Former research officer pleads not guilty Former University of Hong Kong assistant research officer, Wong Chi-kin, 31, pleaded not guilty in Eastern Court yesterday to a forgery charge brought by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. The charge sheet says Wong made a false report in October 2000 about four rock core samples taken from the Tai Lam section of Tuen Mun Road improvement projects. The case was adjourned to June 13 for a pre-trial review and Wong was allowed $5,000 bail. Refund counter service at airport's sky Pier A refund counter will be set up at the Sky Pier of Chek Lap Kok airport from today to assist transit passengers who arrive at the pier for direct onward travel by air to claim cash refunds of advance air departure tax. The counter is in the Sky Pier bus waiting lounge. The Civil Aviation Department said it would help and encourage visitors from the mainland and Macau to use the airport. Police officer critical A police officer was fighting for his life in hospital last night after his motorcycle and a taxi collided in Wan Chai. The officer, Constable Fung Tong-chai, 41, is attached to the Hong Kong Islands traffic unit. The crash happened at the junction of Queensway and Queen's Road East. Car torched in Tin Shui Wai A car owned by a local businessman was torched outside his house in Tin Shui Wai before dawn. Police and firefighters were called to the three-storey house on Ma Tak Road at about 4am after the car's alarm went off and its 49-year-old owner woke to find the vehicle on fire. Investigators found flammable solution on the vehicle. next set of smart cards People born in 1947, 1948 and 1949 are required to replace their identity cards with Smart Cards between now and June 18. Applicants can book an appointment by calling 1838 333 or visiting www.esd.gov.hk . $75,000 haul for burglar Police are investigating a break-in after a $35,000 watch and $40,000 in cash were stolen from a safe in a ground-floor shop on Reclamation Street, Mongkok.
