MONDAY, MAY 6, 1974
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PRESENTATION OF COMPENSATION AWARD
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A CHEQUE FOR $6,225 AWARDED AS COMPENSATION TO THE SURVIVING RELATIVE OF A WATCHMAN, MR. PAK KWONG-WOON, WHO WAS KILLED IN PREVENTING A CRIME LAST YEAR - WAS PRESENTED TO THE MAN'S RELATIVE TODAY BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE AWARD WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH UNDER SECTION 95 (1) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE WHICH AUTHORIZES COMPENSATION TO BE PAID +TO ANY PERSON INJURED IN THE EXECUTION OF A MORAL OR LEGAL DUTY TO ASSIST IN THE PREVENTION OR A RESISTANCE TO CRIME, OR TO THE DEPENDANT OF A PERSON SO INJURED WHO DIES AS A RESULT OF SUCH INJURY.+
THE MONEY WAS AWARDED TO MR. PAK'S DEPENDANT, AN ELDER SISTER LIVING IN CHINA, AND WAS RECEIVED ON HER BEHALF BY HER NEPHEW IN HONG KONG
AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH ON MARCH 22, 1973, MR. PAK KWONG- WOON WAS EMPLOYED AS A WATCHMAN AT THE TUNG FAT BUILDING IN FA YUEN STREET, KOWLOON. HE WAS THEN 65. ON THE DAY IN QUESTION HE WAS ON DUTY AND WAS STABBED TO DEATH WHILE TRYING TO APPREHEND A THIEF.
THIS AWARD IS EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE FEW MADE UNDER SECTION 95 (1) OF CAP. 1 AS THERE IS NOW A NEW SCHEME ENTITLED THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME INTRODUCED IN MAY 1973 SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING COMPENSATION. HOWEVER, THE PROVISION OF SECTION 95 (1) CAN ALSO BE APPLIED TO PARTICULARLY MERITORIOUS CASES ARISING AFTER MAY 23, 1973 NOTWITHSTANDING THEIR HAVING BEEN DEALT WITH UNDER THE NEW SCHEME.
THE AIM OF THE SCHEME IS TO PROVIDE SPEEDY COMPENSATION BOTH FOR THOSE WHO ARE INJURED, DISABLED OR KILLED AS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT RESULT OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACCIDENTALLY INJURED, DISABLED OR KILLED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER USING A WEAPON IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY.
THIS SCHEME, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IS NON-MEANS TESTED AND NON-CONTRIBUTORY. PAYMENTS UNDER THE SCEME ARE MADE FROM PUBLIC FUNDS.
THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION ARE DECIDED BY TWO BOARDS, MEMBERS OF WHOM ARE MADE UP OF WELL KNOWN PUBLIC FIGURES APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
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