Former tutor jailed for hitting student

An Eastern District magistrate sentenced a former tutor to three months in jail after finding him guilty of hitting a student in class. While working at a tutorial school in North Point in February, the 28-year-old man slapped a student in the face and then hit the boy's head with his fist. He was arrested after the student's mother reported the incident to the police.

The defense lawyer showed the magistrate two letters written by the man's former students and their parents, who believed the violent act was a result of a momentary outburst of rage and asked for leniency on the defendant's behalf. The accused admitted he was extremely frustrated with the student, who made the same errors repeatedly in the math class.

Abbot reassures customers on supply

US formula maker Abbot assured local consumers in a statement released yesterday that it currently has enough formula in store for 60 days' supply in Hong Kong, though it would reduce the quantity of each delivery to local retailers to prevent the stock from being snatched up quickly.

The statement was in response to media reports yesterday that many drug stores here had run out of certain Abbot formula products recently as a result of panic buying by mainland residents. The company also said it would make home delivery for consumers if there is no other way for them to buy its products.

A Chinese University of Hong Kong pediatric professor suggested yesterday most formula products sold here are little different from each other as far as their nutrient compositions are concerned and parents need not to worry simply because a particular brand is in short supply.

28 in police net

for drink driving

Twenty-eight drivers were arrested for drink driving in a four-day city-wide road-safety campaign during the Easter holidays.

Police regional road-safety teams visited bar and restaurant areas and distributed about 15,010 leaflets reminding motorists not to drive after drinking. A total of 216 people were invited to take voluntary breath tests.

Police reiterated that drink driving is a crime and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$25,000 and three years' jail as well as 10 driving-offence points or suspension from driving.

Shenzhen Bay Port

trial extended

Hong Kong and Guangdong have agreed to extend the nine-month trial allowing cross-boundary private cars to use Shenzhen Bay Port for another six months, to September 30.

Private car quota holders of the other three checkpoints can continue using the port without application by holding valid closed road permit and approval letters issued by the Transport Department during the trial.

The deadline to apply to switch to Shenzhen Bay Port permanently will also be extended to September 30.

Interested quota holders should submit applications to the department and the Guangdong Public Security Bureau before the trial ends.

Govt Chief Information Officer appointed

The Government has appointed Jeremy Godfrey as the Government Chief Information Officer. He will take up the post on April 7.

Godfrey was a partner with PA Consulting Group in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2007. Since November 2007 and prior to his acceptance of the appointment from the Hong Kong Government as Government Chief Information Officer, he worked as an independent consultant advising clients on strategic issues and business-change projects.

China Daily

(HK Edition 03/27/2008 page1)