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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The offer submitted by Messrs. Fidelity Inspection Service was the most favourable in respect of the prices quoted, and the number of items priced; it was the only offer which in general quoted prices lower than publishers' list prices and it represented an offer very similar to that received from the Crown Agents. As a result, the negotiation of an agreement with Messrs. Fidelity Inspection Service, for a trial period of twelve months, was approved after reference to the Tender Board. The draft agreement which included various special clauses was prepared by the Librarian.
With regard to the second part of your question, it was necessary initially to seek the most economic and convenient means of obtaining books required for the Library and as already explained the present method is by way of an experiment. If it proves successful, it would be natural at the end of the present contract to call for public tenders for the supply of books on conditions similar to those set out in the current agreement. If it proves unsuccessful, we shall have to think again. But whatever the outcome, you have my assurance that the point made by you will be borne in mind and the matter referred to the relevant Sub-Committee who will certainly also be given the opportunity to scrutinize the tenders received.
DR. LEE: I would like to ask a supplementary question. Would you, Mr. Chairman, draw the attention of the Librarian to add the Sincere Company to the list of possible tenderers for the future purchase of books?
CHAIRMAN: When we have a Librarian, and when this comes up, Dr. LEE, we shall be able to add Sincere Company and any other Book Companies to the list.
DR. LEE: We have a Librarian.
CHAIRMAN: Not at the moment.
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These By-laws are made under the new Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance enacted by Legislative Council on 13th July of this year.
Both Ordinance and By-laws will come into force contemporaneously on a date to be notified by His Excellency the Governor. There is nothing which I can usefully add in this connexion to the "Explanatory Note" given at the end of these By-laws.
I therefore beg to move.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN seconded.
MR. WATSON: Mr. Chairman, I have just one question by way of clarification. In paragraph 3, Part I, sub-section (b), would you tell us what "hinnies" are?
CHAIRMAN: I am afraid I am in no position to reply, Mr. WATSON. Perhaps Dr. MOORE could.
VICE-CHAIRMAN: A hinny is, I think, an offspring of a she-ass by a stallion.
The question was put and agreed to.
The motion was carried.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN: That concludes the business of this meeting, and Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 4th October, 1960.
Mrs. DAVID has resigned.
MOTION.
THE CHAIRMAN moved the following Resolution:
"RESOLVED that the Food Business By-laws, 1960, be made under Section 56 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance No. 30 of 1960."
He said:
I rise to move the resolution standing in my name on the Order Paper regarding the adoption of the draft Food Business By-laws, 1960.
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