XN000022-1993-05-20 — Page 18

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THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1993

IN FACT, THERE IS A SURPRISING NUMBER OF BUILDINGS DATING FROM THE QING DYNASTY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS AS OLD AS 6,000 YEARS.

SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE IN 1976, THERE HAS BEEN A PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMME то PROTECT SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND PLACES IN HONG KONG.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY (THAT IS SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE)

MAY, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR, DECLARE A BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OR PLACE TO BE A MONUMENT,

UP TO THE PRESENT, EIGHT ROCK CARVINGS, FOUR FORTS, FOUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, TWO HISTORICAL SITES, TWO TRADITIONAL VILLAGES, 13 TRADITIONAL CHINESE STRUCTURES AND 15 WESTERN-STYLE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW.

ALTHOUGH THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS FOR A PLACE OR STRUCTURE ΤΟ BE DECLARED A MONUMENT AGAINST THE WILL OF THE OWNER, THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE AN UNWARRANTED INTERFERENCE IN THE OWNER'S PROPERTY RIGHTS.

IN SOME CASES, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO REACH A COMPROMISE, WHEREBY THE OWNER UNDERTAKES TO PRESERVE THE STRUCTURE INTACT FOR A GIVEN PERIOD AND THE GOVERNOR MAY DEEM IT TO BE A MONUMENT.

WHILE THIS DOES NOT AFFORD ANY LEGAL PROTECTION, IT DOES ENABLE PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE APPLIED TO RESTORATION WORK.

IT ALSO ENABLES REASONABLE ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC.

SEVEN HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN PRIVATE SUCCESSFULLY PRESERVED WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT.

OWNERSHIP HAVE BEEN

THE EXHIBITION, PRODUCED BY THE AMO, SHOWS THE LOCATIONS OF ALL THE DECLARED AND DEEMED MONUMENTS.

IT ALSO INTRODUCES, WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS, HISTORY, ARCHITECTURAL AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS.

THEIR

THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ADMISSION IS FREE. OPENING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

MONDAY

-

FRIDAY

-

9.30 AM 12.30 PM

2.00 PM 4.30 PM

SATURDAY

SUNDAY & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

A SERIES OF INFORMATION PAMPHLETS

9.30 AM

―

NOON

CLOSED

ON SOME OF THE MONUMENTS

HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION AT THE EXHIBITION HALL. THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO VISIT THE HISTORIC SITES AND BUILDINGS CAN EASILY PAY A VISIT WITH THE HELP OF THE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS.

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