XN000022-1974-07-12 — Page 4

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FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1974

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ANOTHER PROVISION. IN THE BILL MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON WHO IS NOT A TRAFFIC WARDEN TO WEAR THE UNIFORM OF A. VARCEN OR BE IN POSSESSION OF AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED TO A TRAFFIC WARDEN. ON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF 85,000 AND SIX MONTHS "IMPRÍSONMENT.

TWO MINOR AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO DEING SOUGHT TO THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDIJANCE TO EIPOWER TRAFFIC WARDENS TO ISSUE PARKING TICKETS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.

BOTH BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK.

ARTS CENTRE BILL PUBLISHED

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DRAFT LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AND TO ENSURE THAT ITS FACILITIES VILL BE USED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

KNOWN AS THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE BILL 1974, IT FOLLOWS AN AGREEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A PRIVATE TREATY GRANT OF ABOUT 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF LAND ON THE VAN CHAI RECLAMATION TO THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE LTD. WHICH IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND IS CHOLLY CONTROLLED BY ITS MEMBERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

THE BILL, GAZETTED TODAY, PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRE TO TAKE OVER ALL THE ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE EXISTING COMPANY.

IT STIPULATES THAT THE OBJECTS OF THE CENTRE ARE GENERALLY TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE AND PROVIDE FOR THE APPRECIATION OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE VISUAL, MUSICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN HONG KONG.

APART FROM GIVING THE CENTRE GENERAL POWERS FOR THE BETTER CARRY ING OUT OF ITS OBJECTS, THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATUTORY BOARD OF GOVERNORS WITH POWERS TO DIRECT AND CONTROL THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRE.

THE BOARD IS REQUIRED, AMONG OTHER FUNCTIONS, TO KEEP THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UNDER REVIEW.

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