THERE'S a new year round the corner and two astrologers say there could be changes at the top: with the death of Deng Xiaoping and the resignation of Governor Chris Patten. But, as ever, there are no guarantees for The Year of the Dog. Paul Lam Kwok-hung is advising caution for the territory's investors. ''The Hang Seng Index will hit the 19,000-20,000 mark this year,'' he says. ''Investors will go into a stock buying frenzy, but be careful, never rush into any decision headlong. ''On the political front, Sino-British relations will further deteriorate and the situation is expected to be bleak next year. The low points will be in March and September. ''But don't worry, things will look a bit better in 1995. This political impasse will have little bearing on people's confidence in the stock market. Most investors are already indifferent to this constant political bickering.'' One senior official from either the British or Chinese side of the Sino-British negotiation team will resign. A senior Government official in the territory will leave office and this is where the Governor comes in. It could be him, depending, says Mr Lam, on the events leading up to October [in the Lunar Calendar]. Demand for medium and small sized property will cool down next year, but sales of luxury properties will continue. As a whole, supply will outstrip demand in the property market while property values continue to rise. The Year of the Dog, in general, will be better than this Year of the Rooster. Overseas, no floods or fires of any note are expected, says Mr Lam. But another earthquake on the Northwest coast of the United States is on the cards. Key problems on the home front will be emotional ones. Rapes are expected to increase. Astrologist Chung Ying-tong is the man casting doubts on Mr Deng's future. Something bad will happen to him by the middle of the year, he predicts. But he too foresees continued prosperity and social stability for Hong Kong. ''1994 is going to be better than 1993,'' he says. And the Governor? No problems, according to Mr Chung. Chris Patten is in for a slice of good luck. Paul Lam sees the year unfolding as follows: It will start with the Government embarking on large-scale construction projects. An increase in the number of industrial and traffic accidents is also likely. The confidence of Hong Kong people will be at a low ebb in February (March in the European calendar) as Sino-British relations continue to deteriorate. Both parties will refuse to budge in the heated dispute over Hong Kong's political future. The departure of a senior figure in the local political arena is imminent. March will be a much better month. Both the industrial and commercial sectors will flourish and society will enjoy a period of prosperity. Hot and dry, but unpredictable weather will prevail in April. Commercial activities will start to pick up and financial returns will be more promising than before. June will be a more turbulent time for the Hong Kong public. Police will make strenuous efforts to crack down on the sex trade. The public will be horrified by the spread of AIDS, and corruption is also set to rise. After a long dry spell, July will see torrential rains, floods and landslides. Those living on a hill or next to slopes should take extra precautions. Hong Kong will come under great strain in August because of more bickerings between the Chinese Government over the political agenda. But don't worry, things will start to brighten up after September. September, however, will be a month of crime. Triads will join forces with illegal immigrants. There is also bad news on the property front as prices stagnate if they don't start to drop. So take heed when investing in this area. A lot of small property agents will go bust, because of this weak market. There will be warfare in the West in October, and many families will be killed. Back in Hong Kong, gold and metal industries will perform well. In November the Government will announce plans and policies that benefit the public. December will see the return of many disillusioned Hong Kong migrants. Believe it or not, that's what the forecasters say. By this time next year, you will know whether they were right.
