TNAG-0978-FCO40-1197-Legislation-for-preservation-of-ancient-buildings-and-monume-1981 — Page 35

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While there would be minor difficulties and objections

in each of the above re-locations of the Club, any of

these alteratives is, we submit, vastly preferable to the

demolition of valuable historical low-rise edifice and

the construction of a high-rise office block on the present

Club site. In instances a), c) and d) the land exchanged

would be directly under the administration of the Urban

Council, but the Council cou'd in return be given one of the finest buildings in Hong Kong for its cultural services.

In instance b) above, the immense property value which has accrued to the site of one historical building would be used to salvage another 19th century structure from oblivion. Indeed, as the Murray Barracks site is somewhat larger than that of the Club, its development would also finance the renovation of the old Club building, and the reconstruction

of Murray Barracks on a new site.

Conclusion

For the many reasons outlined above, we feel strongly that Government can and should take steps to preserve the Hong Kong Club building. To do so would be an enlightened and magnanimous act of government for which future generations would be grateful. Conversely, it would be a grave error and act of deprivation to allow this important historical and architectural edifice to be demolished, and the surround- ing area to be drastically and irrevocably impoverished.

We therefore urge the members of the Executive Council to exercise their proper authority in favour of historical preservation, which "brings out the soul of the community; it shows that the community has pride and self-awareness. (American Association of State and Local History).

Finally, we would cite the remarks of local Form Five students, for whom and for whose descendants this petition

18.