TNAG-0657-FCO40-806-Town-planning-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 13

會利福坊街區咀沙尖

TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Approved Charitable Institutions and Trusts of a Public Character

Under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance G.N. (S) 14 of 1975

Offices: 136, Nathan Road,

Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Tel. 3-678430 3-684729

`號六三一道敦彌龍九港香:址會

九二七四八六 〇三四八七六:話電

Our Ref. GS/77/105

2.

Practical Use and Maintenance:

6th May, 1977.

We consider that the Clock Tower is very useful in showing the hours. People can see it easily even from afar, and the four-clocks design is very wise in displaying time on its four walls. The clock is so very convenient that people travelling to the ferry region or crossing the harbour have got into the habit of looking at the clock to adjust their watch everytime they are there.

There is one incident to show how much it is a habitual action for the masses to watch the Clock Tower. In December, 1975 we received complaints from many individuals that the Clock Tower had been out of work eversince the Railway Terminal was transferred to Hung Hom on Nov. 30 that year, Accordingly we referred the question to llon. J.J. Robson, C.B.E., J.P., Secretary for the Enviroment on Dec. 30, 1975, our ref. SE/75/222 (as copy enclosed). Soon after this the authority took action to set the clock going again. The point of this episode is that people do conciously care for the presence of the Clock Tower.

For functional sake the ferry should not be left without a clock. The Star Ferry pier in Hong Kong is also installed with a clock that proves to be very much needed. Chronometers are never purely ornamental, e.g. the large flower clock at Kowloon Park serves the dual purpose as an ornament and a timepiece.

Sure a new clock has to be put up if the tower is demolished. Why, one cannot help questioning, not retain this worthy time structure that has already become an integral component of Tsim Sha Tsui; if it takes money to maintain the tower, so it will also spend a good sum to install and keep a new clock there,

Besides, the Clock Tower is important in giving typhoon signals to the coastal ships and boats. Such significance is induced by its easily distinguished shape and outstanding position; whereas the signal station at the Royal Observatory and Marine Department is fused with a mixed background.

4000.3.78

Cont'd....