XN000022-1974-06-20 — Page 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1974.

MAY G.C.P.1. STAYS AT 185 ******

THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY WAS 185. THE SAME AS THAT FOR APRIL.

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ADVANCED BY FOUR POINTS WHILE THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS ADVANCED BY TWO POINTS. INCREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINK AND TOBACCO, THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AND THE INDEX FOR SERVICES.

THESE INCREASES WERE OFFSET BY THE FRACTIONAL DECREASE IN THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WHICH, WHEN ROUNDED OFF, REMAINED UNCHANGED.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, THERE WERE DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH WATER FISH AND FRESH VEGETABLES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT WATER FISH, BEEF AND FRESH FRUITS ADVANCED. MANY RESTAURANTS ALSO RAISED THEIR MENU PRICES, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME.

AS TO NON-FOOD ITEMS, THE INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR BOTH HOUSEHOLD AND SCHOOL STATIONERY. ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THIS DEPARTMENT, CHARGES FOR CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT WERE RAISED, RESULTING IN A RISE IN THE INDEX FOR SERVICES.

WATER CUT

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JUNE 22).

THE TEMPORARY STOPPAGE IS TO ENABLE WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF TO CARRY OUT A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, BROADCAST DRIVE, EDE ROAD, AND BEACON HILL ROAD, INCLUDING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS HOUSING SCHEMES IN THE VICINITY.

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