The Government gazetted today (July 27) the proposed installation of cantilever noise barriers and vertical noise barriers along Long Tin Road between Parkside Villa and Park Royale in Yuen Long to mitigate traffic noise.

     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories

District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories

     The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan will be available at www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.htm.

     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Housing an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Housing Bureau's drop-in box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettethb@thb.gov.hk.

     A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Housing not later than September 26, 2018.

     The Innovation and Technology Commission is now inviting funding applications under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) of the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF).

     The ITSP adopts a three-tier funding framework. This application exercise covers Tier 2 and Tier 3 funding. Tier 2 involves the funding of applied research and development projects that are industry-oriented and have potential for commercialisation, while Tier 3 involves the funding of exploratory and forward-looking projects.

     The application period commenced today (July 27) and will last until September 28 this year.

     Further information and application procedures on the ITSP funding schemes are available on the ITF website (www.itf.gov.hk) and can be obtained from the ITF Secretariat at 21/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong (tel: 3655 5678; fax: 2957 8726; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

     The Innovation and Technology Commission is now inviting funding applications under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) of the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF).

     The ITSP adopts a three-tier funding framework. This application exercise covers Tier 2 and Tier 3 funding. Tier 2 involves the funding of applied research and development projects that are industry-oriented and have potential for commercialisation, while Tier 3 involves the funding of exploratory and forward-looking projects.

     The application period commenced today (July 27) and will last until September 28 this year.

     Further information and application procedures on the ITSP funding schemes are available on the ITF website (www.itf.gov.hk) and can be obtained from the ITF Secretariat at 21/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong (tel: 3655 5678; fax: 2957 8726; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

     The Labour Department today (July 27) called for enrolment for a seminar on the Employment Ordinance to be held at 2.30pm on August 28 (Tuesday) at the Theatre, 3/F, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, 11 Clear Water Bay Road, Kowloon.
 
     The main provisions of the Employment Ordinance including wages, leave and termination of contract will be introduced. In addition, the seminar will also cover the Minimum Wage Ordinance, employers' obligations under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance, and points to note on the employment of foreign domestic helpers.
 
     The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese and admission is free. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the enrolment deadline is August 21 (Tuesday). The enrolment form can be downloaded from the department's website (www.labour.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 2399 2386.

     The "From Puppets to Humans" Series once again promises extraordinary performances for Hong Kong patrons. Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, performances will include "Circus Funestus" by Sofie Krog Teater from Denmark and "Poe's Curse" by Teatro Corsario from Spain.
 
     Denmark's Sofie Krog Teater produces filmic puppet theatre for teens and adults and is known for its unique comic productions with magical set designs. The theatre first broke onto the international stage with its award winning show "Diva". Then, in 2008, the theatre expanded by working in collaboration with David Faraco on new performances, touring both nationally and internationally.
 
     In Hong Kong the troupe will stage the apocalyptic love comedy "Circus Funestus". The story follows a circus whose microscopic hero, Mr Flea, declares his love for the adorable elephant. His declaration of love makes the villain, Mr Whip, mad with jealousy and he conspires with a bunch of evil props to take over the circus. What was once a circus show is now a power struggle between good and evil, a fight for life and death… and to save the lover and the circus from collapse. Puppets, movies, music and transformative effects create a comical and magical universe for the audience. The programme premiered at the April Festival 2016 in Denmark and went on tour to Italy, France, Russia and Spain. The show will be staged at 8pm on September 21 and 22 (Friday and Saturday), and at 3pm on September 22 and 23 (Saturday and Sunday), at the Studio Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets are priced at $200 and $260.
 
     Spain's Teatro Corsario was founded by the Castilla y León Arts Award winner, Fernando Urdiales, in 1982. Its unusual interpretation of Spanish classics has placed it among the most important companies of verse theatre. It also stages modern puppet shows for adults, which have been seen by audiences all over the world. The company has received, among others, the Max Award and Adolfo Marsillach Award, given by Spain's Stage Directors Association.
 
    The group will perform "Poe's Curse", a spine-chilling story based on three works by the celebrated American writer of mysteries and the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. This puppet thriller performed by leading puppeteers from Spain touches emotions ranging from tenderness to fear. Poor Edgar, dogged by misfortune and guilty of loving the beautiful Annabel Lee, is thrown from one terror to another. Awarded the Critic's Prize, Best Production Award at Lleida Puppet Theatre Festival, Spain, and the Best Show Award at Pula International Festival in Croatia, the show has been performed across Europe. It will be staged at 8pm on October 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday), and at 3pm on October 13 and 14 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Theatre of Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Tickets are priced at $200 and $260. The programme contains violent scenes and is recommended for ages 16 and above.
 
     Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/groups_513.html.
 
    This series will feature two sessions of "Puppet Speaks" lecture demonstrations hosted by Dr Lo Wai-luk. Seven speakers and demonstrators will introduce the art of puppetry in Hong Kong and around the world.
 
September 15 (Saturday) 3pm
Topic: Injecting Life and Personality into Table Top Puppet and String Puppet
Speakers and Demonstrators: Wong Fai, Yip Wai-bun and Chen Ying-ching
 
October 7 (Sunday) 3pm
Topic 1: Exploring Puppet Musical in Hong Kong
Speakers and Demonstrators: Murphy Tsai, Cheng Pui-ka and King Wong
 
Topic 2: Art of Puppetry around the World and Child Education
Speaker: Simon Wong
 
    All sessions will be conducted in Cantonese in the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Admission is free but online registration is required. For enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_588.html.