XN000022-1982-03-17 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1982

NEED FOR NURSERIES IN NEW TOWNS STRESSED

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THE TIMELY PROVISION OF SUCH ESSENTIAL FACILITIES AS SCHOOLS AND NURSERIES IS IMPORTANT IN HELPING PEOPLE TO SETTLE DOWN HAPPILY IN NEW TOWNS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, STRESSED TODAY.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK NURSERY AT YAU OI ESTATE WHICH IS THE KUK'S 17TH DAY CARE CENTRE.

MR MACPHERSON ALSO APPEALED TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE THIS MUCH-NEEDED SERVICES IN OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN TUEN MUN - BUTTERFLY, WU KING, SHAN KING AND SIU HONG COURT - WHICH ARE BEING COMPLETED WITHIN THIS AND THE COMING YEAR.

HE SAID +TO ENABLE RESIDENTS IN OUR FAST-EXPANDING NEW TOWNS TO SETTLE DOWN HAPPILY AS PART OF A CONTENTED AND HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES, SUCH AS SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTENS AND NURSERIES, ARE PROVIDED IN GOOD TIME TO MATCH THE POPULATION COMPOSITION AND BUILD-UP.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE CASE OF TUEN MUN WHERE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING IS BEING COMPLETED IN RECORD TIME AND THE POPULATION, INCREASING AT THE RATE OF 200 TO 300 PER DAY, IS PREDOMINANTLY YOUNG AND WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR NEW HOMES.

+TO THIS END, THE DISTRICT BOARD, RECENTLY STRENGTHENED BY ELECTED UNOFFICIALS ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED BY LOCAL VOTERS, TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PLAY A CRUCIAL AND EVER-INCREASING ROLE IN CO-ORDINATING THE TIMELY PROVISION OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS AND NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THIS RAPIDLY EXPANDING TOWNSHIP.+

NOTE TO EDITORS:

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HANDING OVER OF MEDICAL LAUNCH

ER OF

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE HANDING OVER CEREMONY ON FRIDAY (MARCH 19) OF THE MEDICAL LAUNCH +ROTARY DONATED TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 4.45 PM AT QUEEN'S PIER.