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A note of thanks DEAR SIR, During the Lunar New Year holidays the Hong Kong Police Force did a very good job in keeping the traffic running smoothly and well-organised along Flower Market Road where I live. During previous Lunar New Years the narrow road was continuously blocked by cars, flower hawkers and there was refuse everywhere. Thanks to police efforts, the environment is less congested, much cleaner and more pleasant now. Congratulations! And do keep up the good work. Yours sincerely, Area resident, Wong Leung-pong

Lamma Police lauded DEAR SIR, Kung Hei Fat Choi to the Police Force of Lamma Island! May the year of Tiger bring you prosperity, good health and success. As a recent Canadian-Chinese returnee to the SAR with a small business on Lamma Island, now is the time for me to sincerely thank Lamma Police for their dedication to and concern for the Island's civilian population. During my first week of business, a sergeant and some constables came to my shop to say hello and convey the following messages: Not to hire illegal workers; not to sell alcoholic beverages until I am licensed to do so; not to pay a "protection fee" to any "organised group"; and to contact the police at once if I see any suspicious-looking people who may be illegal immigrants around my shop. As it turned out, during my second week of business two men approached and asked me for protection money. I immediately informed Sergeant Keung and similar incidents have not occurred. Regularly I see Lamma policemen patrolling their beats on foot or bicycle and going about their duties in a very professional manner. This makes me feel very secure and confident that Lamma remains an excellent place to raise my clan and earn a living. I believe I speak for the majority of the residents of Lamma when I say we are proud and extremely fortunate to have such a fair, considerate and great Police Force. Regards, A Lamma Island restaurant owner

Praise for Police Airport Task Force DEAR SIR, I was called to Kai Tak Airport on the morning before Christmas to assist an airline in determining whether documents which a passenger was presenting were bona fide. I found that the passenger's US immigrant visa was a counterfeit and her PRC passport had been altered to contain a fake Hong Kong entry stamp. I asked the airline to issue her a boarding pass so we could follow her to determine whether she had any accomplices. I also asked for the assistance of the Police Airport Task Force whose members helped my staff identify several of the woman's associates, whom they took to the Hong Kong Immigration Department's Duty Officer for further investigation. It was only through the swift action of Station Sergeant Tse Yee-sum and the team of Sergeant Tsui Wai-man and Police Constables 52411, 54110, 54660, 53681 and 54277, that we could identify those involved in what turned out to be a criminal conspiracy. I would like to thank Kowloon East Regional Commander ACP Leung Chi-bun, and commend the Hong Kong Police Airport Task Force on their high degree of professionalism. They are another example of why the Hong Kong Police Force is one of the most respected in the world, and why Hong Kong is one of the safest areas in the world. Sincerely, Dow J Clark, III, Officer-in-charge, US Immigration and Naturalisation Service, American Consulate General Hong Kong

OBITUARY GWYN REES LLOYD 1933 - 1997 GWYN Rees Lloyd, who joined the Hong Kong Police in 1954 and retired in 1988 as Chief Superintendent, passed away in the UK on 28 December 1997. His death came as a shock to friends and colleagues in the Hong Kong Police Force as well as to his many local acquaintances. A very popular member of the Force, CSP Lloyd, who served in the Royal Air Force from 1951 to 1954 before joining the Hong Kong Police, was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 1983 and his last posting was as District Commander Frontier - an area which he loved. "Gwyn was particularly attached to the Frontier," recalled his colleague Chris Keeping, now ADC ADMIN Tai Po. "Both he and Vince Chapman, who at the time was the Commandant PTU, must have walked all of the area's hills that they both loved so much, meeting along the way the villagers who Gwyn always had so much time for. He was always a man for the 'little people', be they members of the Force or otherwise * and by whom he was held in high esteem." Indeed, when Mr Lloyd, who received a CPM award as well as the Colonial Long Service Medal, 1st and 2nd clasps, returned to the territory 18 months ago on a visit with his wife, one of his first stops was to see the old newspaper hawkers from whom he bought his dailies in Sheung Shui. Mr Lloyd will also be remembered for drinking out of ladies' shoes at social functions. To the uninitiated, a Chief Superintendent dressed in full regalia quaffing ale in this manner came as something of a surprise, especially to the younger inspectors who had recently passed out of the Police Training School. Rumour had it that one particular lady who lived in Sheung Shui, and who frequently attended these social functions, insisted on purchasing a new set of shoes on each occasion (all designer names!) knowing that CSP Lloyd would sooner or later make use of them. One of Mr Lloyd's favourite pastimes during his retirement in Wales was golf. In fact, of all his photos taken from his time in the East, a group photograph of his golfing farewell at a course in Chung Shan in China was a favourite and held place of honour in his collection. His funeral took place in the little Welsh village of Efail Isef, which is between Cardiff and Pontypridd. The small chapel was packed as the families of Lloyd and Rees (Gwyn's relations) were very influential in the area, as well as with a good number of retired Hong Kong Police. Following the ceremony and eulogy, a male voice choir sang, then the coffin was transported for cremation, after which a wake was held in the only pub in the village. Mr Lloyd is survived by his wife Mimi Ng Lai Ngor and their daughters Helena and Shan, and son Tim.

Burglars stopped on Cheung Chau Recently officers of CCDIV were presented souvenirs in recognition of their good work in the detection of a series of six burglary cases on Cheung Chau Island. These six cases occurred between late July and early September last year. Two people who were subsequently arrested after investigation were also found responsible for a burglary committed in 1992. Ms Wong Kwei-kiu, with Cheung Chau officers receiving their souvenirs after the presentation ceremony RC KW Jim Walker dots eye of lion at KW Family Day celebrations KW Family Day Prizes QUITE a few prizes won at the Kowloon West Regional Families Day have remained unclaimed. Officers holding the following lucky draw tickets should contact RSRO KW on 2761-2412/297 during office hours to arrange collection. Otherwise, all unclaimed prizes will be returned to the KW Regional Families Day committee on 31 March. Winning ticket numbers: 271, 286, 327, 3919, 3959, 4239, 4611, 4694, 5340, 5585, 6736, 6882, 6946, 7706, 8225, 8432, 8441, 8538.