XN000022-1980-05-15 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980

THIS GENTLY SLOPING VALLEY IS ALSO PLANTED WITH NATIVE AND EXOTIC SPECIES OF TREES AND PROVIDES AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISPLAY OF BIRDS TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS AREA BE RESERVED FOR AN AVIARY, SERVING AS A HOME FOR SUCH COLOURFUL VARIETIES OF BIRDS AS CRANES AND PEAFOWL.

TO COMPLEMENT THESE LARGE WOODED AREAS, THE CONSULTANTS RECOMMEND THAT THE MORE ELEVATED SECTIONS OF THE PARK SHOULD CONTAIN A SYSTEM OF TRAILS, EXERCISE CIRCUITS, GARDENS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS AND LOOKOUT POINTS.

MR BARNES SAID ONE OF THE GREATEST ASSETS OF THE PROPOSED PARK IS THE SENSE OF SECLUSION IT WILL OFFER TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

+THIS BENEFIT WILL BE FURTHER ENHANCED WITH THE INCREASE IN BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN SURROUNDING AREAS. WITHIN FIVE TO TEN MINUTES WALKING DISTANCE FROM THEIR OFFICES, WORKERS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI WILL BE ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE NOISE AND FUMES OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICTS.+

THE REPORT IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF EXISTING BUILDINGS WHICH SHOULD BE RETAINED AND RECOMMENDS THAT THEY BE DEVOTED PRIMARILY TO LEISURE ACTIVITIES, WITH FORMAL SPORTING FACILITIES RESTRICTED TO A FEW BUILDINGS AT THE WESTERN TIP OF THE SITE.

THE BUILDINGS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED WORTHY OF PRESERVATION ON THEIR ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL OR FUNCTIONAL MERITS ARE :

FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, TOGETHER WITH ITS SERVICE WING AND GATE HOUSE-

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* CASSELS BLOCK=

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BIRDWOOD BLOCK=

* WAVELL HOUSE-

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RAWL INSON HOUSE-

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THE SQUASH COURTS-

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CAUSEWAY BAY JUNIOR SCHOOL.

MR BARNES STRESSED THAT WHILE THE CONSULTANTS' REPORT ALSO INCLUDED PROPOSALS FOR THE CONVERSION OF THESE BUILDINGS, FINAL DECISIONS ON THEIR ACTUAL USES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE VIEWS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND FURTHER EXAMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT,

A BUILDING WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MUCH PUBLIC INTEREST IS FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, WHICH DATES BACK TO 1846.

/BOTH THE