XN000022-1979-02-26 — Page 9

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

TAI PO GOVT OFFICE BUILDING READY SOON

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A NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING WILL SOON BE READY IN TAI PO TO KEEP PACE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING COMMUNITY.

THE BUILDING AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI PO ROAD AND TING KOK ROAD, WILL SERVE TAI PO AND THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MR. PAUL YIU, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT'S SENIOR ARCHITECT FOR THE PROJECT, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) WORK ON THE BUILDING WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL.

+THE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF A SIX-STOREY HIGH BLOCK PROVIDING 9,000 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE AND A SINGLE-STOREY ANNEX, HE SAID,

+IT WILL PROVIDE OFFICES FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE POST OFFICE, MARRIAGE REGISTRY, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE (MAINTENANCE DEPOT), REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE AS WELL AS THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. YIU ADDED.

THE SINGLE-STOREY ANNEX WILL HOUSE ALL THE NECESSARY ANCILLARY SERVICES, SUCH AS AN AIR-CONDITIONING PLANT, STORES AND CARETAKER QUARTERS.

THE OFFICE COMPOUND HAS PARKING SPACES FOR 57 CARS AND ALSO FOR SEVERAL BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS.

45 AND 47 SQUARE STREET DECLARED DANGEROUS

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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED NOS. 45 AND 47 SQUARE STREET, HONG KONG, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS.

IN VIEW OF THEIR GENERALLY DILAPIDATED CONDITION THESE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN UNDER REGULAR OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE B.0.0. SAID.

DURING A RECENT INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CONDITION OF THESE BUILDINGS HAD DETERIORATED CONSIDERABLY AND IN PARTICULAR NEW MOVEMENT OF THE REAR MAIN WALL WAS DETECTED.

+AS THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THESE BUILDINGS IS NECESSARY, HE ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MARCH 26 WERE POSTED TODAY,