DEAR EDDIE (Hui Ki-on),
I write in thanks for all the assistance rendered
by you and your colleagues over the successful staging of National Day events on 1 October 97.
Your colleagues from the Police Training School who were members of the flag-raising
team captured the attention of not only local audiences but friends of Hong Kong overseas. The
Police Band also helped to provide a solemn and most dignified atmosphere to the proceedings.
Judging from the day's performance, all their hard work truly paid off.
Hong Kong Police Force officers also helped to maintain order both inside and outside the
reception venue and their efforts were appreciated by all, especially by the more than 5,000 guests
who attended the function.
I am very aware that your colleagues from Traffic Wing have also worked long and hard to
ensure that all the celebratory functions throughout the day were allowed to take place in a most
orderly manner.
Once again, please accept my thanks and appreciation. I would be grateful if you could
convey the same to all your colleagues who contributed so professionally to the success of the
SAR's first National Day.
David H T Lan,
Passing Out Parade Suggestions
DEAR SIR,
I was invited to attend the PTS Passing Out
Parade on 16 August 97 and was deeply impressed by the excellent and proud parade as well
as the smart graduates.
Nonetheless, I think it would have been more appropriate for the marshal of the ceremony
to have announced the list of the award winners firstly in Chinese and secondly in English, as
opposed to the other way around.
Since Hong Kong is now a Special Administrative Region of China, the announcements
should be in Chinese with English playing an assisting role. This is the internationally recognised
custom and is also related to national prestige.
Because this was the first Passing Out Parade since the handover of sovereignty, it is forgivable
as the marshall may not of had enough time to make the necessary adjustments. Next time, however,
the Chinese language should take precedence.
I was also dismayed that during the presentation of the awards given by the marshall, the origin
and meaning of the Brian Slevin Trophy, the Baton of Honours and the Commissioner's Certification
of Academic Merit was spoken only in English. During the Chinese session, although the name of the
awards were mentioned there was no further elaboration in Chinese.
Moreover, I believe the marshall's practice of mentioning the English ranking title of award
winners even in the Chinese session only served to create confusion among the relatives and guests
of the graduates who might not have a very good command of English.
I hope officers and colleagues concerned can do better in the next Passing Out Parade.
Thank you.
Yours,
DEAR SIR,
I refer to a letter from OFFBEAT reader,
Mr Liu On-bong, who comments on the order and degree of languages used by the marshall
in the most recent PTS Passing Out Parade.
The language policy of PTS is the same as that of the Government which puts equal
emphasis on the use of both Chinese and English. The order of language used by the marshall
in announcing the list of award winners during the ceremony only follows the traditional
custom of PTS which doesn't imply any discrimination.
However, we are examining this matter for appropriate action in the future. Indeed,
the decisive factor in terms of redesigning the format and arrangement of the ceremony depends
on the request of the reviewing officer and the guests attending the ceremony.
We appreciate the invaluable opinions of Mr Liu and welcome any further suggestions
with regard to this issue.
Yours sincerely,
DAVID Evans passed away in the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital on 9 October because of illness. He joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 1966 and retired
in 1996 in the rank of Chief Inspector. He was 56.
A British citizen who would eventually learn to speak several languages including Greek,
French, Chanyanja and Cantonese, David Evans was born in Xeros in Cyprus. Before joining the
Hong Kong Police he served as a police officer in Northern Rhodesia and Zambia.
During a distinguished career, Mr Evans' list of postings included Marine, Frontier (now Border),
Police Tactical Centre (now PTU), Crime Kowloon, and CID in Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po and Kwun
Tong districts. He also served as Assistant Divisional Commander (Crime) in Shek Kip Mei and in
Cheung Sha Wan.
He was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service medal in 1984, and received five Commanding
Officer's Commendations for leadership, detective ability, professional ability and devotion to duty of
a very high order in several investigations which included a complex triad murder case, a homicide ,
an intricate and protracted deception case, and for an investigation into a series of robberies - all of
which resulted in the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of the crimes.
David is greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.
His brother Bob Evans writes from Geelong, Australia: "On behalf of our family and myself I
would like to convey to David's many serving friends and past associates our heartfelt thanks and
appreciation for the kindness, support, consideration and sympathy extended to David and myself
during his recent illness, with special thanks to those who attended the cremation service and subsequent
'send-off'."
ROY Moss passed away on 27 October because of a
short illness. He joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 1952 and retired in the rank of Chief
Superintendent in 1978. He was 66.
Born in England, Mr Moss served in the Royal Air Force before joining the Hong Kong Police
in August 1952.
Mr Moss was posted to a number of regions and formations during his 26 years with the Force.
These included: PTC (now PTU), and CID in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po and Marine
districts. He also served in Special Branch (now Security Wing).
During his distinguished career, CSP Moss received the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious
Overseas Service, the Colonial Police Long Service Medal and the CPLSM first clasp.
Mr Moss retired to Queenstown, New Zealand, where he and his wife Jocelyn lived contentedly
and happily in the beauty and peacefulness of their surroundings. In fact, just days before he passed
away (after suffering a viral infection which affected his heart), he had been busy working at his usual
frantic pace in the garden. Plans were being made for a very busy fishing season.
As he did everywhere he went, Roy Moss made a lot of friends in New Zealand, many of whom
attended his funeral service last Saturday to mourn his passing.
A RECENT health survey found that over 40 per
cent of police officers smoke and that the majority took up this habit after joining the Force. In an
effort to dissuade officers from smoking, the Regional Commander of Kowloon West has initiated
a campaign that emphasises the health risk and social disapproval of smoking.
The campaign begins with a seed planting ceremony at 11am on Wednesday 5 November at
KW Regional Headquarters. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Urban Services
Department will provide saplings and seedlings, along with a growth chart that indicates the best
method for growing the individual plants.
At the ceremony some 140 of the newly potted plants will be distributed to different formations.
Each pot features a picture of the "Oxygen Pet", the logo chosen to represent the campaign. The
seedlings will be grown in selected officers' offices and in main offices and public areas to provide
a constant reminder of the need for a healthy lifestyle. In six months, formations will be invited to
submit their potted plants in a competition (judged by AFD and USD officials) in which the best
grown plants will win prizes.
Prizes and certificates will also be given to smokers who quit smoking and obtain the most
sponsors to do so, with sponsorship funds going to the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.
The campaign also features a video which will be distributed for viewing during training
days. In addition, all formations will be encouraged to hold "No Smoking Days".
For more information on the Stop Smoking Campaign, call Chu Siu-hung: 2761-2217.
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