POSITION, ADDING THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF ACHIEVING A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS WAS TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
- - 0 ---------
A
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
SIGNIFICANT STEP IN IMPROVING MEDICAL SERVICES: GOVERNOR
******
THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HONG KONG'S MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE HOSPITAL IN CHAI WAN. SIR DAVID SAID THE HOSPITAL WAS ONI OF THE PROJECTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE HONG KONG'S STANDARD TO SIX HOSPITAL BEDS PER 1,000 POPULATION.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT AIM IS TO MAKE SURE THAT MEDICAL SERVICES ARE LOCATED WITHIN REASONABLE REACH,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD ALREADY ACHIEVED HIGH STATISTICAL STANDARDS OF HEALTH WITH THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD.
LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS AMONG THE HIGHEST -- HIGHER THAN EITHER THE UNITED STATES OR THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"BUT THIS EXCELLENT STATISTICAL RECORD SHOULD NOT LULL US INTO A SENSE OF COMPLACENCY. THERE IS MUCH WE CAN DO, AND WILL DO, TO IMPROVE OUR STANDARDS OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE," HE SAID.
HF NOTED THAT HONG KONG NOW HAD 4.5 HOSPITAL BEDS PER 1,000 POPULATION. BY 1996, NEW AND EXPANDED HOSPITALS WOULD PROVIDE A FURTHER 13,000 BEDS.
"THIS MEANS WE WILL IMPROVE OUR STANDARD TO SIX BEDS PER 1,000 POPULATION. THIS RATIO IS COMPARABLE TO THAT IN THE UNITED STATES TODAY. THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS IN THIS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME," SIR DAVID SAID.
"AT PRESENT, MOST ACUTE CASES ON HONG KONG ISLAND ARE TREATED AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL. THAT IS A LONG WAY FROM EASTERN DISTRICT, WHERE NEARLY HALF OF THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG ISLAND LIVE.
"THF PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THIS DISTRICT A MODERN HOSPITAL ON THEIR DOORSTEP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING A FULL ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE."
SIR DAVID SAID THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL, DESIGNED FOR 1,750 BEDS INCLUDING 200 DAY BEDS, WITH ROOM FOR FURTHER EXPANSION, WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST HOSPITALS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
ON CURRENT ESTIMATES IT WOULD COST OVER $2.2 BILLION.
/"THE SIZE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 5 -
"THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT, AND ITS STEEP HILLSIDE SITE, TO SAY NOTHING OF THE NEED TO INVOLVE MORE THAN 25 DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, MEANS THAT BUILDING THIS HOSPITAL IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
"IT IS EXACTLY THE SORT OF CHALLENGE THAT WE MUST MEET IF WE ARE TO IMPROVE OUR MEDICAL SERVICES AND MAINTAIN OUR PROUD RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE THAT LADY YOUDE HAD AGREED TO HAVE THE HOSPITAL NAMED AFTER HER.
THE HOSPITAL WOULD COMMEMORATE, IN A VERY TANGIBLE FORM, THE CONCERN WHICH BOTH SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE SHOWED FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------0--------
THREE LOTS SOLD FOR NEARLY $690 MILLION
******
THE SALE OF THREE LOTS BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC AUCTION HELD TODAY (MONDAY) FETCHED A TOTAL PREMIUM OF $689.5 MILLION.
A NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL, CINEMA AND GODOWN) LOT LOCATED AT WANG HOI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY, WAS SOLD TO LAND SUCCESS DEVELOPMENT LIMITED, DIAMOND CAREER LIMITED AND UNION PEARL DEVELOPMENT LIMITED FOR $450 MILLION.
BIDDING STARTED AT $300 MILLION.
THE LOT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,121 SQUARE METRES. THE PURCHASER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 27,700 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT IN AREA 43, SHA TIN NEW TOWN WAS BOUGHT BY Hl POINT INVESTMENT LIMITED FOR $12.5 MILLION FOLLOWING BIDDINGS WHICH STARTED AT $8 MILLION.
THE AREA OF THE LOT IS ABOUT 1,550 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF AT LEAST 558 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
ANOTHER PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT WAS SOLD TO K1NGSWORTH LIMITED FOR $227 MILLION.
IT IS LOCATED IN AREA 39 IN TUEN MUN AND COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,673 SQUARE METRES. BIDDING STARTED AT $130 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 19,152 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR TIM MILLS.
0--------
/6........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
6
FS TO PRESENT BUDGET ON WEDNESDAY
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989-90 WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1).
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 PM, WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, MOVES THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 AND OUTLINES HONG KONG'S ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90.
THE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WILL BE SET OUT IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 TO BE PUBLISHED IN A GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY THE SAME AFTERNOON.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL APRIL 19 AND 20, WHEN MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.
ON MAY 3, OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL ON MAY 10.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE
BROADCAST LIVE OVER RTHK RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).
RTHK WILL ALSO BROADCAST LIVE THE OTHER BUDGET SITTINGS ON APRIL 19 AND 20 AND MAY 3 AND 10 ON RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GIS WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1) TO ENABLE REPRESENTATIVES TO START WORK ON THEIR BUDGET STORIES EARLY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE GIVEN ADVANCE COPIES OF THE BUDGET SPEECH AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AT 12 NOON, BUT THEY MUST STAY AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM (FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL) TO WORK ON THEIR COPIES AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE UNTIL AFTER THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS CONCLUDED HIS SPEECH.
CONTACTS OF ANY KIND WITH THE OUTSIDE, SUCH AS TELEPHONE OR COMPUTER LINKS, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED DURING THE "LOCK-IN". ALSO, MOBILE TELEPHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH AND THE FINANCE BRANCH WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM FROM 12.30 I’M.
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AND SANDWICHES WILL BE SERVED AND GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER HELP.
-------0---------
/7........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27,
1989
- 7 -
ZHOU NAN TO ARRIVE TOMORROW t » t t *
AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THE CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ZHOU NAN, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO THURSDAY (MARCH 2).
MR ZHOU WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1). HIS PROGRAMME WILL ALSO INCLUDE A BRIEFING ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND VISITS TO A CONTAINER TERMINAL IN KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR ZHOU NAN WILL ARRIVE BY CX331 AT 8.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT 7.30 PM.
-------o----------
TRIBUTE TO SIR RUN RUN’S ARTS FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP » * t ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON TONIGHT (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO SIR RUN RUN SHAW FOR THE SPLENDID LEADERSHIP HE PROVIDED TO THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.
SIR RUN RUN IS RETIRING AFTER SERVING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1973.
"WE ARE ALL SADDENED THAT HE IS RETIRING AND DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT HE HAS ACHIEVED," SAID THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE ADDRESSED A POST ARTS FESTIVAL DINNER.
"HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL, AND TO THE WIDER HONG KONG CULTURAL SCENE, HAS SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW IN THE FUTURE."
THE ARTS FESTIVAL HAD BECOME ESTABLISHED AS A LEADING CULTURAL EVENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. AND THIS WAS DUE IN NO SMALL MEASURE TO SIR RUN RUN’S LEADERSHIP, SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO EXPRESSED HIS PERSONAL APPRECIATION OF THE HARD WORK PUT IN BY ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE 1989 ARTS FESTIVAL, AND SAID HE WAS SURE THE PAST MONTH HAD BEEN BOTH BUSY AND REWARDING.
/IT WAS .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
8
IT WAS EASY FOR THOSE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED TO TAKE FOR GRANTED THE ARTS FESTIVAL WOULD BE A SUCCESS, AND PEOPLE PERHAPS ALSO TOOK FOR GRANTED ALL THE WORK THAT WENT ON BEHIND THE SCENES.
"SO 1 WOULD LIKE TO ADI) MY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AND MEMORABLE TO DATE, AND ONE OF WHICH HONG KONG CAN BE PROUD,” SIR DAVID SAID.
’’MANY OF YOU HERE TONIGHT HAVE DEVOTED A GREAT DEAL OF YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO THE ARTS FESTIVAL.
’’MANY OF YOU ALSO REPRESENT ORGANISATIONS AND COMPANIES WHICH HAVE GIVEN VALUABLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. WITHOUT THIS THE ARTS FESTIVAL WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.”
THE DINNER WAS HOSTED BY SIR RUN RUN.
-----0------
STEERING GROUP MEMBERS VISIT DEMONSTRATION FARMS
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED FOUR FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
AT A MEETING OF THE STEERING GROUP EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY AN OFFICIAL FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
THEY LEARNT THAT SIX OF THE NINE PRIVATE LIVESTOCK FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS HAD ALREADY COMPLETED THE COMMISSIONING STAGE AND FARM OPERATORS WERE BEING TRAINED TO USE THE FACILITIES.
THE MEMBERS, INCLUDING LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR ANDREW WONG AND SEVEN FARMER REPRESENTATIVES, THEN SET OFF TO VISIT FOUR OF THE PARTICIPATING FARMS IN SHA TAU KOK, TA KWU LING AND MA ON SHAN TO LOOK AT THE LATEST PROGRESS IN THE PROJECTS.
TODAY'S VISIT WAS ARRANGED TO ENABLE STEERING GROUP MEMBERS TO MONITOR CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
-------0--------
/9........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 9 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE »*■***
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 36.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 215.706 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 310.712 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 53.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
---------------------------0------- 1988 EXPORTS STATISTICS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED
THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1988 TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 83 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SIX INDUSTRY GROUPS WERE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ; WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR; TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING); PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; PLASTIC PRODUCTS; AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER 1987 WERE : ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (+$10,748 MILLION); PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$3,948 MILLION); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+$2,373 MILLION); AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (+$2,076 MILLION).
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER 1987 WERE : MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+56 PER CENT); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+52 PER CENT); BEVERAGES (+38 PER CENT); AND TOBACCO (+36 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, A FEW INDUSTRIES RECORDED A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1988 AS COMPARED WITH 1987.
THEY WERE : PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$1,584 MILLION OR -12 PER CENT); TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (-$145 MILLION OR -0.4 PER CENT); AND WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (-$15 MILLION OR -2 PER CENT) .
/OUTSIDE THE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 10 -
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING INCREASED BY $100 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT IN 1988 OVER 1987, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED BY $15 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.I.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THESE RE-CLASSIFIED STATISTICS. CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THEIR PRODUCTION.
IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH AN ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED IS NOT THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE EXPORT VALUE OF THAT ITEM. HOWEVER, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS WHOLLY BEEN ALLOCATED TO THAT INDUSTRY IN THIS RE-CLASSIFICATION.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE EXPORT VALUE OF THE ITEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE PART OF THE VALUE MAY BE DUE TO PRODUCTION BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (ON TEL. NO. 5-8234832). A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ”HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER, 1988”.
/VALUE OF .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
11
VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1988
(VALUE IN HK$ MILLION)
MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS
INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN OF THE COMMODITIES EXPORTED 1988 WHOLE YEAR 1987 WHOLE YEAR VALUE CHANGE % CHANGE
AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND FISHING
AGRICULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION 11 9 + 2 + 25
OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING 626 526 + 100 + 19
MINING AND QUARRYING 7 7 -0.05 -1
MANUFACTURING
FOOD 1,508 1,324 + 185 + 14
BEVERAGES 338 245 + 93 + 38
TOBACCO 1,765 1,294 + 471 + 36
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 41,326 41,471 -145 -♦
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR 42,418 40,959 + 1 ,459 + 4
LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS 901 720 + 181 + 25
FOOTWEAR 1,236 1 , 108 + 128 + 12
WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES 859 874 -15 -2
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING 4,955 4,050 + 905 + 22
/UHD4ICALS AND........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 12 •
CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 3,814 2,507 +1,307 + 52
PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL 4 0 + 4 -
RUBBER PRODUCTS 182 180 + 2 + 1
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 12,063 13.647 -1,584 -12
NO) METALLIC MINERAL 1 ‘RODUCTS 747 741 + 6 + 1
BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 10,379 8,303 +2,076 + 25
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 6,611 4,238 +2,373 + 56
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 53,512 42,764 +10,748 + 25
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 174 147 + 27 + 19
PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT 20,380 16,432 +3,948 + 24
OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 13,239 13,147 + 92 + 1
ELECTRICITY 517 502 + 15 + 3
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 90 60 + 30 + 51
(E.G. DEVELOPED PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES AND FILM, ANTIQUES, AND WORKS OF ART)
TOTAL 217,664 195,254 +22,410 +11
INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES OF A COLUMN MAY NOT ADD UP EXACTLY TO THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING.
* WITHIN +/- 0.5%
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 15 -
VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE TO BE BUILT IN KOWLOON BAY t t * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO BUILD A VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY.
IT IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF WANG CHIU ROAD AND CHEUNG YIP STREET AND COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE CENTRE COMPRISES A TWO-STOREY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND A COVERED SINGLE-STOREY INSPECTION HALL.
THE FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE 10 COVERED INSPECTION LANES, WAITING AREAS, A COMPUTER CONTROL ROOM, OFFICE SPACE, A CANTEEN AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 31.
-----0------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 2-6 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
A NUMBER OF PRIMARY 2 TO 6 PLACES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION WILL BE OPEN ON FRIDAY (MARCH 3) TO CHILDREN IN APPROPRIATE AGE GROUPS.
CHILDREN WHO ARE SIX YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS OLD AND ABOVE ON SEPTEMBER I THIS YEAR MAY APPLY FOR ADMISSION '1’0 THE APPROPRIATE PRIMARY 2 TO 6 LEVELS.
PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY WISH TO SEEK ADMISSION FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO SEE IF THERE ARE VACANCIES.
\ NOTICE INDICATING VACANCIES AT SPECIFIC LEVELS WILL BE PUT I’P AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THESE SCHOOLS IRON FRIDAY (MARCH 3) ’1’0 TUI FOLLOWING FRIDAY (MARCH ID) EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOL I DAYS.
/COMPLETED APPLICATION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 19^9
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL TO WHICH ADMISSION IS SOUGHT.
SELECTION OF APPLICANTS WILL BE MADE ON FRIDAY, MARCH I 7.
CHILDREN WILL NORMALLY BE ADMITTED TO SCHOOLS WHICH SERVE THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEY LIVE.
CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO ENSURE THAT WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CHILDREN FROM THE SAME FAMILY WILL NOT BE SEPARATED.
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ALL THE PARTICULARS ASKED FOR IN THE APPLICATION FORM.
PARENTS ARE URGED TO NOTE THAT NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED FOR SEEKING ADMISSION TO ANY GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND OBTAINING APPLICATION FORMS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED PARENTS THAT ALL CHILDREN AGED FROM SIX TO 12, WHO ARE NOT IN SCHOOL, SHOULD APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
-------0----------
ILLEGAL DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS BLITZED
A TOTAL OF 11 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED DURING A TERRITORY-WIDE BLITZ OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS HELD LAST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
’’ILLEGAL DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS AT PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PLACES IS A COMMON PRACTICE DURING WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS AND AFTER OFFICE HOURS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THIS HAS POSED A GREATPROBLEM TO THE OVERALL TIDINESS AND CLEANLINESS OF THE CITY,” HE SAID.
THE BLITZ OPERATION, CARRIED OUT BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AIMED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION.
WHEN THE FIRST OPERATION OF THIS NATURE WAS CARRIED OUT IN NOVEMBER 1986, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE TWO DEPARTMENTS SHOULD CARRY our SIMILAR EXERCISES ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS.
/’’HOWEVER, AS.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
15
"HOWEVER, AS THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, WE HAVE INCREASED THE FREQUENCY FROM TWICE A YEAR TO QUARTERLY INTERVALS," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
"WE HOPE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE ADVERTISING COMPANIES CONCERNED, WOULD EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE IN THE DISPLAY OF OUTDOOR PUBLICITY POSTERS.
"PERSONS WHO DISPLAY BILLS AND POSTERS AT PRIVATE PLACES WITHOUT THE OWNERS’ CONSENT OR AT PUBLIC PLACES WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORISATION ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000," HE STRESSED.
-----0------
BRIEFINGS FOR KOWLOON CITY DB MEMBERS
*****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ARRANGED TWO BRIEFINGS FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON A PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN !!?..MALT1N AND ON NRW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD
FLYOVER.
THE BRIEFINGS WILL BE GIVEN BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, BEGINNING AT 2.15 PM AND AT 4 15 PM RESPECTIVELY TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
AT THE FIRST BRIEFING, OFFICIALS FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL INFORM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO CHANGE THE PROPOSED USE OF A SITE IN HO MAN TIN BOUNDED BY FAT KWONG STREET, SHEUNG LOK STREET AND SHEUNG FOO STREET, FROM A STADIUM TO A PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT.
AT THE SECOND BRIEFING, OFFICIALS FROM THE TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENTS WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEES ON THE NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER ON MARCH 10 TO FOUR-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TWO BRIEFINGS WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM AND AT 4.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
OFFICERS FROM THE TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AFTER THE BRIEFING ON THE NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER.
-------0 - - -
/16........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 16
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN YUEN LONG ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS PREPARED BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL FROM TOMORROW (FEBRUARY 28) TO MARCH 2.
THESE ARE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON YUEN LONG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AND THE YUEN LONG COMMUNTIY YOUTH CLUB.
THE NINE SCHOOLS WHICH TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION ALSO PREPARED WRITTEN REPORTS TO ACCOMPANY THEIR PROJECTS ON THE TWO THEMES OF "HOW TO PROMOTE CIVIC AWARENESS IN YUEN LONG" AND "HOW TO PROTECT YUEN LONG’S ENVIRONMENT".
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAJ KUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG. THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM.
-----0------
UC ELECTION FORUMS FOR WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ♦ * * ♦ ♦
TWO ELECTION FORUMS WILL BE HELD IN WONG TAI SIN THIS WEEK FOR CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION TO MEET VOTERS IN THE DISTIRCT.
THE FIRST FORUM, WHICH IS FOR THE WONG TAI SIN SOUTH CONSTITUENCY, WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1) AT COGNITIO COLLEGE, 96 KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG. IT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
THE SECOND FORUM FOR THE WONG TAI SIN NORTH CONSTITUENCY WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 3) AT THE TSZ WAN SHAN (EAST) ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HONG WAH STREET, TSZ WAN SHAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THAT AT THE FORUMS, THE CANDIDATES WILL EXPLAIN THEIR PLATFORMS AS WELL AS ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
/HE URGED .......
MONDAY* FEBRUARY 27, 1989
17
HE URGED VOTERS TO ATTEND THE FORUMS SO THAT THEY COULD GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES BETTER BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES IN THE ELECTION ON MARCH 9.
CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE SEAT FOR THE WONG TAI SIN SOUTH CONSTITUENCY ARE MR YEUNG CHIU-MING, MS FOK PUI-YEE AND MR MOK YING-FAN.
MISS CECILIA YEUNG, MR NG NGOK-SHING AND MR KAN CHI-HO ARE CONTESTING THE SEAT FOR THE WONG TAI SIN NORTH CONSTITUENCY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUMS IN WONG TAI SIN ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1) AND FRIDAY (MARCH 3).
-------0---------
SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR SAI KUNG ELDERLY ♦ t * t ♦
ABOUT 2,500 ELDERLY AGED 60 OR ABOVE LIVING IN SAI KUNG WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY VARIOUS BENEFITS IN A TWO-WEEK SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 15.
THIS SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME AIMS AT PROMOTING RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS AND STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE YOUNG AND THE OLD.
A TOTAL OF 17 COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS IN SAI KUNG TOWN, RENNIE'S MILL AND JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WILL TAKE PART IN THE SCHEME. THESE INCLUDE RESTAURANTS, CAKE SHOPS, PHARMACIES, OPTICAL SHOPS, GROCERIES AND HOUSEWARE STORES.
THE NATURE OF A SPECIAL OFFER IS DECIDED BY THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS. ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO CONSUME OR BUY GOODS AT ANY OF THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS WILL RECEIVE EITHER DISCOUNTS OR OTHER SPECIAL OFFERS.
COUPON BOOKLETS CONTAINING THE NAMES, ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND THE TYPE OF SPECIAL OFFERS PROVIDED BY THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE ELDERLY STARTING FROM JANUARY 21.
MEANWHILE, A SPECIAL LOGO WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON THE SHOP WINDOWS OR AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS TO SIGNIFY THEIR PARTICIPATION.
THE TWO-WEEK SPECIAL OFFER SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN SAI KUNG IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEES, SAI KUNG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE HANG HAU AND JUNK BAY MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION.
-----0------
/18........
[This page is blank in the original document]
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989
- 19 -
ESTIMATES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND THE CREATION OF NEW SUBHEADS BY TRANSFER OF FUNDS.
PAPERS TO BE TABLED WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCIAL SITUATION AND REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS ON THE REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS AND ON PUBLIC RELATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONDERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN, TOMORROW (TUESDAY). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- - 0 ---------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF THE ILLEGAL
STRUCTURES AT THE ROOF OVER THE FOURTH FLOOR, KOWLOON, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
33C CHEUNG NING
WITHOUT DANGER
STREET, TO THE
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 4 AND MAY 30 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT NEXT MAY 31 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
-------0 -
/2O........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27,
1989
- 20 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAT CHEE AVENUE EXTENSION
» » t » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TAT CHEE AVENUE EXTENSION BETWEEN TO YUEN STREET AND CORNWALL STREET, YAU YAT TSUEN, WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1).
AFTER THE OPENING OF THE EXTENSION, MOTORISTS MAY TRAVEL BETWEEN WESTBOUND CORNWALL STREET AND TAI HANG TUNG ROAD VIA TAT CHEE AVENUE.
AT THE SAME TIME, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE AREA.
A BUS ONLY LANE WILL BE DESIGNATED ON NORTHBOUND TAT CHEE AVENUE EXTENSION NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH CORNWALL STREET. ONLY FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM TAT CHEE AVENUE EXTENSION TO EASTBOUND CORNWALL STREET.
ALSO, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER TAT CHEE AVENUE BETWEEN CORNWALL STREET AND TAI HANG TUNG ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE BANNED FORM THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS DURING THE PERIODS SPECIFIED BELOW:
t TAT CHEE AVENUE BETWEEN TO YUEN STREET AND TAI HANG TUNG ROAD FROM 6 AM TO 7.30 AM DAILY.
* TSEUK KIU STREET, FA PO STREET AND NAM SHAN CHUEN ROAD 24 HOURS DAILY.
THE NEW TAT CHEE AVENUE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS WILL ALSO BE OPENED ON WEDNESDAY.
FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES AND TAXIS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS.
GMB ROUTE 2 WILL THEN BE EXTENDED TO TERMINATE AT THE NEW TERMINUS INSTEAD OF NAM SHAN ESTATE (LUNG CHU STREET).
GMB ROUTE 4 IM WILL ALSO OPERATE FORM THIS TERMINUS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM DAILY. HOWEVER, THE ROUTEING OF GMB ROUTE 41M WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AFTER 10 AM.
FOR BUS SERVICES, FROM THURSDAY KMB ROUTE 2C WILL BE EXTENDED TO TERMINATE AT THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS INSTEAD OF THE TAI HANG TUNG BUS TERMINUS.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SflRSttDHS, ruSKUaHf 28, 1989 BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 5-8428777
CONTENTS P,.GE NO.
GOVERNOR TO DISCUSS R.'j.'GE OF ISSUES WITH MR ZHOU N.iN.. 1
MR ZHOU NAN TO MEET GOVERNOR .JD VISIT CONTAINER TERMINAL
TOMORROW .................................................. 1
APPLICATIONS FOR RIGHT TO OPERATE CABLE TV RECEIVED.......... 2
D.-.RWIN CHEN DESIGNATED MEMBER OF LzJiD CCHMISi ION ........ J
GOVT REPRESENTATIONS TO EC ON ANTI-DUMPING C.ASE............. J
SIR EDWARD YOUDE M340RI.iL ..WARDS, MEDALS ..ND PRIZES ......... A
ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO BE LOWERED.......... 6
GOVERNMENT HOUSE G. .ADENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ................... 7
TWO MORE AIDS pathmts confirmed.............................. 8
PRINCESS M..RG..RET RD FLYOVER TO BE FULLY REOPENED......... 10
..DVICE ..GAINST NATURAL RESOURCES EXPLOITATIONS ........... 11
FIN..L CONTRACT FOR KWUN TONG BYPASS SIGNED................. 12
FINDS SOUGHT FOR FACILITIES FOR MORNING W. .LEERS .......... 1}
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO KELT ............................. 14
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS ............ 15
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DaY .............. 15
ENTRIES INVITED FOR NORTn CROSS COUNTRY RACE................ 16
ELECTION FORUM FOR YUEN LONG CANDIDATES .................... 16
ELECTION FORUM IN KWUN TONG ................................ 17
SPRING RECEPTION FOR THE ..GED ............................. 17
Lu JOUR RELATIONS SPRING RECEPTION ......................... 18
CH.JCE FOR YOUNG MUSICI .N TO GO . JROaD.................... 18
FOUR GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ...................... 19
IMPRCVIMENT TO S..LT WaTER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN ABERDEEN........ 21
TRAFFIC ..RR. .NG EH ENTS IN SHEUNG W.J, QUARRY B..Y ....... 21
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARR.'JGEM3<T£ IN L .M TIN .................. 22
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
GOVERNOR TO DISCUSS RANGE OF ISSUES WITH MR ZHOU NAN ♦ t » * *
THE NORMAL RANGE OF ISSUES WHICH INVOLVE RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ZHOU NAN, AT A MEETING TOMORROW, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
MR ZHOU, WHO IS HERE AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR, WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS SIR DAVID SAID THE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER HAS BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
"WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT HE IS NOW TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO HONG KONG, NOT SIMPLY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS WHICH WE HAVE HAD IN PEKING ON OTHER OCCASIONS, BUT ALSO SO THAT HE WILL GET A CHANCE TO SEE SOMETHING FOR HIMSELF OF THE DEVELOPMENTS OF HONG KONG," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD ALSO GIVE MR ZHOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE PROGRESS THAT HAD BEEN MADE IN HONG KONG OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
----0------
MR ZHOU NAN TO MEET GOVERNOR AND VISIT CONTAINER TERMINAL TOMORROW
THE CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ZHOU NAN, WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
MR ZHOU, WHO IS COMING TO HONG KONG AT THE INVITATION OF SIR DAVID, WILL ALSO VISIT A CONTAINER TERMINAL IN KWAI CHUNG IN THE AFTERNOON.
ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2), MR ZHOU WILL VISIT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA AND HENG ON ESTATE IN SHA TIN, AND THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
DURING HIS STAY IN HONG KONG, MR ZHOU WILL BE BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY AND MEET SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO COVER MR ZHOU’S VISIT PROGRAMME AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY AT THE VENUES AS THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO THE USUAL SECURITY CHECKS.
/WEDNESDAY (MARCH1)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
- 2
WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1):
MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 9 AM AT THE GUARD ROOM OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
VISIT TO MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG AT 3.15 PM. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO COVER THE VISIT. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BY 1.45 PM. THOSE USING THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE MTL ADMINISTRATION BLOCK NO LATER THAN 2.45 PM.
THURSDAY (MARCH 2):
VISITS TO SHA TIN NEW TOWN AT 9.25 AM, AND TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT 11.30 AM. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO COVER BOTH VISITS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, NO LATER THAN 8 AM. THOSE USING THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION NO LATER THAN 9 AM.
-------0---------
APPLICATIONS FOR RIGHT TO OPERATE CABLE TV RECEIVED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED PROPOSALS FROM FOUR CONSORTIA COMPETING FOR THE RIGHT TO OPERATE A CABLE TV SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID: "APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM HUTCHISON CABLEVISION, HONG KONG CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, SUPERTECH INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES CORPORATION, AND SUN HUNG KAI AND CO. LTD. AND ITS PARTNERS."
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 9(1)(D) OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS INVITED THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY INTO A SUITABLE SYSTEM OF CABLE TELEVISION FOR HONG KONG AND TO REPORT ITS CONCLUSIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR A DECISION," HE SAID.
"THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WILL BE ASSISTED IN THIS TASK BY A STEERING GROUP COMPRISING OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. THE GROUP WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION.
/"THROUGHOUT THIS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
- 3 -
"THROUGHOUT THIS EXERCISE, WE SHALL OBSERVE STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY OVER THE DETAILS OF EACH APPLICATION.
"THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE SUMMER OF 1989."
0 -------
DARWIN CHEN DESIGNATED ♦ t
MEMBER OF LAND COMMISSION t * ♦
IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR DARWIN CHEN, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE LAND COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1, 1989.
HE WILL REPLACE MR DONALD TSANG.
-------o---------
GOVT REPRESENTATIONS TO EC ON ANTI-DUMPING CASE ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE FORMAL WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF ALL THE HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS INVOLVED IN THE VIDEO CASSETTE TAPE ANTI-DUMPING CASE.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR STUART HARB INSON, SAID THE DETAILS OF THE SUBMISSION ARE CONFIDENTIAL.
HOWEVER IT CONTESTS THE ALLEGATIONS OF DUMPING AND INJURY TO EUROPEAN INDUSTRY CONTAINED IN THE COMMISSION REGULATION DATED DECEMBER 23, 1988 WHICH ANNOUNCED PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES RANGING FROM 8.1 PER CENT TO 59.3 PER CENT ON HONG KONG COMPANIES.
THE SUBMISSION ALSO FOCUSSES ON THE HIGH LEVEL OF RESIDUAL DUTY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS CRITICISED IN THE PAST.
THE FORMAL SUBMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOLLOWS A PERIOD OF STEPPED UP ACTIVITY ON THE PART OF HONG KONG OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE CASE.
OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS MR HARBINSON HAD VISITED BRUSSELS AND HELD INTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH BOTH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STAFF BASED THERE AND THE TRADE POLICY AND LEGAL CONSULTANTS RECENTLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
/INFOHMAL TALKS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
INFORMAL TALKS WERE ALSO HELD WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFICIALS AT WHICH THE HONG KONG OUTLOOK ON THE CASE WAS EXPRESSED AND VIEWS WERE EXCHANGED.
MR HARBINSON SAID: ’’THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG CAN BE REASSURED THAT AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S INTERESTS. THE HONG KONG TEAM IN BRUSSELS IS WORKING VERY HARD INDEED."
IT IS LIKELY TO TAKE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION A WHILE TO CONSIDER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S SUBMISSION.
"THEY HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NOT ONLY OUR SUBMISSION BUT ALSO THE OTHER SUBMISSIONS MADE BY THE INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE CASE," MR HARBINSON SAID.
"SO IT IS NOT LIKELY WE WILL GET AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. HOWEVER THE BALL IS NOW IN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S COURT."
-----0-----
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL AWARDS, MEDALS AND PRIZES ******
SIX DISABLED STUDENTS TODAY (TUESDAY) BECAME THE FIRST RECIPIENTS OF SPECIAL AWARDS GIVEN BY THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL. . .
THEY ARE MR JOSEPH LI JOE-YIN AND MR TAM SAI-HUNG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR YIP SIU-HONG OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR CHUI PONG-HUNG OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; MR NG POTIN OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG; AND MR TAM SAI-NANG OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.
THE SIX AWARD WINNERS ARE ALL PURSUING FIRST DEGREE OR DIPLOMA COURSES AT THEIR INSTITUTIONS.
"THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL AWARDS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS CONSISTED OF ONE-OFF GRANTS TO ASSIST THE STUDENTS TO ACQUIRE TECHNICAL AIDS OR FACILITIES FOR THEIR STUDIES," THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN. MR STEPHEN CHEONG. SAID TODAY.
"THEY ARE GIVEN WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING AND HELPING THE STUDENTS OVERCOME THE EXTRA LEARNING DIFFICULTIES CAUSED BY THEIR DISABILITIES."
THIS YEAR, OVER 885,000 WERE GRANTED TO THE STUDENTS, RANGING FROM 81,400 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CASSETTE RECORDER TO 855,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PORTABLE BRAILLE COMPUTER.
/MR NG .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
- 5 -
' MR NG PO-TIN, A SECOND YEAR STUDENT OF PUBLIC AND SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC WHO SUFFERS FROM TOTAL BLINDNESS, GOT THE BIGGEST GRANT OF $55,000.
"THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UP TO $100,000 IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR FOR THESE AWARDS AND HEADS OF INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE INVITED TO MAKE NOMINATIONS LATER IN THE YEAR," MR CHEONG ADDED.
THE COUNCIL ALSO ANNOUNCED THE AWARD OF MEDALS AND CASH PRIZES TOTALLING $8,000 UNDER THE NEWLY INTRODUCED SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL MEDAL SCHEME TO FOUR TOP STUDENTS WHO SCORED THE BEST RESULTS IN LOCAL PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS IN 1988.
THEY ARE MR LO MAN-CHU, A FORM FIVE SCIENCE STUDENT FROM WAH YAN COLLEGE IN KOWLOON WHO SCORED 10 DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION; MR WONG SUN OF CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL (NOW STUDENT AT CUHK) WHO HAD FOUR DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION; MR LEE LAP-CHUNG OF CARMEL PAK U SECONDARY SCHOOL AND MISS WINNIE LAM WING-SZE OF SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE (BOTH STUDENTS AT HKU) WHO EACH SCORED FOUR DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION.
THE COUNCIL IDENTIFIED THESE AND OTHER STUDENTS WHO DID EXTREMELY WELL AT THE EXAMINATIONS AND INTERVIEWED THEM BEFORE MAKING THE SELECTION.
THE COUNCIL ALSO ANNOUNCED THE AWARD OF SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES WORTH MORE THAN $200,000 FOR 520 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN FORM FIVE AND MATRICULATION CLASSES.
THE PRIZES ARE WORTH $400 EACH AND ARE AWARDED ON THE BASIS OF GOOD ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
"THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE COUNCIL AWARDED SUCH PRIZES TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS," MR CHEONG SAID.
"THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ATTAIN A HIGH STANDARD IN LEARNING AND TO CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY."
THE COUNCIL IS CONTINUING WITH ITS WORK ON THE AWARD OF FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL AND WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS WHEN FINAL SELECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.
-------O ---------
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
6
ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO BE LOWERED « « * « *
THE ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE (OAA) WILL BE FURTHER LOWERED TO COVER PERSONS AGED 67 EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE FIRST STAGE OF A GRADUAL EXTENSION OF OAA TO PERSONS AGED 65-69 WAS INTRODUCED LAST SEPTEMBER WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT PERSONS AGED 68-69 WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE ALLOWANCE.
PREVIOUSLY, THE ALLOWANCE WAS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PERSONS AGED 70 AND ABOVE.
FOLLOWING THE RECENT REVISION OF THE BASIC PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR PERSONS AGED 67-69 WILL BE $310 PER MONTH WHILE THE ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE AGED 70 AND ABOVE WILL BE $355 PER MONTH.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT APART FROM LOWERING THE QUALIFYING AGE TO 67, THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA REMAIN UNCHANGED.
HE SAID THAT TO QUALIFY, AN APPLICANT MUST HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THE QUALIFYING AGE.
"HE OR SHE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DECLARATION UPON APPLYING FOR THE ALLOWANCE," HE ADDED.
A SINGLE PERSON WILL BE ENTITLED TO THE ALLOWANCE PROVIDED THAT HIS/HER INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED $1,800 PER MONTH AND THAT HE/SHE HAS ASSETS WORTH NOT MORE THAN $100,000.
FOR A MARRIED COUPLE, THEIR MONTHLY INCOME SHOULD NOT EXCEED $3,000 AND ASSETS NOT MORE THAN $150,000.
PERSONAL JEWELLERY, A FAMILY CAR, SELF-OCCUPIED PROPERTY, CONTRIBUTIONS FROM RELATIVES AND FRIENDS, AND PAYMENTS FROM CHARITABLE FUNDS ARE DISREGARDED IN THE CALCULATION OF ASSETS.
HE SAID THAT PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS FOR OAA FROM THE 67-AGE GROUP WOULD BE ACCEPTED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT FROM TOMORROW (MARCH 1).
TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS WILL PUBLICISE THE EXTENSION AMONG HOSTELS, HOMES AND CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY.
APPLICATIONS IN GROUPS CAN BE ARRANGED WITH THE OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE OF THESE INSTITUTIONS.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS CAN ALSO APPLY INDIVIDUALLY.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT WHEN AN APPLICANT MAKES AN INITIAL APPLICATION AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, HE OR SHE WOULD BE GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, TO COME BACK AGAIN ON A SPECIFIED DATE FOR THE PROCESSING OF THE APPLICATION.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL HELP AVOID A SUDDEN RUSH OF APPLICATIONS ARRIVING ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE," HE NOTED.
HE REMINDED APPLICANTS TO BRING ALONG NECESSARY SUPPORT DOCUMENTS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR THE APPOINTMENT.
"REGARDLESS OF THE DATE OF PROCESSING THE APPLICATION, THE BENEFITS WILL START FROM APRIL 1, 1989 OR THE DATE OF INITIAL APPLICATION, WHICHEVER IS APPROPRIATE," HE ADDED.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 28,000 PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SECOND STAGE EXTENSION OF THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OAA.
ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE, THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OAA WILL BE FURTHER LOWERED TO THOSE AGED 66 IN 1990 AND TO THOSE AGED 65 IN 1991.
---0------
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC »«»*»»
THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY (MARCH 5) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1968.
PEOPLE WISHING TO VISIT THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.
THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ONLY THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
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/8........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28,
1989
- 8 -
TWO MORE AIDS PATIENTS CONFIRMED *****
TWO MORE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED TO BE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) PATIENTS, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS BRINGS TO 19 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES REPORTED IN THE TERRITORY. THE TWO NEW PATIENTS ARE BOTH MEN WHO HAVE ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY.
RELEASING THE JANUARY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME, THE DEPARTMENT’S SPOKESMAN SAID SO FAR 12 OF THE AIDS PATIENTS HAD DIED. THE OTHER SEVEN PATIENTS ARE STILL RECEIVING COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT FIVE MORE PERSONS WERE FOUND POSITIVE IN TESTING FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CARRIERS TO 139.
THE 139 CARRIERS INCLUDE 53 HAEMOPHILIACS, 14 PERSONS WHO ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 40 PATIENTS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, AND 32 REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME BEGAN BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 117,978 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 JANUARY, 514,301 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND EIGHT UNITS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
79........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
9 -
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing,
Medical & Health Department
Virus Unit
Apr 85 - Dec No. tested : 88 No. Jan 88 Total
No. tested No. +ve No. tested No. ♦ve
Referrals from Govt. hospitals and clinics 7 219 38 252 2 7 >*71 ho
/•} W Referrals from private practitioners and subverted hospitals 1 721 31 11 1 1 732 32
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 101 682 12 2 849 2 104 531' 14
Haemophiliacs 357 53 2 0 359* 53
IV drug abusers 3 139 0 48 0 3 137 0
Referrals from Family Planning Association 152 0 4 0 156 0
Health care personnel ?uo 0 2 0 5U2 0
Total < 11U 810 13*t 3 168 5 117 978 139
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests
Aug 85 - Dec 88 Jan 89 Total
Eong Kcng Red cross Blood Transfusion Service No. No. No. No. No. No. tested +ve tested +ve teste- +ve
501 936 7 12 365 1 514 301 8
Medical & Health Department February 1989
0 - -
/1O........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
10 -
PRINCESS MARGARET RD FLYOVER TO BE FULLY REOPENED
»»»»««
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE COMPLETED IN 10 DAYS' TIME AND THE FLYOVER IS SCHEDULED TO BE FULLY REOPENED TO TRAFFIC ON FRIDAY (MARCH 10).
FROM 3.30 PM ON MARCH 10, THE FLYOVER WILL BE OPENED FOR TWO-LANE TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE THREE-TONNE GROSS WEIGHT RESTRICTION IMPOSED ON THE OLD FLYOVER WILL BE LIFTED.
THE LEFT-TURN BAN AND THE BUS LANE ON NORTHBOUND WATERLOO ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WILL ALSO BE REMOVED.
ALL VEHICLES CAN MAKE USE OF NORTHBOUND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL ONLY TO GAIN ACCESS TO WESTBOUND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
MOTORISTS USING THE FLYOVER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WEAVE INTO IN INNER LANES OF WATERLOO ROAD TO GAIN ACCESS TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
THIS FORMS STAGE ONE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE REOPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER.
A TRAFFIC ENGINEER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR EDWIN TONG, TODAY (TUESDAY) BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEES OF KOWLOON CITY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAD TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES BECAUSE SUBSTANTIAL GROUND LEVEL RECONSTRUCTION WORKS AT THE JUNCTIONS OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD AND ARGYLE STREET WERE NOT EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE AUGUST THIS YEAR.
UNDER A TRAFFIC DIVERSION SCHEME IMPLEMENTED IN JUNE 1986 FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYOVER, VEHICLES FROM SOUTHERN KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND HEADING FOR PRINCE EDWARD ROAD ARE DIVERTED VIA PUI CHING ROAD, SOARES AVENUE, ARGYLE STREET AND KADOORIE AVENUE.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STAGE ONE OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS UPON THE FULL REOPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL HELP RELIEVE TRAFFIC PRESSURE ON THE DIVERSION ROUTE VIA KADOORIE AVENUE, BUT WILL NOT AT THE SAME TIME IMPOSE GREAT PRESSURE ON THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD/WATERLOO ROAD JUNCTION WHERE ROAD WORKS ARE STILL BEING CARRIED OUT.
RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL MAJOR ACCESS ROUTE TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD VIA WATERLOO ROAD IS FEASIBLE BECAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES HEADING FOR KOWLOON TONG AND LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL USE THE FLYOVER INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING VIA GROUND LEVEL PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD.
/HOWEVER, AL .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
11
HOWEVER, AS GROUND LEVEL WORKS WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUPY ROAD SPACE ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD, THE ONE-WAY ARRANGEMENT ON KADOORIE AVENUE WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR THE TIME BEING TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS FROM SOUTHERN KOWLOON TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
STAGE TWO OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL CONSIST OF MAJOR RE-ROUTEINGS AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE GROUND LEVEL WORKS LATER THIS YEAR. DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN FINALISED.
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ADVICE AGAINST NATURAL RESOURCES EXPLOITATIONS t ♦ » * *
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED NOT TO HUNT OR TRAP ANY WILDLIFE AND NOT TO CUT ANY TREE OR PLANT IN A COUNTRY PARK OR IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
THEY WERE ALSO ADVISED NOT TO LIGHT ANY FIRE OUTSIDE DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS INSIDE A COUNTRY PARK OR ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
SUCH ACTS ARE ALL SERIOUS OFFENCES IN LAW, PUNISHABLE BY HEAVY FINES AND JAIL SENTENCES.
THE REMINDER CAME FROM THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M.K. CHEUNG, FOLLOWING A TELEVISION NEWS REPORT BROADCAST LAST NIGHT ABOUT AN EXCURSION ASSOCIATION TEACHING THEIR MEMBERS HOW TO HUNT AND TRAP WILD ANIMALS AND TO COOK THEM FOR FOOD USING CUT TREE BRANCHES AS FIRE WOOD, AS PART OF THEIR SURVIVAL COURSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
MR CHEUNG EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER SUCH ACTIVITIES WHICH APPEARED TO BE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THREE PIECES OF LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED BY HIS DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THAT HUNTING OR TRAPPING OF WILD ANIMALS CONSTITUTED AN OFFENCE UNDER THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE WHICH RENDERED ILLEGAL ANY ACT OF HUNTING OR TRAPPING ANY WILD ANIMAL IN THE TERRITORY, OR THE POSSESSION OF ANY HUNTING OR TRAPPING DEVICES.
’’CONTRAVENTION OF THE ORDINANCE MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000,” MR CHEUNG SAID.
THE CUTTING OF ANY TREE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS AGAINST THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE.
”IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER BOTH THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS REGULATIONS AND THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE TO LIGHT ANY FIRE OUTSIDE DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS IN A COUNTRY PARK OR ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
/•’IT IL...........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989 '
12 -
"IT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE TO BE IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE USING SUCH A FIRE, WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS LIT BY A MEMBER OF THAT GROUP," MR CHEUNG SAID.
ILLEGAL LIGHTING OF FIRE IS PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT IF THE OFFENCE IS COMMITTED INSIDE A COUNTRY PARK, AND BY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT IF THE VIOLATION TAKES PLACE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CARRY OUT DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS BEFORE DECIDING ON WHAT COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE.
HOWEVER, HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING THE TERRITORY’S WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT.
"WILD ANIMALS, TREES AND PLANTS ARE BEST APPRECIATED IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND SHOULD NOT BE HUNT, TRAPPED OR CUT.
"THE SLIGHTEST RISK OF CAUSING A HILL FIRE COULD RAVAGE HUNDREDS OF HECTARES OF COUNTRYSIDE PLANTATION.
"IF PEOPLE ARE NOT CAREFUL WITH FIRE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE DAY MAY COME WHEN THEY ALL HAVE TO STAY HOME FOR THEIR WEEKENDS," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
------0-------
FINAL CONTRACT FOR KWUN TONG BYPASS SIGNED
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED THE FINAL CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FINAL PHASE OF KWUN TONG BYPASS.
THE $280 MILLION CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF A FRENCH JOINT VENTURE COMPRISING DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS AND BACHY SOLETANCHE, MR MICHEL BETANT AND MR PIERRE DESSAUZE.
MR BEATON SAID THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE 3 PROJECT MAINLY INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES OF ELEVATED DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY LINKING THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE WITH KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE 2.
IT WAS THE CULMINATION OF A PERIOD OF VERY INTENSIVE PLANNING, CO-ORDINATION AND DESIGN BY HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT STAFF WHICH WOULD BE MATCHED BY A FASTPACED CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME OF ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO ENSURE COMPLETION TN TIME FOR THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN MID-1991, HE SAID.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WOULD START NEXT MONTH.
/ON THE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
ON THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION, MR BEATON SAID THAT BUILDING OF THE MAIN VIADUCT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THAT EMPLOYED ON THE PHASE 2 CONTRACT, INVOLVING THE USE OF PRE-CAST SEGMENTAL UNITS FABRICATED ON SITE AND ERECTED USING A SPECIALLY DESIGNED LAUNCHING GIRDER.
THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION WAS SOME 30 TO 40 PER CENT LESS LABOUR INTENSIVE THAN THE MORE CONVENTIONAL ONES AND WAS OBVIOUSLY OF IMPORTANCE GIVEN THE CURRENT LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
MR BEATON SAID ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE PROJECT WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF PILES UP TO ABOUT 60 METRES DEEP USING RECTANGULAR BARRETTES AS OPPOSED TO THE CONVENTIONAL CIRCULAR BORED PILES.
IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THIS WOULD HELP IN MEETING THE TIGHT CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE CONTRACT ARE THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LTD WHO WILL ALSO ACT AS PROJECT MANAGER.
------- 0---------
FUNDS SOUGHT FOR FACILITIES FOR MORNING WALKERS ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2) THE ALLOCATION OF $180,000 FOR THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR MORNING WALKERS AT BEACON HILL.
SITUATED BEHIND THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, BEACON HILL IS A POPULAR SPOT FOR MORNING WALKERS. HOWEVER, AT PRESENT THERE IS ONLY A FLIGHT OF STEPS LEADING FROM TAI PO ROAD TO THE TOP OF THE HILL TO FACILITATE MORNING WALKING.
TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, PARTICULARLY FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF ELDERLY MORNING WALKERS, IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THAT THE 115-METRE-LONG FLIGHT OF STEPS BE FITTED WITH GUARD RAILS, THE EXISTING SURFACE CHANNELS BE COVERED WITH CONCRETE SLABS, AND A RAIN SHELTER BE BUILT IN THE VICINITY.
OTHER PROJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING ARE A TREE-PLANTING PROGRAMME FOR NAM CHEONG STREET AND REPAIRS TO DISTRICT BOARD NOTICE BOARDS.
/MlWBERS WILL........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 19^9
14 -
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS REFUSE COLLECTION IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT; THE INTRODUCTION OF EVENING HOUSEHOLD WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE AT CHAK ON ESTATE, UN CHAU STREET ESTATE AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ESTATE; AS WELL AS A PAPER ON THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1989-90.
THEY WILL ALSO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CORRIDOR VENTILATION PROBLEM AT PO LAI COURT AND IMPROVEMENT TO THE ROAD SURFACE NEAR THE PLANTERS AT HING WAH STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
------0--------
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ♦ * ♦ * *
THE INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS SIXTH MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2).
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ON COMBATTING CORRUPTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD'S INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY IMARCH 2) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI K1U GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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/15........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28,
1989
- 15 -
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS ♦ » * » *
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) CONSIDER 41 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING VARIOUS CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING INCLUDE THE VETTING REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) 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.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY t t * ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW DISTRICT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2).
A MEMBER WILL RAISE A QUESTION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A DELAY IN REPAIR WORK ON AN ESCALATOR IN QUARRY BAY MARKET AND A DELAY IN RE-PAVING A ROAD SECTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING'S ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/16........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28,
1989
16 -
ENTRIES INVITED FOR NORTH CROSS COUNTRY RACE t * » * *
AMATEUR SPORTSMEN AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 60 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A CROSS COUNTRY RACE TO BE HELD IN NORTH DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (MARCH 5 ) .
THE RACE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO WOMEN’S AND MEN’S SECTIONS WITH WOMEN COVERING EIGHT KILOMETRES AND THE MEN COVERING 10 KILOMETRES.
THE EVENT IS OPEN TO COMPETITORS FROM THROUGHTOUT THETERRITORY.ENTRIES SHOULD BE MADE ON OR BEFORE SATURDAY (MARCH 41.
HOWEVER, LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN 1 PM AND 2 PM ON RACE DAY AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND, SHEUNG SHUI, WHERE TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE RUNNERS TO THE STARTING POINT.
WOMEN WILL START THE RACE AT THE ENTRANCE TO PING CHE ROAD WHILE MEN WILL START AT SHING PING SCHOOL IN TA KWU LING. THEY WILL ALL FINISH AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND.
ORGANISED BY THE SHEUNG SHUI DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE RACE IS HELD ANNUALLY TO PROMOTE SPORT AND TO HELP BODY-BUILDING.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES, TO WHICH THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED: NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI; PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI AND IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING; SHEUNG SHUI DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT 47 FU HING STREET, SHEUNG SHUI; AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S LEISURE SERVICES SECTION AT 170 JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, SHEUNG SHUI.
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ELECTION FORUM FOR YUEN LONG CANDIDATES
*****
AN ELECTION FORUM ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (MARCH 3) FOR THE THREE CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE YUEN LONG CONSTITUENCY SEAT IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE FORUM WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, BEGINNING AT 8 PM.
/THE THREE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
17
THE THREE CANDIDATES ARE MR CHENG MUI-TIN, MR CHUNG J^JAI PING
AND MR NGAN KAM-CHUEN. THEY WILL INTRODUCE THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION FORUM FOR YUEN LONG CANDIDATES TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (MARCH 3) IN THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG. THE FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
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ELECTION FORUM IN KWUN TONG » * * *
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A FORUM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2) TO INTRODUCE TWO CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE KWUN TONG EAST CONSTITUENCY SEAT IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE CANDIDATES, MR LAM CHAK-PIU AND MR WONG PING-KUEN, WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
THE FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM IN THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUI PING ROAD.
THE KWUN TONG EAST CONSTITUENCY - COVERING TSUI PING, SHUN LEE, SAU MAU PING, LAM TIN, YAU TONG AND SZE SHAN - HAS A REGISTERED ELECTORATE OF 99,165.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUM WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2) IN THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 17 TSUI PING ROAD.
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SPRING RECEPTION FOR THE AGED ♦ t * * *
MORE THAN 540 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN MONG KOK AGED 70 OR ABOVE WERE GUESTS OF HONOUR THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING AT THE DISTRICT’S 14TH SPRING RECEPTION FOR THE AGED.
THE SENIOR RESIDENTS WERE TREATED TO SINGING PERFORMANCES AT THE RECEPTION WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT COUNTRYMEN AND CLANSMEN ORGANISATION AND SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA, WAS THE OFFICIATING GUEST AT THE FUNCTION.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
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LABOUR RELATIONS SPRING RECEPTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WILL JOINTLY HOLD A SPRING RECEPTION AT THE CITY HALL CHINESE RESTAURANT ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2).
MORE THAN 1,300 GUESTS HAVE BEEN INVITED.
THEY INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND BOARD, CHAIRMEN OF THE VARIOUS EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATIONS, UNION REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS PERSONNEL MANAGERS AND EMPLOYERS OF MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SUI-KAU, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SPRING RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL CHINESE RESTAURANT BETWEEN 4 PM AND 6 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 2). MR HAMMOND AND MR CHAN ARE EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE GATHERING AT ABOUT 5 PM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
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CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIAN TO GO ABROAD ♦ ♦ ♦ » t
A TALENTED YOUNG STRING PLAYER FROM HONG KONG WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN SYMPHONIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN THE 1989 NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP.
THE ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP, WHICH HAS BEEN RECOGNISED AS THE PREMIER FINE ARTS CAMP IN THE WORLD, WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR FROM JUNE 25 TO AUGUST 21 IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN, USA.
THERE WILL BE MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES BY SOME OF THE GREATEST ARTISTS IN THE WORLD TODAY.
/THE MUSIC .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
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THE MUSIC OFFICE IS INVITING INTERESTED MUSICIANS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18, WHO HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS, AND HAVE ATTAINED GRADE VIII (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT TO APPLY FOR THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE AND APPLICANTS WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN LATE MARCH.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE RETURN AIR PASSAGE AND THE FEES FOR THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP WILL BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISER.
THE CHOSEN CANDIDATE, HOWEVER, WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS PERSONAL INSURANCE ABROAD, AND TO PLACE A SUM OF US$300 IN HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO MEET MINOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
THE FINAL DECISION REGARDING THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANT RESTS WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI BY MARCH 15.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-283257.
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FOUR GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FOUR LOTS TO LET BY TENDER FOR THE PURPOSE OF FREE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARKS.
THE FIRST LOT, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IS AT WESTERN RECLAMATION OPPOSITE SUTHERLAND STREET. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.75 HECTARES AND WILL BE USED FOR PARKING LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES OF WHATEVER DESCRIPTION.
THE LEASE IS FOR TWO YEARS AND RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND LOT IS IN KOWLOON - AT YEN CHOW STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO - WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,760 SQUARE METRES. TO BE USED FOR THE PARKING OF LICENSED PRIVATE MOTOR CARS, LIGHT BUSES, LIGHT VANS (THAT IS UP TO 2.5 TONNES) AND TAXIS, THE LOT WILL BE LET FOR AN INITIAL TENANCY PERIOD OF ONE YEAR RENEWABLE ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
/IN THE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
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IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A LOT OF ABOUT 2,242 SQUARE METRES IN AREA 10, TSING Y1 WILL BE USED FOR THE PARKING OF LICENSED GOODS VEHICLES EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE FOURTH LOT AT TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,500 SQUARE METRES. IT WILL BE USED FOR THE PARKING OF LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES INCLUDING GOODS VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE LEASE IS FOR 18 MONTHS AND RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR THE FOUR LOTS IS NOON ON MARCH 10.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT:
* 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.
THE TENDER DOCUMENTS OF THE THREE LOTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES:
* HONG KONG WEST, 10TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG;
* KWAI TSING, 11TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* TSUEN WAN, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
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IMPROVEMENT TO SALT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN ABERDEEN
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL CONVERT SOME FILTER BEDS INSIDE THE ABERDEEN TREATMENT WORKS TO A SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR TO IMPROVE THE SALT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE AREA.
THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 1,200 CUBIC METRES AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN REINFORCED CONCRETE.
ALSO, THE DEPARTMENT WILL LAY ABOUT 16 METRES OF SALT WATER PUMPING MAINS WITH A DIAMETER OF 450 MILLIMETRES.
ASSOCIATED MINOR MODIFICATION OF THE BRICK HILL SALT WATER PUMPING STATION WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT AS PART OF THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 17.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG WAN, QUARRY BAY
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 3), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET, SHEUNG WAN, BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 200 AND 216 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS WHILE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE IN PROGRESS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ON KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND IN QUARRY BAY, FROM A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FINNIE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989
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SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN LAM TIN
*****
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN LAM TIN TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIE JUNK BAY ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD INTERCHANGE.
ROAD LT3 IN LAM TIN WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND. MEANWHILE, THE SLIP ROAD OF THE JUNK BAY ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD INTERCHANGE CONNECTING JUNK BAY ROAD AND ROAD LT1 IN LAM TIN WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
MOTORISTS FROM JUNK BAY ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR LAM TIN ARB ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA THE SLIP ROAD OF THE INTERCHANGE BEFORE REJOINING ROAD LT1.
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PARKING ARRANGEMENTS IN LUEN WO HUI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 2), 84 PARKING METERS IN LUEN WO HUI, FANLING, WILL BE REMOVED TO AN OPEN-AIR PARKING AREA IN SHA TAU KOK ROAD, NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD L8, BECAUSE OF ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS FOR PRIVATE CARS, MINIBUSES AND LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8 PM DAILY, EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE PARKING FEE WILL BE $1 PER 30 MINUTES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PARKING SPACES IN THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN LUEN WO HUI WILL BE SUSPENDED IN STAGES, DEPENDING ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WORKS: LUEN WO ROAD, LUEN FAT STREET, LUEN HING STREET, LUEN SHING STREET, LUEN CHEONG STREET, LUEN ON STREET, WO FUNG STREET, WO LUNG STREET, AND WO TAI STREET.
THE ABOVE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT U ) YEARS.
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