XN000022-1986-12-20 — Page 5

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1986

'FOUR STREETS' OWNERS ACCEPT TERMS

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MORE THAN 91 PER CENT OF OWNERS OF TSIM SHA TSUI +FOUR STREETS+ PROPERTIES HAVE ACCEPTED A REVISED GOVERNMENT OFFER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

UNDER THE NEW OFFER, THE DEADLINE FOR WHICH EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 15, THE AMOUNT OF PREMIUM THE OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW LEASES HAS BEEN REDUCED.

THEIR OLD LEASES ON THE PROPERTIES, WHICH ARE IN MODY ROAD, HANOI ROAD, CORNWALL AVENUE AND BRISTOL AVENUE, EXPIRED IN 1978.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID HE EXPECTED MORE OF THE REMAINING 15 OWNERS TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT'S OFFER OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THE TERMS OF THE OFFER INCLUDE PREMIUM PAYMENT BY 21 ANNUAL INSTALMENTS, THE FIRST OF WHICH FALLS DUE ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE OWNERS WHO HAD RETURNED ACCEPTANCE SLIPS HAD ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY THEIR FIRST INSTALMENT BY THE DUE DATE.

SOME HAD EVEN ENCLOSED CHEQUES FOR THE REQUIRED AMOUNT, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HAD DECIDED TO TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT OF ANY PROPERTIES WHERE OWNERS DECLINED TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT'S OFFER TO RENEW LEASES.

+IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS THESE OCCUPIERS WILL BE SENT A LETTER INFORMING THEM THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENTERED INTO MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTIES AND THEY SHOULD CEASE PAYING RENT TO THE FORMER OWNERS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1987, + HE SAID.

IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC AWARENESS FOR STUDENTS STRESSED *****

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) SPOKE OF THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN CIVIC EDUCATION RELATED ACTIVITIES SO AS TO DEVELOP THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS AND ABILITY TO DIFFERENTIATE RIGHT FROM WRONG.

SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION, MR. LEUNG SAID THROUGH PARTICIPATION STUDENTS WOULD LEARN TO UNDERSTAND SOCIETY AND TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO CARE FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

/HE ALSO ..***