14.
VIII, cont.
133 File
JB 21, 24,
when Sir Matthew Nathan was Governor.
2.
Sir Matthew, who planned the route of the K.C.R., had a professional training as a Royal Engineer. He was inspired with the possibilities of a railway linking Hong Kong with Canton, and thence to Hankow already linked by rail to Peking. With the completion of the Tsar's Trans-Siberian line, Hong Kong and the Far East would be connected to Europe. The opportunities for trade,
also, appeared immense.
3.
The cultural value in retaining the K.C.R. buildings has been eloquently expressed on television by Dr. Leigh Wright, and in the press by many responsible citizens.
4
The importance of the link with the past and history is acknowledged even by the Urban Council.
5.
The cultural value of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Station is found in its link with the past. The oloak tell a the time, of time past to remind us of the role of the station as the Gateway to China at the beginning of the long railway journey to Peking; of time present to remind us that the everyday life of today has perspectiye from history, and butter meaning when we develop a sense of identity with the place in which we live. This dimension is vital to Hong Kong where life is influenced so much by short-term interests, and where there is little notion of accountability to the future for present pursuita
6.
The K.C.R. buildings are beyond any doubt a landmark. Ordinary people in the street have been quoted/The Star" as saying : "It is a symbol of Hong Kong". "It represents Hong Kong". with us for so many years".
7.
"It has been
In recommending the conservation of Flagstaff House the Special Committee desoribed it as of architectural interest to Hong Kong with quality of structure and distinctive character. would apply more strongly to the K.C.R. buildings.
38 Fila
• 58
8.
These factors
The "long Kong Standard", in its leader of May 14, 1977, has
said that:
# FAREWELL TO AN OLD FRIEND
AN act of preservation is an aot of Creation.
What to keep
and what to cast aside are decisions of as much moment as are those to
/ p.15 build or