VIII, cont.
when Sir Matthew Nathan was Governor.
No curly
A.2.
Sir Matthew, who pled the route of the K.C.R., had a
He was inspired with professional training as a koyal Engineer.
the possibilities of a railway linking Hong Kong with Canton, and thence to Hankow already linked by rail to Peking. With the completion of the Tsar's Trans-Siberian line, Hong Kong and the
The opportunities for trade, Far East would be connected to Europe. also, appeared immense.
3.
The cultural value in retaining the K.C.R. buildings has been eloquently expressed on television by Dr. Leigh Wright, and in the press by many responsible citizens.
4.
The importance of the link with the past and history is acknowledged even by the Urban Council.
Press File pages 21, 24, 46.
5.
The cultural value of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Station is
The clock tells the time, of time found in its link with the past. past to remind us of the role of the station as the Gateway to China at the beginning of the long railway journey to Peking; of time present to remind us that the everyday life of today has perspective from.
when we develop a sense of identity with the hicory, and better meani
This dimension is vital to Hong Kong where place in which we live. life is influenced so much by short-term interests, and where there is little notion of accountability to the future for present pursuits
6.
Ordinary
The K.C.R. buildings are beyond any doubt a landmark.
by. people in the street have been quoted the Star" as saying: "It is a symbol of Hong Kong". "It represents Hong Kong". with us for so many years".
7.
"It has been
In recommending the conservation of Flagstaff House the Special Committee described it as of architectural interest to Hong Kong with quality of structure and distinctive character. would apply more strongly to the K.C.R. buildings.
Press File page 58
8.
These factors
The Hong Kong Standard", in its leader of May 14, 1977, has
said that:
#1 FAREWELL TO AN OLD FRIEND
AN act of preservation is an act of Creation.
What to keep
and what to cast aside are decisions of as much moment as are those to
/p.15 build or
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