XN000022-1975-11-22 — Page 2

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1975

REVIEW OF RATEABLE VALUES

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PREPARATORY WORK IS NOW UNDER WAY FOR A REVIEW OF RATEABLE VALUES OF PROPERTY IN HONG KONG.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. RAYMOND FRY, SAID THAT THE REVIEW IS IN PURSUANCE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S STATEMENT ON THIS IN HIS 1975 BUDGET SPEECH.

MR. FRY SAID THAT SHOULD A REVALUATION BE ORDERED NEXT YEAR THE REVISED FIGURES WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1977.

AS IS THE NORMAL PRACTICE ALL RATEPAYERS WILL, STARTING FROM MONDAY AND OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, BE SENT A STATUTORY FORM (FORM R. 1A), WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WITHIN 28 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

THIS FORM, PRINTED IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, SEEKS INFORMATION AS TO THE USE TO WHICH THE PREMISES ARE PUT THE NAME(S) OF THE OCCUPIER(S) OF THE PREMISES= WHETHER THE PREMISES ARE OCCUPIED BY THE OWNER OR LET AND, IF LET, THE AMOUNT OF RENT RECEIVED.

THE PERSON COMPLETING THE FORM IS REQUIRED TO GIVE INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICE CHARGES. CONSTRUCTION FEES OR PREMIA PAID, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AND WHO PAYS THE RATES.

IF THE PREMISES ARE LET OTHER THAN ON MONTH-TO-MONTH TERMS, DETAILS AS TO THE LENGTH OF LEASE ARE TO BE STATED.

THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MAY BE GIVEN IN EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH.

ANYONE IN DOUBT AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM SHOULD CALL ON, OR TELEPHONE, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AT 1 GARDEN ROAD (TEL. 5-249021) OR AT 22 FENWICK STREET (NEW MERCURY HOUSE, TEL. 5-281424), HONG KONG, WHERE ASSISTANCE WILL GLADLY BE GIVEN.

ANY PERSON REQUIRING AN EXTENSION OF TIME IN LHICH TO COMPLETE THE FORM SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING WITHIN 28 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

THE COMMISSIONER DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE FORM R. 1A IS A STATUTORY FORM ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE RATING ORDINANCE, AND THAT IT IS IN THE RATEPAYER'S INTEREST TO RETURN IT FULLY AND CORRECTLY COMPLETED WITHIN THE TIME LAID DOWN.

ANY OWNER OR OCCUPIER WHO REFUSES OR NEGLECTS TO FURNISH THE PARTICULARS REQUIRED AND ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY FURNISHES FALSE OR INCORRECT PARTICULARS COULD BE LIABLE TO THE PENALTIES LAID DOWN IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.

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