TNAG-0978-FCO40-1197-Legislation-for-preservation-of-ancient-buildings-and-monume-1981 — Page 29

Petition to the Executive Council Regarding

Preservation of the Hong Kong Club Building

- submitted by

The Conservancy Association and the Hong Kong Heritage

Society

It is hereby petitioned that the Hong Kong Govern ent take measures to ensure the preservation of the building

now occupied by the Hong Kong Club.

We make this appeal on behalf of our membership, numbering nearly two thousand persons and representing we believe a substantial public opinion, that this building be declared as a monument under the provisions of the Antiquities and

Monuments Ordinance. In view of its well-documented

historical, environmental and architectural importance, its central location and familiarity as a landmark, its importance to present and future generations as well as

to visitors to Hong Kong, and the quality and usefulness of the building for cultural services, the case for preservation is, we strongly believe, well-nigh irresistable.

It is our

On the other hand, the arguments which have been offered against preservation or government intervention in the matter are manifestly shallow and transparent. conviction that a failure to preserve this building would reflect highly unfavourably upon the Government, both in terms of the political process in Hong Kong and of recognit- ion of values universally held by governments.

It seems undeniable that future generations will place a great value on the historical and cultural heritage as represented by buildings and other artefacts surviving from the past, and will vigorously condemn those who, in the latter half of the twentieth century, destroyed or allowed destruction of this their rightful heritage.

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