When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

The Government published a notice in the Gazette today (December 5) on proposed amendments to the works associated with the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link.

The following is issued on behalf of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority: The Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority held its second meeting today (December 4) to listen to the progress reports of various committees and discuss the follow up work for preparing the overall development plan. The board has also agreed to adopt a number of measures to enhance the transparency of its operation.

The MTR Corporation is pleased to announce that the office of the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing has been appointed as an Alternate Director to the office of the Secretary for Transport and Housing (Ms Eva Cheng) with effect from 28 November 2008. Mr Yau Shing-mu, who holds the post of the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, has by virtue of the post he holds become an Alternate Director to the office of the Secretary for Transport and Housing.

Illegal dumping of construction waste has increased since the government began charging contractors for dumping it three years ago, conservancy group Green Council said yesterday.

Wan Chai residents say the government will make a big blunder if it allows the QRE Plaza site in Queen's Road East to be rezoned for commercial use. The site is at present zoned open space, despite the fact that it includes restaurants, shops and a dancing school.

Wan Chai residents say the government will make a big blunder if it allows the QRE Plaza site in Queen's Road East to be rezoned for commercial use. The site is at present zoned open space, despite the fact that it includes restaurants, shops and a dancing school.

According to the results of the 2007 Annual Survey of Building, Construction and Real Estate Sectors released today (November 28) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the gross output of the construction sector was $148.2 billion in 2007, representing an increase of 3.5% over 2006.

The Chief Executive in Council has authorised a scheme for sewerage works at Tsing Lun Road and Tsz Tin Road in Area 54, Tuen Mun, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said today (November 28).

The Government published a notice in the Gazette today (November 28) on a proposal to construct two elevated walkways across Harcourt Road and Tim Mei Avenue to meet the future pedestrian demand arising from the Tamar Development Project.

The Government published a notice in the Gazette today (November 28) on a proposal to reconstruct a footbridge across Lung Cheung Road near Hsin Kuang Centre to enhance the pedestrian crossing facility.

Construction of the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge could begin next year after the three governments agreed to start looking for design contractors without waiting for Beijing's final approval.