Let's pick on the HKSAR Government again, it quite justifiably seems to be the hobby lately.

Subject: HK Budget Deficit - 28th February 2005

The government has reported a budget surplus of 22.4 billion dollars for the first ten months of the year. This reverses the small deficit for the first nine months. A government spokesman said a 25-billion dollar surplus for the month of January reflected the fact that many people and companies paid salaries and profits tax. It means the government will end up with a budget surplus for the full financial year - compared with an original forecast of a deficit of 42.6 billion dollars.

You've gotta love the bean-counters in Government. I mean, to predict a HK$42.6 Billion deficit this March 2005 only to see an actual surplus of approximately HK$25 Billion?!! That's a whopping HK$67.6 Billion error of judgment (how lucky for HK that this was in the right direction), and a rather embarrassing THREE whole years ahead of their prediction to balance the books....... these guys would make awesome Company Directors !

Subject: Hong Kong's women should start having more babies to fuel the economy - Chief Secretary Donald Tsang

- According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department recently, the Hong Kong Population was 6 895 500 (provisional) at end-2004, representing an increase of 50 100 (provisional) or 0.7% (provisional) over end-2003.

- Births of 47,900 in 2004, that's around 131 babies a day !

- Deaths of 36,600 in 2004, that's around 100 a day !

- Natural increase of the population from end-2003 to end-2004 amounted to 11 300.

- The overall population increased by 50 100 (provisional) over the same period, comprising a natural increase of 11 300 and a net movement (i.e. inflow less outflow) of 38 800 residents. This is not deemed to be sufficient to keep the economy on the boil. Hence the suggestion that women should have more babies.

Makes you think doesn't it? Or do you simply fail to be surprised by anything anymore? Click to this link to read more:-
http://www.skyline-technologies.com/public/b1_detail.php?id=317

Bulletin Board Postings & Responses

1. The Donald Plays the Fool

News Headlines

Contractor arrested over falling wood
CLIFFORD LO , SCMP 2 March 2005
A building contractor has been arrested after a wooden slat fell from a market under construction, hitting a pedestrian.

Kai Tak proposals set to air
NG KANG-CHUNG , SCMP 2 March 2005
A cruise ship terminal and a multipurpose stadium have been included as mainstream proposals in the development of the former Kai Tak airport.

Commercial makeover for industrial wasteland
ERNEST KONG , SCMP 2 March 2005
Signs are that industrialised Kowloon Bay is set for a metamorphosis, with the area set to become a commercial district filled with retail and office projects.

Standby plan urged for cultural hub
ANDY CHENG , SCMP 2 March 2005
An alternative proposal should be adopted for West Kowloon in case the present single-developer scheme has to be shelved, the government was told yesterday.

Rule of law must prevail over haste
Cliff Buddle, SCMP 27 February 2005
Justice delayed, it is often said, is justice denied. But this wellknown pearl of legal wisdom does not always apply. The ongoing court battle over the Link Reit shows why it is also important to guard against undue haste.

Other priorities, low population kept Kennedy Town out of the loop
ANDY CHENG , SCMP 26 February 2005
The quest for an extension of the MTR's Hong Kong Island line from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town dates back to the 1980s, according to district councillors.

Lawmakers back plan for MTR West Island Line
ELAINE WU , SCMP 26 February 2005
The two-decade-old plan to build a West Island train line cleared a major hurdle yesterday when lawmakers backed the project.

Cost cuts may have caused fall
ANDY CHENG , SCMP 26 February 2005
The high cost of repairing the wall of an old building in Tsim Sha Tsui may have led to an accident in which a policeman was injured by a 1kg lump of falling concrete on Thursday, a building representative said yesterday.

Get off the road to destruction
CHRISTINE LOH , SCMP 26 February 2005
We have a government that says it wants to preserve Victoria Harbour. Yet, it does not want to sacrifice the road-building that eats away at the harbour.

Town Planning Board rejected the mega tower hotel application
Hong Kong Government, 25 February 2005
The Town Planning Board today (February 25) gave further consideration to the review application for the hotel and open space development at Ship Street and Kennedy Road, Wan Chai, but rejected it after taking account of the representations made by the applicant at the meeting and careful deliberations.

Air index a big lie, say greens
Dennis Chong, The Standard 25 February 2005
Greenpeace has accused the government of lying about air quality and said Hong Kongers are breathing air that is much more polluted than they have been led to believe.

Bid to halt bypass work
Paris Lord and Dennis Chong, The Standard 25 February 2005
In a dramatic last-ditch attempt to stop the Central reclamation project, concern group Save Our Shorelines (SOS) Thursday sent a submission to the Town Planning Board it says proves the controversial Central-Wan Chai bypass can be built in a tunnel requiring a minimal amount of reclamation.

Fresh interest in old buildings
ERNEST KONG , SCMP 24 February 2005
Old buildings are coming increasingly into the limelight for those who see a future in redeveloping aged properties.

Building plans approved in January
Hong Kong Government, 23 February 2005
The Buildings Department approved 19 building plans in January -- seven on Hong Kong Island, nine in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.

LCQ5: Hunghom Peninsula
Hong Kong Government, 23 February 2005
Following is a question by the Hon Ronny Tong and a reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (February 23):

LCQ12: Redevelopment project in Kennedy Town
Hong Kong Government, 23 February 2005
Following is a question by the Hon Ma Lik and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (February 23):

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