25 years ago
THE Director of Education, the Hon W. D. Gregg, told the Legislative Council that consideration was being given to the abolition, or perhaps the reduction, of fees in certain schools where such relief was likely to be most welcome.
HONGKONG'S major taxi operators refused to comply with communist demands for immediate reinstatement of all striking taxi drivers. Representatives of the left-wing Motor Transport Workers' Union went to taxi company offices demanding an answer to their earlier requests for en bloc reinstatement of the 2,600 drivers.
WOOLLEN and other textile manufacturers in Hongkong investing heavily in man-made fibre products were all caught by surprise on learning that the US Senate had decided to restrict textile imports, particularly of woollen and man-made fibres, in six months'time. Shocked woollen yarn spinners, knitwear manufacturers and garment makers using man-made fibres held meetings to study possible repercussions.
HONGKONG'S population should top the five million mark by 1981, according to the Census and Statistics Department. The figure, 5.1 million, is the result of a recent survey. This means a 1.3 million increase over the next 13 years. But, at the same time the birth rate has slumped from 36.5 per 1,000 in 1961 to 25.8 in 1966. This decline almost parallels Singapore which experienced a drop from 36.5 per thousand to 28.6 during the same period.
45 years ago FROM the public viewpoint there will be little dispute with the criticisms of the 1948-49 Budget advanced by the Unofficial members of Legislative Council. For the most part their arguments were stated cogently and their line of attack well considered and skilfully developed. The general impression left was that the Unofficials are more and more willing to speak for the people.
A HALF-DOZEN members of Hongkong's Interport soccer team who returned from the Saigon trip hobbled off the Air France plane. Socially, the team had a good time in Saigon. They were royally entertained by Mr Choy Kei, prominent Saigon merchant and football enthusiast, and the Cochin-China Minister of Sports and Recreations, and the Chinese Council. On the field, they were five down with injury after the first game.
75 years ago WYNDHAM Street was the scene of some excitement when shortly after midday a fire alarm went off in Bijou Theatre. The outbreak seemed to be in the machine room and when the fire brigade arrived they speedily got it under control. A hole was made in the roof and water was poured into the heart of the fire. The brigade was able to leave an hour later. Fortunately, no performance was taking place at the time.
LO Chong, a moneychanger residing in Yau Ma Tei has reported to the police that three men came to his counter and one of them tendered 20 cents in silver and asked for copper in change. While the copper was being handed over, one of the men produced a revolver and pointed it at the complainant; the other two pulled open the wire netting door of the money cupboard at the end of the counter and took $420 in money. They then disappeared into the darkness.
