Occupy has shown us a car-free Central
One thing we will miss once the occupation of Central is over is the absence of vehicles and the noxious fumes that pervade the streets.
One thing we will miss once the occupation of Central is over is the absence of vehicles and the noxious fumes that pervade the streets. Admittedly it is a bit eerie wandering around Central with so few cars but so much more enjoyable and a completely different experience from trudging around half-drugged on nitrous oxide and other chemical nastiness.
Perhaps our planners could see their way to making Central vehicle free at some point in the future or at least slash the number to essential users like delivery trucks. "Essential", naturally, would not include transporting tai tais to and from their favourite handbag stores. Indeed, this could reintroduce them to the art of walking.
A European reader has written of his disquiet at the arrangements for the farewell cocktail party for Fred Lam, executive director at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Lam has resigned from the HKTDC, where he has worked for 28 years. This has apparently prepared him for his next job as CEO of the Hong Kong Airport Authority. The event was attended by some 600 government officials and business leaders which included a significant number from a Western background. This is possibly why the MC used English for the occasion.
However, the speeches by HKTDC chairman Jack So and Lam were in Cantonese, but there was no English translation. This was considered by many to be poor form and not a little ironic as Lam was praised in a video that was shown at the event for having numerous friends from around the world. So it was considered a tad disrespectful not to have some English translations on hand since it is the language of trade and the event, paid for out of taxpayer's money, was supposed to be more than just a private party for Lam and his chums. If you don't want to use English then just say the event is Cantonese-only.
Andy Mantel, the founder and chief executive of Pacific Sun Advisors, is to resume his sparring with the Securities and Futures Commission in court after he was granted leave to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal last week. The case relates to charges of issuing advertisements to promote a collective investment scheme without the authorisation of the SFC.
Pacific Sun and Mantel were acquitted at a hearing in March last year after arguing that the advertisements fell within an exemption that applied to sales limited to professional investors. But the SFC successfully appealed the acquittal in the Court of First Instance in January. This decision is the subject of the appeal to the Court of Final Appeal which will be heard on March 5 next year.
The Court of First Instance had ruled that the adverts did not fall within the exemption and ordered the case be returned to the magistrates for reconsideration. When the case was "reconsidered" in June Pacific Sun was fined HK$20,000 and Mantel was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. They were also charged with advertising the fund via unauthorised emails.
However, should Mantel win in the Court of Final Appeal hearing the convictions will be overturned. If he loses he still has the option of appealing at the magistrate level in relation to exemptions regarding advertisements.
Something for those who like expensive handbags to look forward to. Christies is holding an auction on November 24 of handbags and accessories. It estimates, for example, that a Hermes Birkin is worth HK$350,000 to HK$450,000.
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