The frenzy over the Olymic commem-orative banknotes to be issued today has provided Hong Kong students with an opportunity to sell their time.
But a 17-years old student who said he was being paod HK$1000 to line up outside one of the six desifnated cen-ters may have been shortchanged-the black market price for the HK$1388 set of uncut notes had already reached HK$10000by last night.
The student was one of more than 3000people in line outside the North Point branch.he joined th queue in the early hours of yesterday morning when theamber rainstorm signal determined.
With most schools closed for summer, many students had time to line up for notes for themselves or for others-at a cost.Most were equipped with stools,cushionsand even tents.
Along wihth the contingent of students were many people from the main-land, where only 10 yuan Olympic banknotes will be issued.
The scenes were orderly for the most part, though police stepped in at times when people tried to jump queues.Officers handcuffed and took away a young man who tried to kick a reporter.At Tuen Mun, several people fainted because of the hot weather.
The enthusiasm of the crowed caught Bank of China by surprise,said Assist-ant Commissioner of Police Suen Kwai-leung.BOC adopted a measure to divide people intotwo groups. The first was registered on Monday, while the second were those joining lines yesterday.They were given numbered passes to buy the new banknotes.
Four million Olympic notes, priced from KH$130 to HK$1399, go on sale today.
雖然長左D,but希望各位幫幫忙.Thank you~