Unlicensed clubhouse operator fined
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    A woman convicted of contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance, was today (January 4) fined $5,000 at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court.

     The Court heard that staff of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of Home Affairs Department inspected a clubhouse in Yuen Long in July last year. A signboard of the clubhouse was found on the external wall of the premises. There were 16 rooms equipped with setting for mahjong playing, 32 guests and four staff on the premises.

     The woman, who was the manager and director of the clubhouse, admitted that the clubhouse was operated without a licence.

     According to OLA's record, on the day of inspection the woman did not possess a valid certificate of exemption or a certificate of compliance to manage the clubhouse. She was subsequently charged under section 4(1) of the Ordinance.

     A spokesman for the department said the department would continue to take strict enforcement action against non-compliance cases.

Ends/Friday, January 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:31

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