XN000022-1978-01-11 — Page 7

IA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1978

+THIS ENSURES THAT WHEN THE MERCANTILE BANK'S NOTE-ISSUING POWERS CEASE ITS NOTES WILL REMAIN LEGAL TENDER AND THE HONGKONG BANK WILL BE OBLIGED TO REDEEM THEM.

+THERE IS, THEREFORE, NO DANGER THAT SUCH NOTES IN THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC WILL LOSE THE IR VALUE, HE ADDED.

THE DEBATES ON THE BILLS HAVE BEEN ADJOURNED.

URBCO TO PROVIDE INEXPENSIVE FUNERAL SERVICE

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A BILL TO ENABLE THE URBAN COUNCIL TO PROVIDE INEXPENSIVE FUNERAL SERVICE TO FAMILIES WITH LIMITED INCOMES, WHEN THE NEED ARISES, WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SAID: +TO ENABLE THE LIVING. ESPECIALLY THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE A LIMITED INCOME, TO PROVIDE A DIGNIFIED AND INEXPENSIVE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR THE IR DEPARTED ONES, IT IS PROPER AND FITTING FOR THIS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT AND APPROVE THIS AMENDING BILL. +

HE ADDED THAT WITH THE DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR OVER THE YEARS, IT COULD BE CLAIMED THAT IT COST AS MUCH TO BE ALIVE THAN TO DIE AND BE BURIED.+

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD START THE ECONOMICAL FUNERAL SERVICE WHEN THE NEW HUNG HOM PUBLIC FUNERAL HALL IS OPENED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN, WHO IS ALSO AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, REVEALED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL IS WORKING OUT DETAILS OF THE SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED, WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE A TRAINED MASTER OF CEREMONIES, SUITABLE BACKGROUND MUSIC, AND THE ORGANISING OF RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE FUNERAL.

HE HOPED THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE OPERATION OF THE NEW HUNG HOM PUBLIC FUNERAL HALL MAY WELL INDICATE FUTURE DEMAND FOR THIS SERVICE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE URBAN AREAS AS WELL AS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

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