XN000022-1986-05-02 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1986

THE DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF THE NEED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE DIVERSION SCHEME WELL IN ADVANCE AND IS NOW CONSULTING RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE MEASURES, THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD.

AFTER TOURING THE KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICES, THE GOVERNOR PROCEEDED TO THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE WHICH HANDLES ABOUT 3 000 LICENSING TRANSACTIONS A DAY. HE THEN WENT TO THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE.

AT THE CENTRE, SIR EDWARD TOURED THE FACILITIES AND SAW HOW GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ARE EXAMINED FOR ROADWORTHINESS. THE GOVERNOR LEARNED THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S FOUR VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES CONDUCTED 86 000 INSPECTIONS LAST YEAR.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OBJECTIVE IS TO INSPECT ANNUALLY ALL PASSENGER VEHICLES, GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE CARS OVER SIX YEARS OLD. THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF PASSENGER SERVICE VEHICLES SUCH AS TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, FRANCHISED AND NON- FRANCHISED BUSES HAS BEEN ACHIEVED,

OWING TO LACK OF RESOURCES, ONLY GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1977 AND 1983 RESPECTIVELY ARE BEING INSPECTED ANNUALLY. THE INSPECTION OF PRIVATE CARS OVER SIX YEARS OLD IS NOW CARRIED OUT IN 17 PRIVATE GARAGES AUTHORISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

LAST VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE UP FOR AUCTION

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KEEN BIDDING IS EXPECTED WHEN THE LAST SITE AT VICTORIA BARRACKS IS AUCTIONED ON MAY 27.

THE 16 150-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT SUPREME COURT ROAD IS NEXT TO THE PLOT SWIRE PROPERTIES BOUGHT FOR $703 MILLION IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO BUILD A HOTEL/OFFICE COMPLEX.

THE AUCTION WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 2.30 PM.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: THE PRIME SITE, KNOWN AS INLAND LOT NO 8582, IS THE LAST SITE AVAILABLE IN VICTORIA BARRACKS, AND IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT CONSIDERABLE INTEREST FROM DEVELOPERS.

A+TAE SALE