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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1977
OF THE 28 FAMILIES LIVING IN THE BUILDINGS, 26 OF THEM HAVE ACCEPTED THE OFFER OF COMPENSATION AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HAVE ALREADY MOVED OUT. IT IS HOPED THAT AN AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED WITH THE REMAINING TWO FAMILIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
OF THE SIX COMMERCIAL SHOPS AND TWO WORKSHOPS IN THE BUILDINGS, THE OPERATORS ARE ALSO URGED TO ACCEPT THE OFFER MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND TO MOVE OUT OF THE PREMISES WITHOUT DELAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF THEY WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION OFFERED TO THEM, THEY WERE ENTITLED TO PUT UP THEIR CLAIMS UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.
+ACCEPTING THE OFFER OF COMPENSATION MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PROHIBIT OR PREJUDICE THEIR RIGHT UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE TO CLAIM FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION, EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE VACATED THE PREMISES.
+THIS CLAIM FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IF THE AMOUNT CANNOT BE AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES, THE MATTER WILL BE REFERRED TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL WHICH IS AN INDEPENDENT BODY, FOR DETERMINATION OF FINAL COMPENSATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CLEARANCE OF THE BUILDINGS, SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON MAY 18 HAD BEEN POSTPONED TO AUGUST 24 TO GIVE THE OCCUPIERS A FURTHER GRACE PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS TO MAKE THEIR REMOVAL ARRANGEMENT, EXCEPT FOR THE BUILDING AT NO. 370, HENNESSY ROAD, WHICH WAS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED FOR CARRYING OUT PERMANENT STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS TO STABILISE THE ADJACENT BUILDING.
BY EXTENDING THE DEADLINE OF THE CLEARANCE TO AUGUST 24, THE OCCUPIERS WOULD HAVE ENJOYED A FREE RENT PERIOD OF MORE THAN SIX MONTHS, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT THE WIDENING OF THE TIN LOK LANE
AND MORRISON HILL ROAD WAS AN IMPORTANT ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHICH MUST BE CARRIED OUT ACCORDING TO THE WORKING SCHEDULE, ANY FURTHER DELAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE, HE CONCLUDED.
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