XN000022-1982-06-16 — Page 18

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1982

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CONSULTATION ON ANTIQUITIES URGED

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THE HON BENTON CHEUNG CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSULT THE PUBLIC BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF A PROPOSED MONUMENT TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DISPUTES.

SPEAK ING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND

MONUMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL, MR CHEUNG SAID THE BILL MADE NO REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSULTATION.

+MAY | THEREFORE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOMMEND STRONGLY THAT THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, AS THE REDESIGNATED AUTHOR ITY CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE VIEWS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BEFORE MAKING SUCH A DECLARATION, HE SAID.

THE BILL INTRODUCES A NEW PROCEDURE FOR DECLARATION OF PLACES OR BUILDINGS AS +PROPOSED MONUMENTS+ AND PROVIDES INTER IM PROTECTION FOR BUILDINGS OR PLACES OF HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR PALAEONTOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

MR CHEUNG SAID IN THE EVENT THAT A BUILDING OR STRUCTURE OR PLACE IS DECLARED A PROPOSED MONUMENT, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ONLY PRESERVE ITS PHYSICAL FORM, BUT ALSO ITS DIGNITY.

HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT PRESERVATION OFTEN IMPLIES RESTORATION, AND THIS IN TURN IMPLIES HIGH COST.

+DOES THE GOVERNMENT PLAN SUCH A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO COVER THE NEEDS OF RESTORATION WORK ONCE A PROPOSED MONUMENT HAS BEEN DECLARED?+

IN SOME CASES, HE POINTED OUT, HISTORICAL MONUMENTS HAD BEEN PRESERVED THROUGH ENDOWMENTS FROM TRACTS OF LAND SET ASIDE FOR REVENUE-EARNING PURPOSE.

+YET A NUMBER OF THESE LAND LOTS HAVE BEEN RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT, REDUCING THE ENDOWMENTS WHICH WOULD MAKE PRESERVATION POSSIBLE.

+MAY PROPOSE THEREFORE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER RESUMING LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND PLACES?+ HE ASKED.

IN MOVING THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY, THANKED MR CHEUNG FOR

SUPPORTING THE BILL, AND EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS +AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION BEFORE AND IN THE PROCESS OF PROCEEDING WITH THE DECLARATION OF A MONUMENT.+

+THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE NEW SECTION 2, WHICH SETS OUT THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR DECLARATION OF A PROPOSED MONUMENT WHICH MAY BE MADE AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, HE SAID.

THE BILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW.