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10-
He stressed that the department so far did not receive any other similar report from Sha Tin and other part of the territory where sea water is also used for flushing
purposes.
"This is indeed an individual incident," he said.
End
Unlicensed guesthouse operators fined
Guesthouse operators were reminded today (Tuesday) that they must operate their establishments only after they have obtained a licence from the Home Affairs Department (HAD) or risk facing a maximum penalty of $200,000 in fines and two years' imprisonment.
An HAD spokesman issued the warning after two guesthouse operators were fined a total of $20,000 by the Fanling Magistracy for operating unlicensed guesthouses in Yuen Long.
:
The proprietor of one of the guesthouses was advised by HAD's Licensing Authority in August 95 to complete the required upgrading works in order to get a licence. He was then reminded last July to cease operation unless a licence had been obtained.
The operator of another guesthouse, whose certificate of exemption expired last August, was reminded in September that operating without a licence was an offence. However, when an inspection was conducted in December, the two guesthouses were found in operation without licences.
Both operators were subsequently charged under Section 5 of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance and were each fined $10,000.
The spokesman said unlicensed guesthouses would not be tolerated and enforcement action would continue to be taken to eliminate such premises.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue to help in the crackdown on unlicensed guesthouses by reporting them to the Licensing Authority on 2881 7034.
End