THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1981
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PROVIDED THAT THE BILL IS PASSED INTO LAW, THESE POWERS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD COME INTO EFFECT LATER THIS YEAR. THESE AMENDMENTS WOULD PRESCRIBE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PENALTIES FOR OTHER CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE REGULATIONS AND MAKE A NUMBER OF OTHER CHANGES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE WORKING OF THE LICENSING SYSTEM.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE AMENDED REGULATIONS WERE EXPECTED TO REQUIRE AN INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE LICENCE NUMBERS OF ALL PLEASURE VESSELS TO 300MM IN HEIGHT, TWICE THE SIZE REQUIRED UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, AND FOR THESE TO BE PAINTED AS NEAR AS PRACTICABLE AMIDSHIPS.
THIS MEASURE, WHICH IS NOT LIKELY TO BE ENFORCED BEFORE OCTOBER THIS YEAR, IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE SECURITY FORCES TO IDENTIFY PLEASURE CRAFT AT A DISTANCE, PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT. THOSE OWNERS WHO CANNOT COMPLY BY VIRTUE OF THE DESIGN OR SIZE OF THEIR CRAFT WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE FOR PERMISSION TO DISPLAY AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF IDENTIFICATION.
THE SPOKESMAN CONCLUDED BY URGING ALL PLEASURE BOAT OWNERS TO ENSURE AT ONCE THAT THEY HAD A VALID LICENCE FOR THEIR CRAFT AND TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW MARK ING REQUIREMENTS ONCE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION FOR THIS WAS PUBLISHED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LICENSING FEES, WHICH RANGE FROM $15 TO $400 DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF CRAFT, WERE VERY MODEST AND THE PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A LICENCE WERE STRAIGHTFORWARD. ANY QUERIES ON LICENSING SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SMALL CRAFT LICENSING SECTION AT MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS (TELEPHONE NO. 5-450181).
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SPECIAL BLOCK FOR POLICE BAND ****
A $14 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TODAY BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO HUNG WAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPECIAL BLOCK FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL AT WONG CHUK HANG.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR K.M. TSENG, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY.
THE BLOCK WILL PROVIDE BARRACKS ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FORCE'S 116 BAND MEMBERS, PLUS MESS AND CANTEEN.
IN ADDITION, A TENNIS COURT WILL BE BUILT TO MEET NEEDS ARISING FROM THE FORCE'S RAPID EXPANSION.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
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