XN000022-1992-05-29 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992

WALLED CITY PHASE 3 CLEARANCE DEFERRED

THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK, WILL BE POSTPONED BY ABOUT A MONTH, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR PHILIP CHOK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY),

THE DECISION TO POSTPONE THE OPERATION FOLLOWED CLAIMS OF POSSESSORY TITLES BY 18 HOUSEHOLDS COVERING 40 STRUCTURES.

"THE CLEARANCE PROCESS WILL BE VERY COMPLICATED IF WE ARE ΤΟ CARRY ON WITH THE OPERATION AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED BUT LEAVING ASIDE THE CLAIMANTS.

"IT IS THEREFORE DECIDED ΤΟ POSTPONE THE ENTIRE OPERATION UNTIL THE END OF JUNE, MR CHOK EXPLAINED.

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HE ADDED THAT LAND ACQUISITION NOTICES WERE AFFIXED TODAY ON PREMISES WITHIN THE PHASE III CLEARANCE AREA NOTIFYING THE CLEAREES THAT AFTER ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE OF AFFIXING OF THE NOTICES, THE LAND DESCRIBED THEREIN SHALL VEST IN THE CROWN AND THAT EVERY INTEREST, RIGHT OR ANY EASEMENT OF ANY PERSON IN OR OVER THE LAND SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED.

"IN OTHER WORDS, ALL THE PHASE III CLEAREES MUST MOVE OUT ON OR BEFORE JUNE 29," HE SAID.

THE LAND ACQUISITION NOTICES WERE ISSUED UNDER THE LAND ACQUISITION (POSSESSORY TITLE) ORDINANCE AFTER A DECISION WAS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 26 THAT THE AREA OF LAND CONCERNED IS REQUIRED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE.

"IN TAKING THIS COURSE OF ACTION, IT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY MEAN THE GOVERNMENT CONCEDES TO THE CLAIMS TO POSSESSORY TITLE MADE BY THE OWNERS/RESIDENTS.

ΤΟ

"BY EXERCISING THE POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, WE ARE ABLE MINIMISE THE DELAY CAUSED TO THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PROJECT, MR CHOK SAID.

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AT PRESENT, 358 HOUSEHOLDS STILL REMAIN IN PHASE III. OF THESE, ONLY 104 HAVE YET TO ACCEPT GOVERNMENT'S COMPENSATION OFFERS.

THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE WILL BE CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS WITH THESE HOUSEHOLDS WITH A VIEW TO REACHING SETTLEMENT.

MR CHOK ALSO POINTED OUT THAT PHASE III CLEAREES WHO REMAIN DISSATISFIED WITH GOVERNMENT'S COMPENSATION OFFERS WILL HAVE UP TO AUGUST 2 EITHER TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION OR APPEAL TO THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD (ARB).

"THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE POSTPONED EVEN THOUGH THE CLEARANCE OF PHASE III WILL BE DELAYED BY ABOUT ONE MONTH. ANY APPEALS ΤΟ THE ARB SUBMITTED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT ENTERTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT, HE STRESSED.

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