1919-04-12 — Page 2

MEMORIAL.

THE HONGKUNG DAILY

SATUHDAY, APRIL 12, 1919.

VICTORY

PLAN SHOWING SUGGESTED SITE FOR VICTORY MEMORIAL AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

2

THE

WATER AD

VICTORIA

GROUND

FOOTER

BARRACKS

ARSENAL

STREET

WET DOCK

PRAYA RECLA

(PROPOSED)

HONG KON

HARBOUR

HONGKONG

KOWLOON WHARF & GODOWN CO

SCALE.

FEET 1000

500

1000

1500 FEET

KOWLOON

PENINSULA:

KO. RY.

TO THE BUITOR OF THR "HONGKONG DAIGY PRESS."]:

812,1 bag to enclose herewith a plan showing my idea of what would be a guit.

by nothing in particulas Are we to betaining walls, architecturally treated and General's house: (the memorial site) the The central avenue is a three-lined fea- content just to dump our Memorial on perhaps built in

This concludes a rough description of two or tiers or road is widened and split to surround ture at least one hundred feet wide, con- the proposals shown on the plan; the sites to the so-called "best site "that is, steps,

the aquacious feature, whereafter it continuing the line of the pier and tunnel resulting from the arrangements may be the best site ready and available--and

The base of the retaining-well would tinung its curve on a down grade through up to the foot of the memorial. It is apportioned as desired. Aa for build- flanked on either side by ornamentalings, when erected, it should be compul

ablite for War Memorial. The plan follow the footsteps of those who dumped spring from surrounding ornamental Scandal Point, which will have to be waters as it passes through the recreation aory for each complete block to be formed surrounding areas on a systematic and corner, regardless of consideration as to/from another similar feature south of, yard, meeting Queen's Road East at the no shown suggesting for developing the the Courts of Justice into its ready-made waters, whose supply would be obtained slightly cut, through the R.E. Store and

tute? Or shall we do all we can in order

convenient plan, whilst at the same time emphasising the importance we attach to

that we may be justly proud of our our War Memorial "

None of the schemes that have appear

in print, so far, provide for a setting ascale correspondingly grand as com pared with the imposing spectacle we. wish to make of the Memorial itself.

effort!

Soldiers Club and occuping part of the

grounds.

་་་་་

THE FIER.

to one complete design only. suitability of site to style of architer and level with, the memorial site

There may be those who are impatient The Albany nullah would be diverted Navel, Yard grounds. The curve of the but would allow of better approaches and they will object to the scheme on account This feature is not, perhaps, necessary to see the memorial take practical shape; to flow into this feature. The upper diversion, forming a symmetrical apgrades in the tunnel, and it would better of the time that must, apparently, lapse waters might, perhaps, be arranged to proach. from east and west to the memo complete the general scheme, providing a A good picture should be suitably reach the lower by means of a cascaderial site, terminates in the Victoria Bar handsome vista leading the eye up to the framed to show to the bost advantage. on either side of the memorial site. The racks From this point the new road War Memorial. The same may be said in regard to build Memorial would be reached by a diversion continues the line of the present Queen's! It utilises the existing Naval reclame ings; they must have a suitable setting or of Queen's Road, as described under Road ( it passes the banks) meeting framing in order to display themselves the heading "Bonds."

Queen's Road from the East slightly con to advantage? Let us make our Memoriai a central feature of a theme, the hub of our civic life; let it form the outstand ing block that will draw the ere of all."

A better position than that shown on the plan could not be found anywhere, in the writer's opinion, and the cost of preparing would be moderate if not small. :

No thought seems to have been given to the development; that must take place, sooner or later, of the Naval and Mili tary reserves, which stand like obstrac tive gianta acros

the natural path of the city's development. Surely now is tho tion to make a more in this direction.

It is rumoured that the naval author ties are considering removal to a more Buitable afto. We might help them to come to a decision. by putting before them The setting, too, is plain sailing so a complete and comprehensive scheme for far as the making of it is concerned, and dealing with their land if they will die it has the advantage of providing in its pose of it-tomething to show the advan- train much-needed features and improvo tage that can be taken of it. The mili- mente, viz, linking up East and West, tary authorities, too, would 200 how they providing valuable business building can assist, moreover they should not sites, rearention grounds, approaches for stand in the way of a War Memorial, if a tunnel to Kowloon, sites for statues, it is possible for them conveniently toote, and possibly, it may open up numer accommodate themselves elsewhere, ous sites valuable for dwellings.

My plan is was

is not really a proposal for

the Memorial, but is a scheme for provid-

The following is a general explanation

THE BITE FOR THE MEMORIAL. ...‚'

of the proposals shown on plan,

.

RECREATION GROUNDS,

These are formed out of portions of the present Cricket ground, Parade ground, Queen's Road, Garden Road, Naval Yard, Murray Barracks, Ordnance Stores and Depot, and would probably best arrango at a level of from twenty to twenty-five feet above sea-level, leaving the Memorial in a commanding position some eighty feet above.

The Recreation grounds are of gener

our dimensions.

the memorial site are continued along The ornamental waters surrounding

one side of the Recreation grounds up to Dog Vinux Bond oxtension

necessary.

before anything practical can be dona Let euch ask themselves whether the result of success would be worth the delay. In tion scheme as its shore end: The new this behalf. It need not be taken for portion should be 150 to 200 wide, formed granted that much time will be lost in with masonry

sea-walls and a core of discovering whether the Imperial lands ceeding through the Naval Arsenal scrose waterways could be formed if and whome tinded, in the Barrack square and pro-stone and earth filling: Openings for will be available or not. Arsenal Street, which disappears, and

Others may object that the centre at gravity, so to say, of the business part through Blue Buildings, opening on to the present Prays Eust.

A pavilion at the end, for entertain. of the city will be shifted. This might be course does not come into this scheme.

Ite farther ments would be useful and ornamental. so, but there is at the same time a much- The brous to the south of this road have of the downfall of Prussianism, and the The reply appears to be that whenever Some might prefer a statue emblématie needed extension of the business area. not been considered except the fugge pier, as a whole, would form an elegant the sites are available the business aren tion for placing the Peak Tram slation

official landing place

will develop upon them, alongside the diversion, is shown. Many road and other improvements could be

affected.

"

THE TUNNEL.

which could be carried out, if necessary, This and the pior above it are works

been completed after the other part of the scheme had

The naval dry dock is a rendy-made

in its present line as it passes the Hong Des Voeux Road. This road continuing kong and Shangbai Bank, City Hall, otr

will cut through the middle of the pre-pening from which, after a little adapt ing, the tunnel could probably commence

All such objectors need do is to dis

Whether the Chinese memorialists are cover the availability or otherwise of the land, and decide whether the proposala shown are improvements or not. combining for a single men

memorial, or whether they are having one all on their one they may be able to raise special own, is not known If the former be- objections. It may be of interest to thom to hear that one of their number who has Been the plan considers that an improve-

The south side of the grounds is bound sent Cricket ground, carrying straight on its submarine course towards Kowloon, meat in respect of !!

No

ed by retaining-wall, supporting Queen' rough Naval and Military grounds where it is shown to emerge opposite the be effected, qua chui" would

until it resshow the site of the proposed end of Nathan Road after

travelling

prich

TOADS.

intos

"from"

Itoad diversion.

faiste of the cost of the schouse in Praya reclamation opposite Arsonal under, and parallel with, Salisbury

Without going more thoroughly

but, haide Queen's Bond is to be diverted comtrent. This rond would have to be Road us far as possible, thonce (as a

Mary Burns ing a site and setting for such structure,

required by Impérial Authorities, it is. cheering at the Hongkong and Shanghai graded to allow of suitable approaches cutting) occupying a portion of the south estimated that all exp

expenses, including Docide upon your site, nad you will tho | -

perhaps the cost of the tunnel, would be more cusily settle the form of the Momo ridge upon which is now situated the and the site is used for the diversion.

This would be formed on the spur or Bank, Boscoomfield Arcade disappears, the Kowloon Tunnel, whilst at the same side of the road,

time meeting oneily the level of central

recoverable on the value of the land" dored available for building purposes,

zenie eipt.

Y

residence of the G.0.0, and could be Proceeding southward on a parve sad

objecta herein described will be 2000m

Without claiming that the sims and made to any size up to about that of the

tinue in their prosont lines parallel with ari Chater and Connaught Roads will con

plished by this eleme I hand over the present Hongkong Oricket ground

Des Voux Road to the proposed Praya

fdeas for what they are worth, дор The level of the site would be some

reolamation, both, perhaps, rising slightly

am, ahyouts/thiihtollyy for a complete suhem of goo Ing

will ring some thias they where about one hundred feet above sedCathedral close, thence through the ten from past and west to moet the central lovele boy fe

No limit has yet been stated for the cost of the Memorial, but it was hinted by the Chairman, at the first meeting of of the general committer, that a large figure should be sinod at Why then put so much money and labour and such an important tracture On B flat un attracti

place of ground surrounded

inaling of about 1-18, the road cuts through the contro of the Parade ground meeting Garden Road just below the

avenus.

A prolongation of Salisbury Road and the presont south sea-well provides a pier, towards the surface. which allows the tunnel a more easy rise

ronda is shown and might be an improve A suggestion for amending the Kowloon ment.

tre of Murray Barracks, norosa Albany avenue, level, the former orossing the nullah, which is to be diverted to supply tunnel entrance by means of a bridge, ready-mado launch typhoon shelter, that

On the Hongkong side is shown - the ornamental waters, to before describ which would also form the tunnel has not yet been mentioned, in the shape

Arriving at the rounds of the entranon.

The spur would be trimmed off to suit requirements of site, and the resulting cuttings, supported by well-battered rood

•

of the prosent naval wet dook

8 When upg

Tutilised· Tor

• Exhibition i

mighassho Imperial with "tha