XN000022-1995-11-17 — Page 27

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The proposed project is, therefore, to fill the gap in Putonghua education by organising introductory courses for primary and secondary school students during the summer holidays.

Each course will last 20 hours with emphasis on daily usage and the training of listening and speaking skills in Putonghua. Students will learn in an interesting and relaxed atmosphere with the help of various activities.

Each primary school may nominate for participation up to two classes, with 30 to 40 students per class while each secondary school may nominate a maximum of four classes, with 35 to 40 students per class.

The total number of students who will benefit from the proposed Putonghua courses will be about 190,000.

End/Friday, November 17, 1995

$12 million musk grain and pod seized

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) seized $12 million worth of musk grain and pod in an operation in Western yesterday (Thursday).

Acting on information, AFD field officers raided a shop in Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun yesterday afternoon and seized a total of 115 kilograms of musk grain and pod. This is the largest single seizure of this endangered species item the department has ever made.

Commenting on the case, an AFD conservation officer, Mr Cheung Chi-sun, believed that the shop had been used as a main distributor of musk grain and pod in the territory. Mr Cheung said investigations on the case were still in progress.

"Once investigations are completed and that there are sufficient evidence, we will institute prosecution action against the offender," he added.

Mr Cheung pointed out that although musk was a schedule II species, it would still make the offender liable to a maximum penalty of $500,000 fine and one year's imprisonment upon conviction under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance.