XN000022-1979-12-31 — Page 4

3.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1979

EFFORTS BEING STEPPED UP TO PROTECT COUNTRYSIDE FROM WANTON DESTRUCTION

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EFFORTS ARE BEING STEPPED UP TO PROTECT THE COUNTRYSIDE FROM WANTON DESTRUCTION, AND DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS MORE THAN 60 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH LIGHTING FIRE ILLEGALLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CHIEF COUNTRY PARK RANGER, MR. C.C. LEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAD BEEN ARRESTED OR SUMMONSED FOR BREAKING THE COUNTRY CODE.

BESIDES LIGHTING FIRE OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES, OTHER CHARGES LAID WERE RELATED TO LITTERING, ILLEGAL ENTRY OF VEHICLES TO RESTRICTED AREAS AND THE CARRYING OF AIR GUNS OR FIRE ARMS.

MR. LEE SAID THE VIGILANCE OF FOREST GUARDS AND THE PARK RANGER SERVICE WOULD BE INCREASED DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

HE ADDED THAT THE NO BARBECUE BAN STILL APPLIED TO TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK (EXCEPT THE PAT HEUNG CATCHWATER), THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA AND THE FOREST PLANTATION EAST OF THE JUBILEE RESERVOIR IN SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.

THE PENALTY FOR LIGHTING A FIRE IN COUNTRY PARK AREAS NOT DESIGNATED AS BARBECUE SITES 1$ $5 000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT- IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE IT IS $2 000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT- AND FOR THE ILLEGAL ENTRY OF VEHICLES, THE CARRYING OF AIR GUNS, AND LITTERING, THE PENALTY IS $2 000 AND THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

LIFE-SAVING TRAINING CENTRE FOR AMS

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A TRAINING CENTRE IS BEING BUILT IN SAI KUNG FOR THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE TO CONDUCT CANOE LIFE-SAVING COURSES FOR ITS MEMBERS.

THE CENTRE, LOCATED ON A 800-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TSAM CHUK WAN, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY NEXT SUMMER.

THE AMS MEDICAL DEFENCE STAFF OFFICER, MR. K.C. TONG SAID ABOUT 600 AMS MEMBERS WERE QUALIFIED LIFE-GUARDS AND THEY WERE ON DUTY AT VARIOUS PUBLIC BEACHES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG DURING THE SWIMMING SEASON.

THEY WERE ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS WATER SPORT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CANOE RACES, MARATHON LIFE-SAVING COMPETITIONS AND SWIMMING RACES.

MR. TONG SAID: THE CANOE HAS PROVED TO BE A VERY FAST AND EFFECTIVE MEANS TO REACH A SWIMMER IN DIFFICULTY,

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