XN000022-1978-05-18 — Page 6

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THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1978

IMPROVEMENTS TO ENVIRONMENT OF BUILT-UP AREAS ON ISLANDS

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THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD IS TAKING POSITIVE STEPS TO FURTHER IMPROVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF BUILT-UP AREAS SUCH AS CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND MUI WO, MR. VICTOR YUNG, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, ISLANDS, SAID TODAY.

ADDRESSING THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG HARBOUR LUNCHEON, MR. YUNG SAID: THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO SET UP AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GROUP FOR EACH RURAL DISTRICT TO TAKE A HARD AND CRITICAL LOOK AT ITS ENVIRONMENT AND TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO CLEAN IT UP,

+THESE GROUPS WILL CONSIST OF DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF, POLICE AND RURAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES AND THEY WILL MAKE REGULAR SITE INSPECTIONS IN THE DISTRICT AND PRODUCE PLANS FOR ACTION TO CLEAN UP THE BLACK SPOTS.+

MR. YUNG ADDED THAT THERE WERE PLANS TO CONVERT SUCH SPOTS INTO SITTING-OUT AREAS BY PLANTING TREES AND PROVIDING BENCHES AND OTHER FACILITIES.

SINCE ITS FORMATION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, THE BOARD HAS ALLOCATED ITS OWN FUNDS TO SUPPORT VARIOUS CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, HE ADDED.

+ IN THE FIELD OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, THE BOARD HAS SPONSORED THE FORMATION OF A CHOIR FROM KEEN SINGERS IN THE DISTRICT, A CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL GROUP, A DRAMA COMPETITION, A PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHIC AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AND A MID-AUTUMN LANTERN-MAKING COMPETITION.

+ THE BOARD HAS APPROVED FUNDS FOR THE ORGANISATION OF SUMMER CAMPS, CHILDREN'S GAMES DAYS IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, VARIETY SHOWS, LIFE-SAVING CLASSES, A DISTRICT-WIDE SWIMMING GALA AND ATHLETIC MEETS.+

THE BOARD HAS ALSO RECENTLY APPROVED A GRANT OF $1,000 PER MONTH TO ASSIST THE EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEES TO MANAGE THE IR COMMUNITY CENTRES AND TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

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