The Public Records Office (PRO) of the Government Records Service is going to hold the "Pleasure and Leisure: A Glimpse of Children's Pastimes in Hong Kong" roving exhibition at the Kowloon Public Library from August 2 to 30. Apart from reliving joyful childhood moments from the 1950s to the 1980s, one can also learn more about the transformation of Hong Kong's society and livelihoods in those years.

     The "Pleasure and Leisure: A Glimpse of Children's Pastimes in Hong Kong" exhibition has been running since February 25 this year in the Hong Kong Public Records Building. To enhance interaction and enrich the exhibition, two public engagement programmes, namely "Share the Joy" and "Childlike Innocence on Camera", are organised in connection with the exhibition, recalling the fond memories of our fun childhood times.

     Both programmes "Share the Joy" and "Childlike Innocence on Camera" will end on November 30. Members of the public are encouraged to lend their precious toy collections for display in the Exhibition Hall and contribute photographs depicting their childhood playtime for uploading to the exhibition's dedicated webpage and mounting at the Search Room. Details are available at the dedicated webpage of the exhibition (www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/pal/en/participation.html).

     Furthermore, the PRO will organise a talk entitled "Pleasure and Leisure: A Glimpse of Children's Pastimes in Hong Kong – Our Archives, Our Stories" on August 3 in the Kowloon Public library. The talk, to be conducted in Cantonese, will cover the functions and services; highlighted holdings of the PRO; and the "Pleasure and Leisure: A Glimpse of Children's Pastimes in Hong Kong" exhibition. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

     Upcoming roving exhibitions and talks under the same theme will be held in the Sha Tin Public Library and the Hong Kong Central Library in October and December respectively. Members of the public may learn more on the dedicated webpage of the exhibition (www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/pal/en/index.html). Admission to all roving exhibitions and talks is free.

      

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 1) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Deep Water Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach, South Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach, St Stephen's Beach, Stanley Main Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach, Kwun Yam Beach, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach, Pui O Beach, Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District; and Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 1) that Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool in Sha Tin District, closed earlier on due to urgent clearance work after the typhoon, has been reopened.

The following is issued on behalf of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council:
 
     The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council reminded interested applicants today (August 1) that its Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies (including the award for students with disabilities) for the academic year 2020/21 have been accepting applications since July 2.
      
     The fellowships and scholarships aim at encouraging outstanding students to pursue further studies in reputable institutions overseas. Successful candidates for the awards are expected to have a strong sense of commitment to Hong Kong and be ready to contribute significantly to the community upon graduation.
      
     The fellowships are for studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or by coursework; the scholarships are for studies leading to undergraduate degrees.
      
     The applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice.
      
     The maximum value of a fellowship is HK$300,000 per year, tenable for up to three years for a doctoral degree or two years for a master's degree. The maximum value of a scholarship is HK$280,000 per year, tenable for up to three years.
      
     Application forms and information notes can be downloaded from the website of the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency at www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/forms/form.htm.
 
     The documents are also available at the following offices:
 
(a)     Student Finance Office
          Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency
          Reception Hall, 11/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
          303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
          Hong Kong
 
(b)     Trust Funds and Temples Joint Secretariat
          Reception Counter, 34/F, Wu Chung House
          213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
          Hong Kong
 
     For enquiries, please call (852) 2150 6097 or (852) 2150 6098.
      
     The closing date for all applications is September 16, 2019. For Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies, short-listed applicants will be invited to attend interviews in person in Hong Kong. The first round of interviews is scheduled for January 2020. If found suitable, applicants will be invited for a final interview to be held around February/March 2020. Applicants short-listed for the Overseas Fellowship/Scholarship for Disabled Students will be invited to attend one round of interview in person in Hong Kong around February/March 2020.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (August 1) that the Base Rate was adjusted downward by 25 basis points to 2.50% with immediate effect according to a pre-set formula. The decrease in the Base Rate follows the 25-basis point downward shift in the target range for the US federal funds rate on July 31 (US time).

     The Base Rate is the interest rate forming the foundation upon which the Discount Rates for repurchase transactions through the Discount Window are computed. The Base Rate is currently set at either 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate or the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rates (HIBORs), whichever is the higher.