XN000022-1982-02-17 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1982

APPOINTMENT OF POSTMASTER GENERAL

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THE GOVERNOR HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR HUGH ARDLEY TO SUCCEED MR ARTHUR HEATHCOTE AS POSTMASTER GENERAL WHEN MR HEATHCOTE RETIRES IN DECEMBER 1982.

AFTER 27 YEARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM CIVIL SERVICE, MR ARDLEY WAS POSTED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON ATTACHMENT IN FEBRUARY 1973 AND WORKED IN THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCHES UNTIL HIS RETURN TO THE UK IN AUGUST 1975.

HE THEN JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN AUGUST 1976 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C AND WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN SEPTEMBER 1978.

FROM 1976 UNTIL AUGUST 1981, HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY (MANAGEMENT) IN THE ADMINISTRATION BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, AND SINCE OCTOBER 1981 HE HAS BEEN ON ATTACHMENT TO TRANSPORT BRANCH FOR SPECIAL DUTIES CONNECTED WITH THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY FROM A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT INTO A PUBLIC CORPORATION.

MR HEATHCOTE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS CHIEF CONTROLLER OF POSTS IN FEBRUARY 1973, AFTER WORKING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, NYASALAND, NIGERIA AND LESOTHO.

HE WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL IN MARCH 1977 AND POSTMASTER GENERAL IN JANUARY 1980. MR HEATHCOTE WAS AWARDED THE OBE IN 1969.

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MORE PUBLIC SPIRITED RESIDENTS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS

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THE INTRODUCTION OF ELECTED MEMBERS INTO DISTRICT BOARDS WILL INVOLVE MORE CAPABLE AND PUBLIC-SPIRITED RESIDENTS INTO THIS EFFECTIVE AND PROGRESSING MACHINERY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR MACPHERSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF A COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE (CABO) TO SERVE ON TING AND YAU OF ESTATES IN TUEN MUN.

HE SAID HE WAS GREATLY ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THAT 20 CANDIDATES WOULD STAND FOR ELECTION IN TUEN MUN AND HE CALLED ON ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS TO COME FORWARD ON MARCH 4 TO VOTE FOR THE RIGHT PERSON TO SERVE THEM.

+TUEN MUN IS DEVELOPING AT A REMARKABLY RAPID PACE,+

MR MACPHERSON SAID, THIS YEAR ALONE. THE POPULATION WILL INCREASE FROM 140 000 TO 200 000, MOST OF WHOM WILL BE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, LIKE ON TING AND YAU OI.+

/MR MACPHERSON