XN000022-1980-03-14 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1980

FACILITIES TO DRAW WATER FROM HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR

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WORK WILL START SHORTLY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WATER TUNNEL TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DRAW-OFF FACILITIES FOR THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

THE WORK INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 800-METRE-LONG WATER TUNNEL OF 2.5 METRES IN DIAMETER FROM TAI SHU LAM TO PAK KONG AU AND A 500 METRES LONG ACCESS ROAD.

UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW WATER FROM THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR THROUGH THE TUNNEL TO SAI KUNG TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND IN THE AREA.

A TEMPORARY PUMPING AND TREATMENT STATION WILL BE BUILT IN THE AREA EARLY NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE NECESSARY TREATMENT FACILITIES.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

GASHOLDERS EXAMINATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS

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THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTROL OF GASHOLDERS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

THE TRANSFER IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE GASHOLDERS EXAMINATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1980 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE REGULATIONS WOULD HAVE NO BEARING ON THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS ALL THE GASHOLDERS COVERED BY EXISTING LEGISLATION WERE OWNED BY THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY HAD BEEN PROMPTED BY THE FACT THAT GASHOLDERS WERE LAND-BASED EQUIPMENT AND THAT THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE FOR THE IR CONTROL WAS AVAILABLE IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

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