XN000022-1979-12-22 — Page 3

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1979

2.

SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS OUT

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A SPECIAL REVIEW OF THE 1977 CENSUS OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS IS PUBLISHED IN THE SEPTEMBER 1979 ISSUE OF THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.

THE REVIEW CONTAINS A SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY'S FINDINGS AND ANALYSES ITS RESULTS BY ACTIVITIES (I.E. WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT/ EXPORT, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), MAJOR GROUPS OF COMMODITIES, EMPLOYMENT SIZES, CENSUS DISTRICTS, TYPES OF OWNERSHIP AND SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS.

THE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 1978 FOR THE REFERENCE YEAR 1977 IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THIS ECONOMIC SECTOR AND PROVIDES BENCHMARK STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE, CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTOR.

IT ALSO PROVIDES DATA FOR EVALUATION OF THE SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION TO GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILED STATISTICS OF THIS SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE SECTION AT TEL: 5-444364 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE SEPTEMBER 1979 ISSUE OF THE MONTHLY DIGEST IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $6 EACH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.

BARBECUING BAN CONTINUES

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THE MONTH-OLD BAN ON BARBECUING IN SELECTED AREAS OF COUNTRY PARKS WILL REMAIN IN FORCE DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

THE COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR. CHONG SING-LAI SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) IT WAS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE BAN IN FORCE BECAUSE THE HEAVILY WOODED FOREST AREAS OF THE PARKS WERE STILL EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO FIRE.

IN LATE NOVEMBER THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY IMPOSED THE BARBECUE BAN IN THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK (EXCEPT THE PAT HEUNG CATCHWATER), THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA AND THE SHING MUN FOREST (EAST OF THE JUBILEE RESERVOIR) IN SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.

THE MOVE BECAME NECESSARY AFTER A SPATE OF FIRES DAMAGED MORE THAN HALF A MILLION TREES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE SINCE OCTOBER 1.

MR. CHONG SAID THE BAN MEANT THAT ANY PERSON FOUND LIGHTING A FIRE IN THE BARBECUE PROHIBITED AREAS COULD BE FINED $5 000 AND

IMPRISONED FOR 12 MONTHS.

TRADITIONALLY, DECEMBER IS THE PEAK MONTH FOR VISITOR USAGE OF THE PARKS.

/AND ACCORDING