XN000022-1995-01-26 — Page 16

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Under the amended legislation, the maximum penalty of illegal trading in less endangered species will be a $500,000 fine plus one year's imprisonment. This covers endangered animals and plants including their parts and derivatives, such as leopard cat, slow loris, pangolin, owls, most parrots, crocodile, stony corals, wild orchids and wild American ginseng.

"The substantial increases in penalties reflect the Government's determination to deter the illegal import, export and possession of endangered species items," he said.

Turning to enforcement, Dr So pointed out that C&E and AFD officers will step up checks at border checkpoints and medicinal shops respectively during the Lunar New Year period.

End/Thursday, January 26, 1995

Private companies to file annual returns

Private companies with a share capital should file annual returns within 42 days of the anniversaries of the dates of incorporation, a spokesman for the Companies Registry said today (Thursday).

"Under the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 1993 which came into operation on April 29 last year" the spokesman said, "private companies having a share capital are no longer required to file their annual returns within 42 days of their annual general meetings.

"Instead, unless exempted by the ordinance, they should file annual returns to the Registrar of Companies within 42 days of the anniversaries of their dates of incorporation.

"Unfortunately, some company directors and secretaries are not complying with the requirement on time, with the result that additional filing fees have to be paid.

"Failure to file annual return is of course an offence for which companies and their officers are liable to prosecution," the spokesman added.

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