For discussion
on 18th August 1981
RESTRICTED
AKK 294/1
RA J148
XCR (81)207_ Copy No.
32
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Chapter 53)
DECLARATION OF MAN LUN FUNG ANCESTRAL HALL,
FAN TIN TSUEN, SAN TIN AS A MONUMENT
Introduction
Under section 3(1) of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, the Authority (viz Secretary for the New Territories) may after consultation with the Antiquities Advisory Board and with the approval of the Governor, declare any place, building, site or structure which the Authority considers to be of public interest by reason of its historical, archaeological or palaeontological significance, to be a monument.
2
The Antiquities Advisory Board has advised, and the Secretary for the New Territories has proposed, that the Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall, Fan Tin Tsuen (in Yuen Long district of the New Territories) as indicated on the annexed plan should be declared a monument by reason of its historical significance.
Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall
3
The Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall is one of the three ancestral halls of the Man clan. There is no clear evidence of when the building was erected, but the indications are that it is built possibly over 200 years ago in honour of Mr Man Lun Fung. The building is privately owned with three separate halls and two enclosed courtyards in between. Although most of the former excellent wood carving has deteriorated, the fine granite columns are still in good order and the building is structurally sound. The Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall is one of the finest examples of Chinese traditional architecture in the New Territories. It is still regularly used in the traditional manner, for worship of ancestors, for festivals and ceremonies, and for meetings of village elders.
4
As the Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall is a private building, in accordance with section 4(2) of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, a notice was served on the managers of the Hall by the Authority, advising them of the intention to declare the Ancestral Hall as a monument and giving them one month to object to the proposed declaration. The notice was served on 7th April 1981 and no objection was received within the statutory period. If declaration is agreed, the Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall will be the first private building in the New Territories to be declared as a monument.
G.S. 84
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