XN000022-1996-03-12 — Page 10

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"The group named it Spring Breeze Pavilion to commemorate the hill fire and to stress to visitors the importance of preserving the countryside and preventing hill

fires.

"It was also decided that the opening of the pavilion should tie in with the Tree Planting Festival on March 12."

Inside the pavilion was a plaque with a message in English and Chinese by the Director of Education, which recounted the incident on February 10, 1996.

The pavilion was built by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

A tree planting ceremony preceded the opening of the pavilion. The Deputy Secretary of Education and Manpower, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Chairmen of the Board of Education, the Professional Teachers' Union, and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, as well as teacher and student representatives, took part in planting two pine trees.

Right after the ceremony, visitors to the pavilion were provided with yellow Chrysanthemums to pay respect to the victims of the hill fire.

End

$2.5M grant to assist snowstorm victims in Qinghai

The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee has approved a grant of $2.5 million to Medecins sans Frontieres as a contribution to their emergency intervention to assist the people affected by snowstorms in Qinghai Province, China.

The Advisory Committee is concerned with the plight of these semi-nomadic people who have been adversely affected by repeated snowstorms and the severe cold weather.

"The Committee hopes that the grant will stimulate further responses from the public towards the plight of the people there," a government spokesman said today (Tuesday).

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