XN000022-1996-10-03 — Page 47

-

46

+

The figures are contained in the monthly statistics released today (Thursday) by the Land Registry on deeds relating to property transactions received for registration in the Urban and New Territories Land Registries in September 1996.

Relevant statistics for August 1996 and September 1995 were provided for comparison. Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months and the year-on-year rate of change were also released.

These statistics generally relate to land transactions executed up to four weeks prior to their submission for registration, as there is usually a time lag between the execution of deeds and their lodgement for registration.

End

Yamen and remnants at former Walled City declared monuments

The Yamen building and the remnants of the South Gate at Kowloon Walled City have been declared historical building and archaeological site respectively under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

A notice to this effect will be published in the Gazette tomorrow (Friday). These bring the total number of declared monuments in Hong Kong to 63.

The Yamen building

The Yamen building was originally the administrative office and residence of the Commodore of Dapeng. The building is a three-hall structure measuring 14 metres wide and 48 metres long.

The central part of the building was the office while the rear block served as the officer's residence. As a venue for both administration and residence, the Yamen building was built in a simple but functional design.

After the departure of the Qing officials in 1899, the Anglican Holy Trinity leased the Yamen and converted it into the Anglican Almshouse and the 'Kuangyin Yuan', Home for the Aged.

In 1918, the two establishments were handed over to the Chinese Christian Churches Union which ran the Yamen as a home for widows and orphans. From 1971, the Christian Nationals Evangelism Commission operated it as school and clinic until 1978. Since then, the building was used as an elderly centre until the clearance of the walled city.