Foresoon Engineering Company Limited was convicted and fined $2,500 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (April 8) for contravening the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (PERO) again as a result of not providing a consumer with a free statutory removal service and charging the consumer a so-called administrative fee under pretexts when selling printers. On April 2, the company was fined $2,500 for contravening the same ordinance.

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said, in October last year, the department received a complaint from a member of the public again that Foresoon had charged the complainant an administrative fee for the arrangement for a statutory removal service after the sale of a printer. Subsequently, Foresoon not only did not carry out the removal arrangement for the old printer, but also falsely claimed that there was no refund as it had passed the administrative fee to the Government. On an earlier conviction, Foresoon refused to offer a free statutory removal service as a consumer was unwilling to pay a so-called administrative fee. The EPD prosecuted Foresoon for contravening the relevant regulations in the above cases under the PERO after gathering evidence.

     The spokesman explained that according to the PERO, which came into effect on August 1 last year, when distributing regulated electrical equipment (REE), sellers must have a removal service plan endorsed by the EPD and proactively inform consumers in writing of the sellers' obligation for the provision of a free statutory removal service as well as the relevant removal terms. Moreover, sellers must arrange a free removal service for consumers to dispose of the same type of waste equipment and provide a recycling label and a receipt containing the prescribed wording when distributing REE.

     The spokesman reminded all the relevant sellers not to make up excuses so as to refuse to provide consumers with a free statutory removal service, or charge consumers for a statutory removal service under different pretexts and through making false statements. Otherwise, they may contravene the PERO. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 to $100,000. A maximum fine of $10,000 to $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the EPD immediately if they find any seller not conforming to the aforementioned requirements when purchasing electrical and electronic equipment. The EPD will take strict enforcement actions against sellers who violate the PERO.

     â€‹Parents of Primary Six students participating in the current (2019) cycle of the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System will soon receive documents on the choice of secondary schools from their children's primary schools, a spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (April 8).

     Primary schools participating in the SSPA System have been informed to collect the following documents today:
 

• Secondary One Choice of Schools Form (Choice Form);
• Notes for Parents on Central Allocation (Notes for Parents);
• Secondary School List (SSL); and
• Handbook for Unrestricted School Choices (Handbook).

     Primary schools should distribute the above documents to parents as soon as possible. Each Primary Six student will be given a copy each of the Choice Form, the Notes for Parents and the SSL for the school net he or she belongs to. Parents may refer to the Handbook distributed to primary schools or obtain the school lists in the Handbook through the EDB's homepage (www.edb.gov.hk) and the fax service of the EDB's automatic telephone enquiry system on 2891 0088.

     "The Choice Form is divided into two parts (Part A and Part B). Parents should refer to the Handbook when filling in Part A 'Unrestricted School Choices' of the Choice Form and choose not more than three secondary schools from any school net (including the student's school net). As for Part B 'Restricted School Choices', parents should refer to their child's SSL and choose a maximum of 30 secondary schools according to their preference. Parents must not enter any school choices which are not in the SSL of the school net of the child in Part B since invalid school choices will not be processed," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reminded parents that prior to making school choices for their children, they should read carefully the Notes for Parents. Parents are encouraged to watch the DVD "Secondary School Places Allocation System 2017/2019 Cycle" distributed to them in October last year to understand in detail the SSPA System. Parents should also refer to the Secondary School Profiles 2018/2019 published in December last year by the Committee on Home-School Co-operation for information supplied by the secondary schools and visit the Secondary School Profiles homepage (www.chsc.hk/secondary/en) for the schools' latest developments.

     "Parents must complete and return the Choice Form to their children's primary schools for submission to the EDB on or before May 2 (Thursday)," the spokesman said.

     Parents who have questions in completing the Choice Form are advised to consult their children's primary schools. Relevant information about the SSPA System and some frequently asked questions have also been uploaded to the EDB's homepage (www.edb.gov.hk) for parents' reference.

     Parents may call the EDB's automatic telephone enquiry system on 2891 0088 for information. Further enquiries may also be directed to the School Places Allocation Section (SSPA) on 2832 7740 and 2832 7700.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
     
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) strives to provide a wide range of activities in its shopping centres in serving residents and enhancing the business environment. Promotional activities will be held in HA shopping centres during the Easter holidays to add festive joy for shoppers and boost patronage.
 
     "Bunnies are a lovely and lively symbol of Easter. On April 21 (Sunday), there will be promotional activities under the theme of 'Bunnies' Playground' at 13 HA shopping centres, namely the Ching Long, Hoi Lai, Choi Tak, On Tat, Nam Shan, Ping Shek and On Kay shopping centres in Kowloon, and the Lei Muk Shue, Kwai Chung, Mei Tin, Tin Yan and Siu Hong shopping centres and Shui Chuen O Plaza in the New Territories," a spokesman for the HA said today (April 8).
 
     "From noon to 2pm there will be bunny parades, while from 2pm to 7pm there will be gift redemption on a first-come, first-served basis."
 
     More fun is coming from 11am to 4pm. Clowns twisting balloons for shoppers, Easter handicraft workshops, snack booths and games booths will be available at nine shopping centres, namely the Choi Tak, Ping Shek, On Tat, On Kay, Lei Muk Shue, Kwai Chung, Mei Tin and Tin Yan shopping centres and Shui Chuen O Plaza on that day.
 
     On April 20, a variety show by artists will delight shoppers at Ching Long Shopping Centre from 2.30pm to 4pm and at Hoi Lai Shopping Centre from 2.30pm to 4pm on April 21.
 
     As for the HA's regional shopping centre Domain in Yau Tong, in addition to Easter decoration, special celebration activities are ongoing on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from now till April 28. Shoppers may redeem gifts when they spend up to specified amounts via electronic payment, or they may redeem game coupons for children for the inflatable bouncy play area and games booths on specified days. There will also be bunny parades and clowns twisting balloons at Domain during the period.
 
     For details of the celebration programmes at HA shopping centres during the Easter holidays, please refer to the links of the HA: www.housingauthority.gov.hk/common/image/home/easter-poster-2019.jpg and www.housingauthority.gov.hk/common/image/home/domain-easter2019-poster.jpg.

      

     The Transport Department (TD) reminded the public today (April 8) that Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars under the regular quota and issued with valid Closed Road Permits (CRPs) for using the Shenzhen Bay Port will be allowed to use the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) going to or returning from the Zhuhai Port on a trial basis starting from April 29. The trial period will be two years tentatively. The arrangement is not applicable for vehicles travelling to the Macao Port via the HZMB.
      
     The TD has started to issue approval letters from March 25 to CRP holders for using Shenzhen Bay Port. Relevant holders under the quota for Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars must possess valid a CRP for using their original crossing and bring along the approval letter issued by the TD in order to use the HZMB Hong Kong Port.
      
     The Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars under respective quotas for using the Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang), Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok crossings have been allowed to use the HZMB on a trial basis from February 25. The Guangdong and Hong Kong governments will review the arrangement, taking into account of the traffic flow of the HZMB, the Hong Kong and Zhuhai Ports, and the relevant connecting roads, upon the end of the two-year trial period to decide on the future arrangement.
      
     Separately, taking into account that the traffic flow in the vicinity of the Hong Kong Port has generally been smooth upon its commissioning, the TD will increase the quota for Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars by 4 500 according to the arrangement agreed by the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments. These vehicles will be allowed to use the HZMB for travelling between Guangdong and Hong Kong in phases starting from April 15. 
      
     Letters will be sent to relevant holders under quotas who had applied for CRPs to notify them to go to the Cross Boundary Unit of the TD (address: Room 1032, 10/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong) to complete the necessary procedures during the period specified in the letter. 
   
     The first collection period starts on April 15. They are required to bring along the letter, the required supporting documents and the fee to collect the CRP. After obtaining the CRP and completing all the formalities as required by the Mainland authorities, they can travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong via the HZMB.
      
     Applicants are reminded to collect the CRP according to the collection period as specified in the letter to avoid a long queuing time.

     The Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is recruiting new members for its 18 bands and orchestras and two choirs. Training for 2019-20 will run from this September to the end of May next year. The deadline for applications is April 30.
 
     Young musicians aged 25 or below who have attained the required music qualifications are eligible to apply. Successful applicants will receive Chinese orchestra, orchestra or choir training at different levels. Apart from weekly rehearsals, members may also broaden their horizons by participating in various cultural activities and concerts, or attending exchange sessions with visiting young musicians from the Mainland and overseas.
 
     Training is free but members are required to bring their own instruments (except for bulky ones) and to pay for their uniforms and music scores.
 
     The 20 ensembles are the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Youth Strings, the Island Youth Strings, the Kowloon Youth Strings, the New Territories Youth Strings, the Hong Kong Junior Chamber Ensemble, the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, the Music Office Youth Brass Band, the Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band, the New Territories Youth Symphonic Band, the Music Office Junior Symphonic Band, the Hong Kong Children's Symphonic Band, the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Island Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra, the New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Children's Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Youth Choir and the Music Office Children's Choir.
 
     Online applications are available at www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course pamphlets and application forms are also available at all Music Office music centres. Qualified applicants will receive an audition notification by the end of May. The audition will include sight-reading or sight-singing and the performance of a self-chosen work. Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of August.
 
     For enquiries, please call the Music Office's music centres at 2802 0657 (Hong Kong), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan).