NOTES AND QUERIES
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order to re-grant the area to the individual section holders. The Governor in Council cancelled the re-entry respecting the Temple site in 1928, and a new lease as Inland Lot 2705 was obtained by the parties who had purchased it in 1923. This time they were designated as trustees for the Kwong Yut Tong (...). Of these trustees, Ng Tsz Mei about 1930 is listed as head of a construction company; and Ng Wah, head of the Sang Tai firm, died in 1950.”
The Lo Pan Temple
This is, to my knowledge, the only temple erected to Lo Pan, the God of Carpenters, in Hong Kong. It is, suitably, a fine temple, and still in the ownership of the Kwong Yut Tong or 'Hall (Association) of Extended Gratification'. This clearly takes a close interest in its upkeep and is responsible for the annual ceremonies on the birthday of the saint which falls on the 13th day of the 6th moon each year.
The Kwong Yut Tong of Hong Kong was incorporated under the Companies Ordinance on 14th September 1962. Among the objects listed in its Memorandum of Association are the following—
(a) To take over the management, assets and liabilities of the unincorporated association known as the Kwong Yut Tong of Hong Kong.
(b) To commemorate our great teacher Lo Pan and to bring
to light his teachings and to improve building business.
[In one breath!]
(c) A clause to the effect that the company will deal with all the property of the association, including sale, except Nos. 15-16 Ching Lin Terrace, named the "Lo Pan Sin Shih Memorial Hall and Public Office" which shall not be sold or mortgaged.
(d) To explain and expand the Building Ordinance and Regulations of the Colony for the information of the members of the Association.
All the office bearers at the time of the incorporation and since have been building contractors or persons connected with the trade.
Fortunately for historians and other interested parties, the temple is full of tablets commemorating its origins and later repairs. Among these, the earliest dated the year of Kuang Hsu (1884-