XN000022-1976-06-25 — Page 7

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1976

MINE BLASTING CERTIFICATES

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FEES PRESCRIBED UNDER THE MINES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF MINE BLASTING CERTIFICATES ARE TO BE INCREASED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

IN ADDITION, NEW FEES ARE LEVIED WHEN A CERTIFICATE IS TO BE RENEWED OR ENDORSED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL BLASTING OPERATIONS OR TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS WORN OR DEFACED. THESE SERVICES WERE PREVIOUSLY GIVEN FREE OF CHARGE BY THE MINES DEPARTMENT.

THIS MEANS THAT THE PREVIOUS CHARGE OF FIVE DOLLARS FOR THE ISSUE OF A MINE BLASTING CERTIFICATE WILL NOW COST $100, AND FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A LOST CERTIFICATE, THE NEW FEE IS $20 INSTEAD OF FIVE DOLLARS.

AS FOR THE NEW CHARGES, IT WILL COST $90 FOR THE RENEWAL OF A MINE BLASTING CERTIFICATE, $20 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A WORN OR DEFACED CERTIFICATE AND $90 FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE DOCUMENT.

THE MINES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1976 WHICH GIVE EFFECT TO THE CHANGES ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE INCREASED AND NEW FEES WILL ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO COVER THE COSTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INVOLVED, WHICH INCURRED A SHORTFALL OF $10,000 IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1975/76.

THIS IS THE FIRST ADJUSTMENT TO THE FEES SINCE THEY WERE INTRODUCED IN 1954.

PART OF SHEK O CAR PARK TO BE GIVEN OVER TO CMB AND PLB

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PART OF THE CAR PARK IN SHEK O WILL BE GIVEN OVER TO THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND PLB ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS THERE.

STARTING SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 100 OF THE 232 PRIVATE CAR PARKING SPACES IN THE SHEK O ́CAR PARK WILL BE CANCELLED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR BUSES AND PLB'S.

THIS WAS AGREED AT A MEETING THIS MORNING AMONG REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TRAFFIC POLICE AND CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE ABOVE MEASURE WAS TEMPORARY AND WOULD BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW.

THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL BE PROVIDING THE USUAL EXTRA SERVICES TO SHEK O THIS SUNDAY AND THE POLICE WILL BE ON HAND TO DEAL WITH ANY TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED MOTORISTS PLANNING TO GO TO SHEK O THIS SUNDAY TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED PARKING SPACE AVAILABLE.

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