XN000022-1983-10-18 — Page 7

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"TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1983 -

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THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION (ITC) OF THE UNITED STATES HAS COMPLETED ITS CONVERSION REPORT AND THE TRADE POLICY STAFF COMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS IN VARIOUS U.S. CITIES IN NOVEMBER TO RECEIVE COMMENTS.

THE SPOKESMAN, COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSED CONVERSION, SAID THAT THE EXERCISE WOULD INVOLVE THE RECLASSIFICATION OF NUMEROUS TARIFF CATEGORIES, AND TARIFF RATES FOR INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS WOULD CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE GENERAL LEVEL OF PROTECTION PROVIDED BY TARIFFS SHOULD NEITHER BE GREATER NOR LESS THAN BEFORE.

+ THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO IDENTIFY ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEM AREAS. INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD ALSO EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS RELATING TO THEIR OWN SECTORS AND MAKE THE IR VIEWS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.

IS

A COPY OF THE ITC REPORT WHICH COMPRISES ANNEXES ON (A) CONVERTED U.S. TARIFF SCHEDULE, (B) CROSS-REFERENCE FROM PRESENT TSUSA TO CONVERTED TARIFF SCHEDULE, (C) CROSS- REFERENCE FROM CONVERTED TARIFF SCHEDULE TO PRESENT TSUSA NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT'S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BRANCH REGISTRY OF THE NORTH AMERICA DIVISION ROOM 1413, 14/F., OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD.

VIEWS AND COMMENTS FROM TRADERS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE NOVEMBER 17, 1983.

BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS

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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED BUILDING NOS. 111 AND 113 JERVOIS STREET, HONG KONG TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND BUILDING NO. 115 JÉRVOIS STREET, HONG KONG LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE WERE THREE-FOUR STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS MAINLY CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOFS.

A RECENT INSPECTION INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RISK OF A COLLAPSE OF NOS. 111 AND 113 JERVOIS STREET DUE TO THE WEAKNESS IN THE FRONT WALL BRICKWORK AND FRACTURES IN THE COMMON PARTY WALL.

+ IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS,+ HE SAID.

+WITH REGARD TO NO. 115 JERVOIS STREET, THE CONDITION OF THE PARTY WALL COMMON WITH NO. 113 JERVOÍS STREET IS SUCH THAT THE BUILDING IS NOT LIKELY TO WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF NOS. 111 AND 113 JERVOIS STREET. IT IS THEREFORE ALSO NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING, HE ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON NOVEMBER 15, 1983 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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