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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1987
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO CUT TREES
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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TODAY (TUESDAY) NOT TO CUT ANY TREES OR PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.W. LAI, SAID THAT CUTTING TREES OR PLANTS ILLEGALLY WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE FOREST AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE.
+CONTRAVENTION OF THE ORDINANCE MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE
OF $2 000 AND ONE YEAR'S JAIL SENTENCE, HE SAID.
+ ALTHOUGH THE PUBLIC IS BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT, EIGHT PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED LAST YEAR FOR CUTTING TREES AND PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
+SOME OF THESE CASES INVOLVED FLOWERING BRANCHES OF TIU CHUNG' TREES WHICH ARE SOUGHT AS ORNAMENTAL FLOWER DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR,+ HE ADDED.
MR LAI SAID THAT WILD FLOWERS AND TREES ARE BEST APPRECIATED IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND SHOULD NOT BE PICKED OR CUT.
HE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES TO THE NEAREST COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE.
REMINDER ON POSSESSION OF FIREWORK
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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE PROHIBITED FROM UNLICENSED POSSESSION OR DISCHARGE OF FIREWORK, FIRE-CRACKERS, PISTOL CAPS AND PARTY POPPERS.
UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO POSSESSES OR DISCHARGES FIREWORK WITHOUT A LICENCE IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25 000 AND SIX-MONTH IMPRISONMENT.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT SPOT CHECKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY EXPLOSIVES OFFICERS OF THE MINES DIVISION, ESPECIALLY AROUND LUNAR NEW YEAR, OF SHOPS AND PREMISES SUSPECTED OF SELLING OR STORING SUCH GOODS.
+ ANY UNLICENSED DANGEROUS GOODS FOUND WOULD BE SEIZED AND THE OFFENDERS WOULD BE PROSECUTED,+ HE ADDED.
HE URGED THOSE IN POSSESSION OF ANY FIREWORKS OR ANY CATEGORY I DANGEROUS GOODS TO HAND THEM OVER TO THE MINES DIVISION IMMEDIATELY.
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