THE attention of all junior police officers who are eligible to apply for public housing under the Civil Service Special Quota is drawn to the following.

¡@Last month, Secretary for the Civil Service publicised the special quota of public housing for all eligible disciplined officers in 1997/98 and the deadline for application. All applications should be submitted through Formation Commanders and reach the Police Quartering Office on or before 4 December 97. Late application will not be processed.

¡@In 1997/98, eligible disciplined officers under the special quota may choose to apply for the following public rental flats:

¡@District: Tseung Kwan O; estate: Sheung Tak (Phase 3,4,6); size of flats: one bedroom (for 3-4 persons); number of flats: 107; expected ready date: September 98. Also, size of flats: two bedrooms (for 5-6 persons); number of flats: 90; expected ready date: September 98. And, size of flats: three bedrooms (for 7-8 persons); number of flats: 18; expected ready date: September 98.

¡@District: Tsuen Wan; estate: Lei Muk Shue (Phase 1); size of flats: two bedrooms (for 5-6 persons); number of flats: 57; expected ready date: June 98.

¡@District: Tsuen Wan; estate: Lai Yiu; size of flats: two bedrooms (for 5-6 persons); number of flats: 14; expected ready date: July 98.

¡@District: Lantau (Tai O); estate: Lung Tin size of flats: 5-6 persons; number of flats: 18; ready now.

¡@In addition to the above, 137 refurbished flats located in various public housing estates in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Tuen Mun and Tai Po are also allotted to the special quota. Therefore, a total of 441 public rental flats will be available for eligible disciplined officers in 1997/98. Out of three 441 flats, 294 are reserved for eligible junior police officers.

¡@Apart from public rental flats, 141 Home Ownership Scheme flats and 106 quota in Home Purchase Loans Scheme are also reserved under the special quota for eligible junior police officers.

¡@The application form HD 411 (Rev. 10/97) is available in your General Registry or DSRO Offices. It should be submitted together with a duly completed statement on housing related benefits received (GF 551) (94) and a copy of the most recent salary statement to the Police Quartering Office through Formation Commanders.

¡@Should you require more details on application for public housing under the special quota, read the Civil Service Circular Memorandum No.44/97 or call: Priscilla Kan, EO Q1: 2804-1432 or the Staff Relations Hotline: 2866-7519.

Leave¡@Homes FORCE holiday bungalow accommodation is available from November 12 - December 15 for Gazetted and Inspectorate officers and their civilian counterparts as follows: Hoi Fu Fa Yuen in Macau, November 12-14, 17-20, 24-27, 30, December 1-3, 6-7, 9-15 Casa Peral Terrace in Macau, November 18-30, December 1-14 Casa Sagre in Macau, November 12, 16-21, 24-30, December 1-2, 4-15 Ham Tin 10 1/F in Pui O, November 15-19, 24-28, December 1-5, 9-15 Tung Tsz A4 in Tai Po, December 1-7 ¡@Accommodation after December 15, 1997 will be allocated by ballot. For reservations, apply to Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit at 2804-1135. Please use the new application forms (Rev 97). You cannot apply for more than one bungalow during the same period. The following hotels are offering accommodation at reduced rates for Force members: Mandarin Oriental Macau (2800-7338) New World Emperor Hotel Macau (2731-3488) Hotel Sintra Macau (2546-6944) Holiday Inn Macau (2800-5646) Hotel Ritz Macau (2739-9928) Gold Coast Hotel (2452-8888) Shenzhen Forum Hotel (2866-7699) Shenzhen Century Plaza Hotel (2598-0363); and Guangzhou Hai Tao Hotel (2311-2283) Interested colleagues should obtain a letter of introduction from the Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit and contact the hotels directly for reservations.

POLICE OFFICERS' CLUB POC Membership Card Renewal IN order to update and computerise members' records and assess the number of active members, POC has launched a membership card renewal exercise. All police members will be able to re-apply for their new cards with effect from 1 October. ¡@All departmental civilian and retired officers can re-apply beginning 1 November. However, members who have obtained their membership cards on or after 1 July need not renew their cards. General grade civilian officers will be dealt with at a later stage. ¡@Membership card application forms are available from respective DSROs as well as at the POC and PSRC receptions. ¡@Application forms (with updated passport-sized photos of all family members) should be forwarded in person or by post to the Police OfficersÕ Club, Hung Hing Road, Causeway Bay. ¡@For applications delivered in person, please allow 14 days before collection. Postal applications will be ready in 21 days. Wine Tasting There will be a charity wine tasting on Friday 28 November in the POC Reading Room from 6pm to 8pm. Members pay $100 to be donated to charity. The wine list is pretty comprehensive and includes some excellent reds namely Chateau De L'oiseau '94, Pomerol and La Sirene de Giscours '95 Margaux. All accompanied by sumptuous French cheeses. To attend, please fax POC on 2838-9665 or phone 2591-1930 specifying your name, UI number and how many guests you intend to bring. Children's Christmas Party This popular party takes place on Sunday 14 December. Tickets are $95 each. Parents please remember to deliver your special gifts at least one week prior to the party so Santa will be able to make delivery on time. The party includes: Games and Santa; Bouncy Castle; Magic Show; Force Choir recital; Christmas tea party. New Year's Eve Ball New Years' Eve Ball Tickets Have Been Further Reduced To An Amazing Price Of $650 Per Person. This year come in Chinese or European formal evening attire. Cocktails from 7:30 to 8:30pm in the Grill Room. Five-course a la carte dinner with smoked salmon rose and cream of corgette soup for starters. The entree is an exquisite roasted duck breast a la orange served with butter noodles and seasonal vegetables. Followed by strawberry mille-feuille and cheese platter. Entertainment includes: fire juggling, disco, ballroom twisters, lucky draw, and of course, a police piper to ring in the new year. Breakfast served at 1am. If you think you can beat this price for a full evening from 7:30pm until 2am...you can't!!! Tickets on sale now at POC Reception. Bookings can be made through POC reception: 2591-1924.