XN000022-1985-07-25 — Page 18

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1985

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HISTORIC ROCK CARVINGS PROTECTED

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WORK ON PROTECTING THE ROCK CARVINGS NEAR THE SHEK PIK RESERVOIR ON LANTAU ISLAND WAS COMPLETED RECENTLY.

THE CARVINGS, ESTIMATED TO BE 2 500 YEARS OLD, ARE AMONG EIGHT SUCH CARVINGS DISCOVERED IN HONG KONG, AND WERE GAZETTED UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE IN 1979.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH'S ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH WHEN AND BY WHOM THESE CARVINGS WERE MADE.

+BUT THE DESIGN SHOWS GEOMETRIC PATTERNS CLOSELY RESEMBLING THOSE ON BRONZE-AGE POTTERY AND BRONZE VESSELS, AND SUGGESTS THAT THEY WERE MADE BY EARLY INHABITANTS OF THAT AREA DURING THE LOCAL BRONZE AGE, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THESE EARLY INHABITANTS WERE BOAT PEOPLE WHO DEPENDED ON THE SEA FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

HE SAID THAT THE ROCK CARVINGS MAY HAVE BEEN INTENDED TO CONCILIATE THE POWER OF THE SEA AND TO PROTECT ITS SEA-FARING POPULATION.

+WHATEVER THE IR PURPOSE, TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THEM, THE ROCK CARVINGS MUST HAVE HELD A DEEP SPIRITUAL OR MAGICAL SIGNIFICANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

PROTECTION WORK ON THE SHEK PIK ROCK CARVING, CARRIED OUT BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, HAD BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.

COUNCIL TO LOOK INTO FEES *****

PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR THE REVISION OF FEES CHARGED FOR THE USE OF SPORTS GROUND FACILITIES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS AT A MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THEY WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE PROCEDURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER.

SEVERAL PAPERS WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING FOR

MEMBERS' INFORMATION.

THEY DEAL WITH THE POLICIES AND AIMS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH REGARD TO RECREATION AND SPORTS PROMOTION, MANAGEMENT OF CAMPS AND WATER SPORT CENTRES, OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES, MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS

AND AMENITY AREAS, TRANSPORT FACILITIES, SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE DEPARTMENT, AND A STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

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