XN000022-1978-03-05 — Page 7

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SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 1978

COLLECTION HOURS IN NT

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THE REVISED COLLECTION HOURS ON SATURDAYS IN ALL DISTRICT ACCOUNTING OFFICES AND COLLECTION CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH HAVE BEEN IN FORCE ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR THREE MONTHS, ARE TO BECOME PERMANENT.

THE TRIAL WAS INTRODUCED LAST OCTOBER WHEN THE COLLECTION HOURS IN THESE ACCOUNTING OFFICES -- FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON MERE SHORTENED BY HALF AN HOUR FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE.

AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE, ALL DISTRICT ACCOUNTING OFFICES HAVE OPERATED FROM 9 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M. ON SATURDAYS SINCE THEN.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY THE CHANGE WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS HOURS LEFT NO TIME FOR THE SHROFFS TO BALANCE THE IR ACCOUNTS AS THEIR NORMAL OFFICE HOURS ALSO ENDED AT NOON ON SATURDAYS.

HE SAID: +THE THREE-MONTH TRIAL IS NOW OVER AND IT SHOWS THE REVISED HOURS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

+ IN VIEW OF THE FAVOURABLE PUBLIC RESPONSE IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO IMPLEMENT THE REVISED COLLECTION HOURS ON A PERMANENT BASIS.+

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE HEUNG YEE KUK, RURAL COMMITTEES, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND THE FEDERATION OF SOCIETIES HAD ALREADY BEEN INFORMED OF THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE REVISED HOURS.

THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN REQUESTED TO BRING THE CHANGE TO THE NOTICE OF THEIR MEMBERS, HE ADDED.

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