Maryknoll Convent School declared a monument

The Development Bureau has formally declared Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong a monument under the Antiquities & Monuments Ordinance. The declaration was gazetted on Friday.

The school has been providing quality education to Hong Kong since 1925. The main school complex, constructed in 1937, reflects several different styles of architecture, including Art Deco, Romanesque, Neo-Georgian and Gothic Revival.

The school's rare architectural style is one of the finest examples in Hong Kong demonstrating how different forms can blend, allowing old and new buildings to be added without disturbing its original harmony.

Equal opportunities funding applications open

The Equal Opportunities (Sexual Orientation) Funding Scheme has opened for applications.

The application deadline is June 6 and a briefing on the scope and operation of the funding scheme will be held May 28.

The scheme supports worthwhile community projects which serve to promote equal opportunity on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Launched in 1998 the scheme has been run on an annual basis, with more than $4.5 million allocated to non-governmental organizations in the past 10 years.

The briefing will be held at 21/F Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road in Wan Chai.

Pavilion showcasing HK creative industries opens

A Creative Hong Kong pavilion showcasing the achievements of Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries has opened at the 4th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair in Shenzhen.

Financial Secretary John Tsang and Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma opened the pavilion at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre on Friday.

Looking ahead Tsang said Hong Kong and Shenzhen must complement each other to achieve synergy and ties should be bolstered to maintain competitiveness in the international arena so they can build a metropolis together. The exhibition runs until Monday.

Govt mulls tracking system for waste disposal

The government is considering setting up a construction waste tracking system so as to prevent private contractors from disposing of construction waste at non-designated sites, said Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau at a Legislative Council Environmental Affairs Panel meeting on Friday.

Such measure has been in place for government projects.

Currently, the government cannot take any action as long as owners of non-designated sites do not complain about waste being disposed of on their properties.

The government is also considering a licensing system for waste disposal.

China Daily

(HK Edition 05/17/2008 page1)