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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1979
+ IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PRACTICE TO SEND UP THESE BALLOONS DURING SUCH DRY WEATHER BECAUSE IT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HILL FIRES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ALSO APPEALED FOR THE CO-OPERATION OF RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY PICNICKERS, TO MINIMISE THE OUTBREAK OF FIRES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
COMMENTING ON THE DEVASTATION HILL FIRES HAD BROUGHT TO THE COUNTRYSIDE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT RECALLED THAT DURING THE LAST DRY SEASON, A TOTAL OF 450 HECTARES OF GOVERNMENT PLANTATION AND MANAGEMENT AREA AND SOME 43 100 TREES HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY HILL FIRES.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT HONG KONG'S COUNTRYSIDE CAN ONLY BE PROTECTED FROM FIRE WITH THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF EVERYONE WHO USES IT.
HE ESPECIALLY CALLED ON CAMPERS AND PICNICKERS TO EXERCISE MORE CARE AS 40 PER CENT OF THE HILL FIRES REPORTED LAST SEASON OCCURRED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WHEN RESIDENTS VISITED THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR OUTINGS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT APART FROM DESIGNATED AREAS IT IS AN OFFENCE TO LIGHT A FIRE NEAR A FOREST PLANTATION OR A PROHIBITED AREA IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS REGULATION, A PERSON CAN BE FINED UP TO $5 000 AND SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT FOR UNLAWFULLY LIGHTING FIRE.
DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, 71 PEOPLE HAD BEEN PROSECUTED AND FINED FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS &
GOVERNOR DUE BACK ON SUNDAY
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THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE, ARE DUE TO RETURN TO HONG KONG FROM SAN FRANCISCO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 7).
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WISHING TO COVER THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL ON FLIGHT PA 05, ETA 1955 HOURS ARE ADVISED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AT LEAST 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST THEM.
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO ADVISED TO BRING ALONG THE IR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT'S RESTRICTED AREA.
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