The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 2, 2019 is 103.9 (same as Tuesday's index).

     The Cheung Chau Climbing Carnival will be held at the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau, from noon to 6pm this Saturday (May 4). Members of the public are invited to join and experience the exciting atmosphere of bun scrambling.
 
     Interested members of the public who are at least 1 metre in height can participate in the bun tower climbing activity by making an on-site application. They can then climb the 14-metre-tall bun tower set up for the Bun Scrambling Competition to experience the fun of climbing.
 
     Bun Tower Climbing Relays involving 20 teams from local tertiary institutions, government departments, public utilities and commercial and industrial organisations will also be staged, during which the fastest teams to finish the races will be the winners.
 
     Members of the China Hong Kong Mountaineering and Climbing Union will be invited to brief visitors on climbing skills and safety aspects of bun tower climbing to let them learn more about the technical and safety aspects concerned.
 
     Moreover, the public can make wishes at the Wishing Bun Tower at the venue. Other activities will include an exhibition of winning works from students' colouring and drawing competitions as well as variety shows, game stalls and handicrafts to enhance the fun of the carnival for families and friends.
 
     The Climbing Carnival is one of the highlights of the 2019 Bun Carnival which is  jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), with the support of the Cheung Chau Wai Chiu County Association Limited, the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, the Islands District Office, the China Hong Kong Mountaineering and Climbing Union and the Islands District Council.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD on 2852 3220, or visit the department's website.

    

     The boundaries and names of constituencies for the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election were specified in the Declaration of Constituencies (District Councils) Order 2018, which was published in the Gazette on December 14, 2018. In view of the alteration of some constituency boundaries and names, the allocated constituencies of some electors have changed accordingly. In the next few days the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) will notify about 240 000 electors whose allocated constituencies have changed.
 
     "The REO is now sending letters to these electors to inform them of the details of their constituencies after the change," a spokesman for the REO said today (May 2).
 
     "The 2019 District Council Ordinary Election will be held on November 24. All electors will be informed of the polling arrangements when they receive the poll cards and other relevant information sent by the REO close to polling day," the spokesman added.
 
     For enquiries, please call the REO hotline 2891 1001.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

    The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 2) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Chung Hom Kok Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, as Grade 1, which means the water quality has improved and the beach is now suitable for swimming. The red flag has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted on the beach earlier on due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 2) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District as Grade 2, which means the water quality has improved and the beaches are suitable for swimming. Red flags were hoisted at these beaches earlier due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

     However, the red flags at the beach are still hoisted due to big waves. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.