XN000022-1975-04-26 — Page 6

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SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975.

INVESTIGATION ON BLASTING INCIDENT IN CHAI WAN COMPLETED

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THE MINES DEPARTMENT HAS REVOKED THE BLASTING PERMIT OF THE YUE SHING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOLLOWING A BLAST WHICH INJURED A NUMBER OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CHAI WAN ON THURSDAY,

FOUR OFFICIALS OF THE COMPANY ARE ON POLICE BAIL AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT ON A SITE NEAR THE COGNITIO COLLEGE.

A MINES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE BLASTING PERMIT HAD BEEN REVOKED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) AFTER A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION HAD NOW BEEN COMPLETED AND A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE POLICE.

HE SAID THE REPORT WOULD RECOMMEND PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BLASTING PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED STRICT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DESIGNED TO PREVENT FRAGMENTS OF ROCKS CAUSING DANGER TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY.

IN THIS CASE, THE CONDITIONS HAD INCLUDED.

* THE ERECTION OF A 35-FOOT BLASTING SCREEN AT THE BLAST

AREA.

* COVERING OF THE BLASTING HOLES WITH APPROVED MATERIALS TO

PREVENT THE PROJECTION OF ROCK FRAGMENTS.

* LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT OF EXPLOSIVES THAT CAN BE USED

AT ANY ONE INSTANCE.

COURTESTY CALL ON DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE

NOTE TO EDITORS:

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THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PO LEUNG KUK WILL BE MAKING A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, ON MONDAY (APRIL 28) AT 11.30 A.M. AT LEE GARDENS TO DISCUSS THEIR WORK IN THE WELFARE FIELD.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.