XN000022-1990-12-12 — Page 23

22

PAYMENT OF THE SUBSIDY UNDER THE STSS FOR THE CURRENT (1990-91) ACADEMIC YEAR IS DUE TO BE MADE IN EARLY 1991. SUCH PAYMENTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW RULES OF ELIGIBILITY, WHICH WILL NOT BE APPLIED UNTIL THE 1991-92 ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER 1991.

SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO INTRODUCE RULES OF ELIGIBILITY.

ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS OR TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY LOCATED ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 801 5772).

MONG KOK BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DECLARED THE EXTERNAL REAR STAIRCASE AT 199 AND 201 PORTLAND STREET, MONG кок, DANGEROUS AND THEIR MAIN BUILDINGS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

THE AUTHORITY ALSO DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 64 TUNG CHOI STREET TO BE DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT, THE

PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BUILDINGS AT PORTLAND STREET, WERE SIX STOREYS HIGH WITH COCKLOFTS.

THEY WERE POST-WAR REINFORCED CONCRETE-FRAMED BUILDINGS WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS, AND BRICK INFILL PANEL WALLS.

ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FOR THE REPAIR OF BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE EXTERNAL REAR STAIRCASES WERE ISSUED JULY 9, 1990

THE

ON

HOWEVER, FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY AN AUTHORISED PERSON AND SUBSEQUENTLY BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE REVEALED THAT THE DEGREE OF DETERIORATION IN THE REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAME OF THE REAR STAIRCASE AND REAR PART OF THE MAIN BUILDING WOULD RENDER REPAIR THE STAIRCASE IMPOSSIBLE.

ACCORDINGLY, SUCH STAIRCASE SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.

TO

THE DEMOLITION OF THE REAR STAIRCASE WILL RENDER THE ALREADY DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE. THEREFORE, THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.

THE DEFECTS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED IN PART BY LACK OF ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDINGS OVER THE

PRECEDING YEARS.

/THE BUILDING