XN000022-1974-06-04 — Page 8

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TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1974

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SITUATION ON COMPENSATION FOR LANTAD VILLAGERS CLARIFIED

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THE DISTRICT OFFICER, ISLANDS, MR. ALBERT LAI, COMMENTING ON RECENT PRESS REPORTS ABOUT THE CANCELLATION OF SOME PERMIT HOLDERS ON LANTAO ISLAND, SAID TODAY THAT SOME OF THESE REPORTS HAD BEEN VERY MISLEADING AND ERRONEOUS.

MR. LAI SAID THAT THERE WAS CERTAINLY NO TRUTH IN REPORTS THAT AFFECTED VILLAGERS WERE NOT GIVEN COMPENSATION OR RESITING.

HE SAID COMPENSATION RANGING FROM CROPS PAYMENT TO RESITING FOR DOMESTIC DWELLINGS WOULD DEFINITELY BE OFFERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY REGARDING CLEARANCES.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER ADDED THAT ONLY 21 PEOPLE LIVING IN FOUR TEMPORARY STRUCTURES WERE INVOLVED, AND NOT 150 FAMILIES AS SOME REPORTS INDICATED.

THE DECISION TO CANCEL THE LICENCES TO THE LAND WAS MADE TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG RESORT COMPANY LTD. TO CARRY OUT PRELIMINARY WORKS WITHIN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AREA OF A HOLIDAY RESORT COMPLEX IN THE DISCOVERY BAY AREA OF LANTAO ISLAND.

AT PRESENT, STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ARE WORKING OUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMPENSATION AND RESITING FOR THE 21 PEOPLE AFFECTED.

REGISTRATION OF KOWLOON BAY SQUATTERS COMPLETED

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THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS SURVEY AND REGISTRATION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE 28-ACRE SITE SOUTH OF NGAU TAU KOK POLICE STATION ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT NO FURTHER REGISTRATION OF PERSONS CLAIMING TO LIVE THERE WOULD TAKE PLACE.

+ANY NEW STRUCTURE OR EXTENSION FOUND IN THE AREA WILL BE DEMOLISHED BY THE TEAM WITHOUT SERVING ANY NOTICE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

+THE SQUATTER CONTROL SECTION IS MAINTAINING A TEAM IN THE AREA 24 HOURS A DAY, HE SAID.

THE TEAM WILL PATROL THE AREA AND KEEP THE SITUATION UNDER A CLOSE WATCH.

CLEARANCE OF THE AREA WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 27, 1974. ANY PERSONS WHO HAD PROPERTY IN THE AREA ARE AGAIN REMINDED TO REMOVE IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. ANY VEHICLES OR MATERIAL WHATSOEVER REMAINING AFTER THIS DATE MAY BE CONFISCATED AND SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION OR OTHERWISE.

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ANY ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SITE OFFICE AT KOWLOON BAY ON TELEPHONE NO.3-410933.

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