XN000022-1977-04-01 — Page 4

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1977.

RATE RELIEF SCHEME

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THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED AN ORDER GIG EFFECT TO THE SCHEME OF RATE RELIEFS PROPOSED BY THE FANCIAL SECRETARY

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH. THIS WILL ENABLE RELIEFS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE ISSUE OF THE RA E DEMAND NOTES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

RATEPAYERS SHOULD CAREFULLY CHECK THE IR RATE DEMAND NOTES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AGAINST THOSE FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

IF THE AMOUNT NOW DEMANDED EXCEEDS BY MORE THAN 33.33 PER CENT THE AMOUNT LAST DEMANDED, RATEPAYERS SHOULD TAKE BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS RATE DEMAND NOTES TO THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, WHO WILL ADVISE THEM ON WHAT TO DO.

THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION HAS ISSUED A BRIEF PAMPHLET EXPLAINING HOW THE RELIEF SCHEME WILL WORK AND COPIES (IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH) MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT AT NEW MERCURY HOUSE, WAN CHAI OR 1, GARDEN ROAD.

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THE COMMISSIONER EMPHASISED THAT, IN RESPECT OF RENT-CONTROLLED PREMISES, WHERE THE LANDLORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE RATES DIRECT, ONLY THE INCREASE IN RATES ACTUALLY PAYABLE CAN BE PASSED ON TO A TENANT AS INCREASED RENT. IN OTHER WORDS, IN ARRIVING AT THE INCREASED AMOUNT PAYABLE IF ANY AMOUNT OF THE 1977-78 RATES MUST BE REDUCED WHERE APPLICABLE BY THE AMOUNT OF RELIEF ALLOWED.

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HE ADDED THAT ANY TENANT IN DOUBT AS TO THE INCREASED AMOUNT THEY ARE ASKED TO PAY SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE RENT CONTROL DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT NEW MERCURY HOUSE.

H.K. SPORTS FESTIVAL CANOE RACE

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OWNERS, COXSWAINS AND PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF LOCAL CRAFT ARE REQUESTED TO EXERCISE DUE CAUTION WHILE NAVIGATING OFF APPROACH BAY NEAR 10-1/2 MILESTONE CASTLE PEAK ROAD ON SUNDAY (APRIL 3) WHEN THE HONG KONG SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL HOLD ITS CANOE RACE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THEY SHOULD ALSO AVOID PASSING CLOSE TO COMPETING CRAFT.

THE RACE WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ON THAT DAY.