TNAG-1075-FCO40-1325-Legislation-for-the-preservation-of-ancient-buildings-and-mo-1981 — Page 54

XCR (81)111 ·

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Financial and Staff Implications

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As the building has been used continually as Government offices, no immediate restoration is required, and it will continue to be maintained for the purpose in the future. The declaration therefore has no immediate financial implications. Should reduction of the number of staff and offices in the building allow this at some future date, it is intended to restore the building to its original state internally.

Public Reaction

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Local public reaction is likely to be favourable. The building is well-known in the northern part of the New Territories, and its loss may provoke criticism,

Publicity

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Suitable publicity will be arranged should the building be

declared a monument.

Advice sought

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Members will be asked to advise whether the District Office (North) building and its grounds, as shown on the annexed plan, should be 'declared a monument under section 3(1) of the Antiquities and Monuments

Ordinance (Chapter 53), by reason of its historical significance.

(The Director of Urban Services (Mr B. D. WILSON) and the Deputy Secretary for the New Territories (Mr CHUI Kam) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item),

11th May 1981

(L/M 2 to HAB 3231/36 X)

G.S. 84

COUNCIL CHAMBER

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