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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1985
APART FROM THE NEW MEANS OF CALCULATION, THE BILL PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE AUTHORITY TO SIGN AGREEMENTS TO ALTER VALUATION LISTS AND NOTICES OF DECISION TO RATING AND VALUATION SURVEYORS.
ANOTHER PROVISION OF THE BILL ENABLES RATES PAYABLE TO BE ROUNDED DOWN TO THE NEAREST DOLLAR AND THE BALANCE CARRIED FORWAR TO THE NEXT QUARTER.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS ON JANUARY 8, 1986.
COMMENTS ON PROVISIONS OF THE BILL CAN BE SENT TO THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FIFTH FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY; OR UMELCO AT 8, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
VIEWS ON IMPROVED ANIMAL WASTE CONTROL SOUGHT ******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A CONSULTATIVE PAPER TO INVITE VIEWS ON ITS PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVED CONTROL OF THE POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTES.
THE PAPER DESCRIBES THE CARELESS DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE AS THE MAJOR SOURCE OF POLLUTION IN WATER-COURSES AND COASTAL WATERS IN HONG KONG AND IT DISCUSSES THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR CONTROL.
PRESENTING THE PAPER ON THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE. THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (POLLUTION), MR 1.A. HOWARD, POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WERE EXISTING POWERS TO CHECK THE CARELESS DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTES, INCLUDING THE PROHIBITION ON THE DISPOSAL OF MANURE IN A WATER-COURSE OF STREAM, THERE WERE
BECAUSE THESE WASTES WERE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN ENFORCEMENT DELIBERATELY DUMPED INTO RIVERS AND STREAMS WHEN ENFORCEMENT STAFF WERE NOT PRESENT.
+THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONCLUDED THAT A TOTAL BAN ON LIVESTOCK KEEPING IN SOME AREAS WITH TIGHTER CONTROLS IN OTHERS IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION,+ SAID MR HOWARD.
COPIES OF THE PAPER ARE BEING SENT TO ALL DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS' ASSOCIATIONS TO SEEK THEİR VIEWS ON THIS APPROACH.
MR HOWARD POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT FELT THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO PHASE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CONTROLS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED TIMETABLE:-
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