TWENTY-FIVE years ago: THE first phase of large-scale development to transform Sha Tin into a commercial and industrial centre was underway. About $50 million had been approved by the Finance Committee to provide 40.5 hectares of developed land with roads and services for commercial, industrial and residential use in five years. More than four hectares was set aside for commercial and residential development. An area of 8.5 hectares would provide government housing, along with schools and other community services. A four-hectare industrial estate was to be built on private land to be resumed at Fo Tan, about half a kilometre north of Sha Tin. The section of Tai Po Road fronting the western border of the new town would be transformed into a highway. Until then a new by-pass road, leading off the Lion Rock Tunnel and passing seaward from the existing Sha Tin market, would help ease traffic congestion in Sha Tin. DISCUSSIONS took place in Hong Kong between the Anglican, Methodist and other churches on Christian reunion. The archbishops of Canterbury and York had called for ''the fullest possible co-operation between Anglicans and Methodists in every part of the life of the two churches''. The Reverend Simon Ridley, the vicar of Christ Church, Kowloon Tong, said: ''There are even stronger reasons in Hong Kong than in England for pressing forward towards Christian reunion. Our own bishop is most anxious to do so, and important discussions with the Methodists and other churches are already in hand.'' Hong Kong and Macau Anglican Bishop Gilbert Baker had thanked Catholic Bishop Francis Hsu ''for the gracious way'' in which he and his colleagues had agreed to form a united team to work among the seamen in Hong Kong. The two bishops set October 1 for the beginning of this new venture in church unity. Bishop Baker thought it was the first time they had Catholic and Anglican co-operation in one of their centres of Christian work and he hoped for further opportunities of joint action in the territory. Text But if a wicked man turns away from all his sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offences he has committed will be remembered against him. Ezekiel 18:21-22
