XN000022-1977-01-25 — Page 6

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977.

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FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES

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A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES SERVED ON THEM AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH FIRE OFFICERS ON INSPECTION VISIT TO THEIR PREMISES.

THE APPEAL CAME AFTER A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A PLASTIC FACTORY OWNER WAS FINED $1,000 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY

WITH SUCH NOTICES AND $500 FOR OBSTRUCTING A FIRE OFFICER WHILST

IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTIES,

HE SAID THAT THE OWNER OF THE FACTORY IN BELCHER STREET WAS ISSUED WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE ON DECEMBER 13, 1976 REQUIRING HIM TO REMOVE THE BAGS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS, MÉTAL SHEETS, TABLES, METAL CARTS AND BASKETS OF FINISHED PRODUCTS WHICH WERE STORED IN THE LIFT LOBBY AND ON THE REAR STAIRCASE.

DURING A FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION TEN DAYS LATER, IT WAS FOUND THAT NO ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ABATE THE FIRE HAZARDS.

AS THE SENIOR FIREMAN WHO CONDUCTED THIS INSPECTION TRIED TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION, THE FACTORY OWNER SUDDENLY ASSAULTED HIM AND CAUSED INJURIES TO BOTH HIS HANDS AND LEGS.

COMMENTING ON THE CASE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRE SERVICES WOULD MUCH PREFER TO ENJOY THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC THAN TO TAKE PEOPLE TO COURT.

+HOWEVER, IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO IGNORE OUR WARNING, HE SAID, +WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION,+

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS MEDICAL CENTRE

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LADY MACLEHOSE TODAY PAID AN HOUR-LONG VISIT TO THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE AT KWUN TONG TO SEE FOR HERSELF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CENTRE.

ACCOMPANIED BY DR. HARRY FANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, AND MR. TOM GARNER, VICE-CHAIRMAN, LADY MACLEHOSE TOURED VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE CENTRE AND CHATTED WITH SOME OF THE PATIENTS.

THE CENTRE, RUN BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, WAS THE FIRST IN HONG KONG TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A HYDROTHERAPY POOL.

IT WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1962 AS THE MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE, BUT WAS OFFICIALLY RENAMED IN MARCH 1971.

THE CENTRE, A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, IS SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION AND PUBLIC DONATIONS.

IT CAN ACCOMMODATE 80 PATIENTS WHO MAY BE SENT FROM ANY HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG OR BE REFERRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CENTRE BY CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS, INDIVIDUALS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

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