CHURSDAY, AUGUST 8,
UNDER THE ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, ALL MONEY CHANGERS IN HONG KONG ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE THEIR CUSTOMERS A NOTE WHICH SETS OUT CLEARLY THE DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION INCLUDING THAT OF ANY CHARGE OR COMMISSION, AND TO OBTAIN THEIR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE TERMS BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE EXCHANGE TRANSACTION.
#F A MONEY CHANGER FAILED TO DO SO, THE CUSTOMER MAY RESCIND THE TRANSACTION WITHIN THREE DAYS.
SUCH A FAILURE WOULD ALSO BE AN OFFENCE WHICH IS PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF $2 000 FOR A FIRST OFFENCE AND A FINE OF $5 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE.
THE NOTE TO BE SIGNED BY THE CUSTOMER SHOULD CONTAIN A PROMINENT STATEMENT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, EXPLAINING THAT THE CUSTOMER HAD READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION SET OUT IN IT.
IF A MONEY CHANGER MAINTAINED A BOARD OR SCREEN TO DISPLAY THE CURRENT RATES OF EXCHANGE, HE WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO DISPLAY CLEARLY THE NATURE AND AMOUNT OR THE METHOD OF CALCULATION OF THE CHARGE OR COMMISSION.
FIRST PROVISIONAL RC MEETING IN OWN CHAMBER
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AT THE FIRST MEETING TO BE HELD AT ITS OWN CHAMBER TOMORROW, THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES. INCLUDING THE PROCEDURE TO ESTABLISH A DISTRICT COMMITTEE IN EACH OF THE NINE DISTRICTS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS, AND PROPOSALS TO REVISE THE FEES FOR THE USE OF ITS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND THE SIZE OF NEWSPAPER HAWKER PITCH IN THE REGION.
THE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT THE NINE DISTRICT COMMITTEES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER AND HOLD THEIR FIRST MEETINGS IN OCTOBER. EACH COMMITTEE WILL COMPRISE SEVEN MEMBERS, FOUR OF THEM MUST BE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WITH THE REST MADE UP OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LEADING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
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AT PRESENT. THE COUNCIL'S EXECUTIVE ARM THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT - MANAGES TWO INDOOR GAMES HALLS, 22 TENNIS COURTS, 23 SQUASH COURTS, AND SIX SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES. THE ADMISSION FEES AND HIRE CHARGES FOR THESE FACILITIES WERE INTRODUCED IN JANUARY LAST YEAR. THEY HAVE NOW FALLEN BELOW THE CORRESPONDING CHARGES IN THE URBAN AREAS, WHICH WERE LAST REVISED ON JUNE 1, 1984 FOR INDOOR GAMES HALLS AND ON JUNE 1. 1985 FOR OTHER VENUES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE REVISION SHOULD SET FEE AND HIRE CHARGES AT LEVELS COMPARABLE WITH SIMILAR FACILITIES IN THE URBAN AREAS.
/THE COUNCIL