TNAG-0773-FCO40-977-Redevelopment-of-the-former-Kowloon-Canton-Railway-Station-1978 — Page 28

Flag A N5

Flag B ATTACHED.

Mr Murray

Эви

درو

AKK178/3 CONFIDENTIAL

INDEX

No

17 MAY 1978) 21

RE: RY

Action sen

of

Azeal Robete your

Saketary of State

PETITION TO THE QUEEN FROM THE HONG KONG HERITAGE SOCIETY

&

11/5

1. The Hong Kong Heritage Society have petitioned HM The Queen asking her to override the Hong Kong Government's decision to

・60 rear-nd demolish the old Kowloon-Canton Railway Station in Hong Kong. In accordance with Dependent Territories' Departmental Practice, the petition has been referred to us for advice. Having consulted the Governor of Hong Kong, we should now inform the Palace of the advice of the Secretary of State on the action to

be taken.

2. The old Kowloon-Canton Railway Station on the waterfront

It is due to in Hong Kong no longer has a practical function. be demolished shortly to make room for a modern cultural complex which, the Hong Kong Government argue, is sorely needed.

3. The Heritage Society is a small, largely expatriate group founded a year ago with the aim of protecting historic buildings and natural landmarks in Hong Kong at a time when an accelerating construction programme seemed in danger of turning Hong Kong into a concrete jungle. They are undoubtedly sincere and well- meaning. They have campaigned for a long time to prevent the demolition of the railway station which, they feel, will add to

Last year the destruction of Hong Kong's cultural heritage. the Society petitioned the Governor of Hong Kong in an attempt to save the station. Following discussion in Executive Council on 6 December the Acting Governor ordered that the Society's petition should be rejected and that the demolition work should proceed. However, in response to the petition, and other manifestations of public opinion, the Governor decided that the clock tower of the station should be retained, and this has been incorporated in the design of the new cultural complex.

4. In deciding to reject the petition for the retention of the entire station, the Hong Kong Government were influenced by clear evidence that the views of the Heritage Society are

CONFIDENTI AL