XN000022-1982-04-12 — Page 6

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MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982

SOME TIPS FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS

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WORSHIPPERS ATTENDING TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS AT JOSS HOUSE BAY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16) ARE URGED TO USE WHEREVE POSSIBLE THE SPECIAL FERRIES BEING LAID ON FOR THEM.

THE APPEAL CAME FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG,

MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG, WHO SAID THE FERRIES WERE A CONVENIENT WAY OF GETTING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY.

+ WOULD ALSO LIKE TO APPEAL TO THE WORSHIPPERS TO CARRY THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND TAKE SPECIAL CARE WHEN GETTING ON OR OFF FERRIES.

+THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THOSE GOING BY BOAT, HE SAID.

MR CHAN SAID MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WOULD KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON BOATS GOING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY, AND OPERATORS WHO OVERLOADED VESSELS WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.

+ADEQUATE POLICE AND MEDICAL FACILITIES WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE SCENE SHOULD EMERGENCY ARISE, HE ADDED.

MEANWHILE, A POLICE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS WHO ARE USUALLY ACTIVE ON SUCH FESTIVE OCCASIONS.

HE ADDED THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS, AND THAT LION DANCES WERE STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THE SHORE.

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALSO APPEALED TO WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CAUSING FIRES, AND URGED SMOKERS TO MAKE SURE THAT CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES WERE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM. A CHECK SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT CANDLES, JOSS-STICKS AND PAPERS WERE NOT STILL BURNING.

SALES OR DISPLAYS OF HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS WERE PROHIBITED AND VENDORS OR PURCHASERS OF HELIUM GAS FILLED BALLOONS WERE WARNED TO AVOID EXPOSING THEM TO OPEN FIRE BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF AN EXPLOSION.

A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO WORSHIPPERS TO PLACE ALL LITTER IN THE LARGE CONTAINERS BEING PROVIDED IN THE AREA FOR PUBLIC USE, IN PARTICULAR, HE URGED PASSENGERS ON THE FERRY NOT TO THROW RUBBISH ONTO THE SEA.

HE WARNED THAT PEOPLE DISCARDING REFUSE INDISCRIMINATELY MIGHT BE FINED.

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