XN000022-1979-08-24 — Page 4

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1979

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TUNG CHUNG FORT DECLARED A MONUMENT

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THE TUNG CHUNG FORT ON THE NORTH COAST OF LANTAO ISLAND ONE OF HONG KONG'S MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS FOR DECADES — WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) DESIGNATED A MONUMENT UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.

THE DECLARATION WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IN JUNE THIS YEAR WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

COMMENTING ON THE DECLARATION, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. VICTOR YUNG SAID THE MOVE WAS IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO PRESERVE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE LOCAL PLACES AND STRUCTURES CONSIDERED TO BE OF HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR PALAEONTOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

THE TUNG CHUNG FORT IS ONE OF THE THREE KNOWN CHINESE FORTS IN HONG KONG AND IS THE ONLY ONE STILL RELATIVELY WELL PRESERVED.

THE AREA DESIGNATED MEASURES ABOUT 69 METRES BY 80 METRES AND INCLUDES, WITHIN THE FORT'S THICK WALLS OF GRANITE SLABS, SEVERAL OLD BUILDINGS, NOW HOUSING A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE OFFICES OF THE TUNG CHUNG RURAL COMMITTEE.

DESIGNATED AT THE SAME TIME ARE SIX CANNONS ON THE RAMPARTS FACING NORTH INSCRIPTIONS ON FOUR OF THEM SHOW THAT TWO ARE OF THE CHIA CHING PERIOD (1805 AND 1809 RESPECTIVELY) AND TWO ARE OF THE TAU KWONG PERIOD (1843).

MR. YUNG SAID THE FORT IS A POPULAR LANDMARK IN HONG KONG AND HAS LONG BEEN A FAVOURITE ATTRACTION FOR VISITORS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS.

+THERE IS DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT THE FORT WAS BUILT IN 1817, BUT OTHER INFORMATION IS INCOMPLETE AND MUCH RESEARCH IS STILL NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH ITS FULL ROLE IN TUNG CHUNG.

+ON THE ADVICE OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, + MR. YUNG ADDED, THE DECLARATION WAS PROPOSED AND THE RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE SCHOOL'S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND ARE AGREEABLE TO THE SUGGESTION.+

AS THE FORT IS ON CROWN LAND, NO OTHER PRIVATE INTERESTS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE DECLARATION, HE POINTED OUT.

AS FROM TODAY, THE FORT WILL COME UNDER THE CHARGE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL ARRANGE TO POST A FULL-TIME CARE-TAKER THERE. THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS PROPER RESTORATION AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE ITS CONTINUING EXISTENCE.

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