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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1978
ADEQUATE LEGAL POWER TO CONTROL USE OF COUNTRY PARKS
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THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY HAS ADEQUATE LEGAL POWER TO CONTROL THE USE OF COUNTRY PARKS IN THE EVENT OF A HIGH RISK FIRE INCIDENCE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON. TED NICHOLS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, MR. NICHOLS SAID THAT UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE AT ANY TIME TO USE ANYTHING LIKELY TO CAUSE FIRE EXCEPT IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE OR CAMPING SITES WITHIN A COUNTRY PARK.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES THE AUTHORITY WITH POWERS TO PROHIBIT THE LIGHTING OR USE OF FIRE IN ANY COUNTRY PARK, INCLUDING ANY DESIGNATED BARBECUE OR CAMPING SITE, SHOULD HE CONSIDER NECESSARY, MR. NICHOLS SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITY HAS THE POWER TO CLOSE A COUNTRY PARK OR SPECIAL AREA IN PART OR COMPLETELY SHOULD IT BE CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF GOOD MANAGEMENT, HE SAID.
MR. NICHOLS ADDED THAT UNDER THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE, THE LAW PROVIDES FOR AN OFFENCE BEING COMMITTED ELSEWHERE IN ANY AREAS OF OPEN COUNTRYSIDE UNLESS IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT THE LIGHTING OF A FIRE IN THAT AREA WAS REASONABLE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THAT ALL REASONABLE STEPS WERE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE FIRE FROM DAMAGING OR ENDANGERING THAT AREA.
HOWEVER, MR. NICHOLS SAID HE WAS RELUCTANT TO USE SUCH POWERS UNNECESSARILY ALTHOUGH THIS MIGHT BECOME NECESSARY SHOULD THERE BE DANGER OF THE FIRE PROBLEM GETTING OUT OF HAND IN WHICH CASE THE POWER WILL BE EXERCISED.
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FACILITIES TO REPORT EMERGENCIES IN COUNTRY PARKS ******
FACILITIES FOR REPORTING EMERGENCIES RAPIDLY INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON. TED NICHOLS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, MR. NICHOLS SAID THE 21 COUNTRY PARKS MANAGEMENT CENTRES HAVE TELEPHONE, AND IN MOST CASES, RADIO LINKS WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S HEADQUARTERS. THE SYSTEM IS BACKED BY PATROLLING RANGERS USING 56 MOBILE RADIO SETS.
MR. NICHOLS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT TWO OF 16 PUBLIC TELEPHONES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, IN ADDITION TO THOSE AVAILABLE IN VILLAGE AREAS.
HE ADDED THAT THESE FACILITIES, TOGETHER WITH ALL 999 CALLS FROM PUBLIC CALL BOXES ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
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