XN000022-1985-06-05 — Page 8

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WEDNESDA JUNE 5, 1985

HAWKER CONTROL KEEPS KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE CLEAN

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THE CURRENT HAWKER CONTROL OPERATION AT KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO KEEP ITS LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN GOOD SHAPE AND CANNOT THEREFORE BE RELAXED.

THIS WAS STATED IN A LETTER BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN REPLY TO A GROUP OF HAWKERS FROM THE ESTATE FOLLOWING THEIR REPRESENTATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY ACTION TO CUR B UNAUTHORISED HAWKING IN THE ESTATE BEGAN AS EARLY AS IN MARCH 1983 ON A REGULAR BASIS.

+THE CURRENT OPERATION IS ONLY A CONTINUATION OF THAT LONG-ESTABLISHED HAWKER CONTROL EXERCISE TO ENSURE THAT THE ESTATE REMAINS CLEAN AND TIDY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE TENANTS.+

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ESTATE WAS WELL SERVED BY MARKETS.

+THERE ARE AT PRESENT SOME VACANT SHOP-STALLS AND THE HAWKERS MAY WISH TO TAKE PART WHEN THEY COME UP FOR INSTANT TENDERS SHORTLY.+

THE ESTATE IS NOW FREE OF NUISANCE AND ROAD OBSTRUCTION FROM HAWKING ACTIVITIES WHICH HAD BEEN A SUBJECT OF COMPLAINTS BY TENANTS AND SHOP OPERATORS IN THE PAST.

THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT'S HAWKER/ROAD CONTROL SCHEME IS ALSO BEING SUCCESSFULLY ENFORCED ON 93 OTHER ESTATES.

NEW STAND FOR MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND ****

THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE PROVISION OF $2.7 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SPECTATOR STAND AT MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND IN MONG KOK.

THE OLD STAND, WHICH WAS STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE, HAS ALREADY BEEN DEMOLISHED AND TEMPORARILY REPLACED BY SOME PORTABLE STANDS.

A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID THE PLAYGROUND WAS A POPULAR VENUE FOR MINI-SOCCER MATCHES AND DISTRICT FUNCTIONS AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE NEW STAND WILL PROVIDE SEATING FOR ABOUT 1 000 SPECTATORS. ANCILLARY FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED UNDERNEATH THE STAND. THESE INCLUDE TOILETS, CHANGING ROOMS, OFFICES, FIRST-AID ROOM, READING/CONFÉRENCE ROOM AND STOREROOMS.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS' TIME AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.

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