HONG KONG CHRONICLES — Friday, 16th June 2023
𝗠𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧.
People are usually happy to see butterflies, but the early spotting of local swallowtail butterflies due to warmer weather could mean there will be fewer around to help pollinate plants later in the year, during the flowering period. This might, in turn, impact birds and mammals that feed on the plants’ fruit.
An annual survey carried out by Environmental group, Green Power, said three new species — the Lesser Gull, Silver Royal and Fluffy Tit — have found a new home in Hong Kong. The arrival of these topical species is also due to warmer weather, and they could throw the local butterfly population off balance.
Hong Kong has about 245 species of butterflies, including 23 types of swallowtails, according to Hong Kong Outdoors. Slow news day.
𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧.
Judge Wilson Chan is facing two accusations of extensive use of others’ words in his legal rulings. In a previous incident, he received a serious reprimand from Chief Justice Andrew Cheung after the Court of Appeal ruled that he had plagiarised the plaintiff’s submission in his ruling on a trademark case. A retrial under a different judge has been ordered.
On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal heard a rather exciting civil case between two sons of the late co-founder of real estate firm Great Eagle Holdings. Justice Chan was, once again accused of plagiarism, after it was discovered that he had incorporated significant portions of one sibling’s submission in his ruling.
The Court has reserved judgement pending review of relevant evidence, and has indicated that Chan’s ruling will carry little or no weight.
If Justice Chan is too busy to write his own rulings, maybe he should consider ChatGPT?
𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦.
Our two giant rubber ducks will be leaving Victoria Harbour earlier than planned after facing “unexpected challenges” during their time in Hong Kong, according to the organisers.
The pair went on show last Saturday and, despite one being temporarily deflated on Sunday and Monday due to the extreme heat stretching its rubber canvas, they were expected to remain swimming off Tamar Park for around two weeks.
But they’ll now depart this Sunday, after one of them goes on a ceremonial ‘swim past’ Causeway Bay, Fortress Hill and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Farewell Duckies, and apologies for the severe heat, rain and thunderstorms which you had to face.
Until next week …
