XN000022-1984-07-28 — Page 4

SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1984

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CALL FOR DB VOTERS AND CANDIDATES

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A NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR LAU SUM-POR, TONIGHT (SATURDAY) URGED LOCAL PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO REGISTER AS VOTERS BUT ALSO TO RUN AS CANDIDATES IN NEXT YEAR'S DB ELECTIONS.

IN A MESSAGE TO THE DISTRICT'S AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST, HE NOTED THAT BOTH THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL TO PROMOTE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.

FURTHERMORE, HE SAID THE BOARD WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND HAD BEEN CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS.

MR LAU STRESSED THAT THE BOARD COULD ONLY FUNCTION WELL WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENTS.

NORTH IS THE LAST DISTRICT TO HOLD THE 18-DISTRICT AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND A LOCAL NEWSPAPER ORGANISATION TO PROMOTE THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.

WINNERS FROM THE 18 DISTRICTS WILL MEET AGAIN IN THE SEMI-FINAL TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 11 AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.

NINE SEMI-FINALISTS WILL VIE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP DURING THE GRAND FINAL ON SEPTEMBER 1.

THE ACTING NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR NG PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS AT TONIGHT'S SONG CONTEST.

VISAS ABOLISHED FOR AUSTRIAN VISITORS

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THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM AUGUST 1 AUSTRIAN CITIZENS CAN VISIT HONG KONG WITHOUT A VISA FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS.

A SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE CHANGE FOLLOWS THE RECENT DECISION BY THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT TO ABOLISH VISAS FOR BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT HOLDERS FOR VISITS TO AUSTRIA OF UP TO THREE MONTHS.

THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER WARMLY WELCOMED THE AUSTRIAN DECISION WHICH HE SAID WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT AT THIS TIME. HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE AUSTRIAN CONSUL GENERAL, MR EDUARD ADLER, WHO HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ACHIEVING THE BREAKTHROUGH WITH HIS GOVERNMENT.