IN-IN
品海南鎮飯
=
The apple Jeans,
斯
餐
(0)
四旅行
From Village to New Town
Once a village but now fast growing into a new town, Tai Po has flourished through the ages, protected by high hills with mean- dering streams and facing out across the waters of Tolo Harbour. It ranks among the oldest of New Territories settlements dating back some 600 years, to the Yuen Dynasty (1279-1368). The people of the district (predominently surnamed Tang or Man) prospered for centuries as farmers or fishermen. But when the fishing industry declined in recent years, traditional occu- pations gave way to light industrial work. Cottage industries such as plastic flower making, rattan work and belt and watch- strap making started the trend. In the '60s the only major industry to be found was that of tapestry. Then in 1977, an industrial estate was established with government backing on reclaimed land and its industries include a brewery, cannery, electronics factories, Chinese- food makers and liquid petroleum gas cylinder manufacturers. While many of the surrounding villages remain to a large extent intact, vast housing development is going ahead to ease urban constraints as well as to meet the labour demands of increased industry. Tai Po has been listed as one of the territories' seven new towns and by the end of March, 1982, its popula- tion is expected to reach 81 500 people. It will eventually accommodate 236 000.
IEMU
LAWMAN
Previous page: The gaily decorated roof ridge with mythical figures is a feature of the Tai Po Market railway station - one of the oldest still in use in Hong Kong, Left: Private housing development to cater for the new population; at night the streets of Tai Po bustle with activity; roof-top sit- ting out area at a new housing estate.