XN000022-1979-04-30 — Page 7

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1979

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AS THOUSANDS OF INHABITANTS OF CHEUNG CHAU AND NEARBY ISLANDS WILL BE OUT IN FULL FORCE ON THURSDAY, VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE THE TRIP ON FRIDAY WHEN A GOOD VIEW OF THE PAGEANT WILL BE EASIER.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE GRAND PROCESSION OF THE BUN FESTIVAL ON CHEUNG CHAU AT 2.30 P.M. ON THURSDAY.

SPECIAL PRESS BADGES WILL BE ISSUED TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVER ING THE EVENT. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IN THE NAME OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO MR. MICHAEL CHUI OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON 3-0502465 BEFORE 5 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

A FERRY, MAN YAN, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER GUESTS FROM HONG KONG TO CHEUNG CHAU. IT WILL LEAVE QUEEN'S PIER AT 12.30 P.M. ON THURSDAY AND IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN BY 5 P.M.

SURVEY INDICATES RISE IN DEMAND FOR PLEASURE CRAFT AND SPECIALISED BOATS

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THE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR PLEASURE CRAFT AND OTHER SPECIALISED BOATS IS ON THE INCREASE, THE REPORT ON THE FOURTH MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP-REPAIRS INDUSTRY STATED TODAY (MONDAY).

THE REPORT, NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, SAID MANY MEDIUM-SIZED SHIPYARDS ARE NOW EXPANDING THE IR BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THIS FAST GROWING MARKET.

IT ALSO ANTICIPATES THAT SHIP CONVERSION AND MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE AND REPORTED THAT SEVERAL MAJOR COMPANIES ARE CONSTRUCTING NEW YARDS TO CATER FOR THE REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND DOCKING OF ALL CLASSES AND TYPES OF VESSELS UP TO 100,000 TONS AS WELL AS NEW BUILDINGS.

THE REPORT, THE RESULT OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN JULY 1978 BY THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, REVEALED THAT THERE WERE 10,624 WORKERS AND 776 TRAINEES-APPRENTICES EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRY.

COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS SURVEY, THE NUMBERS EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRY (EXCLUDING SEA-GOING MANPOWER) IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN STEADY DESPITE THE DEPRESSION IN THE WORLD'S SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY.

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