XN000022-1989-12-08 — Page 20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1989

19

POULTRY RETAILER FINED $5,000 FOR INACCURATE WEIGHING

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED RETAILERS PRODUCE TO ENSURE THAT THEY USE ACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS.

THIS FOLLOWED A CASE IN THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY (FRIDAY) IN WHICH A POULTRY RETAILER IN SHAM SHUI PO WAS FINED FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS. HE PLEADED GUILTY.

OF

TODAY $5,000

THE RETAILER WAS PROSECUTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.

THE COURT HEARD THAT THE MATTER HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AFTER COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED FROM CUSTOMERS.

ON JUNE 6, OFFICERS OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU INSPECTED THE RETAILER'S SHOP ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF 74 PE1 HO STREET.

A PRELIMINARY CHECK OF A CHINESE STEELYARD USED IN THE SELLING OF POULTRY REVEALED THAT IT WAS INACCURATE.

THE STEELYARD WAS LATER SENT TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION AND TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST ERROR OF THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENT WAS 21.88 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR ANDREW WONG, THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 87 COMPLAINTS ABOUT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES DURING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS THE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN IN EFFECT.

SUBSTANTIATED, 30 ARE

"OF THESE COMPLAINTS, 40 ARE NOT SUBSTANTIATED AND 17 OTHERS ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATIO

WRITTEN

"AS FOR THE COMPLAINTS WHICH ARE SUBSTANTIATED, WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO 19 TRADERS, SIX TRADERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED AND FIVE OTHER CASES ARE EXPECTED TO BE BROUGHT ΤΟ COURT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

וי

'THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS' 1

IMPRISONMENT. ' MR WONG SAID.

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PERSONS WHO WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MALPRACTICES IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MAY CONTACT THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT (TEL. 3-7146146) OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.

COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE MADE TO THE DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8523185 AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.

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