XN000022-1979-05-23 — Page 11

1

10

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1979

+

OTHERS MAY BE REFERRED FOR HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION OR IF THEY ARE OLD AND NEED PERSONAL CARE, TO OLD PEOPLE'S HOMES, HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT COULD ONLY HELP THOSE WHO WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP.

+UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE STREET SLEEPERS IN THIS CATEGORY ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH US, AND MANY ARE RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT ANY OFFER OF HELP, HE EXPLAINED.

+ IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE IS LITTLE THAT WE CAN DO,+ HE ADDED.

HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS STUDYING A REPORT RECENTLY SUBMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN CONCERNS OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WHICH MIGHT THROW NEW LIGHT ON HOW THE PROBLEMS OF STREET SLEEPERS SHOULD BE TACKLED IN FUTURE.

LEGCO PAYS WARM TRIBUTE TO OUTGOING ATTORNEY GENERAL

*****

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY WHO IS RETIRING AFTER SIX YEARS AS MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL AND 26 YEARS OF SERVICES WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

IN EXTENDING HIS GRATITUDE THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID MR. HOBLEY HAS, THROUGH HIS DIFFICULT JOB, +SHOWN HIMSELF TO BE NOT ONLY A FIRST-CLASS LAWYER AND A MOST LOYAL AND EFFECTIVE MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, BUT ALSO A PERSONALITY OF GREAT QUALITY WHO WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED.+

THE GOVERNOR SAID HE NOTED THAT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL MUST CONSTANTLY RENDER HIS ADVICE AND BUILD HIS EDIFICE OF LEGISLATION IN A TRIANGLE BOUNDED BY WHAT IS LEGALLY SOUND, MORALLY RIGHT AND POLITICALLY POSSIBLE.

WHILE OUTSIDE THE TRIANGLE LIES CERTAIN CATASTROPHE, WITHIN THERE ARE ALSO FAULTS AND FLAWS AND MINES WHICH HE MUST AVOID, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

IT IS A TASK WHICH REQUIRES NOT ONLY GREAT PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND A HIGH SENSE OF THE RULE OF LAW, BUT ALSO POLITICAL JUDGEMENT AND INGENUITY, HE ADDED.

THE GOVERNOR WISHED MR. HOBLEY AND HIS WIFE A HAPPY FUTURE.

/11